If you are planning to move abroad, there are plenty of amazing movies that you can watch to get an idea about your life elsewhere. Whether you prefer an adventure-packed film or something romantic, movies about moving abroad allow you to experience traveling without having to board an airplane. Besides, the movies that we have selected will help you brush up on your foreign-language skills. Here are some of the best movies about moving abroad that you need to watch:
15. In Bruges (2008)
Do you want to move to Belgium? In Bruges is an excellent film that will take you through the medieval city of the same name. Watch two hitmen get stuck while on a mission. Things get complicated when one of them has to kill the other. There are hilarious encounters along the way.
This dark comedy perfectly captures the cobbled streets, pretty canals, and gothic architecture that will convince you to move sooner rather than later.
14. A Good Year (2006)
When an investment banker from London inherits a chateau in Provence, France after his uncle dies, he crosses the English Channel to sell the property. However, the joie de vivre helps slow him down and he realizes just how much life is better in Southern France. He even ends up falling for a local.
If you want to move abroad to slow down, this is the movie for you.
13. Good Bye Lenin! (2003)
Germany is a gorgeous country and Good Bye Lenin does a fantastic job at bringing Berlin to life. Gain a glimpse into the history of Deutschland and find out how the Berlin Wall divided residents.
When Alex gets arrested for protesting against the wall, his mother falls into a coma due to the shock. She only recovers once everything has changed. However, to keep things a secret, Alex pretends that everything is the same. This results in countless humorous scenes.
12. Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
For an Indian adventure, the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is just the movie that you need to watch. Most ex-pats dream of starting a new life in a different country. Instead of dealing with long and dark winters, the idea of retiring to a warm and sunny country can seem appealing.
This movie is uplifting and heart-warming as it follows British retirees exploring India. They spend time in a luxury hotel to make the most of their twilight years. Each character undergoes discovery during their time.
11. Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
When an author based in San Francisco realizes that her husband is a cheater, she heads to Italy for a vacation. As she travels through the Tuscan countryside on a tour bus, she decides to get a charming villa. But, it ends up requiring a ton of renovation.
The feel-good moments of this new life are what viewers will truly come to enjoy. Expats would relate to the ups and downs of living in a foreign country.
10. Burnt by the Sun (1994)
From guys drinking plenty of vodka with their buddies to finding somewhere cheap to live in Moscow, not many people understand the social etiquette and culture of Russia. Set in 1936, this historical drama covers the life of an army commander and his family.
Things take a turn for the worse when his wife’s ex-lover wants to get him arrested for an alleged assassination against Stalin. Embark on a journey full of secrets as you watch this film. You will realize that life in Russia has changed drastically since the fall of the USSR.
9. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Starring Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson, Vicky Cristina Barcelona is about an illicit affair between Cristian and Juan Antonio, a Spaniard whose ex-wife re-enters his life. It captures the complexity of human behavior and showcases the beauty that Barcelona has to offer.
When you give this film a watch, you will want to take the next flight to Spain.
8. The Swissmakers (1979)
Considered to be the most popular Swiss film of all time, The Swissmakers is a comedy about foreigners who try to get Swiss citizenship.
Watch two officers as they investigate the ex-pats, a French ballet dancer, and a ballet dancer, who want to obtain the coveted red passport. To get Swiss nationality, their lives are uncovered.
7. Amsterdamned (1988)
As the name suggests, Amsterdamned is a slasher film that involves chase scenes along the famous canals of Amsterdam. To capture the serial killer, a detective has to navigate the city. Dry Dutch humor is the glue that makes this movie fun to watch.
Although its horror theme might be somewhat debatable, it still manages to capture the essence of the Netherlands.
6. Notting Hill (1999)
Nobody thinks about working as a bookstore owner when searching for a job in London. However, this romantic comedy is about an American actress who falls in love with one. The duo takes romantic walks and their romance blossoms as they spend more time together.
Set in Notting Hill, the movie exposes viewers to just how expensive living in the United Kingdom can be and perfectly tackles cultural nuances.
5. Call Me by Your Name (2017)
Based on the book by Andre Aciman, this film is shot in Northern Italy and will make you want to learn Italian and dream about life in Cremona.
As Elio falls for his father’s assistant, he realizes that he is gay and has to understand that his relationship with the assistant is just temporary.
4. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Anyone who has never traveled but dreams of doing so should watch this movie. It involves fantasies of Walter as he yearns for great adventures. But, when he finds a picture that amuses him, he goes on a journey across the globe to Nepal, Iceland, and Greenland.
3. Midnight in Paris (2011)
Set in Europe, this is Woody Allen’s best film. It captures the “City of Light” and uncovers its Lost Generation. Whether you are a Hemingway fan or not, you will come to love this movie as it will make you understand what life is like for ex-pats.
2. Before Sunrise (1995)
Arguably the best film from the trilogy, Before Sunrise is about hopeless romantics as they explore Vienna. When Jesse strikes up a conversation with a local, the two end up spending the entire day together and forming a connection despite being from different parts of the world.
1. Lost in Translation (2003)
No movie about moving abroad can compete with this classic. It also stars Scarlett Johansson who is lonely in Japan and meets an American actor who feels just as miserable as her.
The two try to make the most of their time in Tokyo and fall in love in the process.
Honorable Mentions
- Pinky Memsaab (2018)
- Marie Antoinette (2006)
- The Danish Girl (2015)
We hope you get to watch the above-mentioned best movies about moving abroad to get an idea about relocating overseas. Let us know in the comments if you have already seen a movie that we have mentioned.
