Why do people travel? A question that might have more answers that humans might not be able to fathom. Is it about discovering yourself? Is it about escaping our mundane life? Is it about running away from everything that held us back? Is it about taking a simple break? Is it about experiencing new cultures and meeting new people? Perhaps the answer is all of these or none of these. We will never know.
They say, “To travel far, there is no better ship than a book.” Movies are no different. They share a glimpse of different places and different travelers and even share insights into the minds of explorers. The movies and the characters stir a yearning for wanting more. After all, don’t we all agree there’s more to life than just waking up, working, eating, and sleeping? So here’s a list of the top 10 most profound travel and exploration movies. You can watch these films on Netflix, Prime, Hulu, or other streaming platforms.
Top 10 Travel Movies Based On True Stories
Table of Contents
1. Into the Wild (2007)
Genre: Self-Discovery, Slow-Burn, Slice of Life
To kick things off, we have Into the Wild. Based on the eponymous book, the film showcases how Christopher McCandless goes on his life journey in search of himself. The film sheds light on numerous facets of travel and life itself. The protagonist travels like a hitchhiker most minimally. Each time he encounters a place or a person, he shares his experience, learns something from them, and crafts his philosophy as he moves on. These philosophies seem liberating and showcase how life is meant for ‘living’ and not worrying about materialistic things. So check this film, as it is the purest form of romanticized travel.
2. Wild (2014)
Genre: Self-Discovery, Slice of Life, Drama
Next up is Wild. You may see a lot of similarities between Wild and Into the Wild in terms of the aesthetic and the core message – Travel can truly change the way you see yourself, your life, and the things of life. In fact, even Wild is based on the book called Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. However, Wild’s tale showcases more of the protagonist’s personal life before she decided to go on a backpacking trip. What’s truly heartwarming is how trips like these can help remove the emotional baggage we carry in our hearts, mind, and soul.
While we may not always relate to the character’s arc and the events in their life, the emotions resonate with us, and in a way, we feel inspired to change some of our ways.
3. Eat Pray Love (2010)
Genre: Self-Discovery, Romance, Slice of Life
A story of self-discovery, Eat Pray Love is based on the true story of Elizabeth Gilbert, who documents her journey in the book of the same name. When Liz is divorced, and at a point in life where nothing makes her happy, she decides to take a trip to Italy, India, and Bali. What unfolds during her quest transforms how she looks at life and realizes what balance, peace, and happiness mean.
The film is a romanticized version of what self-discovery journeys look like. It is mainstream but still endearing because the portrayal is convincing. It has a slice-of-life vibe, and the way it explores culture is fun, relatable, and simple.
4. The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
Genre: Historical, Political, Slice of Life
The Motorcycle Diaries is based on the memoir by Ernesto Guevara, who we all know as Che Guevara. The film essays Guevara’s motorcycle trip across Latin America much before he became a radical leader. In fact, this trip planted the seeds of a Marxist guerilla leader in the historical figure.
The film does focus on the usual themes we see in travel movies but diverts toward a political narrative. Guevara sees the inequalities between the rich and the poor. He sees how the latter are mistreated and suffer in society without help from the privileged. The Motorcycle Diaries is a beautiful depiction of how traveling is one of the best ways to acquire knowledge and become aware of our reality. Poetically, Guevara sets out to escape his reality and realizes something new.
5. Tracks (2013)
Genre: Self-Discovery, Slice of Life, Survival
Tracks is a beautiful film that portrays the journey of Robyn Davidson, who went on a hike from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean. The trail’s distance was about 1700 miles or 2700 kilometers. Everyone who knew about this thought she was crazy and would get killed, but Robyn went on.
Although the film doesn’t entirely touch upon the messaging behind the travel, it does subtly hint at the kind of person Robyn was and what she wanted. The journey was the destination for her, and everything she experienced became why she traveled. She just wanted to exist during that time in all those places. Maybe the metaphor behind the story is that not all people who wander are lost.
