Even if it’s impossible to travel to Italy right away, you can still feel transported by the sights and sounds of a movie about Italy. These are 10 of our favorite movies set in Italy. These movies are timeless classics so it would be a mistake not to see them before you travel. If you’re looking to improve your Italian before your trip, it might be worth watching Italian films in their original language with English subtitles.
These are our top 10 Italian movies.
Roman Holiday –Head to Rome, 1950s, with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck from the award-winning English language film! The film follows a vacationing princess in Rome, who decides to go on her own and see Rome alone. She meets a reporter and takes him on an unforgettable scooter ride!
Cinema Paradiso Even though they have moved (far away), Italians don’t forget their roots, especially if they are from a small community. After many years away, a filmmaker returns to Sicily to discover the amazing dynamics among the people and relive his childhood dreams. Ennio Morricone composed beautiful and award-winning music for this 1988 film.
It started in Naples: This love story is set in one of Italy’s most romantic locales, with beautiful scenes of the sea. The romance takes place between an American woman and an Italian man who travels from America to settle his brother’s estate. Clark Gable, Sophia Loren, and Vittorio de Sica were 1960s classics.
Il Postino If you are looking for romance and breathtaking views of Sicily, the islands of Naples, and other parts of Italy, this film is for you. This charming story tells the story of a man who falls for a beautiful woman and uses poetry to win her affection. It was released in 1994. Only in Italy ).
La Dolce Vita is One of the most beloved films in the history of Italian cinema! Federico Fellini’s 1960 film tells the story of a journalist searching for love in Rome. We love the iconic scenes of the Eternal City and especially the famous swim at the Trevi Fountain.
Eat Pray, Love: Julia Roberts is the star of the film. She plays the role a newly divorced woman who sets out on a new adventure and moves around the globe, beginning with three months in Italy. She is passionate about learning the language, meeting locals, and enjoying traditional Italian food. Anyone could be inspired to move to Italy by her passion! This story is based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s 2006 memoir. It is also featured in the top books about Italy list.
The Tourist Described by its director, this film is a “travel romance with thriller elements” and is a fast-paced, high-excitement tour through Venice led by Angelina Jolie or Johnny Dep. It was nominated to win a Golden Globe in 2010.
Only you: Sometimes, when destiny calls, it is important to follow it. Even to Italy. This 1994 romantic comedy, starring Marisa Thomasei and Robert Downey Jr., takes you to the top sights of Rome, Venice and Tuscany, as well as the Amalfi Coast.
A Room with a View: One of the most well-known stories set in Italy! Based on E.M. Forster’s novel, the 1985 film was also included in our top books on Italy list! It transports you back to Florence in the Victorian era. A time of elegance and mystery.
Under the Tuscan Sun: If you are unsure, head to Tuscany for a fresh start (right). Right!). Diane Lane plays a divorced woman who purchases a Tuscan villa and begins to rebuild it. For her performance in the film which was based on Frances Mayes’ 1996 memoir, Lane was nominated to a Golden Globe.
