The Best Adventure Travel Movies

If you need some inspiration for your next adventure then these amazing adventure travel movies provide wanderlust by the bucket load.

It may not always be possible to jet off on some big travel adventure but we can alwayslive vicariously through enjoying top quality travel movies instead. Here are 10 of the best.

Top 10 adventure travel movies

1. Tracks

Tracks is a movie that will inspire you to explore the Australian outback. This is the true story of a woman, her dog and four camels, as they embark on a 1700 mile journey across the Western Australia desert.

Robyn aka the “Camel Lady” is one seriously tough woman. Respect!

2. Into the Wild

Is there any travel movie list that doesn’t feature Into the Wild?

This is the true story of Christopher McCandless, who abandoned his conventional life and set off on a cross country trip in pursuit of true happiness. The movie, based on the book by Jon Krakauer, is an inspiring, thought-provoking story which should make it onto everyones hit-list.

It’s possible to visit the replica Magic Bus used in the film, at the 49th State Brewery in Alaska.

3. Into Thin Air

Another movie based on a Jon Krakauer book. However, this book/movie was actually based on the real events of Krakauer himself, as he joined a team attempting to climb Everest in 1996.

If you’re thinking of trekking in the Himalayas later this year, then you need to add this to your must-see list.

Buy Into Thin Air

4. Seven Years in Tibet

This is a movie about an Austrian mountaineer (Brad Pitt) who ends up becoming friends with the Dalai Lama. It can be pretty slow going at times but it provides an interesting look at Tibetan culture before the Chinese invasion. 

5. The Motorcycle Diaries

An academy award winning film based on the adventures of a young Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara and Alberto Granado, as they set out on a road trip through Latin America. A movie which will inspire some serious South American wanderlust.

6. The Beach

A classic travel movie that made the beautiful Phi Phi Island in Thailand, a must visit destination for every backpacker headed to South East Asia.

This is a story of a young man (Leonado DiCaprio) who is seeking a real  adventure. The scenery in this movie is beautiful and the soundtrack is awesome!

7. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty tells the tale of a shy, unassuming man who makes a bold move to turn his adventurous daydreams into a reality.

A beautifully shot movie that will inspire travel to Iceland and the Himalayas. 

8. Wild

I was reluctant to watch this movie, purely because I loved the book so much. I read Cheryl Strayed’s journey about resetting her life whilst I was exploring the Pacific North West. It tells the true story of a young woman who walks over 1000 miles along the Pacific Crest Trail, in the western US.

I sat on a bench near the bridge of Gods enjoying an ice cream, just as she did. The strange thing is, I did that before I’d even got to that part of the book! How spooky is that?

Anyway, I was pleased to see that movie adaptation, with Reese Witherspoon playing Strayed, did the book justice and is well worth a watch. The beautiful scenes along the Pacific Crest Trail will inspire you to put your own hiking boots on and hit the trail.

9. World’s Fastest Indian

The World’s Fastest Indian is a story of a New Zealander, (Anthony Hopkins) who builds a 1920s Indian Motorcycle in an attempt to set a world land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

A movie to prove that adventure is possible at any age and on any budget.

Anthony Hopkins is amazing in this role. Plus he scores extra points for being Welsh 😉

10. The Bucket List

The heart warming, yet sad, story of two men who find themselves on a mission to tick off all the adventures on their bucket list before they die. Tissues at the ready.

Best Adventure Travel Documentaries

1. 180 degrees South

I don’t like sailing. I get massively sea sick! But this made me want to jump on a boat and sail off into the sunset. Sweet soundtrack too!

2. Touching the Void

An incredible story of two mountaineers on their quest to achieve the first ascent of Siula Grande in Peru. This is an epic story of survival which caused huge waves in the climbing world.

3. Encounters at the End of the World

A stunning movie set in a small community in Antarctica. This will surely put Antarctica on anyones bucket list?!

4. Long Way Round

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on their amazing motorcycle trip across Europe and Asia. Enjoy the highs and lows as they make their epic journey across the world.

5. Ride the Divide

An award winning feature film about tackling the world’s longest and toughest mountain bike race. The cinematography in this documentary is outstanding. This documentary is available to stream on Amazon Prime.

There are lots of other movies that I could add to a general travel movie list, (Eat, Pray, Love, Out of Africa and Slumdog Millionaire spring to mind) but I think these are some of the best adventure travel movies currently on offer. What do you think? Let me know below 🙂

Disclaimer: Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. This helps cover the cost of running this blog. Thanks for your support!

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