These popular movies—both new releases and classics—will inspire you to plan your next adventure.
Whether you’re hitting the road this year for a one-of-a-kind vacation or staying home to enjoy some family time, these popular movies—both new releases and classics—will inspire you to plan your next adventure.
1 of 11 News of the World (2020)
Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks) is a former Civil War soldier who now spends his days traveling the country reading newspapers to anyone who can pay. On one of his journeys, he stumbles across a young girl named Johanna (Helena Zengel) who has lost both her birth parents and the Native American parents who raised her. Now Kidd finds himself on an unlikely adventure to return Johanna to her last living relative. This powerful story, based on the New York Times best-selling novel by Paulette Jiles was nominated for four Academy Awards.
2 of 11 Luca (2021)
Disney and Pixar’s new original film follows Luca and his best friend, Alberto, as they enjoy an adventurous summer in a seaside town in Italy. But Luca and Alberto have a secret. They are actually sea monsters who can take on human forms, but only while on land. Will Luca and Alberto be able to keep their secret and have a summer they will never forget? Starring the voice talents of Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Maya Rudolph, and Jim Gaffigan, Luca is a powerful story about the beauty of being different.
You can never go wrong with an 80’s comedy adventure. And what’s more classic than Steven Spielberg’s The Goonies? When a group of friends are in danger of losing their neighborhood to a real estate deal, they are willing to do anything to stay together—including using an old map to find a legendary pirate’s treasure. But close behind them is a team of rough criminals intent on claiming the treasure for themselves. The Goonies, starring Josh Brolin, Sean Astin, and Corey Feldman, is an unforgettable story about the unbreakable bond of friendship.
4 of 11 The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
“Every family has its challenges. For my family, our greatest challenge… probably the robot apocalypse.” Meet the Mitchells! Rick, a nature-loving dad; Linda, a quirky and caring mom; Katie, an artistic filmmaker daughter; Aaron, a dinosaur-obsessed little brother; and of course, Monchi, the strange but beloved family pug. When Rick and Katie can’t seem to get along, the family decides to go on a bonding road trip. But plans change when a technology company accidentally starts a robot take-over of the world. Now the Mitchells must work together to save humanity! This action-packed movie about the importance of family features the voice talents of Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Eric Andre, and Olivia Colman.
Julie Andrews stars as Mary Poppins, the lovable and magical nanny who flies–literally on an umbrella–into the lives of children Jane and Michael Banks. Together with the chimney sweep, Bert (Dick Van Dyke), they enter magical worlds and learn how to have fun. But will Mary Poppins and the children be able to do this for Mr. Banks (David Tomlinson), the children’s overworked and strict father? Mary Poppins is a classic film about growing up while still holding onto your childlike wonder.
6 of 11 Spirit Untamed (2021)
Fortuna “Lucky” Navarro-Prescott has dreamed of finding a place where she belongs. When she’s sent to live with her estranged father in the town of Miradero for the summer, she thinks she might have found it. She learns about her late mother, Milagro, a fearless horse rider; she makes friends with some young horse riders in town; and she begins to bond with a wild horse, which she names Spirit. But when Spirit and his herd are captured by horse thieves, Lucky and her friends set out on an adventure to save them. Lucky’s journey is about finding her courage and reconnecting with her heritage. Spirit Untamed is the first animated film with an all-woman led team and stars the voice talents of Isabela Merced, Jake Gyllenhaal, Marsai Martin, Mckenna Grace, and Julianne Moore.
7 of 11 Apollo 13 (1995)
Travel into space with this Ron Howard film based on the incredible true story of NASA’s Apollo 13 mission. Three astronauts are on route to the moon in 1970, when an onboard explosion forces them to abort mission. With significant damage to their craft, the astronauts and NASA begin a race against time to get back home. Starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Ed Harris and Gary Sinise, Apollo 13 is an edge-of-your-seat adventure that shows us the power of the human spirit, even in the face of failure.
Based on Madeleine L’Engle’s timeless novel, A Wrinkle in Time follows 13-year-old Meg Murry and her younger brother Charles Wallace. The siblings have been getting into nothing but trouble since their father, an astrophysicist, went missing four years early. One day, three mysterious women–named Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which–show up at their home, claiming they know how to get to Meg and Charles Wallace’s father. Along with their new friend Calvin, the group sets out on a remarkable journey through time and space to save their father and get them all home safely. A Wrinkle in Time is a beautiful coming-of-age film starring Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Storm Reid, and Chris Pine.
9 of 11 The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
Fed up with her life on a peach orchard in South Carolina with her abusive father, fourteen-year-old Lily decides to run away from home in search of a better life. Her travels bring her to Tiburon, S.C. to the home of three sisters named August, June, and May, who live together as beekeepers. In their home they often gather with other local Black women to pray. The sisters decide to let Lily stay and take her on as an apprentice beekeeper. While there, Lily learns about the mystical nature of bees and some of the harsh realities faced by Black people in the 1960s. The Secret Life of Bees is based on the New York Times best-selling novel by former Guideposts writer Sue Monk Kidd and stars Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, and Sophie Okonedo.
10 of 11 Wild (2014)
In 1995, Cheryl Strayed of Minneapolis, Minnesota was going through a divorce and struggling with depression and addiction. She decided that what she needed to turn her life around was an epic adventure. Even though she had little hiking experience, Cheryl endeavors to hike 1,100 miles along the Pacific Crest Trail. Along the way she meets various setbacks, but also fellow hikers who help her complete her mission. Based on Strayed’s New York Times best-selling memoir, Wild stars Reese Witherspoon and has a lot to teach us about perseverance and how a life-changing journey can help us reach redemption.
11 of 11 Travel to Silver Peak, Colorado
Silver Peak’s past is full of mysteries, and no one is better at solving them than Sadie Speers. Leave your cares behind and head to the high country of Silver Peak, Colorado, for some super-sleuthing fun that will bring the history of the town to life.
The award-winning actress and singer shares her favorite Bible verse, the best advice she’s ever received, and what inspired her to write her new book.
