7 Movies That Will Inspire Wanderlust
Photo by Elina Sazonova from Pexels
January has a special way of awakening our wanderlust, our need for a new adventure. We daydream and wonder what this new year will hold, imagine who we’ll meet, who we’ll have grown into by the time December shows its frosty face again, and envision what new lands we might explore.
And what better way to keep on inspiring wanderlust than by cozying up with a wonderfully adventurous watch until we get the chance to get out there ourselves?
Sabrina (1995)
Sabrina is the quiet, bookish daughter of the wealthy Larrabee family’s chauffeur. For years, she’s carried a torch for David, the family’s younger, playboy son, but he barely knows she exists. But after Sabrina embarks on a self-actualizing journey to Paris and comes back as an elegant, beautiful woman, David is suddenly taken with her, but his enigmatic older brother, Linus, isn’t a fan — until he begins to fall for her too. If you’re looking for a lovely, romantic movie, this one’s for you. Starring Julia Ormond, Harrison Ford, Greg Kinear.
Midnight in Paris (2011)
Gil, a writer, is vacationing in Paris with his fiancee – but he really prefers wandering the streets of Paris alone. One late night, Gil encounters a boisterous group who tempt him to come along on their adventure. Before he knows it, he’s seemingly traveled back in time with them, finding himself face-to-face with various famous figures of the Jazz Age. If you’re in the mood for something artistic and fascinating, this is the film to watch. Starring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Tom Hiddleston.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
We follow along as Rachel and Nick, her longtime boyfriend, go to Singapore for his friend’s flashy wedding. But along the way, Rachel discovers there’s more to Nick and his family’s life in Singapore than she’d known. Hint: they’re crazy rich. A perfect mix of romance, drama, and comedy, this is the perfect watch for a fun night at home. Starring Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan.
Roman Holiday (1953)
Ann, a European princess, is weighed down by her schedule and decides to run off one night in Rome, but ends up passing out on a bench after taking a sedative. But Joe, an American reporter, finds her and takes her in for safety. Soon enough, he finds out her real identity and plans to use her to further his career – but then he starts falling for her. If you’re in the mood for a classic, this one will definitely satisfy. Starring Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Walter is a lonely man living in New York whose day job, developing photos for a magazine, is rather uneventful – so much that he spends much of his time daydreaming, creating heroic scenes in his head to live out. But Walter finally gets his chance to actually live out an adventure when his work sends him to Greenland in order to get the perfect photo for the publication’s last issue. If you’re looking for an uplifting watch, this one is perfect. Starring Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Sean Penn, Adam Scott.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
A group of four best friends are determined to stay in touch when their lives start pulling them in different directions, some of them halfway around the world — so they decide to pass a pair of jeans, oddly fitting them all perfectly, between them, along with a letter detailing their latest adventures. This charming, female friendship-driven movie is perfect for watching on your girls’ night in. Starring Blake Lively, America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn.
Letters to Juliet (2010)
While on vacation in Verona, Italy, Sophie stumbles upon a wall where heartbroken women write letters to Shakespeare’s heroine, Juliet. After finding one letter from fifty years ago, Sophie decides to write its author, Claire. After this, Claire thinks it’s finally time to track down her former lover. If you’re looking for a sweet story, this is the perfect watch. Starring Amanda Seyfried, Vanessa Redgrave.