This is a list of films and TV shows about leaving, gaining education, living and working outside of the USA.
Vacations
and military service have been excluded.
I covered a range of motivations/reasons why as well as including as including many different countries. All of the titles have the protagonists living, getting education or working outside of the US.
(Several of these take place in a fictional country, island etc... the ones that take place in the real world are listed here: Canada, Australia, France, Thailand, Singapore, Morocco, The Caribbean, Mexico, Hong Kong, French Polynesia, Japan, Kenya, Norway, Central America, Africa, Egypt, South America, India, Great Brittian, UK, Ireland, Germany, Marivella Islands, Moldova, Italy and Sweden.
Due to the unexpected interest in the subject, I have updated and expanded the original list. There are 47 titles on this list if I find more titles, this article will be updated again.
The
Adventures of the Wilderness Family (1975)
The Robertson family is living in Los
Angles when they decide to leave their urban life for the rural outdoors hundreds of
miles from another living person (They family maybe in the US or Canada). The
family faces many dangers from the wildlife, the elements, but by pulling together if they survive it all. Followed by 2 sequel The Further Adventures of the Wilderness Family (1978), Adventures of the Wilderness Family 3 (1979)
Archer: Danger Island: Season 9 (2018)
Inspired by Tales of the Gold Monkey (1982) Season 9 of Archer (2009-2023) Is set in 1938 where Archer is a pilot living in the Mitimotu Island chain. Archer along with his copilot and a parrot side kick along with other residents of the islands. Band together to battle Nazi's and seek a mysterious treasure that is not a Golden Monkey.
Bad Medicine (1985)
Based on the book Calling Dr. Horowitz by
Steven Horowitz, MD and Neil Offen [First Published in 1978] Young Americans that cannot get in
anywhere else go to a rundown Medical College in a fictional third world
country.
The Beach (2000)
Based on the novel The Beach by Alex Garland [First Published in 1996] Richard an American is traveling through Thailand when he obtains a map to an island beach paradise and cannabis patch. Joining together with a young French couple also traveling through the country. They follow the map and find a hidden community of people that dropped out of society and have created their own isolated community. With being welcomed the three decide to stay however problems arise from jealousy, isolation, injury, and not producing anything.
Blue State (2007)
John Louge is a liberal that goes out drinking one night where he vows to leave the US if George W Bush wins the 2004 election. When this happens, John is unable to take back his vow immigrates to Canada. As he is going through this, he falls in love with a blogger Chloe Hamon who is documenting his journey.
Bring Em Back Alive (1932) (1982)
Set before WWII American adventurer and trapper Frank Buck lives and operates out of Singapore catching live wildlife from nearby jungles for Zoo's, circuses, etc... with his crew while fighting criminals and helping his friends.
Bush Doctor (1982)
After suffering from a personal tragedy Dr. Robert Maxwell retires from
medicine and goes to Africa to get away from it all. After a school bus crashes
Dr. Maxwell is pressed into service by the local understaffed mission
hospital.
Sitcom about Holly Aldridge a girl from the US takes a job as a waitress at a small cafe in Paris and the regulars that like to hang out there.
Casablanca (1942)
Rick an American runs a
club in French, Morocco. One day Ilsa the one that got away comes back into his
life. Ilsa and her husband need his help to get out of the country and to safety.
Club Paradise (1986)
A Chicago firefighter Jack Moniker is
injured on the job and receives a huge settlement. He uses that settlement to
immigrate to a Caribbean Island where he invests in and transforms a club into a
resort for affluent tourists.
Coyote (2021)
After US Customs and Boarder Agent Ben Clemens is forced
into retirement, he goes to a coastal town in Mexico to work on some
property he owns. While there he runs into trouble with a power criminal
organization and becomes involved with people needing to cross the US, Mexico
Border.
Daktari (1966-1969)
Veterinarian Dr. Marsh Tracy and his daughter Paula and their team run an animal research center in Africa while battling criminals and other dangers.
Donovan's Reef (1963)
After WWII three US Navy veterans have decided to live on an island paradise French Polynesia. They are living the good life when Doctor William Dedham inherits a controlling interest in his families shipping company. His daughter Miss Ameila Dedham who he has never meet comes to the island to see if her father has violated a morality clause. If he has then the shares would go to other family members. While William is away preforming his work as a Doctor his friends try to hide any hints of the moral clause being broken while Amelia is on the island.
