With Covid-19 cancelling all of our travel plans for the foreseeable future, most of us have found ourselves trapped indoors. But instead of fretting, I feel as though this is the perfect time to regroup, reset and watch some Netflix. So, without further ado, here are some movies to hold you over until you can head to the airport again.

The Road Trip

The road trip. It is as American as apple pie and as classic as a leather jacket and aviators. While the closest thing you may be able to come to a road is your hallway, it is good to remember that that won’t always be the case. And taking a vicarious trip down the open road just be just what you need to appease yourself until you can hit the open road again.

Ok. This movie is by no means great cinema, but it is highly entertaining—especially with those of us that have families to entertain. During the 90 plus minutes, you can watch as the hapless, slightly estranged Johnson family bumble across the country from the California into the heartland in order to attend a family reunion.

For older millennials, this ride serves as a time capsule for our teen years. For Gen Z, you get to full permission to laugh at all the trends that the rest of us once thought we cool. But bear in mind, that 16 years is a long time and what was acceptable then maybe cringe-worthy now. But if you can get past those few slights, you’ll be in for a hilarious ride.

Queen & Slim

A recent entry into this genre, this movie is not for anyone looking for a romp. A mix-mashed tale of romance meets social-justice all on the run, this movie serves as a beautiful tribute the black American life—in all its complexities. It is also a beautiful moving tribute to the American South.

After an unfortunate, to say the least, a run-in with the police, our unnamed protagonists make a reverse trek down the underground railroad. In this journey of refuge seeking, our heroes make an unwitting run towards freedom but end up finding something better along the way.

This is a movie that was made for discourse. So gather up your friends, digitally, of course, and start a Google hangout, or a Zoom watch party with all of your intellectual/artsy friends. If you are bored, after watching this you’ll have enough material to have discussions for days to come.

Roma

Another well-acclaimed, thoughtful movie, “Roma” is set in the middle-class childhood neighborhood of director Alfonso Cuarón. It chronicles the story of an Indigenous Mexican woman in the employ of an upper-middle-class (white) Mexican family. It follows the quiet drudgery and increasing intensity of her life as circumstances grow more and more complicated for her and the family she cares for.

While not a classical Lauded for its realism, this movie, offers a slice of Mexican life not often seen by gringos like me. Like “Queen and Slim,” this movie will inspire lots of discussions about access, class, grief, and loss. All in the backdrop of the gorgeous landscape.

Smoke Signals

One of, if not, the first film that was written, produced and directed by first nations people, “Smoke Signals” is a classic road trip fare. Based on the short story "This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona" author Sherman Alexie adapted his own work into a screenplay for the movie.

In it a duo of young Native kids from the Coeur D'Alene Indian Reservation in Plummer, Idaho set off to retrieve the ashes of a man who is in varying degrees father, hero and abuser. Along the way, they wrestle and reconcile what truly makes someone an “Indian.” And what it means to love and embrace someone—flaws and all.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

The literal definition of a cult-classic, Priscilla paved the way for LGBTQIA+ mainstream representation in a way that few media before it had. On their silver bus Priscilla, drag queens Mitzi and Felicia and trans-woman Bernadette set course across the Outback towards Alice Springs, a resort in which they will perform their particular brand of cabaret. Along the way, they meet interesting characters and learn the truth about who, in fact, contracted them to do the show.

Chef

I saw this movie two years ago as I headed across the Iberian Peninsula from Madrid to begin my new life in Valencia. “Chef” was one of the few English Language options on the bus, so I begrudgingly made my selection. And all these years later, I am so happy that I did.

Written, directed, produced and starring Jon Favreau, “Chef” is a story of many things. Love, food, authenticity, but above all, it is a story about leaving the stifling comfort of success, and taking a chance on yourself. Tired with the same old, same old, Chef Carl Casper quits his job as head chef of at a fancy restaurant after a succession of poor reviews.

With each review, Chef Casper grows more and more exasperated until he explodes on the reviewer—a scene that was caught on video. Thus making the chef virtually unemployable. Defeated, Casper joins his ex-wife and son in Miami where he rediscovers his love of Cuban food and decided to buy a food truck.

With his former sous-chef and son in tow, Chef Casper drives the truck along the southern coast from Miami to Los Angelos, selling sandwiches and growing a bigger and bigger following along the way.

The Motorcycle Diaries

Initially intended to be equal parts humanitarian mission, road trip and bacchanal, “The Motorcyle Diaries” follows the journey of fourth year medical student “Fuser” and his biochemist friend across South America. But along the way, for the first time, the young men are confronted with the disparity between the haves, like themselves, and the overwhelmingly indigenous population of of have nots. This disparity radicalizes the two men, the more famous of whom is now know to the world as Che Guevara.

Regardless of your politics, this film will both resonate with and illuminate you. And for that reason alone it is more than worth seeing.

The Trip (2011)

A story of food, friendship and the English Countryside, food critic Steve is given the task of reviewing all the fine dining restaurants in the Lake and Yorshire districts. After his girlfriend declines the trip, Steve invites his good friend/rival Rob along for the ride. What ensues is a hilarious film that blurs the line between documentary and feature film. But in all honesty, you will most likely be too busy crying with laughter to care to decipher fiction from reality.

This is a good film to watch while you are nearing the end of your quarantine. You’ll be too busy sliding on the floor to remember that you were once climbing up the walls.

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything

This was, save for “The Little Mermaid”, my favorite movie growing up. Inspired by the Aussie flick and fellow member on this list, “Priscilla,” “Too Wong Foo” is an LGBTQIA+ centered film that follows three drag queens as they make their way from New York to Los Angeles. Two of the beauties, Noxema and Vita are tied as the winner of a drag beauty contest and plan to head to LA to compete in the final. Before they set out, they meet Chi Chi, a fledging “drag princess” who is still establishing her identity as a female impersonator.

In order to bring Chi Chi along, Vita and Noxema sell their plane tickets and use it to buy a ratty, yet stylish, convertible. But the car breaks down in the middle of the trip and the ladies are left to reckon with life in a small town where they are as out of place as a tornado in Britain.

Y Tu Mamá También

A coming of age story for two hormonal Mexican teenage buddies, as they sail across the country with a sexy older Spanish woman who is in an existential crisis all her own. Along the way, they swap girlfriends, dares, and grievances. And replace them instead with a reality that immaturity was trying to cover.

If you watch no other film on this list, see this one.

Road Trip Movies for the Grounded Wanderer