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The Tourist

2010, Mystery & thriller/Action, 1h 39m

What to know

Critics Consensus

The scenery and the stars are undeniably beautiful, but they can't make up for The Tourist 's slow, muddled plot, or the lack of chemistry between Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. Read critic reviews

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The tourist   photos.

During an impromptu trip to Europe to mend a broken heart, math teacher Frank Tupelo (Johnny Depp) finds himself in an extraordinary situation when an alluring stranger, Elise (Angelina Jolie), places herself in his path. Their seemingly innocent flirtation turns into a dangerous game of cat and mouse while various people, who all think that Frank is Elise's thieving paramour, Alexander Pearce, try to capture the pair.

Rating: PG-13 (Violence|Brief Strong Language)

Genre: Mystery & thriller, Action, Romance

Original Language: English

Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

Producer: Graham King , Tim Headington , Roger Birnbaum , Gary Barber , Jonathan Glickman

Writer: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck , Christopher McQuarrie , Julian Fellowes

Release Date (Theaters): Dec 10, 2010  wide

Release Date (Streaming): Mar 5, 2014

Box Office (Gross USA): $67.6M

Runtime: 1h 39m

Distributor: Sony Pictures

Production Co: GK Films, Birnbaum/Barber

Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

Cast & Crew

Johnny Depp

Frank Tupelo

Angelina Jolie

Elise Clifton-Ward

Paul Bettany

Inspector John Acheson

Timothy Dalton

Chief Inspector Jones

Steven Berkoff

Reginald Shaw

Rufus Sewell

The Englishman

Christian De Sica

Colonnello Lombardi

Alessio Boni

Sergente Cerato

Daniele Pecci

Tenente Narduzzi

Giovanni Guidelli

Tenente Tommassini

Conte Filippo Gaggia

Bruno Wolkowitch

Capitaine Courson

Marc Ruchmann

Brigadier Kaiser

Julien Baumgartner

Brigadier Ricuort

François Vincentelli

Brigadier Marion

Clément Sibony

Brigadier Rousseau

Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

Screenwriter

Christopher McQuarrie

Julian Fellowes

Graham King

Tim Headington

Roger Birnbaum

Gary Barber

Jonathan Glickman

Lloyd Phillips

Executive Producer

Bahman Naraghi

Olivier Courson

Ron Halpern

Cinematographer

Production Design

Joe Hutshing

Film Editing

Patricia Rommel

James Newton Howard

Original Music

Colleen Atwood

Costume Design

Béatrice Kruger

News & Interviews for The Tourist

RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: The Tourist and How Do You Know

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Critic Reviews for The Tourist

Audience reviews for the tourist.

The plot doesn't make sense, but the scenery is nice to look at.

tourist hollywood movie

The Tourist is an exotic espionage thriller that's quite fun and entertaining. While on vacation in Venice, Frank Tupelo is mistaken for a mobster named Alexander Pearce when he's picked up by Pearce's mistress, and ends up on the run from gangsters and Scotland Yard. Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, and Paul Bettany form a solid cast and deliver great performances. There's a certain charm to the story, and it's able to be clever and intriguing as the events unfold. Additionally, the film is directed well, with a smart pace and beautiful locations. Some parts may seem formulaic, but The Tourist is a sleek and enjoyable film.

Like any very attractive woman, Elise Ward(Angelina Jolie) has more than her share of admirers. But in her case, it is professional, with the police wanting to know the whereabouts of her lover, Alexander Pearce. She doesn't know either but a note delivered at a Paris cafe, telling her to catch a train to Venice, provides clues. In the confusion, she gets away while all Inspector John Acheson(Paul Bettany) has to show for his efforts is one rather confused waiter which does not make Chief Inspector Jones(Timothy Dalton) happy in the least. The other part of the instructions call for her to pick a random stranger on the train to sit next to which turns out to be Frank Tupelo(Johnny Depp), a schoolteacher from Wisconsin, who is also flattered at the attention. Now, if the cops were the only people out to get Pearce... I'm not disappointed that Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck chose a lightweight project to follow up his first film, "The Lives of Others," with. Rather, what I find especially disappointing about his second film "The Tourist" is how lacking in suspense it is, when in his first film, he showed a particular skill at creating suspense out of the most mundane moments, some of which involving typewriters. And Angelina Jolie does not command the room the way a beautiful woman should. That leaves it up to Johnny Depp to take "The Tourist" on his shoulders and run with it which is just enough for some of us most days, even with the possibility that none of this makes a lick of sense.

"The Tourist" is a very poor movie. Of course, it represents Hollywood at it's worst. The movie was never intended to have any value. It's sole purpose was to cash in on the star power of Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. There is no way that this script would have been brought to life without those names attached. "The Tourist" is as lazy as film-making gets. It's slow, uninspired, predictable, and downright annoying. Speaking of the attached star power, this is just a phoned in performance by Depp and Jolie. They play the same roles that they always do. Brace yourself for this one, Angelina Jolie is engaging in espionage! But isn't Jolie a spy in every one of her movies? Strangely enough, with as much practice as she gets in these roles, she never turns in a believable performance. When Johnny Depp isn't trying, he normally portrays a quirky character that ends up in-over-his-head, and that's exactly what you get here. It's astonishing that nobody figured out that thrusting Depp and Jolie into their comfort zones would result in zero chemistry. Then again, you have to remind yourself that nobody making the movie cared if it was entertaining. Then it all makes sense. "The Tourist" is generic garbage, that I strongly urge you to avoid. If you're a die-hard fan of Johnny Depp or Angelina Jolie, you have to start watching better movies.

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Movie Review | ‘The Tourist’

Gallivanting Across Europe in High Heels and High Dudgeon

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tourist hollywood movie

By Manohla Dargis

  • Dec. 9, 2010

It takes a big man to hold the screen level when Angelina Jolie is around — usually the whole thing just tilts in her direction as soon as she struts into the frame. Her partner in crazy-time fame, Brad Pitt, helped keep the balance in “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” their only film together. And now Johnny Depp tries to do much the same in “The Tourist.” Going for muted, eyeliner- and nearly irony-free, he plays an ordinary American who bumbles into a Continental intrigue, which looks like a film you’ve seen before, because you have.

You know that movie. It’s the one in which Cary Grant and Grace Kelly don’t just travel by train, they also trade knowing looks in the first-class dining car as the waiter fills their glasses, and a shady type secretly takes their photo. The people behind “The Tourist” would like you to flash back to 1955 — as Ms. Jolie’s wardrobe of long gloves suggests — a risky strategy, given that you actually might. The truth is that it takes an exceptional director to prevent an entertainment as flimsy as this from collapsing under its own weightlessness. Alfred Hitchcock pulled it off with Grant and Kelly in “To Catch a Thief,” a bauble that sparkles like a jewel because of the world-class scenery, its stars included, and because of, well, the directing.

Stargazing is the only reason bonbons like “The Tourist” are made, dreams of box office bonanzas aside. But stars need just the right setting and a director who knows how to make them shine, as Steven Soderbergh does with Mr. Pitt and George Clooney in the “Ocean’s” franchise. The director also needs to hold his own, which, from the generic look and feel of “The Tourist,” clearly wasn’t the case with Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. He does put personality into the occasional scene, including a mysterious, hushed interlude in which Ms. Jolie stands with her back to the camera as Mr. Depp creeps up from behind — lover or stalker, you’re not initially sure which — before pulling her close for a hungry kiss.

It’s a nice idyll among a wash of clichés that include Russian muscle in service to a big meanie, Shaw (Steven Berkoff), whose quest for stolen loot leads him to Elise Ward (Ms. Jolie). A mystery woman of rare ability (she can pick a lock and wear off-the-shoulder gowns), she eludes Shaw while dodging assorted law enforcement agencies, including Scotland Yard, where Paul Bettany and Timothy Dalton curl stiff upper lips. Elise pauses long enough to slide into a train seat opposite Frank Tupelo (Mr. Depp), who, after gulping at his good fortune, explains that he’s a vacationing Wisconsin math teacher (as if!). Dinner leads to drinks leads to complications, including hailstorming bullets and a few sluggish boat chases in the Venice canals.

On Tour With 'The Tourist'

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Hollywood has a long history of collecting (and devouring) European directors, but Mr. von Donnersmarck was an odd choice for froth like this. A few years ago he attracted some attention for “The Lives of Others,” a 2006 drama about an East German couple being spied on by a Stasi officer. Here, his main job seems to have been to find new and flattering ways to shoot Ms. Jolie as she catwalks from Paris to Venice in soaring heels. He tries to invest this adoration with some self-conscious wit, mostly by having all the men in the movie gawp at Elise as if she were as much a supernova as the one playing her. But all this genuflection — she parts one crowd as Moses does the Red Sea — feels forced rather than mischievous.

It must be tough for Ms. Jolie to find roles that fit. Off screen she remains a fascinating presence, but on screen she now tends to overwhelm her roles and even her movies. Like every memorable screen star, she still has a face you can get lost in, with its push-pull of hard, jutting angles and well-endowed lips. It’s a face built for extremes, though early on she could also make it work for somewhat smaller, human-scaled roles that were nonetheless tricky for her. Superheroes and superfreaks have long been her truer calling, one reason that “The Tourist” seemed vaguely promising. When she first appears in a come-hither outfit and a small private smile, she looks ready for liftoff. She never ignites, and neither does the movie.

Mr. Depp doesn’t fare better with a role that forces him to play meek and disappointingly mild, despite a few screenwriter-supplied tics. (Mr. von Donnersmarck shares writing credit with Christopher McQuarrie and Julian Fellowes.) A brilliant character actor and accidental movie star, Mr. Depp has rarely been persuasive playing average. He likes tunneling into his characters, preferably under a thick smear of makeup and flamboyant threads, which is why he’s never made sense in mainstream romance. There’s no place for him to hide with Frank, so he stands around trying to look hapless as Ms. Jolie grabs the lead. There’s definitely some amusement in watching her come to his rescue, a role reversal the movie only flirts with. But oh how much more fun it would have been if Mr. Depp had really played the girl, eyeliner and all.

“The Tourist” is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned). Bloodless violence.

THE TOURIST

Opens on Friday nationwide.

Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck; written by Mr. Henckel von Donnersmarck, Christopher McQuarrie and Julian Fellowes; director of photography, John Seale; edited by Joe Hutshing and Patricia Rommel; music by James Newton Howard; production design by Jon Hutman; costumes by Colleen Atwood; produced by Graham King, Tim Headington, Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber and Jonathan Glickman; released by Columbia Pictures. Running time: 1 hour 43 minutes.

WITH: Angelina Jolie (Elise Clifton Ward), Johnny Depp (Frank Tupelo), Paul Bettany (Inspector John Acheson), Timothy Dalton (Chief Inspector Jones), Steven Berkoff (Reginald Shaw) and Rufus Sewell (the Englishman).

Today’s Film Reviews: AND EVERYTHING IS GOING FINE, a documentary directed by Steven Soderbergh. 17 BEIJING TAXI, a Mandarinlanguage documentary directed by Miao Wang. 10 THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER, directed by Michael Apted. 16 THE COMPANY MEN, directed by John Wells. 10 THE FIGHTER, directed by David O. Russell. 1 HEMINGWAY’S GARDEN OF EDEN, directed by John Irvin. 14 THE TEMPEST, directed by Julie Taymor. 10 THE TOURIST, directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. 8 VENGEANCE, an English-, Cantonese- and French-language film directed by Johnnie To. 17 YOU WONT MISS ME, directed by Ry Russo-Young. 15

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The Tourist

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About The Tourist

In this The Tourist film, Johnny Depp , Angelina Jolie played the primary leads.

The The Tourist was released in theaters on 24 Dec 2010.

The The Tourist was directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

Movies like Kung Fu Panda 4 , Oppenheimer , Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and others in a similar vein had the same genre but quite different stories.

The soundtracks and background music were composed by James Newton Howard for the movie The Tourist.

The movie The Tourist belonged to the Comedy, genre.

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'The Tourist': Why the Angelina Jolie-Johnny Depp Flop Deserves a Second Look

Yes, it tanked at the box office. But the movie is worth watching, if only as a curiosity.

TheTouristBen_post.jpg

Columbia Pictures

Few recent releases have flamed out quite so spectacularly as The Tourist , which opened stateside in December to tepid reviews and slower-than-expected business, and almost overnight became an object of ridicule. There have lately been money-losers of much greater magnitude (this month's Mars Needs Moms , for instance), but The Tourist 's unique combination of flawless pedigree—Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, white-hot European director—and overall inertness made it an easy target. The film, nominally a classic action-romance picture trafficking in international mistaken-identity intrigue and outlandish financial crimes, essentially boils down to ball gowns, timepieces, and really nice stationery, and so viewers are faced with a choice between indulging in its lavish appointments, or beginning to make jokes at its expense.

Most seemed to choose the latter option, including Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais , who in his opening monologue memorably demystified the film's two Globe nominations, its only awards-season recognition: "I'd like to quash this ridiculous rumor going around that the only reason The Tourist was nominated was so the Hollywood Foreign Press could hang out with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. That is rubbish. That is not the only reason. They also accepted bribes." Cut to Depp, who was hiding behind a pair of sunglasses, chewing gum, his face fixed in a wince. The feature-length co-star of Gervais's joke arrives on home video this week (and on Netflix next month), offering a good opportunity for reappraisal. It should first of all be declared that The Tourist , in which British agent-gone-dark Jolie entangles unwitting math-teacher tourist Depp in a dangerous attempt to reunite with her mysterious fugitive lover, is not top-to-bottom rubbish. The second feature from German director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck—easy to forget, since his debut, The Lives of Others , was such an assured (if unsubtle) piece of filmmaking—is indeed a bit of a sophomore slump, but it doesn't quite deserve its low reputation, either.

In her championing of the Venice-set film, Movieline 's Stephanie Zacharek extended the movie's elevation of really nice stuff from mere set dressing to full-blown theme, by comparing the star vehicle to a cocktail—"a Bellini, fizzy and sweet and dry all at the same time." While The Tourist 's tonic qualities might be disputed, it does offer some substantial pleasures, particularly of the dry variety. These mostly come courtesy of Depp, in bewildered mode throughout, cast into a plot whose mechanics he can't fully grasp, but almost casually accepting of every new development—recalling his career-best work in Jim Jarmusch's 1995 anti-Western Dead Man . Here Depp's character, Frank, dazedly stumbles through shootout chases and police interrogations, as if one of his beloved spy thrillers has sprung to life around him (Frank fumbles with a paperback called The Berlin Vendetta when Jolie's Elise takes a seat across from him on a train).

Aside from its minor pleasures, though, The Tourist might also wind up enduring as a kind of curiosity. In a Daily Beast postmortem on the film, one of Nicole LaPorte's sources offers that "[von Donnersmarck] was interested in making a movie that was about elegance and the glamour of stars. It was not supposed to be a hard-edged thriller. He wanted to make a style piece. That may have been a miscalculation." The "elegance" and "glamour" of two of Hollywood's brightest stars is indeed here thrust to the fore, even more so than usual. What's more, there are hardly any other concerns occupying the foreground. The thriller elements and the dialogue here seem almost deliberately by-the-numbers, so as not to distract from the sheer star wattage.

The Tourist is, at its core, a movie about the nature of seeing and being seen, featuring a perhaps-not-entirely-inadvertent barebones, feminist-film-theory-inflected demo of classical Hollywood patriarchy. Depp, the disheveled, down-on-his-luck, paperback-reading teacher from Wisconsin, serves as the audience's (male) point of identification. For her part, Jolie is objectified to an almost absurd degree, constantly watched by (exclusively male) surveillance experts. At one point the mere sight of her prompts Frank to inadvertently blurt out the PG-13 film's token "fuck," and Elise renders speechless nearly every man she encounters, as if even these thunderstruck waiters and bellhops inside the movie are unable to process her as anything other than a fantasy, a glamorous apparition, a totally bewitching flicker of light. The audience is, of course, also implicated in all this looking.

The final scenes of The Tourist attempt, with mixed results, to complicate and maybe even half-heartedly critique these power dynamics, turning a few tables and imparting to certain players more agency than they initially seemed to have. The film ultimately skews more toward knowing tease than coherent statement, but at its most intriguing The Tourist plays like a movie turned completely inside out, an espionage movie willing to spy on its own inner workings.

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In 'The Tourist,' A Clumsy Game Of Cat And Mouse

Ella Taylor

tourist hollywood movie

Average Joe Meets Femme Fatale: Angelina Jolie, left, plays the mysterious Elise, who gets Johnny Depp's American tourist, Frank, into hot water when she leads her enemies to believe he is someone else. Peter Mountain/Sony Pictures hide caption

The Tourist

  • Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
  • Genre: Drama/Thriller
  • Running Time: 103 minutes

Rated PG-13.

With: Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Paul Bettany, Timothy Dalton, Rufus Sewell

Watch Clips

'Burn This Letter'

Credit: Sony Pictures

'I'm Elise'

'Who Are You People?'

Throw a ton of money, two marquee names, a glam Venice location and a prime holiday release at a filmmaker whose Hollywood reach exceeds his grasp, and what do you get? In all likelihood, better box office than The Tourist deserves, followed by a brisk DVD run and early oblivion.

In 2006, German director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck struck gold with The Lives of Others, a capably made, superbly acted bit of nonsense about a ruthless Stasi agent who converts to humanism after a revelatory afternoon spent listening to Mozart. The movie did well with audiences and won, among scores of other awards, an Oscar for Best Foreign Film, which in turn brought von Donnersmarck his first studio assignment. The result is The Tourist , an awkward jumble of half-assed thriller and lumbering romantic comedy, less competent by a wide margin than The Lives of Others. It's also a whole lot sillier, though not in a good way: von Donnersmarck, to put it charitably, has only the dimmest grasp of the fluid, breezy rhythms of a Hollywood action picture, and he seems ill at ease with the glitz required to carry off a studio love story.

