As a seasoned traveler who’s seen more than my fair share of vacation mayhem, let me tell you, these movies sure do hit close to home! The tales of disastrous trips, family feuds, and encounters with the bizarre are all too familiar. It seems that when it comes to vacations, chaos often follows us like a shadow.
Movies depicting travel mishaps have been a staple in Hollywood for quite some time now. These films, filled with hilarious moments, terrifying scenes, and nail-biting tension, often fall under this subcategory. Here, we honor these movies by sharing our top picks. Whether it’s a timeless comedy such as “City Slickers” or an action/horror masterpiece like “Deliverance,” these are the films that turned what should have been idyllic getaways into complete disasters for their characters.
National Lampoon’s Vacation
This list isn’t complete without the all-time favorite calamity of a family road trip, best embodied by “National Lampoon’s Vacation”. In the U.S., a family road trip is a traditional milestone. Regrettably, not many trips match the chaos that ensued on the Griswolds’ journey from Chicago to California, aiming for WallyWorld. It’s so iconic it even sparked a series of sequels.
Deliverance
No film depicts a camping excursion turning sour as severely as the 1972 movie, “Deliverance”. This Burt Reynolds starrer has become synonymous with an appalling canoe adventure (or any trip into rural areas), where the protagonists merely desired a leisurely river paddle before it was dammed. However, the locals had other plans altogether.
The Great Outdoors
Chet Ripley (John Candy) aspired for a peaceful, old-fashioned summer getaway with his loved ones in the forest. Regrettably, as fate would have it and echoing the experiences of countless fathers past and present, the course of events took an unexpected turn upon the arrival of his bothersome brother-in-law, portrayed by Dan Aykroyd. To add to the mix, his family was also in tow. However, Aykroyd’s character does deliver some memorable lines penned by John Hughes during the film.
The Hangover
An unconventional bachelor party in Las Vegas often veers off course, but we can only imagine that Doug’s party the night before his wedding took a turn for the extremely unfortunate. What began as a simple drink on the rooftop of Caesar’s Palace, reminiscent of “The Hangover” movie, spiraled into Doug going missing, a swiped police vehicle, an impromptu wedding, and more chaos. Fortunately, most of Alan’s lines in “The Hangover,” delivered by actor Zach Galifianakis, are side-splittingly funny.
The Beach
As a college-aged gamer, you’d think stumbling upon paradise in Thailand would be the ultimate escape from reality. But boy, was I wrong! In “The Beach,” my character Richard (played by Leo DiCaprio) and his friends discover this enchanting, secluded beach that seems too good to be true. It’s all sun, sand, and serenity… until we realize the price for paradise is steep.
Home Alone
The movie “Home Alone” isn’t solely focused on the family’s vacation, rather it revolves around the young boy, Kevin, who is accidentally left at home while the rest of his family travels to Paris. Despite his success in thwarting the burglars, known as the Wet Bandits, at home, life for Kevin’s mother (Catherine O’Hara) and the rest of the family proves to be a series of unfortunate events as they struggle to return home to him.
The Cabin In The Woods
As a college student, there’s nothing more delightful than discovering a secluded spot, such as a forest cabin, to unwind and celebrate with your closest friends – unless you happen to be one of the students in “The Cabin in the Woods,” where your vacation gets disrupted by mad scientists who are secretly manipulating your trip for an insane experiment involving cabins… and students.
Anyone But You
Picture yourself attending a romantic wedding in a picturesque location, only to discover that your one-time partner, whom you now dislike deeply, will also be there. For Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben (Glen Powell), it feels like a Shakespearean tragedy unfolding before their eyes. Despite the animosity, they both harbor lingering feelings for each other, but neither can express this to the other. Instead of a peaceful getaway, the wedding turns into anything but a pleasant experience, at least initially. However, as events unfold, unexpected twists and turns might just change everything.
City Slickers
Back in the 1990s, dude ranches were extremely fashionable, with the film “City Slickers” starring Billy Crystal playing a significant role in their popularity. It’s surprising that people found these ranches appealing as vacation spots, considering how poorly the journey depicted in the movie turned out.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Murder mystery parties can be quite distressing, even when everything runs smoothly, for some individuals. However, others appear to enjoy them. Yet, even the most enthusiastic fans might find little pleasure in these gatherings if they were as chaotic and manipulative as the one depicted in “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery“. In this tale, old friendships are torn apart and enemies emerge on a disastrous get-together orchestrated by a wealthy, enigmatic host.
