Movies About Traveling The World

From Ron Fricke, starring Balinese Tari Legong Dancers, Ni Made Megahadi Pratiwi, Puti Sri Candra Dewi, Putu Dinda Pratika
Rated PG-13

Samsara is a captivating, non-verbal documentary film directed by Ron Fricke (Baraka, Koyaanisqatsi) that journeys around the world, exploring the wonders and horrors of the modern world. Samsara takes viewers on a spiritual journey, with stunning visuals and a mesmerizing soundtrack. The film examines the human condition, and offers a unique insight into the interconnectedness of humanity, nature, and the divine. Samsara visits a variety of places and cultures, including India, Tibet, Japan, Poland, Egypt, and the United States, and explores topics such as consumerism, religion, spirituality, and war. The film ultimately questions the meaning of life and the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

From Jean-Pierre Jeunet, starring Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Rufus, Lorella Cravotta
Rated R

Amélie is a 2001 French romantic comedy film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The story follows Amélie Poulain, a shy and imaginative young woman who lives in Paris. After discovering a photo album belonging to an old man who lives nearby, Amélie develops a fascination with the photos and sets out to reunite the man with his long-lost love. In the process, she discovers a passion for helping others and finds love for herself. Along the way, she learns more about herself, the world around her, and the power of compassion. Amélie is an uplifting and whimsical film about the beauty of life and how helping others can lead to personal growth and happiness.

From Sean Penn, starring Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener, Marcia Gay Harden
Rated R

Into the Wild is a 2007 American biographical adventure drama film written and directed by Sean Penn. It is an adaptation of Jon Krakauer's 1996 nonfiction book of the same name, based on the travels of Christopher McCandless across North America and his life spent in the Alaskan wilderness in the early 1990s. The film stars Emile Hirsch as McCandless and features a number of other well-known actors, including Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, and Kristen Stewart. The story follows Christopher McCandless, a recent college graduate from a wealthy family who sets out on a journey across North America. After graduating from college, McCandless abandons all his worldly possessions and donates his savings to charity, determined to live off the land. He hitchhikes to Alaska and enters the Alaskan wilderness, primarily living off the land, as he attempts to live in a way that is disconnected from society. The film follows McCandless' journey and his struggles to survive in the wild, as he meets a variety of people along the way who teach him valuable life lessons and help him reflect on his place in the world. Through these experiences, McC

From Richard Linklater, starring Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Andrea Eckert, Hanno Pöschl
Rated R

Before Sunrise is a 1995 romantic drama film written and directed by Richard Linklater. Set in Vienna, the film follows American Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and French Celine (Julie Delpy) who meet on a train and develop an instant connection. The two decide to spend the night together in Vienna, exploring their feelings for each other and discussing their views on life and love. As the night progresses, their connection deepens and they eventually decide to stay in Vienna until the next morning and part ways. The film explores the beauty of falling in love in a short period of time, and the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye.

From Wes Anderson, starring Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody
Rated R

The Grand Budapest Hotel follows the adventures of M. Gustave H (Ralph Fiennes), a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the world wars, and Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori), the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune. In addition, it is a loving tribute to the joys of friendship, loyalty, and the art of the perfectly-executed heist. Along the way, M. Gustave and Zero cross paths with an array of delightful characters, including an eccentric author (Jude Law), a despotic police commander (Edward Norton), and a mysterious but influential business tycoon (Willem Dafoe).

From Walter Salles, starring Fernanda Montenegro, Vinícius de Oliveira, Marília Pêra, Soia Lira
Rated R

Central Station is a 1998 Brazilian drama film directed by Walter Salles. It tells the story of Dora (Fernanda Montenegro), an elderly woman who makes a living writing letters for illiterate people at Rio de Janeiro's central train station. When Dora discovers that the letters she has been writing for Josue (Vinicius de Oliveira), a young boy who has been separated from his father, are being used by an unscrupulous lawyer to find Josue's father and cheat him out of his inheritance, she decides to take the boy to the search of his father. Along the way, a bond develops between them and they learn valuable lessons about life and love.