Angelina Jolie's glamour doesn't need a lot of accessorizing, but just to be sure, Von Donnersmarck decks her out in Brigitte Bardot hair and Sophia Loren raccoon-eyes to play Elise, a mystery Brit with a passable command of French and Italian phrasebook greetings. She sits around fancy European cafes, smirking enigmatically, seemingly serene in the knowledge that she's under randy computer surveillance by assorted bumbling cops from European Interpol, supervised by a nervous nellie (Paul Bettany) in London.

For no apparent reason, Elise puckers up the famous Jolie lips and plants a lingering smooch on the lips of a dorky American named Frank, thus triggering what is commonly described in studio production notes as a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. Gamely played by Johnny Depp in an unhelpful knave-of-hearts bob, Frank is, so he says , a math teacher from Wisconsin who's tooling around Europe to mend a broken heart.

Perhaps that's why, when confronted by La Jolie in a champagne negligee in a ritzy Venice hotel room, Frank spends the night on the couch in his striped jammies. Then: "You're ravenous," he tells Elise when she appears dolled up for dinner, only to confess that she too pines for a lost love. "Do you mean ravishing?" she asks. "I do," he replies, mouth agape. " You're ravenous," she says, and whisks him off to a candle-lit dinner.

tourist hollywood movie

Mistaken Identity? Paul Bettany, left, plays Agent Acheson, who interrogates Frank (Johnny Depp) about what's up. Peter Mountain/Sony Pictures hide caption

Mistaken Identity? Paul Bettany, left, plays Agent Acheson, who interrogates Frank (Johnny Depp) about what's up.

With banter like this -- the script is credited to the very odd combo of von Donnersmarck, Christopher McQuarrie, who wrote The Usual Suspects , and Julian Fellowes, who writes tony British costume dramas like Gosford Park -- the smart money perforce has to be on the plot. Enter the villain (Steven Berkoff), whom we know is up to no good by the fact that he is Steven Berkoff, by the murderous glint in his glassy blue eyes, by a sharp acceleration in the strings sawing away on the soundtrack, and by the whispered news that he "owns most of the casinos and brothels between here and Nervous Bisque." (Novosibirsk, I'm guessing.)

There follows a lot of inept scampering across scenic rooftops and toppling into the churning waters of the Venice canals as Frank and Elise fall in love, hotly pursued by posses of burly chaps talking into their wrists. Mostly, though, there's a lot of scenic boating with Elise in regal silhouette at the helm, and a swank ball or two with Elise in slinky silks and laces and stuff. In due course, it is revealed that no one is who or what they say they are, and we are invited to have a good-humored chuckle about that.

And really, there's not much more to say about a movie whose funniest line goes to a hotel desk clerk -- except to suggest that before Mr. von Donnersmarck tries to make another thriller-slash-caper-slash-romantic-comedy, he may want to hunker down and watch either version of Ocean's Eleven.

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34 Movies That Will Make You Want to Get Off the Couch and See the World

From "The Holiday" to "Romancing the Stone" to "Eat Pray Love," these travel movies will inspire some serious wanderlust.

tourist hollywood movie

There's nothing like an epic on-screen adventure to get you acquainted with some place new and dreaming up an enviable vacation itinerary. For me (and basically all my childhood friends), this first happened following a viewing of Disney's "The Lizzie McGuire Movie" back in 2003, when Hilary Duff's character traveled to Rome to live out every teen's parent-free European fantasy. Though I've graduated to more mature travel movies over the last 18 years, one thing hasn't changed: films with gorgeous backdrops give me an unruly case of wanderlust.

From classics like "Around the World in 80 Days" and "Roman Holiday" to modern masterpieces such as "Wild" and "Crazy Rich Asians," travel films tend to ignite a longing for freedom and excitement. Maybe it's the sight of beaches on your screen triggering a phenomenon known as Blue Mind , or maybe watching a couple of pals take to the open road for a life changing road trip just makes you want to feel unconfined. Whatever it is, sometimes a travel film is all you need to provoke that feeling. That's why we've rounded up, in no particular order, 34 of the best travel movies that inspire wanderlust. Maybe they'll be cause for a change of scenery — or maybe they'll incite the adventure of a lifetime.

'Thelma & Louise' (1991)

Widely regarded as one of the best road trip movies of all time, this buddy film follows best friends Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) as they drive through the American Southwest after Louise kills a man in Arkansas.

'The Holiday' (2006)

A Hollywood movie trailer producer (Cameron Diaz) and a London reporter (Kate Winslet) decide to switch homes for a few weeks after finding out their respective boyfriends have been cheating on them. The results offer enough glamor shots of Los Angeles and cozy footage of England's countryside to make you want to pack up and head to either city immediately.

'Crazy Rich Asians' (2018)

Though this movie revolves around the conflict between New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) and her boyfriend's wealthy family, "Crazy Rich Asians" could pass as a tourism film for Singapore . If the Southeast Asian country wasn't on your bucket list before, this film's dazzling shots of Singapore, specifically the acclaimed Marina Bay Sands Hotel , may convince you.

'Wild' (2014)

Based on a true story, "Wild" sees Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) hike more than a thousand miles from California to Washington on the Pacific Crest Trail following her divorce and the death of her mother. On her journey, Cheryl treks through the Mojave Desert , the Sierra Nevada, and Mount Hood National Forest while reflecting on her life.

'Eat Pray Love' (2010)

After her divorce, Elizabeth (Julia Roberts) sets off to explore the world with hopes of finding herself in the process. Elizabeth's inspiring and uplifting journey takes her — and viewers — to Italy , India , and Indonesia where she discovers the pleasure of nourishment, prayer, and romance.

'La La Land' (2016)

Admittedly, this musical doesn't feature much traveling (save for a brief road trip to Mia's hometown in Nevada), but the dreamy, oversaturated shots of Los Angeles in nearly every scene are enough to make anyone want to book a flight to the City of Angels.

'Before Sunrise' (1995)

Two strangers meet aboard a train from Budapest. Jesse (Ethan Hawke) is hoping to catch a flight home to the United States while Céline (Julie Delpy) is en route to Paris . Instead of sticking to their plans, the two disembark in Vienna and spend the entire night exploring the city and falling in love. A viewing of this movie will leave you longing for an epic adventure in the picturesque Austrian capital .

'National Lampoon’s Vacation' (1983)

National Lampoon 's classic comedy series is now six films strong, but it was 1983's "Vacation" that started it all. Unlike the franchise's most famous film, "Christmas Vacation," the original movie sees the Griswolds actually hit the road for a trip to Walley World, an amusement park several states away. After you watch Chevy Chase's hilarious hijinks unfold in this film, let sequels "European Vacation" and "Vegas Vacation" inspire further travels.

'The Darjeeling Limited' (2007)

After the death of their father, three estranged brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman) decide to hop aboard a train in India called The Darjeeling Limited to reconnect and experience spiritual self-discovery. Viewers catch glimpses of the Indian countryside, Hindu temples, and eventually the Himalayas — but not without a few jokes along the way.

'Up' (2009)

Arguably the most heart-wrenching animated film of all time, "Up" earns a spot on our list thanks to adorably grumpy widower Carl Fredricksen's determination to fulfill his own wanderlust. With the help of thousands of balloons and a young sidekick named Russell, Carl and his house soar across the world on an incredible journey that culminates at Paradise Falls (based on Angel Falls in Venezuela).

'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981)

"Raiders" kicks off the iconic Indiana Jones series with a quest to find the fabled Ark of the Covenant. On his journey, Indy (Harrison Ford) makes stops in Nepal , Egypt , and the Aegean Sea , and, of course, famously runs from a giant rolling boulder in a temple in Peru . Follow up this film with its sequels, "Temple of Doom" (1984), "Last Crusade" (1989), and "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" (2008), to see Indy travel to Jordan , the Amazon jungle, and beyond.

'Mamma Mia!' (2008)

Few movies offer the kind of gorgeously colorful beach imagery "Mamma Mia!" and its 2018 sequel, "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" provide. If you haven't seen the films, you likely know them as "the movies with all the ABBA songs." But if you have seen them, you know they're actually about three men who travel to the impossibly beautiful, albeit fictional, Greek island of Kalokairi, each believing they're the father of a young bride-to-be.

'Nomadland' (2020)

After losing her job in the town of Empire, Nevada, Fern (Frances McDormand) decides to sell her belongings, buy a van, and drive across the country working odd jobs. Fern travels through deserts, small towns, and nomad communes where she works, makes new friends, and learns about life. If you've ever fantasized about dropping everything and taking to the open road, "Nomadland" will probably either convince or deter you.

'Romancing the Stone' (1984)

When New York City-based romance novelist Joan Wilder's sister is kidnapped in Cartagena , Joan (Kathleen Turner) ends up on a rescue-mission-turned-treasure-hunt with adventure-seeking Jack T. Colton (Michael Douglas). Don't be surprised if a viewing of this movie makes you want to trade in your annual beach vacation for a wild ride through the Colombian jungle .

'Paris, Je T’aime' (2006)

Paris, Je T'aime is different from the other films on this list in that it's not one film — it's 18 short films that all feature Paris as a central theme. Because the project is made up of 18 different stories in 18 different arrondissements around the city, viewers get a true, unfiltered sense of Paris, and may even find themselves inspired to visit lesser-known locales in the City of Light.

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

If you've ever longed to take a laughter-fueled road trip with your best friends, this film is worth a watch. In the flick, pals Tick (Hugo Weaving), Adam (Guy Pearce), and Bernadette (Terence Stamp) head out on a cross-country road trip through the Australian outback to perform their successful drag act in a new town. The trio takes up residence in an oversized tour bus called Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in this fun, ahead-of-its-time dramedy.

'RV' (2006)

While plenty of road trip movies have been made over the years, "RV" might be the only one that takes place in, well, an RV . Though the main characters in this movie face more bad luck than fun, family bonding, the film does feature generous desert , mountain , and wilderness scenery, as well as an all-star cast (Robin Williams, Kristin Chenoweth, Cheryl Hines, and Josh Hutcherson are just a few that appear).

'Point Break' (2015)

Yes, we're talking about the "Point Break" remake rather than the original film from 1991, but hear us out: the imagery in this movie inspires some serious wanderlust. The story takes viewers to several of the wildest places on Earth (Mexico's Cave of Swallows, Venezuela's Angel Falls, etc.) and though the plot is slightly different from the original (think eco-terrorism rather than bank robberies), it is quiet possibly the most visually stimulating travel movie ever made.

'Girls Trip' (2017)

When was the last time you took a trip with just your core group of girlfriends? A quick watch of this comedy will have you planning your next gal pal getaway faster than you can say "PTO." In the film, a group of friends (Queen Latifah, Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, and Jada Pinkett Smith) head to New Orleans , but you'll be ready to travel anywhere with your best buds after watching "Girls Trip" — even if it's just to the next town over.

'The Way' (2010)

After his son is killed walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route to Galicia, Spain, Tom Avery (Martin Sheen) sets out on the trail himself to retrieve his son's body. Along the way, Tom meets several other travelers who are walking the trail in hopes of changing their own lives for one reason or another. This inspiring film may just persuade you to make the famed pilgrimage yourself, or to book a similarly reflective trip.

'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' (2005)

If you were a teen or pre-teen in 2005, you have likely seen this movie and its 2008 sequel, and can attest that both inspire major wanderlust. The first film follows best friends Carmen, Lena, Bridget, and Tibby (who share a magical pair of jeans that fits them all perfectly) as they spend a summer in different parts of the world. Lena (Alexis Bledel) travels to Santorini, Greece , which makes for some seriously dreamy backdrops. In the sequel, the whole gang heads to Greece, but not before Bridget (Blake Lively) spends some time in Turkey .

'Up in the Air' (2009)

This George Clooney-led comedy-drama makes business travel and airports look glamorous — hospitable, even. Boasting just as many cityscape shots as it does plane scenes, "Up in the Air" will have you longing to be in the skies, jet setting off to some place new. Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga also star in this critically-acclaimed film about a man who lives out of a suitcase.

'Around the World in 80 Days' (1956)

If this classic adventure film doesn't inspire daydreams of traveling somewhere new, we're not sure what will. In 1872, Englishman Phileas Fogg makes a bet with several members of his gentleman's club that he can travel around the globe in just 80 days. On his journey, he and sidekick Jean Passepartout bring viewers along as they travel by gas balloon to France , Spain , Italy , India, Hong Kong , the United States , and more.

'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York' (1992)

The Home Alone movies usually fall under the comedy or holiday categories, but if you think about it, the second installment in the series is totally a travel movie. The film does a fantastic job of showing off the glamorous side of New York City , the place young Kevin McCallister accidentally ends up while the rest of his family vacations in Florida. From shots of the Rockefeller Christmas tree to the Manhattan skyline , this film is sure to inspire a trip to the Big Apple.

'Under the Tuscan Sun' (2003)

You won't find shots of northern Italy as serene as the ones in this feel-good film about independence, love, and friendship. After losing everything in her divorce, American writer Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) suddenly finds herself beginning a new life in the small Tuscan town of Cortona. And if you're anything like us, Googling "Tuscan villas for sale" will become a regular part of your life after watching this film.

'Angels & Demons' (2009)

Though "Angels & Demons" is classified as a thriller, it'll definitely make you want to head to Rome and dig up some history, both figuratively and literally. Based on the Dan Brown novel of the same name, the story follows Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) as he discovers secrets of the Vatican and faces off against the supposed Illuminati. If you're a fan, check out other Dan Brown adventure travel films, "The Da Vinci Code" (2006) and "Inferno" (2016).

'Easy Rider' (1969)

Our list features travel by plane, train , RV, and even hot air balloon , but "Easy Rider" is the only movie that follows a journey via motorcycle. In the film, drug smugglers Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) ride from Los Angeles to New Orleans in hopes of reveling at Mardi Gras to celebrate their latest score. On their journey, they stop in several small towns, make a few friends, and unsuccessfully try to evade trouble.

'Out of Africa' (1985)

If Africa doesn't currently have a spot on your bucket list, this film might make you rethink that. Meryl Streep and Robert Redford star in this true story about Karen Blixen, a Danish woman who moves to Nairobi with her new husband, and builds a life there despite their many marital issues. "Out of Africa" features sweeping panoramic shots of Nairobi in nearly every scene, leaving it no wonder the drama won seven Academy Awards, including one for Best Cinematography.

'Johnson Family Vacation' (2004)

This family comedy starring Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa Williams, and Solange Knowles follows the mildly dysfunctional Johnsons as they road trip to their family reunion in Missouri. On the drive, the family hilariously encounters just about every road trip cliché, from picking up a problematic hitchhiker to running out of gas, before making it to the reunion and performing a musical number to nab the coveted Family of the Year trophy.

'Midnight in Paris' (2011)

Set in present-day Paris , this Oscar-winning film is typically a favorite among art and literature lovers. At midnight each night, screenwriter Gil (Owen Wilson) is transported back in time through different eras of Paris, where he befriends Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Pablo Picasso, and even strikes up a romance with a 1920s woman named Adriana. The film offers plenty of inspiration for a culturally rich trip to France.

'The Parent Trap' (1998)

"The Parent Trap" is another film that may not immediately stand out as a travel flick, but once you take into account the film's many settings ( London , San Francisco, Napa Valley , and the northeastern U.S.), it's easy to see that this family classic has been a travel film all along. Plus, the main characters spend lots of time on planes, boats, and camping trips throughout the movie.

'The Talented Mr. Ripley' (1999)

Carefully spliced between disturbing revelations and suspenseful plot twists are luxurious shots of Italian beaches in this Matt Damon-led film. When Tom Ripley (Damon) is paid to travel to Italy and bring Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) back to the States by Dickie's father, Tom ends up befriending — and later becoming obsessed with — Dickie. Despite the plot quickly darkening, viewers are treated to bright, colorful scenes in Rome and glamorous seaside villages .

'Roman Holiday' (1953)

Romance? Check. Stunning visuals of Rome ? Check. Audrey Hepburn? Check. This classic travel comedy lands at the top of many movie buffs' all-time favorite lists, and for good reason. Bored with her mundane life as a European princess while on a trip to Rome, Ann (Hepburn) ditches her duties and hits the town with journalist Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck). The two take viewers on a tour of the Eternal City and fall in love in the process.

'Pee-wee’s Big Adventure' (1985)

Before you roll your eyes, take a moment to acknowledge that this film essentially sends happy-go-lucky Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens) on the great American road trip in search of his stolen bicycle. In this comedy for adults and children alike, Pee-wee stops at the Alamo, the Cabazon Dinosaur park in California , and Hollywood . Traveling by car, truck, and train, Pee-wee befriends a biker gang, competes in a rodeo, and of course, famously dances to "Tequila" before his journey is through.

Hillary Maglin is a digital editor who splits most of her time between New York City and Pittsburgh. You can find her on Instagram @hillarymaglin , where her DMs are always open to discuss travel gear, wine bars, and Taylor Swift's latest record.

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Hollywood Bowl Overlook

24 Hollywood tourist attractions you shouldn’t miss

Hollywood attractions can be overwhelming (and often disappointing), so stick to these iconic L.A. movie theaters, hotels, restaurants and landmarks

Michael Juliano

Hollywood boasts an international reputation like no other neighborhood in Los Angeles. But ask your average Angeleno what they think of it and you’ll likely be met with groans. Yes, it’s busy, touristy and often in disrepair. But parts of Hollywood still sparkle with gems of old glamorous hotels and celebrity hangouts along with an emerging urban cityscape and working production scene. Follow our guide to what to see in Hollywood and tour the iconic movie town’s must-visit attractions along with a few stops away from the crowds on the Walk of Fame and Sunset Boulevard .

