The 10 Essential Films to Watch Before Your Trip to the United States

And what if you prepared your trip to the United States… from your couch? There’s nothing like a good movie or series to immerse yourself in the atmosphere before you even board the plane. From classic road movies that make you want to hit the road with the wind in your hair on Route 66, to series where New York becomes a character in its own right, each title in this selection is a gateway to America, to wide open spaces and big emotions.

Let yourself be carried away by ten stories that evoke freedom, wide horizons, and the American spirit. Next step: turn your screen dreams into a real road trip. 🚙✨

1. Into the Wild

• Director: Sean Penn
• Year: 2007
• Duration: 148 min
• Genre: Adventure / Drama / Biopic
• Main actors: Emile Hirsch (Christopher McCandless), Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt

Adapted from Jon Krakauer's book, this film retraces the adventure of Christopher McCandless, who leaves everything behind to live free in the wild. Filming took place in many regions of the United States (and even some scenes in Mexico): Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon, Georgia, Washington, South Dakota, and especially Alaska.

The film explores the vast American landscapes with breathtaking visual beauty, from Arizona to the wilds of Alaska. Eddie Vedder’s soundtrack brings remarkable emotional depth to this contemplative road movie.

Into the Wild is one of the best American films about the quest for freedom, and it questions our relationship with modern society. A must-see that will make you want to discover these legendary places during your next road trip in the USA

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2. Thelma and Louise

• Director: Ridley Scott
• Year: 1991
• Duration: 130 min
• Genre: Road movie / Drama
• Main actors: Susan Sarandon (Louise), Geena Davis (Thelma), Harvey Keitel

This cult film by Ridley Scott tells the story of two friends who set out for a simple weekend in Arkansas. Thelma, a frustrated housewife, and Louise, an independent waitress, see their getaway turn into an epic escape across the American West.

After a tragic incident in a bar, they become fugitives and travel through the canyons of Utah, the vast plateaus of Arizona, and deserted roads where the horizon stretches endlessly. One of the film’s most memorable moments is shot at Dead Horse Point State Park (Utah): a natural monument with breathtaking panoramic views.

Thelma and Louise remains a benchmark for female road movies and offers an authentic vision of these legendary places you'll discover on your American journey. The film’s natural settings are a true visual guide for planning your own adventure.

3. Nomadland

• Director: Chloé Zhao
• Year: 2020
• Duration: 108 min
• Genre: Drama / Road movie
• Main actors: Frances McDormand (Fern), David Strathairn, Linda May

Fern loses everything after the economic collapse of her Nevada town. At over 60 years old, she makes the radical choice of a nomadic life and hits the road in her converted van across the American West.

Chloé Zhao’s film blends fiction and documentary by including real nomads who play themselves. This authentic approach reveals an unknown America, that of seasonal workers traveling from odd job to odd job.

Nomadland was a box-office triumph and won three Oscars, including Best Picture. Beyond these accolades, this moving work offers a new perspective on human resilience in the face of life’s challenges.

4. Yellowstone (series)

• Creator: Taylor Sheridan
• Years: 2018-2024
• Episode runtime: 50 min
• Genre: Modern western / Family drama
• Main actors: Kevin Costner, Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes

Yellowstone is a family saga following the Duttons, owners of the largest ranch in Montana, as they fight to protect their land from developers and the government.

Kevin Costner delivers a masterful performance as the unyielding patriarch, while the Montana landscapes provide a stunning backdrop to this modern tale. The series skillfully blends family conflict, political issues, and traditional American values.

A true TV phenomenon with over 14 million viewers, Yellowstone plunges you into the very soul of the American West. It’s the perfect immersion before discovering these legendary lands on your journey.

5. Wild

• Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
• Year: 2014
• Duration: 115 minutes
• Genre: Biographical drama / Adventure
• Main actors: Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Thomas Sadoski

Adapted from Cheryl Strayed’s autobiography, Wild tells the story of a woman who embarks on a solo hike of 1,700 kilometers on the Pacific Crest Trail. After a series of painful personal trial (her mother’s death, a difficult divorce, and a descent into drugs) Cheryl Strayed decides to leave everything behind to try to rebuild herself.

Jean-Marc Vallée sensitively films this quest for redemption through the magnificent landscapes of the American West. Reese Witherspoon’s remarkable performance, which earned her an Oscar nomination, carries this moving story about resilience in the face of adversity.

Wild will let you experience the wild beauty of the Pacific Crest Trail and the vastness of the great American outdoors.

6. Paris, Texas

• Director: Wim Wenders
• Year: 1984
• Duration: 147 minutes
• Genre: Drama / road movie
• Main actors: Harry Dean Stanton, Nastassja Kinski, Dean Stockwell

Palme d'Or at Cannes in 1984, this masterpiece by Wim Wenders follows Travis, a man who reappears after four years of wandering in the desert. Accompanied by his son Hunter, he embarks on a journey across Texas and California to find Jane, his missing wife.

The film explores, with rare depth, themes of identity, redemption, and broken family ties. The sumptuous cinematography by Robby Müller captures the immensity of American landscapes, while Ry Cooder’s haunting soundtrack underscores this emotional journey.

