Travel movies work because they reframe the whole concept of "getting there." Instead of the destination being everything, the journey becomes the story. Kids who've watched Paddington navigate London suddenly see their own trip—even if it's just to Grandma's house three states over—as an expedition worth paying attention to.

These films also tend to have a few things in common that make them perfect pre-trip viewing:

Plus, let's be real: a well-timed movie reference can defuse a sibling argument faster than any amount of "use your words."

Moana is the gold standard here. It's about a girl who literally has to leave her island to save her people, and the ocean scenes are stunning enough that kids might actually appreciate the scenery on your drive. The songs are earworms (you'll be singing "How Far I'll Go" at rest stops), but they're about journeying, which is the whole point.

Paddington and Paddington 2 are perfect for kids who are anxious about new places. Paddington is a bear in a completely foreign city, and he handles it with politeness and marmalade. These movies are also just... genuinely delightful? Like, you won't want to gouge your eyes out on rewatch.

Finding Nemo is technically an ocean adventure, but it's really about a dad traveling across the entire sea to find his kid. The journey is everything here, and it models both bravery and asking for help—both useful on long trips.

Up starts heavy (yes, that opening sequence will wreck you), but it's ultimately about an old man and a kid traveling to South America via floating house. The message—adventure is out there, even when it's hard—is perfect for this age group who might be old enough to be a little jaded about family trips.

The Mitchells vs. The Machines is a road trip movie about a family whose cross-country drive gets interrupted by a robot apocalypse. It's hilarious, the animation is incredible, and it perfectly captures the chaos of family travel (minus the evil AI, hopefully). Bonus: it's actually about a family learning to connect without screens, which is... chef's kiss for pre-trip viewing.

Encanto isn't technically a travel movie, but it's about Mirabel's journey through her family's magical house and the mountains of Colombia. The visuals are stunning, and "We Don't Talk About Bruno" will absolutely become your car singalong whether you want it to or not.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) is perfect for tweens and teens who think travel is boring. It's about a guy who lives in his head until he's forced to travel to Greenland, Iceland, and the Himalayas. The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, and the message—that real life is better than daydreaming—lands differently when you're about to embark on your own journey.

Spider-Man: Far From Home follows Peter Parker on a European school trip that goes very wrong. It's action-packed enough for teens who think family movies are lame, and it captures that feeling of being out of your depth in a new place (even if your trip hopefully won't involve fighting elemental monsters).

Planes exists, but it's basically Cars with wings and none of the charm. Your kids won't remember it, and you'll be annoyed you wasted 90 minutes.

The Wild (2006) is a Madagascar knockoff that nobody asked for. Just watch Madagascar instead if you want zoo animals on an adventure.

Here's the thing: timing matters. Don't just throw on a travel movie during the drive—that defeats the purpose. Watch it the night before or a few days ahead. Let it marinate. Talk about it. Ask questions like:

Then, during the actual trip, reference the movies. When someone complains about being uncomfortable: "Remember when Walter Mitty had to jump out of a helicopter?" When you get lost: "Okay, we're having a Paddington moment, but we'll figure it out."

This isn't about making your trip cinematic—it's about giving your kids (and yourself) a framework for thinking about travel as an adventure, even when it's tedious.

Travel movies won't magically eliminate "are we there yet?" or prevent the inevitable French fry meltdown at a highway rest stop. But they can shift the vibe from "we're suffering through this drive to get to the fun part" to "the whole thing is the adventure."

And honestly? In a world where kids are used to instant gratification and Netflix binges, anything that helps them see value in the journey—not just the destination—is worth the screen time.

So cue up Moana, pack the snacks, and maybe—just maybe—your next family road trip will feel a little less like survival mode and a little more like, well, a story worth telling.

Before your next trip:

Want more travel-ready content? Check out travel podcasts for kids or audiobooks that make road trips fly by.