How Many Family Road Trip Movies Are There?

By Michael Ferguson

Road trip movies have always been a popular genre among moviegoers. They offer an exciting mix of adventure, comedy, and drama that makes them incredibly entertaining.

But how many family road trip movies are there? Let’s explore.

The First Family Road Trip Movie

The first family road trip movie is believed to be “The Grapes of Wrath” released in 1940. The story follows the Joad family as they migrate from Oklahoma to California during the Great Depression. Although not a typical road trip movie, it is considered a classic and has inspired many films that followed.

Classic Family Road Trip Movies

In the 1980s and 1990s, family road trip movies became increasingly popular. Some of the most well-known classics include:

  • “National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983) – The Griswold family embarks on a cross-country journey to Wally World theme park but encounters numerous obstacles along the way.
  • “Little Miss Sunshine” (2006) – The Hoover family travels in their Volkswagen bus to get their daughter Olive to a beauty pageant in California.
  • “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (1987) – Two strangers must team up to get home for Thanksgiving after their flight is diverted due to bad weather.

Recent Family Road Trip Movies

Family road trip movies continue to be popular today. Here are some recent releases:

“Vacation” (2015)

This film serves as both a sequel and a reboot of “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” Rusty Griswold takes his wife and two sons on a road trip from Chicago to Walley World, just like his father did years before.

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul” (2017)

Based on the popular book series, this movie follows the Heffley family as they journey to their grandmother’s 90th birthday celebration. Along the way, they encounter various mishaps and obstacles.

“Are We There Yet?” (2005)

In this comedy, Nick, a bachelor, reluctantly agrees to drive two children from Portland to Vancouver to impress their mother. Chaos ensues as they encounter numerous obstacles along the way.

The Future of Family Road Trip Movies

As long as families continue to take road trips together, there will always be an audience for family road trip movies. With new technologies and storytelling techniques emerging every day, it will be interesting to see how the genre continues to evolve in the future.

In conclusion, there have been many family road trip movies throughout the years that have captured audiences’ hearts and imaginations. Whether you prefer classic films or new releases, there is something for everyone in this exciting genre.