This iconic road movie offers a unique European perspective on the American soul, blending melancholy and hope in a narrative of exceptional sensitivity.

7. Captain Fantastic

• Director: Matt Ross
• Year: 2016
• Duration: 118 minutes
• Genre: Family Drama / Dramedy
• Main Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Frank Langella, George MacKay

Ben Cash raises his six children in the remote forests of the Pacific Northwest, far from the consumerist society he rejects. This unconventional family lives in complete self-sufficiency, with the children receiving an alternative education mixing philosophy, survival skills, and general knowledge.

The death of their mother forces them to leave their haven to attend the funeral. This family road trip brutally confronts these outsiders with the modern world, questioning the limits of parental utopia.

Viggo Mortensen delivers a remarkable performance in this role as a devoted but tyrannical father. Matt Ross creates a clever film that examines our relationship to education and society without ever lecturing.

8. Bad Monkey (series)

• Creator: Bill Lawrence
• Year: 2024
• Platform: Apple TV+
• Genre: Crime Comedy
• Main Actor: Vince Vaughn

This sunny crime comedy follows Andrew Yancy, a former Miami detective who’s now a health inspector in the Florida Keys. When a human arm is fished out by tourists, Yancy seizes the opportunity to prove it’s a murder case so he can rejoin the police force.

Vince Vaughn shines in this role as a laid-back detective, strolling around in Hawaiian shirts with natural charisma. The plot moves between Miami and the Bahamas, blending corruption, real estate scams, and colorful characters.

The series plunges you into the humid, vibrant atmosphere of Florida, the perfect teaser to discover the Keys and the relaxed culture of the American South on your trip.

9. Sex and the City

• Series Creator: Darren Star
• Series Years: 1998-2004 (6 seasons, 94 episodes)
• Film Director: Michael Patrick King
• Film Years: 2008 and 2010
• Genre: Romantic Comedy / Drama
• Main Actresses: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon

The cult series Sex and the City, created by Darren Star and based on Candace Bushnell’s book, follows four New Yorkers navigating careers, friendships, and romantic relationships. From the Upper East Side to the trendy cafés of SoHo, along the streets of the West Village and Central Park, Manhattan becomes a real character, with its social codes and buzz.

Two films continued the adventure: Sex and the City (2008) and Sex and the City 2 (2010). The first, very much rooted in New York, highlights iconic spots like the New York Public Library, Perry Street (Carrie’s apartment façade), and the trendy restaurants of Greenwich Village.

And for those who want a more recent version, the mini-series And Just Like That… (2021-2025) picks up the story. We find Carrie, Charlotte, and Miranda in their fifties, facing the challenges of their era while still living to the vibrant rhythm of Manhattan.

Sex and the City, with its sequels, remains a genuine New York postcard: blending fashion, city life, and iconic locations. It’s a must-see to feel the pulse, energy, ambition, and fast pace of the Big Apple before heading out to discover it.

10. Sacramento

• Director: Michael Angarano
• Year: 2024
• Duration: 84 minutes
• Genre: Dramatic Comedy
• Main Cast: Michael Angarano, Michael Cera, Kristen Stewart

This intimate road movie follows Rickey and Glenn, two childhood friends with opposite personalities, who set out on a spontaneous trip from Los Angeles to Sacramento. Glenn, about to become a father, is dealing with anxiety, while his friend Rickey refuses to grow up.

This film offers a modern take on an intimate road trip: no wild adventure, but landscapes that speak — California highways, Los Angeles suburbs, bridges, gelaterias, and typical Sacramento neighborhoods. Between the urban energy and California’s quieter corners, the film draws a visual map that is both simple and true, full of spontaneity and soul-searching.

If you’re looking for a film to capture the spirit of the contemporary West, with humor and sensitivity, Sacramento is an excellent choice — showing that sometimes the simplest journey is enough to set things right.

Bonus: Out There: A National Parks Story

• Director: Brendan Hall
• Year: 2023
• Duration: 73 minutes
• Genre: Documentary

Here’s a documentary worth seeing before you head out to explore the American national parks. Brendan Hall and his childhood friend travel over 16,000 kilometers through 15 national parks, during the centennial year of the National Park Service.

The film goes far beyond a simple tourist road trip. The two friends collect stories from rangers, visitors, and local residents, revealing how these wild spaces change lives. Touching stories emerge: people seeking healing, connection with nature, or just awe.

The breathtaking cinematography captures the essence of every park, from the Grand Canyon to the redwood forests. The documentary won several festival awards, including the Audience Award at the Florida Film Festival.

A perfect way to prepare for discovering the deep soul of these protected lands you’ll explore with Authentik USA.

From Thelma & Louise to Nomadland, via Yellowstone or Sacramento, this selection brings together cult classics and recent creations. Each title offers a unique perspective on America: its endless highways, bustling cities, raw landscapes, and unique way of life.

Whether blockbuster hits or lesser-known gems, all will give you a preview of the vastness and cultural diversity of the United States.

So, ready to pack your bags and live your own American adventure?