Here are the best movies about the Camino de Santiago. These Camino de Santiago movies influence and inspire walkers to hike across Spain. But the Camino also influences artists across many mediums, including filmmakers. In this article, I present a selection of the best movies about the Camino de Santiago.
If you want a movie to inspire, inform, or recall when you obtained your pilgrim passport, there’s a movie for you here. We feature dramas, documentaries, short films, and more. If you are looking for more general hiking movies, see this post on the best hiking movies of all time.
The Way (dir. Emilio Estevez)
Perhaps the most famous Camino movie, this one is a classic – even though some say it is not the best Camino de Santiago movie, I thought it was great.
Martin Sheen plays a father who honors his deceased son by walking the Camino. After his son dies while walking the pilgrimage, his father chooses to complete the hike on his behalf.
This movie was created by the real-life father-son duo of Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez, which adds authenticity to its messages. It’s a fantastic insight into the spiritual aspects of the Camino and how many people use the walk as a personal reflection.
Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago (dir: Lydia B. Smith)
This fantastic documentary profiles six pilgrims walking the Camino.
The documentary considers why they’re walking, where they’re walking and how they feel throughout the process.
Again, this is packed with spirituality and humanity. It’s a really touching piece of filmmaking, both inspiring and melancholic.
If you like realism and sensitivity, this movie has precisely that. You experience each walker’s highs, lows, struggles, and achievements just as they experience them. And the cinematography is beautiful.
The Unlikely Pilgrims (dir: Kirsten Mallyon)
Another fantastic documentary, this one follows a group of recovering drug addicts as they take on the pilgrimage route.
This is a very intimate movie, which shares the stories, struggles, and details of the pilgrims featured. It’s intimate almost to the point of intrusion, which some may find uncomfortable – but others will find compelling.
The movie is a fascinating insight into using the Camino as a tool for personal growth. This is excellent for a take that’s even more personal than the typical Camino tale.
I’ll Push You (dir: Christopher Karcher, Terry Parish)
A really beautiful portrayal of friendship and faith in humanity, this documentary chronicles two friends who traveled the Camino. But they didn’t both walk.
Justin, who is battling a neuromuscular disease, is pushed the whole way, in his wheelchair, by his lifelong best friend.
This is a beautiful portrayal of dedication, love, and perseverance. Both men talk openly about the struggles of their lives. It’s a movie that is both uplifting and bittersweet and touches hugely upon the greater meaning the Camino can have.
Are You A Pilgrim? (dir: Gian D Ceccato)
This is a movie about a 71-year-old man who walked the Camino to feel closer to God.
Along the way, that’s exactly what happens. And he finds his faith in humanity restored as he finds friendship and inspiration in the people he meets along the way.
It’s a fairly standard documentary around the walk, but it centers itself mainly around older people, bringing questions and topics unaddressed by other Camino movies and documentaries.
Mi Camino de Santiago (Camino Frances) (dir: David Farenbaugh)
If you’re specifically interested in the French Way, this is a great way to learn about it. One part documentary, and another part instruction manual on what you’ll need for the trip, as it chronicles the 800km trek across Spain.
If you’re equally interested in logistics and storytelling, this is a great movie since most others focus more on storytelling.
Camino de Santiago, A Walker’s Guide
This one is in the home movie style, which many will love. It doesn’t have the polish or drama of the others on this list, but it’s a great no-frills account of a husband and wife’s journey along the hike.
It includes lots of practical information about where to stay and how long to walk each day. This has a charm and spirit of its own – a lovely lo-fi movie.
A Way To Forgiveness – Healing On The Camino de Santiago (dir: Erin Dooley)
A lovely insight into the phenomenon of forgiveness, this 45-minute documentary follows a recently-divorced woman walking the Camino to heal herself and her state of mind.
It’s a movie heavily rooted in the Christian faith and more devoted to the themes of forgiveness than chronicling the walk itself. For those interested in the spiritual aspects of the Camino and the walk as a religious pilgrimage, this is a great documentary.
Camino de Santiago – A Spiritual Journey (dir: Plamen Simeonov)
Another spiritual documentary, this one digs deep into the history and mythology of the walk, with references to Alchemists and The Knights Templar. It explores spirituality and the walk itself in equal measure.
This documentary only features interviews with men, which is somewhat strange.
Pilgrimages of Europe: Santiago de Compostela, Spain
This is another low-fi entry and will appeal to those who like an old-school documentary style. You’ll love this one if you want a laid-back, gentle documentary movie.
It doesn’t have the drama, intricacy, or uniqueness of others on this list, but that is absolutely part of its charm. It’s only 28 minutes long, which will appeal to some – it’s a good, brief, no-drama introduction to the walk.
The Pilgrimage
Another short movie comes in at a brief 26 minutes. It’s a genuinely heartwarming chronicle of two brothers who walk together – and how taking a break from modern life can provide fantastic mental respite.
Together, they go on a hunt for adventure, inner wisdom, and peace of mind. Throughout, they discuss their lives, memories, hopes, and dreams. This documentary focuses beautifully on what it means to walk the Camino with loved ones.
