1980 road trip movies

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The Funniest Road Trip Comedy Movies

There's something about the open road that continues to inspire hilarious comedies year after year. The best road trip movies are about the mishap-filled journey as much as the funny destination. This is a list of the top movies about road trips including everything from The Blues Brothers to Little Miss Sunshine to Borat . If you're planning on going on your own adventure, you might be interested in the best 2018 songs perfect for your road trip playlist .

What films will you find on this list of the best road trip movies? Dumb and Dumber  continues to make audiences laugh. Whether Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) and Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) are traveling by dog-car, scooter or Hawaiian Tropic bus, the result is pure hilarity. Vacation – starring Chevy Chase – is another classic road trip comedy.  Tommy Boy finds the dynamic duo of Chris Farley and David Spade traveling across the country on a mission to save the family business. Other good films featured on this best road trip movies list include Planes, Trains and Automobiles , Road Trip , and Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle .

Which road trip movie do you think is the funniest? Give your favorites a thumbs up and please add any good films that are missing.

Tommy Boy presents Chris Farley in his prime as Thomas "Tommy" Callahan III, an incompetent heir to his late father's auto parts business, who embarks on a wild sales trip with straight-laced colleague Richard Hayden (David Spade). The unlikely duo's misadventures and epic mishaps make for a riotous road trip full of quotable lines and uproarious scenes that have solidified this film as a beloved comedy classic.

• # 29 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 216 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 136 of 379 on The Best Movies Of The 1990s

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Planes, Trains and Automobiles delivers side-splitting humor with Steve Martin as Neal Page, an uptight advertising executive desperate to get home for Thanksgiving, and John Candy as Del Griffith, a chatty shower curtain ring salesman. The duo finds themselves stuck together on an outrageously chaotic journey filled with canceled flights, rental car disasters, and unlikely sleeping arrangements—a must-watch for fans of laugh-out-loud road trip comedies.

• # 50 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 11 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 226 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

Dumb and Dumber

Dumb and Dumber showcases the hysterical journey of two dimwitted pals, Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels), who embark on an epic cross-country trek to return a briefcase full of money to its rightful owner. With endless slapstick comedy and unforgettable one-liners, this classic film is sure to leave viewers in stitches as they witness these lovable fools face one ludicrous obstacle after another.

Vacation follows the Griswold family—led by bumbling patriarch Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase)—as they embark on a disastrous yet hysterical drive from Chicago to California's Walley World theme park. Featuring memorable comedic moments like Aunt Edna's untimely demise and Christie Brinkley's flirtatious Ferrari Girl character, this 1983 comedy remains an iconic piece of Americana that guarantees laughter from start to finish.

• # 31 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 7 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 162 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

We're the Millers

In We're the Millers , a small-time drug dealer (Jason Sudeikis) recruits a stripper (Jennifer Aniston), a runaway teen (Emma Roberts), and their naive neighbor (Will Poulter) to pose as his wholesome family in order to smuggle drugs across the Mexican border. Hilarity ensues as this ragtag bunch of misfits navigates their way through a series of hilarious road trip mishaps, all while trying to maintain their fake-family façade.

• # 320 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 77 of 627 on The 600+ Funniest Movies Of All Time
• # 37 of 89 on The Most Rewatchable Comedy Movies

The Blues Brothers

The Blues Brothers features John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as Jake and Elwood Blues, two brothers who reunite their blues band in order to save the orphanage they grew up in. This 1980 musical comedy is packed with high-speed car chases, legendary cameos by artists such as Aretha Franklin and James Brown, and unforgettable tunes that will leave you singing "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" long after the credits roll.

• # 48 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 18 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 31 of 202 on Musical Movies With The Best Songs

Kingpin introduces us to Roy Munson (Woody Harrelson), a washed-up former pro bowler with a prosthetic hand who teams up with Amish bowling prodigy Ishmael Boorg (Randy Quaid) in hopes of winning a million-dollar tournament. This Farrelly brothers' comedy strikes the perfect balance between slapstick humor and heartwarming moments as Roy and Ishmael navigate their way through an absurd series of events, all while trying to avoid the vengeful wrath of pro bowler Ernie McCracken (Bill Murray).

• # 203 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 52 of 206 on The Best Sports Movies Ever Made
• # 58 of 168 on The Best '90s Comedy Movies, Ranked

In Road Trip , college student Josh Parker (Breckin Meyer) accidentally mails his long-distance girlfriend Tiffany Henderson (Rachel Blanchard) a videotape meant for another girl. With his motley crew of friends in tow—including Seann William Scott as the raucous E.L.—Josh embarks on a madcap journey to retrieve the tape before it's too late, encountering zany situations and uproarious mishaps that make for a hilarious cinematic ride.

• # 529 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 319 of 627 on The 600+ Funniest Movies Of All Time
• # 10 of 51 on The 50 Best Party Movies Ever Made, Ranked

David Spade's lovable loser embarks on a quest to find his long-lost parents, encountering a slew of eccentric characters along the way. This offbeat road comedy celebrates the power of resilience and self-discovery in the face of adversity.

• # 506 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 36 of 113 on The Best Movies Of 2001
• # 220 of 627 on The 600+ Funniest Movies Of All Time

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle follows best friends Harold Lee (John Cho) and Kumar Patel (Kal Penn) on their quest for late-night munchies—specifically those delicious sliders from White Castle. Along the way, they encounter eccentric characters like Neil Patrick Harris playing a drug-addled version of himself, resulting in gut-busting hilarity that has made this stoner comedy a cult favorite.

• # 339 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 170 of 627 on The 600+ Funniest Movies Of All Time
• # 33 of 99 on The Best Movies Of 2004, Ranked

Midnight Run

Midnight Run stars Robert De Niro as Jack Walsh, a bounty hunter tasked with bringing accountant Jonathan "The Duke" Mardukas (Charles Grodin) back to Los Angeles after he embezzled millions from the mob. As they traverse the country avoiding mobsters and the FBI alike, their comedic banter makes for an entertaining ride rife with unexpected twists and turns, elevating this action-comedy into an absolute must-watch.

• # 236 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 357 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 118 of 233 on The Best '80s Comedy Movies, Ranked

A modern-day twist on the classic madcap chase film, this comedy features an ensemble cast, including John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson, competing in a wild race to find a hidden fortune. Hilarity ensues as each character encounters outrageous obstacles and colorful opponents along their frantic journey.

• # 570 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 35 of 113 on The Best Movies Of 2001
• # 361 of 627 on The 600+ Funniest Movies Of All Time

Pee-wee's Big Adventure

Paul Reubens brings his iconic character to life in this whimsical adventure across America in search of his stolen bicycle. Pee-wee's innocent charm and imaginative spirit make this road trip comedy a timeless classic.

• Dig Deeper... 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure' Is A Weirdly Traumatizing Classic
• # 154 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 303 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films

Mr. Bean's Holiday

Rowan Atkinson's beloved character embarks on a trip to the French Riviera, where he inadvertently creates chaos at every turn. The film combines slapstick humor with picturesque European settings, making for a light-hearted, visually appealing road trip adventure.

• # 428 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 333 of 627 on The 600+ Funniest Movies Of All Time
• # 33 of 102 on The Best British Comedy Movies

Robert Downey Jr .'s uptight architect and Zach Galifianakis' eccentric aspiring actor form an unlikely duo in this raucous journey across America. The film keeps viewers laughing while showcasing the transformative power of friendship and personal growth during unexpected detours.

• # 534 of 627 on The 600+ Funniest Movies Of All Time
• # 59 of 88 on The 85+ Best Stoner Comedies Ever
• # 5 of 32 on Blockbusters With No Cultural Impact Whatsoever, Ranked

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

This classic 1963 comedy is undoubtedly a memorable road trip comedy, featuring a star-studded cast racing to find buried treasure. From roadside mishaps to comedic misunderstandings, this film set the standard for the chaos and hilarity that characterize the best road trip comedies.

• # 70 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 667 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 131 of 627 on The 600+ Funniest Movies Of All Time

Four middle-aged friends, played by Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, and William H. Macy, hit the open road on motorcycles, seeking adventure and escape from their mundane lives. The film's blend of slapstick comedy and heartfelt moments make it a fun and relatable portrayal of friendship and rediscovering one's passion.

• # 262 of 626 on The 600+ Funniest Movies Of All Time
• # 145 of 188 on The Best Movies For Men
• # 52 of 139 on The Best Movies Of 2007

Robin Williams stars as a well-intentioned father who takes his family on a disastrous RV trip, leading to a series of comedic mishaps and unexpected encounters. The film showcases Williams's comedic genius while reminding us of the importance of family connection amidst the chaos.

Little Miss Sunshine

This heartwarming and quirky indie film follows a dysfunctional family as they travel together in a rickety VW bus to support their young daughter in a beauty pageant. With complex characters and emotional depth, this comedy proves that even the most unconventional journeys can lead to profound personal growth and familial bonds.

• # 390 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 678 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 216 of 627 on The 600+ Funniest Movies Of All Time

When a family attempts to recreate a memorable road trip from their childhood, hilarity ensues in this reboot of the classic comedy. Ed Helms and Christina Applegate's pitch-perfect performances keep audiences laughing through every twist and turn.

• # 10 of 13 on 13 Times Movies Used CGI For Absolutely No Good Reason
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Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Sacha Baron Cohen's mockumentary-style comedy follows the unforgettable character Borat as he travels across America to learn about its culture. The film is both shocking and hilarious, as Cohen's outrageous antics expose cultural divides and challenge societal norms.

This raunchy comedy follows a group of friends on a cross-country journey to lose their virginity, resulting in outrageous escapades and hilarious misadventures. The film masterfully combines crude humor with genuine heart, making it a memorable addition to the road trip genre.

• # 124 of 158 on The Best Movies of 2008
• # 21 of 22 on The Most Important 'Firsts' In Film History
• # 23 of 25 on The Greatest Band Cameos In Movie History

The Bucket List

Despite its somber premise, this film starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman is surprisingly uplifting, as two terminally ill men embark on a road trip to complete their bucket list. Through laughter and shared experiences, the film reminds us of the importance of living life to the fullest and cherishing the connections we make along the way.

• # 25 of 30 on 30 Words And Phrases You Might Not Realize Originated From A Movie Or TV Show
• # 50 of 90 on The 85+ Most Inspirational Movies Of All Time
• # 41 of 139 on The Best Movies Of 2007

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

Kevin Smith's iconic slacker characters hit the road in this irreverent comedy, on a mission to sabotage the Hollywood adaptation of their comic book alter egos. The film delivers non-stop laughs and clever pop culture references, making it a must-see for fans of Smith's unique brand of humor.

• # 413 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 603 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 29 of 113 on The Best Movies Of 2001

Identity Thief

Melissa McCarthy shines as a brazen con artist, leading Jason Bateman's character on a wild chase to clear his name. The film cleverly balances slapstick humor with heartfelt moments, illustrating the unlikely relationships that can develop on the road.

Wine connoisseurs and comedy lovers alike will appreciate this critically acclaimed film about two friends on a wine-tasting road trip through California. The film's sharp wit, engaging characters, and beautiful scenery create a humorous yet introspective journey of self-discovery.

• # 469 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 36 of 99 on The Best Movies Of 2004, Ranked
• # 199 of 675 on The Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars

College Road Trip

Martin Lawrence and Raven-Symoné star in this family-friendly comedy about a father-daughter duo road-tripping to visit colleges. The film is a lighthearted reminder of the challenges and joys of letting go and embracing life's transitions.

• # 72 of 158 on The Best Movies of 2008
• # 261 of 467 on The Best Black Movies Ever Made, Ranked
• # 100 of 116 on The Funniest Black Movies Ever Made

This classic road trip comedy set during the Great Depression pairs a charming con man with a precocious young girl, played by real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O'Neal. Their adventures and evolving bond create a touching and timeless story filled with humor and heart.

• # 184 of 675 on The Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars
• # 83 of 199 on The Best Movies Of The '70s, Ranked
• # 22 of 57 on The 50+ Best Movies About Con Artists

Bad Grandpa

Johnny Knoxville brings his signature outrageous stunts and pranks to this hidden camera comedy, playing an elderly man on a road trip with his young grandson. The film pushes the boundaries of taste while showcasing the undeniable bond between the two characters.

Are We There Yet

Ice Cube stars in this family comedy as a man attempting to win over his girlfriend's children by driving them across the country to visit their mother. The film offers a humorous take on the challenges of blended families and the unexpected bonds that can form on the road.

• # 510 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 163 of 467 on The Best Black Movies Ever Made, Ranked
• # 56 of 116 on The Funniest Black Movies Ever Made
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List by 80sExplorer

Published 2018-08-28T23:38:11.779Z Updated 2023-04-06T01:43:17.969Z

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80s Road Movies

1980s films about or involving road trips

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8 Best 80s Road Trip Comedies You Want to Watch Before Heading On The Road

Pack your bags and get ready to watch these movies!

Cruising the streets of the city on a warm day, stopping to see one of the seven wonders of the world, or spending a week with close friends may be the ideal way to spend the summer away. Most of the protagonists in movies would likely purchase a plane ticket to land at their desired destination, others vowed to pack their bags into a car and head on onto the road.

RELATED: 8 Movies Where You Can Actually Visit The Location Where It Was Filmed

Even if everything is packed, and the outline for the day's adventures is set, road trips can still have their set of surprises. Luckily the protagonists in the 80s movies didn't live through the same nightmares that Cheryl Strayed in The Wild (2014) and Aaron Ralston in 127 Hours (2010) did.

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) -- Rated R

Clark Griswold ( Chevy Chase ) was on a mission to take his family to Wally World Amusement in California by driving across the country in a 1989 Ford station wagon from Illinois. Clark's wife, Ellen ( Beverly D'Angelo ), and their children, Rusty ( Anthony Michael Hall ) and Audrey ( Dana Barron ), insisted on flying there. Clark convinced them that the best way to travel is by car as a chance to be together as a family.

A wrong turn on the highway, a family visit in Kansas, and losing a card in Colorado might have made the Griswolds take a detour from their main route. However, this gave them a chance to view some iconic landmarks. Although National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) packs many comedic moments, it might not be family-friendly for all audiences . The movie is available on HBO Max.

National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) -- Rated PG-13

The Griswold family went international after their vacation in Wally World. As answering the final question on a game show, the Griswold family won an all-paid expenses trip across Europe. After arriving in London, they rented a car and traveled across Paris, Germany, and Rome while learning about the people and arts of each country.

The Griswold's road trip through Europe wouldn't be complete if they didn't get trapped on the roundabout in England, mistake strangers in Germany as their relatives, and have thieves steal their videotapes in France. National Lampoon's European Vacation is currently available on HBO Max.

Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) -- Rated PG

What motivates people to travel? Sometimes it's the desire to visit new locations or visit a distant friend, other times it's simply to retrieve a prized possession. For Pee-Wee Herman ( Paul Reubens ), his motivation was to reclaim his red bike. Pee-Wee assumed it was his neighbor and enemy Francis Buxton ( Mark Holton ), but Francis claimed he didn't know what happened to the bike.

RELATED: 10 Funniest Comedies of the 1980s, Ranked

After Pee-Wee visited a fortune-teller who believed that the bike was in The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, Pee-Wee departs for his recovery mission. Pee-Wee's personality and behavior as the boy who never grew up got him into some trouble with gangs throughout the film. Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) is available on YouTube.

Fandango (1985) -- Rated PG

Gardner Barnes ( Kevin Costner ), Kenneth Waggener ( Sam Robards ), Phil Hicks ( Judd Nelson ), Lester ( Brian Cesak ), and Dorman ( Chuck Bush ) were the five University of Texas graduates. They didn't have any clue as to what they wanted to do after graduation. With no plan for the future and no real plan for the road trip, the five of them drive down to the Rio Grande which lies on the border of Mexico and the United States.

Fandango (1985) celebrated the carefree moments of being young with nothing to lose. At the beginning of the film, one of the definitions of the word "fandango " defined it as a "foolish act." The five friends' uncalculated ideas and mishaps could be considered foolish, but their ideas also tie in worthy life lessons. Fandango is available on YouTube.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) -- Rated PG-13

Sometimes a road trip doesn't mean long distances, sometimes it could mean taking a day to spend in a nearby city. At least that's what Ferris Bueller ( Matthew Broderick ) did in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986). Rather than taking a European socialism exam on the last day before Spring Break during his senior year, Ferris decided to take a "sick day" from school. He convinced his friends Cameron ( Alan Ruck ) and Sloane Peterson ( Mia Sara ) to join him on this day, as Ferris borrowed his father's Ferrari and drove through the streets of Chicago.

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it," Ferris Bueller's Day Off might be the most referenced line to date and was the quote the Ferris lived by. Ferris Bueller's Day Off relied on situational irony, and juvenile humor tactics as Ferris and his friends tried to outsmart the parents, the Dean of Students, and anyone else who would expose them for not being sick at all. Ferris Bueller's Day Off is available on Amazon Prime Video.

Crocodile Dundee (1986) -- Rated PG-13

Mick "Crocodile" Dundee ( Paul Hogan ) lived his entire life in Australia. He knew the landscape, animal behavior, and the citizens that lived there. When saving a reporter, Sue Charlton ( Linda Kozlowski ) from a crocodile attack in Australia, she invited him to travel with her to New York. This way she would be able to continue to write her article about the Australian hunter.

RELATED: 8 Best Vacation Movies To Stream Before Heading Out This Summer

Mick showed a different perspective on America, as New York City became completely new territory for him. Crocodile Dundee (1986) includes a romantic plot. Miscommunications and culture shocks account for a majority of the film's comedic elements. Crocodile Dundee is available on the Roku Channel.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) -- Rated R

Only days away from Thanksgiving, all Neal Page ( Steve Martin ) wanted was to go home to his family in Chicago. Because of an oncoming snowstorm, Neal's flight from New York lands in Kansas. Along the way, he bumps into a bubbly salesman named Del Griffith ( John Candy ). After being acquainted with him on the flight, they took different modes of transportation together from Kansas to make it to Chicago.

Any movie with Martin listed in the starring role with likely be a heartwarming family film or a comedy that viewers will grab their sides from laughing too hard. Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) happened to be the latter, as each of Neal's plans seemed to be a bust, and both he and Neal encountered unplanned setbacks. Planes, Trains & Automobiles is available on the Roku Channel.

Coming to America (1988) -- Rated R

Prince Akeem ( Eddie Murphy ) lived in his family kingdom in Zamunda in Africa. He was next in line to the throne, all he needed to do was marry. However, Prince Akeem desired to marry a woman that fell in love with him and respected him, and not just respected him for his social status and wealth.

Although he took a flight to New York City to find his true love, Prince Akeem did travel the streets of New York to understand the culture of America. He blended in with the residents in Queens by living on the poor side of the city, trading in his elegant attire for street clothes, and looking to work a minimum wage job. Coming to America (1988) is available on Hulu, and after 33 years, the movie got a sequel titled Coming to America 2 (2021) available on Amazon Prime Video.

NEXT: The Worst Getaway Ever: 11 Must-Watch Vacation Horror Movies

27 Road Trip Movies Every Traveler Needs To Watch

The road is one of the most enduring images in film history because it can be used for so many different purposes. It can mean the freedom of adventure, or adventure's inevitable dead-end. Road trips can result in meeting interesting new characters, or they can be the worst kind of isolation or even the worst kind of forced bonding. Filmmakers from all over the world are continually drawn to the road movie and specifically the road trip movie, where a simple car or bus ride can become something much more meaningful. It offers plenty of opportunity for unexpected change, and it often does so in front of beautiful, overwhelming landscapes. They'll never stop making movies about road trips because people will never stop taking them, always wanting to see the sights and maybe become a little wiser in the process.