Bad Trip
As a passionate gamer, I’d recommend checking out “Bad Trip” starring Eric André and Lil Rel Howery. This movie title alone sets the stage for chaos! It’s all about a bumpy road trip from Florida to New York, filled with unexpected twists and turns. Unfortunately, it seems this hilarious comedy was overlooked upon its release, which is a real shame because it’s jam-packed with laughter and adventure. So, if you’re up for a side-splitting journey, give “Bad Trip” a watch!
I Know What You Did Last Summer
In essence, the misfortunes that befall the characters in the horror movie “I Know What You Did Last Summer” can largely be attributed to the self-centered actions of the college students on their vacation. Although we are intended to empathize with these characters, it becomes challenging to continue doing so after witnessing their questionable behavior.
Get Out
Experiencing a first meeting with your significant other’s family can be a tad nerve-wracking. In the movie Get Out, for Chris (played by Daniel Kaluuya), the initial encounter goes surprisingly smooth. His white girlfriend’s parents appear to be quite accepting of their interracial relationship, which was a concern for Chris. However, things take a turn for the worse when he uncovers the shocking truth behind their seemingly welcoming demeanor.
Weekend At Bernie’s
Is “Weekend at Bernie’s” technically considered a vacation movie? Yes, in a roundabout way, you could say that. When Larry (Andrew McCarthy) and Richard (Jonathan Silverman) uncover fraud at their boss’s company, Bernie invites them to his Hamptons retreat for the weekend. However, the weekend takes an unexpected turn when Bernie passes away, making it less of a leisurely getaway and more of a chaotic ordeal for our protagonists.
Summer Rental
John Candy often starred in numerous comedies centered around holiday disasters. While Summer Rental may not be the most iconic, it certainly delivers a chaotic experience. Initially intended to be a relaxing 5-week break in Florida, this trip unexpectedly morphs into the most stressful beach escape you could imagine, as an endless string of mishaps unfolds.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
In a dreadful twist of fate, Peter (Jason Segel) finds himself longing for tranquility, aiming to distance himself from his ex-girlfriend by vacationing in paradise. However, much to his dismay, he discovers that she’s not only at the same resort but is accompanied by her boisterous new beau. This predicament unfolds in the film “Forgetting Sarah Marshall“, and though it initially seems like a repeat of his past relationship, Peter eventually encounters Rachel (Mila Kunis), who proves to be a refreshing change from Sarah (Kristin Bell).
The Sure Thing
The Sure Thing is known for some of John Cusack’s memorable lines, largely due to a disastrous cross-country journey he embarks on. Along the way, things continually go awry as he grapples with a travel companion who he despises, and who feels the same about him. Remarkably, this is a romantic comedy of errors, as they eventually develop feelings for each other while commiserating over their miserable trip.
Jurassic Park
In the story of Jurassic Park, not all travelers were there for leisure, but the two kids, Lex and Tim, certainly were. Little did they know, their supposed vacation would turn into a series of harrowing encounters instead! They had merely intended to visit their grandfathers’ impressive new bio-park. However, it seemed like they kept finding themselves in danger, almost becoming dinosaur dinner on more than one occasion!
National Lampoon’s European Vacation
In National Lampoon’s European Vacation, the Griswolds made a repeat appearance for their second holiday. However, just like their disastrous trip to WallyWorld, Clark (Chevy Chase) and his family encountered more trouble than pleasure this time around. Despite spending less time in the car, the journey became even more frustrating when they got stuck in traffic near Big Ben and Parliament, seemingly for hours on end.
Couples Retreat
Many couples anticipate spending a weekend together as a couple. For some, this time away serves as an opportunity to rejuvenate their relationship and restore harmony. This is precisely what unfolds in “Couple’s Retreat“, but with vacations like these, who needs the strains of domestic life to jeopardize marriages?
Gotcha!
As a college student, I was all geared up for an unforgettable European summer adventure, especially with the movie “Gotcha!” featuring Anthony Edwards on my travel playlist. But little did I know that this trip would take a chilling Cold War twist when I crossed paths with a captivating woman named Sasha (Linda Fiorentino), who turned out to be no ordinary lady – she was a spy!
