10 Light-Hearted Movies That'll Make You Want to Travel Again

If there's one thing you realized during the Covid-19 pandemic, it's the true beauty of cinema. When the world was forced to stay at home to practice quarantine, movies served as the best comfort. Films were people's windows to the outside world; a chance to see so many amazing places without having to leave their homes. And some of the best of them were light-hearted movies that inspire you to travel. There's “Padding” (2014), for instance, which just makes you want to hop on a place and go to London. “Julie & Julia” (2009), on the other hand, will have you itching to book a flight to Paris. Here are others you ought to know about too!

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022)

Let's start this list with the most recent film, the 2022 historical dramedy, 'Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris.' Starring Academy Award winner Lesley Manville as the titular Mrs. Harris, the movie tells the story of a widowed cleaning lady who travels all the way to Paris to buy an haute couture dress from Christian Dior with her war-widow pension. With dazzling 1950s fashions and the charms of mid-20th-century Paris, the movie is practically a postcard from the French capital. But its inspiring story of the pursuit of love and happiness, regardless of your looks and background, makes it even more breathtaking! Source: Focus Feature YouTube Channel

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

From one Cinderella story to another, the 2018 rom-com, 'Crazy Rich Asians,' was a cultural reset. Not only did it put Asian talent on the map, but showed the true class and affluence of the Eastern hemisphere. It tells the story of Rachel Chu (played by Constance Wu), an economics professor at New York University who gets whisked away to the sparkling city of Singapore. by her boyfriend, Nick Young (played by Henry Golding). Little did she know, however, that her significant other is apparently the heir to one of the richest families in all of Asia. In a clash of class, traditions, and couture, Singapore serves as the best setting for this fairytale-like modern love story. Source: Warner Bros. Pictures YouTube Channel

Girls Trip (2017)

When you get the likes of Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Regina Hall, and Tiffany Hadish in one movie, you're bound to get a party! The 2017 comedy flick 'Girls Trip' was the exciting chick flick the world needed. At a time when the #MeToo Movement was finally giving women the voice and the power that they deserve, a movie about four capable and confident black women having a good time on a girls' trip couldn't have been more timely. And it's a shining reminder of just how beguiling a city New Orleans truly is! Source: Universal Pictures YouTube Channel

Paddington (2014)

Family-friendly films always make for great light-hearted movies and the 2014 live-action remake of 'Paddington' is a good example. Who could've ever thought that the story of a talking bear who takes London by storm would end up as one of the best movies of that year? And as the fluffy protagonist galivants all over the British capital, you can't help but want to see the place yourself. Some of the most notable London spots that appeared in the film include, The Natural History Museum, Notting Hill, and of course, Paddington Station! Source: Rotten Tomatoes Coming Soon YouTube Channel

Eat Pray Love (2010)

Eating pasta and gelato in Rome, getting lost in prayer in India, and falling in love in Bali, Indonesia. Julia Roberts had quite the adventure in her 2010 film, 'Eat Pray Love,' didn't she? The Academy Award-winning actress played Elizabeth Gilbert, a real-life American journalist & author whose autobiographical book of the same name served as the basis of the movie. Gilbert's escapades all around the world help her find her confront her fears, find her true self, and accept happiness as it comes. Source: Sony Pictures Entertainment YouTube Channel

Julie & Julia (2009)

Among the many light-hearted movies set in Paris, 'Julie & Julia' doesn't get as much attention as it deserves. Granted the film is split between Julia Child's (played by Meryl Streep) culinary adventures in Paris in the 1950s and Julie Powell's attempts at recreating her recipes in modern-day New York, it still showcases just how charming the French capital really is. Just like Powell in the movie, you can put yourself in Child's shoes and imagine what might have been like to start a culinary career in the famous food capital. Source: Sony Pictures Entertainment YouTube Channel

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)

From beautiful beaches of Santorini to the grassy fields of Mexico, as well as the mundane pleasantry of American suburbia, the 2005 chick-flick, 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,' really packs on the travel inspo punch. The story itself is pretty inspiring, especially with how these four teenage girls stay connected during their summer away from each other. But you also can't help but want to live spontaneously through them in their many adventures, drama, and life-changing moments in the film! Source: Warner Bros. YouTube Channel

Amélie (2001)

Though Paris's many neighborhoods are all beautiful, Montmartre has a charm of its own. You can see it clearly in the 2001 Academy Award-nominated film, 'Amélie.' Audrey Tautou stars as the titular Amélie, a unique and precocious young woman who goes on one adventure after another. And as she makes mischief throughout the French capital, you can see glimpses of various hotspots in Montmartre, many of which were made famous because of the movie. There are Café des 2 Moulins (where Amélie works as a waitress), Au Marché de la Butte, and more! Source: Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers YouTube Channel

You've Got Mail (1998)

Among the many rom-coms that Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks starred in, 'You've Got Mail' is arguably the most charming. The enemies-to-lovers trope has certainly been done since the Golden Age of Hollywood, but this 1998 flick made it more pleasant than most. Of course, it also helps that the movie is set in the delightful Upper West Side of New York City. With all the chic restaurants, charming cafes, and quirk stores here, who wouldn't want to visit Manhattan after seeing this film? Source: Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers YouTube Channel

Roman Holiday (1953)

A romantic comedy about a royal princess (played by Audrey Hepburn) who escapes her palace and goes on an adventure throughout Rome with an American journalist (played by Gregory Peck) is you all need to be enchanted by the Italian capital. 1953's 'Roman Holiday' is one of these light-hearted movies that continues to charm the pants off of audiences no matter how long ago it premiered. And luckily, many of the magical sights featured in the film, especially that iconic Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth), are still in the city to this day! Source: Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers YouTube Channel

What makes light-hearted movies so good is that it inspires you to go out there and live your best life! And in the case of these ten wonderful films, they'll make you want to travel and some of the most amazing places in the world as well!