On The Road Again: A List of Road Trip Movies
Films that take you to more than just places.
Summertime and the livin’ is easy. The weather looks beautiful, the days are long, and the road calls. Many seize this chance to pack their vehicle of choice and head out of the city, across their state, or across the country for a short vacation.
I love a good road trip. Here’s me on my way to Marfa.
Something about being in control of my journey appeals to me as a Capricorn. I can choose the route, decide which towns to stop in, and pick which sidequests to pursue. It’s pretty liberating! And that sense of freedom is likely why the road trip genre has lasted over 100 years of Hollywood filmmaking.
It’s an easy way to add visual interest to a story while also creating conflict that each protagonist must overcome. Some journeys that seem to take characters from one city to another aren’t always about the route itself but serve as a metaphor for the inner journey each character undertakes.
For this month’s theme, I’ve selected some of my favorite road trip movies that don’t just transport the characters physically, but also transform them emotionally and spiritually.
1. To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995) dir. Beeban Kidron
To me, "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar" is the perfect road trip movie. It features heart, comedy, drama, and countless iconic lines. The film stars Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo, with a cameo from RuPaul. The story follows three drag queens traveling from New York to Los Angeles for a national drag queen competition. Like any classic road trip, their journey is filled with unexpected obstacles that divert them along the way. Swayze, Snipes, and Leguizamo deliver outstanding performances, and you'll never see them take on roles quite like this again. The film is a beautiful tribute to the magic and love that drag queens bring to the world.
Available on Tubi TV
2. Easy Rider (1969) dir. Dennis Hopper
This is another classic installment in the road trip genre, following two Harley-riding hippies who travel cross-country searching for spiritual truth after completing a drug deal in California. They journey through places that can be truly terrifying and face hostility from locals along the way. To everyone they encounter, they symbolize individuals who refuse to conform, which is often unwelcome in certain parts of the country. The long shots of our protagonists traveling through highways and small towns showcase the beauty of the American landscape, contrasting sharply with the ugliness that can emerge from its people. The themes presented in this story remain highly relevant today.
Available on Criterion
3. The Straight Story (1999) dir. David Lynch
There are two surprising aspects to this film: it is a Disney production and it is directed by David Lynch. If you're familiar with both names, you'll understand just how unique this collaboration is. This might be the only Lynch film designed for mainstream audiences, and it has become one of my favorites.
The story follows Alvin, a retired elderly farmer, as he embarks on a road trip from Iowa to Wisconsin to visit his brother, who recently suffered a stroke. The brothers had a falling out years ago, and Alvin is determined to reconcile while he still can. However, since Alvin doesn't have a car or a driver's license, he ends up making the journey on his old lawnmower.
The film is deeply moving and often comical, and it is based on a true story that will leave you reflecting on it long after watching.
Available on Disney
4. It Happened One Night (1934) dir. Frank Capra
Many have referred to this movie as the original romantic comedy from which all others have drawn their tropes, and I couldn’t agree more. Ellie is trying to escape her wealthy father's control by eloping with a pilot. However, her father eventually finds her and confines her on a yacht while his lawyers work to get the marriage annulled. Ellie decides to go on the run and encounters a newspaper reporter named Peter Warne. The mismatched pair misses their Greyhound bus on the way to New York. In exchange for his help, Ellie promises to give Peter an exclusive story once they arrive back in the city. As is typical in romantic comedies, what begins as animosity gradually evolves into something more tender. I'm still astonished that they were able to book a night at a hotel for only $2!
Available on Tubi TV
5. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) dir. Stephan Elliott
Nothing creates more shenanigans than a road trip with gay friends and frienemies. With sharp, witty dialogues, “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” transforms a tedious drive through the Australian desert into an adventure filled with vibrant musical numbers and extravagant drag outfits. The film features Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce as two drag queens who travel with a transgender woman to a resort in a remote desert town in Australia. Along the way, the trio faces various challenges, from getting lost to encountering homophobia. However, these experiences only serve to strengthen the bond they build during their bus ride. At each stop, they not only open minds but also touch hearts, leaving a lasting impact on the people they meet.
