The Road Trip (1981 film)

The Road Trip is a 1981 American animated road musical drama film produced by Movie Toons Film Distribution and Universal Pictures.
The film was released to theaters on September 3, 1981 by APEX Distribution. It was a financial success, earning $101.1 million domestically and received mixed-positive reviews from critics. It was nominated for 1 award. 
== Plot ==
In the big city of Pittsburgh, a group of quirky friends—Jimmy, Lola, Benny, and the twins, Samantha and Cleo, Inspired by a travel brochure they find in the local library, they decide to embark on a summer road trip to the legendary Walt Disney World Theme Park, located far across the countryside.
As they gather supplies and plan their journey, each character brings their own personality into the mix, leading to hilariously chaotic conversations about what to pack, how to get there, and even what snacks to bring. Despite their differences, the friends share a strong bond and a determination to enjoy their adventure together.
The road trip kicks off with the friends piling into a bright, colorful van that Benny's grandfather won in a county fair. Along the way, they encounter a series of whimsical challenges: they must navigate through a wacky carnival filled with mischievous clowns, survive a detour through a haunted forest where friendly ghosts encourage them to face their fears, Try to beat a battle with the Highway Bandits and even participate in a race against a group of boastful racers who think they can outsmart them.
As they journey toward their destination, each character learns valuable lessons about friendship, trust, and overcoming obstacles. Jimmy learns the importance of patience; Lola discovers how to embrace adventure; Benny finds that optimism can inspire others; and Samantha and Cleo realizes that a little sass goes a long way in lifting spirits.
Eventually, they arrive at Walt Disney World , where they experience vivid animations, heart-stopping rides, and a captivating parade of colorful characters. They celebrate their triumph with laughter, friendship, and a newfound appreciation for the journey they shared, learning that the real adventure lies not just in the destination, but in the bonds created along the way.
In a heartwarming finale, the friends reflect on their summer road trip as they drive back home, excited to share their stories and plan their next adventure. The film ends with the friends singing a catchy, feel-good theme song while journeying back, reinforcing the message that adventure is always just around the corner when you have good friends by your side.
== Soundtrack ==
The Road Trip	The Road Trip
Soundtrack album by 
Various artists	Soundtrack album by 
Various artists
Released 	1981
Recorded 	1979-1981
Genre 	Children's, Classical
Label 	Movie Toons Records and Tapes
The soundtrack album for the film was released in 1981 by Movie Toons Records.
=== Track listing ===
No.	Title 	Length
1. 	“Ideas” 	2:29
2. 	“On Our Way” 	2:01
3. 	“Around the Country” 	3:54
4. 	“Are We There Yet?” 	1:43
5. 	“We’re The Highway Bandits”	2:35
6. 	“We’re Here!” 	1:10
7. 	“The Right Choice” 	4:37
8. 	“The End” 	5:51
== Release ==
=== Home media ===
The film was first released on VHS on May 30, 1982. This release was placed into moratorium on August 13, 1995. On February 4, 2001, it was released on Region 1 DVD for the first time as part of the SparkToon Diamond Collection line, along with a simultaneous VHS re-issue as part of the same video line on the same day. This edition went into moratorium in December 8, 2007.
The film was released on Blu-ray on September 3, 2021, commemorating its 40th anniversary as part of a 2-disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo pack. Featuring a new digital restoration, the Blu-ray transfer presents the film for the first time in 1.66:1 widescreen and also features 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio.
== Critical reception ==
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported that the film received a 69% approval rating with an average rating of 6.3/10 based on 28 reviews. Metacritic gave it a score of 57 based on 15 reviews, indicating "generally mixed reviews".
Category:1981 films
Category:Animated comedy films
Category:Animated musical films
Category:Animated adventure films