The entertaining world of movies has long shared a symbiotic relationship with cars and the automotive industry, adding glamour, action, and compelling storylines with a rich history. Films centred around cars or connected to the automotive world have consistently drawn auto enthusiasts, sparking fervent discussions and excitement within the community.
These car-based movies deliver edge-of-the-seat action, showcasing the best of emotions and drama associated with wheels. In this guide, we explore the top 10 car movies that are a must-watch for auto enthusiasts or anyone looking to immerse themselves in the passionate automotive community.
10. Speed Racer (2008)
- Release Year: 2008
- Director: Lana and Lilly Wachowski
- Actor: Emile Hirsch
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Family
Speed Racer is a visually stunning film that follows the journey of Speed, a talented racer, as he competes in the intense and dangerous racing world. He enters the prestigious Grand Prix with his advanced Mach 5 car to uncover the truth behind his brother’s death. Speed Racer is known for its vibrant and colourful visuals, staying true to the style of the original anime series “Speed Racer” from the 1960s.
9. Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)
- Release Year: 2000
- Director: Dominic Sena
- Actor: Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie
- Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
In this high-octane action film, a retired car thief, Randall “Memphis” Raines, is forced back into the criminal world to save his brother’s life. The task: steal 50 exotic cars in one night. Memphis assembles a team and faces the ultimate challenge of eluding the authorities and rival thieves. “Eleanor,” a custom 1967 Ford Mustang, plays a central role in the film and has become an iconic car in movie history. Many replicas of the same have been built, here’s a great example for sale at DubiCars.
8. Vanishing Point (1971)
- Release Year: 1971
- Director: Richard C. Sarafian
- Actor: Barry Newman
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime
Vanishing Point follows Kowalski, a car delivery driver, as he takes on a challenge to deliver a Dodge Challenger from Colorado to San Francisco within a tight timeframe. The film is a high-speed, existential journey with a mysterious and enigmatic protagonist. The film gained a cult following for its minimalist storytelling and exceptional car chase sequences, becoming a classic among car movie enthusiasts.
7. The Italian Job (1969)
- Release Year: 1969
- Director: Peter Collinson
- Actor: Michael Caine
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
After a successful heist in Italy, a group of criminals plans to escape with their loot using Mini Coopers. The film combines comedy and suspense as the team executes a clever plan to outsmart both the Italian mafia and the authorities. The Italian Job is renowned for its iconic Mini Cooper car chase scene, which has become one of the most famous in cinematic history.
6. Senna (2010)
- Release Year: 2010
- Director: Asif Kapadia
- Actor: Documentary (Ayrton Senna as himself)
- Genre: Documentary, Biography, Sport
Senna is a documentary that chronicles the life and career of Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna. The film explores his triumphs, rivalries, and tragic death during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Senna received critical acclaim for its intimate portrayal of Ayrton Senna’s life and is considered one of the greatest sports documentaries.
5. Baby Driver (2017)
- Release Year: 2017
- Director: Edgar Wright
- Actor: Ansel Elgort
- Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Entering the list of top car movies to watch is Baby Driver. The movie follows Baby, a talented young getaway driver, as he tries to break free from the criminal world. He must navigate dangerous heists while being accompanied by carefully curated playlists on his music player to reduce the tinnitus in his years due to an accident. Director Edgar Wright choreographed many of the action sequences to the beats of the music, creating a unique and synchronized cinematic experience.
4. The Fast & The Furious (2001)
- Release Year: 2001
- Director: Rob Cohen
- Actor: Paul Walker, Vin Diesel
- Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
The film that started the blockbuster franchise follows undercover cop Brian O’Conner as he infiltrates the world of illegal street racing to investigate a series of truck hijackings. Brian becomes entangled with Dominic Toretto and his crew, leading to a thrilling climax. The success of The Fast & The Furious franchise has made it one of the highest-grossing film series in history.
3. Cars (2006)
- Release Year: 2006
- Director: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft
- Actor: Owen Wilson
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cars is an animated film set in a world populated entirely by anthropomorphic cars. The story follows Lightning McQueen, a racing car, as he learns about friendship and the true meaning of success during a cross-country road trip. Cars marked Pixar Animation Studios’ entry into the world of anthropomorphic characters and became a beloved film for both children and adults.
2. Rush (2013)
- Release Year: 2013
- Director: Ron Howard
- Actor: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Brühl
- Genre: Action, Biography, Drama
Rush recreates the intense rivalry between legendary drivers from Formula 1 James Hunt and Niki Lauda during the 1976 racing season. The film explores the contrasting personalities of the two drivers and the dramatic events that unfolded on and off the track. Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl, who played James Hunt and Niki Lauda, respectively, received widespread praise for their performances, adding to the film’s critical acclaim.
1. Ford v/s Ferrari (2019)
- Release Year: 2019
- Director: James Mangold
- Actor: Matt Damon, Christian Bale
- Genre: Action, Biography, Drama
Now, for the top car movie to watch on this list. Ford v/s Ferrari is based on the true story of Ford Motor Company‘s quest to build a car that could beat the dominant Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The film focuses on the collaboration between car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles to achieve this ambitious goal. Ford v/s Ferrari won two Academy Awards, including Best Editing and Best Sound Editing, showcasing its technical excellence in addition to its compelling story.
Top Car Movies: Honorary Mentions
1. Herbie Fully Loaded
- Release Year: 2005
- Director: Angela Robinson
- Actor: Lindsay Lohan, Michael Keaton
- Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family
“Herbie Fully Loaded” pays homage to the beloved “Herbie” films of the 1960s and 1970s. Maggie Peyton discovers a rundown Volkswagen Beetle with a personality of its own—Herbie. Together, they navigate the world of NASCAR, overcoming obstacles on and off the track to chase Maggie’s racing dreams.
2. Death Race
- Release Year: 2008
- Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
- Actor: Jason Statham, Joan Allen
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
“Death Race” is a modern remake of the 1975 cult classic “Death Race 2000,”. In a dystopian future, framed convict Jensen Ames must participate in the deadly televised car race known as the Death Race for his freedom. Contestants, armed with heavily armoured cars, battle for victory and survival in this no-holds-barred competition.
This completes our list of top 10 car movies with a couple of honourable mentions. In all these movies, even though the lead actors have done a fabulous job in showcasing the drama, the actual leads of the entire shebang are the star cars. All that is left is to start binge-watching!
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