16 Best Movies to Watch on a Road Trip [No Spoiler]

Jean updated on Aug 09, 2024 to EaseUS RecExperts

This post focuses on movies to watch on a road trip and offers the 16 best funny and fantastic films. These good movies include comedy, action, romance, drama, and more genres. They span nearly 90 years and cater to different audience groups, including kids, family, and friends.

Watching movies on the road makes the journey more enjoyable, fosters connections, and enriches the travel experience. This article lists 16 good movies to watch on a road trip, with the film length, where to watch, plots, and more.

If you are interested in how to watch road trip movies without a network for free, you can use a screen recorder to record the movie for offline watching. Let's go to find some you are interested in!

Best Movies to Watch on a Road Trip

Long-trip car driving can become tedious. So, we collect 16 good and suitable movies for you to watch on the road trip, with releasing of these films spanning more than 90 years.

The movie types cover Comedy, Adventure, Drama, Musical, Romance, Action, and Thriller. Family, kids, and friends can find a suitable film here.

Rest assured; there are no spoilers in this part.

1. Road Trip (2000)

Movie Genre: Comedy/Adventure

Film Length: 1h 34m

Cast: Breckin Meyer, Seann William Scott, Paulo Costanzo, and DJ Qualls

Director: Todd Phillips

Streaming Platform: YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video

Storyline: Four college friends embark on a cross-country journey to retrieve an embarrassing videotape that could ruin their lives. Along the way, they face crazy adventures, unexpected detours, and personal challenges. Their journey is filled with humor, friendship, and life lessons as they discover more about themselves and each other. Ultimately, this movie is about the fun and chaos of youth and friendship on the open road.

2. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Movie Genre: Comedy/Drama

Film Length: 1h 41m

Cast: Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin, and Alan Arkin

Director: Valerie Faris, Jonathan Dayton

Streaming Platform: Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video

Storyline: A dysfunctional family embarks on a cross-country road trip in a Volkswagen bus to support their daughter's dream of competing in a beauty pageant. Along the way, they face challenges, but their bond is strengthened as they overcome their differences and quirks.

3. Green Book (2018)

Movie Genre: Comedy/Musical

Film Length: 2h 10m

Cast: Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali

Director: Peter Farrelly

Streaming Platform: Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, Hulu, FXNOW

Storyline: In the 1960s, a working-class Italian-American becomes the chauffeur of an African-American classical pianist on a tour of the segregated South. Despite their differences, they form an unexpected friendship, learning about each other's lives and overcoming prejudice along the way.

4. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Movie Genre: Comedy/Adventure

Film Length: 1h 58m

Cast: Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Tobey Maguire, and Michael Lee Gogin

Director: Terry Gilliam

Streaming Platform: Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video

Storyline: A journalist and his lawyer travel to Las Vegas to cover a motorcycle race while immersing themselves in a wild adventure filled with drugs and bizarre experiences. Their escapades lead to chaotic encounters that blur reality and fantasy, revealing the surreal American dream.

5. Joy Ride (2023)

Movie Genre: Comedy

Film Length: 1h 35m

Cast: Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu

Director: Adele Lim

Streaming Platform: YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, Hulu, The Roku Channel, Philo, Starz

Storyline: Three friends on a road trip decide to play a prank on a truck driver with their CB radios. The prank backfires and they become the targets of a vengeful driver in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across the American West.

6. Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

Movie Genre: Comedy/Drama

Film Length: 1h 39m

Cast: Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, and Dan Aykroyd

Director: Alfred Uhry

Streaming Platform: YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video

Storyline: In the 1940s, an elderly Jewish woman named Daisy is forced to hire a chauffeur because of her failing eyesight. Over time, a friendship develops between her and the African-American chauffeur, revealing profound social issues and personal growth as they cross the cultural divide.

7. It Happened One Night (1934)

Movie Genre: Comedy/Romance

Film Length: 1h 45m

Cast: Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert, Walter Connolly, and Roscoe Karns

Director: Frank Capra

Streaming Platform: Tubi (free), YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video

Storyline: A spoiled heiress runs away from home and meets a cynical journalist on a bus. He recognizes her and agrees to help her reach her destination with her cooperation. The two face various obstacles together on their journey and eventually develop a bond.

8. Two Lane Blacktop (1971)

Movie Genre: Western/Action

Film Length: 1h 41m

Cast: James Taylor, Warren Oates, Laurie Bird, Dennis Wilson, and Rudolph Wurlitzer

Director: Monte Hellman

Streaming Platform: YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel

Storyline: Two drift drivers in a car challenge a street racer to a race across the country. Along the way, they hitch a ride and explore themes of competition and existentialism, focusing on their quest for meaning in life driven by speed and freedom.

9. It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)

Movie Genre: Comedy/Adventure

Film Length: 2h 39m

Cast: Edie Adams, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman…

Director: Stanley Kramer

Streaming Platform: Tubi, Pluto TV, MGM+, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, The Roku Channel, Philo

Storyline: A group of strangers witness a man reveal the location of buried treasure before he dies. This revelation triggers a chaotic race as different groups try to find the treasure first, resulting in hilarious and infuriating encounters during the competition.