From Kevin Macdonald, starring Simon Yates, Joe Simpson, Brendan Mackey, Nicholas Aaron
Rated R

Touching the Void is a 2003 British documentary film directed by Kevin Macdonald about the real-life survival story of mountaineers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates. In 1985, Simpson and Yates attempted to ascend the previously unclimbed West Face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes. During the descent, Simpson fell and shattered his leg. Yates, believing Simpson to be dead, cut the rope linking them together. After three agonizing days of crawling and dragging himself, Simpson miraculously managed to survive the ordeal. The film retells the story through interviews with Simpson and Yates, as well as reenactments of their fateful adventure. Through the interviews, Simpson and Yates reflect on the physical, emotional, and moral aspects of the event, and how it changed their lives forever.

From Martin McDonagh, starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ciarán Hinds, Elizabeth Berrington
Rated R

In Bruges is a dark comedy directed by Martin McDonagh. The film follows two hitmen, Ray and Ken, who are sent to the Belgian city of Bruges by their boss after a job in London goes wrong. As they wait for further instructions, Ken finds himself captivated by the beauty of the city, while Ray is convinced that the city is just a tourist trap. As the two adjust to their enforced holiday, they have to deal with their own personal issues, as well as the violent repercussions of their actions. The film culminates in a dramatic climax that changes both men forever.

From Walter Salles, starring Gael García Bernal, Rodrigo de la Serna, Mía Maestro, Mercedes Morán
Rated R

The Motorcycle Diaries is a 2004 biographic drama film directed by Walter Salles and based on the memoirs of the same name written by Ernesto 'Che' Guevara. The film follows Guevara (Gael García Bernal) and his friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo De la Serna) as they take an 8,000-mile journey across South America on a 1939 Norton 500 motorcycle. Along the way, the two young men journey through breathtaking landscapes, come face to face with poverty, and experience the joys of adventure. They witness the social injustices in the region, and this ultimately inspires them to become dedicated revolutionaries. As their journey progresses, Guevara begins to document the people and places they encounter, and he learns what it takes to become a leader and a symbol of hope for people everywhere.

From Directors: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris, starring Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear, Abigail Breslin
Rated R

Little Miss Sunshine is a 2006 comedy-drama directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. The movie tells the story of the Hoovers, a dysfunctional family of six who embark on a road trip to California in order to support their daughter Olive, who has made it to the finals of the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant. The road trip is full of ups and downs, with each member of the family struggling with their own personal issues, from failed dreams to drug abuse, and learning to accept and love one another for who they are. Along the way, the family learns the true meaning of family, friendship, and happiness.

From Alfonso Cuarón, starring Maribel Verdú, Gael García Bernal, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Ana López Mercado
Rated R

"Y Tu Mamá También" is a 2001 Mexican drama film directed by Alfonso Cuarón. The story follows two teenage boys, Julio and Tenoch, who are close friends and both come from upper-class Mexico City families. After convincing Tenoch's attractive cousin, Luisa, to join them on a road trip, they embark on an adventure of a lifetime. Along the way, the three characters learn more about themselves, each other and the harsh realities of life as they challenge each other to see the world from different perspectives. The film explores themes of friendship, family, love, and coming of age in a frank, honest and often humorous way. It won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 2002.

From Werner Herzog, starring Werner Herzog, Scott Rowland, Stefan Pashov, Doug MacAyeal
Rated G

Encounters at the End of the World is a 2007 documentary film directed by German director Werner Herzog. It follows Herzog on a journey to Antarctica, where he meets and interviews a variety of people living and working there. Throughout the film, Herzog reflects on humanity’s place in a world that is both alien and beautiful. Through these conversations, along with footage of the unique Antarctic landscape, Herzog creates a poetic portrait of this unique place at the edge of the world.

From Sofia Coppola, starring Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris
Rated R

Lost in Translation is a 2003 film directed by Sofia Coppola. The film tells the story of two strangers, Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), who meet in Tokyo and form an unexpected friendship while trying to make sense of their lives. Bob is an aging actor who has been sent to Tokyo to shoot a commercial, while Charlotte, a recent college graduate, is there because her photographer husband (Giovanni Ribisi) is working. The two bond over their shared feelings of alienation, confusion, and homesickness in a city that is both exciting and overwhelming. As their friendship deepens, the two must decide how to move forward with their lives and their feelings for each other.