The 27 films in this list all take their own approaches to portraying the road trip cinematically, emphasizing its best and worst tendencies and playing them for both comedy and drama. But even the worst trips taken here offer something to appreciate, sometimes deep thought about the meaning of the road and sometimes a laugh at the expense of the poor fools stuck in the car.

1. Easy Rider

One of the most iconic road trips in cinematic history was taken by Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper in Hopper's 1969 classic "Easy Rider." The legendary image of Fonda and Hopper riding their motorcycles while Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild" plays remains people's main association with "Easy Rider." But the movie itself is more complicated than just the thrill of riding down wide-open roads. The tagline tells of a man who went looking for America and "couldn't find it anywhere," and that's a good summation of the cynical eye this takes toward the country it explores.

Fonda and Hopper encounter some friendly people in their travels, most famously Jack Nicholson in his breakout role as a drunken lawyer. They encounter just as much resistance as they do support, from people with no tolerance for their countercultural attitudes and long hair. In one scene, Nicholson tells Hopper that people are scared of him because "what you represent to them is freedom," and the film's bleak ending offers little hope that freedom can be maintained in the face of such strong opposition. But the power of the film's images of freedom and joy is still enough to keep this as one of the beloved road movies.

2. Lost in America

Despite its cynicism, "Easy Rider" inspired many Americans to go out on the road themselves, even ones who couldn't be further away from Fonda and Hopper's biker lifestyle. This is the subject of writer, director, and actor Albert Brooks's 1985 film "Lost in America," in which a middle-class yuppie couple (Brooks and Julie Hagerty) hits the road and quickly realizes they can't handle it. By the end of the trip, they've destroyed their lives and their savings, and they've rid themselves of any romantic notions about traveling America without a plan.

Brooks' directorial work is defined by bitterness and discomfort as much as by laughs, and "Lost in America" can be particularly caustic. Brooks and Hagerty sink to some miserable depths during the course of their trip, reduced to begging for the money they just lost gambling or treating each other with naked hostility. A trip to the Hoover Dam doesn't offer scenery, instead serving as a backdrop to the couple's most vicious fight. "Lost in America" is a satire of the waste and excess of the American '80s, but it's also a reminder to make sure you've carefully thought through your road trip before you embark on one. Some people aren't ready for the road, and Brooks and Hagerty learn that too late.

3. The Color Wheel

Getting stuck with someone annoying on a long road trip can be a miserable experience, so spending the entirety of the 2011 comedy "The Color Wheel" with two annoying people on a road trip can make it a tough sell. But the film's writer-director, Alex Ross Perry, has an uncommon talent for writing people who only seem to be awful and irritating so that they're both funnier and more tragic than they would be in real life. That skill serves him especially well for the two leads of "The Color Wheel," an obnoxious brother and sister (played by Perry and Carlen Altman) whose road trip through New England leads them to meet strangers and old friends who are all even more awful than they are. The scenery offers little comfort when every scene becomes a passive-aggressive argument.

"The Color Wheel" is above all else a comedy, happy to laugh at its main characters for their abysmal social skills and undisguised contempt for each other and everyone around them. But as the trip goes on and they keep meeting hostile exes and classmates, their situation starts to seem a little sad, like they've been molded into hateful jerks by the whole world around them. Their final attempt to escape the cycle of anger and venom is shocking, but it's also unexpectedly tender, because Perry respects his characters even as they embarrass themselves.

Even the awful road trip of "The Color Wheel" can't compare to the nightmare trip taken by the title character of "Zola," and hers really happened. "Zola" was adapted from the famous Twitter thread detailing a disastrous trip to Florida taken by a part-time stripper (Taylour Paige) and a woman she just met (Riley Keough). There's not much time to enjoy Florida on this trip, the scenery consists of strip malls and different men's hotel rooms, and the business Zola has been dragged into quickly spirals into exploitation and violence.

"Zola" is about very bad events in a woman's life, but like the Twitter thread, it believes those events to be hilarious above anything else. The band of fools Zola winds up with can seem dangerous, particularly Colman Domingo's ambiguously accented pimp, but mostly they're all bluster and no brains. When they encounter people who are actually dangerous, they escape by the skin of their teeth. There's tension but never fear in "Zola," and that helps to make it a wonderful comedy even once the blood starts getting shed.

5. American Honey

"Zola" isn't the only movie where Riley Keough is a uniquely awful road trip presence. There's also the 2016 drama "American Honey", where Keough enlists a young girl played by Sasha Lane into a crew of door-to-door magazine salespeople. They travel blissfully across the Midwest, and Lane falls in love with a member of the crew, played by Shia LaBeouf. But their peaceful, off-the-grid existence is threatened by Keough and the precarity of their jobs.

A common thread across many of the great American road movies is that they're not directed by Americans, with international directors often looking at American landscapes in a different way than their American counterparts who've grown up with them. English director Andrea Arnold joins that group of directors with how she films America here, pushing the colors of the landscapes to such extremes that the emotions associated with them are also heightened, whether they be romance or danger. Her beautiful imagery is accentuated by her pulsing soundtrack, which switches between big-name pop hits and obscurities that perfectly match the mood of youthful excitement and negligence that defines "American Honey."

6. Stranger Than Paradise

While road trips can be fun and exciting, they can also be tedious, especially when there's not much scenery to look at. Writer-director Jim Jarmusch expertly captured the boredom of a bad road trip in his 1984 breakthrough "Stranger Than Paradise," in which the three leads take off in search of new experiences and don't find them anywhere they look.

Two of the leads are Hungarian émigrés hoping to find more from America than they did from their home. But the America portrayed in "Stranger Than Paradise" is just the most unremarkable areas of New York, Ohio, and Florida, presented so that the camera is just as unimpressed by them as the characters are. And only the most monotonous aspects of the road trip are shown, like driving through the endless expanse of Pennsylvania or arguing about who has to sleep on the cot when they get to a motel. Despite its tedium, "Stranger Than Paradise" is a very funny study of how the myths of the road can collapse in the face of the realities of going out on the road.

7. Badlands

Not all road trips start from good intentions. The one undertaken by Kit (Martin Sheen) and Holly (Sissy Spacek) in 1973's Bonnie and Clyde story "Badlands" starts after Kit murders Holly's father and burns down their house. That's where the journey begins, and eventually Kit is responsible for much more than one murder. But there's still an innocence to young Kit and Holly's trip, where they create their own society out in the wilderness and encounter all kinds of gorgeous nature. "Badlands," writes Sheila O'Malley for Criterion , is based on the 1958 murder spree of Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate, but its power doesn't come from its killings so much as its troubling naivete, where the blinkered teenage attitudes of its protagonists and the pastoral beauty of their surroundings say nothing about the horrible violence occurring right in front of them.

"Badlands" was the debut of writer-director Terrence Malick, who would go on to develop a reputation for his eye for natural landscapes. That's present even this early, shooting trees and sunsets so that they appear magical more than natural. But that magic here comes with a terrible price, and Malick seems as disturbed by nature's non-reaction to the evil committed all around it as he is entranced by its power.

8. My Blueberry Nights

Wong Kar-wai has directed some of the most beloved films of all time in his native Hong Kong, but to date, he's only made one movie in the United States. That was 2007's "My Blueberry Nights," which explores the unique geography of America through a road trip starting in New York and ending in Las Vegas. Wong is renowned for his intensely stylized movies, and "My Blueberry Nights" is no exception. Wong's America is beautiful in a way it isn't in real life — only Wong's oversaturated colors and beautiful golden light could make it look this gorgeous. In this way, Wong captures the feeling of a great road trip, of falling in love with every location you pass. And Wong ties all these stunning locales to his usual themes of heartbreak and melancholy, showing beautiful places inhabited by sad, lonely people.

"My Blueberry Nights" is held back from the levels of Wong's best movies by a weak script and inconsistent performances. Otherwise talented actors like Natalie Portman and Rachel Weisz go over the top, while even strong performances from Jude Law and David Strathairn have to go against the bland lead performance from singer and first-time actor Norah Jones. But such flaws don't matter too much in light of how enchanting Wong's vision of the world is. This is the kind of movie that makes people want to keep taking road trips.

9. Alice in the Cities

Few directors are as synonymous with the road and road movies as Wim Wenders, the German director who's made several of the best-loved movies about the road ever made. His most overt takes on the road genre are the three movies that make up his "Road Trilogy," starting with "Alice in the Cities" in 1974. "Alice in the Cities" concerns German writer Philip (Rüdiger Vogler), who follows a disappointing assignment by meeting a woman (Lisa Kreuzer) and her young daughter Alice (Yella Rottländer), then agreeing to go on a trip through Amsterdam. Their trip is marked by complications, boredom, and a lot of music, including a Chuck Berry concert and a jukebox playing Canned Heat. And all the while, Philip and Alice begin to develop a friendship.

"Alice in the Cities" is one of the most lasting Wenders movies, inspiring the work of filmmakers like Allison Anders and Mike Mills, particularly Mills' own adult-and-child road movie "C'mon C'mon." "Alice in the Cities" holds special power for its tale of unexpected companionship, where the road has the magic to bring together people who never would have even met under different circumstances. Even when the sights aren't exciting, getting to experience those sights with someone new can be a rewarding experience.

10. Magic Mike XXL

The success of the male-stripper comedy "Magic Mike" left star Channing Tatum and writer Reid Carolin with the duty of following up a movie that seemed to neatly wrap up at the end. Rather than repeat the first one's formula, Tatum and Carolin decided to go in another direction, turning 2015's "Magic Mike XXL" into an exuberant road trip movie about friends and the joy of performing. "Magic Mike" was an often melancholy movie about the recession, and while there are still economic worries all over "Magic Mike XXL," they mostly take a back seat to just enjoying the chance to escape from them for a few days.

The first film's director, Steven Soderbergh, didn't return to direct "Magic Mike XXL," but he did serve as its cinematographer, and he deserves special credit for how beautiful he makes the film's Southern locations look. Even an ordinary gas station comes to life with Soderbergh's golden light, to say nothing of the beaches and palatial estates Mike and his friends visit on their journey. The beauty of these locations also represents the simple beauty of hanging out with people you love, and this is where "Magic Mike XXL" separates itself from its predecessor. Mike's fellow strippers barely had personalities in the first one, but here they're best friends who love each other's company even as they razz each other. It's a unique pleasure to go on the road with such a tight-knit group.

11. Y tu mamá también

After making 2001's "Y tu mamá también," Alfonso Cuarón stuck to making large-scale spectacles and big-budget blockbusters. But in "Y tu mamá también," Cuarón applies his usual technical excellence to a simple story of a woman and two teenage boys going on a road trip. The Mexican landscapes they drive past are beautifully shot by future Oscar-winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, and their conversations are profane and hilarious, especially as delivered by Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal in their breakthrough roles. But a serious side creeps into "Y tu mamá también" as it goes on, eventually taking it over entirely.

As the three take their trip, they pass by political strife and Mexican culture soon to die out entirely. The characters may only be passing through these areas, but there are people living in the areas whose lives will be very difficult long after the leads are gone. Despite its main characters' immaturity, this is a surprisingly thoughtful road trip movie, understanding that even the most pristine locales are burdened by troubling history. That also turns out to be true about the main characters' dynamics, where the teenage leads eventually realize the depths of sadness and desperation they and their traveling partner carry with them. But before they get to that point, they have a great time, and so does the viewer watching them.

12. My Own Private Idaho

Gus Van Sant's "My Own Private Idaho" opens with River Phoenix's character, Mikey Waters, saying that he's traveled so much down so many roads that he can recognize the roads just by sight. His life on the road is a beautiful but lonely one until he finds someone he can briefly share it with, a senator's son, Scott Favor ( Keanu Reeves ). Their journeys across deserted roads and rocky landscapes are sometimes silly but mostly poetic and sad, showing two young men as lost in the scenery as they are in their own lives.

Van Sant makes a lot of odd digressions in "My Own Private Idaho," including a sequence with talking erotic magazines and an entire plot loosely adapted from Shakespeare's "Henry IV" saga, writes Amy Taubin for Criterion . But the heart of the film is the relationship between Mikey and Scott, one where Mikey may be the only one of the two to realize how special and intimate it is. A heartbreaking scene at a campfire sees Mikey get tantalizingly close to professing his love to Scott and not quite doing so. While Mikey may have lived his life by the isolation of the road, he needs Scott to share that life with him, and the film offers little hope that this will happen.

13. The Straight Story

The films and TV of David Lynch are usually filled with the darkness and violence that lurk beneath the beautiful landscapes of America. But Lynch still loves those landscapes and the people who inhabit them, and never is that clearer than his only movie to get a G rating, 1999's "The Straight Story." He tells the story of a real-life road trip, where an elderly, almost blind farmer named Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) drove a lawn mower from Iowa to Wisconsin to see his ailing brother (Harry Dean Stanton).

There's not much dialogue in "The Straight Story," especially for the long stretches where Alvin is on his own out on the road, but it's not necessary when Lynch is working with the wide-open expanses of the midwest. He finds magic in the crop dusters and near-empty roads Alvin encounters, setting the sights to a moving Angelo Badalamenti score and making them even more powerful. And when Alvin does meet other people, their encounters are simple and touching, showing the hard lessons Alvin has learned about family over the course of a long, difficult life.

Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin made their directorial debuts in February 2022 with "Dog," which followed the "Magic Mike XXL" model of a road trip encountering lesser-known sections of American life. "Dog" is a sadder movie than "Magic Mike XXL" because the trip's ultimate destination is a military funeral, and along the way, Tatum and his dog co-star must contend with the trauma they've suffered as soldiers. This makes the bond of friendship between Tatum and the dog even more important than it is in "Magic Mike XXL," as it provides both of them life-saving help when they need it the most.

The most impressive aspect of Tatum and Carolin's first directing job is how well they film the landscapes encountered over the course of the trip. They make them symbols of the beauty of everyday life without making them overly stylized. The duo learned well from Steven Soderbergh's visual excellence without merely copying it. While "Dog" has its faults, including some awkward comedy at the beginning and a too-brief attempt to deal with the racism instilled into Iraq War soldiers, the strength of Tatum and Carolin's filmmaking and storytelling suggests that they could have a good future as directors.

15. Kings of the Road

The third film in Wim Wenders' Road Trilogy, "Kings of the Road" is a three-hour opus combining two of Wenders' favorite subjects: the road and cinema. The two titular "kings" are a movie theater projector repairman (played by "Alice in the Cities" lead Rüdiger Vogler) and a depressed psychologist (Hanns Zischler), who band together on a road trip after the psychologist has experienced a life-shattering breakup. They drive across what was then the East German border, touring worn-down movie theaters so that Vogler can make repairs.

"Kings of the Road" offers even less of a plot than "Alice in the Cities" does, also offering one of the purest, simplest depictions of a road trip on film. There's no inevitable endpoint for the characters to reach, just a sprawling journey where they come to slightly better understand each other and themselves. It encompasses all the joy and melancholy of road trips in one package, people searching for more from life hoping that they'll find it behind the wheel.

16. Having a Wild Weekend

1965's "Having a Wild Weekend," also known as "Catch Us If You Can," is technically a vehicle for The Dave Clark Five, the British group that came into popularity at the same time as The Beatles . "Having a Wild Weekend" would seem to put the band in a comedy just like "A Hard Day's Night," but director John Boorman instead made a lovely, melancholy road movie, showing two people trying in vain to escape their confining lives back home.

Dave Clark plays a stuntman who takes off on a road trip with a model (Barbara Ferris) dissatisfied with her position as the face of ad campaigns for meat. On their journey, they encounter the youth who will soon become the counterculture and the old men still obsessed with the imagery of old Hollywood. Everywhere they go, Clark and Ferris are reminded of the culture they're trying to fight against, but they're powerless to stop it. The two have impressive chemistry together, but their relationship is a sad one, one that can only last the length of the road trip even though they're the only people who could possibly understand each other. Even once the remaining four Dave Clark Five members show up to do some slapstick, the tone is more elegiac than silly.

17. Wild at Heart

For a more representative David Lynch road trip movie, there's "Wild at Heart," which manages to be funny and romantic as well as frightening. Sailor and Lula, the giddy young couple played by Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern, hit the road only after Lula's mother has unsuccessfully tried to kill Sailor, and on their journey they'll deal with more killers and more victims. But their love may be strong enough to keep them safe every step of the way.

The giddy energy of "Wild at Heart" is unusual for Lynch movies, which usually have a more deadpan tone. Cage and Dern are balls of energy in this, engaging in grand romantic gestures and, in Cage's case, frequently falling into Elvis impersonations. The world around them has gone mad with rage and violence, the road bringing as many terrors as beauties, and they seem to have adapted to that madness by matching it. The title doesn't lie — these are two wild kids who will let nothing, not even a horrifying figure like Willem Dafoe's psychopathic Bobby Peru, stand in the way of their love. And for all the darkness of the rest of the movie, Lynch is still kind-hearted enough to give them a happy ending.

18. Two For the Road

All the good and bad feelings associated with going on the road are present in 1967's "Two for the Road," and they also represent the ups and downs of a marriage. The good and the bad are shuffled together in a nonlinear style, where pieces of the beginning, middle, and end of Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney's characters' relationship are presented as a series of out-of-order road trips. There is some beautiful European scenery over the course of the trips, but the fractured editing means that the destinations of the trips are less important than the trips themselves, and how they function as both bonding exercises and sources of arguments.

The film's most hilarious section is when Hepburn and Finney commit the error of going on a road trip with another couple, an obnoxious American family that makes the two sure of the mistakes they don't want to make in their own relationship. But of course they end up making those mistakes, and by the end "Two for the Road" is a bittersweet movie about how difficult and tricky it is to stay close to someone, whether that means marrying them or staying with them on a long car ride.

19. Don't Come Knocking

Wim Wenders and playwright-actor Sam Shepard first collaborated on the 1984 road movie "Paris, Texas," one of the most acclaimed films in the genre. Their decades-later second collaboration was 2005's "Don't Come Knocking," another road movie that couldn't match the critical success of its predecessor. But "Don't Come Knocking" is a very good movie in its own right, finding a lot of power both in western vistas and the tragic figure passing in front of them.

Shepard wrote and stars in "Don't Come Knocking," playing a washed-up Western star who ditches the set of his new movie in favor of driving to Nevada and then Montana, where both cheap thrills and old family await him. As with Wenders' other films, he makes the western settings of "Don't Come Knocking" look incredibly beautiful, shooting casinos, small-town squares, and vast deserts with the same level of vibrant color and light. And it also shares with Wenders' other work a tremendous sadness, where Shepard has abandoned the people who need him most and has only realized this too late to do much of anything about it. This trip may not be able to redeem Shepard, but it can get him one step closer, and that's better than he's done yet.

20. Highway 61

Canadian director Bruce McDonald followed in Wim Wenders' footsteps and made his own trilogy of road movies through the 1980s and '90s. The middle film in the trilogy was 1991's "Highway 61," a joyous comedy about American rock 'n' roll. Highway 61 is the highway named in Bob Dylan's legendary "Highway 61 Revisited" album, and one of the two leads (Valerie Buhagiar) is a rock-obsessed drug dealer trying to smuggle a dead body from Canada to New Orleans. Her partner (Don McKellar) is a nervous, shy barber who prefers jazz. Their odd-couple dynamic is very charming, and it only gets more charming as the trip brings them closer together.