RECOMMENDED: Read more things to do in Hollywood  

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here .

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Top attractions in Hollywood

Hollywood Bowl

Hollywood Bowl

  • Things to do
  • Event spaces
  • price 2 of 4

This gorgeous outdoor amphitheatre has been hosting concerts since the LA Philharmonic first played here in 1922. Nestled in an aesthetically blessed fold in the Hollywood Hills, the 18,000-seat venue can bring out the romantic in the terminally cynical. It’s the summer home of the LA Phil (and boozy picnics); as long as there’s no performance, it also doubles as a public park .

Fly high on a Hollywood helicopter tour.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

  • Arcades and amusements

There are easier ways to meet your favorite stars than stalking their homes, or trying to sneak your way into the VIP areas at expensive clubs. Simply head to Madame Tussauds Hollywood and hang out with the likes of Brad Pitt, Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga and Marilyn Monroe. And the best bit? They’ll stay still for all your snaps. Nobody will ever know...

Chinese Theatre

Chinese Theatre

  • Movie theaters

The forecourt of this iconic movie theater, filled with foot and hand prints of Hollywood icons, is kind of a tourist-choked hot mess. Most people flock here to measure their own extremities against the likes of John Wayne and Judy Garland. But past that, it’s an entirely different story. You can avoid the crowds by catching a flick inside, where the auditorium is as stunning as the IMAX screen’s laser projection quality (perhaps the best in town ).

Take a Hollywood and Beverly Hills minibus tour.

The Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood Sign

  • Sightseeing

Originally created in 1923, the then “Hollywoodland” sign was supposed to be up for only a year and a half, yet here it is a century later . Getting close to the Hollywood Sign, though, is an often contentious issue thanks to pressure from local homeowners. You can catch a dead-on glimpse of the sign on Beachwood Drive, or farther up the hill near Lake Hollywood Park . Looking to get even closer? Go horseback riding at Sunset Ranch or—of you’re alright with a view from behind—lace up for a trek along the otherwise off limits road on Mt. Lee Drive to where you will be standing directly above the Hollywood Sign and can experience a total 360-degree view of the cityscape.

Book a horseback ride tour near the Hollywood Sign.

Hollywood Roosevelt

Hollywood Roosevelt

  • Boutique hotels
  • price 3 of 4

This 1927 landmark, a beautiful example of Spanish colonial design, once welcomed the A-listers who frequented it during Hollywood’s heyday. It’s worth walking into the Hollywood Roosevelt just to explore its dramatic downstairs lobby—or to bowl a few frames inside swanky bar the Spare Room .

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Hollywood Walk of Fame

If you can stomach the suspect superheroes, claustrophobia-inducing crowds and never-ending line of gift shops, tattoo parlors and lingerie stores, there’s actually a fair amount of old Hollywood history and glamour to discover along the Walk of Fame. The immortalized names on those famous five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars run from the Walk’s western extreme at the Hollywood and La Brea Gateway to the W Hotel and Pantages Theater at Gower, and additionally on Vine from the Capitol Records Building down to Sunset, near where the original movie studios sprang up a century ago. For a Hollywood Boulevard Walking Tour, click here .   

Runyon Canyon

Runyon Canyon

  • Parks and gardens

This 160-acre park at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains has one main loop, plus a bevy of dirt hiking trails. The sea of buff trainers and their sleek, sweaty clients can get to be too much during the busy morning and weekend workout traffic, but you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views of the city (and, if you’re lucky, a chance to gawk at power-walking celebs). The southern entrance is at the end of Fuller Avenue in Hollywood; the northern entrance is off the 7300 block of Mulholland Drive.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Any cemetery that houses the remains of such celluloid luminaries as Cecil B. DeMille, Jayne Mansfield, Rudolph Valentino and Mel Blanc was bound to become a tourist attraction. Aside from popular posthumous celebs, Hollywood Forever is also home to Cinespia’s summer outdoor movie screenings, an annual Day of the Dead festival and concerts, both outside on the lawn and inside the property’s Masonic lodge.

Visit famous Hollywood sites on a bike tour.

Ovation Hollywood

Ovation Hollywood

  • price 1 of 4

Known as Hollywood & Highland when it first opened, this shopping center helped usher in a commercial renaissance along Hollywood Boulevard—well, for a while, at least. Like many American shopping malls, it eventually became a shell of its former self, but a recent makeover  that’s renamed the complex Ovation seeks to add a bit of sparkle back to the block. The parking entrances are on Highland Avenue and Orange Drive.

Dolby Theatre

Dolby Theatre

First known as the Kodak until its sponsorship swapped to Dolby in 2012, this 3,400-seat theater routinely hosts Broadway plays, high-profile screenings and the occasional concert. But the main attraction here, of course, is the Academy Awards: The annual star-studded broadcast will continue to be hosted here for the forseeable future, and all of the past Best Picture winners line the columns near the entrance.

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The Planet D: Adventure Travel Blog

60 Best Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust

Written By: The Planet D

Travel Movies

Updated On: February 14, 2024

What makes for great travel movies? We feel it is when the destination becomes the star. A movie that showcases beautiful cities , landscapes, and culture is a movie that inspires us to visit a destination or relive our time there when we get home. Dave and I love movies. We worked in the film business in our previous careers and lived for the cinema. So when we chose our list of the best travel movies, we took it seriously. 

Table of Contents

The Best Travel Movies

Our choices for the best travel movies are probably very different than yours, so leave a comment and let us know what you think the best travel movies are. We are always looking for new travel films to ignite our wanderlust. To rent or buy one of these travel films to inspire wanderlust right now, check out Amazon Instant Video

The Best Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust

1. in bruges.

best travel movies in bruges

This is by far the best travel movie. One of the characters actually carries around a guidebook! If you love a good caper set in an exotic location, you’ll love In Bruges. Collin Farrel and Brendan Gleeson star as two hit men who are sent to Bruges, Belgium to hide out after a job goes bad.

The more Colin Farrell’s character complained of hating Bruges (in Belgium), the more you took in the surroundings of Bruges and noticed just how picturesque the city is. While the film is primarily a crime drama and dark comedy it intertwines the city’s picturesque locations and cultural aspects with the narrative seamlessly.

Rent or Buy In Bruges on Amazon

2. banshees of inisherin trailer

best travel movies banshees of inisherin

I was so excited to see Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson reunite and this time, they share screen time in one of the newest travel films on our list, the Banshees of Inisherin. The movie takes place on the Aran Islands of Ireland and showcases the beauty of that destination as two friends go through some very dark times.

Gleessan’s character Colm decides he has wasted his life and cuts ties with his lifelong best friend Pádraic (Farrell) and all kinds of darkness begins. It had some of the best acting I’ve seen in years, and every one of the four main cast was nominated for Acadamy Awards.

3. One Week

best travel movies one week

One of our favorite travel movies of all time. And not because it is set in Canada. One Week follows a young man driving a motorcycle on a cross-country road trip across Canada after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. No movie has made me want to explore a country more than One Week. It showcases Canada beautifully.

I didn’t want to see this movie because of its morbid subject, but it ended up being an uplifting and enlightening film of self-discovery. It truly is the ultimate Canadian road trip movie. Rent One Week Here on Amazon

4. Secret Life of Walter Mitty

best travel movies secret life of walter mitty

I had to watch this most popular of all travel films twice before deciding I liked The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and I can understand why it is at the top of most lists of best travel movies. This movie takes you from New York, to Iceland, Greenland and the Himalayas.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty shows how taking a risk and getting out of your comfort zone can lead to great things. The ending was my favorite, but I won’t spoil it for you. Rent it now .

5. Before Sunrise Trilogy

best travel movies befor sunrise trilogy

We have three of our favorite travel movies in one package! And each showcases the destination they are in. The Before Sunrise movies are about love but they are also very much travel films. They were filmed 10 years apart and they take place in three different locations around Europe – Vienna , Paris , and Greece .

The Before Sunrise trilogies capture the essence of each destination. And here’s a cool fact – Dave and I stayed at  Costa Navarino  in Greece where After Midnight took place!

It is probably the best of all romantic travel movies out there that literally spans three decades. (They film a movie every 10 years). Watch Before Sunrise and Sunset on Amazon Prime

6. Planes Trains and Automobiles

tourist hollywood movie

John Candy and Steve Martin take an unexpected cross country road trip from New York City to Chicago. This is Dave’s pick for the best travel movie.

This is considered one of the great comedy travel movies, but I look at it as a drama. John Candy’s character breaks my heart. You may think of it as a holiday film but it is also one of the funniest travel films out there. If you’re in the mood for a good heartfelt comedy,  rent it today.

7. Julie & Julia

best travel movies julie and julia

Not only does Julie and Julia star the great Meryl Streep but this travel movie is based on blogging. It’s like it was made for us! I was surprised by how much I loved this movie based on the true story of Julia Child and I didn’t go in expecting much.

Julie & Julia follows the life of Julia Child during her time in Paris and cuts throughout to the present day in New York . It makes you crave French cuisine and a life of decadence in France. When it comes to choosing a  favorite travel movie this one is right up there. Rent it now

8. The Big Year

best travel movies the big year

The Big Year follows Jack Black (who doesn’t love Jack Black?), Owen Wilson, and Steve Martin traveling around the United States with hopes of becoming the number 1 bird watcher in the world. It ended up being one of the most surprising travel films I’ve seen.

They are obsessed with spotting more species of birds than any other person in 365 days. I related to this movie because it is more about the journey and how having a great adventure can change a life. Rent it Now

Best Travel Movies for Adventure Lovers

9. into the wild.

best travel movies into the wild

The real-life true story chronicles the journey of  Christopher McCandless who went on a cross country road trip through the US and ended up in Alaska .

I read Into the Wild years ago and was mesmerized trying to figure out how someone could give up everything to go and live off the grid. John Krakauer dug into the psyche of McCandless and what motivates people to take risks.

Things don’t turn out as he hoped, and it is a lesson learned for would-be adventurers. Enjoy it now !

tourist hollywood movie

Wild is an adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s travel memoir, From Lost To Found On The Pacific Crest Trail. Based on a true story, it follows her journey about putting a life back together after it all falls apart.

Pushing the limits physically on the Pacific Crest Trail and stepping out of her comfort zone take her on a journey of self-discovery. A struggle and journey can change a life and Reese Witherspoon is excellant as usual. Check it out on Amazon

11. Everest

best travel movies everest

Everest by John Krakauer is the true story of the catastrophe that happened on Everest in 1996. It’s a first-hand account by Krakauer who was on Everest at the time. While the movie focuses on the events, it does showcase the psyche of why people climb mountains and it shows the culture and beauty of the Everest Region.

As far as travel movies go, even though it is based on a dark subject, it does make me want to go to Everest. So we did! Plus, it stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Josh Brolin, so how can you go wrong?

  • You can rent this movie made in Hollywood
  • You can also check out the documentary.

best travel movies tracks

Tracks is another travel movie base on a true story and I really enjoyed it. It’s a film about a young woman who walks across Australia from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean with four camels and her pet dog.

What I really liked is how the lead character Robyn Davidson learns the skills needed to survive. She is visited by a photographer from National Geographic who shared her story and was led through the sacred lands of the Outback by an Aboriginal elder. Watch this Amazing true story on Amazon ! 

13. World’s Fastest Indian 

best travel movies world's fastest indian

From New Zealand to America, Anthony Hopkins takes his Indian Motorcycle to the salt flats to see how far he can go. The World’s Fastest Indian is one of my favorite performances by Hopkins and it is one of the great underrated travel movies.

He is vulnerable, lovable, and inspiring. This true story takes you on a fun road trip along the way until he reaches the Salt Flats of California and that is when you really start rooting for him to win! Rent it on Amazon Prime

14. Adventures of Pricilla Queen of the Desert

best travel movies pricilla queen of the desert

Adventures of Pricilla Queen of the Desert follows a group of drag queens taking a cross country road trip in a van named “Pricilla” from Sydney to Alice Springs where they are going to perform their drag show.

They meet a lot of characters along the way and this film introduced us to superstars Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce who joined the already-established Terrence Stamp.

15. Motorcycle Diaries

best travel movies motorcycle diarieas

Ever since watching one of the best travel movies about South America, (you guessed it, the Motorcycle Diaries) wanted to do a road trip through South America. (PS. I’m still dreaming of that road trip through South America one day)

Gael García Bernal stars as Che Guevera and it follows his journey on a motorcycle trip through South America before he became a part of the revolution. This movie is based on a true story where Che traveled through the continent and I believe it was traveling through South America that Che saw what people were going through and that is what sparked him to take action in his own way.

  • Check it out for yourself
  • Rent it on Amazon

16. The Way

best travel movies the way

Dave and I have always wanted to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain. This movie is a bittersweet tribute to the epic hike. Acting legend Martin Sheen walks the trail to honor his son Emilio Estevez (also director) who died on the walk. This movie explores themes of grief, regret, and understanding.

Sheen’s character finishes what his son started helping him connect and understand his son while examining his own life and is one of the most moving travel movies on our list. You can watch it on Amazon

Best Classic Travel Movies

17. lawrence of arabia.

best travel movies lawrence of arabia

Lawrence of Arabia made us dream of the Arabian Desert and that is what travel films are meant to do. I would say that this is often considered one of the best travel movies of all time. It’s the original travel movie for sure and it really does capture the majesty of the Arabian Desert.

When we got the chance to visit Jordan and walk in the footsteps of the real Lawrence of Arabia, we couldn’t believe we were living our own travel movie. This will make you want to go on an adventure and spend the night in a Bedouin tent. Rent it on Amazon Prime Now

18. Out of Africa

best travel movies out of africa

If you want another Meryl Streep vehicle that is often considered one of the best travel movies, you should try  Out of Africa. Out of Africa takes place in a different time, but it captures the heart of Africa beautifully.

Based on a true story, Meryl Streep stars as a married baroness in love with big game hunter Robert Redford. Their chemistry is unmistakable. She falls in love with Africa and you will fall in love with it too.

The cinematography is outstanding. It won 7 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Cinematography. Rent Out of Africa

19. Romancing the Stone

best travel movies romancing the stone

Who didn’t fantasize about an adventure in Colombia after watching Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas in Romancing the Stone? As a kid I always thought about the line “ I need to get to Cartagena ” and while I had no idea where Cartagena was,(It’s in South America by the way) I knew it was exciting.

In the most romanticly fun of travel movies, Kathleen Turner transformed from a scared writer who merely writes about adventure, to a woman encountering an adventure and meeting a rugged mysterious man in exotic Columbia. Watch Romancing the Stone today

20. The Bucket List

travel movies the bucket list

With two of my favorite actors and a message to live life to the fullest, the Bucket List is one amazing movie and one of the best travel movies. I think it actually invented the term, The Bucket List. The phrase has been overused in recent years, but the message never gets old. The Bucket List is the original “live your dreams now” travel movie.

It’s beautifully acted, heartfelt, and showcases how life should be lived to the fullest. Rent or buy it here!

travel movies amelie

Most people say that Amelie is one of the best travel movies of all time. So this list wouldn’t be complete without it. I did love the views of Paris and the everyday life showcased in Montmartre.

I also enjoyed the uplifting message of a quiet young woman named, Amelie helping the people around her in the lovely district of Montmartre in Paris. If you want to watch sweeping scenes through Paris streets and if you love Paris, you can’t help but like Amelie. So check it out !

22. Roman Holiday

best travel movies roman holiday

This did not age well in our opinion. We watched it recently and it is just downright bad. Many people will probably disagree. But as far as travel movies go, it is fun to see a princess posing as a regular young Woman zipping around Rome.

They should remake Roman Holiday, it would be fun. Rent it on Prime

23. Sideways

best travel movies sideways

I admit it. After this movie came out, I didn’t drink Merlot for years! Sideways takes us on a road trip through California wine country and it really is filled with amazing performances by Paul Giamatti, Sandra Oh, Virginia Madsen, and Thomas Hayden Church.

We have been to Santa Maria, California, and this movie captures the feel of wine country perfectly. Rent or buy on Amazon Prime 

24. Up in the Air

best travel movies up in the air

Up in the Air makes you love the idea of travel but it shows the emptiness that the life of a vagabond can lead to if you don’t stay grounded with your family and friends. It’s not in the genre of typical travel films out there, but travel is the main theme.

I cannot go through airport security anymore without thinking of George Clooney as his character has the art of travel down to a science.

This movie also has a great message that Dave and I can relate to. We all become so consumed with our careers and our lives that we forget about what is important. Get it on Amazon Instant Video

Best Travel Movies Highlighting Destinations

25. ticket to paradise.

best travel movies ticket to paradise

Our newest addition to our travel movies is from two legends, George Clooney and Julia Roberts who take us to Bali for their daughter’s wedding. The two divorced years ago, but agree that their daughter is too young to get married and decide to sabotage the wedding.

This movie showcases the culture and beauty of Bali while showing us once again how travel can be transformational and can change your life.

I love these two together, George and Julia, and great friends in real life and have amazing on-screen chemistry.

26. The Beach – Thailand

best travel movies the beach

The Beach is the original backpacker slacker travel film. The Beach captures what Thailand was like before tourists started flocking to it en-masse. At one time, it was an off-the-beaten-path backpacker destination. We enjoyed the book more, but you can never go wrong with Leo.

If you want to get a sense of what it was like to travel to Thailand before mass tourism, this is a good movie for you. Plus it is beautiful and as far as travel movies go, it will make you want to go to Thailand. Not only are the people beautiful, but the scenery of southern Thailand is also out of this world.

