I don’t know about you, but I love it when RVs are featured in movies. When I was young my family did not have an RV, but I always thought they were so cool. I can remember watching shows and movies. Riggs living in his travel trailer in Lethal Weapon and Gonzo on Trapper John living in his RV (aptly dubbed “The Titanic”) in the hospital parking lot. Jim Rockford lived in his travel trailer on the beach and there was the short-lived Johnny Bago. Another brief blip in TV land was Concrete Cowboys with Tom Selleck (pre-Magnum) and Jerry Reed cruising the country in their beat-up camper. Seems I might not be the only one who has a lifelong love affair with RVs.
As for the silver screen, there are several flicks where RV have a strong supporting role. Here are some of the best.
RV (2006)
The incredible Robin Williams stars as Bob Munro, father of a dysfunctional family. In a desperate attempt to bring his family together he rents an RV to take the fam on a vacation. They are NOT thrilled with the idea and Bob is NOT the best RV driver. What ensues is absolute hilarity. This is a real classic that will keep you in stitches.
2012 (2009)
It’s the end of the world – as we know it anyway – and possibly the end of the human race. Of course, there is only one man who can save it, save us all, and he happened to be driving an RV. I personally like this movie. John Cusack is intense, funny, and the epitome of the accidental hero. There’s lots of action, bad people, and arks – yes, arks.
World War Z (2013)
Brad Pitt is Gerry Lane, a former UN investigator who is in the midst of a Zombie apocalypse. He, his wife and their two daughters are find themselves trapped in traffic as the zombies close in. In an attempt to protect his family, Gerry steals an RV and attempts to drives them to safety. Of course, it doesn’t go well and they have quite an adventure – but I’m not one to give away spoilers so you’ll have to watch it yourself to see how it turns out.
Independence Day (1996)
This is one of the better alien movies. It has just enough suspense, mixed with drama, and a dash of comedy (thanks to Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum) to keep it entertaining. The aliens are planning an invasion and through an incredible series of events, several very different, very adorable characters assemble, including a man living in an RV with his children – who just might be the one to save the world.
We’re the Millers (2013)
The majority of this movie takes place in or around an RV. Our hero, David, is a drug dealer who owes his boss a lot of money. His boss offers to forgive the debt if David will go to Mexico and pick up a shipment of marijuana for him. David decides that it would make things go much smoother if he poses as a family vacationing in Mexico so he assembles this “family” from several random people. What follows is an absolutely insane wild ride.
About Schmidt (2002)
Jack Nicholson is Warren Schmidt, an unhappy, bitter man who is a recent retiree from a long stint at an insurance company. When his wife suddenly dies, he packs up him RV and takes the trip that he and his wife had planned to take. It is a feel-good movie, as Warren takes an unexpected, personal turn in his attitude. Honorable Mentions
These RV movies are too classic, too awesome to leave out. So, what’s your favorite RV movie? I think it’s time for a movie night! You bring the popcorn; I’ll bring the Milk Duds.
