11 Movies That Almost Ruined Travelling Forever

What a boring load of old dross this is! We get the whole self-discovery message this film (based on a book which is just as inexplicably popular) advocates, but why make us sit through all the predictable lowlights? If you were keen to head out into the world and find out for yourself what life is all about, this Julia Roberts vehicle will make you want to rip up your passport and stay at home instead.

We’re big fans of this Sean Penn-directed movie, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a sobering reminder that solo travelling without the appropriate research can be a fatal mistake. Emile Hirsch plays Christopher McCandless, a man who embarked on a two year trip across America ending up in an abandoned vehicle succumbing to poisoning and only then realising that true happiness can only be achieved when shared with others. Billed as a ‘survival drama’, Into the Wild delivers on one of those fronts only…

You might also like: 15 Films We’ve All Lied About Watching

Two best friends decide to go on holiday, telling their parents they are going to Hawaii but in reality ending up in Thailand. One of the girls falls for a charming Australian only to discover he has duped them into smuggling heroin out of the country. Once questioned by the local police, they end up serving a 33-year prison sentence and face up to the harsh realities of their situation. It’s everyone’s worst nightmare and the best example we can think of to double-check that you are the one to pack your luggage.

You might also like: These Are the Most Beautiful Cinemas From Around the World

This film looks particularly outdated now, but there is still something in there that sends a chill down our spines. Three young men are persuaded to take a detour on their trip across Europe and end up in Slovakia on the promise of a stay in a hotel filled with beautiful women. Unfortunately, what they find instead, is an underground club for the wealthy where young adventurers are the prey. Eastern Europe is now seen as a friendly, warm destination, but this film made it appear like a dangerous no-go zone.

‘It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey…’ or so the old saying goes. Well, this particular journey involves the flight from hell which sees the slithering creatures unleashed mid-air as Samuel L. Jackson swears on cue. It’s utter nonsense, obviously, but we still have to double-check under our seats before every flight.

This recent shocker is set up like a classic trapped-in-one-location thriller as two young friends enjoy the holiday of a life time in Mexico. Looking for adventure, they are told of a shark-diving experience by two strangers and end up in a rusty cage surrounded by sharks. As the title suggests, the pair end up at the bottom of the ocean with a rapidly dwindling air supply. The claustrophobia and tension are palpable, all aided by a superb performance from Mandy Moore.

You might also like: 15 Places That Look Like They’ve Come Straight out of a Movie

Here are Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin telling us more about the perils of the ocean…

[jwplayer TFEz2l3x]

There was a point when James Franco could do no wrong. He seemed to be in every film released in 2010, and 127 Hours was arguably the best of the bunch. Given that we spend most of the time in the sole company of the distractingly attractive star, it’s a good job that the film also boasts his best performance to date. The story is simple enough, seeing Franco as carefree Aron Ralston who is happy leaping, climbing and generally hurling himself headlong into danger. Actually, that should read ‘arm-long’ as this true story is based around an incident that saw Ralston accidentally trapping one of his limbs under a boulder. Unable to free himself, he has to take drastic action to survive…

An all-star cast, including a pre-Thor Chris Hemsworth, feature in this forgotten film. The premise fits the formula of a number of films on our list as a seemingly naive couple (Milla Jovovich and Steve Zahn) celebrate their recent marriage by honeymooning on a remote Hawaiian island. As they encounter other couples along the way, it’s revealed that a series of murders have been taking place on the island and police are closing in on the culprits. There are twists along the way, but we were just left wondering if we would ever talk to strangers again when on holiday.

The wide, open roads of America have always had an alluring attraction for keen drivers. Jeff Taylor (Kurt Russell) and wife Amy are travelling cross-country as part of a big move, but their leisurely drive is ruined when their car breaks down. Amy hitches a ride with a friendly trucker… and Jeff is left to rue his decision to not join her when it all goes wrong hours later. We’ll stick to the bus, thanks.

You might also like: Why The Film Industry Is Finally Waking Up And Taking The ‘Sleeper Hit’ Seriously

Two shark films in the same list might be overkill, but maybe it’s the only way to really get the message across… swimming with sharks should not be on anyone’s bucket-list! To be fair, Blake Lively’s Nancy isn’t looking for that sort of adventure and is instead more interested in surfing on a remote beach. When she does encounter a Great White, she ends up being stranded a few hundred yards from shore with no one around to help. You’ll believe in the survival of the character and Lively is fantastic in the lead role, but you’ll think twice about going in the water on your own.

The ultimate trip-gone-wrong movie, Deliverance sees four city slickers head for a river in Georgia before an area of natural beauty is ruined by the impending arrival of a dam. The canoeing trip starts off well, but things take a horrific turn when the locals (who appear to have suffered generations of inbreeding) take notice of the outsiders. An infamous scene at the centre of the film, that has been repeatedly been parodied and referenced, is utterly chilling within the context of the movie.

You might also like: 21 Photos That Will Make Monterey Your Next Californian Vacation