10. National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)

Movie Genre: Comedy/Adventure

Film Length: 1h 38m

Cast: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Imogene Coca, Randy Quaid, John Candy, and Christie Brinkley

Director: Harold Ramis

Streaming Platform: YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, Philo

Storyline: The Griswold family embarks on a cross-country journey to the fictional Wally World amusement park. Their journey is filled with mishaps, challenges, and a series of hilarious misadventures that test their patience and family bonds along the way.

11. Too Wong Foo (1995)

Movie Genre: Comedy/Drama

Film Length: 1h 49m

Cast: Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo

Director: Beeban Kidron

Streaming Platform: Starz, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, Hulu, The Roku Channel, Philo

Storyline: Three drag queens embark on a cross-country road trip to compete in a drag competition. Their journey takes a turn when their car breaks down in a small town. They bring joy and color to the local community while teaching everyone about acceptance and friendship.

12. Crossroads (2002)

Movie Genre: Comedy/Romance

Film Length: 1h 34m

Cast: Britney Spears, Anson Mount, Zoe Saldana, Taryn Manning, Kim Cattrall, and Dan Aykroyd.

Director: Tamra Davis

Streaming Platform: Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV, Fandango at Home

Storyline: Three childhood friends reunite and embark on a journey to find a friend's long-lost mother. Along the way, they face their own struggles and insecurities, and discover the power of self and friendship in their shared adventure.

13. Rat Race (2001)

Movie Genre: Comedy/Adventure

Film Length: 1h 52m

Cast: Rowan Atkinson, Whoopi Goldberg, Cuba Gooding Jr., Wayne Knight…

Director: Jerry Zucker

Streaming Platform: Pluto TV, YouTube TV, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video

Storyline: A group of people from all walks of life are chosen to compete in a contest for a cash prize hidden in a locker in New Mexico. In order to win the prize, the contestants face a variety of wacky challenges and hilarious situations that demonstrate the chaos and unpredictability of life.

14. North By Northwest (1959)

Movie Genre: Thriller/Action

Film Length: 2h 16m

Cast: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Streaming Platform: Tubi, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video

Storyline: An ordinary man is mistaken for an agent and caught in a web of espionage and intrigue. Pursued by dangerous enemies, he travels the country trying to clear his name while trying to get out of the dangerous situation he finds himself in.

15. Come As You Are (2019)

Movie Genre: Comedy/Drama

Film Length: 1h 46m

Cast: Grant Rosenmeyer, Hayden Szeto, Ravi Patel, and Gabourey Sidibe

Director: Richard Wong

Streaming Platform: Starz, YouTube, Hulu, Sling TV, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Philo

Storyline: Three young people with disabilities embark on a road trip to Canada to participate in a special event. Along the way, they face challenges, help each other overcome obstacles, and discover the meaning of independence, friendship, and living life to the fullest.

16. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Movie Genre: Action/Adventure

Film Length: 2h

Cast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne…

Director: George Miller

Streaming Platform: YouTube, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Fandango at Home, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV

Storyline: In a post-apocalyptic world, a woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler while leading a group of female captives to freedom. Along the way, she is paired up with a lone wolf named Max and ends up in an intense chase filled with action and survival.

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How to Watch Movies Offline for Free

Watching these road trip movies and films online requires a stable internet connection. The best way to enjoy a smooth viewing experience is to download these videos offline.

If you cannot download from Crackle, Disney, Netflix, YouTube, and other streaming platforms, you can get them from professional video recording software, like EaseUS RecExperts.

It lets you screen record Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Hulu, and others without a black screen. You can record the entire movie for later watch with with 4K/8K resolution.

Get your device's storage ready, download, and use EaseUS RecExperts to record good movies to watch on a road trip.

Conclusion

This post introduces 16 movies to watch on a road trip. You can know the basic information and where to watch these films.

If you are interested in old movies, you have many options from the list. To make watching them smoother, you can save these fantastic videos offline and view them without Wi-Fi or the internet.

Embark on your adventure and drive carefully.

How to Watch Movies on a Road Trip FAQs

Learn more questions and answers in this part.

1. How can I watch movies on long car rides?

To watch movies on long car rides, here are some ways you can do:

  • Portable DVD Player
  • Tablet or Laptop
  • Smartphone
  • Built-in Car Systems
  • Streaming Services
  • Bluetooth or AUX Connection
  • Power Sources
  • Headphones
  • Plan for Breaks
  • Consider the Audience

2. How do you stay entertained on a road trip?

Here are some recommendations for you to stay entertained on a road trip:

  • Play music and podcasts
  • Play classic car games
  • Share stories
  • Pack a variety of snacks and drinks
  • Capture interesting sights along the way
  • Keep a travel journal or blog
  • Watch movies or shows

3. How many hours is considered a road trip?

A road trip can take from several hours to several days. Here is a simple classification:

  • Short road trip: 2 to 4 hours
  • Medium road trip: 4 to 8 hours
  • Long road trip: 8 hours or more