Movies Like Transit: 10 Thrilling Picks

Description: This film captures the essence of a fleeting, profound connection between two strangers who meet on a train and spend one night exploring Vienna. It’s a meditation on the transient nature of travel and the deep conversations that can arise in such moments.

Fact: The script was written in just 11 days, and much of the dialogue was improvised. The film was shot in sequence over 15 days, with long takes to maintain authenticity.

Description: A young traveler’s search for an untouched paradise leads to a secluded beach community, where the dream of escape clashes with the realities of human nature. The film examines the idealism and disillusionment of travel and discovery.

Fact: The filming location in Thailand became a tourist attraction, leading to environmental concerns. The production faced controversy for altering the landscape, which was later restored.

Description: Based on a true story, this film follows a young Che Guevara on a transformative motorcycle journey across South America. It’s a coming-of-age tale that highlights the profound impact of travel on personal and political awakening.

Fact: The film’s route closely followed the actual journey taken by Che Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado. Many of the locations were the same ones visited during the original trip in the 1950s.

Description: Centers on the transient connections and existential reflections of two Americans in Tokyo, highlighting themes of loneliness and cultural displacement. The film captures the fleeting, ephemeral nature of human relationships in unfamiliar settings.

Fact: Much of the dialogue was improvised, adding to the film's naturalistic feel. The iconic whisper at the end was intentionally inaudible to maintain ambiguity.

Description: A daydreamer embarks on a global adventure to track down a missing photograph, stepping out of his routine life into a world of unexpected experiences. The film celebrates the transformative power of travel and the courage to embrace the unknown.

Fact: Many of the stunning landscapes were filmed on location in Iceland, Greenland, and the Himalayas. The skateboarding scene down the mountain road was performed by a professional skateboarder.

Description: This film explores themes of displacement and the experience of being stuck in a liminal space, focusing on a man who lives in an airport terminal due to unforeseen circumstances. It shares a narrative about adapting to an unfamiliar environment and the connections formed in transit.

Fact: The set of the airport terminal was one of the largest ever built for a film at the time, complete with functioning shops and restaurants. The story was inspired by the real-life case of Mehran Karimi Nasseri, who lived in Charles de Gaulle Airport for 18 years.

Description: Follows three brothers on a train journey across India, exploring themes of family, grief, and self-discovery. The train serves as a moving, confined space where personal and shared histories unfold.

Fact: The train used in the film was a real Indian railway train, and the crew traveled with it during filming. The brothers' luggage was custom-designed to reflect their personalities.

Description: A couple embarks on a cross-country journey to find the perfect place to raise their unborn child, encountering various lifestyles and philosophies along the way. The film is a road movie that explores the search for home and belonging.

Fact: The film was shot in multiple locations across the U.S. and Canada, with a small crew to maintain an intimate feel. The soundtrack features indie folk music that complements the film’s wandering tone.

Description: A story about a man whose life is perpetually in transit, living out of a suitcase and finding solace in the anonymity of airports and hotels. It delves into the emotional toll of a rootless existence and the search for meaningful connections.

Fact: The film features real-life employees who had recently been laid off, adding authenticity to the firing scenes. The director aimed to reflect the economic climate of the late 2000s.

Description: A nostalgic journey through time, where the protagonist finds himself transported to 1920s Paris each night. The film explores the allure of the past and the idea of escaping one’s present reality through travel, both literal and metaphorical.

Fact: Many of the historical figures depicted in the film were based on real artists and writers from the 1920s. The iconic clock that strikes midnight was a custom-built prop.