"Highway 61" is led not just by romance and scenic views of all of North America, but by a great soundtrack at every step of the journey, often from obscure local bands McDonald is kind enough to introduce to his audience. And there's also plenty of oddball humor, particularly with a character who may or may not be the devil (Earl Pastko) chasing the two leads. "Highway 61" doesn't have much of a reputation outside of its native Canada, but it's a blissful film that deserves more attention.

21. Get On the Bus

One of the least commonly filmed ways of going on a road trip is taking the bus, perhaps because getting stuck with many unfamiliar people is not the most romantic way to see the country. But Spike Lee found a lot of drama, comedy, and political relevance in a story of a bunch of guys trapped on the bus. That story is 1996's "Get On the Bus," following a group of Black men en route to the famed Million Man March. Lee believes that every one of those million men has their own story, and he fits as many of those stories as he can into one bus.

As usual with Lee, "Get On the Bus" has an impressive cast, including Ossie Davis, Charles S. Dutton, Andre Braugher, and Bernie Mac. The characters touch on social issues, including homophobia and the anti-Semitism of Million Man March leader Louis Farrakhan, but mostly they have frank and funny conversations that naturally reveal their prejudices and moral stances rather than shout them out. Lee didn't write "Get On the Bus" (that was Reggie Rock Bythewood), but it shares the perceptive dialogue and unexpected comedy of Lee's best screenplays, including his beloved "Do the Right Thing." "Get On the Bus" is a smaller movie than "Do the Right Thing," but its confined setting doesn't mean it's any less riveting.

22. Thelma & Louise

The road trip that runs through 1991's "Thelma & Louise" is most famous for where it ends, with Thelma and Louise's car in the middle of a jump off a cliff. But their journey shouldn't just be defined by its endpoint, as the entirety of "Thelma & Louise" is a rollicking ode to female friendship and the healing power of the road trip, showing it as a rare opportunity for two women to take their lives into their own hands.

A few things remain consistent throughout Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise's (Susan Sarandon)'s road trip, namely the beauty of the southwest locations as shot by director Ridley Scott and the appalling behavior of the men both women meet along the way. "Thelma & Louise" is today best-known as the breakthrough film for breakout film for Brad Pitt , but he's only one of the film's parade of awful, often violent men, including the rapist who begins the journey in the first place. With such overpowering adversity, it's no wonder Thelma and Louise are so tight-knit — they must make their bond as strong as the forces united against them. And their bond can sustain even the steepest fall from a cliff.

23. Little Miss Sunshine

"Little Miss Sunshine" was the sensation of the 2006 Sundance Film Festival (per IndieWire ), its story of a dysfunctional family trapped in a Volkswagen van on the way to a child beauty pageant in California proving irresistible to both critics and audiences. The famous images of the film, like the family chasing after the bright yellow Volkswagen, suggest the kind of quirky, Wes Anderson-inspired comedy that was all the rage in the 2000s. But like actual Wes Anderson movies , "Little Miss Sunshine" deals with real pain and hurt, trapping several very fragile people in a small space where they might all combust.

It's helped by having such a sturdy cast playing those fragile people, including Steve Carell in one of his first dramatic performances, a silent Paul Dano, an Oscar-winning Alan Arkin, and most of all an Oscar-nominated Abigail Breslin as the girl all this trouble is in service of. The movie might have collapsed into road-movie cliches without a strong presence anchoring it, and Breslin, then 10 years old, proves more than capable of being that presence.

24. Two-Lane Blacktop

The most existential of all road movies might be 1971's "Two-Lane Blacktop," where driving is the only way of life for its main characters. But they aren't driving with any destination in mind; they're driving because it's the one thing they know how to do. Car culture was a big part of the '60s and '70s, and "Two-Lane Blacktop" has a supporting part for Dennis Wilson, whose work with the Beach Boys helped to cement cars as the ultimate symbol of cool and independence. But it's not all fun for the characters of "Two-Lane Blacktop," with the emptiness of the road ahead of them also representing the emptiness of their own obsessions and personalities.

Shot on the famed Route 66, with minimal dialogue to distract from the scenery, "Two-Lane Blacktop" is not short on great shots of cars in motion. But "Two-Lane Blacktop" also decries the hollowness of making cars the centerpiece of one's life, showing that a lifestyle based solely on speed and appearance cannot be sustained. The film's most famous line is "Those satisfactions are permanent," but the pleasures prove to be a very impermanent, fleeting bliss that doesn't disguise much deeper troubles.

25. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

In addition to being one of the great road trip movies, "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" was also a breakout LGBTQ film when it was released in 1994, offering such a sunny view of its group of drag queens that it would be pointless to resist. The next year, America was already attempting its own "Priscilla" with the fellow drag-queen road movie "To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar," but it couldn't compete with the original, particularly regarding the gorgeous vistas passed by the central trio. The stunning deserts of the Australian Outback prove to be an ideal setting for a story with outrageous outfits and colors, offering a plain brown backdrop on top of which every outfit and character pops out.

Not that the characters need any help standing out, especially when they're brought to life with such exuberance and talent. Only Terence Stamp, playing the transgender matriarch of the group, was an internationally known actor at the time of the release of "Priscilla." But the film also catapulted its other two leads, Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce, to their stardom. Even as all three actors are now almost three decades out from "Priscilla," it remains one of their crowning achievements, as well as one of the most infectiously cheerful road movies yet made.

26. Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

One of the goofiest, most enjoyable road trips ever taken on film was the one taken by Pee-Wee Herman (Paul Reubens) as he searched for his lost bike in Tim Burton's feature directorial debut "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure." Pee-Wee would later become famous for his television show, where he created his own wacky universe, but in "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure," he travels through the real America and finds that it's just as silly as he is. Whether visiting dive bars, Hollywood backlots, or even The Alamo, he bends every place he visits to his own indescribable wavelength.

Burton has made flashier, more expensive movies since "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure," but he's rarely made anything better. His work becomes so defined by production design and special effects after this that it's a shock to see him working mostly with real locations, making the natural world ridiculous rather than creating ridiculous worlds from scratch. And the road movie proves an ideal match for his love of middle-American eccentricity, where every new character Pee-Wee meets on his travels is an oddball in their own way. This remains Burton's funniest and sweetest movie, free of the bitter edge that distinguishes many Burton movies and instead celebrating the goofiness of life.

27. Something Wild

Jonathan Demme's "Something Wild" takes a sharp turn around its midpoint, turning from a joyous road comedy to something scarier and more intense. But all of "Something Wild" is united by Demme's love of the road and of the people you can meet along the way. Sometimes those people can change your life, like how Melanie Griffith's free-spirited Lulu gets Jeff Daniels' yuppie businessman Charlie to admit that he has a wilder side than he presents to the world. And other times they can threaten that life, like Ray Liotta as Lulu's malevolent ex-husband, Ray, who resolves to force Charlie out of Lulu's life and win her back.

Even as "Something Wild" gets dark, Demme still finds something magical in every location visited, and often in places that seem perfectly ordinary. A friendly convenience-store employee, a dog on the back of a motorcycle, and a waitress singing outside of a New York greasy spoon — these details all come to vibrant life in front of Demme's camera. Few people have taken a road trip involving this many wacky, endearing characters, but the world as Demme portrays is a better, brighter place than it is in real life. It's a joy to experience a road trip in this world, even if only for two hours.

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Road Trip! 1980+ Edition

You get to tag along a road trip with one of the following groups - which one do you choose? Not (necessarily) the best or your favorite movie - it's the group you'd most like to hang out a few days on their road trip. Inspired by http://www.imdb.com/list/-sZYHX7NdC8/ You get to (roughly) experience what they experienced in the movie (for better or worse). To keep it to a reasonable number of items, I am applying the following constraints: * There are at least two "central" characters but no more than three people already on the road trip, you are the 3rd (or 4th, * The movie is about an era that is 1980s or more recent. * The main characters spend a fair amount of time in a vehicle. * Are live action and not science fiction/fantasy (not animated or puppets) Because the list is limited to 35 items, there are valid entries that would probably not be plausible choices for anyone (e.g. they're basically awful or horrific experiences), so I've roughly chosen the more popular entries by moviemeter. Discuss here

• Movies or TV
• IMDb Rating
• In Theaters
• Release Year

1. Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

R | 93 min | Comedy, Drama

A Chicago advertising man must struggle to travel home from New York for Thanksgiving, with a lovable oaf of a shower-curtain-ring salesman as his only companion.

Director: John Hughes | Stars: Steve Martin , John Candy , Laila Robins , Michael McKean

Votes: 159,737 | Gross: $49.53M

2. Rain Man (1988)

R | 133 min | Drama

After a selfish L.A. yuppie learns his estranged father left a fortune to an autistic-savant brother in Ohio that he didn't know existed, he absconds with his brother and sets out across the country, hoping to gain a larger inheritance.

Director: Barry Levinson | Stars: Dustin Hoffman , Tom Cruise , Valeria Golino , Gerald R. Molen

Votes: 545,111 | Gross: $178.80M

3. The Blues Brothers (1980)

R | 133 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy

Jake Blues rejoins with his brother Elwood after being released from prison, but the duo has just days to reunite their old R&B band and save the Catholic home where the two were raised, outrunning the police as they tear through Chicago.

Director: John Landis | Stars: John Belushi , Dan Aykroyd , Cab Calloway , John Candy

Votes: 213,813 | Gross: $57.23M

4. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

R | 101 min | Comedy, Drama

A family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus.

Directors: Jonathan Dayton , Valerie Faris | Stars: Steve Carell , Toni Collette , Greg Kinnear , Abigail Breslin

Votes: 516,492 | Gross: $59.89M

5. Zombieland (2009)

R | 88 min | Action, Comedy, Horror

A shy student trying to reach his family in Ohio, a gun-toting bruiser in search of the last Twinkie and a pair of sisters striving to get to an amusement park join forces in a trek across a zombie-filled America.

Director: Ruben Fleischer | Stars: Jesse Eisenberg , Emma Stone , Woody Harrelson , Abigail Breslin

Votes: 619,203 | Gross: $75.59M

6. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

R | 118 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

An oddball journalist and his psychopathic lawyer travel to Las Vegas for a series of psychedelic escapades.

Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Johnny Depp , Benicio Del Toro , Tobey Maguire , Michael Lee Gogin

Votes: 300,772 | Gross: $10.68M

7. Midnight Run (1988)

R | 126 min | Action, Comedy, Crime

A bounty hunter pursues a former Mafia accountant who is also being chased by a rival bounty hunter, the F.B.I., and his old mob boss after jumping bail.

Director: Martin Brest | Stars: Robert De Niro , Charles Grodin , Yaphet Kotto , John Ashton

Votes: 93,980 | Gross: $38.41M

8. Raising Arizona (1987)

PG-13 | 94 min | Comedy, Crime

When a childless couple--an ex-con and an ex-cop--decide to help themselves to one of another family's quintuplets, their lives become more complicated than they anticipated.

Directors: Joel Coen , Ethan Coen | Stars: Nicolas Cage , Holly Hunter , Trey Wilson , John Goodman

Votes: 149,798 | Gross: $22.85M

9. Vacation (1983)

R | 98 min | Adventure, Comedy

The Griswold family's cross-country drive to the Walley World theme park proves to be much more arduous than they ever anticipated.

Director: Harold Ramis | Stars: Chevy Chase , Beverly D'Angelo , Imogene Coca , Randy Quaid

Votes: 119,791 | Gross: $61.40M

10. Thelma & Louise (1991)

R | 130 min | Adventure, Crime, Drama

Two best friends set out on an adventure, but it soon turns around to a terrifying escape from being hunted by the police, as these two women escape for the crimes they committed.

Director: Ridley Scott | Stars: Susan Sarandon , Geena Davis , Harvey Keitel , Michael Madsen

Votes: 172,020 | Gross: $45.36M

11. Dumb and Dumber (1994)

PG-13 | 107 min | Comedy

After a woman leaves a briefcase at the airport terminal, a dumb limo driver and his dumber friend set out on a hilarious cross-country road trip to Aspen to return it.

Directors: Peter Farrelly , Bobby Farrelly | Stars: Jim Carrey , Jeff Daniels , Lauren Holly , Mike Starr

Votes: 410,530 | Gross: $127.18M

12. The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

R | 91 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

A year after their father's funeral, three brothers travel across India by train in an attempt to bond with each other.

Director: Wes Anderson | Stars: Owen Wilson , Adrien Brody , Jason Schwartzman , Amara Karan

Votes: 216,418 | Gross: $11.90M

13. Bottle Rocket (1996)

R | 91 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama

Three friends plan to pull off a simple robbery and go on the run.

Director: Wes Anderson | Stars: Luke Wilson , Owen Wilson , Ned Dowd , Shea Fowler

Votes: 83,331 | Gross: $0.56M

14. The Trip (I) (2010)

Not Rated | 112 min | Comedy, Drama

Steve Coogan has been asked by The Observer to tour the country's finest restaurants, but after his girlfriend backs out on him he must take his best friend and source of eternal aggravation, Rob Brydon.

Director: Michael Winterbottom | Stars: Steve Coogan , Rob Brydon , Rebecca Johnson , Elodie Harrod

Votes: 23,399 | Gross: $2.01M

15. Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)

R | 88 min | Adventure, Comedy

A Korean-American office worker and his Indian-American stoner friend embark on a quest to satisfy their desire for White Castle burgers.

Director: Danny Leiner | Stars: John Cho , Kal Penn , Ethan Embry , Rob Tinkler

Votes: 205,561 | Gross: $18.23M

(This is a proxy for all Harold and Kumar films)

16. Sideways (2004)

R | 127 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

Two men reaching middle age with not much to show but disappointment embark on a week-long road trip through California's wine country, just as one is about to take a trip down the aisle.

Director: Alexander Payne | Stars: Paul Giamatti , Thomas Haden Church , Virginia Madsen , Sandra Oh

Votes: 203,682 | Gross: $71.50M

17. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

R | 104 min | Comedy, Music

Two drag performers and a transgender woman travel across the desert to perform their unique style of cabaret.

Director: Stephan Elliott | Stars: Hugo Weaving , Guy Pearce , Terence Stamp , Rebel Penfold-Russell

Votes: 54,764 | Gross: $11.22M

18. To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)

PG-13 | 109 min | Comedy, Drama

Three drag queens travel cross-country until their car breaks down, leaving them stranded in a small town.

Director: Beeban Kidron | Stars: Wesley Snipes , Patrick Swayze , John Leguizamo , Stockard Channing

Votes: 36,364 | Gross: $36.47M

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The 27 best road trip movies to watch so you forget you're stuck at home

• Can't go anywhere right now? A good road trip movie could put you in a better mood.
• Here are the 27 all-time best.
• Classics like "Easy Rider" and "Thelma & Louise" are on our roundup.
• There are also more recent movies like "Logan" and "Magic Mike XXL." 
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

Hollywood has always had a soft spot for road trip movies, and some have become memorable not just for what was shown on screen, but what the spirit of the movie meant for the people who saw them.

Take "Easy Rider" for example, whose no-rules approach launched a new way that movies were made for decades. Or "Thelma & Louise," which was as much about female empowerment as it was about a movie about two people on the run from the law.

Here are 27 road trip movies (listed alphabetically) you should check out before heading on your own adventure:

"Almost Famous" (2000)

Cameron Crowe's love letter to the 1970s rock and roll scene, which he covered as a writer for Rolling Stone, is a fun look at adolescence, fame, and highlights the non-stop grind of a band being "on the road."

"The Blues Brothers" (1980)

John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd play two brothers on a mission from God. Trying to get on the straight-and-narrow after getting out of prison, Jake Blues (Belushi) and his brother Elwood (Aykroyd) decide to help raise the money the Catholic home they were raised in needs to stay open. That leads to a road trip around Illinois to get the band back together.

"Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" (2006)

With the help of director Larry Charles, Sacha Baron Cohen creates one of the funniest road trip movies ever made as he takes his character, Borat, to America to marry Pamela Anderson. But in the process, the movie highlights the US itself, as Borat travels the country doing everything from singing the Kazakhstan national anthem at a rodeo to hanging out with some fraternity kids.

"Dumb and Dumber" (1994)

In this Farrelly brothers classic, friends Lloyd (Jim Carrey) and Harry (Jeff Daniels) are convinced the gas man is out to get them after the death of their bird, so they decide to drive to Aspen to hand-deliver a briefcase the beautiful Mary (Lauren Holly) "forgot" at the airport. Oh, and they are hitting the road in a truck that's made up to look like a dog.

"Easy Rider" (1969)

It's the movie that launched the "New Hollywood" era of the 1970s and was made with little money and lots of drugs.

Directed by Dennis Hopper, the Hollywood bad boy also stars alongside Peter Fonda as two hippie bikers (Jack Nicholson also shows up) who travel from LA to New Orleans after cashing in on smuggling cocaine from Mexico. On their freewheeling trip, they find an America that's split between the stuffy establishment and the younger generation that is starving for change.

"The End of the Tour" (2015)

The days of conversations between Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) and author David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) are beautifully profiled in director James Ponsoldt's intimate story that has the two men interacting while on the road for Wallace's book tour.

"Into the Wild" (2007)

Based on a true story, Christopher McCandless' quest to go off the grid and hitchhike to Alaska to live in the wilderness is a powerful exploration of human desire and the kindness of strangers.

"It Happened One Night" (1934)

Frank Capra's famous movie is romantic comedy at its best. Claudette Colbert plays a spoiled heiress running from home, and Clark Gable is a reporter who finally thinks he's found a story that will get him some attention as he follows her to New York. But it will be forever known for its hitchhiking scene in which Colbert's character gets them a ride by pulling up her skirt to show off her legs.

"Little Miss Sunshine" (2006)

Filled with an all-star cast including Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear, Paul Dano, Alan Arkin, and Abigail Breslin, we follow a dysfunctional family as they jump in a VW bus to drive the young Olive (Breslin) on a cross-country trip to the finals of a beauty pageant she's competing in.

"Logan" (2017)

Marking the coda of the Hugh Jackman era as Wolverine, director James Mangold delivers a somber drama of the superhero's final days. Here he and Charles Xavier set out to drive a young mutant to a refuge in North Dakota. That sounds simple, but it definitely isn't.

"Magic Mike XXL" (2015)

In this fantastic sequel to the 2012 original, Mike (Channing Tatum) sets out on the road with the remaining members of the Kings of Tampa in a food truck to Myrtle Beach for one final performance.

"Midnight Run" (1988)

Robert De Niro is fantastic in this foul-mouthed comedy as bounty hunter Jack Walsh who plans to cash in when he tracks down a sneaky accountant (played by Charles Grodin) who has jumped bail.

But with the FBI, other bounty hunters, and the mob also trying to get their hands on his bounty, things aren't easy for Jack.

"The Motorcycle Diaries" (2004)

Based on the Che Guevara memoir he wrote before becoming the Marxist revolutionary, Gael García Bernal plays young Guevara who, in 1952, went on a trip across South America with his friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna). The experience shaped Guevara's life as it showed him the injustices of the world.

"The Muppet Movie" (1979)

Marking the first time the Muppets appear on the big screen, Kermit, Fozzie Bear and the rest of the gang go on a cross-country drive to Hollywood in hopes of making it big. A load of cameos, songs, and hilarity occur along the way.

"National Lampoon's Vacation" (1983)

This classic from director Harold Ramis stars Chevy Chase as one of his most memorable characters, Clark W. Griswold, the ambitious father whose vacation plans always never work out.

Clark takes the family cross-country to Walley World and in the process leaves chaos in his wake.

