Travel

Best Ever Food And Travel Movies

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Sometimes food and travel movies can help you decide to try a dish, travel to a new place, or just escape the moment.  We thought we’d put together a list of some of our favorites. Whether you own them, rent them, or stream them get your bowl of popcorn ready and have some fun. These are just some of our favorites that we can watch these over and over again!

 

best food movies

 

Food In Movies

Today’s Special Circumstances turn a chef’s life upside down and in the process he discovers himself. You can’t help but smile during this little gem. Stars Assif Mandvi, Jess Weixler and Dean Winters.

Big Night We do love just about anything with Stanley Tucci but this movie, which he also directed, really demonstrates his true love of food.

Julie & Julia Beautifully blends the lives of Julia Child and blogger Julie into an engaging story that highlights the young chef’s determination to conquer French cuisine and Julie’s desire to recreate the experience in her own life.

Chef When a chef quits an unsatisfying job he hits the road with his son in a food truck. You’ll never look at a grilled cheese sandwich the same again after seeing this movie. Stars Jon Favreau, Dustin Hoffman, Sophia Vergara, and Scarlett Johansson.

Spanglish An adorable movie with Adam Sandler as a popular chef married to insecure Téa Leone who hire a woman and her daughter that have come from Mexico to find a better life. The film explores how different cultures manage their families.  The kitchen scene will be one you remember for a long time.

 

travel movies

 

Best Travel Movies

Sound of Music Who doesn’t want to run through the mountains and sing “the hills are alive” after seeing this classic musical. I fall in love with Julie Andrews all over again every time I see this movie. There’s even a sing-along version for those of us who know the words to every, single, song.

Out of Africa One could argue that just about any movie with Meryl Streep could be on this list. This epic movie reminds us of the old-time studio films. It’s beautifully shot and tells a long story filled with love, romance, and life. Streep and Robert Redford are perfect together in this film.

The Last Emperor Another gorgeously beautiful film. The life of Pu Yi the last emperor of China enfolds on the screen. If you’ve been to the Forbidden City in Beijing, or dream of visiting this film is for you. Stars John Lone and Peter O’Toole.

Midnight in Paris A Woody Allen film starring Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams. A screenwriter ends up in a time warp that brings him back to the 1920’s every midnight while visiting Paris. If you love this time in history and Paris (like me) you’ll love this movie.

The Tourist Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie star in what the director Florian Henckel von Donnersmark called “a travel romance with thriller elements.” All we know is that this movie is simply beautiful and will transport you to delicious parts of the world.

 

best travel movies

 

 

Films About Travelling That Will Make You Want to Explore the World

Wild After personal tragedy a woman forges ahead on a 1,100-mile hike alone on the Pacific Crest Trail. The experience terrifies, threatens, challenges, empowers and eventually heals herReese Witherspoon stars in this powerful film.

A Good Year A Ridley Scott film starring Russell Crowe about a British businessman that inherits his uncle’s vineyard in Provence. I personally love the soft Tuscan light in this film it’s a wonderful film.

The Bourne Identity This is just one film in the series of high energy action spy films based on the Robert Ludlum books starring Matt Damon. The international spy Jason Bourne who travels all over the globe. It’s the best of the franchise but the others are worth a look as well. I grew up reading Ludum’s books so these films hold a special place in my heart.

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Another beautifully shot film with an exquisite ensemble cast featuring Judy Dench, Maggie Smith, and Bill Nighy. British retirees head to India in search of an affordable place to live out their years and learn they have more life left in them than they could have imagined.

Mamma Mia, The Movie after visiting Pelion, Greece we had to go back and watch this movie again. The fun music of Abba combined with the Greek scenery is just too much to pass up. You’re gonna wanna watch Mamma Mia, Here We Go Again simply for the chance to see Cher. They’re both fun movies.

 

best travel movies

 

Sheer Entertainment

National Lampoon Vacation The ultimate silly comedy road trip movie starring Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo. A classic bit of fun.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles John Candy and Steve Martin use every means possible to get to their final destinations. It reminds me of Hemingway’s quote to only travel with those you love.

Catch Me If You Can This fun movie places Leonardo DiCaprio in some unbelievable situations but my favorite is when he’s an airline pilot. Wouldn’t happen today – at least I hope it wouldn’t – but it’s a movie that actually has you rooting for the bad guys.

Up In The Air if you ever wonder what’s like to be a road warrior flying thousands of miles of corporate travel this is a movie for you. Trust me, it’s not glamorous at all. Airports, lounges, collecting miles is not for everyone. George Clooney will show you how to quickly get through security and not look like an amateur.

No Reservations Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart are two chefs competing in the kitchen when life throws in a curveball. A deliciously delightful film

travel movies

 

More Favorites

2 Days in Paris We watched this movie en route to Paris one year and laughed the entire time. I’m sure passengers around us wished they had been watching this instead of the airline offered film. A couple tries to rekindle the romance but family and exes abound and so do the laughs.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding we love all things Greek and this movie dives into the lives of a Greek family that has a little too many similarities to our own families. It’s full of laughs, Greek food, and all the wacky relatives named Nickie. Whether your Greek or not it’s a fun love story.

