It’s not a secret that lots of people’s travel inspiration can come from entertainment. Before we could travel, or when we aren’t able to, movies and TV serve as windows to the places we’d rather be, or where we want to visit one day.
Several popular films starring Black leads have depicted travel as part of their storytelling. And in their stories, we find ourselves wanting to go to the same places the characters visited. Here are six times we wanted to travel more because of the movies:
Black Panther (2018)
Though we all know it doesn’t exist in real life, Wakanda made us want to visit. Set in the heart of the motherland, with limitless resources and technology lightyears ahead of the rest of the world, the fictional African nation of Wakanda is somehow still on our travel lists. In “The Black Panther,” Wakanda is portrayed as a paradise where Black people thrive and live in harmony. It was also hidden in an unassuming place; part of us still hopes we find it one day. Though set in Africa, most of “Black Panther” was filmed in Atlanta, Ga, parts of South Korea, and Argentina.
Girls’ Trip (2017)
One of the quintessential travel films featuring an all-Black lead cast, “Girls’ Trip” made everyone excited for two things: reconnecting with the girls and a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. The film takes place during the Essence Festival, a music festival that many consider to be a celebration of Blackness. From the hijinks to the hookups, the food and fun on Bourbon Street, and everything in between, “Girls’ Trip” had everyone adding NOLA to our must-visit-soon lists. Parts of the movie were filmed at Hotel Monteleone and The Roosevelt New Orleans, as well as the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
Beyond the Lights (2014)
When Noni and Kaz, the main characters of Gina Prince-Bythewood’s “Beyond the Lights” took an unplanned trip to Mexico to take a break from Noni’s career, we all suddenly needed a similar baecation. Though the stay was relatively modest, the time market and unassuming hotel, or vacation rental, seemed like something everyone could benefit from. A few days on the beach in a small cottage…with a lover? Count us in. It’s unclear whether the Mexico scenes were actually filmed there, but the credits primarily list Los Angeles, California. as filming locations.
Soul Plane (2004)
A fully functioning club onboard, plenty of space to walk around, and a flight-long party are the three reasons “Soul Plane” made us want to fly the fictional Black-owned airline. Though its destination wasn’t an island paradise like some of the others on this list, the in-flight experience made us yearn for a similar option in real life. And while we haven’t come across any airlines with full-sized clubs on board, there are a few business class seats we’ve got our eye on for the same comfort offer to “Soul Plane” VIP guests. Because the airlines, and the plane itself, were fictional, the majority of “Soul Plane” was filmed at AirHollywood, a studio in California dedicated to aviation sets.
Love & Basketball (2000)
Admittedly, travel was a small part of the 2000 movie “Love & Basketball,” but the portion of Monica in Spain was pretty memorable. Her apartment, for the time, seemed large and unique, and her on-foot commute to the arena was scenic. Based on what was portrayed in the movie, Monica’s time in Spain, though lonely, highlighted the superstardom of women athletes there, and made us want to experience the Spanish streets for ourselves. According to the movie’s IMDb page, it was primarily filmed in Los Angeles, but the vacation scenes were filmed in Barcelona, Spain.
How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
We’d follow Angela Bassett anywhere, so when her character Stella visits Jamaica with a friend, we wanted to tag along. In the movie, Bassett’s character meets a younger man and has an “island fling” with him before going home and realizing she wants more. The beach and resort scenes capture the island’s beauty as a perfect vacation destination. And based on Stella’s review, it’s a good time too. “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” was reportedly filmed at the Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The resort is still open today.
