Our top 15 Road Trip Movies to inspire your next road trip adventure
Road trip movies have been the inspiration for plenty of adventures over the years. Whether it’s fun filled family nostalgia, insane hilarity, or something more thought provoking - these movies consistently deliver.
There's something undeniably appealing about packing up all of your stuff, setting off and leaving everything behind you. And whilst it's easier said than done for many of us, watching the perfect road trip movie can make you feel as though you're experiencing the adventure along with the characters on-screen.
So, if you're looking for some inspiration, or simply want to escape reality for a couple of hours, in no particular order, here are our recommendations for the top 15 Road Trip Movies;
1. Road Trip (2020)
How could we start the list with anything else! Road Trip follows in the vein of American Pie, even starring American Pie alumni, Sean William Scott (Stiffler).
When Josh accidentally sends a video to his girlfriend of him cheating with another woman, he and his buddies set off on a road trip to intercept the tape. It's not exactly high-brow, but it is entertaining (if you like that kind of thing)!
2. The Muppet Movie (1979)
Who doesn't love Kermit and co! Telling the origin story of the Muppets, The Muppet Movie follows Kermit as he sets off on a cross-country trip from his Florida swamp to Hollywood, California. Along the way he encounters several of the Muppets (including Miss Piggy and Gonzo), who all have the same dream, to make it in professional show business!
3. National Lampoons Vacation (1983)
Seeking to bond with his dysfunctional family, Clark Griswold decides to lead a family road trip from their home in Chicago to 'Walley World' amusement park in sunny California. The family experience numerous hilarious mishaps along the way!
National Lampoons Vacation was so successful that it spawned five sequels (plus numerous copycats)!
4. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
Adapted from the 1971 novel of the same name, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas has become a cult classic amongst film fans. Under the influence of psychoactive substances, Raoul Duke and Dr Gonzo speed through the Nevada desert on their way to Las Vegas. Drug fuelled chaos ensues as the duo wreak havoc on The Strip!
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas isn't for everyone, but it features a brilliant soundtrack, with tracks by Tom Jones, Jefferson Airplane, Bob Dylan and Dead Kennedys.
5. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Billed as a 'tragicomedy', Little Miss Sunshine follows the Hoover family as they travel from Albuquerque, New Mexico in their yellow VW Campervan to the 'Little Miss Sunshine' beauty pageant in Redondo Beach, California. Family tensions play out on the 800-mile road trip as several family members suffer personal setbacks along the way.
Little Miss Sunshine was nominated for four Academy Awards, winning Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Alan Arkin).
6. Almost Famous (2000)
Almost Famous tells the story of a teenage journalist working for Rolling Stone in the 1970’s. Hired by Rolling Stone to write an article about Stillwater (a fictitious rock band) sheltered child prodigy, William Miller, joins the band on the road in their tour bus.
Featuring a soundtrack including tracks by The Who, David Bowie and Led Zeppelin, Almost Famous is a touching and funny story of life on the road.
7. To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything (1995)
Starring Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo as three New York City Drag Queens, To Wong Fu is a fun movie!
After tying for the win in New York's 'Drag Queen of the Year' contest, the three drag queens set off in a yellow Cadillac DeVille for the 'Miss Drag Queen of America Pageant' in (you guessed it) Hollywood, California. But it's never quite that simple, and the girls encounter racist cops and homophobic locals along the way.
8. We're the Millers (2013)
Jumping on the 'Breaking Bad' band wagon, We're the Millers follows a small-time pot dealer who hires his neighbours to pretend that they're his family in order to help him smuggle drugs from Mexico to the United States - cue the quintessential ‘family' road trip in the 'family' RV!
Starring Jason Sudeikis and Jennifer Aniston, We’re the Millers is a unique take on the family road trip movie!
9. The Leisure Seeker (2017)
Starring Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland as aging patriarchs, John and Ella, The Leisure Seeker follows the loveable couple as they set off in their old Winnebago for one last road trip. John is experiencing the early stages of dementia and Ella is beginning to find it difficult to care for him.
This movie is entertaining and touching in equal measures, with fantastic performances from both leads.
10. Paul (2011)
This sci-fi comedy sees two comic book loving science fiction enthusiasts help alcohol and cigarette loving alien, Paul, evade the Secret Service Agents who are hunting him!
Starring Simon Pegg and Seth Rogen, Paul is road trip movie with an intergalactic twist!
11. About Schmidt (2002)
Jack Nicholson plays the title character in this comedy-drama. Struggling to adjust to retirement, and angry with his recently deceased wife, Schmidt sets out in the Winnebago he bought for her to visit his daughter, with the intention of talking her out of her upcoming wedding! When he arrives, she makes it clear that she doesn’t want him there, so he decides to leave and visit places from his past.
As usual, Nicholson is fantastic in this strangely touching road trip movie.
12. Supernova (2020)
Supernova is a British romantic drama. Sam and Tusker travel across England in their campervan for a reunion with family and friends. Tusker has been diagnosed with early onset dementia and, unbeknown to Sam, is planning to die by suicide before his dementia becomes too severe.
Staring Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci as the leads, both actors largely received critical acclaim for their performances.
13. Kalifornia (1993)
A classic road trip thriller starring Brad Pitt, Juliette Lewis, David Duchovny and Michelle Forbes.
A reporter and his photographer girlfriend travel across America visiting murder sites as they research serial killings for a book deal. When they unwittingly pick up a psychopathic parolee and his childlike girlfriend, they learn more about killing than they could ever have imagined!
14. Thelma and Louise (1991)
Receiving critical acclaim upon its release, Thelma and Louise received six Academy Award nominations, winning Best Original Screenplay.
Telling the story of two friends who, through a series of unfortunate events, end up on the run. Thelma and Louise may not be a conventional road trip movie, but it embodies the spirit of true friendship.
15. Nomadland (2020)
The winner of three Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, Nomadland follows recently widowed Fern as she sells her belongings and buys a beat-up converted campervan to travel the country in search of work.
Nomadland wonderfully documents life amongst the nomad community in the United States.
So, there you have it! We're sure that you can appreciate how hard it’s been to whittle this list down to just 15 movies, so if we've missed your favourite Road Trip Movie please get in touch.
If this list has inspired you to set out on your own road trip, why not take a look at our fantastic selection of campervans and motorhomes for sale.
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