Moonstruck Ok this movie isn’t about travel per se but it does take you on a tour of New York City. The restaurant scenes are priceless. Every time I see Olympia Dukakis make that egg in the hole with peppers I want it. Every. Single. Time! It’s a fun family movie that I can and have watched a hundred times.

The Long, Long Trailer Last but not least, this movie featuring Lucy and Desi Arnaz is laugh out loud funny. These newlyweds hit the road towing a travel trailer and yes, hilarity does ensue. It’s Lucille Ball at her best. This one’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

I had to include the trailer on this one.

There are many, many more to choose from, of course. Let us know what your favorites are so we can add them to our iPad before our next trip!

Most of these movies are available on Amazon Prime, Netflix, or Hulu Plus.

 

And…if you’re looking for a really tasty movie snack check out this Candy Pop Popcorn from Sam’s Club. It’s the perfect combination of salt and sweet. This variety pack mixing favorite candies M&M, Snickers, and Twix with popcorn is a brilliant idea. It’s only $9.98 at your local Sam’s Club.

 

Candy Pop Corn Variety Pack Sams Club
Candy Pop Corn Variety Pack Sams Club

 

 

 

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Co-founder of Food Travelist. I love to explore the world and love learning about new places. I'm an eater and I've got a smile for everyone I meet.

38 Comments

  1. Thanks for providing such a great list of movies for travel and food! I’ve seen most of them, but will have to look for The Tourist and Today’s Special. Especially like Julie and Julia, No Reservations, A Good Year, and thanks for including Big Night. Such food! LOL

  2. Great movie list, love National Lampoons vacation, always make me laugh
    This will be on my downloads when I start travelling again soon 🙂

    • suereddel Reply

      Anything we can do to make you happy makes us happy!

  3. Love all the movies you listed…especially the ones that take place in France. I actually tried to locate (and did find) the cafe in Paris where Johnny Depp and Angelina Joli met…right across from the Louvre.

  4. We share a lot of favorite movies I’ve posted about, too. Thanks for suggesting The Last Emperor; The Long, Long Trailer, and Today’s Special–looking forward to watching– and for reminding me of others (Big Night, Julia & Julia) I’d like to cook with and see again!

  5. SO many favorites here — Moonstruck, Midnight in Paris, and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. But my all time favorite for food is Big Night. It just never gets old for me! Time to watch it again, especially now 😉

    • suereddel Reply

      Some movies you can just watch over and over again. 🙂

  6. Great list, Sue! It’s always a great time to watch great food and travel movies. But you forgot one of my favs … Chocolat. ?❤️?

    • suereddel Reply

      Thanks so much Doreen! Give Jimmy a squeeze for me. xox

  7. Perfect timing!! I was just looking for a new movie to watch!! Wild was really incredible. I grew up in the pacific nw so I have to go back someday and hike that bad boy!!

  8. Cool list! I loved Julie and Julia and Midnight in Paris is also one of my favourites! I have quite a few to catch up on here though ><

    • suereddel Reply

      Trust me I know! There’s still even more we need to get through 😉

  9. Such a great list! I love travel movies-I’m definitely going to have to save this list as I’m always looking for new ones. A couple of my favorites from your list are Chef and Midnight in Paris!

  10. Julie & Julia was a given for the food category, but I’d never heard of the other food-centric ones. Now I’m going to rent 2 Days in Paris – I love pretty much any movie set there.

    • suereddel Reply

      Glad we could provide you with another Paris movie. Thanks for stopping by Carol.

  11. While not a lot of these are my favorites, I do love Wild, National Lampoon Vacation and a few others. Even if I don’t enjoy the movie, I still like checking out the sites.

    • suereddel Reply

      Leo is a cute. We’re anxiously awaiting his starring role in A Devil In The White City. Love stories about our home town. Thanks for stopping by!

  12. carolcolborn Reply

    Love your list! My husband and I have been watching one movie a night for 7 years now. This gives us more choices on three themes we love, travel, food, and pure entertainment!

    • suereddel Reply

      Haven’t seen Hundred Foot Journey yet, so many movies so little time, but I hear it’s a winner! Thanks for stopping by Fiona.

  13. Great choices! I’ve seen many of them. I remember seeing Long, Long, Trailer when I was a kid — it’s still hilarious. I have to give “Chef” another try. Saw it on an airplane and that’s not such a great venue. Bourne films are awesome travel inspiration.

    • suereddel Reply

      Chef is an interesting movie though you have to suspend reality quite a bit. The food scenes are worth it. Thanks for stopping by Cathy.

  14. I love some of the movies on your list, but there are others I haven’t seen. Thanks for giving me a list of new watching.

    • suereddel Reply

      Easy Rider is truly a classic! Thanks for stopping by Rachel.

  15. Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere Reply

    SWOOON! I love Midnight in Paris. I think I’ll go re-watch it right now…I wasn’t interested in The Tourist when it came out, but I want to watch it now just to see beautiful Venice!

  16. I have only seen a couple of these movies, though have seen Sound of Music multiple times. I tend to catch up on movies on long haul flights. Looks like I have a lot to catch up.

  17. I loved “Big Night” and your post makes me thing it is time to watch it again. I recently re-watched “The Last Emperor” before I went to China and visited the Forbidden City in person. Another movie for your list is “Mama Mia,” which makes me year to re-visit Greece.

    • suereddel Reply

      Yes!!! That’s a great recommendation thanks Carole!

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