"On the Road" (2012)

Based on the iconic Jack Kerouac novel, Sam Riley plays the book's narrator, Sal Paradise, who after meeting Dean (Garrett Hedlund) and Marylou (Kristen Stewart), head on a free-spirited road trip across the country.

"Over the Top" (1987)

Sylvester Stallone plays trucker and arm wrestling pro Lincoln Hawk who needs to get to Las Vegas to compete in the world arm wrestling tournament. But he also has to get his estranged son to his dying mother. This all leads to a big-rig father-and-son road trip.

"Pee-wee's Big Adventure" (1985)

A loose parody of Vittorio De Sica's classic "Bicycle Thieves," Tim Burton makes his own classic around the zany antics of Paul Reubens' hit character Pee-wee Herman.

The movie follows the "boy" as he goes to search of his stolen bike, which he's been told by a psychic is in the basement of the Alamo (spoiler alert: there's no basement in the Alamo).

"Planes, Trains & Automobiles" (1987)

Steve Martin and John Candy play two men who suddenly have to become travel companions as they try to get home for the holidays. Written and directed by John Hughes, Martin and Candy together are a delight.

"Rain Man" (1988)

Tom Cruise plays sleazy Charlie Babbitt and Dustin Hoffman is his brother Raymond, who suffers from savant syndrome. Hoping to cash in on the fortune Raymond got from their father, Charlie sets the two out on a cross-country trip leading to a lot of self-discovery.

If you've never seen Barry Levinson's Oscar-winning movie, now's the time.

"Road Trip" (2000)

Of course "Road Trip" was going to be on this list. Todd Phillips' insane raunchy comedy about four college friends on a race against time to retrieve a sex tape sent in the mail to one of their girlfriends is always a fun watch.

"Smokey and the Bandit" (1977)

Burt Reynolds teams with his pal and longtime stunt double Hal Needham for his first directing effort, and it would go on to become a classic road trip movie.

Reynolds plays a fast-driving bootlegger who has to transport 400 cases of Coors beer safely from Texarkana to Atlanta. But things get complicated when Reynolds picks up a runaway bride (played by Sally Field) along the way.

"The Straight Story" (1999)

In one of David Lynch's most traditional storytelling offerings, Richard Farnsworth plays a man who sets out on a trip via riding a lawnmower to make things right with his ill brother.

The story is based on a real-life event, in which Alvin Straight traveled 240 miles from Iowa to Wisconsin on a lawnmower.

"Stranger Than Paradise" (1984)

Jim Jarmusch's second feature film follows Willie and his friend Eddie as they set out on a road trip to Cleveland to visit Willie's cousin from Hungary, Eva.

The movie went on to be regarded as a landmark work in the independent film world for its unconventional long takes and do-it-yourself aesthetic.

"Thelma & Louise" (1991)

Ridley Scott's look at the road-trip-turned-manhunt adventure of friends Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) is arguably more powerful today because of the #MeToo than when it opened in the early 1990s.

"Tommy Boy" (1995)

Perhaps the best Chris Farley/David Spade collaboration, in this one Farley plays an underachieving college graduate who suddenly has to travel the nation (with Spade as the geeky sidekick) to keep the accounts for his auto-parts family business after his father dies. This one truly shows off Farley's high-energy comedy greatness.

"Y Tu Mamá También" (2001)

Director Alfonso Cuarón received a best screenplay Oscar nomination with his brother Carlos for this powerful road trip movie that made Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal international stars.

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The 10 Best Road Trip Movies, from ‘It Happened One Night’ to ‘Easy Rider’

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A good road trip is one of the most cinematic experiences that a person can have in real life. Different cities and landscapes blur together as scenery flies by your windows and day gradually turns into night. The car can begin to feel like an isolated bubble where nothing matters except the people inside. Whether you’re laughing and singing with friends, fighting with your family, or simply letting your thoughts settle while you drive solo, road trips seem to stop time and create distinct memories that can be revisited over and over again .  

So it’s not surprising that filmmakers have been inspired by road trips for as long as there have been movies. From the titans of the Old Hollywood studio system to international arthouse auteurs and contemporary independent directors, virtually every great filmmaker has tried their hand at a road trip movie at one point or another. Locations and genres can change, but the motif of people going from one place to another in a car is one of the building blocks of the international language of cinema.  

Road trip movies are versatile enough to encompass a wide variety of subject matter, but they often fall into two genres: comedies and contemplative dramas. The road trip comedy is a Hollywood standard because its built-in structure (characters need to get somewhere in a finite amount of time and are stuck together in a small space) lends itself to endless funny scenarios. From disgruntled fathers driving their badly-behaved children to strangers who fall in love after being forced to travel together, cars serve as confined spaces that allow a variety of relationships to flourish. On the other end of the spectrum, you have dramas from auteurs like Wim Wenders and Ingmar Bergman that see the road as a place for humans to think. Those films prioritize the destination much less than the self-discovery that can take place when you’re not in any particular rush to get somewhere.  

The road trip movie has endured for over a century, and its timeless appeal means that it’s unlikely to disappear any time soon. Keep reading for ten of our favorites, listed in chronological order.  

“It Happened One Night” (1934)

What It Is:  The archetypal Hollywood romantic comedy, Frank Capra’s “It Happened One Night” stars Claudette Colbert as pampered socialite Ellie, who boards a Greyhound bus from Florida to New York City to reunite with her new husband, pilot King Westley (Jameson Thomas), after her father attempts to annul the marriage. Unused to fending for herself, she ends up relying on the help of sarcastic newspaper reporter Peter (Clark Gable) to make the journey, despite despising his personality. At least at first — hitchhiking adventures and stays in motels quickly cause sparks to fly between the mismatched pair.

Perfect For:  Couples looking for date night films, “Looney Tunes” fans who want to watch the Gable performance that inspired Bugs Bunny, and lovers of pretty much every romantic comedy made in the last nine decades. —WC

“Wild Strawberries” (1957)

What It Is:  Not exactly the fun road trip romp the genre usually promises, “Wild Strawberries” uses a long car ride as the backdrop for a surreal exploration of aging, loneliness, and death. Ingmar Bergman’s film stars Victor Sjöström as cold-hearted professor Isak Borg, who is set to receive a lifetime achievement award for his career in bacteriology. On the drive to the university where the ceremony will take place, he’s accompanied by his pregnant daughter-in-law Marianne (Ingrid Thulin) and a group of young hitchhikers — one of whom is a double in looks and name for his childhood sweetheart Sara (played by Bibi Andersson). Over the course of the trip, Isak slowly warms to his younger companions, and experiences a series of flashbacks and dreams that forces him to confront the impending end of his life and his many regrets from his empty existence.

Perfect For:  Existential types, dying old men, and those whose only exposure to Bergman’s films are the HBO “Scenes From a Marriage” remake and the chess scene from “Seventh Seal.” —WC

“Easy Rider” (1969)

What It Is : A counterculture classic, Dennis Hopper’s “Easy Rider” stars the director and Peter Fonda as two drug-smuggling motorcyclists on a journey from Los Angeles to New Orleans, where they’re hoping to celebrate Mardi Gras. Along the road, they encounter a colorful cast of hippies, free love commune residents, addicts, prostitutes, and other outsiders. Their free-wheeling adventures are contrasted by the judgment they face from small town types and law enforcement looking to lock them up.

Perfect For:  Rebels, stoners, general miscreants everywhere, and fans of the iconic rock bands like The Byrds, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Steppenwolf that soundtrack the film. —WC

“Two-Lane Blacktop” (1971)

What It Is: “Two Lane Blacktop” is so clearly a product of its time that we could never hope to reverse engineer it. But when watched in 2023, it’s a fascinating countercultural artifact and a remnant of a film industry that now looks completely unrecognizable. Monte Hellman’s portrait of youthful angst and the freedom of the open road stars James Taylor and Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson as speed-obsessed drifters whose encounter with a mysterious driver named GTO prompts them to embark on a cross-country race.

Who It’s For:  Anyone with a need for speed and pop culture geeks who enjoy seeing famous non-actors trying to act. —CZ

“Paris, Texas” (1984)

What It Is: After making a name for himself in the German arthouse scene with his Road Movie Trilogy consisting of “Alice in the Cities,” “The Wrong Move,” and “Kings of the Road,” Wim Wenders brought his brand of contemplative cinema to America and made his magnum opus. “Paris, Texas” tells the story of a broken man (Harry Dean Stanton) wandering through the desert before his brother finds him and convinces him to reconnect with the family he walked out on. Wenders continued to find poetry in the loneliness of the road, and the desolate American scenery and Stanton’s heartbreakingly expressive face ended up being the best muses of his career. 

Perfect For:  Fans of slow cinema and anyone looking to brush up on the 20th century’s most impressive works of filmmaking. —CZ

“Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” (1985)

What It Is: After developing a cult following from his stage show at the Roxy, Paul Reubens brought his comedic persona known as Pee-Wee Herman to the big screen in a whimsical road trip comedy directed by a young animator named Tim Burton. The film sees the idiosyncratic man-child traveling across the country to recover his stolen bike — and using his charm and joie de vivre to defuse conflicts with all of the shady characters he meets along the way. 

Perfect for: Loners, rebels, and anyone who wants to revisit the work of a comedic genius at the height of his powers. —CZ

“Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” (1987)

What It Is:  John Hughes’ holiday classic stars Steve Martin and John Candy as a mismatched pair of travelers who team up to make it home to Chicago for Thanksgiving. Martin’s suave ad executive constantly clashes with Candy’s bumbling shower curtain ring salesman as their cursed trip leads them onto — you guessed it — planes, trains, and automobiles in an attempt to get home before the holiday ends. Utterly ridiculous until it gets touching, the film is one of the strongest entries in the seemingly endless string of hits that Hughes churned out in the 1980s. 

Perfect For:  Families at Thanksgiving and anyone on a delayed flight who wants to remember that things could be so much worse. —CZ

“Thelma & Louise” (1991)

What It Is:  Ridley Scott and screenwriter Callie Khouri flipped the script on the conventional gender roles of the buddy comedy genre, opting to tell a story about two women having a blast while running from the law. Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis give career-best performances as the eponymous duo — and both picked up well-derved Oscar nominations for Best Actress. The film is best remembered for its shockingly bold ending, but stands out as one of the 20th century’s most vibrant portrayals of friendship and the highways of America.

Who It’s For:  Ridley Scott completionist s, feminist film scholars, and anyone in the mood for a great time. —CZ

“The Straight Story” (David Lynch, 1999)

What It Is: Perhaps the biggest anomaly in David Lynch’s filmography, “The Straight Story” saw the beloved auteur shifting away from surrealism to tell a G-rated story of a man who travels the country on a riding lawnmower. While the Disney movie doesn’t feature any of the twisted nightmares that define many of Lynch’s best works, it’s filled with the wholesome Americana imagery that appears throughout his filmography. The film is a reminder that for all of his signature stylistic flourishes, Lynch is a filmmaker whose grasp of the fundamentals allow him to tell compelling stories without hiding behind bells and whistles.

Perfect for:  Anyone whose favorite parts of “Twin Peaks” were the wholesome small town antics. —CZ

“Little Miss Sunshine” (2006)

What It Is:  One of the most darkly amusing road trip comedies in recent memory follows the plight of a dysfunctional family who takes an 800-mile road trip to support their daughter’s entry in the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant. Piling into a van that’s breaking down almost as rapidly as the familial ties that bind them, they find themselves confronting their delusional dreams and long-simmering resentments (and a horn that never stops honking). While “Little Miss Sunshine” is a classic example of the “Sundance road trip movie” trope that’s often maligned in indie film circles, there’s no denying that it’s one of the best entries in the subgenre. 

Perfect For:  Anyone who is beginning to question their belief that child beauty pageants are an unambiguous societal good. —CZ

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The Best Road Trip Movies

By CNT Editors

Road trips are filled with unexpected twists and turns, be they roadside attractions or backseat squabbles. So is it any wonder that this beloved (or stressful, depending on where in the car you sit) travel style has inspired so many filmmakers? Whether they're funny, sad, whimsical, or violent (we're looking at you, Bonnie and Clyde ), movies inspired by cars, buses, and motorcycles have one thing in common: They all share an appreciation for self-discovery on the open road. With editor picks ranging from the 1930s to present day, here are 28 of the best road trip movies of all time.

This gallery was originally published in 2015. It has been updated with new information.

It Happened One Night (1939)

It Happened One Night is one of the first great road trip movies. The Frank Capra-directed film stars Clark Cable and Claudette Colbert as a sarcastic newspaper reporter and spoiled socialite, respectively, who end up on a cross-country trip full of flirtatious banter and screwball antics. The movie was the first in history to win the “Big 5” at the Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay)—an honor that wouldn't happen again until One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in 1975—but perhaps its biggest legacy is that scene in which Colbert flashes her leg while hitchhiking . —Caitlin Morton

Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

The tagline of Bonnie and Clyde sums up the film pretty perfectly: "They're young…they're in love…and they kill people". Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty star as the titular duo in Arthur Penn's 1967 classic, which is not only one of the coolest road trip movies ever made, but an important breakthrough in American filmmaking. Never before had there been a mainstream Hollywood movie with the same amount of bloody violence (that final showdown !), and few other movies have been able to replicate its sexy style. —C.M.

Easy Rider (1969)

One of the films that sparked the New Hollywood era of filmmaking (along with Bonnie and Clyde ), Easy Rider is full of artistic cinematography and tons of social commentary—not to mention Jack Nicholson in one of his first-ever roles. The film stars Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper (who also directed) as two bikers who head east through the American Southwest to New Orleans, searching for the “real America.” The film's soundtrack remains one of the coolest in film history, but the opening credits backed by “Born to Be Wild” might just be the best cut. —C.M.

Five Easy Pieces (1970)

After his breakout performance in 1969's Easy Rider, Jack Nicholson took his first leading role in another road trip movie, Five Easy Pieces. Nicholson plays Bobby Dupea, an oil rigger and former piano prodigy living in California with his waitress girlfriend, Rayette. After receiving news of his father's failing health, Bobby and Rayette drive up to Washington state, encountering oddball hitchhikers, sleazy motels, and a poor diner waitress who gets one of the most famous verbal lashings of all time —and who can forget when Nicholson jumps onto the back of a truck and starts playing the piano in an impromptu freeway performance ?  Ultimately, the film is a poignant and subtle portrayal of the alienation and loneliness of a man who can't accept his blue-collar existence. —C.M.

Steph Koyfman

Pam LeBlanc

Jamie Spain

Caitlin Morton

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

There has never been a more charming driver than Bo "Bandit" Darville, as portrayed by Burt Reynolds in his 1970s mustachioed prime. Smokey and the Bandit follows two bootleggers (including Bandit) as they attempt to illegally transport 400 cases of beer in the American South. Bandit follows the tractor trailer in his iconic Pontiac Trans Am, wooing a runaway bride (Sally Field) and evading a relentless county sheriff (Jackie Gleason) in the process. It's not the most politically correct film by today's standards, but Burt Reynold's indelible level of cool in this movie is absolutely timeless. —C.M.

The Muppet Movie (1979)

Music, mayhem, and Muppets: the ingredients of a perfect road trip movie. The Muppet Movie chronicles Kermit the Frog's cross-country drive to Hollywood to pursue a career in show business, a trip dotted with original songs, tons of Muppet tagalongs, and an evil restauranteur with a burgeoning frog leg business. If you love punny, visual humor (remember the fork in the road) and celebrity cameos, this is the perfect film for you. —C.M.

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)

Vacation was the world’s introduction to the Griswold family, led by accident-prone dad-in-chief Clark (Chevy Chase). The film spoofs the tried-and-true American tradition of the family road trip, taking the Griswold car through at least two real-life national parks—Death Valley and Grand Canyon —on their way to the fictional amusement park, Walley World. Add in an unforgettable cameo from Christie Brinkley and a hit theme song in “Holiday Road,” and you have a movie every vacationer should watch once in her lifetime. —Will Levith

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985)

Tim Burton's directorial debut introduced most of the world to Pee-Wee Herman, the exuberant man-child portrayed by Paul Reubens. Big Adventure follows the titular character during his wild trip across the U.S. to find his beloved red bicycle, visiting the Alamo and encountering quite the cast of characters (most memorably Large Marge) along the way. —C.M.

The Sure Thing (1985)

John Cusack in any 1980s movie? Yes, please. This Rob Reiner-directed teen comedy follows Cusack's unlucky-in-love Walter Gibson as he drives from the East to West Coast in the hopes of hooking up with a beautiful woman—whom his friend assures him is a “sure thing.” The road trip features ride share boards (remember those?), hitchhiking, and plenty of awkward situations in very close quarters. Just goes to show how the confines of a car can sometimes be a hilarious breeding ground for romance. —C.M.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)

Set around Thanksgiving , Planes uses the travel rush in the days leading up to the holiday as a more-than-worthy comedic vehicle. Steve Martin goofs as Neal Page, who faces a series of travel nightmares on his trip from New York City to Chicago in advance of Turkey Day. After his flight is cancelled due to inclement weather, Page ends up sharing his trip home with salesman Del Griffith, played by the late, great John Candy. The actors' chemistry is hard to deny…especially when they’re sleeping in the same bed together on the road. —W.L.

Thelma & Louise (1991)

In this film, best friends Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) are looking to escape their drab lives in Arkansas, and at the end of its 129 minutes, have done just that. After a stop at a roadhouse bar takes a dark turn, the pair take off for Mexico in a 1966 Ford Thunderbird convertible ; try and evade the cops as they wind through California, Colorado, and Utah; and pick up a young Brad Pitt, for a spell, along the way. In 2016, the film was selected for preservation in the U.S. Library of Congress's National Film Registry for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance, which means that it must have gotten something right. –Katherine LaGrave

Dumb and Dumber (1994)

In this Farrelly brothers comedy, friends Lloyd (Jim Carrey) and Harry (Jeff Daniels) abandon their dreams of opening a worm pet store in their hometown, Providence, Rhode Island to return a lost briefcase to its owner in Colorado. Driving Harry’s sheepdog-styled truck, the daft duo finally make it to Aspen —but not before driving almost a third of the way across the country in the wrong direction. Ensuing hijinks include kidnapping, accidental murder, games of tag on the highway, and one very awkward encounter with a traffic cop. —C.M.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

Guy Pearce, Terence Stamp, and Hugo Weaving star as two drag queens and a trans woman crossing the Outback in a tour bus (she’s the titular Priscilla). The stark, remote Aussie landscape was the perfect complement to the gang’s outrageous style—and, more importantly, for their conversations about life, love, and identity. Priscilla was more than just a fun movie: It positively depicted LGBT characters onscreen and helped bring Australian cinema to the rest of the world. —Lilit Marcus

Tommy Boy (1995)

Chris Farley and David Spade comprised one of the best comedic duos of the 1990s, and no film exemplified that better than Tommy Boy. Farley plays the titular Tommy, a bumbling but likeable college grad who is forced to save the family auto-parts business after his father passes away. He hits the road with his father's prissy and antagonistic assistant, Richard (Spade), in an effort to sell half a million brake pads. They inevitably hit some hilarious snags along the way, involving deer, chicken wings, the slow destruction of Richard's car, and a beautifully wicked Rob Lowe. —C.M.

