10 Best Honeymoon Movies, Ranked

Each year in the U.S., around 12 billion dollars are spent on 1.4 million honeymoons to destinations around the world. Honeymoons are big business and have naturally fallen under the radar of filmmakers as a commercially viable theme, but it’s not all moonlight and roses. As in life, some movie relationships are toxic and dysfunctional, and likewise, honeymoons can be full of passion, like in Shrek 2, or disaster, like in The Heartbreak Kid.

Whether the result of this supposedly romantic getaway is hilarious or horrifying, audiences are happy to sit back and watch it all unfold. These are the best honeymoon-themed movies that are worth a visit; sometimes, they’re idyllic and comedic, while other times, they’re horrifying and eerie. However, they might make some lovebirds reconsider how and where to spend their first vacation as a married couple.

10 ‘Honeymoon’ (2014)

Directed by Leigh Janiak

Young newlyweds Paul (Harry Treadaway) and Bea (Rose Leslie) set out to spend their honeymoon in an idyllic secluded cabin. Everything seems perfect until one night, Bea goes missing, and Paul finds her wandering through the woods, naked and disoriented. Bea claims she was just sleepwalking, but her behavior gradually becomes more distant and strange, making Paul suspect something far more sinister is going on.

Honeymoon is an eerie horror story with touching and relatable performances by Treadaway and Leslie. Borrowing from other micro-budget horror movies like Monsters, it offers a harrowing portrayal of a man watching the love of his life slowly morph into some unrecognizable entity. For those considering a romantic getaway in the woods, it might make them think twice about locking the door at night.

9 ‘The Honeymoon’ (2022)

Directed by Dean Craig

Adam (Pico Alexander) and his bride, Sarah (Maria Bakalova), are all ready for the honeymoon of a lifetime in Venice, Italy. However, their romantic getaway is gatecrashed by an annoying third wheel, Adam’s clingy best friend, Bav (Asim Chaudry). Bav’s unwelcome presence leads the couple from one disaster to another, including a run-in with local gangster Georgio (Lucas Bravo), who has eyes for Sarah. To pay off a debt caused by Bav’s complete clumsiness, the guys are forced into a drug smuggling operation while Georgio gets cozy with Sarah.

For those seeking a bit of light-hearted fun with some gorgeous scenery,
The Honeymoon
is just the ticket.

The Honeymoon is a silly comedy of errors, which may feel a bit too infantile for some viewers, but for those seeking a bit of light-hearted fun with some gorgeous scenery, it’s just the ticket. British comedian Chaudry steals the spotlight as the bungling bestie who can’t seem to do anything right and proves that stand-up comedians can make great actors. The Oscar-nominated Bakalova is also a high point of this picture, granting it considerable dignity even at its silliest.

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8 ‘Honeymoon in Vegas’ (1992)

Directed by Andrew Bergman

Commitment-phobic Jack (Nicolas Cage) receives an ultimatum from his girlfriend Betsy (Sarah Jessica Parker) and agrees to tie the knot in Vegas. While in Sin City, a wealthy mobster-type guy named Tommy (James Caan) takes a liking to Betsy and lures Jack into a high-stakes poker game. The game is fixed, and Jack loses $65,000 to Tommy, who conveniently offers to clear the debt in exchange for a weekend with his fiancée. As soon as he’s alone with Betsy, Tommy does everything he can to turn her against Jack and keep him out of the picture, but Jack is prepared to go to any lengths, including leaping out of a plane to get his girl back.

While it may not be one of Nicolas Cage’s most memorable movies, Honeymoon in Vegas has all the over-the-top antics the entertainment capital of the world has become synonymous with. It’s a funny, romantic story that will have some viewers considering an Elvis-themed wedding a viable option. Elvis fans should also keep their eyes peeled for a very young Bruno Mars paying tribute to The King during the movie.

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7 ‘A Perfect Getaway’ (2009)

Directed by David Twohy

Newlyweds Cliff (Steve Zahn) and Cydney (Milla Jovovich) are spending their honeymoon touring the tropical islands of Hawaii. While hiking through a lush paradise, they meet Kale (Chris Hemsworth) and Cleo (Marley Shelton), and later, Nick (Timothy Olyphant) and Gina (Kiele Sanchez). Things start to go wrong when news of a double homicide reaches the tourists, along with word that police are on the hunt for a male and female suspect. What starts as chance acquaintances quickly turns into a game of suspicion and deception, with everyone trying to figure out if one of the couples might be the killer.

While the breathtaking scenery in A Perfect Getaway paints the Hawaiian islands as an ideal honeymoon destination, the shocking storyline might put a bit of a damper on the idea. Those who like a movie with a surprising plot twist will really enjoy what this movie has to offer. The talented ensemble cast does a great job of attracting and casting off suspicion until the truth about the real killers comes to light.

6 ‘On Chesil Beach’ (2017)

Directed by Dominic Cooke

Set in England in 1962, On Chesil Beach follows two very different people as they fall desperately in love, then fall disastrously apart. Florence (Saoirse Ronan) is a demure violinist from a well-to-do family, while Edward (Billy Howle) is a brash, working-class rock-and-roll fan. Despite their opposing backgrounds, they fall in love and get married, but things start to fall apart on their honeymoon due to incompatible attitudes about sex. Florence is stifled by the social protocols of a bygone era and terrified of sexual intimacy, heightened by the implied abuse she endured from her father, and Edward struggles to handle the situation.

On Chesil Beach
is the perfect honeymoon drama for those looking for a good cry.

