Folks, the time has finally come to leave our grey dreary shores and jump ship to mainland Europe. As you inevitably procrastinate those last essays due before your trip, these films are sure to keep you busy.
France
Paris absolutely belongs to the French New Wave. To start your excursion into this revolutionary and experimental period, it is essential to dive into Jean-Luc Godard’s filmography. If you are traveling to the capital city, Breathless (1960) and Richard Linklater’s new film on its creation, Nouvelle Vague (2025), showcase 1960s Paris at its finest. Band of Outsiders (1964), A Woman is a Woman (1961) and Masculin Féminin (1966) all utilise the city’s streets as their playground. Other notable watches for this period in Parisian cinema history are Paris Belongs to Us (1961) and Cléo from 5 to 7 (1962). However, if you are not into 60s cinema or its extensionalism, Midnight in Paris (2011), Before Sunset (2004), Paris, I Love You (2006) are all charming in the ways they portray Paris’ magical atmosphere.
Venturing further south, color schemes leave the perpetual Paris grey and become magnificent shades of blue. Pierrot Le Fou (1965) illustrates this spectacular journey from Paris to France’s coastline. The dynamic duo of Anna Karina and Jean-Paul Belmondo escape the city and society while fleeing the authorities, and inevitably find themselves in more and more trouble. Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief (1955) perfectly depicts the vibrancy of the French Riviera in all its glory with performances from the legendary Gene Kelly and Cary Grant. Bay of Angels (1963) is perfect if you plan to hole up in a Monte Carlo casino. And, maybe not the most riveting film ever made, but the visuals and Brigitte Bardot are stunning in And God Created Woman (1956), which does make it worth a watch.
Italy
Ah, there are no shortage of movies that romanticize Italian lovers, nights of pizza and gelato, and “la dolce vita”. La Chimera (2023) starring none other than Josh O’Connor, paints an alluring and exciting picture of Tuscany whilst tying in the wonders of archeology. In fair Verona, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet comes to life with Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film. It is still arguably one of the best adaptations to come from this celebrated tragic romance. If traveling to the Eternal City, Federico Fellini’s 1960 classic, La Dolce Vita, is an absolute must watch. Marcello, the film’s lead, eloquently describes Rome as “a peaceful jungle”. Its iconic nighttime black and white imagery paints the city in its most gorgeous light. Roman Holiday (1953) is straight up fun: the magnetic Aubrey Hepburn stars as a princess, enthusiastic to leave the confines of royal life, and finds herself on the streets of Rome with an American journalist played by Gregory Peck.
Poland
A Real Pain from 2024 explores the dynamics of family and heritage while cousins played by Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin embark on a trip through Poland to honor their late grandmother. Poland acts almost as if it is a character itself, exuding serenity despite its traumatic past. Not a single frame is a miss in Cold War (2018). Set in post World War II Poland, it also delves into the history of the nation and its dealings with Communism. It’s messy, but also completely human and beautiful.
Norway
Joachim Trier is on the forefront of everyone’s minds these days, and for good reason. His “Oslo Trilogy” boasts films Reprise (2006), Oslo, August 31st (2011), and The Worst Person in the World (2021). All of these, alongside Trier’s newest Sentimental Value (2025) are remarkable in the capture of Norway’s largest urban area juxtaposed with the calmness of its countryside. Each is so raw in the way they express the complex workings of emotion and relationships. Just make sure you have tissues.
And for everyone, I recommend EuroTrip (2004) as it perfectly encapsulates how stupid we can all be on vacation. It’s totally raunchy and idiotic, but in the best way. Definitely make sure to watch this one with your whole crew before you all take off on your €50 RyanAir flight that, unfortunately, leaves at four in the morning.
