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The Movies to Watch to Escape City life
- Amber Ray
- May 13
- 4 min read
Living on the outskirts of London, I commute an hour and a half to work every morning and evening Monday to Thursday. Sometimes you smile as you recognise the same faces on the train, manage to get a seat, the music hits the spot just right - and other times you sit and feel a little numbed by the same old journey, office and routine. Movies are the perfect escapism, and when foggy, grey London starts to gives you the blues - I recommend these picks.
Captain Fantastic (2016)
A father raises his kids in the American wilderness, free from consumer culture and conformity. After the death of their Mother, they set out to fulfil her final wish - and have to face her family, and trying to fit into modern society to do so. It is able to blend humour and heartache seamlessly. It’s a testament to the human spirit and the power of family.
The Secret life of Walter Mitty (2013)
A daydreamer stuck in a grey office job breaks out of his routine—literally—and embarks on a globe-spanning journey. I always come back to this when I need a reminder that life doesn’t wait for us to be ready. I particularly love the scene he has to choose the red or the blue car at the Nuuk airport (Matrix reference), for which he chose red (accepting the sometimes painful truth of reality).
Mamma Mia! (2008)
If you haven't heard of this one, you may be living under a rock. After sneakily reading her Mother's diary, Sophie invites her 3 potential Father's to her Wedding to try to figure out who is truly her's. Beautiful visuals of sun-drenched Greek islands, ABBA on full blast, and a chaotic family reunion—this one is pure serotonin.
Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)
Wes Anderson’s stop-motion adventure is a whimsical and witty world away from real life. Foxes wear corduroy suits, badgers are lawyers, and every frame is its own escape hatch from urban routine. The film also touches on the conflict between an individual's wild instincts and their responsibility to their loved ones.
The Talented Mr Ripley (1999)
Set against the backdrop of 1950s Italy, this dark and elegant thriller drips with heat, glamour, and tension. Tom Ripley, a fraudster, is sent from New York City to Italy to convince Dickie Greenleaf, a rich playboy, to return home. But Dickie is not easily swayed, and Ripley becomes dangerously attached to him and his lifestyle. The Amalfi Coast, jazz bars, and old money leisure sets for a beautiful backdrop admist the drama.
Into the Wild (2007)
Based on the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who gives away all his possessions and hitchhikes across America, seeking freedom in the Alaskan wilderness. For those feeling boxed in by bus routes and inboxes, this is a haunting yet beautiful meditation on the cost—and pull—of total escape.
Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Frodo Baggins leaves his quiet village to carry a powerful ring across Middle-earth, joining a fellowship of unlikely heroes in a battle between good and evil. Few stories feel as sweeping and transportive. This is perfect when you need to feel part of something epic, surrounded by forests, mountains, and real friendship.
The Sound of Music (1965)
Maria, a lively aspiring nun, becomes governess to seven children in the Austrian countryside, transforming their lives with music—just as the shadow of war looms. With its mountain backdrops and joyful songs, this is a reminder that beauty, music, and courage can thrive even in the most uncertain times.
Before Sunrise (1995)
Two strangers, Jesse and Céline, meet on a train and spend a night wandering Vienna, talking about life, love, and everything in between before they have to part ways in the morning. It’s an intimate and meandering kind of escape that will leave you thinking about what love truly is.
Call me by Your Name (2017)
In 1980s Northern Italy, 17-year-old Elio forms a deep connection with Oliver, a visiting American academic. Their summer unfolds in glances, swims, peaches and stolen afternoons. It’s a very sensual film, and set in a world that feels untouched by modern noise, perfect for escapism.
The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
Three estranged brothers reunite on a train journey through India after their father’s death, each carrying emotional baggage and a laminated itinerary. Equal parts absurd and heartfelt, it’s a story about grief, reconciliation, and the healing chaos of travel.
Roman Holiday (1953)
This romantic comedy Audrey Hepburn film will having you dreaming about the beautiful streets of Rome. Hepburn plays a princess who escapes her duties for a day, meeting an American journalist - they have great chemistry and witty conversations that will have you hooked.
Letters to Juliet (2010)
While on holiday in Verona, Sophie (played by Amanda Seyfield) discovers an old love letter tucked behind a brick in Juliet’s courtyard and sets out to reunite its writer with her lost love. It may be a little cheesy, and hard to connect with some characters - but it's a very easy and light-hearted watch for romance-junkies.
Much Ado about Nothing (1993)
In sun-soaked Tuscany, two pairs of lovers clash, flirt, and reconcile amidst wit, wordplay, and garden feasts. As the title states, the iconic Shakespeare play shows how miscommunication can lead to disaster. Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson light up this lively Shakespeare adaptation with their chemistry and wit . It’s a joyous, golden-hour kind of film—one that makes you long for countryside air.
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