One Crazy Summer
In the realm of summer jobs and holidays, situations could scarcely be more enviable than what befalls Hoop (John Cusack) in “One Crazy Summer“. He encounters love with Cassandra (Demi Moore) and forges enduring friendships. However, this idyllic journey is not without its share of formidable obstacles that Hoop and his companions must navigate and surmount together.
A Very Brady Sequel
Originating from the popular series, “A Very Brady Sequel” portrays the entire family embarking on a journey to Hawaii with an aim to rescue Carol from the clutches of a dishonest swindler who has abducted her. Despite the situation not appearing as a typical holiday, they somehow find ways to enjoy their stay on the islands, yet even that turns out to be problematic.
What About Bob?
On their yearly trip, psychiatrist Dr. Leo Marvin (portrayed by Richard Dreyfuss) and his family visit Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. The getaway proceeds smoothly until an unstable patient of Leo’s named Bob Wiley (Bill Murray) unexpectedly appears, aiming to spoil both the psychiatrist’s life and vacation.
Brokedown Palace
You may recall the airport notices advising against accepting items from unknown individuals for your carry-on luggage. This appears to be self-explanatory, but characters Darlene (Kate Beckinsale) and Alice (Claire Danes) disregard this rule, unwittingly transporting drugs into Thailand. As a result, their idyllic getaway swiftly transforms into a harrowing prison ordeal.
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Although typical superhero tales might seem out of place in discussions about poorly planned vacations, the Spider-Man movies featuring Tom Holland/MCU, such as “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” prove to be an exception. Initially appearing as a delightful school excursion to Venice, the trip takes an unexpected turn for the worse when the city is assaulted by a Water Elemental. Definitely not what one would anticipate from a school outing! However, this event pales in comparison to the shocking climax of the movie yet to come.
Us
Director Jordan Peele built upon the chilling narrative of one horror film set during vacation (“Get Out”) by creating another, titled “Us“. Similar to a typical beach getaway, this movie also serves as a vacation horror, but with a more unsettling twist. What intensifies the terror is that the character Addy (played by Lupita Nyong’o) seemed to anticipate the unfolding events. She had a premonition of what was about to happen.
Vegas Vacation
Once more, the Griswolds, with Clark at the helm, embarked on another family adventure, this time in Las Vegas. Similar to the two previous trips depicted in the series, Vegas Vacation saw chaos and calamity befall nearly everyone except Cousin Eddie. Clark squandered his funds while gambling, the children found themselves in numerous predicaments, and Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) came close to being charmed by Wayne Newton.
EuroTrip
Upon graduating high school, Scott Mechlowicz (Scotty) experiences an unfortunate beginning as he’s brutally dumped. Matters deteriorate further when his German pen pal abruptly cuts off contact. In an attempt to turn things around, he embarks on a journey to Europe to meet her in the flesh. The voyage initially proves disastrous, but luckily, it eventually improves significantly towards the end. However, it’s a long and challenging road to reach that point.
Thelma And Louise
Initially, Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) merely intended their trip as a brief escape from daily life, heading up into the mountains for a relaxing weekend. However, an unexpected turn of events unfolded when Louise defended Thelma by shooting a man who was attacking her following a night at a bar. Consequently, what started as a simple getaway transformed into a thrilling pursuit from the authorities. Regrettably, this kind of adventure doesn’t usually align with one’s ideal vacation outcomes.
Midsommar
Dani (played by Florence Pugh) has had a challenging year following her sister’s demise and dealing with an increasingly abrasive partner. To escape her troubles, she accepts a friend’s invitation to visit a midsummer festival occurring just once every 90 years in rural Sweden. However, instead of a joyful event symbolizing renewal, the commune hosting it turns out to be a far cry from idyllic, revealing itself as a hedonistic nightmare.
Home Alone 2: Lost In New York
In the original “Home Alone”, it’s their trip that turns into an actual disaster, not mine. In the sequel, at first, it seems like my journey is turning into a nightmare, but once again, it’s my family who suffer more, despite me being the one to encounter a future politician in the film. Somehow, I always manage to find a way out of trouble.
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2024-11-26 15:38