Set in 1952, this film shares the experiences of Ernesto “Che” Guevara (Gael García Bernal) long before he became a Marxist revolutionary. 'The Motorcycle Diaries' (2004) - 83% on Rotten Tomatoes This film provides further proof that people love road trip movies with motorcycles. as a younger generation rebelled against the established norms of their parents and grandparents. to New Orleans after a successful drug deal.Īs they ride their Harleys across the country, the film explores the counterculture of the late '60s and early '70s - LSD, marijuana, communal living - and the changes that were happening in the U.S. 'Easy Rider' (1969) - 82% on Rotten Tomatoes 'Easy Rider' inspired a generation of hippie bikers.ĭirected by Dennis Hopper and made on a small budget, 'Easy Rider' follows two hippie bikers, Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper), as they travel from L.A. It’s all but guaranteed to make you want to grab your bestie and hit the road for your own adventure in a 1966 Ford Thunderbird convertible - just without the crime spree, ensuing police chase or iconic but bleak finale.Īlong the way, the group has plenty of laughs, while reexamining their friendships, the reasons they’ve drifted apart and the bonds that keep them together. Plus, there’s an iconic appearance by a young Brad Pitt. Sure, there are some dark themes, but the film also explores the close bonds of friendship, the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love and the importance of living on your own terms. Ridley Scott's dark comedy follows the story of friends Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) as they leave their boring lives in Arkansas for more adventure than they bargained for. 'Thelma and Louise' (1991) - 82% on Rotten Tomatoes This woman-power classic belongs on many a best-of list. Pour a glass of wine - preferably pinot noir - for this one. Against the beautiful backdrop of vine-covered hills, the two both begin to hit rock bottom in their lives. The story follows divorced, depressed, wine-obsessed Miles (Paul Giamatti) and his friend Jack (Thomas Haden Church), an aging, former soap opera actor who is soon to be married and plans to have a last fling before marriage. One of many Academy Award winners on the list, this dramatic comedy put California’s Santa Ynez Valley on the wine tourism map, and had a significant negative impact on merlot sales, thanks to the main character’s disdain for the varietal. 'Sideways' (2004) - 78% on Rotten Tomatoes 'Sideways' proved that the best trips come paired with wine (just not merlot). Using data from Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Scores, we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 road trip movies and discovered that, just like the best adventures, the most memorable films about hitting the road are about more than the destination - they’re about the people and places we find along the way, and the experiences that change us forever. But while some, like those on this list, are enduring classics, others (we’re looking at you, “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip”) are best left in the archives. From the serious ('Easy Rider,' 'Thelma and Louise') to the delightfully silly ('Dumb and Dumber,' 'National Lampoon's Vacation'), these films have been a staple of worldwide cinema for nearly a century. Best Road Trip Movies It should go without saying that 'Thelma and Louise' is on this list.įor nearly as long as there have been cars and film, there have been road trip movies. These classic films prove the enduring appeal of hitting the road.

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