5 Movies That Will Inspire You To Travel

I would like to thank A Girl & A Bald Traveller for publishing this article. Their site is a great place for anyone trying to find inspiration to balance travel and working full time. After reading this article, and finding your travel inspiration, be sure to check out their own bucket list for even more ideas!

All travel lovers know the call of wanderlust. It can be triggered by the slightest sight, smell or feeling, and before you know it, your bags are packed and you’re ready to jump on a plane to an unknown destination. However, there are a few things in life that are certain to inspire you to travel, no matter who you are, and a good travel movie is most definitely one of them. There are many great films out there with wanderlust-inducing qualities, but the five listed below are definitely some of the best. By the time you turn off the TV, you’ll have your passport in hand and be raring to get out the door and start your next great adventure.

Eat, Pray, Love

We’ve all experienced those slumps in life where nothing seems to make sense. After a string of particularly nasty break-ups, Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) decides it’s time to leave her old life behind in search of something new. Her journey takes her to some of the finest restaurants in Italy, an ashram in India and reunites her with an old and beloved guru in Bali. As a classic tale of finding yourself through travel, this feel-good adventure is sure to put a smile on your face and get you geared up for your next trip. If the story alone doesn’t inspire you to travel, the beautiful settings, gourmet cuisine and showcase of many vibrant and exciting cultures most definitely will.

The Bucket List

Starring two legendary actors: Morgan Freeman (as Carter Chambers) and Jack Nicholson (as Edward), The Bucket List is a powerful reminder that there’s no time better than now to live your dreams. Both characters, one a rich and callous business owner and the other a humble, hardworking mechanic, meet by chance as fate puts them both in the same hospital room. After receiving some life-changing news, the pair decides it’s time to take their happiness into their own hands and set off on the adventure of a lifetime. This unforgettably heartwarming story that takes the two protagonists out of their comfort zone and all over the world is sure to make anyone leap off the sofa, devise their own bucket list and set off on an adventure to wholeheartedly follow their dreams.

Tracks

Based on the true story of Robyn Davidson, this film—and book of the same name—is an impressive testimony to what we’re capable of once we set our minds to it. The story follows Robyn as she packs up her comfortable life in Melbourne and moves to the culturally-shocking Alice Springs with the aim to build her own camel train and set off into the outback for a 2,700km trek to the Indian Ocean. Seen as insane by her old peers and new acquaintances, the bravery and determination that Robyn shows throughout the entirety of her journey is truly inspirational and encourages viewers to question their belief on the limits of their own ability. This film might not have you hiking across the outback, but it will definitely convince you to pick up your walking boots and head out into the unknown.

Into The Wild

This 2007 release, written by Sean Penn, is a biographical testimony to the power that true freedom and wanderlust instills within us all. As an adaption of the 1996 book following the travels of Christopher McCandless (played by Emile Hirsch in the film), this raw, unforgettable and unique story questions everything we know about the limits of travel. McCandless, for an undisclosed reason, decides to leave society and the world as he knows it behind, and without too many spoilers, this tale of survival and isolation forces any viewer to rethink their relationship with the modern world and yearn for a more intimate connection with nature. Although, after watching the film it’s very unlikely that you’ll be moved to follow his journey exactly, you will definitely be inspired to get out your camping equipment and set out for some quality time in nature.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

It’s not just Hollywood that provides the world with epic adventure stories; it’s Indian counterpart has just as much to offer. Loosely translated as “the big-hearted will take away the bride” this 1995 Bollywood release is a contemporary and modern story of a young girl who is granted permission to go on once last trip before she is married. Simran, the protagonist (played by Kajol Devgan), travels to Europe before meeting a fellow traveler who changes the course of her life forever. This film was so culturally impacting that it inspired countless girls to follow in her footsteps and so successful that it became the highest grossing Bollywood film of the year. An incredible story about throwing caution to the wind and creating your own destiny, DDJK—as it is commonly known—will leave any watcher ready to pack their bags and jet off into the unknown.

NOTE: Many of these films are available on Netflix so are great to watch when on-the-go. However, if you’re planning to find travel inspiration when you’re not in your own country, then be sure that you have a Virtual Private Network (VPN) installed. This is because Netflix is subject to geo-blocking based on your IP address and, therefore, much of it’s content is blocked when you’re abroad. Using a VPN hides your IP address and allows you to access films no matter where you are.

Whether you’re looking for a short weekend away or to set off on an undetermined adventure, these films are sure to rekindle your traveling spirit. However, there are many more like them out there, so if one of your favorites isn’t on the list and you think it deserves to be, then make sure to comment below.

About the author: Jess Signet is a travel blogger, digital nomad and movie buff. She loves to travel and hopes that these movies will inspire you to get out there and see the world! You can find Jess on Twitter here: @Jessstravels