Travel Light (dir: Lindsay Thompson)
In this documentary, four young American filmmakers talk about their motivations for doing the walk and chat with other pilgrims about their own reasons.
The hikers are younger than most other Camino pilgrims, which gives this one a unique angle and beautiful cinematography. This documentary is an excellent personal project rather than a big-budget epic.
Strangers On The Earth (dir: Tristan Cook)
A great documentary for music lovers, this combines Bach’s music with the Camino’s views.
It chronicles the trip of an American cellist who undertook the hike with his cello on the back, routinely playing the instrument along the way.
Spain’s Pilgrim Trail: Leon to Santiago, by Fran West
This is another short entry on this list. It’s 27 minutes in length and isn’t a typical movie. Instead, this one features a collection of photographs from the walk.
It’s basically a slideshow of photographs, which though unusual, might appeal to those who love beautiful photography.
Camino, The Journey To Santiago (dir: Matthew Nothelfer, Alicia Wszelaki)
The briefest on this list at only 23 minutes, this one is an impressionistic piece of filmmaking that isn’t quite as literal as most other entries on this list.
If you’re looking for a straightforward movie or documentary, this is not it. But if you appreciate artistic flourishes, you’ll enjoy this. It matches up music with imagery in a wonderful way. There’s no narrative here, but there’s plenty of beauty.
It also features a small section that is shot in Asia.
Six Million Steps: A Journey Inward (dir: Will Oxley)
The above isn’t the only entry that takes you to places other than the Camino. This feature doesn’t focus on the Camino but on the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs almost 4300km along the US Pacific coast from Mexico to Canada.
If you’re wondering why this movie is on the list, it’s for two primary reasons. Firstly, it’s a big favorite of mine.
But more importantly than that, the parallels with the Camino are incredible. All of the hikers interviewed in this movie discuss the spiritual healing properties of tackling such a huge physical task. It’s another movie that proves the healing power of hiking… and the beautiful views involved in such a trip!
That is my roundup of the best Camino de Santiago movies. If you have other suggestions or thoughts, let me know below in the comments.
And this is a great 30 min video.
Do you have any other movies or documentaries about the Camino de Santiago that I should have on this list? Let me know below in the comments below.
I love hiking, backpacking, and camping. From the Camino de Santiago to the West Highland Way in Scotland or simply a great day hike on the weekend. Hiking refreshes me, my mind, and keeps my body reasonably fit. So far I have walked three Camino routes and many other long distance hikes in the UK, Canada, and around the rest of Europe. One of the best was my hike up Ben Nevis.
Also “Life in a Walk” from 2015 by Yogi Roth. Chronicles his Portuguese Camino with his father from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. Not very religiously oriented, some spirituality, mostly about their relationship. Lots of profanity, which can be a turn off.
Another trekking documentary is “Mile…Mile & a Half” from 2013 by Jason Fitzpatrick. They beautifully document their 200 mile hike of California’s John Muir Trail through the backcountry. Many aspects of this documentary will be relatable to those who have walked a Camino. Some profanity.
I think this movie should be on your list.
“The Three Caminos.”
Thank you so much for this inclusive list. I will print and save this post and try to find so,e of these remarkable sounding films. Merry Christmas.
Another camino movie
Another Camino Movie that may be worth mentioning is a french film about a Company executive who suffered a heart attack and decided to walk the camino to live.
‘Un Homme Presse’ –
(A Man pressured?)
It has beautiful photos of the camino.
When I watched this I was on a flight for my camino in July 2019 (this year) and I didn’t have any inkling it will have a camino ending and was surprised but happy to have chosen to watch it from all the inflight movies.
One of my faves is missing … FOOTPRINTS … documentary style with amazing views following a groups of young men
I would also really recommend the French film, “Saint Jacques la Mècque” – humour, realism, poignancy, and a great story.
Don’t recall thename of the movie but it is a French Independent movie that is not available in the US. Story of three children who can not inherit anything in a will until all three walk the Camino together. European friends from France and Germany claim it is the BEST Camino movie of all time. And supposedly there is a musical movie about walking the Camino–not sure if it has been released yet.
Hi.
It is called St Jacques la Mècque in French and Pilgern auf Französisch in German. NOt sure of the English title. A very nice film, for sure. B
I would recommend http://philscamino.com/ . This is from the webpage “For years, Phil dreamt of walking the 500-mile ancient pilgrimage route across Spain, El Camino de Santiago. Although this was an unattainable dream due to weekly chemo treatments, it did not stop him from walking. “
The Documentary, CaminoSkies which was filmed in April/May of 2018 and released onto the big screens in 2019. It was directed by Fergus Grady a young New Zealander and the cinematography by Noel Smyth. It follows the footsteps of 6 walkers, two from Australia and the other four from New Zealand. The six all are walking for very different reasons and the documentary has gone on to receive great reviews in Australia. New Zealand, The US and in Europe. For more info, contact Fergus Grady or Noel Smyth.or myself, Susan Morris. I am one of the walkers featured. Blessings.
Just finished watching the French movie “ The Milky Way” on DVD. Gets great reviews… but thought it strange.