Emily in Paris (2020-2024)
Emily Cooper is an up-and-coming
midlevel manager is about to take over her mentors as she is going to take a
position in Paris Trance. However, she becomes pregnant and is unable to go so
she sends Emily in her place. When Emily arrives in Paris, she gets a social
media following, romantic challenges and various misadventures.
The Family (2013)
Based on the Book Malavita by
Tonino Benacquista [First Published in 2004] The Manzoni Family are relocated
to Normandy after Frank Manzoni the patriarch of the family cooperates with the
US Government. Unfortunately, they are discovered, and the Mafia seeks to settle
the score.
Girls of The White Orchid AKA Death Ride to Osaka (1983)
Carol Heath is a waitress and an aspiring singer living in Los Angles. One day Carol responds to a job ad to be an entertainer in Tokyo, Japan. The job includes regular work at a night club The White Orchid as well as a place to stay. Once there she learns that she has been charged various fees and building debts that take away almost all of her pay and that she cannot leave the country. The only ways out presented to her are to pay the debts, or to go into prostitution for the club's owners the Yakuza, or death. While Carol is dealing with this her boyfriend Don Potter goes to Japan to find and rescue her.
Going To Extremes (1992-1993)
Short lived series about American medical students going to the Caribbean for medical training and dealing with different cultural environment.
Hatari! (1962)
Hatari is the Swahili word for Danger. Sean Mercer runs the Momella Game Company which is an animal capturing business out of East Africa where he and his team capture wildlife for Zoo's and Circuses around the world. When a photographer Anna Marie Dallas D'Allesandro comes to document the work the lives and team dynamics are changed.
Hot Resort (1985)
A group of poor American
boys get jobs at a Caribbean resort. Where they try to get girls, fast money,
have fun partying and defeating the (80's style) rich jerks next door.
Lilyhammer (2012-2014)
A former mobster is
relocated to Lilyhammer, Norway after turning on his boss and various associates.
Based on the novel The Long Haul by Mervyn Mills [First Published in 1956]. After WWII ends Harry Miller American solider settles with his English wife in Liverpool, England. He takes a job as a long-distance trucker and runs into trouble with a criminal organization trying to take over the industry.
Machine
Gun Preacher (2011)
Based on Another Man's War by Sam Childers [First Published in 2009]. After being released from
prison a former biker drug dealer turns his life straight, finds GOD, becomes a
Christian, has a baptism and gets involved with his church. This includes a
mission trip to Africa where he is called by GOD to build an orphanage and
protect children from conscription into a child Army.
Mogambo (1953)
Professional Hunter and Guide Victor Marswell runs a safari and game catching business in Kenya, Africa. After being sought out different clients he becomes involved in a love triangle with two very different woman.
Midnight
In Paris (2011)
Gil a writer travels to
Paris France with his girlfriend and her family. Gil loves the city fantasizes,
about Paris in the 1920’s. One night he travels back in time to Paris in the
20’s. After meeting his heroes and learns about himself he has to decide to
live in the past or be in the present.
Mr.
Baseball (1992)
Baseball player Jack
Elliot has made some poor choices it traded by the New York Yankees to a
Japanese Team The Chunichi Dragons. Unhappy with the trade and wanting to do
things his way he clashes with his teammates, coaches and others until he
accepts his situation and learns about Japanese culture.
The Mosquito Coast (1986) (2021)
Based on the novel The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux [First Published in 1981] Allis Fox an idealist inventor moves takes his family from the US to Central America to build a utopia that he will be the leader of. In his pursuit of his dream, he puts himself and his family in danger.
The
Mummy (1999)
An American adventurer Rick O'Connell leads a few archeologist and treasure hunters to the lost city of Hamunaptra,
Egypt. There they awaken a cursed mummy that threatens to destroy the world.
Off The Map (2011)
Three US Doctors just out of residency go to
work at a free medical clinic (200 miles away from any other medical facility) in rural South America to gain experience and learn from the established Doctors that run the clinic.
The 100 Lives of Black Jack Savage (1991)
During the pirate age Black Jack Savage was a successful wealthy pirate until he is caught and hanged in the courtyard of his own castle on a Caribbean Island, here he is stuck as a ghost unless he atones for his crimes by saving 100 lives and then he can go to heaven. In 1991 the new owner multimillionaire Barry Tarberry criminal stockbroker buys the castle to hide from the US Government. As the owner Barry is the only person that can see and hear Black Jack and help him save 100 lives along with avoiding a similar punishment himself. The two of them began their quest to save lives.