Take in the journey as they search for a hidden beach that is pure perfection.

27. Lost in Translation – Tokyo

best travel movies lost in translation

Tokyo is a bit strange. It is unlike anywhere else on earth, and Lost in Translation showcases the culture shock that one feels when staying in a different city.

There are different customs in Japan and the culture is much different than anywhere else and this movie captures that odd feeling you get when traveling there. Lost in Translation highlights some of the best spots in Tokyo.

The hotel where the movie takes place still has one of the best views in the city! And who doesn’t love Bill Murray? He is priceless and it’s one of Scarlett Johanson’s best performances. Check it Out

28. Slumdog Millionaire – India

bes t travel movies slumdog millionaire

We traveled to India in 2010 and Slumdog Millionaire seemed to capture the true slums of India while showcasing the heart of the people. Many of the rich cities are modern, but when traveling through rural India and the poorer areas, this is what it’s like.

Dev Patel stars as a young Indian boy who gets on a game show that could change his life. It’s heartbreaking, raw, and sometimes uncomfortable which is exactly what travel can be too hence why it made the list of our favorite travel movies. Download it here on Amazon

best travel movies lion

If you are a fan of Dev Patel (as we are) you will love him in another of our favorite travel films, Lion. Lion is based on a true story and is an emotional journey that takes audiences across India and Australia spanning cultures, and decades.

Patel plays Saroo Brierley, a young Indian boy who gets lost on a train in India at the age of five. After surviving several challenges on the streets of Kolkata and eventually being adopted by an Australian family, Saroo, as an adult, uses Google Earth to find his birth mother and the journey begins. The movie also stars Nicol Kidman.

30. Vicky, Cristina Barcelona – Spain

best travel movies vicky christina barcelona

Admit it, we all want to go to Spain and run into beautiful people like Penelope Cruz and Javier Barden. I think this movie did so well because it inspired everyone to go to Barcelona. (That’s our criteria for choosing the best travel movies, how they inspired travel)

Vicky Cristina Barcelona makes us dream of the cities in Spain , the passion of the Spanish people and getting away for a summer in Spain.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona definitely is an inspiring travel movie and one of the best travel films out there. It really captures the energy and passion of Spain in Barcelona . Rent Vicky Christina Barcelona on Amazon

31. Under the Tuscan Sun – Italy

best travel movies under the tuscan sun

For the romantics out there, Under the Tuscan Sun is one of the best travel movies. Wouldn’t you just love to buy a villa in Tuscany and fall in love with a stranger?

This is one of my favorite romantic travel films and Under the Tuscan Sun based on a true story. After a bad divorce, her character takes a trip to Italy courtesy of her best friend, (The incredible Sandra Oh!) and buys a house!

This travel movie is based on a true story where our star shares the trials and tribulations of renovating a Tuscan villa. You can rent Under the Tuscan Sun on Amazon

32. Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – India

best travel movies best exotic marigold hotel

We always preach that you are never too old to try something new and you are never too old to travel and that is the premise of one of the most beloved travel movies, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It’s chock full of great legendary actors including Dame Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, and Maggie Smith.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel follows a group of retirees who travel to India to live out their days at a crumbling retirement hotel. All mayhem and madness ensue as things can only in India. There’s romance, tragedy, and hope. Rent it now

33. A Good Year – Provence France

best travel movies a good year

A Good Year made me want to go to Provence and live a simple life…on a multi-million dollar vineyard estate. That’s reasonable, right? And that’s what travel movies make you want to do…Pick up and go somewhere.

A Good Year makes life in Provence look like the Garden of Eden and I want a piece of it. Everyone is beautiful, everyone is a wine connoisseur, and everyone is pure and good. Who wouldn’t want to go to the south of France after seeing A Good Year? Rent it now.

34. Midnight in Paris – Paris

best travel movies midnight in paris

Looking for travel movies that combine time travel this movie night? Midnight in Paris captures the golden years of Paris as Owen Wilson walks through the streets at night in search of that romantic nostalgia of the city.

Blending time travel with traditional travel, this film showcases Paris’s rich history and examines how different eras appeal to different people.

He ends up meeting the famous patrons of the 1920s including Cole Porter, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, and more! This travel movie makes me want to hop on a flight to Paris every time! Watch it on Amazon Prime or get it on DVD

35. Australia – Australia

best travel movies australia

This movie was crucified by the critics, but I loved it and its one of the best travel movies showcasing the beauty of Australia’s landscape. Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman take her cattle across the Outback.

It also touches on the injustices of how Australia treated the Aboriginal People, reminding me of what Canada did with residential schools to our own indigenous communities.

It’s beautifully shot and is a love letter to Australia while highlighting the true story of the Aboriginal struggles. I think it deserved more love than it got. Check it out on Amazon

36. The Impossible

best travel films the impossible

It took me forever to finally watch the impossible because it is based on the true story of surviving the devastating Tsunami in Southeast Asia. It follows a family from England who are vacationing in Thailand and are impacted by the Tsunami.

It showcases the huge hearts that the Thai people have. Even while going through their own trauma, they play a huge role in helping this family get back together and survive.

The movie stars Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor and Tom Holland and it is one of the best performances I think Naomi Watts has ever done.

Lighthearted Travel Movies

37. eurovision.

best travel movies eurovision

This is one of the funniest travel movies out there. The movie kicks off (after a brief flashback) in Iceland showcasing its beautiful landscapes and waterfalls with sweeping drone shots of the stars performing.

It has all the stereotypes and cliches of Iceland, but it is done with heart and fun. It really is a love letter to Iceland. Follow Lars and Sigrit as they try to fulfill their dream of competing in Eurovision in Edinburgh. The movie gives a nice showcase of that city too making it two travel movies in one. Rent it on Amazon

38. Darjeeling Limited

best travel movies darjeeling unlimited

This quirkiest of travel movies takes Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, and Adrian Brody across India one year after their father’s death starting on the Darjeeling Express train. It’s strange, heartbreaking, hilarious, and pure Wes Anderson.

When they visit their mother in an Ashram, it makes me think of the strange people that run away to India to find themselves. Oh yeah, he gets it. Check it out on Amazon Prime

39. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

best travel movies forgetting sarah marshall

Set in the very real Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu this pick on our travel movies list stars Jason Seigel as a Hollywood Writer who goes to Hawaii to heal his wounds after getting dumped by his girlfriend Kristen Bell. It turns out, she is there on vacation with her new boyfriend and shenanigans ensue.

This movie makes you want to book a plane to Hawaii and have your own stay at Turtle Bay which has now become very popular. Rent it on Prime

40. Last Holiday

best travel movies last holida

If you are searching for comedy travel movies, this should be at the top of your list. This is the ultimate fairytale on how travel can change a life. And how we should all strive to live a better life. It’s too short to wait.

Queen Latifa is priceless as a woman who is diagnosed with a terminal disease, so she takes her life savings to enjoy her final holiday at a luxurious resort. She does everything from base jumping to snowboarding and indulging in decadent French cuisine.

If everyone took a holiday like this, we’d all live happier lives. Rent, Buy or Watch on Amazon Prime

41. The Holiday

best travel films the holiday

It may be a Christmas movie, but The Holiday is one of the best travel movies out there. We watch it every year and it shows how travel is transformational. Starring Kate Winslett, Jack Black, Jude Law and Cameron Diaz, The Holiday flips back and forth between Los Angeles and England.

The two female stars have very different vacations as they house swap, but both have their lives changed through travel.

42. French Kiss

best travel movies french kiss

Meg Ryan plays a woman named Kate who is afraid to travel. When her fiance falls for another woman in France, she vows to win him back and travels there despite being terrified. Hilarity ensues when she meets con man Kevin Kline and they venture across the country together following the formula of travel movies galore.

My favorite scene is when she is indulging in cheese on the train. It’s that French moment that made me daydream about traveling by train across the French countryside. Watch French Kiss for yourself

43. My Life in Ruins

best travel movies my life in ruins

While not as good as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, My Life in Ruins is a nice comeback for Nia Vardalos in a fun-loving travel film.

She plays a tour leader taking stereotypical tourists through the sites of Greece. It’s fun, it’s romantic and the setting is beautiful. It’s not going to win any Academy Awards, but for a fun Saturday afternoon movie, this will transport you to Greece. Rent it or buy it on Amazon

44. The Hangover 2

best travel movies hangover 2

The First Hangover was far better and it too is a travel movie taking you to Vegas. But when choosing travel movies from this trilogy, I had to choose the setting of Bangkok. It captures the crazy energy of the city.

My favorite scene is when Bradly Cooper has to go to the hospital and comes out with an absurdly low hospital bill. Dave and I have been to the hospital in Thailand and can attest, it is cheap. Rent it now! 

Blockbuster Travel Movies

45. star wars: the rise of skywalker & the last jedi.

best travel movies the last jedi

One wouldn’t think of a movie based in outer space to be a travel movie that inspires wanderlust, but the last Star Wars Trilogy featured one of our favorite destinations on Earth, Skellig M ichael

This 6th-century monastery was a star unto itself as Luke trained Rey in the ways of the Force. It has now inspired many travelers and film buffs to take the hair-raising boat ride out to these rocky islands 12 km off the coast of Ireland. Check it out

46. Mama Mia

best travel movies mama mia

We actually learned where Mama Mia takes place while visiting the location where it was filmed, Pelion, Greece. The Greek islands are paradise, and Mama Mia follows the story of Meryl Streep who runs a hotel on the coast. We thought it was filmed somewhere like Santorini or Mykonos.

When her daughter becomes engaged, she invites three men who might be her father. It’s a rip-roaring good time of music, fun and beautiful scenery.

The Santorini blue and white houses, the crystal clear blue sea, and the music of Abba become those who watch to travel to Greece! Watch it on Prime today

47. Once Upon a Time in Mexico Trilogy

best travel movies once upon a time in mexico

How sexy are Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayak together? You must watch the entire trilogy to really appreciate this series by Robert Rodrigues. Once Upon A Time In Mexico ends the trilogy with Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, and Cheech Marin. El Mariachi started it all starring Carlos Gallardo. My favorite of the 3 is Desperado , but they are all entertaining.

Once Upon A Time In Mexico is a fantasy and it is a stereotype of Mexico, but it makes you want to go to Mexico and have a great adventure. The scenery is gorgeous, the film is filled with cool style, and the music is fabulous. Watch the Trilogy today!

48. The Legend of Tarzan

best travel movies legend of tarzan

The $180 million dollar budget makes sure to showcase the beauty of the African Savannah, the dense jungles, and the majestic wildlife. You feel as if you have entered the heart of Africa. Seriously, rent it, you’re going to like it a lot more than you think! Rent it on Amazon

49. The Tourist

best travel movies the tourist

It’s a little indulgent, and Angelina Jolie is a bit annoying to watch with how amazing she thinks she is in this, but it does capture taking an international trip to Europe beautifully.

It makes you want to have a romantic tryst in Venice . It makes you want to ride a train and have a mysterious encounter. It gives you a glimpse into how the rich live and travel the world.

50. The Thing

best travel movies the thing

Recently we had someone write to us with a list of their favorite movies about travel. He mentioned the first Alien vs. Predator took place in Antarctica and I remember that being a pretty entertaining film. Then I thought about the classic Kurt Russel movie, The Thing .

This thriller takes place at a scientific base camp in the Antarctic and really lets you feel how claustrophobic and isolated researchers must feel when spending the winter at the bottom of the world. Watch it now!

51. Thelma and Louise

best travel movies thelma and louise

Who would have thought that Thelma and Louise would be heralded as one of the best travel films of all time, but it has. When researching this article, I saw that everyone had it on their list, so I had to include it. Besides, I love this film. I saw it at the theatre when it came out and it blew me away.

Brad Pitt makes his debut in this dark road trip adventure. Susan Sarandon and Geena Dave about female empowerment, friendship, and the transformative power of travel.

52. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

best travel movies sisterhood of the traveling pants

Yes, this was a blockbuster film for teenagers. I remember working at YTV and this movie was going mad in the teen realm so I had to add it to my best travel movies list. The premise of the story revolves around four friends—Lena, Tibby, Bridget, and Carmen—who find a pair of jeans that, despite their differing body types, fits each of them perfectly. They decide to share these “magical” pants as they embark on their separate summer adventures, thus maintaining their connection with each other.

Where does the traveling come in? Well, Lena travels to Greece , Bridget goes to Mexico , Carmen visits her father in South Carolina, and Tibby stays in Maryland.

While not a “travel movie” in the traditional sense—where the main characters are often journeying together or the narrative revolves solely around their travel experiences—”Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” embodies elements of travel movies by incorporating different cultures, locations, and the concept of journeying (both physical and emotional) into its narrative.

53. Bourne Movies, James Bonds, Mission Impossible & Indiana Jones Movies

The Bourne movies, James Bond, Indian Jones, and Mission Impossible take us around the world with each movie and really are the best travel films to showcase the globe. These epic travel movies take audiences to a whole new level of taking an international trip with decadence, wealth, espionage, and romance.

I wanted to include them because if you are looking for some beautiful scenes from Europe and the Middle East, these travel films fit the bill. They are so good at taking you away to exotic places .

Our Favorites of These Epic Travel Movies are

54. the bourne identity.

best travel movies bourne identity

The original takes us on an international trip from Switzerland through Paris. It’s the car scene in Paris that really captures the city but the entire movie is one big travel movie.

55. Casino Royal – James Bond

best travel movies casino royal

This makes us dream of living with the high rollers in Montenegro the beautiful people in the Bahamas. It’s as epic as epic travel movies get riding on trains, planes and yachts and it’s the best James Bond with Daniel Craig.

56. Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol

best travel movies mission impossible

It’s not often that sequels are better than the original, but when it comes to the Mission Impossible series, each one out does the other. Tom Cruise loves to travel and push the limits creating the most epic travel movies on the planet. I chose Ghost Protocol because of its setting in Dubai and Cruise scaling the walls of the Burj Khalifa. (The tallest structure in the world)

Best Travel Movies in Fictional Settings

57. grand budapest hotel.

best travel movies Grand Budapest Hotel

I can’t help it, I love Wes Anderson movies. He is offbeat and quirky. Grand Budapest Hotel is one of the best travel movies that isn’t set in any real place. This is all in a fictional setting.

I like this for a travel movie because it reminds me of the grand old hotels from another era. Well, it should because it is set in another era. The hotel is fictional, but it does take you away to another world. Rent it on Prime

58. Black Panther

best travel movies black panther

Wakanda may be a fictional place in Africa, but this movie captures the spirit of East and South Africa. It embraces the African culture and many of the movie’s scenes were filmed in Africa.

We have been to Africa numerous times and this movie transported us there again. It may be fictional, but Black Panther is one fo the best travel movies to make you want to discover the culture and beauty of Africa. watch it now!

59. Lord of the Rings and Hobbit

best travel movies lord of the rings

They may be set in Middle Earth, but the Lord of the Rings movies are a love letter to New Zealand. As far as setting go, the trilogy makes for epic travel movies! Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit Movies make us want to go to New Zealand and these films capture its beauty perfectly.

Rent the trilogy on Amazon today

60. Eat Pray Love

best travel movies eat pray love

And let us end with the mother of all travel movies, Eat Pray Love. Who doesn’t love Julia Roberts? However, Eat Pray Love wasn’t my favorite travel movie at all. But The book was okay but the movie starring Julia Roberts is dreadful. If you liked it, let me know. Maybe I’ll give it another watch in case I missed something. Rent it on Amazon

We’ll be updating this list regularly and we love finding new travel movies to watch. So, if you have suggestions for your favorite travel movies, leave them in the comments below and we’ll be sure to give them a watch!

Awesome Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust

Tell me what you think are the best travel movies and we will compare notes.

You May Enjoy these other inspiring posts:

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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107 thoughts on “60 Best Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust”

Very interesting and thought-provoking list. Another film I think belongs in this company is “A Month by the Lake,” a 1995 work starring Vanessa Redgrave, Edward Fox, and Uma Thurman. Its setting, at the Villa del Balbianello on a peninsula in Lake Como, was used in scenes from a number of other movies, but here it gets starring role.

one of my favorite travel movies is “If it is Tuesday it must be Belgium”. it captures the travels and travails of some very uninformed American tourists on a guided tour. One of the wives, tired of the endless strings of cheese shops they visit heads back to their tour bus. The problem is it is the wrong tour bus. Hilarity ensues …

Thanks for the thoughtful list. Might I add a few more wanderlust-inducing movie recommendations/destinations that I have a hunch you will love?

Enchanted April (Italy) Shirley Valentine (Greece/Mykonos) Everything is Illuminated (Russia/Ukraine) Summer Lovers (Gene Siskel’s ‘guilty pleasure) (Greek Islands/Santorini) The Hundred Foot Journey (India/France) Local Hero (Scotland — and perfectly depicts how an enchanting location can change your view of what’s important in life) Anne of Green Gables — Kevin Sullivan version (Price Edward Island) Outsourced (India) Jean de Florette/Manon of the Spring (Provence France) The Quiet Man (Ireland) A Passage to India (India)

These are fantastic suggestions, thank sfor sharing! I’ve been wanting to see The Hundred Foot Journey. I think that will be my weekend watching!

Hi , thanks for sharing the best travel movies.

I love to watch 72 hours is my best travel movie all time.

Brilliant! Some of my teal favourites and now a list to watch. …many, many thanks. Allison

Great movies list all movies are best and all movies have a good rating on IMDb actually my favorite movie is LORD OF THE RINGS AND HOBBIT. and next, I would like to watch Star wars series.

Great choices of movies you have given a big list a great work

Great article! I will definitely choose a few movies that I haven’t seen yet. I could add a movie called “The Hundred-Foot Journey”. This film is about a Hindu family who moves to France, where they open a restaurant.

