by Lori Straus

Feeling a bit cooped up? Sometimes a road trip movie is enough to take your family somewhere. Here are five road trip movies you can watch with your family.

Finding Nemo

Although no roads are technically used in this movie, Nemo’s dad still goes on an oceanic road trip to find his son, who’s trapped in a fish tank at a dentist’s office. Marlin befriends sharks, turtles, and overcomes his own fears of living in his metaphorical oceanic bubble. With Ellen DeGeneres co-starring as the voice of Dory, the fish with no memory, it’s a fun, sometimes scary, but also uplifting romp through the waters around Australia.

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

When three animals mistakenly believe that the humans who take care of them have left them behind, they set out on an adventure into the wilderness to return home. Moments of kindness interspersed with scenes of adventure make this an exciting movie for everyone.

An animal movie before CGI was used to make animals talk, Homeward Bound features not only voices parents and grandparents will recognize (Sally Field, Michael J. Fox) but also a beautiful, emotional story about family and belonging with the happy ending kids so often want.

The Muppet Movie

Jim Henson’s Muppets found a niche in the 70s and ruptured it wide open: entertainment that kids and adults alike could enjoy, but because they see different things. The Muppet Movie follows everyone’s beloved Kermit the Frog as he embarks on a road trip from his simple swamp in Florida to make it big in Hollywood. Along the way, he encounters other Muppets and, in true Muppet style, numerous stars who make cameo appearances.

Do you remember the song “The Rainbow Connection?” It premiered on The Muppet Movie.

Cars

It’s hard to believe how old this epic Pixar road trip movie is now, but Cars offers what Pixar became known for: movies that children and adults could enjoy. From cheesy humour like the leaning tower of tires at an Italian business to fun gags with Mater and Lightning McQueen, Cars will always be a classic road trip movie for families.

And we especially like it of course because it’s about, ahem, cars.

Trains, Planes and Automobiles

Poor Steve Martin: He’s stuck with won’t-stop-talking John Candy in this classic road trip movie. All Steve Martin, as Neal Page, wants to do is get home for Thanksgiving. But bad weather gets in the way and he’s forced to find different means of transportation. Along the way, he meets John Candy, who plays Del Griffith, a shower curtain ring salesman and the world’s most annoying conversation partner: he never stops talking.

Road Trips for Families Are Great for a Rainy Day

Road trip movies are a fun way to travel without leaving the family room couch. Whether you’re watching one because it’s already dark outside, the rain’s coming down in buckets, or you just want to laze on the couch for a couple of hours, road trip movies are a fun way to hang out with the family.