7 Road Trip Films that’ll put wind in your hair
There’s something so gripping about a Road Trip movie.
It’s that classic set up – a cast of mostly mismatched characters are compelled to get from Point A to Point B. Unfortunately (or sometimes fortunately) things go awry and they end up taking a wild turn towards Point C, Point D, lose control down a downwards slope and end up stranded at Point Z.
By the time they finally get to Point B everybody is forever changed. That’s adventure in its most pure form – out on the road, behind the wheel and with a great feel-good soundtrack to boot!
To stir your sense of adventure from the comfort of your couch, here are 7 classic Road Trip movies to make a pit stop at:
1. Easy Rider
One of the absolutely quintessential Road Films in the US. A bikie/hippy buddy film that feels like a time capsule of Americana culture.
Best for: inspiring you to add ‘Born To Be Wild’ to your karaoke repertoire.
Starring: Peter Fonda & Dennis Hopper
Available on: YouTube©, Google Play©, Amazon Prime Video™, SBS On Demand©, Apple iTunes™
2. Little Miss Sunshine
Like a bit of quirkiness on your road trip? This is the film for you. One dysfunctional family crams into a Kombi and makes their way to a child beauty pageant across the country.
Best for: preparing you for sharing a cramped van with your extended family.
Starring: Toni Collette, Steve Carrell & Alan Arkin
Available on: YouTube©, Google Play©, Amazon Prime Video™, Apple iTunes™, Foxtel Go™
3. Almost Famous
This warm-hearted, rock and roll road trip with a big summer of ‘69 vibe pulls you into the whirlwind lifestyle of life on tour. An aspiring rock journalist has the experience of lifetime when he’s brought on tour with the charting band-of-the-moment and their entourage.
Best for: imagining how your life could have turned out if you took those guitar lessons.
Starring: Kate Hudson & Billy Crudup
Available on: YouTube©, Google Play©, Amazon Prime Video™, Apple iTunes™
4. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
If Easy Rider is America’s answer to a quintessential road film, then Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is it’s Aussie counterpart. This classic comedy has a fabulous cast of drag queen characters that made it big even before RuPaul came along.
Best for: taking your secret love of ABBA to the next level.
Starring: Guy Pearce, Terrence Stamp & Hugo Weaving
Available on: YouTube©, Google Play©, Amazon Prime Video™, Apple iTunes™, Foxtel Go™
5. Blues Brothers
Does it need any introduction? Two well dressed brothers, who made RayBans a cross-generational icon of cool, go on high-speed hijinks in the Bluesmobile to save an orphanage.
Best for: putting the band back together.
Starring: John Belushi & Dan Aykroyd
Available on: Netflix©, YouTube©, Google Play©, Amazon Prime Video™, Apple iTunes™, Foxtel Go™
6. National Lampoon’s Vacation
Cheeseball dad jokes and saucy 80s humour may not have been invented by National Lampoon’s Vacation series, but they may have been perfected here. The Griswolds ill-fated journey to go to Wally’s World Theme Park is worth watching at least once or twice a year.
Best for: seeing a bit of everyone’s dad ever in Chevy Chase.
Starring: Chevy Chase & Beverly D’Angelo
Available on: YouTube©, Google Play©, Prime Video™, Apple iTunes™, Foxtel Go™
7. Chef
Probably a bit lesser known than the rest but 100% worth checking out if you haven’t seen it. Not only is Chef a great film about father-son bonding on the wide open road but it’s one that will make you salivate.
Best for: making you seriously consider quitting your job and buying a food truck.
Starring: Jon Favreau, Sofia Vergara & Scarlett Johansson
Available on: YouTube©, Google Play©, Amazon Prime Video™, Apple iTunes™
So, go ahead. Settle into your seat and this time (only), why not enjoy a roadie while you’re at it. We hope you’ve enjoyed our picks. Happy watching!
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