If you’ve never been on a road trip before but are dying to, seeing some of the best road trip films is the next best thing. For many years, films about characters taking a trip on the open road have been a staple of the cinema business, with many of the all-time greats fitting the definition of a “road trip” movie. Due to the fact that the characters in these films almost never actually reach their destinations alive, open road comedies like those in the National Lampoon’s series or the classics Johnson Family Vacation (2004) and Road Trip (2000) continue to be fan favourites. Since we are still in the midst of summer, we decided it would be entertaining to review some of the best road films ever made. Fasten your seatbelts and prepare the popcorn. You can expect to use it.
1. Johnson Family Vacation (2004)
Cedric the Entertainer, Bow Wow, Vanessa Williams, Solange Knowles, Steve Harvey, and Shannon Elizabeth star in this Christopher Erskin-directed, Earl Richey Jones-written film.
Final Destination: Missouri
Many of the hilarious one-liners from “Johnson Family Vacation” have stood the test of time and contributed to the film’s enduring popularity. Bringing together Cedric the Entertainer and Steve Harvey, two of the funniest men in comedy, was bound to result in hilarity, and it did. If you want to laugh your socks off, turn on Johnson Family Vacation.
2. Almost Famous (2000)
Starring Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, and Anna Paquin; Directed by Cameron Crowe; Written by Cameron Crowe.
Final Destination: Everywhere
If you really want something, you’ll do (and put up with) almost anything to get it. The plot of the 2000 film “Almost Famous” centred on the experiences of a young aspiring rock journalist who impresses an editor at Rolling Stone and is sent on the road to cover a budding band called Stillwater. A light and entertaining picture from the early 2000s that’s perfect for a lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon at home.
3. Easy Rider (1969)
Starring Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda, and Dennis Hopper; directed by Hopper; co-written by Fonda, Terry Southern, and Hopper; and starring Hopper, Nicholson, and Fonda.
Final Destination: New Orleans
The groundbreaking film Easy Rider from 1969, which was nominated for an Academy Award for “Best Original Screenplay,” is a must-see for any film fan. It’s about two motorcycling hippies (Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda, and Dennis Hopper) who, after closing a drug trade in Southern California, decide to ride their bikes across the country in search of spiritual truth. What follows is a thrilling ride.
4. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin, Toni Collette, and Alan Arkin star in this film that was directed by Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton and written by Michael Arndt. Final Destination: Redondo Beach, California.
The intriguing Hoover family is billed as “putting the fun back in dysfunctional,” which should give you a good idea of what to expect from the film. Another enjoyable road movie from the 2000s, “Little Miss Sunshine” features an A-list cast that also includes Steve Carrell and Bryan Cranston.
5. The Blues Brothers (1980)
John Landis directed, wrote the script with the help of Dan Aykroyd, and starred in the film alongside John Belushi.
Final Destination: Somewhere in or near Chicago
John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, aka The Blues Brothers, in what has become a cult classic and is widely regarded as one of the best comedies of all time, try to straighten out their lives after serving time in prison by claiming to be on a mission from God. What was the first thing they did? They fought to keep the orphanage where they grew up open. Everything goes awry, even though all they have to do is raise $5,000 to pay the property’s outstanding taxes through performing their music. But, we all know not everything in life ends well.
6. National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
Starring Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo, and directed by Harold Ramis and written by John Hughes.
Final Destination: Wally World in California
After re-watching “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” we can confidently conclude that it is one of the most hilarious road trip movies ever. Chevy Chase’s clever wit, snarky observations, and salty sailor language will have you laughing uncontrollably. We recommend setting aside a day to watch the entire “National Lampoon’s” series.
7. Thelma & Louise (1991)
Starring Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, and directed and written by Ridley Scott and Callie Khouri.
Final Destination: Mexico
The quintessential example of a film that takes a turn you didn’t see coming is Ridley Scott’s Thelma & Louise. Thelma (Davis) and Louise (Sarandon), prepare to go on a brief fishing excursion, however, those plans get put to a halt when Louise shoots and murders a man at a pub who tries to molest Thelma. The two of them make the decision to escape to Mexico, where they encounter danger, temptation, and attractive guys.
8. Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, Jackie Gleason, and Paul Williams star in this Hal Needham-directed, Hal Needham-written comedy.
Final Destination: Atlanta
The movie “Smokey and the Bandit,” released in 1977, shows that Atlanta may be an unstable place. Bandit (Reynolds) is given the task of carrying an illicit beer shipment from Texas to Atlanta because, presumably, anyone with that name has done something questionable in their lives. If Bandit had stuck to his purpose, he probably would have been able to simply fulfil the assignment, but because he decides to pick up a pretty hesitant bride to be (Field), things get a bit problematic.
9. Into the Wild (2007)
The film stars Emile Hirsch, Kristen Stewart, and Vince Vaughn and was written and directed by Sean Penn and Jon Krakauer.
Final Destination: Alaska
The 2007 film Into the Wild is based on the life of Christopher McCandless (Hirsch), the son of wealthy parents who, after achieving great success as a student and athlete at Emory University, decides to give away his entire life savings, sell all of his possessions, and travel alone across Alaska.
10. Dumb and Dumber (1994)
Produced, written, and starring Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly, and Bennett Yellin, with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels.
Final Destination: Aspen, Colorado
It’s always entertaining to watch Dumb and Dumber, even though it can be frustrating at times. Lloyd Christmas (Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Daniels), quite possibly the stupidest set of buddies ever, decide to return a suitcase full of money left behind by a woman in Harry’s car in Aspen, Colorado. For some reason (we won’t spoil anything), this causes the authorities and assassins to go on the hunt for the pair. Obviously, the two are in an awkward position from which they must escape themselves.
