7 Travel Movies to Cure Cabin Fever

Confessions of a Travel and Movie Lover

I have a confession to make. Actually, make that two!

On second thought…three.

I unashamedly have a small collection of VHS/DVD movies and a way to play them!

Some of us don’t adapt to change well!

Though streaming is all the rave, I’m not throwing out either collection.

This very collection is where I went to get inspiration for this blog.

Though I would like to advocate for more travel movies with Black characters, ironically none of the ones listed are part of my collection.

I’ll only defend one. It’s the older of the three and was always hard to find in the video stores of yesteryear.

I was hoping for this list to be a mixed genre. My tv stand’s cabinet and ottoman did not yield any travel “action” movies.

So yeah, these are “chick-flick-ish” but give them a chance…or two.

Travel action movies usually involve a spy or government agent traveling somewhere to fight an enemy. I skipped those.

During my “research”, I realized “travel movies” can be a broad concept.

No movie is equivalent to destination postcards so I took creative liberties in my definition.

I like to use my own pictures when I can. Excuse me if all movie descriptions don’t have the cover photo to match.

Grab a snack and if you don’t own any of these, hopefully, you can stream/purchase through Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Apple, YouTube, Redbox or the like.

TIP: Most of these services offer a free trial.

*International Travel

Cabin fever can make you anxious to escape your current four walls. The next 3 movies are designed to do just that.

The good news is that no passports are required. You don’t have to pack, drive to the airport, or spend a lot of money.

1. Coming to America

American romantic comedy. Eddie Murphy. Arsenio Hall. James Earl Jones. Shari Headley. John Amos

I would like to think this is an American classic not just reserved for Black folks.

Coming to America is one of my favorite movies.

If you’ve been under a rock and haven’t seen it, now is the best time. You’ve come looking for a cure and this is M.D. approved (trust me).

The movie is about an African prince traveling to America to “sow his wild oats” and escape the clutches of an arranged marriage.

He wants to experience life as a “normal everyday American” and find his own mate.

What better place to start than Queens, NY?

Its packed with laughs and love!

There’s a sequel coming out, I really hope they don’t ruin a great thing!

2. French Kiss

Comedy. Drama. Romance. Meg Ryan. Kevin Kline.

This is one of those classics that grows on you over time.

Meg and Kevin’s antics can be very silly at times but who can resist a charming and flirty Frenchmen?

Ryan plays the Canadian Katie who flies to France to win her fiance back.

Katie is an akward, uptight and sheltered beauty without a vain bone in her body.

She meets Luc on the international flight and he instantly begins to chip at her walls and get her to loosen up.

The romantic in me held on for the eventual coupling.

3. The Holiday

Romance. Comedy. Kate Winslet. Cameron Diaz. Jude Law. Jack Black.

Hot blonde. Boring blonde. Sexy Englishman/accent.

From there, the storyline is not as typical. Winslet is British and she swaps houses with Diaz who lives in California.

Diaz is smack dab in a winter wonderland while Winslet is soaking up Cali rays.

The Christmas holiday season helps in making you forget some of the boring and cheesy scenes.

By the end, this one will capture your heart. Or at least some of its’s strings.

*Domestic Travel

4. Dirty Dancing

Drama. Romance. Patrick Swayze. Jennifer Grey

Yes I did add one of my favorite movies to this travel movies list that most likely will never be found on any other!

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner!”

Dirty Dancing

I warned you earlier of my creative liberties!

Driving to a family resort for summer vacation is traveling.

My first solo travel experience took place on a bus to D.C.

I love roadtrips!

That’s exactly how we’re introduced to the Houseman family.

Dirty Dancing is part coming of age and dance flick.

Warning, the dance moves may take your cabin fever up a few notches but have some watermelon to cool it down.

Grey plays “Baby” who falls in love with the popular playboy/instructor/dancer Johnny (Swayze).

It’s amazing how drama-filled these summer resorts can be.

If you haven’t seen this, you’re forgiven, but make it right!

Dirty Dancing has one of the best soundtracks ever!!!

5. Get Out

Horror. Mystery. Suspense. Daniel Kaluuya. Allison Williams.

This was the weekend trip from hell!

Kaluuya is an interracial relationship with Williams and they travel to meet her family.

The movie is wracked with symbolisms especially as it relates to race.

I would not recommend taking anything at face value. Dig beneath the surface for this must-see!

It reminds me of two blogs I did on race/identity.

Open your mind and don’t stare at teacups being stirred too long!

6. Girl’s Trip

Comedy. Drama. Jada Pinkett-Smith.Regina Hall.Larenz Tate. Queen Latifah. Kofi Siriboe. Tiffany Haddish

New Orleans/ is my favorite city!

Essence Fest is how I was introduced to its saucy vibes!

This one made it to the list only because it’s about my favorite festival. I only remembered it after a Google search.

Again, there are not many Black travel movies that don’t involve coming home for the holidays.

The movie was also being filmed at my very first Essence Festival. I didn’t find out until the movie came out.

Girl’s Trip is about four friends who travel to New Orleans to attend the 3-day music celebration of Black women!

The movie made its debut right after the 2017 festival and it was an advertisement of sorts. There was a lot of exaggeration and debauchery that New Orleans is known for.

Let’s make it clear, the Essence Fest experience is what you make it.

Needless to say, the crowd the movie drew the following year, changed the event for me.

It used to be a sophisticated “grown and sexy” (as we say in Miami) but now the demographic is much younger and more “ratchet”.

It even shows in the type of acts that are booked.

The movie may have been a “changing of the guards” of sorts. I don’t know if/when I will return to the festival that gave me New Orleans!

7. Up in the Air

Comedy. Drama. Romance. George Clooney. Vera Farmiga. Anna Kendrick

I saved the most travel-“esque” movie for last.

Traveling careers can be a nice mix of business and pleasure. Clooney plays a traveling businessman close to earning a million frequent flier miles.

Some frequent travelers have bucket-lists to look forward to. He was more focused on the how and not where.

In this role, Clooney takes a break from heartthrob to villain. His job duties mirror Donald Trump’s in The Apprentice.

“You’re fired”

The Apprentice

Only the power of love can soften his heart and make him see the humanity in those he deals with.

(I’ve Had) The Time of my Life

Say what you’d like about my seven movies, but I’m a firm believer in love, laughter, drama, and a little suspense doing wonders for cabin fever!

You don’t have to leave your home or couch to travel all over the world.

If you want a quick staycation, its all at the click of a remote.

In addition to more Black international travel movies, can I also request more solo travel ones? Especially if they’re focused on independence and not a sugar daddy fund/self-awareness through promiscuity!

A girl can dream right…

My mission is accomplished if any one of these 7 movies causes you to break out in dance and sing along with the video below.

Let me know how it goes!

Did any of your faves make the list?

~Poof…Bee Gone

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