When considering a new destination for your family’s vacation list, solo trip, romantic getaway or just something to watch between trips, this list of wanderlust-inducing films should help. Watch a few of the family-friendly options with the kids and make it a movie night:
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – Rated PG
If you’ve been meaning to visit Iceland, Greenland or New York, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty should be on your list. With an all-star cast and incredible scenery, this whimsical, fun and visually stunning piece of cinematography will make you want to take that sabbatical or plan a travel year with the family.
Icelandic offshore commercial fishing boat used in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Photo: Johann68 | Dreamstime.com
The Hundred Foot Journey – Rated PG
From a small village in India to a seemingly smaller town in France, The Hundred Foot Journey is a great watch for foodies of all ages. Follow an up-and-coming Indian chef stun a classic French restaurant across the street — with the scene-stealing French countryside as the backdrop.
Under the Tuscan Sun – Rated PG-13
Be careful with this one, you might want to run away to Italy and buy a decrepit house in the countryside. A blend of rom-com expectation and stunning Italian countryside, Under the Tuscan Sun has it all. This easy watch follows a woman leaving America for Tuscany after her marriage falls apart. With some incredibly friendly locals and fellow expats, Diane Lane’s character discovers a new life and the meaning of family.
Eat, Pray, Love – Rated PG-13
You might have seen this one coming from a mile away, but Eat, Pray, Love is another leave-it-all-behind film for a woman finding herself in an endlessly beautiful locale — in this case, locales. Watch Julia Roberts eat her way through Italy, pray through India and love through Bali for endless wanderlust entertainment.
Couples Retreat – Rated PG-13
For silly rom-com fun, Couples Retreat takes a group of comedic actors to the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort on the stunning island of Bora Bora.
St. Regis Bora Bora Resort. Photo: Mrcard3 | Dreamstime.com
Two for the Road – Not Rated (1967)
Watch Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney backpack through Europe in Two for The Road. The complicated pair tours through European city streets and beaches, inspiring wanderlust in anyone with even the slightest interest in the iconic setting.
Wild – Rated R
Watch Reese Witherspoon take on the real-life journey of Cheryl Strayed in Wild. The film adaptation of the novel by the same name follows a troubled, lost young woman navigating the Pacific Crest Trail and her past. Perfect for your moody teens, conflicted millennials or yourself, as the subject matter is as riveting as the scenery. Prepare to run to REI to pick up a pair of hiking boots and plan a family camping trip.
The Darjeeling Limited – Rated R
One of the many Wes Anderson films worthy of your wanderlust (expect a few more to follow), The Darjeeling Unlimited follows three incredibly different brothers wandering through India after the loss of their father. The quirky, incredibly detailed film will have you falling for the vibrant colors and sounds of Darjeeling, India.
Lost in Translation – Rated R
Venture through Tokyo with Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson in Lost in Translation. Follow the unlikely pair through the vibrant city.
The Grand Budapest Hotel – Rated R
Set in the fictional Republic of Zubrowka, but resembling an ornate Eastern European hotel, The Grand Budapest Hotel is a fun escape into the world of Wes Anderson again. It’s a wintery trip and a great wanderlust watch with twists of intrigue and darkness.
The Talented Mr. Ripley – Rated R
Set in the 1950s off the coast of Italy, The Talented Mr. Ripley is a dark tale in a stunning locale with an all-star cast, including Jude Law, Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Philip Seymour Hoffman. While a little too mature for the kids, viewers travel with high-society characters from one beautiful Italian Rivera setting to another, following a dangerously obsessed Mr. Ripley.
A Walk in the Woods – Rated R
For another wilderness-based film, A Walk in the Woods will make you want to grab a hiking buddy and pack a bag. Watch two unlikely friends, Robert Redford and Nick Nolte, take on the Appalachian Trail with absolutely no grace or ease. Enjoy the scenery and the light-hearted message with the family.
No matter your vacation style or wanderlust needs, there are plenty of films featuring some of the most desirable destinations on the map for your family to enjoy.
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