For most of us, back to school means no more vacations for a while. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirl of Fall, preparing to hunker down for a bit until the next long break comes around and forgetting temporarily about summer vacations and family trips. So for those rainy days or lazy Sunday mornings, we’ve made a list of movies that take place all around the world to put the spirit of travel back into your families’ lives. Whether they’re looking for pure adventure, or simply want to experience a different culture or perspective, this list has a little bit of everything.
European Expeditions…
The Sound of Music: Learn about Austria at the beginning of World War II through the eyes and voice of a young woman who becomes a live-in nanny for the children of a retired military Captain.
Rated PG
The Red Balloon: This short film tells the story, with almost no dialogue, of a red balloon that has a mind of its own and follows a little boy around Paris. There is a book as well as a play cafe in Cincinnati, OH named after this adorable film.
Rated G
Ratatouille: Go on a culinary journey to France with Remy the rat as he navigates his new life as a secret chef.
Rated PG
Wander The World…
Given: Told through the eyes of a child, this documentary traces one family’s journey from their home in Kauai, Hawaii to their adventures around the world.
Explore Africa…
The Queen of Katwe: Learn the power of chess alongside 10-year-old Phiona whose love for the game becomes integral to her chances of escaping poverty in Uganda.
Rated PG
Venture Under The Sea….
Atlantis: The Lost Empire: Travel to the Mediterranean and join an expedition to find the lost island of Atlantis.
Rated PG
Cruise the Caribbean and South America…
Rio and Rio 2: Travel from Minnesota to Rio de Janeiro with this adventure packed film that traces two birds as they attempt to escape the clutches of a smuggler.
Rated G
Up: Adventure into the sky with this Peruvian tale of a house that drifts high overhead, supported by balloons.
Rated PG
Tad, The Lost Explorer: A construction worker who dreams of travel lies about being a professor and scores a trip to Peru, where he falls in love and attempts to protect a long lost treasure.
Trek Through Time and Space….
Mr. Peabody and Sherman: Travel through time with Mr. Peabody and Sherman in their time machine that helps them embark on outrageous missions.
Rated PG
Escape from Planet Earth: Get out of this world and see the earth from a different perspective in this adventure movie about new planets and rescue.
Rated PG
Wall-E: Wall-E, the last robot left on earth is lonely until he meets EVE and embarks on a journey across the galaxy.
Rated G
Cozy up and Travel to Frozen Lands….
Happy Feet: Adventure in Antarctica with a group of singing penguins.
Rated PG
Balto: A dog treks from Nome, Alaska across the state to help save the children of Nome, from the diphtheria epidemic. Loosely based on a true story. There’s even a statue in Central Park dedicated to the real Balto.
Rated G
8 Below: Experience the perils of Antarctica through the eyes of both humans and sled dogs as the two get separated in an accident and must fight the conditions together for survival.
Rated PG
NEW YORK USA – JULY 8 2008: a monument of Siberian husky Balto who led his team on the final leg of the 1925 serum run to Nome. Balto was named after the Sami explorer Samuel Balto.
Some Great Classics…
Around the World in 80 Days: Travel around the world by land, sea, air, and even a pair of skates in this classic travel movie.
Rated PG
Home Alone: Take a trip to New York City at Christmas time and indulge in every child’s dream…no parents, a credit card, and unlimited candy until they realize the importance of family.
Rated PG
Goonies: Go on a thrilling treasure hunt in this action-packed oldie.
Rated PG
Delve into Documentaries and Movies for Older Kids ….
Pirates of the Caribbean: Sail aboard pirate ships and amongst royalty as young Elizabeth Swann sets out to rescue her love interest and lift a curse.
Rated PG-13
Avatar: Experience the alien world, Pandora, through the eyes of a paraplegic who inhabits the body of a Pandora native in the form of a genetically modified “Avatar”.
Rated PG-13
The Lord of The Rings: Travel back in time and into made-up lands where habits and wizards alike exist in harmony until a mission to destroy one ring causes trouble.
Rated PG-13
180 Degrees South: Join Jeff Johnson as he retraces a 1968 road trip taken by two adventurers from California to Patagonia, Chile.
Rated PG
Rock The Park: Follow this documentary TV series as Jack Steward and Colton Smith explore America’s National Parks and encounter their breathtaking natural beauty. It reminds us of the Wild Kratt’s only non-animated.
Travel with Kids (Seasons 5 & 6 on Amazon Prime): This reality travel show documents the best places in the world to travel as a family. Tested by real kids, there’s no better way to figure out what the very best of traveling with kids involves.
Rated G
Fly Away Home: This is a sweet story of A Father and Daughter who attempt an adventure to lead a flock of orphaned Canada Geese south. It touches on family and grief and also adventure and environmental issues like logging.
Rated PG
A Series of Unfortunate Events: Based on the popular book series, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events this Netflix TV series features the three Baudelaire children who have lost their parents in a mysterious fire and face trials and tribulations attempting to uncover dark family secrets.
Rated PG
We hope this list helps you settle into fall with a bag of popcorn and family adventures that can take place in your living room.
Wheels Up and Happy Munching!
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