Road movies take viewers on journeys that end in self-discovery. Classic road movie reviews on Rotten Tomatoes show how popular these revelatory movies can be.
Here are the top five as rated by Rotten Tomatoes.
1. "The Wizard of Oz" (1939)
This classic tale of a young farm girl transported to the magical world of Oz, setting out on a journey in hope of returning home, remains a favorite movie. According to Rotten Tomatoes, critics rate this film at a 99 percent with an overall consensus it was a masterpiece with groundbreaking visuals and storytelling. Despite its age, “The Wizard of Oz” is a must-see for both the young and the old, as it seems to never grow outdated.
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2. "Badlands" (1973)
This film, written and directed by Terrence Malick, is well-known for its visual poetry and philosophical nature. The movie follows a young couple as they travel the Midwest, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. Despite being based on the 1950s Starkweather-Fugate murders, this film is not explicit with bloody scenes. The focus is on the young couple who face their mortality as they evade the law. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 98 percent rating.
3. “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” (1987)
At a rating of 94 percent, this film is loved for its well-balanced humor and heart. It tells the story of Neal Page (Steve Martin), a control freak en route to Chicago to be with his family on Thanksgiving, when a series of misfortunes delays him at every turn. He is accompanied by a generous but annoying salesman (John Candy), who drives Page to his limit. This fun-filled comedy, along with great performances, makes it a choice movie when looking for a funny road movie.
4. “Easy Rider” (1969)
This rated R film follows two motorcycle bikers as they take a cross-country trek to New Orleans after selling cocaine in California. Considered an American classic, Rotten Tomatoes gave this film an 88 percent for its iconic scenes and excellent performances by Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper.
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5. “Duel” (1972)
Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film offers both intrigue and suspense for audiences. Dennis Weaver, the protagonist, is traveling down a deserted highway when a large gas trailer truck tailgates him moments after he passed it. The escalating cat-and-mouse game gives this film an 86 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
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