Adapted from Ian McEwan’s bestselling novel, On Chesil Beach is a beautifully told tale of young angst in a society on the brink of a sexual revolution. It is yet another captivating movie starring Saoirse Ronan, which offers a fascinating insight into the impact upbringing and class had on the male and female psyche at that time. With a particularly heartbreaking ending and yet another accomplished performance from the ever-reliable, four-time Oscar-nominated Ronan, On Chesil Beach is the perfect honeymoon drama for those looking for a good cry.

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5 ‘Niagara’ (1953)

Directed by Henry Hathaway

While honeymooning at a holiday resort overlooking Niagara Falls, Polly and Ray Cutler (Jean Peters and Max Showalter) become acquainted with George and Rose Loomis (Joseph Cotten and Marilyn Monroe). George and Rose have a turbulent relationship, exacerbated by her stunning beauty and his overbearing jealousy. As the story unfolds, the Cutlers become unwitting witnesses to Rose’s illicit affair, but things get more complicated when George is seemingly murdered.

Niagara is not only a great movie; it’s a fantastic location for a thrilling honeymoon murder mystery. The imposing backdrop of the world-famous falls combined with one of the most iconic movie stars of the ’50s makes for a very entertaining watch. The film provided Monroe with her breakthrough role, and she makes the most out of every minute on-screen.

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4 ‘The Heartbreak Kid’ (1972)

Directed by Elaine May

Lenny and Lila Cantrow (Charles Grodin and Jeannie Berlin) have just gotten married and are driving from New York to Miami Beach, where they plan to spend their honeymoon. It’s not long before Lenny starts having second thoughts, which intensify when he meets beautiful university student Kelly (Cybil Shepherd) on vacation with her wealthy parents. Lenny ditches Lila at every opportunity to spend time with Kelly, believing she’s the one he’s really meant to be with. But that doesn’t negate the fact that he is married, which doesn’t sit well at all with Kelly’s father.

An updated version of The Heartbreak Kid was released in 2007 with Ben Stiller as the hapless lead, and while it’s not the worst movie remake, the original just feels way more authentic. Grodin has a knack for eliciting sympathy from the audience, even though his character is a bit of a self-centered jerk who married a woman because he thought it was the right thing to do, only to drop her like a hot potato the moment a better option crosses his path. Hilarious and endlessly rewatchable, The Heartbreak Kid is a comedy about everything that could possibly go wrong during a honeymoon.

3 ‘Shrek 2’ (2004)

Directed by Andrew Adamson, Conrad Vernon and Kelly Asbury

Shrek 2 starts with Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) arriving to claim Princess Fiona’s (Cameron Diaz) hand, only to find out she’s on her honeymoon with her new hubby, the ogre Shrek (Mike Myers). After a romantic vacation, the newlyweds head to the kingdom of Far Far Away to meet Fiona’s parents, but tensions arise almost immediately. The Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders) takes advantage of the situation to put a wedge between Shrek and Fiona and push her son Charming back into his rightful place as heir to the throne.

Shrek 2 is the second entry in the series and one of the most fun films about the trials and tribulations of a new marriage. It deals with the so-called “honeymoon phase” refreshingly, avoiding tropes and opting to tread a unique road. There’s a lot more adult-oriented humor to compliment the sillier kids’ stuff, making this a fun watch for families and couples alike. And The Fairy Godmother’s version of “I Need a Hero# gives Bonnie Tyler a run for her money.

2 ‘The Honeymoon Killers’ (1970)

Directed by Leonard Castle

Martha Beck (Shirley Stoler) meets Ray Fernandez (Tony Lo Bianco) through a Lonely Hearts Club, and they fall in love. Eventually, Ray comes clean and confesses that he’s really a con man who seduces women to steal their money, but surprisingly, it does nothing to deter Martha; instead, she pretends to be Ray’s sister and helps him find prospective targets. Things take a darker turn when Martha’s overwhelming jealousy, even feigning sexual attraction to another woman, leads her to suggest murder as an easier way to get what they want.

The Honeymoon Killers
is an eye-opening and authentic look at crime and violence that feels eerie, strangely alluring, and quite often repellant.

​​​​​​The Honeymoon Killers stands out from the crowd because it’s a movie based on real-life serial killers. This jarring yet oddly compelling film is a disturbing insight into how even the most toxic of relationships manage to function. Stoler is particularly brilliant in her portrayal of an embittered and desperate woman who will do anything to win her lover’s affection. Daring and marching to the beat of a distinctive drum, The Honeymoon Killers is an eye-opening and authentic look at crime and violence that feels eerie, strangely alluring, and quite often repellant.

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1 ‘Touch of Evil’ (1958)

Directed by Orson Welles

Mexican narcotics officer Mike Vargas (Charlton Heston) is honeymooning in a US border town when an American building contractor is killed by a car bomb. Suspecting it to be the work of the Grandi crime syndicate he’s been investigating, Vargas offers his assistance to local officials led by Captain Hank Quinlan (Orson Welles). After Vargas catches Quinlan and his men planting evidence, he uncovers a spate of corruption, but his distraction provides an opportunity for the Grandis to put the squeeze on him by taking his new bride captive.

Touch of Evil is a compelling tale of crime, corruption and kidnapping. Regarded as one of Charlton Heston’s best movies, it is also a testament to the directing skills of the great Orson Welles, who had an extraordinary talent for capturing the most suspenseful and emotion-filled cinematic moments. Now considered a classic of noir cinema, Touch of Evil is the perfect combination of mystery, thrills, and drama, resulting in a pretty perfect picture.

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