The Daytrippers (1996)

Although the road trip itself doesn’t cover too much ground (Long Island to New York City ), this still belongs on the list, mainly because it features Hope Davis, Parker Posey, and Liev Schreiber all at their mid-90s, quirky-indie-film best. Davis discovers evidence that her husband is cheating, and sets out to confront him, literally bringing her family along for the ride. It’s hilarious, and does a great job of capturing the complexities of family. —Jayna Maleri

Smoke Signals (1998)

Some road trip movies are about friends traveling together, but the protagonists of Smoke Signals, based on a short story by Sherman Alexie, might be more accurately described as "frenemies." Thomas and Victor are two young men growing up on a Native American reservation in Idaho who set off to retrieve Victor’s father’s ashes. The long, lonely stretches of road give them time to talk, spar, watch Dances With Wolves for the thousandth time (that one’s just Thomas), and unravel what it means to be Native in America. By the end, they may not necessarily be friends, but they understand each other in a way few others could. —L.M.

Almost Famous (2000)

Arguably the last good movie by Cameron Crowe, Almost Famous is equal parts rock n' roll and sugary sweet. The film tells the story of a high school journalist (Patrick Fugit) who is given the chance to write a story about an up-and-coming rock band for Rolling Stone , and leaves his overprotective mother to follow the musicians on the road. The baby-faced teenager learns some valuable lessons during his weeks on the band's tour bus, like the importance of honesty, the unimportance of “coolness”, and the thrills and pains of a first love. And if there was ever a case to be made about choosing cars over airplanes, Almost Famous definitely makes it. —C.M.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

The Coen brothers's take on Homer's Odyssey —perhaps the ultimate road trip— O Brother, Where Art Thou? substitutes 1930s rural Mississippi for ancient Greece and features George Clooney, John Goodman, and Holly Hunter, all of whom have become repertory players in the filmmakers' universe. Also worth noting: The film has one of the best soundtracks ever recorded. —J.M.

Y Tu Mamá También (2002)

On one level, Y Tu Mamá También is a story of two recent high school graduates, friends Tenoch (Diego Luna) and Julio (Gael García Bernal) who, driven by both boredom and masculine bravado, embark on a road trip through Mexico with the disillusioned (and very sexy) wife of one of Tenoch’s distant relatives in tow. They compete for her attention, with mixed results—no spoilers, here—and return home with their boyish self-assuredness thoroughly destroyed. But there’s another narrative at play: That of modern-day Mexico, whose indigenous cultures and sweeping class distinctions provide the dusty, beautiful backdrop against which the film plays out. It doesn’t don the rose-colored lenses of other road trip movies, where things seem to just work themselves out—there’s pain here, but humor, too. — Betsy Blumenthal

Crossroads (2002)

Crossroads tells the story of three childhood friends (Britney Spears, Zoe Saldana, and Taryn Manning) who decide to take a road trip to Los Angeles after graduating high school, each in search of their own paths in life. It's honestly hard to pick the best scene from Spears's big-screen debut, which currently has a rating of 14% on Rotten Tomatoes: Is it when the dulcet tones of her “I Love Rock n' Roll” cover change the lives of everyone in a roadside karaoke bar? Is it watching every turn of events go on to inspire the lyrics of “I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman”? Is it the mere fact that Britney's parents are portrayed by Dan Aykroyd and Kim Cattrall? Like I said: impossible to pick. —C.M.

The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)

This is where it all began for Ernesto "Che" Guevara (Gael García Bernal), whose road trip across Latin America with his pal Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna) opened Che's eyes to political injustice. Director Walter Salles filmed their travels through major landmarks in South America, as they were in Che's memoir, from the Andes mountain range to Machu Picchu and even a leper colony in San Pablo. – J.M.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

A suicidal brother, silent son, self-help obsessed husband, druggie father, and a seven-year-old daughter with dreams of becoming  Little Miss Sunshine all join an overwhelmed mother in a beat up VW bus on one of the most dysfunctional road trips I've ever seen. That said, the car problems, family fights, and detours aren't that different from the average interstate adventure. This award-winning movie has got quirks for days and a whole lot of heart, plus the cast—which includes Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Abigail Breslin, and Alan Arkin—handles the insanity here in stride. — Meredith Carey

Borat (2006)

Don't let the naked wrestling fool you: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (or, as most people call it, Borat ) might just be one of the most culturally aware movies of the 2000s. The semi-documentary stars Sacha Baron Cohen's character of Borat Sagdiyev, a reporter from Kazakhstan who leaves his village to learn everything there is to learn about America. During his trip from New York to California , Borat encounters rodeo attendees in Virginia, etiquette coaches in Alabama, drunk frat bros in South Carolina, and pentecostal Christians in Arizona. The on-camera interviews continue to be as hilarious and cringe-worthy today as they were in 2006. —C.M.

Into the Wild (2007)

An adaptation of Jon Krakauer's non-fiction book of the same name, this Sean Penn-directed film follows the real-life travels of Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) across North America and Alaska in the 1990s. If you've survived thus far in life without finding out how this story ends, kudos to you. Regardless of how it plays out, watching McCandless's travels, first in a Datsun Sunny and later in an abandoned bus, makes you want to get out on the trail in one of America's national parks —just maybe take a few wilderness survival classes first. – M.C.

Zombieland (2009)

Not so much a journey of discovery as a frantic attempt to avoid the walking dead, Zombieland is a road trip movie nonetheless. The post-apocalyptic comedy follows a cast of survivalists (played by Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin) across the country as they search for a zombie-free sanctuary city. Crammed into a yellow Hummer, the gang learns all about the rules of survival (double-knot those shoelaces, folks), opening up to other people, and how not to treat Bill Murray. —C.M.

Nebraska (2013)

Alexander Payne’s Nebraska is no road trip noir—even though it appears that way initially. Filmed in black and white (with shades of melancholy), the 2013 indie follows the slow decline of elderly Woody Grant (Bruce Dern), whom we first see walking a busy stretch of highway in Billings, Montana, desperate to get to Lincoln, Nebraska to pick up his $1 million sweepstakes winnings. His son, David (Will Forte), and wife, Kate (June Squibb), try to convince him the sweeps are a scam. But cantankerous Woody—a lifelong alcoholic with borderline dementia— wants his million bucks. So David agrees to drive him to Lincoln, leading us on a heartbreaking trip past the corn fields of middle America with a detour through the Grant family’s past. —Laura Dannen Redman

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Quirky character studies and tales of self-discovery are great, but sometimes you just want non-stop, adrenaline-pumping action. That's certainly what you get with Mad Max: Fury Road, the latest installment in George Miller's apocalyptic franchise. This time around, Max (Tom Hardy) gets captured by the tyrannical Immortan Joe, ruler of a desert fortress; he eventually escapes and teams with Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron), a warrior at the wheel of a big rig on a freedom mission. It's one giant chase scene through the red deserts of Namibia's Skeleton Coast , meant to stand in for post-apocalyptic Australia. —C.M

Queen & Slim (2019)

Most blind dates end the minute they begin, but right away something is different about the one that kicks off Queen & Slim . This romantic crime drama shows the social injustices that run through many African American communities with New Orleans , Mississippi, and Florida as a backdrop. It's a true love story that has ties to slavery, feminism, masculinity, and religion. And it lays bare the ebbs and flows of a relationship and how the challenges in our lives can either push us away or bring us closer together. —Shauna Beni

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15 Certified Fresh Road Trip Movies

For the 25th anniversary of thelma & louise , we look at some of the best-reviewed road trips put on film..

TAGGED AS: Certified Fresh

Twenty-five years ago today, Thelma and Louise jumped behind the wheel in search of a little freedom — and although the trip didn’t turn out quite the way they’d planned, their movie has enjoyed a far smoother journey, becoming one of the best-reviewed (and most popular) road trip movies of the last quarter-century. In celebration of Thelma and Louise ‘s latest milestone, we’ve compiled a list of audience-tested and critic-approved road trip movies that’ll keep you going for hours.

The Blues Brothers (1980) 72%

The Roadblocks:  Unfortunately, the brothers embark on their journey with a suspended license, and they aren’t about to slow down for a little inconvenience like the police (or mall pedestrians). Meanwhile, one of Jake’s spurned girlfriends (a bazooka-toting Carrie Fisher) is hot on their tail, and has no intention of letting the Blues Brothers reunite — or, for that matter, letting Jake live. Confined to the highways and byways of Illinois, The Blues Brothers  doesn’t cover as much ground as most road movies, but it’s a high-speed trip — and it culminates in one of the most righteous car crashes ever filmed.

Notes from the Road:  “Constantly hilarious, with a comic supporting cast to die for.” — Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner

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Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006) 91%

The Roadblocks:  Borat is essentially his own roadblock — if he isn’t shocking and/or offending middle Americans with his witless comments about women and minorities, he’s picking an epic, distressingly naked fight with his best friend and producer (Ken Davitian). It will not surprise you to learn that things don’t go according to plan.

Notes from the Road:  “Although I knew it was dishonest, cynical, and the ultimate in cheap-shot humor, I laughed more at Borat  than at any other film this year. So I guess the joke is on me.” — Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix

Easy Rider (1969) 84%

The Roadblocks:  It’s the establishment, man. Okay, so they might be biking across the country with drug money stuffed in a tube, but Wyatt and Billy aren’t bad guys. Problem is, their scruffy appearance and relaxed attitude toward local customs have a way of attracting untoward attention from The Man.

Notes from the Road:  “This is a glorious widescreen vision of a hot and bothered America, at once beautiful and lost.” — Ian Nathan, Empire

Grandma (2015) 91%

The Roadblocks: They’re both broke and the girl needs $850, for starters — and then there’s the complicated tangle of personal relationships that forces its way into their path at seemingly every turn, initiating a series of uncomfortable reckonings along the way.

Notes from the Road: “ Grandma is a small film, but one with huge things to say about the meaning of family and the value of living on one’s own terms.” — Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

It Happened One Night (1934) 98%

The Roadblocks:  Screenwriter Robert Riskin pulled out all the stops for Colbert and Gable’s journey, including a series of screwball misunderstandings, the most famous hitchhiking scene in movie history, and an added dash of last-minute wedding excitement in the final act. If its ingredients all seem overly familiar now, it’s because they worked so brilliantly here.

Notes from the Road:  “ It Happened One Night  is a true classic in every sense of the word, one that withstands the test of time and indeed defies it completely.” — Scott Nash, Three Movie Buffs

Little Miss Sunshine (2006) 91%

The Roadblocks:  The Hoovers are on a tight 48-hour timetable, for starters; making matters more difficult is their lack of funds, as well as the gloomy presence of Sheryl’s brother (Steve Carell), who recently tried to commit suicide, and Richard’s father (Alan Arkin), whose heroin habit just got him kicked out of a retirement home. And then there’s the matter of that ancient yellow Microbus…

Notes from the Road:  “This inspirational, hilariously sad dysfunctional-family-road-trip dramedy offers absolutely everything — except pretension.” — Brian Marder, Hollywood.com

Midnight Run (1988) 95%

The Roadblocks:  Once Mardukas loudly feigns fear of flying and gets them kicked off their flight to L.A., he and Walsh are forced to embark on a hellish cross-country journey that finds them dodging interference from the mob, a competing bounty hunter (John Ashton), and their own loathing for one another. A sequel is reportedly in the works; here’s hoping the decades in between haven’t softened their mutual disdain/begrudging respect.

Notes from the Road:  “When it comes to odd-couple action comedies, this is pretty much the epitome of how to do it.” — Luke Y. Thompson, New Times

The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) 83%

The Roadblocks:  As pretty much everyone who watched it already knew, Ernesto grew up to be the revolutionary Che Guevara — and The Motorcycle Diaries  dramatizes his political awakening on the trip, sparked by firsthand experience with systemic corruption and a poverty-stricken populace.

Notes from the Road:  “You get so caught up in the beauty of the images, and lost in the weathered faces found along the way, you quite forget that you’re traveling with Che Guevara — which is, of course, exactly what the original experience would be.” — Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

The Muppet Movie (1979) 88%

The Roadblocks: Unfortunately, Kermit also attracts the attention of Doc Hopper (Charles Durning) and his mealy-mouthed sidekick Max (Austin Pendleton), whose frog legs restaurant franchise needs a new spokesman — and who doesn’t take kindly to being spurned by a banjo-playing frog.

Notes from the Road:  “Still one of many great reasons to be a movie buff.” — Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) 94%

The Roadblocks: Things go wrong early and often, from the eight-headlighted lemon Clark buys from an unscrupulous car salesman (Eugene Levy) to an ill-advised pit stop at the depressing Kansas homestead of Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) and his off-putting clan. It doesn’t help that beneath Clark’s family values exterior lurks the heart of a drooling lech; his panting pursuit of an unnamed beauty (Christie Brinkley) causes almost as many problems as his refusal to ask for directions.

Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) 88%

The Roadblocks: Well, for starters, the Alamo doesn’t have a basement. And then there’s the biker gang, and the fire at a pet store, and the former child star in possession of the bicycle… what doesn’t  stand between poor Pee-Wee and his bike?

Notes from the Road:  “It’s a true original — a comedy maverick that looks and feels like no other movie I know.” — David Steritt, Christian Science Monitor

Rain Man (1988) 88%

The Roadblocks: Cruise’s efforts to get back to Los Angeles by plane are thwarted by his brother’s phobia, forcing the two to travel by car (and make regular stops for viewings of The People’s Court ). Naturally, the slow journey in close quarters brings the two closer together — and brings up long-buried family secrets.

Notes from the Road:  “A fascinating, often very moving, frequently funny film.” — Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel

Sideways (2004) 97%

The Roadblocks: Sideways is full of messy detours and unfortunate events, including a broken nose for Jack, a car crash, and a howling early-morning pursuit by a naked giant (memorably played by Lost ’s M.C. Gainey) — but they can all be traced back to one thing: Jack’s fear of commitment and unquenchable thirst for sexual conquest.

Notes from the Road:  “From its first minutes, maybe even from the credits, you know you are seeing something very special.” –Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

Thelma & Louise (1991) 86%

The Roadblocks: Men, mostly. After Louise fatally intervenes in an attempted rape on Thelma, the duo turn fugitive — and their journey is further complicated when a run-in with a hunky young thief (Brad Pitt) leaves them caught for cash and stuck in an increasingly desperate spot.

Notes from the Road:  “Their adventures, while tinged with the fatalism that attends any crime spree, have the thrilling, life-affirming energy for which the best road movies are remembered.” — Janet Maslin, New York Times

Y tu mamá también (2001) 91%

The Roadblocks: To begin with, the idyllic secluded beach they’ve promised their female companion doesn’t exist — which actually isn’t as big a problem as the hornet’s nest of secrets and repressed desires that’s knocked over after they all start fooling around. It’s the end of an era for Mexican politics, and for our protagonist’s relationships.

Notes from the Road:  “Easily one of the sexiest and funniest films about class struggle ever made.” –Manohla Dargis, L.A. Weekly

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The 20 Best Road Movies of All Time, Ranked

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Being on the road is a great way to manifest a character's spiritual or emotional journey into the physical, as a way to symbolize the obstacles and lessons that come with pursing some goal or dream.

From offbeat comedies to allegorical dramas, here are the best road movies that use the road to teach, challenge, and unite their characters.

20. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Directed by John Hughes

Starring Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins

Comedy, Drama (1h 33m)

7.6 on IMDb — 92% on RT

As you might guess from the title, Planes, Trains and Automobiles isn't exactly confined to the road—it also takes to train tracks and even the skies at one point.

Still, at its core, the film centers on the journey shared by two bickering strangers who spend three days wrestling their way to Chicago for Thanksgiving Day.

Steve Martin and John Candy star as the tightly wound marketing exec and his irritating-but-lovable travel mate, for whom just about everything goes wrong.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a feel-good comedy classic, directed by the renowned John Hughes. If you enjoyed his other hits like The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller's Day Off , you'll like this one!

19. Queen & Slim (2019)

Directed by Melina Matsoukas

Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Turner-Smith, Bokeem Woodbine

Crime, Drama, Romance (2h 12m)

7.1 on IMDb — 83% on RT

Queen & Slim may not itself be a true story, but it's certainly inspired by all kinds of real news headlines, including the tragic 2012 shooting of Trayvon Martin in Florida.

Released at an important moment—just prior to the Black Lives Matter protests that broke out across the globe in 2020— Queen & Slim tells the gritty story of a Tinder date gone awry.

Starring Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith, their Tinder date is intercepted by a white cop and... well... you can probably guess the rest.

Melina Matsoukas's glossy directorial debut isn't simply a matter of style or substance, because it's dripping with both.

18. The Rover (2014)

Directed by David Michôd

Starring Guy Pearce, Robert Pattinson, Scoot McNairy

Action, Crime, Drama (1h 43m)

6.4 on IMDb — 67% on RT

An Australian Western set in the near-future, The Rover hums with an eerie atmosphere of desertion.

Ten years after economic collapse, the Australian outback becomes a lawless space for a rugged drifter (played by Guy Pearce) to hunt down a gang of thieves. Left behind with him is an injured, simple-minded young American (brilliantly played by Robert Pattinson).

Robberies and shootouts interrupt the tensely quiet landscape of David Michôd's road drama, in which everybody is only out for themselves.

17. On the Road (2012)

Directed by Walter Salles

Starring Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart

Adventure, Drama, Romance (2h 4m)

6.0 on IMDb — 45% on RT

Jack Kerouac's On the Road is the be-all and end-all road trip novel, inspired by the Beat author's own skint, boozy, and spontaneous life during the 1940s.

It encompasses everything that being "on the road" means, going beyond just the physical to explore a "road that must eventually lead to the whole world." Walter Salles's film adaptation tries to capture all of that.

For Sal Paradise (played by Sam Riley) and Dean Moriarty (played by Garrett Hedlund), life on the move means: scribbling on diner napkins between highs, psychedelic mind expansion, winking, drinking, and getting dizzy with dancing.

It's endless horizons and endless rampages, all across an America that's steeped in twilight, moonshine, or golden hour.

16. Bones and All (2022)

Directed by Luca Guadagnino

Starring Timothée Chalamet, Taylor Russell, Mark Rylance

Drama, Horror, Romance (2h 11m)

6.8 on IMDb — 82% on RT

Lee (played by Timothée Chalamet) might look like a grungy teen runaway who just gets stoned and preaches Marxism for fun, but he's actually rugged-looking by necessity.

As it turns out, being a cannibal (or "eater") isn't easy to pull off in normal society, so Lee has no choice but to live loose and streetwise.

Maren (played by Taylor Russell), having recently figured out that she's also an eater, is new to this environment. When the two collide in a Indiana store, they decide to go cross-country in search for Maren's estranged mother.

Luca Guadagnino nonchalantly combines cannibalism with artsy, coming-of-age romance in his one-of-a-kind horror, where everything seems foreground to a perfect dusk.

15. Rain Man (1988)

Directed by Barry Levinson

Starring Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino

Drama (2h 13m)

8.0 on IMDb — 89% on RT

Materialistic businessman Charlie Babbitt (played by Tom Cruise) is in the midst of importing Lamborghinis to Los Angeles when his father dies. After driving over to Cincinnati, he finds his inheritance has gone to an unnamed trustee—who turns out to be an estranged older brother.

Charlie decides to take full custody of Raymond (played by Dustin Hoffman)—who has autism and savant syndrome—but it turns out a lot trickier than Charlie imagined.

Raymond refuses to fly, so they're forced to drive towards their deadline, all while juggling Raymond's demanding routines. Rain Man is a touching and iconic drama from Barry Levinson.

14. Nebraska (2013)

Directed by Alexander Payne

Starring Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb

Drama (1h 55m)

7.7 on IMDb — 91% on RT

Alexander Payne's Oscar-nominated comedy-drama Nebraska was the final film to be released by Paramount Vantage, the "art cinema" sector of Paramount Pictures that closed down in 2014.

