Top 20 Underrated Road Movies You Need to See In 2025
If classic action films have begun to lose their popularity, perhaps it is time to check out some under-the-radar road movies. These films are more than a series of car chases—they contain rich stories, memorable characters, and emotional resonance that linger long after the final credits. The following are 20 unsung road movies you should watch in 2025.
1. Queen & Slim (2019)
An action-packed cross-country flight combines romance, defiance, and poetic storytelling.
2. American Honey (2016)
Tracks a trio of young outcasts peddling magazines in the Midwest in a gritty, unapologetic manner.
3. The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
A heartening story of a young man with Down syndrome pursuing his passion for wrestling, along with an unlikely companion.
4. Captain Fantastic (2016)
A dad bringing up his kids off the grid is tested when they're reluctantly returned to civilization after a family loss.
5. Leave No Trace (2018)
The emotionally moving drama of a father-daughter relationship is put to the test by their effort to live off the grid.
6. Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
Intense Mexican coming-of-age drama with politics, lust, and self-discovery.
7. Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Oddball New Zealand adventure that unites a runaway teenager and his grudging foster uncle on the lam.
8. Tracks (2013)
Based on a real-life event, a woman travels the Australian outback with camels and her dog.
9. Into the Wild (2007)
An existential road trip of a young man abandoning everything for the wilds of Alaska.
10. The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)
A caregiver and his ward take a sentimental and bittersweet road trip with a series of unplanned detours.
11. Motorama (1991)
An unusual story about a boy who is driving alone through a dream-like game in America.
12. Wendy and Lucy (2008)
A sparse but powerful tale of a woman and her dog trying to survive on the road.
13. Land Ho! (2014)
Two old friends find themselves again on an impromptu road trip across Iceland.
14. The Straight Story (1999)
An old man rides across states on a lawnmower to reconnect with his estranged brother.
15. Kodachrome (2017)
A father who is about to die and his son connect on a last trip to process the last roll of the Kodak film.
16. Easy Rider: The Ride Back (2012)
A 1969 classic's prequel, adds more depth to the original legacy.
17. The Way (2010)
A bereaved father treks Spain's Camino de Santiago and finds healing along the journey.
18. Paris, Texas (1984)
A man rediscovers himself and reconnects with his family following years on the lost path.
19. Alabama Moon (2009)
An intelligent young kid gets by in the wilderness after his father's death.
20. A Perfect World (1993)
An emotive Clint Eastwood film about a fugitive and a boy who develop an unlikely connection through their adventure.
Final Thoughts:
These movies show that road movies aren't about the landscapes—they're about discovery, transformation, and the individuals one meets along the way. Go back or discover these gems in 2025 and ride the journey.