6. True Spirit (2023)
Genre: Adventure, Survival, Self-Discovery
True Spirit is about Jessica Watson, a tenacious sailor who wants to be the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the Earth non-stop and unassisted. This means the 16-year-old had to sail without stopping at any port and travel solo. What’s truly fascinating is that the protagonist is also dyslexic, and it would be incredibly difficult for her to read the map and navigate her path.
But despite everything, Jessica decides to embark on her adventure as a test for herself. Like most drama films, there are highs and lows, but it all feels quite personal. Jessica’s struggles are massive that most of us wouldn’t have faced at 16. But what truly gets through are qualities we should imbibe to cruise through the sea of life. If you’re a thalassophile, you’d love the film.
7. The Way Back (2010)
Genre: Historical, Survival, Adventure
The Way Back is a gritty tale about a few soldiers who are imprisoned in Siberia during World War II. Based on a true story, it showcases how the soldiers need to travel for 4000 miles to India to regain their freedom.
The film is a classic survival tale where they tread different landscapes and go through myriad climatic conditions to accomplish their goal. The film epitomizes the phrase, “Keep walking!” It showcases how people in intense conditions tend to turn on each other and the kind of difficulties they face, but in the end, if they decide to stick together, they can truly achieve anything. The story is almost like a metaphor for life and relationships.
8. Everest (2015)
Genre: Survival, Adventure
Everest is an epic film about the 1996 Mount Everest disaster that killed about 8 people. The survival disaster film follows two groups that go on an expedition to Mount Everest but get caught up in the blizzard. How the teams try to save their members is the crux. This is one of the films quite distinct from the rest on the list. Unlike others, it doesn’t romanticize traveling, trekking, or mountaineering.
When the film begins, we see how all the characters are pumped up and hopeful about what they will accomplish. But, as the events unfold, all those emotions turn to despair, hopelessness, and sorrow. In a tragic but beautiful way, the film shows how nature’s wrath is almost always unpredictable and unforgiving. No matter how much we try to secure ourselves or keep ourselves safe, in the end, we are at nature’s mercy.
9. A Walk In The Woods (2015)
Genre: Self-Discovery, Slice of Life, Nostalgia
How far can you go to find inspiration for your work? Well, author Bill Bryson has found the answer to it. Based on the memoir by Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods is about the author going for a backpacking trip in the wild to find inspiration for a new book. The man’s old but full of life and wants to do something different. So off he goes with a friend he hadn’t been in touch with for the longest time.
The film is heartwarming and shows how it’s never too late to travel or do things we love. After all, we live only once. Another intriguing aspect is that you will likely relate to the old characters on screen regardless of your age. Perhaps it’s because we humans are not too complicated and crave the most basic things in life. The rest is all just a faint noise in the endless universe.
10. Kon Tiki (2012)
Genre: Historical, Survival, Adventure
Kon Tiki is a historical tale based on a real-life expedition of the same name. The film follows Thor Heyerdahl, who sets out to prove the origins of Polynesian people and how the inhabitants of South America settled in the place during pre-Columbian times.
The film is reminiscent of Indiana Jones, except it’s a real story. Thus, the portrayal of the adventures is more grounded, the stakes are much higher, and you truly understand why the protagonist wants to dive deep into the cultural history of the inhabitants and the land. But what truly makes this movie special is the protagonist’s earnestness and curiosity. He wants to find answers, and his expedition isn’t merely about proving a point but about finding the true roots of the people around him. Overall, the film explores what is rooted in your culture means and how you must be curious instead of believing in preconceived notions about anything in life.
So, what are you waiting for? Don’t waste any more time. Watch these travel films, and watch many others that inspire you to travel. Pack your bags. Gear up. And leave!
Note from the Twins: Twins on Toes started as a blog where we could document our travel experiences and help people create their own. It’s been over two years since we started blogging, and we have come a long way. Our experiences have taught us so much in so little time that it’s hard to stay put in one place and watch life unfold like an observer. Instead, we continue to go to places in search of something mind-blowing, educative, fun, relaxing, and more. You can check out our blogs about different places, and who knows, it might be all you need to start your own quest.