I’ve been meaning to watch that one. I think I will have to check it out this weekend and add it to the list! Thanks for the reminder.

Very comprehensive list! lots of great movies, and some of my favourites such as Seven Years inTibet and Walter Mitty.

I have to disagree with you about The Darjeeling Limited though: “When they visit their mother in an Ashram, it makes me think of the strange people that run away to India to find themselves. Oh yeah, he gets it.”

I felt the most important scene in the movie is when the guys rescue the boys in the river, and one doesn’t make it. They take part ion the family grieving and funeral, and have a very life-changing, profound experience. I felt the movie actually validates people “running away to India.”

In these difficult times especially, finding a sense of purpose, or meaning, or spirituality, or whatever you want to call it, is more important than ever. I think we will see a lot more people “running away to find themselves” and in fact, I am working on offering spiritual itineraries.

How about Red Eye and Flight Plan? I think they both portrait (fear of) commercial flying experience pretty good!

We have already watched quite a few of these ? gotta love a great movie night! Thanks for a great list, that we will start to work our way through ?

Great choices for movies! Others that come to mind are “Before Sunrise” and “Into the Wild.”

LORD OF THE RINGS AND HOBBIT is my favourite. i had watch so many times but always loved

This list couldn’t have come at a better time as we currently shelter in place and travel only through our TVs! Thank you.

All movies are great and my fav <3

great films..i watched some movie

OOH Julie and Julia is one of my all time favorites! And Eat Pray Love…It’s a good time for movies at home for sure!

Love the list. Thank you for sharing. As a classic movie buff, however, you are so wrong about Roman Holiday. This movie is a classic. I recently saw it on the big screen for the millionth time and it was amazing. How can you not love Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn?! His voice alone is worth a listen! And the old scenes of Rome are wonderful. Have to truly disagree about this one. LOVE this movie.

Anyway, thanks again!

SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY movie motivates people to dare to make a decision.

I love this list!! You hit some of my favorite movies. I’ve watched a lot of these but I have a feeling I’ll be rewatching some of them in the coming weeks. Thanks for remind me!

GREAT list, thank you! I’ve seen some Bollywood films and loved them, and would love a best of list of them!

Great site for everything

Great list, guys — you really dug deep. If you love The Sounds of Music, you have to visit Salzburg, where you can see the actual places where they shot many of the scenes, including the palace in the middle of town. You can even stay in the Von Trapps’ house. And I may have missed it in your list, but The Year of Living Dangerously absolutely captures the exotic atmosphere and the beauty of Southeast Asia — the gamelan music stays in your head for days. Also, Gandhi for a virtual trip to India.

Very well collections, Really some of the names are not heard. This type of movies are oxygen for any traveler.

Great list of movie i like slumdog millionaire once upon a time in mexico

Secret Life of Walter Mitty for sure, this movie made me so pumped to travel while ‘into the wild’ made me a little depressed and not wishing to become a mentally ill person who goes eating dead animals and rejecting society

Lovely idea, great movies! Love your blog!

I really love this movies.

Each movie is an exciting adventure, felt from the film, emotions, as well as an impressive moment. Thanks for your collection!

Thank you for your list! Lawrence of Arabia for certain, but almost any film by Werner Herzog, especially Aguirre:The Wrath of God. But I am partial to “art” or “foreign” films over Hollywood.

I loved a movie I watched and I can’t remember the name and I can’t find it. It was about a woman, maybe in her 40’s maybe 50’s that traveled to India to meet up with her husband. Her husband was detained by work and sent his male Indian assistant to meet her. While waiting for her husband to arrive, the assistant showed her the sites of India. A romance developed with the assistant over many days, but never crossed the line. Would love to watch this again….

Maybe you’re thinking of the movie ‘Cairo Time’. It’s set in Egypt, not India, but has the exact plot you’re referring to.

All are attractive and I will watch each movie

I shared the movies I shared. The movie content is very interesting and interesting, I like it very much.

This is also a very good post which I really enjoy reading

For me Motorcycle diaries is best.Thanks for list. I will check other movies too.

Nice list, you got almost all of my favorite travel films! A couple additions I would make are “The Sheltering Sky”, and “Voyager”.

The Painted Veil – gorgeous!

I hope it will be show at CGV

Definitely a great list of movies that gets us thinking about travel. Everest was one that really took our breath away and told an amazing story. In Bruges is still one of my favorite. Thanks for sharing!

Loved the post and the films. I still didn’t see 9 films and already want see. Will try found they for this weekend. But the best is to see Indiana Jones in the list.. it’s my prefer film of life <3

the beauty of this movie list is that this in includes movies in Malayalam, Hindi English and believe me these movies are the very best travel movies I have seen . kudos?

Great Choices !

Always on the lookout for movies to watch on the plane!!! Thanks for the recos!!!!

Great choices for movies

I hate you after watching only 2 of these movies from your list i feel like travelling but unfortunately my my academics. By the way best list of travel movies I have seen on internet. Good going brother. wish to see more content in future.

Mr. Bean’s Holiday. A very ridiculous movie, but the cinematography is amazing, and it’s very inspiring.

Great article and awesome collection of movies. Red balloon is my favorite movie and it’s amazing storey

Film is called Before Midnight. Not after.

Thanks for the correction. I mixed up the Trilogy in my head, thinking “the one after Before Sunset.” – There is Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight.

Great article, many good informations

I love watching movies ahead of travelling and often find them inspirational. For Western Australia I found ‘Rabbitproof Fence’ a very good movie. You’ve chosen some good ones!

Great collection of movies to watch. I absolutely loved The Bucket List. As usual Morgan Freeman was awesome. Great movies about travel and for when traveling.

Can you believe that I never saw Stealing Beauty? Now I am going to have to check it out. I agree with Sideways too. Loved that show. It made me want to drink Pinot Noir.

Wild is a great book and the movie is pretty true to the book. Reece Witherspoon is really good in it. Based on true story of a troubled woman who decides to hike one of Americas longest trails with little money and not enough experience. Humbling and left me feeling the wanderlust pretty hard.

The Bucket List and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty are the best travel movies in my opinion. Iceland is on my travel bucket list, hope I can visit that place.

Best Movie Collection. my favorite movies also include in these. love to see the collection of movies thanks to sharing this information with us.

Nice article! inspiring people for Traveling

Thanks for compiling this list. It’s interesting to know the place where the movie was shot. I absolutely agree on what you said about James Bond movies.

Thanks for the post. Some I have seen and some I haven’t, and looking forward to (Especially ONE WEEK)

I’d like to add LOCAL HERO. There are some melancholic moments in the film accompanied by Mark Knopfler’s beautiful soundtrack. Would make anyone jump off the couch, dump all the COMFORTS OF CITY and visit rural Scotland and walk the beaches and witness the Aurora Borealis. One of my favourites alongwith The Motorcycle Diaries and Into the Wild.

Great choices

Excellent list, but Indiana Jones really is a wonderful trip. Note 1000.

Under a Tuscan sun is my favorite!!!! Been to Tuscany because of that movie!! 🙂 Jotted down a few to watch from your list! Thanks!

thank you guys. Into the wild is my favourite one on the list.

You named quite a few of my favorites but the two I’d like to recommend are Hector and the Pursuit of Happiness starring Simon Pegg, and The Way starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez.

The Way inspired me to walk the Camino de Santiago which turned into an incredible trip.

Great list of best all time travel movies. I must admit that there are still so many movies I have not yet seen. I need to work on that sooner rather than later!

Great list but would certainly add :

– The way (with Martin Sheen) , very inspiring movie about Camino de Santiago – Motorcycle diaries, simply a great movie about travel and life

Fantastic films, thanks for making this kind of film! Many people should watch it! Thanks for sharing this list.

Wow! This list is great! I will surely add these in my playlist. Hopefully, I will be able to watch most of these travel movies. I plan to travel soon, I’m juts looking for more inspiration and travel tips. Glad I came by your blog!

Whoa! You gave me a completely new set of movies to add to my list here! Into the Wild is one of my favorites and the Everest is a spine-chilling movie. A great list Dave & Deb!

Check out Maindentrip, the story of the youngest girl to sail around the world, Laura Dekker. I think my wife finally believed we could do it if a 13 year old can.

Thanks for the recommendation!

These ultimate travel tips for when they have a desired of lust.

What about “Blue Hawaii” and any of the Jurassic Park videos for Hawaii?

Thank you for your list – I am constantly looking for good travel movies.

Till the date bucket list is one of my favourite movie 🙂 Thank you for the information about other movies too

Thank you for this great list. I see some old favorites on the list but also a number of movies I need to see. I’ve added them my list. You’re right about movies inspiring travel. After seeing, Under the Tuscan Sun, I’ve always wanted to visit Tuscany. I’m finally making it there soon.

What a fantastic list full of excellent movies! There’s no doubt that these titles can help to light the spark of wanderlust in anyone. I was actually lucky enough to stumble upon the making of Ridley Scott’s upcoming Alien Covenant movie in New Zealand’s Milford Sound. I’m very much looking forward to its release so I can see the spectacular panning shots of that breathtaking landscape. Movies are a great medium to translate the beauty of travel.

No way! That is so cool. I’m such a fan of Alien, it would be amazing to see them filming it. I love seeing landscapes of places I’ve been in movies.

Slumdog Millionaire and Secret Life of Walter Mitty are Good Movies

Nice list – a few of my favourites there: Everest, Into The Wild, Slumdog Millionaire, The Bucket List, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Nothing like a good movie for inspiring travel.

A few others to consider: The Beach, Midnight Express, Kundun, Seven Years in Tibet…

“Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all of one’s lifetime.” – Mark Twain

Hi, Oh wow I really love this list, seriously is so right! Holidays is another good one that invites you to discover surrey :), I enjoyed so much Amelie, unfortunately I cannot say the same of Paris, Je t’aime, which is other of the “must seen movies”, honestly… overrated… anyways, nice list I really enjoy it.

Great list… something a lot of people leave off the list is Julia and Julia. That movie is HUGE to foodies, chefs, etc… Makes me want to hop on a flight every time I see it! Julia Child was a machine, so glad you guys included that movie on this list!

I am a movie addict person, and I loved to travel. I enjoyed all of these films. Very Inspirational lists. Thank you, Dave, for this excellent Article. Loved it:)

A lots of movies that needed to add here. I watched a few of then not all and find very inspirational and heart touching. Slumdog millionaire is one of my favourite and very heart touching.

I love this list, but I’d add almost any movie filmed in San Francisco, even if they weren’t that good (like “The Wedding Planner” or the “The Rock”). They’d actually have to be filmed there and not just set there, like the last “Godzilla” movie 😉

Thanks for the additions. I loved the wedding planner. Although I just watched it again recently and realized what a schmuck Matthew Macoughnay’s character is. He totally led Jennifer Lopez’s character on and was a jerk to his fiancé. haha. But it’s a good lighthearted romantic comdey. They don’t make enough of those anymore..

I came to this article to ensure you had Romancing the Stone..and you didnt let me down. I used to love that movie growing up. I am totally with you, on thinking about Cartagena as some exotic far away place that I had to visit. I eventually found out the movie wasn’t actually filmed in Cartagena or Colombia because of the dire security situation at that time…but when i finally visited Cartagena, i found it even more magical and exotic than the film…love the film, and love the city even more now.

I am so glad we didn’t let you down! I am also so glad that you felt the same way about Cartagena. I always envision Kathleen Turner saying “come to Cartagena with me” It was such a grand adventure. We need more movies like that!

Cool list! I would add:

– Before Sunrise (Vienna) – Waking Ned Devine (Ireland, though filmed in the Isle of Man) – Lost in Translation (Tokyo)

Great additions. I loved Before Sunrise, I can’t believe I forgot about that one. I saw it in the 90s and then watched the whole trilogy. I haven’t seen Waking Ned Devine, I’m going to check that out and yes, Lost in Translation is a good one for Tokyo. I have to watch that again. I barely remember it, but I do remember loving Bill Murray

Just what I needed, thank you guys. Into the wild is my favourite one on the list.

I don’t think any movie has made us want to travel more than Amelie.

2 Days In Paris, on the other hand, was kind of a turn off.

Amelie celebrated Paris, but 2 Days kinda made fun of it. .-= The Jetpacker´s last blog .. UFO Hotspots — 11 Best Places To See UFOs In The World =-.

I don’t need a movie to inspire me to travel. I always want to travel, but some movies make me want to travel more I guess is how to put it. BTW. I thought Up in the Air stunk and don’t get why it was so popular. I loved In Burges which many people have never seen. Guess I’m just weird. .-= Gwen´s last blog ..Kids Grease Costumes =-.

You’re not weird at all! That is what makes watching movies so great. Everyone has different opinions on them all. We didn’t love Amelie and I have never met another person that didn’t like it. We were more into the quirkiness of Two Days in Paris and nobody liked that one:-)

Great choice, I never really fancied visiting Bruges until watching the hilarious In Bruges (and I agree the film also did Colin Farrell a huge favour). Tuscany is still on my must see list after the gorgeous ‘Stealing Beauty’ and being from the UK, Sideways and Swingers always made me want to go to California.

OK, I obviously need to get myself to the nearest pirated DVD place since I’ve only seen 3 of these movies! Thanks for the advice. .-= Audrey´s last blog ..Couch Surfing with KGB Agents =-.

Fantastic post, though most of these movies I haven’t seen (yet) but Vicky Christina Barcelona has really made me want to see Barcelona. I’m really bad for being easily suggestible when it comes to travel. If a place is featured on a movie or tv have a sudden desire to go there. Like I watch a John Waters movie and I wanna go to Baltimore, or the way Shirley Valentine made me really want to go to Greece. Even places that were never really on my travel to do list, like watching Dexter has made me want to visit Miami (even though most of the show is filmed around LA). .-= Alouise´s last blog ..List 9 – How To Have A Cheesy Time At West Edmonton Mall =-.

Wonderful list! I’ve seen a few of these and just loved them (Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Julie & Julia, In Bruges, Up in the Air, and Romancing the Stone)…..and I still dream of someday going to Cartagena, Columbia because of that movie! There are so many great movies that inspire travel that I’m sure it must have been hard to winnow it down to just eight. The rest of your list I’ll have to add to my Netflix queue! .-= Trisha´s last blog .. PR-Blogger Relations Manifesto =-.

I love that you think of Cartagena because of Romancing the stone. There were so many movies that I had on a list. I could have just listed about 50 and that could have been good enough. Maybe I will do that for a post one day when I am out of ideas:) It was very difficult to narrow it down to eight, we were trying to be a little unique in our choices, but then again, it is hard to be unique when it comes to choosing great travel movies. I guess, it was more of a reminder post. Everyone thinks of the choices like The Beach, The James Bond Movies and the Bourne Movies, but we haven’t thought about Romancing the Stone or Once Upon a Time in Mexico in a while.

Great list! We think movies and books add so much to travel that we brought a bunch with us on our open ended world tour. We’re in France now, so tend to watch French ones here and ones that are family friendly since we travel with a kid. 😉 I think we love the Red Balloon and Chocolate best for France.

Two that really stick out on our trip were Troy ( watched again and again through out Greece while reading Homer, including also while we were in Troy in Turkey) and “The Medici, Godfathers of the Renaissance” a thrilling PBS special series that we watched in Florence before we toured. .-= soultravelers3´s last blog .. Captivating Colliore- France on Bastille Day =-.

Thanks for the additions. I forgot about Chocolate. I loved that movie and Johnny Depp and Juliet Binoche were both so charming. I haven’t seen Red Balloon, I will check it out. It is wonderful to watch movies for inspiration before, after and while you are at that place.

Great choices for movies! Others that come to mind are “Before Sunrise” and “Into the Wild.”

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, the tourist.

tourist hollywood movie

HBO Max continues stealth drops of some of the best drama mini-series on television. Last year highlights included “The Head” and “ Station Eleven ,” and they start 2022 strongly with the fantastic “The Tourist,” a twisty tale that plays like an Aussie version of “ Fargo .” With sharp dialogue, clever plotting, and career-best work from Jamie Dornan and Danielle Macdonald , this is a great little thriller, a show that constantly keeps you guessing and entertained in equal measure.

The “ Belfast ” and “ Fifty Shades of Grey ” star plays an unnamed man (at least for a while) who is driving through the very remote Australian outback. He stops at a station to use the bathroom, banters with the guy behind the counter, and hits the road again. Looking in the rearview mirror, he sees a truck gaining on him with remarkable speed. The Man twists off the road to avoid it and the trucker follows, revealing through a POV from his cab that this is very intentional—he’s trying to kill this tourist. They race through the desert until The Man’s car crashes. He wakes up in a hospital with no memory of who he is or how he got there.

Enter a small-town officer named Helen Chambers (Macdonald), engaged to an awful man named Ethan ( Greg Larsen ) and thrust into a mystery about who this handsome Irishman is in a hospital bed. When The Man finds a note with a time and a location in his pocket, he heads to a small town called Burnt Ridge, where he meets a woman named Luci ( Shalom Brune-Franklin ) who might know about his past, ends up crossing paths with a sociopath ( Ólafur Darri Ólafsson ) who clearly wants him dead, and gets a phone call from a man who’s been buried underground. And then things get even weirder.

Created by the people behind the excellent “ The Missing ” (which aired stateside on Starz), the writing on “The Tourist” is a metronomic back and forth between reveals and how those reveals propel the narrative in a new direction. Pushing their way through all the chaos are Dornan and Macdonald, both phenomenal. Dornan finds a quirky, unsettled way to play a man who doesn’t know who he is without resorting to the cliché of the lost soul. If anything, he leans into more of a blank slate interpretation of amnesia, playing a guy who’s more open to what comes next because he can’t remember what came before. And Macdonald is charming and so incredibly likable that she becomes the heart of a show that can be cold at times.