Shot in black-and-white, Nebraska follows a cantankerous old man who believes he's won a million-dollar sweepstakes prize. Of course, the whole thing is a scam.

Nonetheless, Woody (played by Bruce Dern) takes his disgruntled son David (played by Will Forte) and embarks on a road trip to Nebraska, during which David finally uncovers the man beneath the hardened alcoholic that is his father.

13. American Honey (2016)

Directed by Andrea Arnold

Starring Sasha Lane, Shia LaBeouf, Riley Keough

Adventure, Drama, Romance (2h 43m)

7.0 on IMDb — 79% on RT

In order to find an actress for the starring role of her next troubled teen drama, filmmaker Andrea Arnold took to the streets and carnivals during spring break rather than relying on professional casting calls.

This approach perfectly matches the rugged and spontaneous tone of American Honey , in which a gang of hitchhikers and criminals surf the roads as a traveling sales crew.

The brilliant Sasha Lane stars as Star (no pun intended), who ditches her abusive father after she spots Jake (played by Shia LaBeouf) in a van full of misfits and decides to join them.

12. The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

Directed by Wes Anderson

Starring Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman

Adventure, Comedy, Drama (1h 31m)

7.2 on IMDb — 69% on RT

Okay, we're cheating a little bit with this one. The Darjeeling Limited is technically a train movie, but it shares a lot in common with road movies when you step back and look at what it is.

The Darjeeling Limited is a unique and elevated take on road movies, following the same principles but sprinkled with all kinds of Wes Anderson fun, including his trademark aesthetics.

Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman star as three brothers who are reunited one year after their father's funeral. Bold colors saturate the screen as Anderson litters the brothers' journey of self-discovery with funny gags, cool camera angles, and touching moments.

11. Into the Wild (2007)

Directed by Sean Penn

Starring Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener

Adventure, Biography, Drama (2h 28m)

8.1 on IMDb — 83% on RT

After graduating college, Christopher McCandless snips his credit cards and donates all his belongings to Oxfam, then hits the road without the approval of his parents.

What begins on the wheels of his rundown Datsun 210 turns into hitchhiking, kayaking, swimming, walking, railroading, camping, and occasionally working his way towards Alaska: his dream destination, hidden in the wild.

Played by Emile Hirsch, Christopher "Alexander Supertramp" McCandless yearns to break free from the suburbs of a materialistic society, but ends up flying too close to the sun and getting burnt. Sean Penn poetically directs this true story for the big screen.

10. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

Directed by Arthur Penn

Starring Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Michael J. Pollard

Action, Biography, Crime (1h 51m)

7.7 on IMDb — 90% on RT

A 1960s cult classic that broke many cinematic taboos, Bonnie and Clyde went down as one of the most iconic (and bloodiest for the time) films in history. We all know the legend about this couple who went on an infamous 21-month crime spree during the 1930s, right?

Director Arthur Penn breathes life into the myth by combining elements of slapstick comedy with gory violence and experimental filmmaking techniques, heavily influenced by the French New Wave.

Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway star as the robbing couple, who decide to steal their way out of the Great Depression.

9. Badlands (1973)

Directed by Terrence Malick

Starring Martin Sheen, Sissy Spacek, Warren Oates

Action, Crime, Drama (1h 34m)

7.7 on IMDb — 97% on RT

Terrence Malick's neo-noir film Badlands doesn't just follow a crime spree—it kicks things up to another level.

Instead of robbing banks, young couple Holly (played by Sissy Spacek) and Kit (played by Martin Sheen) become serial killers. Spacek narrates the movie as the duo are chased by the law across the Midwest.

Malick's directorial debut received widespread critical acclaim and is loosely based on the real-life 1958 murder spree of Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate.

8. Stranger Than Paradise (1984)

Directed by Jim Jarmusch

Starring John Lurie, Eszter Balint, Richard Edson

Comedy, Drama (1h 29m)

7.4 on IMDb — 96% on RT

Jim Jarmusch is a big name in independent circles, and he put himself on the map with Stranger Than Paradise back in the 1980s.

At first glance, Stranger Than Paradise could easily be mistaken for a French New Wave drama, but really it's an American absurdist comedy that just happens to be shot in grainy black-and-white.

Jarmusch's debut film also follows the French New Wave's tendency to meander through an indescribable plot.

In a loose sense, it's about Willie (played by John Lurie), his Hungarian cousin (played by Eszter Balint), and his friend (played by Richard Edson) as they bounce from Brooklyn to Cleveland to Florida.

Stranger Than Paradise is comprised of long, naturalistic takes that dawdle on the mundane and search beyond it—in a funny way.

7. Paris, Texas (1984)

Directed by Wim Wenders

Starring Harry Dean Stanton, Nastassja Kinski, Dean Stockwell

Drama (2h 25m)

8.1 on IMDb — 94% on RT

Co-produced by French and West German companies, the award-winning film Paris, Texas paints a European portrait of the American Southwest.

Wim Wenders's indie drama, which won the Palme d'Or, follows a mysterious vagabond (played by Harry Dean Stanton) who's found dissociated in the desert.

His estranged brother agrees to pick him up from Texas and soon ends up driving him to find his long-missing wife.

Stills of the sparse Texan outback are woven throughout Wenders's slow-burning drama, which relies on visuals more than heavy dialogue.

6. Nomadland (2020)

Directed by Chloé Zhao

Starring Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Linda May

Drama (1h 47m)

7.3 on IMDb — 93% on RT

Based on Jessica Bruder's 2017 book Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century , Chloé Zhao's Nomadland won multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress.

Frances McDormand's award-winning performance as a widow who lives an itinerate lifestyle is painted against the sweeping backdrop of the Arizonian desert.

Nomadland is a poetic, restless, and beautifully shot drama that will have you yearning for the van life where home isn't just a static place or word but "something you carry with you."

5. Almost Famous (2000)

Directed by Cameron Crowe

Starring Billy Crudup, Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson

Adventure, Comedy, Drama (2h 2m)

7.9 on IMDb — 89% on RT

Almost Famous is the semi-autobiographical tale of a young music journalist who goes on tour with fictitious rock band Stillwater.

On behalf of Rolling Stone magazine, William Miller (played by Patrick Fugit) joins the motley crew of rockers and groupies to write an article on the band.

Take a peek behind the curtain of the 70s music scene, where tensions rise between fans and musicians, between the people who live music and the people who watch from the sidelines.

Directed by Cameron Crowe and starring Kate Hudson, Almost Famous is your classic coming-of-age tale.

4. Y Tu Mamá También (2002)

Directed by Alfronso Cuarón

Starring Maribel Verdú, Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna

Drama (1h 46m)

7.7 on IMDb — 92% on RT

Alfonso Cuarón is best-known for directing Children of Men , Roma , and the best Harry Potter movie. Yet, despite his Westernized filmography, Cuarón is a Mexican filmmaker, and Y Tu Mamá También is his greatest native movie to date.

Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna star as two fidgety teen boys who are itching to explore the world, themselves, and the opposite sex. They find all of these things at Boca del Cielo ("Heaven's Mouth"), a beach they visit with an older woman (played by Maribel Verdú).

Cuarón shows us the dusty roads of rural Mexico, where the trio set off with no idea how to reach this supposed Heaven. Drunk and excitable on the road there, the three return home in silence...

3. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris

Starring Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear

Comedy, Drama (1h 41m)

7.8 on IMDb — 91% on RT

Husband-and-wife collaborations are rare for film directors, but Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris showed that it can be successful with their stunning feature film directorial debut, Little Miss Sunshine .

Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, and Abigail Breslin star in this sprightly colored tragicomedy, which plonks us in a bright yellow Microbus for a trip from New Mexico to California.

A mute son, a suicidal brother, a heroin-addicted father-in-law, and a failed life coach husband all make Sheryl Hoover's life more than chaotic. And when her young daughter earns a spot in the Little Miss Sunshine pageant, all hell breaks loose.

2. Thelma & Louise (1991)

Directed by Ridley Scott

Starring Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel

Adventure, Crime, Drama (2h 10m)

7.5 on IMDb — 86% on RT

The fact that Thelma & Louise was initially criticized for its "negative portrayal of men" speaks volumes about it as a heralded feminist flick.

A female buddy movie that echoes the legend of Bonnie and Clyde, Thelma & Louise tracks two best friends as they drive toward the mountains for a much-needed vacation.

Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Brad Pitt, and Harvey Keitel make up the cast in this cat-and-mouse chase across the American Southwest, in which the FBI tails the polar-opposite, store-robbing besties.

1. Easy Rider (1969)

Directed by Dennis Hopper

Starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson

Adventure, Drama (1h 35m)

7.3 on IMDb — 84% on RT

Easy Rider isn't just a great movie—it's an emblem of 1960s counterculture. It marks the dawn of New Hollywood, when filmmakers started moving away from the studio system and started stepping into more radical and experimental independence.

Simply put, Easy Rider made a huge impact on the world of Western cinema, despite being made on a tiny budget.

Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper (who also directs) bolt around on their motorbikes as they smuggle cocaine from Mexico into Los Angeles. Hippy communes and bad acid trips punctuate their journey, which is all set to a groovy Jimi Hendrix soundtrack.

pop culture

Vacation vibes: the 31 best road trip movies of all time, ready to go on a road trip.

Road trips are always a helluva time, and if you can't go on one personally, the next best thing is to watch a few of the movie classics that have been created. Road trip aka open road movies have been a staple of the film industry for decades now, with some of the most memorable movies in history are technically classified as being a "road trip" film. From the National Lampoon's series all the way to legendary one-offs such as 2004's Johnson Family Vacation and 2000's Road Trip , open road movies remain some of the most entertaining and hilarious out there due to the fact that the participants hardly ever make it to where they plan on going in one piece. With us still being in the thick of summer, we thought it would be fun to take a look at the best road trip movies of all time. Buckle up and get the popcorn ready. You're going to need it.

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1. Johnson Family Vacation (2004)

• Directed by: Christopher Erskin
• Written by: Earl Richey Jones, Todd R. Jones
• Stars: Cedric the Entertainer, Bow Wow, Vanessa Williams, Solange Knowles, Steve Harvey, Shannon Elizabeth
• Where They're Headed: Missouri

We've got be on I-10 by 10. Johnson Family Vacation has so many memorable one-liners that have become even more popular with time. Obviously getting two of the most funny men in comedy, Cedric the Entertainer and Steve Harvey, is going to result in some foolishness, and foolishness was indeed delivered. If you are in the mood to laugh your a$$ off, turn on Johnson Family Vacation .

2. Almost Famous (2000)

• Directed by: Cameron Crowe
• Written by: Cameron Crowe
• Stars: Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Anna Paquin
• Where They're Headed: All over the place

Sometimes you'll do anything (and put up with anything) to make your dreams come true. 2000's Almost Famous was all about the journey of a young aspiring rock journalist who catches the eye of a Rolling Stone editor who sends him on the road to cover a rising band named Stillwater. A fun little early 2000s film that's cool to watch during a relaxing weekend at home.

3. Easy Rider (1969)

• Directed by: Dennis Hopper
• Written by: Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, Terry Southern
• Stars: Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper
• Where They're Headed: New Orleans

Earning an Academy Award nomination for "Best Original Screenplay," 1969's Easy Rider is a must-see film that everybody should watch at least once in their lives. Starring Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda, and Dennis Hopper, the movie is about two motorcyclist hippies who decide to travel cross-country in search of spiritual truth after completing a drug deal in Southern California. What follows next is a wild ride. Literally.

4. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

• Directed by: Valerie Faris, Jonathan Dayton
• Written by: Michael Arndt
• Stars: Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin, Toni Collette, Alan Arkin
• Where They're Headed: Redondo Beach, California

The interesting Hoover family are described as "putting the fun back in dysfunctional," so that should tell you all that you need to know about this movie. Showcasing an all-star cast that also includes Steve Carrell and Bryan Cranston, Little Miss Sunshine is another fun road trip film from the 2000s.

5. The Blues Brothers (1980)

• Directed by: John Landis
• Written by: John Landis, Dan Aykroyd
• Stars: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd
• Where They're Headed: In and around Chicago

A cult classic considered to be one of the greatest comedies of all time, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd aka The Blues Brothers, hit the streets on a self-proclaimed mission from God in the attempt to get on a good path after getting out of prison. The first task? To save the orphanage the brothers grew up in from closing. The only thing they need to do is raise $5,000 to pay the back taxes on the property (which they plan to do through playing gigs), but as expected, everything goes...wrong.

6. National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)

• Directed by: Harold Ramis
• Written by: John Hughes
• Stars: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo
• Where They're Headed: Wally World (California)

After re-watching National Lampoon's Vacation , we can effectively conclude that this is one of the best and funniest road trip movies of all time. Chevy Chase steals the show with his wit, sarcasm, and foul sailor mouth, which will keep you entertained from start to finish. The entire National Lampoon's series is worth watching, so we recommend setting aside a day where you can knock them all out.

7. Thelma & Louise (1991)

• Directed by: Ridley Scott
• Written by: Ridley Scott, Callie Khouri
• Stars: Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon
• Where They're Headed: Mexico

Directed by Ridley Scott, Thelma & Louise is a classic example of a movie taking an unexpected turn you never saw coming. Thelma (Davis) and Louise (Sarandon), intend to go on a short fishing trip, however those plans get put to an end when Louise shoots and kills a man at a bar who attempts to rape Thelma. The two decide to flee to Mexico, and embark on a journey that includes running from the law and falling for hot guys.

8. Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

• Directed by: Hal Needham
• Written by: Hal Needham, Robert L. Levy
• Stars: Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, Jackie Gleason, Paul Williams
• Where They're Headed: Atlanta

Atlanta has a way of sometimes bringing the chaos, as demonstrated by 1977's Smokey and the Bandit . Anybody who calls themselves Bandit (Reynolds) is probably a person who's done some questionable in their lifetimes, which is probably why he's given the duties of transporting an illegal beer shipment from Texas to Atlanta. If Bandit had stayed on task he probably would have been able to easily accomplish the mission, but because he decides to pick up a rather hesitant bride to be (Field), things get a little complicated.

9. Into the Wild (2007)

• Directed by: Sean Penn
• Written by: Jon Krakauer
• Stars: Emile Hirsch, Kristen Stewart, Vince Vaughn
• Where They're Headed: Alaska

Based on the true story of Christopher McCandless (Hirsch), 2007's Into the Wild is about the son of a wealthy couple who despite graduating from Emory University as a top student and athlete, instead decides to donate his savings to charity, get rid of all of his possessions, and set out on a journey to the Alaskan wilderness.

10. Dumb and Dumber (1994)

• Directed by: Peter Farrelly
• Written by: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly, Bennett Yellin
• Stars: Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels
• Where They're Headed: Aspen, Colorado

The partially hilarious and partially annoying Dumb and Dumber is always worth a watch. Quite possibly the two dumbest pair of friends to ever exist, Lloyd Christmas (Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Daniels), decide to go to Aspen, Colorado to return a suitcase full of money left behind by a woman in Harry's car. Somehow (don't ask), this leads to the duo being hunted by both the police and killers. Needless to say, the pair find themselves in a unique jam that they have to get out of.

11. It Happened One Night (1934)

• Directed by: Frank Capra
• Written by: Frank Capra, Robert Riskin
• Stars: Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert
• Where They're Headed: New York and beyond

The concept of open road movies have been experimented with since practically the inception of film, and with five Academy Awards along with an induction into the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, we'd say It Happened One Night deserves its ranking as one of the best road trip films of all time.

12. College Road Trip (2008)

• Directed by: Roger Kumble
• Written by: Emi Mochizuki, Carrie Evans, Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio
• Stars: Martin Lawrence, Kym Whitley, Raven-Symoné, Brenda Song
• Where They're Headed: Pittsburgh and Washington D.C.

2008's College Road Trip starring Raven-Symoné and Martin Lawrence remains underestimated in our book. Obviously Martin Lawrence is one of the funniest people to ever do it, and so is Raven. Put the both of them together, and you'll be laughing non-stop.

13. Road Trip (2000)

• Directed by: Todd Phillips
• Written by: Todd Phillips, Scott Armstrong
• Stars: Breckin Meyer, Seann William Scott, Paulo Costanzo, and DJ Qualls
• Where They're Headed: Austin, Texas

Road Trip is stupid, but in a good way. The film is about four college friends who embark on a trip from Ithaca, New York, to Austin, Texas after mistakenly sending a rather illicit tape mistakenly mailed to the girlfriend of one of the guys in the crew. The goal is for them to retrieve the tape before she gets it. Can they do it? You'll have to watch the movie for that.

14. Y Tu Mamá También (2002)

• Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón
• Written by: Alfonso Cuarón, Carlos Cuarón
• Stars: Diego Luna, Gael García Bernal, Maribel Verdú
• Where They're Headed: Boca del Cielo

Y Tu Mamá También is about two seventeen-year-olds, Julio (Luna) and Tenoch (Bernal), who set out on a road trip with an older woman (Verdú), and together they learn lessons about self discovery, engage in escapes with the older woman, and learn more about the world around them.

15. The Bucket List (2007)

• Directed by: Rob Reiner
• Written by:  Justin Zackham,
• Stars: Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson
• Where They're Headed: Everywhere

The Bucket List is a touching story about two terminally ill men who set out to accomplish the things on their bucket list before they die. One of the things on their list is backpacking/traveling the world. So what do they do? Backpack and travel the world.

16. Rain Man (1988)

• Directed by: Barry Levinson
• Written by:  Barry Morrow, Ronald Bass
• Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Valeria Golino, Tom Cruise
• Where They're Headed: Cincinnati, Ohio

Long before Tom Cruise was in Mission Impossible , he was in a rather poignant road trip drama called Road Man . Portraying a car dealer named Charlie Babbitt who returns home to Cincinnati, Ohio after learning that his estranged father has passed away, Road Man is a bit sad compared to what we know as the "traditional road trip film," but still a good watch.

17. Crossroads (2002)

• Directed by: Tamra Davis
• Written by:  Shonda Rhimes
• Stars: Britney Spears, Zoe Saldana, Taryn Manning
• Where They're Headed: LA to Tucson, Arizona

Dammit! We're putting this here because Crossroads didn't get enough credit at the time of its release in 2002, and it doesn't get enough credit now. This is a good movie, and we will forever stand by that!

18. Midnight Run (1988)

• Directed by: Martin Brest
• Written by:  George Gallo
• Stars: Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin
• Where They're Headed: All around the West Coast

1988's Midnight Run has a case for being one of the all-time great action films from the 1980s. A not-so-traditional "catch the bad guy" movie, the film is about bounty hunter Jack Walsh (De Niro), being hired to bring a mob accountant (Grodin) to Los Angeles. Walsh gets told ahead of time that the job will either be an easy one or a midnight run (meaning a chase), and, well, the latter happens.

19. My Own Private Idaho (1991)

• Directed by: Gus Van Sant
• Written by:  Gus Van Sant
• Stars: River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves
• Where They're Headed: Idaho

Ah! A baby Keanu Reeves in an early acting role. My Own Private Idaho is a loose adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry IV that centers around a gay hustler that struggles with narcolepsy (Phoenix) and the rebellious son of a mayor (Reeves) who travel from Portland, to Idaho, and finally the coast of Italy in the quest the hustler's estranged money. As expected, along the way they encounter...a lot.