Available on Pluto TV, Tubi TV, and Prime Video
6. Paper Moon (1973) dir. Peter Bogdanovich
If you enjoyed “About a Boy (2002),” you will love this movie. It follows a bible salesman who becomes unexpectedly responsible for a young girl who may or may not be his daughter. Together, they form an unlikely partnership as they travel through Depression-era America, conning people out of their money. The humor arises from his attempts to abandon her and keep all the money for himself, but she is a savvy and quick-witted 9-year-old, making it quite entertaining. Their relationship evolves beyond mere transactions, which is beautiful to witness. Amid the comedy, the film also highlights the lengths to which people go to survive during this difficult era. Additionally, “Paper Moon” sees Ryan O’Neal reunite with Madeline Kahn after their successful collaboration in “What’s Up, Doc? (1972).”
Available on Criterion and Kanopy
7. Supernova (2020) dir. Harry Macqueen
Make sure you have a Kleenex nearby because this movie is sure to wreck you emotionally. Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci play a gay couple who have been together for 20 years. They decide to take a road trip across England in their old RV, visiting friends and family. Tucci's character has been diagnosed with dementia. So, this road trip is almost like a farewell tour. But being confined in an RV and traveling for long periods reveals hidden secrets and tests the strength of their love for one another. It's a beautiful and poignant portrayal of how terminal illnesses can affect even the strongest relationships. Just thinking about this film brings tears to my eyes! It's a must-watch!
Available on Kanopy and Hoopla
8. The Grapes of Wrath (1940) dir. John Ford
I'm going to hold your hand when I say this: this road trip isn't going to be fun. It's an incredible movie by John Ford that portrays the devastating impact of the Great Depression on rural families and their livelihoods. It also highlights the greed that exploited those who had already lost everything. In the film, Tom (played by Henry Fonda) returns home after being paroled from prison, only to discover that his family’s farm has been foreclosed and they are being evicted. The house and ranch are home to a multigenerational family, including Grandparents, parents, siblings, and cousins, so this loss affects everyone deeply.
They decide to embark on a long journey from Oklahoma to California in search of a new life, believing they can reclaim what they have lost. However, they soon realize they are not the only ones hoping for a fresh start in the promised land. And that starting again may be harder than they thought. What I love about this movie is that, amid all the hardship, you witness resilience and the strength of community.
Available on Hoopla
9. Zola (2020) dir. Janicza Bravo
Let me refer you to my previous note on Zola, because to me, this movie is a work of art. Zola is invited on a road trip that is supposedly going to help her earn a little cash. Innocent enough, but the trip quickly descends into chaos, taking Zola through what feels like every level of hell. What starts as an exciting adventure spirals into turmoil, and there are numerous signs indicating that Zola should get off this ride as soon as possible. However, she remains on course like a runaway train heading for a collision, and I couldn't look away from the ensuing chaos. I appreciate the way the film is shot to emphasize this chaos, particularly the use of mirrors that force us to see every aspect of Zola's journey, even when we'd prefer to look away. If you missed this movie because of the pandemic, I highly recommend giving it a watch.
Available for digital rental
10. Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001) dir. Alfonso Cuaron
Alfonso Cuarón’s road trip film “Y Tu Mamá También” walked, so that Luca Guadagnino’s movie, “Challengers” (2024), could run. This film was a significant awakening for me during my college years and is due for a rewatch. An incredibly young Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal portray two teenage friends who decide to go on a cross-country summer road trip with Luisa, a woman in her late twenties, after their girlfriends go off to Italy. This experience alters the dynamic between the friends and puts their friendship to the test. It is filled with teenage hormones and jealousy, and so it's one of my top favorite coming-of-age stories.
Available on Hulu and Netflix
If you enjoy my curated list of movies, feel free to support by buying me movie tickets/rentals. The more I watch, the more I can share with you!