Echoes of “ Memento ” and “Fargo” aside, “The Tourist” also has its own quirky personality. Some of those quirks get a bit extreme in late-season episodes in ways I can’t spoil, but the show is never boring. It’s a reminder that the Dornan who was so great in “ The Fall ” is still out there, and I hope it leads him to more bizarre, challenging roles like this one. There’s an argument to be made that there’s an even-better 100-minute movie in this six-episode mini-series, but that’s not the world we’re in right now. A story like this has a better chance to be told in the TV system than the mid-budget film one, and the writers don’t drag their feet or spin their wheels like so many streaming thrillers. They’re constantly moving our hero forward, keeping us uncertain about his past and even his moral center.

Some will argue that “The Tourist” gets too convoluted and I’ll admit that I enjoyed the playful uncertainty of the first half of the season more than the intensity of the second half. Although the show does get deeper in how it unpacks lies we tell ourselves and those we listen to from other people. It turns out that everyone on "The Tourist" has a secret or two, and almost all of them could use a car accident to reset the hole they've dug for themselves. 

I'm not sure how intentional it is but the show never stopped reminding me of some of my favorite early Coen films—the noir danger of “ Blood Simple ,” the open roads of “ Raising Arizona ” (and a bearded hunter who seems unkillable), Macdonald’s very Marge Gunderson character—and yet these nods to greats are embedded in a breakneck plot that never slows down enough to distract from its own inspired storytelling. Take the trip.

Brian Tallerico

Brian Tallerico

Brian Tallerico is the Managing Editor of RogerEbert.com, and also covers television, film, Blu-ray, and video games. He is also a writer for Vulture, The Playlist, The New York Times, and GQ, and the President of the Chicago Film Critics Association.

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Hollywood Tourist Attractions – 10 Experiences You Don’t Want to Miss

People standing and walking on Hollywood Blvd Walk of Fame - Los Angeles, California, USA

Silver screen glitz, showbiz secrets, and the notorious Walk of Fame—see all the Hollywood landmarks on your next Hollywood trip.

So you’re visiting the Lalaland field of dreams? If the scintillating lights of Tinseltown are calling for you, we have a game plan. Take a walk amongst the stars and illustrious palm trees. We have the top Hollywood attractions right here.

Follow along for the best Hollywood tourist attractions you don’t want to miss!

About Hollywood

The Hollywood neighborhood, located in Los Angeles California is synonymous with the entertainment industry. The world’s movie capital is one of the number one tourist attractions. It’s a place where thousands flock to find their fortune. Hollywood’s humble beginnings happened in the 1920s when producers moved from New York to LA for the climate and year-round filming.

Soon thereafter, the four Warner Brothers, Samuel Goldwyn, Louis B. Mayer, and Carl Laemmle, ran the film industry and started the five major studios, distributing movies across the USA.

Hollywood Sign on Hillside - Los Angeles, California, USA

As a result, the “Golden Age of Hollywood” was born and lasted from the 1920s to 1945. Similarly, the rise of television post-WWII forced Hollywood to reinvent itself. What’s more, the spread of communism took the country by force, creating widespread panic. The government’s House Un-American Activities Committee investigated communist influencers.

Also, you may be wondering what was the Hollywood 10. These prominent screenwriters and directors stood against the committee. As a result, they received jail sentences and were banned from working for the major studios.

No matter the scandal, the romance of Hollywood never fades.

Fun Fact : Legend has it that early SoCal residents named the famed region after a lovely holly-like bush.

Visiting Hollywood California, the epicenter of LA, can be daunting. Not to fear—we have your Hollywood happy ending right here! Legendary film sites, iconic theaters, and cultural effigies, where does one begin to conquer this heavyweight town?

First, we’ll take a gander at the most famous Boulevard in all the prince of cities.

Hollywood Boulevard

Almost all of the best Hollywood attractions are located on this illustrious strip. This historic area, ablaze with silver screen glory, is our first can’t miss destination. Moreover, major events are held year-round, including movie premieres at the acclaimed TCL Chinese Theatre and movie star reveals on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. If you plan your trip just right, you may have the chance to spot a celeb or two!

Next, tour the elegant Dolby Theatre and walk the grand staircase leading to the celebrated Academy Awards. See the magnificent interior and learn red carpet history.

In addition to the iconic museums, theatres, and architectural benchmarks, restaurants and shops line the street, making it one of the prime Hollywood tourist spots to explore.

Pro Tip : Be aware on this infamous street. Keep your purse strapped across your shoulder and walk in pairs if possible!

The Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Stars is a public sidewalk stretching from Highland Boulevard to Vine Street, packed with concrete stars comprising the names of famous celebs, musicians, and artists. The entire walk and all its sights cover several blocks, so strap on some good walking shoes! Make sure to capture the legendary Hollywood Boulevard street sign!

Along the way, you’ll watch as tourists stop to snap a shot with their favorite celebrity star. From Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, and Quentin Tarantino to Walt Disney, you’re sure to find your best-loved icon.

Fun Fact : The Walk of Fame has stars for fictional actors like Bugs Bunny, Kermit the Frog, Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse, the first character to accept the honor in 1978.

Besides strolling down the epic lane, you can always take a guided tour or Private Hike to Hollywood Sign or Private Hike to Mt. Hollywood .

Keep walking down this renowned Avenue of filmdom as we turn the spotlight on the opposite end of Hollywood and Vine to Hollywood & Highland.

Hollywood & Highland

Rounding out our top attractions from our Hollywood to-do list is Hollywood Highland. This twinkling corner has it all: fab restaurants, shopping, and an entertainment complex to boot. Ovation Hollywood is a deluxe shopping center where visitors can check out over 25 full-service and casual fast-food eateries.

You’ll find Johnny Rockets, Dave & Buster’s, the Hard Rock Café, California Pizza Kitchen, and Cabo Wabo Cantina. What’s more, experience the nightlife at Lucky Strike Lanes and OHM Nightclub for a rip-roaring night on the town.

You can also climb to the top of the stairs of the Babylon Courtyard, to observe the towering archway, columns, and stunning elephant motifs. The Egyptian-themed design was influenced by the 1915 silent film Intolerance .

A second stairway leads to an overlook of the luminary Hollywood Sign. One of the top attractions in Hollywood, the Hollywood Sign is the most distinguished landmark worldwide! You can also see the emblem from the Griffith Observatory , Lake Hollywood Park, and the Sunset Ranch Hollywood.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

Not to spoil the Boulevard’s mystique, but celebs typically don’t go to Hollywood unless they have a scheduled event, which is all the more reason to check out your favorite stars at Madame Tussauds Hollywood . Strike a pose next to Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Bruce Lee and The Rock.

a picture of a woman at the entrance of Hollywood

With over 125 celebrities to choose from, you’re bound to find one that makes your heart skip an extra beat. The amount of time, calculations and science that goes into the making of each figure is mind-boggling.

Remember to charge your phone and snap away, as pictures are encouraged in this mogul mecca funhouse. It’s on the list of California top attractions, brimming with enchantment you must see to believe.

In addition to this ode to the entertainment capital, the area is a hotbed of museums and other famous spots, like the Guinness World Records Museum , Ripley’s Believe it or Not , and the Hollywood Wax Museum .

TCL Chinese Theatre.

Where do the most famous movies premier, you ask? Why the star-studded Hollywoodland, of course. When searching for favorite spots in Hollywood, there is no more elite cinema hall than TCL Grauman’s Chinese Theatre .

You can catch a film or simply tour the hand/foot imprints out front of over 200 Hollywood legends like John Wayne and Judy Garland. Also, visitors can tour the stunning inside auditorium and check out the IMAX screen, the largest in the world!

The inside of the Chinese Theatre with a ornate ceiling of different shades of yellow and red velvet seats blanket the floor area in Los Angeles, California

The El Capitan and the Egyptian Theatre are also preeminent sites in Hollywood. Make sure to visit these other area theatres too! In addition to movie premieres, the theaters regularly show the latest films, hold concerts, and host other events. Check the theater’s schedule to see what’s happening or showing during your trip!

Your day in Hollywood really begins with a big-screen driving tour to real-life locations of top movie productions. Check out our Private Excursion of Hollywood & Classic Movie Spots .

Hollywood Roosevelt

Whether you stay here or just tour the lobby, this legendary lodging in Hollywood is loaded with secrets— if only the walls could talk! Built in 1927, the iconic hotel hosted Charlie Chaplin, Montgomery Clift, and Marilyn Monroe back in the day. Monroe lived in room 229 for two years before she hit the big time.

This Hollywood landmark original has basked in the limelight for close to a century. It was the venue of the first-ever Academy Awards, while the top floor housed the illicit lovebirds Clark Gable and actress Carole Lombard.

A distance view in front of Hotel Roosevelt

With beautiful Spanish colonial design, it’s worth checking out the dramatic lobby or sipping a cocktail in the posh hotel bar, the Spare Room. Now we’ll schism away from the Avenue of dreams to other Hollywood attractions. Live the dream, baby!

And if you’re looking for inexpensive ways to venture beyond Tinseltown, we have 101 Absolutely Free Things to Do in Los Angeles !

Hollywood Bowl

Pack a picnic basket and some Prosecco and head for the hills. For a night under the stars, you won’t soon forget, this exquisite outdoor amphitheater has been hosting performances for over 100 years.

Aerial View of The Hollywood Bowl at night illuminated with blue and purples lights - Los Angeles, California, USA

Nestled in the gorgeous Hollywood Hills neighborhood, the 18,000-seat venue is a true crowd-pleaser for romantics and families alike. It’s the summer home of the LA Philharmonic, but the park also hosts theater ensembles, comedians, and countless musical performances.

Griffith Park Observatory

Hands down, Griffith Park Planetarium , is one of the leading observatories in the country, if not the world. With its wide array of telescopes, including the extraordinary Zeiss telescope, it’s one of Hollywood’s best things to do. Once there, you must check out LA’s biggest park, Griffith Park. It’s full of attractions, endless hiking trails and loads of activities. Stargazers one and all hit this exclusive Hollywood attraction that has been the backdrop for several films, including LaLa Land.

aerial sunset view over Griffith Observatory and downtown Los Angeles, California, USA

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is one of LA’s paramount family attractions. It’s divided into three areas: the theme park, a working studio and the Universal CityWalk, a place of unsurpassed hotspots including bars, shops, and restaurants.

Take the Studio Tour and go behind the scenes of this high-energy park that still brings new and classic movies to life. By the same token, the epic shows and thrilling rides from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Jurassic Park are a movie lovers’ dream come true. Accordingly, the unique attraction iFly Hollywood offers an arresting view of the town. You could also take another journey on the Warner Bros. Tours Hollywood to uncover even more filmmaking magic.

For the most sublime Universal Studios Hollywood experience, we have an In-Depth Guide to Rides at Universal Studio Hollywood !

Tourists at the King Kong Ride at Universal Studios.

Sunset Strip

Located in West Hollywood, the fabled Sunset Strip is a portion of Sunset Boulevard between Hollywood and the chi-chi Beverly Hills. The 1.5-mile strip of road boasts a multitude of entertainment, eclectic restaurants, and swanky shopping. The nightlife really sparkles with neon lights and enormous billboards in the backdrop.

It’s where you’ll find the marvelous Chateau Marmont, the Well, and the Roxy Theatre, the bellwethers of Hollywood. Be prepared to see the high-muck-a-muck crowd here, as well as some fashionistas and influencers on the make! If you’re bound to see a star or two, you might consider the Hollywood Celebrity Homes Tour and immerse yourself in Hollywood lore.

Book Your Hollywood Vacation Today!

Now that you have the lay of Lalaland, planning your trip should be much easier. Still, with so many places to visit in Hollywood and Hollywood sites to see , it’s hard to experience it all in one trip. Whether you want to shop ’til you drop, sample gourmet cuisine, or take advantage of world-class entertainment , you can find it all in Hollywood.

So, if you’re fated to visit the providence of Filmland, Tripster offers plenty of LA hotel options around the city. Whether to choose a posh Beverly Hills cabana, a beachside resort, or a hotel in Hollywood to be close to Universal Studios , we have the best online rates with guaranteed booking.

Which Famous Places in Hollywood do you Prefer?

Hollywood sightseeing is a personal preference, and with so many choices, we’d love to hear your suggestions of where to go in Hollywood. Leave your comments here:

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Written by Erin Poche

Erin Poche` is a Utah-based writer and editor for Tripster and contributing writer for BeyondType1. She also writes and edits for an indie...

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Tourists flock to Hollywood Boulevard by the millions every year hoping to glimpse a star and experience glamour, but what they get is a gritty thoroughfare with few trees, crumbling curbs and streetlights that don’t work.

The storied boulevard — home to the Academy Awards, TCL Chinese Theatre and the Walk of Fame — is getting a makeover. Plans are underway to revamp a 3.6-mile stretch of Hollywood Boulevard, eliminating two traffic lanes along most of the route, adding bicycle lanes and widening sidewalks, where people can linger and restaurant-goers can dine.

And the move may be a step toward a pedestrian-only boulevard, an idea that has long been floated.

“This project is about making our community safer and transforming how residents, workers and visitors use Hollywood Boulevard, “ said Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez ahead of announcing the project on the corner of Hollywood and Vine Street on Wednesday morning.

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Plans have been underway for years to improve the boulevard, but this will stitch together two different efforts and modify them, adding bike lanes to the length of the roadway and eliminating about 216 parking spaces. It will also add a little more than a mile of bus lanes. The aim is to create a corridor where people don’t want to drive their cars, instead opting to stroll or pedal through.

“We know that if people come here, they will eat here, they will shop here, and they will spend their money here,” he said. “By building Hollywood around people instead of cars, we can revitalize this iconic destination.”

But Hollywood, as a whole, has bigger problems. The Walk of Fame has been poked at as the “Worst Tourist Attraction” by the luggage storage company Stasher. And, more seriously, the area has been dogged by homelessness . The same streets where the glittery red carpet is rolled out for the Academy Awards can turn sketchy the rest of the year, with people in bad superhero costumes trying to lure a few bucks from tourists.

Those messy problems aren’t something a planner can design out of the landscape, but Kathleen Rawson, president and chief executive officer of Hollywood Partnership, a business improvement district that represents 476 retailers in the area, said that she’s hopeful these plans will signal a new era.

“We see this initiative as a turning point,” said Rawson. From her office along the boulevard, she has witnessed one of Los Angeles’ most famed tourist spots fall deeper into disrepair.

The projects that the plan ties together are known as the Walk of Fame Master Plan . First unveiled by Soto-Martinez’s predecessor, it is 1.3 miles and runs from La Brea Avenue east to Gower Street. The plan was largely being carried out by the Bureau of Engineering.

The second project, a Vision Zero improvement area, was being handled by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. The 2.3 miles between Gower and Lyman Place had been singled out because it qualifies as a “high-injury network,” roads where a disproportionate number of traffic deaths and injuries occur. Between 2010 and 2019, 53 severe and fatal collisions occurred on that stretch.

“What we’re looking forward to the most is being able to recapture some of the space that is being used by vehicles, to have it be used by pedestrians and cyclists,” she said. There’s talk of adding posts that offer security from traffic so the city can shut down streets for special events.

“We know that Hollywood Boulevard is one of the disappointing tourist attractions, because of its condition,” she said. Investment dollars have poured into downtown, she said, but it has been decades since Hollywood has seen major infrastructure funds. The partnership regularly dispatches cleaners who scrub down the bronze inlaid stars on the Walk of Fame, repair lighting and sweep the streets.

The entire project is estimated to cost about $8 million, and the area west of Gower will still require environmental review for features including landscaping and some sidewalk dining. That’s expected to be completed by 2026.

Much of the redesign of the lanes, and even sidewalk widening, could be done by next year.

The approach has garnered critics. Early on, there was concern about the loss of parking spaces, but Rawson said that was largely resolved. Hollywood has numerous existing parking spaces, including more than 3,000 at the Ovation Hollywood shopping mall, formerly Hollywood & Highland.

Still, some dislike the changes because the model will also slow traffic, a tactic used by planners to reduce high speeds often associated with deadly crashes. The project is expected to reduce car speeds along the strip by an estimated one to five minutes a mile.

“We are incredibly concerned that, as we have seen with other similar projects in L.A., this will have a negative impact on response times,” said Chris LeGras, co-director of KeepLAMoving. The advocacy group has been a vocal opponent of so-called road diets, an approach to street planning that has come into favor in recent years. LeGras said failure to gain approval from local fire agencies before building would violate local and state fire codes.

Nick Barnes-Batista, a spokesperson for Soto-Martinez, said first responders were consulted.

Firefighters say they were left out of the process.

“LAFD officials didn’t sign off on any of these plans that will cause major changes to Hollywood Blvd and the surrounding streets. They weren’t even consulted,” said Freddy Escobar, president of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112, representing about 3,400 firefighters.

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Streaming ratings: ‘avatar: the last airbender’ premieres at no. 1.

'Love Is Blind' and 'True Detective' also score well in the week of Feb. 19-25.

By Rick Porter

Rick Porter

Television Writer

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Kiawentiio, Gordon Cormier and Ian Ousley in 'Avatar: The Last Airbender'

The live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender had a big premiere week.

The remake of the beloved Nickelodeon animated series opened at No. 1 overall on Nielsen’s streaming charts for Feb. 19-25. Avatar had 2.56 billion minutes of viewing in the United States over its first four days (it premiered Feb. 22), the second biggest week for any streaming title in 2024 so far (behind the 3.04 billion for Fool Me Once in early January).

