There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road with your closest friends or loved ones, taking in the breathtaking scenery, and making memories that will last a lifetime. And what better way to fuel your wanderlust than by watching some of the best road trip movies of all time? From comedic escapades to epic adventures, here are the top 10 best road trip movies that will have you itching to hit the highway.
Easy Rider (1969)
Directed by Dennis Hopper and starring Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholson, Easy Rider is a counterculture classic that follows two bikers as they ride from Los Angeles to New Orleans in search of freedom and the American Dream. With its iconic soundtrack and stunning cinematography, Easy Rider captures the spirit of the 1960s like no other film.
Thelma & Louise (1991) | Best road trip movies
Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, Thelma & Louise is a feminist classic that tells the story of two women who set out on a weekend getaway that turns into a cross-country adventure after they accidentally kill a man who tries to assault Thelma. With its powerful performances and stunning scenery, Thelma & Louise is a must-see for anyone who loves a good road trip movie.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, Little Miss Sunshine is a heartwarming comedy-drama that follows a dysfunctional family as they travel from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Redondo Beach, California in a VW bus to enter their daughter Olive in a beauty pageant. With its quirky characters and poignant themes, Little Miss Sunshine is a feel-good road trip movie that will make you laugh and cry.
Rain Man (1988)
Directed by Barry Levinson and starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, Rain Man is a heartwarming drama that follows a selfish young man who discovers that he has an older brother with autism and decides to take him on a cross-country road trip to a casino in Las Vegas. With its touching performances and themes of brotherhood and acceptance, Rain Man is a road trip movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
Into the Wild (2007) | Best road trip movies
Directed by Sean Penn and starring Emile Hirsch, Into the Wild is a powerful biographical drama that tells the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who gives away all his possessions and sets out on a journey of self-discovery in the wilderness of Alaska. With its stunning landscapes and themes of freedom and self-reliance, Into the Wild is a road trip movie that will inspire you to pursue your own dreams.
The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
Directed by Walter Salles and starring Gael García Bernal, The Motorcycle Diaries is a biographical drama that follows Che Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado as they travel from Argentina to Peru on a motorcycle in 1952, encountering poverty and social injustice along the way. With its stunning cinematography and themes of idealism and political awakening, The Motorcycle Diaries is a road trip movie that will challenge you to think about the world around you.
Sideways (2004)
Directed by Alexander Payne and starring Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, Sideways is a comedic drama that follows two friends as they take a wine-tasting road trip through California’s Santa Ynez Valley in the days before one of them is due to get married. With its witty dialogue and nuanced performances, Sideways is a road trip movie that will make you appreciate the finer things in life.
Wild (2014) | Best road trip movies
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée and starring Reese Witherspoon, Wild is a biographical drama that tells the story of Cheryl Strayed, a woman who decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail alone after a series of personal tragedies. With its stunning landscapes and themes of healing and self-discovery, Wild is a road trip movie that will inspire you to embrace the challenges of life and find strength within yourself.
The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
Directed by Wes Anderson and starring Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman, The Darjeeling Limited is a quirky comedy-drama that follows three estranged brothers as they travel by train through India in search of spiritual enlightenment and reconciliation. With its whimsical style and themes of brotherhood and identity, The Darjeeling Limited is a road trip movie that will transport you to a world of colorful characters and exotic locales.
The Blues Brothers (1980) | Best road trip movies
Directed by John Landis and starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, The Blues Brothers is a musical comedy that follows two brothers as they set out on a mission from God to reunite their band and raise money to save their childhood orphanage. With its iconic soundtrack and hilarious hijinks, The Blues Brothers is a road trip movie that will have you singing and dancing in your seat.
In a nutshell, road trip movies have the power to transport us to new places, both physically and emotionally, and inspire us to embrace the adventures that await us in life. Whether you’re looking for a heartwarming drama or a hilarious comedy, these top 10 best road trip movies of all time are sure to satisfy your wanderlust and leave you feeling inspired. So grab some snacks, buckle up, and hit the road with these cinematic classics.