Films to inspire your next beach holiday

A familiar favourite or one to add to the watchlist? Here are a few of our top movie picks with jaw-dropping locations to leave you longing for the smell of suncream and the feeling of warm sand between your toes.

The Beach (2000) | Thailand

Genre: Drama / Thriller

Alexa, play Pure Shores by All Saints. How could we not mention this one first? This noughties Danny Boyle modern classic stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Richard, a backpacker in the city of Bangkok, looking for a unique travel experience. After an encounter with a crazed fellow traveller in his hostel, he's left a map to a supposed remote paradise island inhabited by a tight-knit bohemian commune.

The majority of the film is set in the exotic Phi Phi Islands, showcasing the lush waters and breathtaking landscapes. And did you know you can now actually visit THE beach in The Beach? Maya Bay was closed for 2 years to recover the environment from pollution and restore it to its natural balance.

It reopened just after Covid with new tourism regulations. Nearby islands are also open to the public, one being Monkey Island where you can come face-to-face with the monkeys who call this beach home, and then head to Khai Nok to swim in the crystal clear waters or soak up the sun on the pure powdery shore.

---

Aftersun (2022) | Turkey

Genre: Drama

This heartbreaking coming-of-age drama tells the story of a young woman piecing together her memories from a special trip she took as an 11-year-old girl with her recently divorced father at a budget Turkish resort.

As she looks back on old VHS recordings of their time together, she reflects on glimpses of her father's emotional and financial struggles that she didn't notice or understand at the time. The award-winning tearjerker features a nostalgic soundtrack with an iconic dad-dancing scene from Paul Mescal that will undoubtedly conjure up those treasured childhood travel memories.

So if you're looking for an affordable family getaway, TurkeyTurkiye is a melting-pot of culture, food, ancient history and architecture paired with sunny beaches and markets that won't break the bank.

---

Mamma Mia! (2008) | Greek Islands

Genre: Musical

In this joyful jukebox musical set on the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi, Amanda Seyfried plays young bride-to-be, Sophie, who is on a mission to find her biological father to walk her down the aisle. Meanwhile, her mother Donna, played by Meryl Streep, plans her daughter's wedding and reflects on motherhood as she's about to give her only child away.

This ABBA hit singalong showcases the otherworldly beauty of the Greek islands - it's almost -luminescent blue waters, powdery white beaches and tasty cuisine are only a 3- hour flight away. Greek islands CreteHeraklion, Kefalonia and Zante are all the top three biggest up-and-coming destinations for our customers this year, according to our real-time destination leaderboard.

But if you want the authentic Mamma Mia! experience you need to head to the Sporades islands where the majority of the film was shot.

Barbie (2023) | California

Genre: Comedy adventure

Cherished fashion doll Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, suffers an existential crisis in the idyllic, candy-coloured Barbieland and embarks on an epic adventure into the real world on her search for the true meaning of life. Directed by feminist powerhouse Greta Gerwig, this joyful, star-studded, coming-of-age blockbuster perfectly illustrates the perils of toxic masculinity and patriarchal society, and the capabilities of female empowerment.

Unfortunately for us, Barbieland isn't a real place you can actually visit yet, BUT the real-life locations the film was shot in are just as appealing. One of the most iconic scenes of the movie shows Barbie and Ken roller skating on Los Angeles' Venice Beach Boardwalk in blinding neon 1980s sportswear.

This bohemian cultural centre is perfect if you're looking to get active as it's a thriving hub of skateboarding, surfing, basketball, volleyball and much more. Or if you're looking for a more leisurely visit, the beach itself has a vast stretch of sand to relax and soak up the sun - you may also get to see the dolphins that sometimes make an appearance!

Top