20. Harry and Tonto (1974)

• Directed by: Paul Mazursky
• Written by:  Paul Mazursky and Josh Greenfield
• Stars: Paul Mazursky, Art Carney, Ellen Burstyn
• Where They're Headed: Chicago and beyond

A classic 1970s film, Harry and Tonto (which Art Carney won an Oscar for by the way), is about a man named Harry in his 70s (Carney), who is evicted from his Manhattan apartment when the building is set to be demolished. After staying with his son for a while, Harry to travel across the country with his cat Tonto to visit the various important people in his life.

21. Logan (2017)

• Directed by: James Mangold
• Written by:  Scott Mangold, Scott Frank, Michael Green, James Mangold
• Stars: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Robert E. Grant
• Where They're Headed: Eden

Would do you get when you make Wolverine / X-Men an open road movie. Logan . That's what you get. There's a reason why this movie is considered one of the best X-Men movies as a whole, and now is the perfect time to watch it if you haven't already.

22. Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996)

• Directed by: Mike Judge
• Written by:  Mike Judge, Joe Stillman
• Stars: Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Robert Stack, Cloris Leachman
• Where They're Headed: All round the U.S.

Want to watch another set of dumb a$$es embark on a cross-country road trip? Here ya go. 1996's Beavis and Butt-Head Do America . Thank us later.

23. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

• Directed by: Terry Gilliam
• Written by:  Terry Gilliam, Alex Cox, Toni Grisoni, Tod Davies
• Where They're Headed: Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro

The legendary Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas aka the movie that inspired the music video for Quavo and Takeoff's single "Hotel Lobby" from 2022. Want to talk about madness, trips, and trippyness? Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is all that and a bag of chips.

24. Lost in America (1985)

• Directed by: Albert Brooks
• Written by:  Albert Brooks, Monica Johnson
• Stars: Albert Brooks, Julie Hagerty, Garry Marshall
• Where They're Headed: Cross Country (West Coast)

An early Albert Brooks comedy, Lost in America is about a Los Angeles yuppie (Brooks) who convinces his wife Linda (Hagerty) to quit her job and join him on a cross country road trip. Since that's not exactly the smartest ideas, something is bound to go wrong. That said, something indeed does go wrong...in Vegas at that.

25. Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

• Directed by: Tim Burton
• Written by:  Paul Reubens, Phil Hartman, Michael Varhol
• Stars: Paul Reubens, Mark Holton, Diane Salinger
• Where They're Headed: All Over

Pee-wee get his precious bike stolen, so he decides to go on a road trip aka a "big adventure" to retrieve what's rightfully his. You have to admire the dedication here people.

26. Magic Mike XXL (2015)

• Directed by: Greg Jacobs
• Written by:  Reid Carolin
• Stars: Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer
• Where They're Headed: Myrtle Beach, S.C.

In 2015, the Magic Mike show went on the road after Mike Lane (Tatum) decided he missed the business and wanted to get back out there. Lane and Co. decide to go on a road trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a stripper convention, providing an interesting twist on the series.

27. The Muppet Movie (1979)

• Directed by: James Frawley
• Written by: Jerry Juhl, Jack Burns
• Stars: Jim Henson, Dave Goelz, Frank Oz, Richard Hunt
• Where They're Headed: California

Kermit the Frog said by any means necessary dammit! In pursuit of a movie career, Kermit decides to go on a cross-country trip from Florida to California, meets some cool friends like Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and rock musicians Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, and sets out to prove his worth in Tinseltown.

28. Over the Top (1987)

• Directed by: Menahen Golen
• Written by: Sylvester Stallone, Stirling Silliphant
• Stars: Sylvester Stallone, David Mendenhall
• Where They're Headed: Las Vegas

Lincoln Hawk (Stallone), a trucker and arm wrestling pro, needs to get to his World Arm Wrestling Tournament, and he needs to get his estranged son to go see his dying mother at the same time. An interesting dynamic to say the least, but it is the ultimate bonding trip to say the least.

29. The Straight Story (1999)

• Directed by: David Lynch,
• Written by: John Roach, Mary Sweeney
• Stars: Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek
• Where They're Headed: Wisconsin

A road trip not in a car, but on a lawnmower. Sound crazy, but you'll do anything when it comes to the people you love. We're not going to spoil this incredible film, so we'll just say watch it.

30. Stranger Than Paradise (1984)

• Directed by: Jim Marusch
• Written by: Jim Jarmusch
• Stars: Cecillia Stark, John Lurie
• Where They're Headed: Cleveland, Ohio

Stranger Than Paradise being black-and-white film in the 1980s should be enough of a reason to watch it alone. Going against the grain and being unconventional is something that will always have our respect.

31. Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

• Directed by: John Hughes
• Stars: Steve Martin, John Candy
• Where They're Headed: Chicago

A control freak and a talkative fellow link up and what do you get? Planes, Trains, & Automobiles . Oh my.

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17 Essential Road Trip Movies That'll Have You Craving the Open Road

Let's hit the road.

Rev your engines and hit the pedal for an unforgettable adventure as we dive into the world of the best road trip movies. These films aren't just about getting from point A to B — they're a wild ride full of laughter, friendship and the kind of chaos that can only happen on the open road. As the asphalt stretches ahead, characters find themselves on transformative voyages, both in the literal and metaphorical sense. Whether it's a band of quirky friends, a reluctant pairing of two completely opposite characters or a lone traveler in pursuit of a deeper meaning, these films navigate far more than sprawling highways and convoluted road maps.

Road trip movies are the ultimate recipe for fun, mixing in unexpected and bizarre pit stops, outrageous characters and the kind of bonding that can only happen when you're stuck in a car together for days on end. So buckle up, because we're about to cruise through a curated list of the most entertaining, laugh-out-loud and heartwarming road trip flicks that'll make you want to grab your friends, hit the road and create some unforgettable memories of your own.

Here are the 17 best films about road trips ever made.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Who's in it: Steve Carrell, Alan Arkin, Paul Dano, Toni Collette, Abigail Breslin

A dysfunctional family sets off on a hilarious road trip to get their young daughter Olive to a beauty pageant. With a VW bus as their vessel, they navigate absurd obstacles, personal quirks and unexpected revelations, learning that winning might not be everything but the journey itself is a triumph of togetherness.

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)

Warner Bros.

Who's in it: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Dana Barron, Anthony Michael Hall

The Griswold family embarks on a chaotic cross-country expedition to reach the ultimate destination: the amusement park Walley World. Along the way, they encounter a series of hysterical misadventures that turn their vacation into a side-splitting roller coaster of mishaps and mayhem.

Thelma & Louise (1991)

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

Who's in it: Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Brad Pitt, Harvey Keitel

Seeking an escape from their mundane lives, friends Thelma and Louise embark on a liberating road trip. However, a series of tragic events lead them down an unexpected path, turning their journey into a thrilling and unforgettable adventure of empowerment and self-discovery.

Almost Famous (2000)

DreamWorks Distribution, LLC.

Who's in it: Kate Hudson, Billy Crudup, Patrick Fugit, Anna Paquin

A young music enthusiast lands a gig writing for a rock band on tour. As he navigates the world of rock 'n' roll, he experiences a whirlwind of backstage antics, heartaches and self-discovery. This coming-of-age road trip through the music scene of the 1970s becomes a transformative journey of love, passion and growth.

Into the Wild (2007)

Paramount Vantage

Who's in it: Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt

Based on a true story, this film follows Christopher McCandless as he abandons his conventional life to trek across North America's wilderness. His quest for a deeper connection with nature and his own soul takes him on a road less traveled, testing his limits and leading to a contemplative exploration of freedom and isolation.

Tommy Boy (1995)

Who's in it: Chris Farley, BO Derek, David Spade, Dan Aykroyd

After his father's death, an inept but well-meaning heir to an auto parts factory embarks on a cross-country road trip to save the family business. Alongside his reluctant assistant, he dives into a series of comedic escapades, transforming their journey into an uproarious adventure of friendship and redemption.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

Who's in it:  Steve Martin, John Candy, Kevin Bacon

In a desperate bid to get home for Thanksgiving, an uptight executive and a lovable but obnoxious shower ring salesman endure a calamitous journey. As their flight gets rerouted, the duo navigates a series of mishaps involving various modes of transportation, resulting in a hilariously heartfelt exploration of friendship and patience. It's also one of the most memorable Thanksgiving movies to add to your holiday watch list.

Dumb and Dumber (1994)

Getty Images

Who's in it:  Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels

Two dim-witted friends embark on a road trip to return a briefcase to its rightful owner, unknowingly becoming ensnared in a criminal conspiracy. Their comically inept adventures take them across the country, with each blunder leading to side-splitting chaos and unexpected encounters.

Midnight Run (1988)

Universal Pictures

Who's in it: Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, Dennis Farina

A bounty hunter is tasked with apprehending a bail-jumping mob accountant. Their cross-country pursuit is fraught with obstacles as they dodge both the mob and the FBI. This action-packed road trip blends buddy comedy with thrilling intrigue, resulting in a whirlwind of quips and high-stakes escapades.

Road Trip (2000)

DreamWorks SKG

Who's in it:  Todd Phillips, Breckin Meyer, Amy Smart, Seann William Scott

In a desperate attempt to save his relationship, a college student hits the road with his friends to retrieve an incriminating videotape he mistakenly sent to his long-distance girlfriend. This raunchy comedy navigates a series of wild detours, outrageous mishaps and unexpected adventures, all in the name of love and redemption.

Rain Man (1988)

Who's in it:  Tom Cruise, Dustin Hoffman, Bonnie Hunt, Valeria Golino

When a young man discovers his estranged father has left his fortune to an older brother he never knew existed, they embark on a road trip to forge a connection. With the older brother's autism spectrum disorder adding a layer of complexity, the journey becomes a heartwarming exploration of family and understanding.

Easy Rider (1969)

Who's in it: Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson, Karen Black

Two counterculture bikers travel across the American Southwest in search of freedom and the true essence of America. Their journey is symbolic of the turbulent 1960s, exploring themes of rebellion, self-discovery and the clash between traditional values and the changing cultural landscape.

Y Tu Mamá También (2001)

Who's in it: Diego Luna, Gael García Bernal, Maribel Verdú

In this Mexican coming-of-age road trip drama, two friends embark on a trip with an older woman in search of a secluded beach. Along the way, their friendships and desires are tested as they grapple with the complexities of relationships, intimacy and the passage from youth to adulthood.

The Blues Brothers (1980)

Universal Picture

Who's in it: Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi

To save the orphanage they grew up in, two soul-singing brothers set off on a mission from God to put their old band back together and raise funds through a benefit concert. Their journey becomes a high-energy musical odyssey, replete with outrageous car chases, wild stunts and iconic performances.

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)

Twentieth Century Fox

Who's in it: Sacha Baron Cohen, Pamela Anderson

In this mockumentary comedy, the titular Kazakh journalist embarks on a cross-country journey across America, encountering unsuspecting citizens and exposing the absurdities of their beliefs and behaviors. Through outrageous encounters and cringe-worthy situations, the film satirizes cultural differences and societal norms.

Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)

Warner Bros

Who's in it: Paul Reubens

Eccentric man-child Pee-wee Herman embarks on a whimsical quest to recover his stolen bicycle, leading him on a cross-country adventure filled with quirky characters and surreal landscapes. With boundless energy and childlike wonder, Pee-wee's journey becomes a colorful and lighthearted exploration of imagination and determination.

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

Universal Studios

Who's in it: Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, Jackie Gleason

A trucker and his partner-in-crime take on a high-stakes challenge: smuggling a shipment of Coors beer across state lines while eluding a determined sheriff in hot pursuit. This action-packed road trip comedy boasts high-speed chases, witty banter and a dose of Southern charm, making it a classic of its genre.

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The 25 Best Road Trip Movies Ever

Nomadland is the latest in a long and treasured genre.

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Nomadland is the latest in a long line of movies that suggests packing up your belongings, speeding off, and exploring as many cities and countries as possible really is the right way to live.

Writer and director Chloe Zhao and the always imperious Frances McDormand have rightfully received critical acclaim for their work on the drama, which is released on Hulu on February, 19, and is fully expected to be a frontrunner during awards season.

Nomadland will be particularly resonant for travelers when you consider how excruciating the last 12 months have been. Rather than visiting sun-drenched and exotic places across the length and breadth of the globe, the Coronavirus pandemic has forced people to stay indoors and watch everything that the likes of Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max have to offer instead.

But while we all obviously want to be exploring new cities and butchering foreign languages, one way of scratching the traveling itch has always been to watch movie characters do it for us.

A perfectly made road trip movie can make you feel as though you’re actually embarking on the adventure and journey with those on-screen. Plus there’s the added bonus that you don’t have to pay for gas, stay in cheap and dirty motels, or get into fistfights with the locals over a simple misunderstanding.

Of course the road trip movie is so popular that plenty of entries to the genre suggest they’re capable of being this transportive and escapist, only to quickly bore and disappoint.

So which road trip movies are actually worth your time then?

Lucky for you, we here at Men’s Health have got viewers covered. So tighten up your helmets, put on your aviators, and start revving up that engine, as we take a look at the 25 best road trip movies ever made.

Easy Rider (1969)

Remembered mostly for the iconic image of Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper riding on their motorbikes as Steppenwolf’s "Born To Be Wild" blasts out, their cross-country expedition is both an illuminating and terrifying look at America.

Almost Famous (2000)

Cameron Crowe’s semi-autobiographical tale of being a teenage music journalist in the mid 1970s is primarily a love letter to rock ’n’ roll, writing, and being young. But Patrick Fugit’s wide-eyed exploration of America as he tours with Stillwater also makes it an engrossing road movie, too.

Y Tu Mama Tambien (2002)

Alfonso Cuaron’s masterpiece didn’t just introduce the world to Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna, it also blends drama, comedy and sex into a highly emotional, smartly constructed, and thought-provoking coming of age examination of Mexico.

Stream It Here

Dumb and Dumber (1994)

Undoubtedly the stupidest movie on this list, Harry and Lloyd’s jaunt from Providence,Rhode Island, to Aspen, Colorado, to return a briefcase is also probably the laugh out loud funniest entry, too.

It Happened One Night (1934)

A much different comedy to Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels’ above effort, It Happened One Night depicts Clark Gable’s cunning newspaper reporter slowly fall in love with Claudette Colbert’s spoiled heiress during their enchanting trip from Florida to New York. Rightfully regarded as one of the greatest movies of all time.

Logan (2017)

Planes, trains, & automobiles (1987).

Everything about Planes, Trains, and Automobiles just works. Not only does writer and director John Hughes expertly throw obstacles in the way of Steve Martin and John Candy as they try to make their way from New York to Chicago, but he leaves us with a heartfelt and beautiful ending, too. However, it’s Martin and Candy’s dynamic that has really allowed it to stand the test of time.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Unfortunately the blistering trip from Immortan Joe’s Citadel to the mythical “Green Place,” with a permanent stop off in Vallhalla for some, isn’t actually doable for movie fans. But if it was, the legion of die-hard Mad Max: Fury Road aficionados would ride through the roughest sandstorm to prove their love for the rollicking blockbuster, which is regarded by many as the best action movie of all time.

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

A deeply sad yet oddly profound and darkly funny look at the life of a folk-musician in Greenwich Village during the early 1960s, Oscar Isaac shot to fame as the titular character, who voyages from New York to Chicago and back again to try and prove his talents.

Sullivan's Travels (1941)

One of the most under-rated movies to emerge from the Golden Age Of Hollywood, Joel McCrea’s rich and successful comedy director makes himself homeless so he can oversee an authentic, socially conscious movie in Preston Sturges’ brilliant and hilarious look at the power of cinema.

Thelma & Louise (1991)

Thelma & Louise just keeps on getting better and better and better with each passing year. Sure its ending is iconic, but the titular duo’s joyride down to Mexico is also full of laughs, heart, and plenty of action, too. In fact, while most moviegoers would say it’s Alien, Gladiator, or Blade Runner, there’s an argument to be made that this is actually Ridley Scott’s greatest movie.

Midnight Run (1988)

The quintessential buddy comedy, Midnight Run revolves around Robert De Niro’s bounty hunter taking Charles Grodin’s mob accountant from New York to Los Angeles. It thrives thanks to the leading pair’s hysterical chemistry, and is elevated because it’s genuinely dark, moving, and thrilling, too.

The Muppet Movie (1979)

If you find yourself really down in the dumps because of the pandemic, then The Muppet Movie will provide the perfect cure. Just the sight of Kermit the Frog navigating his way from Florida to California to start his movie career, and picking up Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, and Gonzo et al along the way is a delight for people of all ages.

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)

National Lampoon’s Vacation might just feature the most impressive comedic team ever assembled. Directed by Harold Ramis, written by John Hughes, and starring Chevy Chase in arguably his most memorable role, it simply revolves around him taking his family on a trip from Chicago to Wally World in California, only to be met by increasingly hilarious setbacks.

The Daytrippers (1996)

Greg Mottola’s debut as a writer and director isn’t as much of a comedy as the likes of Superbad and Adventureland , as it sees Hope Davis traveling from Long Island to New York with her family to confront her husband, who she assumes is cheating. Instead it’s deft, claustrophobic, witty, full of surprises, and features stand out performances from Parker Posey and Liev Schreiber.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

The second Coen Brothers movie on this list is another one of their most underrated. George Clooney, Tim Blake Nelson, and John Turturro are three convicts on the run across the South during the Depression, and while the acting is flawless, it’s Roger Deakins’ sumptuous cinematography, Joel and Ethan’s breakneck script, and the endless stream of glorious music that makes O Brother, Where Art Thou? really shine.

The Blues Brothers (1980)

One of the most expensive comedies ever produced, thanks to its chaotic production,John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd’s musical siblings might only travel through Illinois, but they still manage to create a ridiculous amount of destruction, all to save their orphanage. Still arguably the finest film based on a Saturday Night Live sketch.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Never has taking a drug-induced trip across the Mojave desert to Las Vegas looked so fun. Not everyone thought that, though, as Terry Gilliam’s adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s novel proved to be incredibly divisive upon its release. That didn’t stop its exploration of drugs and Sin City from blossoming into a cult classic with a devoted audience.

The Straight Story (1999)

David Lynch’s most coherent film might also be his most heartwarming, too. Based on the true story of Alvin Straight, who in 1994 rode his lawn mower through Iowa and Wisconsin to see his ill brother, The Straight Story is a wonderfully delicious slice of Americana that celebrates the Midwest and the people that live there.

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)

Sacha Baron Cohen’s outing from Kazakhstan to America, and then across the country to try and fall in love with Pamela Anderson, is about as ridiculous as movies can get. It’s also relentlessly funny, and if any film was ever going to genuinely make your side’s split, Borat would be it. Plus, you know, 2020 had a sequel too .

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The best road trip movies of all time

Posted: May 26, 2023 | Last updated: August 3, 2023

The open road, a sense of adventure, and a cinematic backdrop: the best road trip movies capture them all. Of course, real-life road trips rarely go totally smoothly, and classic road trip movies don't shy away from showing all the dramatic bumps along the way. From drug-fueled misadventures to disastrous family trips and bust-ups behind the wheel, these movies range from cringe-making comedies to tense thrillers and joy-filled adventures.

Got your interest? Then buckle up to discover the best road trip movies of all time.

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'Easy Rider' (1969)

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'Magic Mike XXL' (2015)

The fun follow-up to 2012's comedy-drama 'Magic Mike' sees male stripper Mike Lane (Channing Tatum) return from retirement to join his Kings of Tampa dance colleagues for a road trip to attend a stripper convention.

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'Little Miss Sunshine' (2006)

A dysfunctional Albuquerque family hit the road in their Volkswagen van in a bitter-sweet indie movie. The offbeat family are headed to California, where seven-year-old daughter Olive is keen to showcase her somewhat unique dance moves in the finals of a beauty pageant.