From Woody Allen, starring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Kurt Fuller
Rated PG-13

Midnight in Paris is a romantic comedy fantasy film directed and written by Woody Allen. Set in Paris, the film follows Gil Pender (Owen Wilson), a successful but creatively frustrated Hollywood screenwriter who has come to Paris with his fiancée Inez (Rachel McAdams). While walking the streets of the city late one night, he is magically transported back in time to the 1920s and is able to meet some of the period's artistic and literary greats, including Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. Through this journey, Gil discovers that it is not necessarily the present that holds all the answers for him, and is forced to confront the illusions he has about the past. The film features themes of nostalgia, escapism, and modernism.

From Imtiaz Ali, starring Alia Bhatt, Randeep Hooda, Durgesh Kumar, Pradeep Nagar
Rated Not Rated

Highway is a 2014 Indian road drama film written and directed by Imtiaz Ali and starring Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda. The film follows Veera, a young girl from a wealthy family, who is abducted by Mahabir Bhati and his gang. During her journey, Veera comes to terms with her captivity and learns to appreciate the beauty of life. Along the way, she meets a truck driver, Mahabir, who helps her to escape and finds solace in his company. Despite the odds, the two eventually form an unlikely bond and develop a deep understanding of one another and the world they come from. As they travel together, Veera learns to be more accepting and understanding of others, while Mahabir discovers the value of true companionship. In the end, their journey leads them to a newfound freedom.

From Stephan Elliott, starring Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, Terence Stamp, Rebel Penfold-Russell
Rated R

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is a 1994 Australian comedy-drama film written and directed by Stephan Elliott. The movie follows two drag queens, Tick (Hugo Weaving) and Adam (Guy Pearce), and a transgender woman, Bernadette (Terence Stamp), as they take a road trip across the Australian Outback from Sydney to Alice Springs in their lavender bus, Priscilla. Along the way, the trio encounters various people and come to terms with their own identities. They eventually find acceptance and a place to call home in the small desert town where they perform their drag show. The film is widely considered to be a milestone of queer cinema and remains one of the most successful Australian films of all time.

From Ridley Scott, starring Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen
Rated R

Thelma & Louise is a 1991 American road movie directed by Ridley Scott, starring Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon as two friends who embark on a road trip with disastrous consequences. Thelma is a housewife who is abused by her husband and Louise is an independent waitress. After one of Louise's ex-boyfriends attempts to rape Thelma during a night out, they make a pact to never let anyone hurt them again. The pair embark on a road trip to escape the confines of their mundane lives, but when they are pursued by police they become increasingly desperate and ultimately come to a tragic end. The film has become an iconic feminist film, exploring themes of female empowerment, the power of friendship, and the divide between the law and justice.

From Cary Joji Fukunaga, starring Paulina Gaitan, Marco Antonio Aguirre, Leonardo Alonso, Karla Cecilia Alvarado
Rated R

Sin Nombre is a 2009 American drama film written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. The film follows two characters, Sayra and Willy, as they embark on a dangerous journey from Honduras to the United States in search of a better life. On their journey, they encounter violence, poverty, and heartache, as well as moments of joy, compassion, and hope. In the end, the two find a way to make it to the U.S. and begin a new life together. Sin Nombre is a powerful and heartbreaking film that portrays the harsh realities of immigration and the courage of those who seek a better life.

From Rob Reiner, starring Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Sean Hayes, Beverly Todd
Rated PG-13

From Stanley Donen, starring Audrey Hepburn, Albert Finney, Eleanor Bron, William Daniels
Rated Not Rated

From Emilio Estevez, starring Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Deborah Kara Unger, Yorick van Wageningen
Rated PG-13

From Ben Stiller, starring Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Jon Daly, Kathryn Hahn
Rated PG

From Dennis Hopper, starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, Antonio Mendoza
Rated R

From Peter Weir, starring Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris, Colin Farrell, Dragos Bucur
Rated PG-13

From Cédric Klapisch, starring Romain Duris, Judith Godrèche, Kelly Reilly, Audrey Tautou
Rated R