Our Lips Are Sealed (2000)
Twins Abby and Maddie Parker witness/stop a crime and are put into the Witness Protection Program with their family and relocated to Sydney, Australia. While the girls work to become popular Members of a crime family search for the girls.
Out
Sourced (2006)
(2010-2011)
The Movie and TV series
have the same basic plot. A call center the sells novelty toys has been
outsourced to India. A Manager from America goes there to set up and train the
new employees.
Oxford
Blues (1984)
American Nick De Alango from Las Vegas
enrolls in Oxford University to win his dream girl. In pursuit of that goal, he joins the rowing crew and grows as a man.
Pair of Kings (2010-2013)
Twins Brady and Duke Boomer Parker living in Chicago, Illinois learn that their parents were royalty of an island. Now that the two of them have come of age they are now the Kings of The Kingdom of Kinkow.
The Quiet Man (1952)
Based on the Quiet Man and Other Stories by Maurice Walsh [First Published in 1935]. Retired American Boxer Sean Thorton immigrates to Ireland to reconnect with his heritage and to start a new life. He buys a cottage and romances and marries a local girl.
Quigley Down
Under (1990)
Matthew Quigley a sharpshooter and gun fighter from Wyoming is hired by
a wealthy Australian rancher for mysterious a special job.
Skyscraper (2018)
A former FBI agent Will Sawyer becomes a security expert and is living and working in Hong Kong after a life changing injury. When a group of criminals
set fire to the skyscraper his family is in, he does everything he can to get
to and save his family.
Straw Dogs (1971)
Based on the novel The Siege of Trencher's Farm by Gordon M. Williams [First Published in 1969] An American David Sumner and his English wife Amy Sumner move to rural England for a more peaceful life. Unfortunately, a disagreement with a crew of local laborers turns deadly. (The remake Straw Dogs (2011) has the same plot but takes place in the US).
Suspiria (1977)
Suzi Bannion a young
American enrolls is a prestigious Ballet School in Germany. At the school
strange things happen, people die in mysterious ways, and the school has a
history of witchcraft.
Tales of the Gold Monkey (1982)
Set in the 1930's former fighter piolet Jack Cutter lives as a bush piolet, adventurer, and treasure hunter and operates out of the Marivella Islands. Having regular adventures with his dog, mechanic, love interest/American spy together they seek treasure, fun and foil Nazi plans in that part of the world.
They're
Watching (2016)
The crew of a realty home
improvement TV show head to Moldova on a segment about an American homeowner
transforming a rundown house into an artist's haven. The crew ends up having
problems with the villagers and a dangerous witch.
The
Undefeated (1969)
After the Civil War Carpet
Baggers and corrupt politicos start stealing the homes and lands of the former
Confederates. Former Confederate Colonel James Langdon his family along with other former Confererate families
travel to Mexico as refugees. As this is happening a businessman, and former
Union Officer Colonel John Henry Tomas is also going to Mexico to sell wild horses for higher prices than he can get in the US. The two groups meet while traveling and later join
forces when Mexican revolutionaries attack them.
Under
The Tuscan Sun (2003)
Based on the memoir Under
The Tuscan Sun: At Home In Italy, by Frances Mayes [First Published in
1996]. A recently divorced writer, professor, and critic takes a trip to Italy
where she impulsively buys a villa and begins an expensive and extensive
restoration.
Volunteers (1985)
Set in 1962 Lawerance Bourne the third is an upper
class, gambler, and womanizer is on the run from a gambling debt. He escapes
this by joining The Peace Core on a mission to Southeast Asia. Where several
groups have an interest in a bridge the Peace Core plans to build.
Welcome To Sweden (2014-2015)
New York City account Bruce is in love with his Swedish girlfriend Emma. When she gets an important prestigious job with a bank in Stockholm, Sweden he quits his job and goes with her. Bruce finds adjusting to living in Sweden more challenging than expected.
The World of Suzie Wong (1960)
Based on the novel The World of Suzie Wong by Richard Mason [First Published in 1957]. American architect Robert Lomax decides to change his life and pursue dream of being an artist. He does by moving to Hong Kong and living off his savings in a poor part of the city. There he hires a local prostitute to be model and muse. They fall in love and face tragedy's and decide to get married.
Tokyo
Pop (1988)
Rocker Wendy Reed
impulsively goes to Japan with little money, no local friends, or knowledge of
the language of the culture. Discovers ways to adjust to different world, finds
fleeting fame, and contemplates her future.
17-year-old Farm
boy Dean Youngblood leaves his home in upstate New York to become a
professional hockey player in Hamilton, Canada.
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