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HBO’s True Detective had its best showing of the year to date the week after its fourth season finale, growing by 15 percent to 889 million minutes of viewing on Max (that tally doesn’t include any linear viewing on HBO’s cable channels). Warrior became the latest recipient of the Netflix bump, as the canceled Max series finished fourth overall with 948 million minutes on Max (where it continues to stream) and Netflix.

Behind Avatar and Love Is Blind , there was a steep dropoff in time viewed for original series. Netflix’s One Day finished third, but its 454 million minutes of viewing was less than a fifth of Love Is Blind ‘s total. It’s one of the biggest gaps between second and third place on Nielsen’s original streaming series chart in its 3 1/2-year history. Masters of the Air (271 million minutes) improved by 11.5 percent week to week for Apple TV+.

Nielsen’s streaming ratings cover viewing on TV sets only and don’t include minutes watched on computers or mobile devices. The ratings only measure U.S. audiences, not those in other countries. The top streaming titles for Feb. 19-25, 2024, are below.

1. Avatar: The Last Airbender (Netflix), 2.56 billion minutes viewed 2. Love Is Blind (Netflix), 2.41 billion 3. Bluey (Disney+), 1.08 billion 4. Warrior (Max/Netflix), 948 million 5. Young Sheldon (Max/Netflix), 936 million 6. Grey’s Anatomy (Netflix), 901 million 7. True Detective (Max), 889 million 8. NCIS (Netflix/Paramount+), 737 million 9. Monk (Netflix/Peacock/Prime Video), 705 million 10. Suits (Netflix/Peacock), 702 million

Original Series

Acquired Series

1. Bluey, 1.08 billion minutes 2. Warrior, 948 million 3. Young Sheldon, 936 million 4. Grey’s Anatomy, 901 million 5. True Detective, 889 million 6. NCIS, 737 million 7. Monk, 705 million 8. Suits, 702 million 9. The Big Bang Theory (Max), 658 million 10. The Blacklist (Netflix), 593 million

1. Mea Culpa (2024) (Netflix), 693 million minutes 2. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Netflix), 598 million 3. The Abyss (2023) (Netflix), 529 million 4. Oppenheimer (Peacock), 487 million 5. Dune (2021) (Hulu/Max/Netflix), 452 million 6. Moana (Disney+), 384 million 7. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Netflix), 374 million 8. Thanksgiving (2023) (Netflix), 348 million 9. Players (2024) (Netflix), 222 million 10. Encanto (Disney+), 221 million

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The 50 All-Time Best Time-Travel Films

The ability to travel through time is by far my favorite movie storyline. Who hasn't, at least once in their lifetime, wished they could turn back the hands of time to buy a winning lottery ticket or to set something right that once went wrong? The movies listed below have a wide range of inventive ways on how the subjects are moved across time. Many of these films use either a mental ability, magical device or a time machine, some seem to have help from a higher power and sometimes the person just wakes up in a different time. If you love TV shows like Outlander, Timeless, Doctor Who or Quantum Leap, then this list of the best time-traveling films is for you.

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

1. The Time Machine (1960)

G | 103 min | Adventure, Romance, Sci-Fi

A man's vision for a utopian society is disillusioned when travelling forward into time reveals a dark and dangerous society.

Director: George Pal | Stars: Rod Taylor , Alan Young , Yvette Mimieux , Sebastian Cabot

Votes: 44,657

2. Back to the Future (1985)

PG | 116 min | Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.

Director: Robert Zemeckis | Stars: Michael J. Fox , Christopher Lloyd , Lea Thompson , Crispin Glover

Votes: 1,300,855 | Gross: $210.61M

Also included are Part II and Part III, all three as one film.

3. The Terminator (1984)

R | 107 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

A human soldier is sent from 2029 to 1984 to stop an almost indestructible cyborg killing machine, sent from the same year, which has been programmed to execute a young woman whose unborn son is the key to humanity's future salvation.

Director: James Cameron | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger , Linda Hamilton , Michael Biehn , Paul Winfield

Votes: 920,539 | Gross: $38.40M

4. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

R | 137 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

A cyborg, identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah Connor, must now protect her ten year old son John from an even more advanced and powerful cyborg.

Director: James Cameron | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger , Linda Hamilton , Edward Furlong , Robert Patrick

Votes: 1,169,357 | Gross: $204.84M

5. Time After Time (1979)

PG | 112 min | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi

H.G. Wells pursues Jack the Ripper to the 20th Century when the serial murderer uses the future writer's time machine to escape his time period.

Director: Nicholas Meyer | Stars: Malcolm McDowell , Mary Steenburgen , David Warner , Charles Cioffi

Votes: 20,567

6. Donnie Darko (2001)

R | 113 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi

After narrowly escaping a bizarre accident, a troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a man in a large rabbit suit who manipulates him to commit a series of crimes.

Director: Richard Kelly | Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal , Jena Malone , Mary McDonnell , Holmes Osborne

Votes: 847,087 | Gross: $1.48M

7. Planet of the Apes (1968)

G | 112 min | Adventure, Sci-Fi

An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet where highly intelligent non-human ape species are dominant and humans are enslaved.

Director: Franklin J. Schaffner | Stars: Charlton Heston , Roddy McDowall , Kim Hunter , Maurice Evans

Votes: 192,144 | Gross: $33.40M

8. Groundhog Day (1993)

PG | 101 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

A narcissistic, self-centered weatherman finds himself in a time loop on Groundhog Day.

Director: Harold Ramis | Stars: Bill Murray , Andie MacDowell , Chris Elliott , Stephen Tobolowsky

Votes: 682,293 | Gross: $70.91M

Living the same day over and over again for maybe a hundred or more years.

9. Run Lola Run (1998)

R | 80 min | Action, Crime, Thriller

After a botched money delivery, Lola has 20 minutes to come up with 100,000 Deutschmarks.

Director: Tom Tykwer | Stars: Franka Potente , Moritz Bleibtreu , Herbert Knaup , Nina Petri

Votes: 206,501 | Gross: $7.27M

10. Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)

R | 86 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

Three magazine employees head out on an assignment to interview a guy who placed a classified advertisement seeking a companion for time travel.

Director: Colin Trevorrow | Stars: Aubrey Plaza , Mark Duplass , Jake Johnson , Karan Soni

Votes: 130,683 | Gross: $4.01M

11. Doctor Strange (2016)

PG-13 | 115 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy

While on a journey of physical and spiritual healing, a brilliant neurosurgeon is drawn into the world of the mystic arts.

Director: Scott Derrickson | Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch , Chiwetel Ejiofor , Rachel McAdams , Benedict Wong

Votes: 801,419 | Gross: $232.64M

12. Arrival (II) (2016)

PG-13 | 116 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi

A linguist works with the military to communicate with alien lifeforms after twelve mysterious spacecraft appear around the world.

Director: Denis Villeneuve | Stars: Amy Adams , Jeremy Renner , Forest Whitaker , Michael Stuhlbarg

Votes: 765,077 | Gross: $100.55M

13. Primer (2004)

PG-13 | 77 min | Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Four friends/fledgling entrepreneurs, knowing that there's something bigger and more innovative than the different error-checking devices they've built, wrestle over their new invention.

Director: Shane Carruth | Stars: Shane Carruth , David Sullivan , Casey Gooden , Anand Upadhyaya

Votes: 113,800 | Gross: $0.42M

14. Interstellar (2014)

PG-13 | 169 min | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi

When Earth becomes uninhabitable in the future, a farmer and ex-NASA pilot, Joseph Cooper, is tasked to pilot a spacecraft, along with a team of researchers, to find a new planet for humans.

Director: Christopher Nolan | Stars: Matthew McConaughey , Anne Hathaway , Jessica Chastain , Mackenzie Foy

Votes: 2,082,839 | Gross: $188.02M

There are all kinds of time-travel in Interstellar.

15. 12 Monkeys (1995)

R | 129 min | Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller

In a future world devastated by disease, a convict is sent back in time to gather information about the man-made virus that wiped out most of the human population on the planet.

Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Bruce Willis , Madeleine Stowe , Brad Pitt , Joseph Melito

Votes: 645,107 | Gross: $57.14M

Brad Pitt is so freaky crazy in this film and I love it!

16. La Jetée (1962)

Not Rated | 28 min | Short, Drama, Romance

The story of a man forced to explore his memories in the wake of World War III's devastation, told through still images.

Director: Chris Marker | Stars: Étienne Becker , Jean Négroni , Hélène Chatelain , Davos Hanich

Votes: 36,930

This short film inspired 12 Monkeys.

17. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)

TV-PG | 98 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

A high-school girl named Makoto acquires the power to travel back in time, and decides to use it for her own personal benefits. Little does she know that she is affecting the lives of others just as much as she is her own.

Director: Mamoru Hosoda | Stars: Riisa Naka , Takuya Ishida , Mitsutaka Itakura , Ayami Kakiuchi

Votes: 70,631

18. Frequency (2000)

PG-13 | 118 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

An accidental cross-time radio link connects father and son across 30 years. The son tries to save his father's life, but then must fix the consequences.

Director: Gregory Hoblit | Stars: Dennis Quaid , Jim Caviezel , Shawn Doyle , Elizabeth Mitchell

Votes: 115,389 | Gross: $45.01M

No humans travel in time in Frequency but thanks to a ham radio and a phenomenon that opens up a channel, John is able to communicate with his father, 30 years in the past.

19. Timecrimes (2007)

R | 92 min | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi

A man accidentally gets into a time machine and travels back in time nearly an hour. Finding himself will be the first of a series of disasters of unforeseeable consequences.

Director: Nacho Vigalondo | Stars: Karra Elejalde , Candela Fernández , Bárbara Goenaga , Nacho Vigalondo

Votes: 68,557 | Gross: $0.04M

20. Deja Vu (2006)

PG-13 | 126 min | Action, Crime, Sci-Fi

After a ferry is bombed in New Orleans, an A.T.F. agent joins a unique investigation using experimental surveillance technology to find the bomber, but soon finds himself becoming obsessed with one of the victims.

Director: Tony Scott | Stars: Denzel Washington , Paula Patton , Jim Caviezel , Val Kilmer

Votes: 326,709 | Gross: $64.04M

The second film on this list with actor Jim Caviezel, who is also in Frequency.

21. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

PG-13 | 132 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.

Director: Bryan Singer | Stars: Patrick Stewart , Ian McKellen , Hugh Jackman , James McAvoy

Votes: 743,170 | Gross: $233.92M

22. Pleasantville (1998)

PG-13 | 124 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

Two 1990s teenage siblings find themselves transported to a 1950s sitcom where their influence begins to profoundly change that colorless, complacent world.

Director: Gary Ross | Stars: Tobey Maguire , Jeff Daniels , Joan Allen , William H. Macy

Votes: 136,008 | Gross: $40.57M

23. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

PG-13 | 113 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

A soldier fighting aliens gets to relive the same day over and over again, the day restarting every time he dies.

Director: Doug Liman | Stars: Tom Cruise , Emily Blunt , Bill Paxton , Brendan Gleeson

Votes: 733,094 | Gross: $100.21M

Live. Die. Repeat.

24. The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)

PG | 102 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance

A United States Navy destroyer escort participates in a Navy "invisibility" experiment that inadvertently sends two sailors forty years into the future.

Director: Stewart Raffill | Stars: Michael Paré , Nancy Allen , Eric Christmas , Bobby Di Cicco

Votes: 16,692 | Gross: $8.10M

25. About Time (I) (2013)

R | 123 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

At the age of 21, Tim discovers he can travel in time and change what happens and has happened in his own life. His decision to make his world a better place by getting a girlfriend turns out not to be as easy as you might think.

Director: Richard Curtis | Stars: Domhnall Gleeson , Rachel McAdams , Bill Nighy , Lydia Wilson

Votes: 384,070 | Gross: $15.32M

26. The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)

PG-13 | 107 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

Henry DeTamble, a librarian, possesses a unique gene that lets him involuntarily travel through time. His wife, Claire Abshire, finds it difficult to cope with it.

Director: Robert Schwentke | Stars: Eric Bana , Rachel McAdams , Ron Livingston , Michelle Nolden

Votes: 157,597 | Gross: $63.41M

Rachel McAdams must love time-travel because she has been in 4 of them but she is never a time traveler in any of them. She was also in Doctor Strange and Midnight in Paris.

27. Somewhere in Time (1980)

PG | 103 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance

A Chicago playwright uses self-hypnosis to travel back in time and meet the actress whose vintage portrait hangs in a grand hotel.

Director: Jeannot Szwarc | Stars: Christopher Reeve , Jane Seymour , Christopher Plummer , Teresa Wright

Votes: 32,365 | Gross: $9.71M

The most romantic film on the list.

28. Happy Accidents (2000)

R | 110 min | Comedy, Romance

New Yorker Ruby Weaver believes she has found the man of her dreams in Sam Deed, who is her best catch in some time--except that he assures her that he came from the future.

Director: Brad Anderson | Stars: Marisa Tomei , Vincent D'Onofrio , Holland Taylor , Mick Weber

Votes: 10,208 | Gross: $0.69M

An underrated film.

29. Time Bandits (1981)

PG | 110 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy

A young boy accidentally joins a band of time travelling dwarves, as they jump from era to era looking for treasure to steal.

Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Sean Connery , Shelley Duvall , John Cleese , Katherine Helmond

Votes: 68,082 | Gross: $42.37M

30. Lucy (I) (2014)

R | 89 min | Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller

A woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.

Director: Luc Besson | Stars: Scarlett Johansson , Morgan Freeman , Choi Min-sik , Amr Waked

Votes: 532,398 | Gross: $126.66M

31. Sleeper (1973)

PG | 89 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi

A nerdish store owner is revived out of cryostasis into a future world to fight an oppressive government.

Director: Woody Allen | Stars: Woody Allen , Diane Keaton , John Beck , Mary Gregory

Votes: 44,732 | Gross: $2.91M

32. Midnight in Paris (2011)

PG-13 | 94 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

While on a trip to Paris with his fiancée's family, a nostalgic screenwriter finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920s every day at midnight.

Director: Woody Allen | Stars: Owen Wilson , Rachel McAdams , Kathy Bates , Kurt Fuller

Votes: 448,728 | Gross: $56.82M

33. Looper (2012)

R | 119 min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi

In 2074, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent into the past, where a hired gun awaits - someone like Joe - who one day learns the mob wants to 'close the loop' by sending back Joe's future self for assassination.

Director: Rian Johnson | Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt , Bruce Willis , Emily Blunt , Paul Dano

Votes: 601,487 | Gross: $66.49M

34. Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

R | 99 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi

A malfunctioning time machine at a ski resort takes a man back to 1986 with his two friends and nephew, where they must relive a fateful night and not change anything to make sure the nephew is born.

Director: Steve Pink | Stars: John Cusack , Rob Corddry , Craig Robinson , Clark Duke

Votes: 185,907 | Gross: $50.29M

35. 13 Going on 30 (2004)

PG-13 | 98 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

Unpopular schoolgirl Jenna Rink makes an unusual wish on her birthday. Miraculously, her wish comes true and the 13-year-old Jenna wakes up the next day as a 30-year-old woman.

Director: Gary Winick | Stars: Jennifer Garner , Mark Ruffalo , Judy Greer , Andy Serkis

Votes: 215,498 | Gross: $57.23M

13 Going on 30 is a fun and funny film.

36. The Time Machine (2002)

PG-13 | 96 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Hoping to alter the events of the past, a 19th century inventor instead travels 800,000 years into the future, where he finds humankind divided into two warring races.

Director: Simon Wells | Stars: Guy Pearce , Yancey Arias , Mark Addy , Phyllida Law

Votes: 130,080 | Gross: $56.68M

A really good remake of the original 1960 film and the coolest time-machine in any movie.

37. Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)

PG-13 | 103 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

Peggy Sue faints at a high school reunion. When she wakes up, she finds herself in her own past, just before she finished school.

Director: Francis Ford Coppola | Stars: Kathleen Turner , Nicolas Cage , Barry Miller , Catherine Hicks

Votes: 40,647 | Gross: $41.38M

38. Next (2007)

PG-13 | 96 min | Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller

A Las Vegas magician who can see into the future is pursued by FBI agents seeking to use his abilities to prevent a nuclear terrorist attack.

Director: Lee Tamahori | Stars: Nicolas Cage , Julianne Moore , Jessica Biel , Thomas Kretschmann

Votes: 165,876 | Gross: $18.21M

Nicolas Cage was also in Peggy Sue Got Married.

39. Predestination (I) (2014)

R | 97 min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi

As his last assignment, a temporal agent is tasked to travel back in time and prevent a bomb attack in New York in 1975. The hunt, however, turns out to be beyond the bounds of possibility.

Directors: Michael Spierig , Peter Spierig | Stars: Ethan Hawke , Sarah Snook , Noah Taylor , Madeleine West

Votes: 303,537 | Gross: $0.07M

This movie is trippy, no pun intended. Just when you think you have figured out the twist, the ending blows your mind.

40. The Lake House (2006)

PG | 99 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance

A lonely doctor who once occupied an unusual lakeside house begins to exchange love letters with its former resident, a frustrated architect. They must try to unravel the mystery behind their extraordinary romance before it's too late.

Director: Alejandro Agresti | Stars: Keanu Reeves , Sandra Bullock , Christopher Plummer , Ebon Moss-Bachrach

Votes: 157,313 | Gross: $52.33M

Keanu has been in 3 time-travel movies.

41. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)

PG | 90 min | Adventure, Comedy, Music

Two rock-'n-rolling teens, on the verge of failing their class, set out on a quest to make the ultimate school history report after being presented with a time machine.

