While summer may be winding down, the vacation pics on our social media feeds just keep coming, whether they’re of sandy beaches or big-city escapes. But if you’ve used up your time off, are saving for something big or just have too much going on, you may not have been able to scratch your own summer-travel itch this year. So we’ve rounded up some movies that will transport you somewhere magical.
Immerse yourself in tales of summer flings, lifelong friendships and self-discovery all from the comfort of home. Here are 10 films that encompass the beauty — and occasional drama — of a warm-weather escape.
Eat Pray Love and other films about finding yourself … somewhere else
Eat Pray Love (2010)
Based on the memoir of the same name, this film follows author Elizabeth Gilbert (Julia Roberts) as she journeys to three countries with one goal: to find herself. Although Liz has the life she thought she wanted, she finds herself unhappy and searching for more.
So she embarks on a life-changing trip: first to Italy where she eats delicious meals, then on to India where she prays at an ashram, and finally to Indonesia where she inadvertently finds love. If you ever find yourself in a rut, this movie is great for inspiring some change (and additions to your travel vision board!).
How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
Stella (Angela Bassett) is a single mother with a successful career and good friends, but her loved ones give her a hard time for not dating much. Eventually, her friend Delilah (Whoopi Goldberg) convinces her to take a well-deserved vacation to Montego Bay, Jamaica. There, she meets a handsome but much younger man, Winston (Taye Diggs), who she shares an instant spark with.
However, real life is waiting for her when she returns, and Stella must navigate loss while questioning her relationship with Winston because of their age difference. Add this one to your list if you’re also feeling a little stuck — or are just craving an island escape of your own.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Set in Tokyo, Lost in Translation is about an actor named Bob (Bill Murray) and a recent college graduate named Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) who find themselves alone — and lonely — in the city. After a few sleepless nights and chance encounters, the two start spending more time together, and during one unforgettable night out, the film gives the audience a window into Tokyo’s nightlife as the pair goes to karaoke with friends.
Although the precise nature of Bob and Charlotte’s bond is left open to interpretation, by the time they part ways, you’re left feeling like they’ve learned something new about themselves through each other.
Letters to Juliet and other movies about summer romance — and heartbreak!
Letters to Juliet (2010)
This romcom is a love letter to romance, second chances and the beauty of Italy. It follows Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) as she travels to Verona with her fiancé on a pre-honeymoon. While he’s focused on work, Sophie visits the tourist destination known as Juliet’s balcony, where she discovers a group of women who act as “Juliet’s secretaries,” answering the forlorn love letters people leave behind for the famous Shakespearean character.
After Sophie responds to a decades-old letter from a woman named Claire (Vanessa Redgrave), Claire shows up with her grandson Charlie (Christopher Egan) and the trio embark on a road trip through the Italian countryside in search of Claire’s first love. And along the way, Sophie and Charlie find something, too.
Anyone but You (2023)
Who doesn’t love a classic enemies-to-lovers romcom? This one stars Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell as Beatrice and Ben, who have the ultimate meet-cute but end up parting ways due to a miscommunication. Not long after though, the now-rivals find themselves in Sydney, Australia, for a wedding. Although they can’t stand one another, they fake-date to keep the peace, which leads to many comedic escapades.
The film spawned some iconic looks, including Sydney Sweeney’s unforgettable blue silk dress, and caused Natasha Bedingfield’s Unwritten to chart again nearly 20 years after its release. Perhaps most memorable though are its epic scenes in front of the Opera House and Sydney harbour.
Call Me by Your Name (2017)
Call Me by Your Name stars Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet in a modern classic that cemented the latter as a household name and earned him an Oscar nomination. Set in the ’80s, the film centres on Elio (Chalamet), a 17-year-old boy who lives in a rural town in northern Italy. One summer, his father invites his archaeology graduate student Oliver (Hammer) to come and stay with the family, and what ensues is a period of self-discovery for both men.
This film depicts the intensity of first love and heartbreak that may or may not feel worth it in the end. But with its fittingly nostalgic soundtrack, beautiful backdrop and outstanding performances, this movie is just peachy for summer.
Before Sunrise (1995)
Featuring the meet-cute of all meet-cutes, this beloved film starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy is also a daydream-inspiring tour through Vienna. Jesse and Céline immediately hit it off when they meet on a train from Budapest, and although they’re ultimately headed to different countries, they disembark in Vienna together and spend the night roaming through the city.
The audience falls in love with this Austrian destination as the two characters fall for each other. They kiss atop the city’s iconic ferris wheel, stroll along its canal and spill their secrets at a romantic café — all before sunrise.
Wine Country and other tales of enduring friendship
Wine Country (2019)
If your idea of the perfect weekend is wine, laughter and old friends, this one’s for you. Directed by and starring Amy Poehler, this movie’s about a girls’ trip to Napa Valley. While each friend — played by comedy icons Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Maya Rudolph, Paula Pell and Emily Spivey — is at a different place in her life, they all come together for Dratch’s character’s birthday.
The longtime pals share tough news, chaotic moments and, of course, lots of wine, and end up leaving the trip with an even stronger bond.
Fire Island (2022)
If a friend trip isn’t in the cards this summer, gather your pals for a screening of this romantic comedy that’s just as much about the significance of chosen family as it is about love. Loosely based on Pride and Prejudice, the film follows Noah (Joel Kim Booster), Howie (Bowen Yang) and their friends as they spend a week at New York state’s famed Fire Island Pines.
In true summer-vacay fashion, they attend a bunch of events and parties where things spiral out of control. Friendships are made and tested, secret hook-ups take place and sparks fly, but the film also doesn’t shy away from tackling topics of race, sexuality and class.
Monte Carlo (2011)
The ultimate summer escape might actually come from … swapping places with your celebrity doppelgänger. Monte Carlo brings together Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy as friends Grace, Meg and Emma. The trio take a trip to Paris where Grace is mistaken for her British heiress look-alike, Cordelia, and the friends take advantage of the mix-up in order to spend the night in a fancy hotel. But things quickly escalate when they’re whisked away to Monte Carlo where chaos — and romance — ensues.
The three women have fun and keep each other grounded during the mayhem, all while taking viewers on a dreamy romp through Monaco — without leaving the living room.