'It Happened One Night' (1934)

An early rom-com, 'It Happened One Night' was the first of only three movies ever to pick up the five top awards at the Oscars. It sees an out-of-work reporter and a headstrong heiress thrown together when their bus leaves them stranded.

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'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm' (2020)

Having failed in his attempts to marry Pamela Anderson in 2006, Borat is back in his van and in the United States, this time navigating a pandemic as he attempts to offer his daughter as a present to a prominent politician. What could go wrong? Everything!

'The Blues Brothers' (1980)

John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd are the blues-loving protagonists of this memorable movie. Fresh out of jail and trying to stick to the straight-and-narrow, they embark on a wild ride around Illinois trying to raise money for a Catholic orphanage threatened with closure.

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'Almost Famous' (2000)

Kate Hudson plays a 1970s groupie in a beautifully-shot film about rock and roll life on the road. A semi-autobiographical work from director Cameron Crowe, it follows an impressionable young male journalist on a tour assignment for Rolling Stone magazine.

'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' (1998)

Johnny Depp is on hilariously good form in Terry Gilliam's trippy adaptation of the Hunter S. Thomson novel. He plays a hard-partying journalist getting into all manner of drug-induced nightmare scenarios as he navigates Nevada with his no-good lawyer.

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'Thelma & Louise' (1991)

Perhaps the ultimate female empowerment road trip movie, it features Geena Davies and Susan Sarandon on the run from the law. Watch out also for a young Brad Pitt playing a charming-but-untrustworthy cowboy.

'Stranger Than Paradise' (1984)

Deadpan comedy unfurls in artsy black and white, as a hip-but-bored New Yorker sets off to retrieve his young Hungarian cousin from her aunt's place in Cleveland.

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'The Straight Story' (1999)

Truth really can be stranger than fiction! David Lynch's moving 1999 movie tells the true story of Alvin Straight, a World War II veteran who rode right across Iowa and Wisconsin–on a lawn mower!

'Bonnie and Clyde' (1967)

Another road movie based on real-life events, but rather darker in theme. 'Bonnie and Clyde' is a glamorized version of the crimes committed by the Great Depression-era robbery duo, and their attempts to evade capture.

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'Smokey and the Bandit' (1977)

High-speed thrills and spills abound in this fun comedy about a pair of southern truckers attempting to ship a hefty amount of beer across state lines. A hitchhiking bride-to-be throws a spanner in the works.

'Road Trip' (2000)

Not a highbrow watch, but this raunchy road trip movie is good fun. A group of college buddies hit the road in a race against time to try and retrieve an explicit tape accidentally mailed to one of their girlfriends.

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'Rain Man' (1988)

This 1988 classic earned Dustin Hoffman an Oscar for Best Actor. He plays Raymond, the autistic older brother of Tom Cruise's self-centered yuppie Charlie Babbitt.

Babbitt takes his estranged brother away from his mental institution for a financially-motivated road trip, but learns a series of life lessons along the way.

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'Pee-wee's Big Adventure' (1985)

Tim Burton's directorial debut is a quirkily funny road trip adventure. When childlike Pee-wee Herman's beloved bike is stolen, he sets off across the country on an action-packed attempt to get it back.

'On the Road' (2012)

Based on Jack Kerouac's classic novel of the same name, this cinema adaptation sees three friends embark on a cross-country voyage of discovery.

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'National Lampoon's Vacation' (1983)

With National Lampoon in the title, you know this road trip is going to go hilariously wrong. Sure enough, Clark Griswold's impeccably-planned family trip from Chicago to a California theme park is a string of painfully-funny disasters.

'National Lampoon's European Vacation' (1985)

Having learned absolutely no lessons from their epic American road trip fail, the Griswolds head to Europe on a freebie vacation. They fall foul of the Italian police, British driving laws, and a whole lot more.

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'The Muppet Movie' (1979)

Muppets can make road movies too! On their first big-screen outing, Miss Piggy, Kermit, and the gang embark on a cross country trip to try and make it big in Hollywood.

'The Motorcycle Diaries' (2004)

This Spanish-language movie is based on the real-life diaries of Argentine revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara. The film captures the often-funny motorbike trip across South America that inspired his political awakening.

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'Midnight Run' (1988)

Robert De Niro is a foul-mouthed bounty hunter hitting the road on the trail of an unscrupulous accountant. It's a fast-paced comedy drama in which nothing goes to plan.

'And Your Mother Too' (2001)

A somewhat raunchy coming-of-age Mexican road movie, this critically-acclaimed flick sees two young male friends set off on a long-distance beach trip with a seductive older woman.

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'Wild at Heart' (1990)

David Lynch's 1990 road movie is less cryptic than many of his works as a director. Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern star as a couple on the run from probation officers and a mother who violently opposes their relationship.

'The Fundamentals of Caring' (2016)

Paul Rudd is a world-weary soul charged with caring for a disabled teenager. When the pair embark on a road trip, they find themselves faced with–and ultimately overcoming–a whole host of emotional challenges.

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'Sideways' (2004)

Pour yourself a large glass and enjoy this offbeat comedy-drama about a hapless writer and his soon-to-be-married friend as they explore California's wine country. 

'Due Date' (2010)

Nothing like a string of travel disasters to pile on the pressure when your expectant wife is about to give birth! Robert Downey Jr. plays a highly-strung father-to-be trying to overcome the comedic odds to get to the hospital in time.

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'The Darjeeling Limited' (2007)

As colorful and character-packed as moviegoers have come to expect from director Wes Anderson, this witty movie sees three brothers embark on a bonding trip across India.

Sources: (Insider)

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Screen Rant

The 10 best john hughes films of the 80s (according to imdb).

John Hughes has made some of the most beloved movies of all time, and here are his best 80s films, ranked by IMDb score.

Much like Walt Disney created a world full of magic and wonder for generations to come, so did the legendary screenwriter John Hughes . Known best for his authentic teenage characters, John Hughes was more than just a man who knew how to write teenagers, he was a visionary genius.

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John Hughes began his screenwriting career in the 1980s where he quickly made a name for himself and became one of the most influential writers of his time. Though it's true his films weren't incredibly diverse and occasionally played into hurtful stereotypes, the story at the heart of his films are still influential today. The 80s was a massive decade of success for the late writer. Here are his best films released in the 1980s according to IMDb.

The Great Outdoors  (1988) - 6.7

Coming in at number 10 with a rating of 6.7 is the John Hughes' classic  The Great Outdoors .  Written and directed by Hughes, the film starred John Candy as Chet Ripley, an outdoorsy father who wants to take his family fishing. The vacation is made complicated when Ripley's brother-in-law's family accompanies them on the trip.

The film was shot partly on location at the Bass Lake in California and partly at the Universal Studios backlot. In 2017 it was announced that Universal Pictures has been developing a reboot  of the film starring Kevin Hart in Candy's iconic role.

Pretty In Pink (1986) - 6.8

Pretty in Pink  was John Hughes' third film to star teen actress Molly Ringwald and first and only film with Jon Cryer. The film was released in 1986 and instantly became a classic, especially amongst teenagers at the time.

The film follows Andie (Ringwald) a high schooler who doesn't quite fit in, as she begins a relationship with Blaine (Andrew McCarthy), a popular and rich boy at school, who her best friend (Cryer) doesn't approve of. Unbeknownst to many, the film was also adapted into a novel, though it ends differently than the movie.

Uncle Buck (1989) - 7.0

John Hughes and John Candy once again saw themselves working together to create the 1989 comedy  Uncle Buck .  The film centers on Buck (Candy), a carefree uncle who steps in to babysit his brother's kids in the midst of a family emergency. In true Hughes fashion, the film is full of laughs as Buck must give up his old ways to be the responsible adult to his nieces and nephew.

Uncle Buck  is definitely a fan favorite and has even managed to be turned into a television series twice. Unfortunately, neither TV series was all that successful perhaps because it did not involve Hughes or Candy.

Sixteen Candles (1984) - 7.1

Sixteen Candles   holds a special place in many hearts and in the legacy of John Hughes. Not only was it his first film with Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall, but it was also his directorial debut.

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The film follows Samantha (Ringwald), who's 16th birthday has been overshadowed by her older sister's wedding. In addition to dealing with her family forgetting her birthday, Samantha is hopelessly in love with popular boy Jake Ryan . Though the film's love story is a classic, the film is not without fault, as many have criticized it for its use of Asian American stereotypes in addition to condoning date rape.

Some Kind Of Wonderful (1987) - 7.1

Some Kind of Wonderful  stars Eric Stoltz as Keith Nelson, an outcast who's infatuated with popular girl Amanda Jones (Lea Thompson). The film shares a lot of similarities to  Pretty in Pink  in that Eric's best friend Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson) doesn't agree with Eric's choice because she's in love with him.

In fact, the similarities are not a coincidence. Unhappy with the ending of  Pretty in Pink,  Hughes re-told the story with the genders swapped and with the ending he had always hoped for.

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) - 7.4

Coming in at number 5 is the highly popular family film  National Lampoon's Vacation . Chevy Chase plays the iconic Clark Griswold, who decides to drive cross country with his family to visit Walley World, an amusement park in California. The film is not only a cult classic, but kicked off a successful and popular franchise around the fictional Griswold family.

As many have speculated, Walley World is reminiscent of Disneyland, which was the original location used in Hughes' short story which the film was adapted from.

Planes, Trains, & Automobiles (1987) - 7.6

In 1987, John Hughes once again tested his luck with a road trip comedy film. Luckily for him, it paid off, again.  Planes, Trains, and Automobiles stars Steve Martin and John Candy, two strangers who wind up on a 3-day road trip to try to get back home to their families in time for Thanksgiving.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles  was a huge success for Hughes, who had since been written off as a writer who typically only made films that appealed to angsty teenagers.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) - 7.6

After the success of the first  Vacation,  Hughes decided to revisit the Griswolds and tell another story with the loud-mouth family. This time Hughes centered the chaos around the holidays. Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo reprised their roles as Clark and Ellen Griswald. Thus,  National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation  was born.

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The film was once again inspired by a short story Hughes had written for the  National Lampoon's  magazine. Since its release in 1989, the film has become a holiday classic with familys watching year after year.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) - 7.8

In 1986 John Hughes' struck gold again with teenagers with his original film  Ferris Bueller's Day Off.   Matthew Broderick was responsible for bringing the mischievous and charismatic Ferris Bueller to life, and he certainly did not disappoint.

Not only is the film one of John Hughes' best, but it was also one of the top-grossing films of 1986 and was adored by critics and audiences alike. In addition, it is one of the best films to utilize the trope of breaking the fourth wall .

The Breakfast Club (1985) - 7.9

Landing in the number one spot for John Hughes' top films of the 1980s is none other than  The Breakfast Club .  The film certainly has earned its place and is often thought of as John Hughes' best film of all time.

The Breakfast Club  centers on five high school students from different cliques who find themselves in Saturday detention. The film has a huge cultural impact, with several movies and television shows parodying the film over the years. It also regularly ranks on lists of the best movies of all time.

NEXT: 10 John Hughes Movies We'd Love To See Remade (& Who Should Star In Them)

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The Sweet East review – high-school student’s eccentric road trip up and down the coast

A teenage girl meets all manner of extremists, hipsters and hoodlums in Sean Price Williams’ amusing, contemporary adventure

H igh-school student Lillian (Talia Ryder) gets separated from her classmates and chaperones at a pizza parlour during a school trip to Washington DC because a deranged shooter is convinced paedophiles are operating out of its basement. And so begins an adventure up and back down the eastern seaboard, taking Lillian from her native South Carolina up through the nation’s capital, to New York City, Vermont and beyond, meeting all manner of eccentrics, extremists, hipsters and hoodlums. It’s the sort of lolloping, weird ride through society that’s a textbook example of the classical picaresque, in which a low-born, none-too-honest but appealing protagonist gets up to stuff. Think of 18th-century novels like Tom Jones or Moll Flanders, but updated to contemporary America – although the film contrives to get Lillian dolled up in revolutionary-era petticoats and corsetry, just to underline the parallel.

Ryder is a consistently compelling presence throughout, even though her character’s default mode is doe-eyed gormlessness as she stumbles from situation to situation. Still, Lillian is no fool, and works out quickly how to squeeze herself into whatever shape is required of the situation. That might mean feigning virginal innocence for the benefit of a creepy right-wing academic (Simon Rex) with a thing about Edgar Allan Poe, or learning quickly to play the diva when a pair of film-makers (the always welcome Ayo Edebiri and Jeremy O Harris, both of them having fun) “discover” her on the streets of NYC. They insist she auditions for their latest film for a role opposite currently hot star Ian (played by currently hot star Jacob Elordi from Saltburn and Priscilla).

The section where Lillian tumbles down a film-making rabbit hole is by far the most amusing. Perhaps that’s because it gently sends up the manners and mores of a world The Sweet East’s writer-director, Sean Price Williams, must know well, having been a cinematographer for the likes of downtown and outer borough talents such as the Safdie brothers (Good Time) and Alex Ross Perry (Her Smell). What Williams wants to satirise elsewhere in the film is less clear, but none of the short rides each subplot presents lasts too long before it’s time to transfer to another train.

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3/29 Movie Trip

Paul McGuire Grimes, creator of Paul’s Trip to the Movies, reviews the new Ghostbusters, Road House on Prime, and Shirley on Netflix.

GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE (in theaters)

It feels great to have the Ghostbusters back in New York City saving the day. The new crew and some old friends are back in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire , the fifth film in the franchise. Carrie Coon stars as Callie Spengler, the daughter of original Ghostbuster Egon. She along with her kids Phoebe (McKenna Grace) and Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and former teacher Gary (Paul Rudd) have set up shop in the Ghostbusters old stomping grounds at the Hook and Ladder 8 fire station in New York City. Their work is messy and causes city destruction leaving Phoebe without a job after it’s determined that as a minor she shouldn’t be a Ghostbuster. Meanwhile, Dan Akroyd is back again as Ray Stantz whose gift shop for supernatural artifacts if given an ancient orb that seems to possess strong telekinetic energy. Ernie Hudson’s Winston is running a secret paranormal research facility where they all gather and figure out the true history of this ancient orb that has the power to turn the planet into ice. The film also stars Kumail Nanjiani and reunites Bill Murray and Annie Potts.

– Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire was written by director Gil Kenan and Jason Reitman which continues to play into everything we love about Ghostbusters. The humor and quirky characters are all there. The story has a better sense of incorporating our favorite legacy characters and the new cast while retaining that classic Ghostbusters feeling. You do feel them feeling a bit stuck at how to incorporate such a big cast and giving them something to do.

-McKenna Grace is the standout of the film with Phoebe trying to find her place in her family and in the world where she’s feeling like she’s not allowed. It’s a coming-of-age storyline that has the highest stakes in the film.

-Original cast member Bill Murray has very limited screentime, but he’s pure Peter Venkman perfection when we see him.

-There are pacing issues, as there’s a lot of build up with the various characters trying to piece this all together. It feels like a metaphor for Kenan and Reitman trying to make all these subplots come together by the climax.

-For me, these movies work best when they’re getting all geeky about the science and paranormal apparitions. It lets the humor, mystery, and horror elements work together.

– The film works and should please fans who want that classic Ghostbusters feel with beloved characters, iconic musical motifs, while living within the contemporary world that exists forty years after the original.

RATING: 3 out of 5 TICKET STUBS

ROAD HOUSE (Prime Video)

Patrick Swayze’s 1989 cult classic Road House was sexy, violent, and very macho. It’s now getting the remake treatment with Jake Gyllenhaal stepping into Swayze’s shoes. The remake of Road House opens with an exciting but rough cage match with Post Malone as Carter kicking ass in a scrappy ring taking down his opponent. Then walks in Jake Gyllenhaal as Dalton who seemingly scares him off as Carter refuses to fight Dalton. It’s a seedy non-professional environment, but everyone remembers that Dalton was a former UFC fighter. It’s there where Dalton is approached by Frankie, whose played by Jessica Williams, to come work as a security guard at her bar, a road house aptly named, The Road House. Dalton reluctantly accepts and quickly learns there’s a reputation for the Road House. It’s a place where bottles are broken, fights break out, and macho tough guys think they rule the place. Dalton learns the hard way, and despite being able to hold his own, he finds himself caught up in a crime family looking to kill their way into owning the Road House.

-Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Billy Magnussen, Jessica Williams, Conor McGregor, Lukas Gage

– Road House comes under the direction of Doug Liman whose action resume includes films like The Bourne Identity, Mr. and Mrs. Smith , and Edge of Tomorrow .

-You can feel a connection to the Swayze classic while this one certainly ups the ante on the brutality and goes in some different directions. You must lean in and view it like a Fast and the Furious movie where you accept the camp and the overall ridiculous nature at hand.

-It seems like Doug Liman and his cast all know the tone they’ve set out to give this film. Much like the original, this has a very loose main plot, a few unnecessary subplots, and a handful of cheesy one-liners and comebacks.

-This film seems to rely on the bar brawls and vendetta between the Brandt crime family versus Dalton and the Road House. The henchmen act tough but are dolts. Dalton can easily outwit them and thus take them down in two seconds flat.

-As Dalton, Jake Gyllenhaal is no stranger to these intense, physically fit characters. He still has the charm with Dalton but treats him as the silent but deadly type. Conor McGregor is clearly having a blast as a beast like killing machine who leaves a destruction of carnage behind.

– Road House is notably over the top right down and is perfect for an easy night on the couch with a cocktail or beer in hand. Your mind can escape for two hours if that’s what you want out of it.

SHIRLEY (Netflix)

Shirley Chisholm is a political trailblazer, and yet, her name and legacy may not be known to many. Oscar and Emmy winner Regina King brings her story to life in the new Netflix film Shirley . Regina King gives a commanding performance as Shirley Chisholm. Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968. The film uses this to introduce the audience to her and then cuts to 1972 when she decides to run for President of the United States. She knows the race is stacked against her as no one will vote for a Black woman as president. She persisted by getting some money raised and hiring a team around her including Lucas Hedges who plays her National Student Coordinator and Lance Reddick as her chief advisor. Chisholm’s politic slogan was “unbought and “unbossed” and she pushed way through gender and race politics to form a grassroots campaign for the White House.

-Starring: Regina King, Lucas Hedges, Lance Reddick, Terrence Howard and Brian Stokes Mitchell.

-While Chisholm lead a full life, writer/director John Ridley wisely distills this film down to just following her 1972 presidential run instead of doing the standard full life biopic.

-Regina King wins over the audience with her force of nature approach to understanding Shirley Chisholm’s drive. You can also feel a sense of positivity even when she seems in over her head and needs a proper team to get her message out.

-As she claims, “Why does it always have to be a white man?” It’s an underdog story, but John Ridley’s script and his pacing seems to race through the complexity and weight behind it. You can almost feel him trying to cover as much ground as possible without letting the scenes breathe or give Shirley a chance to feel the weight on her shoulders.

-There’s an attempt to learn about her family life with Regina King’s sister, Reina King, appearing as Shirley’s sister. We also see how her campaign impacted her marriage, but these subplots don’t feel fleshed out enough.

– John Ridley is missing the gravitas that this story needs. You can sense Regina King giving everything she can in an impassioned performance, but she can’t overcome the glaring issues in storytelling.

– Much like Netflix’s film Rustin from last year, these films are a good reminder of influential people whose voices and stories may have been forgotten over time.

-It’s not a great movie but, I’m recommending it for Regina King’s performance and to build awareness to who Shirley Chisholm was.