Watching road trip movies is a great way to experience a rollercoaster of emotions. These movies offer more than just an adrenaline rush. They also provide valuable life lessons amidst the chaos and excitement of going on an adventure.
Here are some of the most iconic road trip movies you shouldn’t miss.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Be filled with adrenaline-fueled excitement as trucks and other modified vehicles traverse post-apocalyptic landscapes. Image credit: IMCDb.
This post-apocalyptic dystopian action film will take you into a world of thrilling adventure. The main character, Max Rockatansky, is seen navigating a desert wasteland in a relentless pursuit of revenge and survival.
The movie features a lot of vehicle chase sequences that will surely leave you on the edge of your seat. Be filled with adrenaline-fueled excitement as trucks and other modified vehicles traverse post-apocalyptic landscapes.
Duel (1971)
If you’re looking for a film that will keep your heart racing till the end, Duel will do the trick. Image credit: IMCDb.
Duel’s plot revolves around an electronic salesman named David Mann who’s driving his car through rural California to meet a client. He then finds himself in a chase with an old oil tanker driven by an unseen driver.
If you’re looking for a film that will keep your heart racing till the end, Duel will do the trick. The almost never-ending pursuit through the desolate highways of California will leave you hooked until the movie’s final frame.
Rain Man (1988)
If you’re looking for a film that’s deeply endearing and emotional, check out the 1988 classic Rain Man. Image credit: IMCDb.
If you’re looking for a film that’s deeply endearing and emotional, check out the 1988 classic Rain Man. The movie centers on Charlie Babbitt who just discovered that his deceased father left his inheritance to his brother Raymond, who has savant syndrome.
As the plot progresses, the two brothers travel from Cincinnati to Los Angeles. During their trip, Charlie notices how difficult Raymond’s condition is, helping him see life from a different perspective.
Hollywood actors Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman performed well as Charlie and Raymond, earning them an Academy Award. The undeniable chemistry between Cruise and Hoffman helped make this movie a success.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
In the movie, The Hoover clan sets off in their VW bus, which interestingly requires a rolling start. Image credit: IMCDb.
This Oscar-winning dramedy will surely warm your heart. The movie revolves around the dynamics of a dysfunctional family and their determination to get their daughter to a beauty pageant finals.
In the movie, The Hoover clan sets off in their VW bus, which interestingly requires a rolling start. The 800-mile road trip to California brings them closer together.
What makes this film more special is its all-star cast including Steve Carell, Greg Kinnear, Toni Collete, and Abigail Breslin. Their powerful performances gave justice to the movie’s colorful characters.
Rat Race (2001)
If you’re looking for a film that will entertain you but won’t stress you out that much, watch Rat Race. Image credit: IMCDb.
Looking for a comedic and humorous storyline? Check out Rat Race.
This 2001 film is about a group of strangers offered to compete in a high-stakes race for a cash prize. In the movie, each participant is given a key to a locker containing money. They then race to Silver City, New Mexico where the locker is said to be located.
This race leads to a lot of exciting adventures, humorous encounters, and more. If you’re looking for a film that will entertain you but won’t stress you out that much, watch Rat Race.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)
The movie revolves around the adventures of two travelers trying to reach their destination. Image credit: IMCDb.
This classic 80’s comedy movie will tickle your heart with its humorous plot. The movie revolves around the adventures of two travelers trying to reach their destination. During their trip, they encounter a lot of hilarious mishaps that will surely leave you laughing out loud.
Dumb and Dumber (1994)
The movie is about two slow-witted but kindhearted friends who travel across the country to return a suitcase full of money. Image credit: IMCDb.
If you’re planning to watch a comedy movie with your best bud, check out the iconic buddy-comedy film Dumb and Dumber.
The movie is about two slow-witted but kindhearted friends who travel across the country to return a suitcase full of money.
There’s a reason why this movie has become a cult favorite–it’s practically a masterclass in toilet humor. Watch it to experience one of Jim Carrey’s best and most memorable performances.
The Straight Story (1999)
This 1999 biographical road drama is based on a true story. Image credit: IMCDb.
This 1999 biographical road drama is based on a true story. It’s the story of an elderly World War II veteran named Alvin Straight who traveled from Iowa to Wisconsin on a lawnmower after he learned about his brother’s bad health.
During his 240-mile trip to Wisconsin, he meets different individuals with their own unique stories and experiences. This film is perfect if you want to slow down and reflect on your life’s journey.
Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
Y Tu Mama Tambien is a coming-of-age story of two teenage boys who embark on a road trip with a woman in her late twenties. Image credit: IMCDb.
This movie was directed by the popular Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron. If you want to watch something that’s out of the usual, you might want to check out this film.
Y Tu Mama Tambien is a coming-of-age story of two teenage boys who embark on a road trip with a woman in her late twenties. Discover how these young men lose their innocence and discover who they are along the way.
Into the Wild (2007)
The film tells the true story of an Emory college graduate and athlete who traded his affluent life for a one-of-a-kind hitchhiking adventure that led him into the Alaskan wilderness. Image credit: IMCDb.
Into the Wild is a movie based on a book written by Jon Krakauer. The film tells the true story of an Emory college graduate and athlete who traded his affluent life for a one-of-a-kind hitchhiking adventure that led him into the Alaskan wilderness.
The film was nominated for many citations at the Golden Globes and Academy Awards. The story left audiences so intrigued that McCandless’ abandoned bus became a pilgrimage site for fans before it was airlifted to a safe location.
It Happened One Night (1934)
If you’re looking for a classic rom-com film to watch with your S.O., try to find a copy of It Happened One Night. Image credit: IMCDb.
If you’re looking for a classic rom-com film to watch with your S.O., try to find a copy of It Happened One Night.
The movie is about a wealthy heiress named Ellie Andrews who marries a suitor her father doesn’t like. She then falls off a yacht during an argument with her father and then meets a reporter named Peter Warne on a bus.
The two travel from Florida to New York in different modes of transportation. And just like any romantic comedy, these two main characters fall in love with each other along the way.
Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.
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