*Originally published on February 15, 2022:
Everything that could possibly go wrong in these road trip movies does—and then some! There's truly nothing like a good road trip movie! But sometimes, the road trip in said movie doesn't exactly go according to plan. In fact, things turn out quite, well ... disastrous. So if you're planning an upcoming road trip, you can do so knowing it will definitely go better than the road trips in the following films. Here are the 5 best movies about road trips gone wrong, in no particular order.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Honestly, did anything go right in this movie?! While it's a classic film showcasing comedy legends John Candy and Steve Martin's abilities, the road trip is anything but great. The characters end up in one bad situation after another; it's as hilarious as it is just downright pathetic.
Watch Planes, Trains, and Automobiles on Amazon Prime Video
National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Between a filthy campground, wandering the desert, a corrupt sheriff, and a dead aunt tied to the roof of the car, among many other things, the original Griswold's family vacation is the epitome of a bad road trip. It's one of those it's-so-bad-but-I-can't-seem-to-look-away movies we all love (or hate).
Watch National Lampoon's Vacation on Amazon Prime Video
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
When one goes on a road trip, it's important to have a working car, right? Seems pretty pointless otherwise. Despite this, the Hoover family goes on a road trip to a beauty pageant anyway—and, of course, chaos ensues. From a broken-down car that won't stop once it's running to the traumatic death of Grandpa along the way, Little Miss Sunshine still has a ton of heart.
Watch Little Miss Sunshine on Amazon Prime Video
We're the Millers (2013)
Courtesy of Warner Bros.
There's nothing fake about this disastrous road trip—except the family, of course. In order to smuggle drugs past the U.S. border, this fake-family road trip quickly turns into multiple standoffs, run-ins with the DEA, nosey RV neighbors, and a spider bite in the worst. place. possible. And yet, even with all of that, we still find ourselves laughing our butts off at this movie.
Watch We're the Millers on Amazon Prime Video
Dumb & Dumber (1994)
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
One of my absolute favorite road trip movies! Everything goes so wrong from the start of this movie to the end credits. During a cross-country road trip to Aspen (you know, "where the beer flows like wine"), loveable idiots Harry and Lloyd find themselves unknowingly caught up in a blackmail scheme.
Watch Dumb & Dumber on Amazon Prime Video
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