20 movies to get you in the “searching for experiences” vibe

20 movies to get you in the “searching for experiences” vibe to travel from the past 25 years

Movies are a great way to travel vicariously and to find new destinations that you want to visit. Additionally, sometimes they just give you reasons to want to travel and experience the world.

Here are some of my favorites, that are from the last 25 years.

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

I wasn’t expecting to like this movie so much, but fish-out-of-water stories are truly how you often experience new locales.  An American travels to Singapore to meet her fiance’s family and finds they aren’t just normal people. Singapore is shown in all its amazing beauty and unusualness.

Amélie  (2001)

Such a fun romp through a naive and extraordinarily quirky Parisian woman, who finds love after trying to help others.  Showcasing Paris in a mesmerizing way, while telling such a feel-good movie gets this on the list. Paris can be this magical.

The Beach (2000) 

Leonardo DiCaprio sets out for a mysterious location in Thailand after traveling around trying to give his life meaning. But things don’t go as planned.  The story is good, but the scenery in Thailand is amazing. Sadly, the beach shown in the movie became too popular. It has been visited so much and trashed by tourists, it has been shut down. But many other beaches in the area are still amazing.

The Way (2010)

Martin Sheen goes to the Pyrenees in Spain to complete the journey of his son who died while trying to complete  “El Camino de Santiago.”   The experiences he has with the people he meets along the way, show you how travel can truly expand your life.

The Bucket List (2007) 

Just an all-around-wonderful movie to inspire you about what is important in life.  Two terminally ill older men (one rich, one poor), experience the world’s delights together before they die. Such an inspiration even if the story is fiction.

Wild (2014)

Based on a true story (and also available in book form – which is well worth the read). A woman suffering after losing her mother decides to take a 1000 mile hiking trip to rediscover herself.   I definitely won’t be doing any 1000 mile hikes but seeing the world through Strayed’s eyes is powerful.

Into the Wild (2007)

A poignant movie based on a true experience. Christopher McCandless, an accomplished student, and athlete, donates all his money to charity and hitchhikes to Alaska. He intends to live there, and meets many interesting people along the way, many of whom try to dissuade him.  But he is looking for new experiences and has incredible ones on his way to his final destiny, with beautiful vistas along the way. Make sure to appreciate what you have.

The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

Traveling across India in an attempt to save their family after their father’s death. Three brothers have experiences bring them closer together.  

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Beautifully showcasing Germany (shown as the fictional Republic of Zubrowka) the story of the lobby boy from this now aged hotel in its heyday is inspiring.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel  (2011)

When British retirees run into the cacophony of sights, sounds and randomness that is India, at first they are overwhelmed. But then they learn to adapt and thrive despite the situation not being as described (which is common in India).

Lost in Translation (2003) 

Two unlikely people bond in Tokyo when their experiences in the foreign land bring them together bonding over mutual confusion. Tokyo is a modern wonderland and can be flummoxing to outsiders. The relationship they forge is more important than all the things they see.

Seven Years in Tibet (1997) 

Based on a true story in 1939 when an Austrian man befriends the Dalai Lama when the Chinese invade Tibet. Although having completely different world views and upbringings, they become quick friends and learn much from each other.

Before Sunrise Trilogy (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight, and potentially more) (1997-2013, so far)

A man and a woman meet for one evening in Vienna, and then going on to meet much later in other locations.  They know this is all the time they have to spend together and use it to the maximum. They meet again 10 years later and 10 years later again, in Paris and then Greece.

Up (2009)

This is an unconventional movie to put in a travel list as it’s a “cartoon” if you can still call animation that, but this is such an amazing tale of love, starting with the first few minutes which can always make me cry.

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Seeing how the protagonist grew up and learned so much on the streets of India is inspiring. India is a tough country to grow up in poor, but he hoped for a better life and found a way to attain it through trivia knowledge.

Rabbitproof Fence (2002)

Having seen the rabbit-proof fence in Australia, and the desolation of the area around it in the Red Center of the country, the true tale of these kids surviving in the outback is even more empowering.  It follows several children trying to find their aboriginal families. They were separated from them when Australia tries to breed-out cross-caste (half white, half aboriginal) people as being damaging to society, and raising them to be servants for well-off white families.  A tragic episode in Australia’s history, and a beautiful but dangerous landscape.

Eat Pray Love (2010)

I know everyone else seems to love this movie, and while I enjoyed seeing many of the locations, the actual plot left me flat.  But I’m putting it in this list since I seem to be a lone non-liker. Check it out if it seems interesting to you.

Lion (2016)

Again based on a true story, this is about a young child who is accidentally separated from his Indian family and ends up adopted in Australia and tries to find his roots. I read the book first, and it’s better than the movie, but the movie is still great.