11. It Happened One Night (1934)
Starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, the film was directed by Frank Capra and co-written by Capra and Robert Riskin.
Final Destination: New York and what lies beyond it
The idea of open road movies has been played with since practically the inception of cinema, five Academy Awards and an induction into the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, we’d say It Happened One Night deserves its ranking as one of the best road trip films ever.
12. College Road Trip (2008)
Written by Emi Mochizuki, Carrie Evans, Cinco Paul, and Ken Daurio, and directed by Roger Kumble.Celebrities like Martin Lawrence, Kym Whitley, Raven-Symoné, and Brenda Song
Final Destination: Pittsburgh and Washington DC
We believe that the 2008 movie “College Road Trip,” featuring Raven-Symoné and Martin Lawrence, is a highly underrated film. In addition to Raven, Martin Lawrence is undeniably one of the funniest people to ever do it. When you combine them, you’ll have a hard time stopping the laughter.
13. Road Trip (2000)
Starring Breckin Meyer, Seann William Scott, Paulo Costanzo, and DJ Qualls; directed by Todd Phillips; written by Phillips and Scott Armstrong.
Final Destination: the Texas capital of Austin
The movie “Road Trip” is ridiculous, but in a fun way. The film follows a group of four college buddies as they travel from Ithaca, New York, to Austin, Texas, to confront the consequences of mailing an inappropriate tape to one of their friends’ girlfriends. The plan is to get the tape back before she does. Could they pull it off? You’ll have to see the film to find out!
14. Y Tu Mamá También (2002)
Alfonso Cuarón helmed, co-wrote, and starred in the film alongside Diego Luna, Gael Garca Bernal, and Maribel Verd.
Final Destination*: Boca de Cielo
On a road trip with an elderly woman (Verd), two teenagers (Julio, played by Luna) and Tenoch, played by Bernal, acquire valuable lessons about self-discovery, engage in escapes with the older woman, and gain a broader understanding of the world.
15. The Bucket List (2007)
Rob Reiner helmed, Justin Zackham wrote, Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson starred.
Final Destination: Anywhere and Everywhere
A poignant tale of two terminally sick men and their quest to fulfil their bucket lists before they die is told in the film “The Bucket List.” Backpacking and global travel is on their bucket list. Then, what do they do? Get a rucksack and see the world
16. Rain Man (1988)
- Directed by: Barry Levinson
- Written by: Barry Morrow, Ronald Bass
- Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Valeria Golino, Tom Cruise
- Where They’re Headed: Cincinnati, Ohio
Long before Tom Cruise was in Mission Impossible, he was in a rather poignant road trip drama called Road Man. Portraying a car dealer named Charlie Babbitt who returns home to Cincinnati, Ohio after learning that his estranged father has passed away, Road Man is a bit sad compared to what we know as the “traditional road trip film,” but still a good watch.
17. Crossroads (2002)
Starring Britney Spears, Zoe Saldana, and Taryn Manning; directed by Tamra Davis; written by Shonda Rhimes.
Final Destination: Southern California to Arizona
Dammit! We’re including this since “Crossroads” wasn’t properly recognised when it came out in 2002 and still isn’t today. We will always maintain that this is a great film.
18. Midnight Run (1988)
Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin star in this Martin Brest-directed, George Gallo-written film.
Final destination: Up and Down the West Coast
It might be argued that “Midnight Run,” released in 1988, is one of the best action films of all time. In this twist on the typical “catch the bad guy” film, Robert De Niro plays bounty hunter (Jack Walsh), who is recruited to transport an underworld accountant (Jeff Garlin) to Los Angeles. Walsh is warned that the task may be simple or turn into a midnight dash (a chase), and the latter turns out to be the case.
19. My Own Private Idaho (1991)
Starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves, and directed and written by Gus Van Sant.
Final destination: Idaho
Ah! Keanu Reeves as a young actor in his first film.The plot of “My Own Private Idaho” is loosely based on Shakespeare’s “Henry IV,” and it follows the adventures of a gay hustler (Phoenix) who suffers from narcolepsy and the rebellious son of a mayor (Reeves) as they journey from Portland to Idaho and then to the coast of Italy in search of the hustler’s missing money. Predictably, they run into a lot of stuff on their journey.
20. Harry and Tonto (1974)
Starring Paul Mazursky, Art Carney, and Ellen Burstyn; directed by Paul Mazursky; co-written by Paul Mazursky and Josh Greenfield
Final destination: Chicago and what lies beyond it
In the famous 1970s movie Harry and Tonto, Art Carney plays an elderly man named Harry who is forced out of his New York City flat because the building where he has lived for the past 40 years is being demolished. After spending some time with his son, Harry packed up his cat Tonto and set off across the country to pay his respects to the many people who had made an impact on his life.
21. Logan (2017)
Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Robert E. Grant star in this film directed by James Mangold and written by Scott Mangold, Scott Frank, Michael Green, and James Mangold.
Final destination: Paradise
What would happen if Wolverine/X-Men were turned into an open movie? Logan is born. There’s good reason why this film is regarded as one of the best X-Men films overall; if you haven’t seen it yet, now is the time to do so.
22. Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996)
Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Robert Stack, and Cloris Leachman star in this Mike Judge-directed, Mike Judge-written film.
Final destination: All across the U.S
Want to watch the epitome of dumb a$$es embarking on a cross-country road trip? Ok, here it is. Beavis and Butthead in America (1996). You can thank us later.