Director: Stephen Herek | Stars: Keanu Reeves , Alex Winter , George Carlin , Terry Camilleri

Votes: 141,206 | Gross: $40.49M

42. Source Code (2011)

PG-13 | 93 min | Action, Drama, Mystery

A soldier wakes up in someone else's body and discovers he's part of an experimental government program to find the bomber of a commuter train within 8 minutes.

Director: Duncan Jones | Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal , Michelle Monaghan , Vera Farmiga , Jeffrey Wright

Votes: 548,028 | Gross: $54.71M

Jake Gyllenhaal has been in three time-travel films, including Prince of Persia (not listed).

43. The Jacket (2005)

R | 103 min | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery

A Gulf war veteran is wrongly sent to a mental institution for insane criminals, where he becomes the object of a doctor's experiments, and his life is completely affected by them.

Director: John Maybury | Stars: Adrien Brody , Keira Knightley , Daniel Craig , Kris Kristofferson

Votes: 119,040 | Gross: $6.30M

44. The Final Countdown (1980)

PG | 103 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

A modern aircraft carrier is thrown back in time to 1941 near Hawaii, just hours before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Director: Don Taylor | Stars: Kirk Douglas , Martin Sheen , Katharine Ross , James Farentino

Votes: 26,780 | Gross: $16.65M

45. Frankenstein Unbound (1990)

R | 85 min | Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi

The ultimate weapon which was meant to be safe for the mankind produces global side effects including time slides and disappearances.The scientist behind the project and his car are zapped from the year 2031 to 1817's Switzerland.

Director: Roger Corman | Stars: John Hurt , Raul Julia , Nick Brimble , Bridget Fonda

Votes: 4,101 | Gross: $0.33M

46. Freejack (1992)

R | 110 min | Action, Crime, Sci-Fi

Bounty hunters from the future transport a doomed race car driver to New York City in 2009, where his mind will be replaced with that of a dead billionaire.

Director: Geoff Murphy | Stars: Emilio Estevez , Mick Jagger , Rene Russo , Anthony Hopkins

Votes: 17,403 | Gross: $17.13M

47. The Butterfly Effect (2004)

R | 113 min | Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Evan Treborn suffers blackouts during significant events of his life. As he grows up, he finds a way to remember these lost memories and a supernatural way to alter his life by reading his journal.

Directors: Eric Bress , J. Mackye Gruber | Stars: Ashton Kutcher , Amy Smart , Melora Walters , Elden Henson

Votes: 519,504 | Gross: $57.94M

Changing one thing in the past can cause chaos in the future.

48. Idiocracy (2006)

R | 84 min | Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Corporal Joe Bauers, a decisively average American, is selected as a guinea pig for a top-secret hibernation program. He is forgotten and left to awaken to a future so incredibly moronic that he's easily the most intelligent person alive.

Director: Mike Judge | Stars: Luke Wilson , Maya Rudolph , Dax Shepard , Terry Crews

Votes: 180,953 | Gross: $0.44M

49. Army of Darkness (1992)

R | 81 min | Comedy, Horror

When Ash Williams is accidentally transported to 1300 A.D., he must retrieve the Necronomicon and battle an army of the dead in order to return home.

Director: Sam Raimi | Stars: Bruce Campbell , Embeth Davidtz , Marcus Gilbert , Ian Abercrombie

Votes: 193,737 | Gross: $11.50M

50. Timecop (1994)

R | 99 min | Action, Crime, Sci-Fi

Max Walker, an officer for a security agency that regulates time travel, must fend for his life against a shady politician who's intent on changing the past to control the future.

Director: Peter Hyams | Stars: Jean-Claude Van Damme , Mia Sara , Ron Silver , Bruce McGill

Votes: 63,956 | Gross: $44.85M

Timecop 2 is not very good.

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'Shawshank Redemption' turns 30 — film helped preserve Ohio town's past

The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio, is where the movie "The Shawshank Redemption" was filmed.

One of the most loved films of all time, " The Shawshank Redemption ," turns 30 this year. And one small Ohio town has planned a big celebration this summer. 

In the early 1990s, director and writer Frank Darabont was looking for a location to shoot a movie based on Stephen King's short story, "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption." Darabont, a Los Angeles native who went on to make "The Green Mile ," adapted King’s tale for the screen and retooled its title. Starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, "The Shawshank Redemption" tells the tale of Andy Dufresne (Robbins), who is imprisoned for murdering his wife and her lover (Andy claims innocence), and his deep friendship with fellow prisoner Ellis “Red” Redding (Freeman). 

'Most popular movie of all time'

Calling "Shawshank" a prison movie only scratches the surface of this complex, emotional story. But most of "Shawshank" is set in a prison, so Darabont set about finding a large disused building to film in and found what turned out to be the perfect place in the shuttered Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio. 

A 30th anniversary celebration of the movie’s release takes place at the Ohio State Reformatory, Aug. 9-11, and will include discussions and forums led by Darabont and cast members — the names of the latter were still to be determined at time of writing. There will be a screening of the film at Mansfield’s Renaissance Theater , where the original premiere took place in 1994.

Upon release, "The Shawshank Redemption" was initially a box-office flop, but seven Academy Awards nominations, including best picture and best adapted screenplay, made it a critical hit. Steadily, viewings grew until "Shawshank" gained the tag of “most popular movie of all time,” as per the IMDB Top 250 Movies chart. "The Shawshank Redemption" took the chart’s top spot in 2008 and has remained there ever since.  

Saving the prison

It is no exaggeration to say that the OSR has become a shrine for "Shawshank" fans. People make a pilgrimage here and that has given this small Ohio town tourism dollars. Without "The Shawshank Redemption," well, the building would very likely be gone now.

Mansfield, a small town in rural north central Ohio, entered the 1990s with two of its main employers closing down: Westinghouse Electric Corp. and the Ohio State Reformatory both shut their doors in 1990, adding Mansfield’s name to the list of beleaguered Rust Belt towns.

By the early 1990s, the reformatory itself was just about falling down. The state planned to bring in the wrecking ball to finish the job and then build a new prison on the site. But many in the town thought the building too beautiful to destroy. Yes, beautiful — high praise for a prison. 

Among those was Dan Sekel, a local architect and founder of the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society.  “It’s important to preserve it. There’s not a lot of places like this. The architecture is so grand,” said Sekel this past winter. 

The OSR’s original purpose was also a grand one.

Designed by Cleveland architect Levi Scofield, the Gothic “chateau-esque” building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, opened in 1896 as a place to rehabilitate minor offenders via education, even teaching them a trade. For decades the reform program was highly successful, but the state nixed funding in the 1960s. As other Ohio prisons became overburdened, the OSR also became packed with serious offenders, creating the living hell seen in the movie.  

Even before it closed, the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society began efforts to save the building. Once empty of inmates, the group struggled to stop the state from demolishing the badly deteriorating building. But they had no money to buy it, let alone restore it.

Then, along came Hollywood.

Ready for its close-up

During the sweltering, humid summer of 1993, from June to August, "Shawshank’s" filming took place at the prison and also in purpose-built sets —  the cellblock seen in the film was built in a nearby warehouse. Scenes were also shot around town in Mansfield.  Locals were hired as crew and as extras. As a thank-you to the town, the movie premiered at Mansfield’s Renaissance Theater in October 1994. Another preservation coup, the lovely old theater stills stands in the quiet downtown, which is also marked by a vintage carousel. 

The Hollywood spotlight — and the preservation society’s prodding — caused the state think twice about the building’s value, and it was finally sold to the preservation society for $1. Then came the enormous task of paying for restoration and renovation, which continues all these years later. 

Money trickled in, some of it from Hollywood — some scenes in "Air Force One," starring Harrison Ford, were shot at the OSR. More recently, the prison had a small role in the biopic "Judas and the Black Messiah." But at first, Sekel and his colleagues were hands on working on minor renovations. While they were clearing up junk on the grounds, they noticed people watching them and taking photos. 

“People just appeared at the gates,” Sekel recalled. “We wondered why they were taking photos. When we talked to them we found out some traveled here from places like Japan and Brazil, and from all over, because they loved the movie. We realized the building was something other people valued, too. We started doing Saturday tours ourselves when we got on our feet. Then eventually we were able to hire employees,” Sekel says.

Tourist attraction

Nowadays, the OSR is open for tours and includes a “Shawshank Museum” with lots of memorabilia, including some from Darabont’s own collection. There’s also the Shawshank Trail, which traces the film’s movie locations through the town. 

“We do the historical version of what life was like here,” said Dan Smith, associate director at the OSR. 

There’s also the spooky version, too.  Each Halloween, the prison is turned into one of the most genuinely scary haunted houses — and it doesn’t need much set design. Guides tell of scary encounters with what they can only describe as former inmates. 

Besides supporting the prison’s ongoing repairs and restoration work, the tours and events provide local jobs and the tourism boosts the local economy. It’s also given the community a sense of pride and identity.

“Saving the prison has saved the town,” said Smith. “No doubt about that. If local leaders had not saved it, it would have been torn down — it would be a parking lot now. But they had a vision of the building as adding a boost to tourism, they saw the economic impact of keeping it.”

Prison conditions

The property was originally much larger and housed more buildings. It even has its own farm to produce food. Much of that was razed to build the new prison, which stands nearby. What is left is sizable, though. The grand entrance and administration building stands in sharp contrast to the cellblock.  

There’s no doubt conditions inside the prison were horrendous. The cells are unbelievably small and barren, and stacked up one on top of another. It feels like pure hell.

The inhumanity is at its worse in the basement where those sentenced to solitary confinement were housed — in the movie, Andy does several stretches in solitary for “disobedience,” but his misdeeds are the kind of actions that are simply heroic in a corrupt system. 

The top floors — some kind of metaphorical heaven compared to those below — offered respite from the hell of daily life here. The recreational room is in dire need of fresh plaster and paint, but is still light and airy. The chapel, even in its disrepair, is quite beautiful.

Beyond the building’s real-life stories, it is "The Shawshank Redemption" that resonates and most hold dear. 

“It’s a great story,” said Smith.  “People from all over the world love it and visit. Rain, snow, sunshine — there’s always someone outside taking a photo, even if they don’t come in. We are closed today and I just saw about eight people outside taking selfies.” 

Mansfield does offer many good hotel options, but it is bookended by Cleveland to the north and Columbus, an equally short hour or so drive south from the reformatory. In Columbus, Hotel Leveque, Autograph Collection, part of the Marriott empire, is a glorious 1927 historic skyscraper, once the tallest building between New York City and Chicago, and the fifth-tallest building in the world. Rooms have gorgeous bathrooms with amazingly large showers.

The Keep Kitchen & Bar is as casual in its dining as it is ornate in its design, definitely of another era (rooms from $250 per night, 50 West Broad St., hotellevequecolumbus.com ). Hilton Columbus Downtown recently expanded to become Ohio’s largest hotel. Located in the Short North Arts District, its twin towers are connected by a skybridge that stretches across the High Street.

For eats and drinks there’s FYR, a “live fire" restaurant, and Spark, a smaller Midwest-inspired joint, and a 28th floor rooftop lounge, Stories on High (rooms from $229 per night, 402 North High St., hilton.com ).

Cleveland also has a Hilton of course: Hilton Cleveland Downtown. Awake by the lake at this modern convention center-adjacent hotel tower. Modern and comfortable, with valet parking, an indoor pool and on-site casual dining at the Burnham Restaurant. The location is what makes it special, so be sure to ask for a room or suite with a view over mighty Lake Erie (rooms from $219 per night, 100 Lakeside Ave. East, hilton.com).

Historic Kimpton Schofield also has a great location in the city's Historic Gateway District. Built in 1902, this boutique brand is known for its quirky touches — the lobby has a collection of American Splendor comics, the sardonic autobiographical tomes created by Cleveland native Harvey Pekar. Dine onsite at Betts, a morning-through-night new American diner (rooms from $180 per night, 2000 East Ninth St., theschofieldhotel.com ).

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COMMENTS

  1. The Tourist (2010 film)

    The Tourist is a 2010 American romantic thriller film co-written and directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and starring Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Paul Bettany, and Timothy Dalton.It is a remake of the 2005 French film Anthony Zimmer. GK Films financed and produced the film, with Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions releasing it in most countries through Columbia Pictures.

  2. The Tourist (2010)

    The Tourist: Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. With Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Paul Bettany, Timothy Dalton. Revolves around Frank, an American tourist visiting Italy to mend a broken heart. Elise is an extraordinary woman who deliberately crosses his path.

  3. The Tourist (2010)

    A woman named Elise (Angelina Jolie) is being trailed in Paris by French police working with Scotland Yard. At a cafe, she receives a letter from Alexander Pearce, a former lover, with explicit directions to board a train to Venice, Italy, pick out a man who resembles him, and make the police believe that this man is Alexander Pearce.

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    The Tourist. Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. Action, Adventure, Crime, Mystery, Romance, Thriller. PG-13. 1h 43m. By Manohla Dargis. Dec. 9, 2010. It takes a big man to hold the ...

  6. The Tourist movie review & film summary (2010)

    There's a way to make a movie like "The Tourist," but Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck doesn't find that way. Here is a romantic comedy crossed with a crime thriller, shot in Paris and Venice, involving a glamorous mystery woman and a math teacher from Wisconsin. The plot is preposterous. So what you need is a movie that floats with bemusement above the cockamamie, and actors who tease ...

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  8. Everything You Need to Know About The Tourist Movie (2010)

    Across the Web. The Tourist on DVD March 22, 2011 starring Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Rufus Sewell, Paul Bettany. An American tourist (Johnny Depp) is used by an Interpol agent (Angelina Jolie) in an attempt to flush out a criminal with whom she once ha.

  9. Watch The Tourist

    The Tourist. 2010 | Maturity Rating: 13+ | 1h 38m | Action. After meeting on a train to Venice, a mysterious woman draws a mild-mannered American into a dangerous game of international intrigue. Starring: Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Paul Bettany.

  10. The Tourist

    Johnny Depp stars as an American tourist whose playful dalliance with a stranger leads to a web of intrigue, romance and danger in The Tourist. During an impromptu trip to Europe to mend a broken heart, Frank unexpectedly finds himself in a flirtatious encounter with Elise, an extraordinary woman who deliberately crosses his path. Against the breathtaking backdrop of Paris and Venice, their ...

  11. THE TOURIST International Trailer B

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    The Tourist Hollywood Movie 2010: Check out the latest news about Johnny Depp's The Tourist movie, and its story, cast & crew, release date, photos, review, box office collections, and much more ...

  13. 'The Tourist': Why the Angelina Jolie-Johnny Depp Flop Deserves a

    The Tourist is, at its core, a movie about the nature of seeing and being seen, featuring a perhaps-not-entirely-inadvertent barebones, feminist-film-theory-inflected demo of classical Hollywood ...

  14. THE TOURIST Trailer (2022)

    THE TOURIST Trailer (2022) Jamie Dornan, Thriller Movie HD© 2022 - HBO Max

  15. In 'The Tourist,' A Clumsy Game Of Cat And Mouse

    Movie Review - 'The Tourist' ... An awkward jumble of half-baked thriller and lumbering romantic comedy, the movie is a hodgepodge of Hollywood cliches. Review Movies. In 'The Tourist,' A Clumsy ...

  16. 34 Best Travel Movies for Inspiring Wanderlust

    A Hollywood movie trailer producer (Cameron Diaz) and a London reporter (Kate Winslet) decide to switch homes for a few weeks after finding out their respective boyfriends have been cheating on them.

  17. 24 Hollywood tourist attractions you shouldn't miss

    Multiplex. Hollywood. The forecourt of this iconic movie theater, filled with foot and hand prints of Hollywood icons, is kind of a tourist-choked hot mess. Most people flock here to measure their ...

  18. The Best Travel Thriller Movies

    20. Hatchet (2006) When a group of tourists in a New Orleans haunted swamp tour find themselves stranded in the wilderness, their evening of fun and spooks turns into a horrific nightmare. 21. Black Rock (2012) Three childhood friends set aside their personal issues and reunite for a girls' weekend on a remote island off the coast of Maine. One ...

  19. 60 Best Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust

    55. Casino Royal - James Bond. This makes us dream of living with the high rollers in Montenegro the beautiful people in the Bahamas. It's as epic as epic travel movies get riding on trains, planes and yachts and it's the best James Bond with Daniel Craig. 56.

  20. The Tourist movie review & film summary (2022)

    HBO Max continues stealth drops of some of the best drama mini-series on television. Last year highlights included "The Head" and "Station Eleven," and they start 2022 strongly with the fantastic "The Tourist," a twisty tale that plays like an Aussie version of "Fargo."With sharp dialogue, clever plotting, and career-best work from Jamie Dornan and Danielle Macdonald, this is a ...

  21. Hollywood Attractions

    Follow along for the best Hollywood tourist attractions you don't want to miss! About Hollywood. The Hollywood neighborhood, located in Los Angeles California is synonymous with the entertainment industry. The world's movie capital is one of the number one tourist attractions. It's a place where thousands flock to find their fortune.

  22. 25 Best Travel Movies Of All Time (Films That Will Inspire You ...

    Experiences, good and bad, make you who you are. And long term travel is FULL of new experiences. The key is to not completely get in over your head (like Christopher did). 2. The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) R | 126 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama. 7.7.

  23. Tourist

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    Acquired Series. 1. Bluey, 1.08 billion minutes 2. Warrior, 948 million 3. Young Sheldon, 936 million 4. Grey's Anatomy, 901 million 5. True Detective, 889 million

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    Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown. Director: Robert Zemeckis | Stars: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover. Votes: 1,299,464 | Gross: $210.61M.

  27. Mansfield, Ohio, celebrates 'The Shawshank Redemption' anniversary

    A 30th anniversary celebration of the movie's release takes place at the Ohio State Reformatory, Aug. 9-11, and will include discussions and forums led by Darabont and cast members — the names ...