Movies have been a great source of entertainment for people around the world. Whether it’s drama, action, comedy, or romance, movies always have something for everyone. One of the most popular genres of movies is car movies. Car movies are exciting, adrenaline-fueled films that feature some of the most iconic cars in history. They have been around for decades and continue to be popular today. In this article, we will look at the top 10 car movies of all time.
- The Fast and the Furious (2001)
The Fast and the Furious is one of the most iconic car movies of all time. The movie is about an undercover cop named Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) who infiltrates a group of street racers led by Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel). The movie is filled with high-speed car chases, intense races, and thrilling stunts. It also features some of the most iconic cars in history, including a 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse, a 1995 Toyota Supra, and a 1970 Dodge Charger.
The Fast and the Furious franchise has been hugely successful, with eight movies in total. The franchise has grossed over $5 billion worldwide, making it one of the most successful movie franchises of all time.
- Gone in 60 Seconds (1974)
Gone in 60 Seconds is a classic car movie that tells the story of a group of car thieves led by Maindrian Pace (H.B. Halicki) who are tasked with stealing 48 cars in one night. The movie is famous for its epic car chase scenes and stunts, including the famous jump over a parked car that is still talked about today.
The movie features some of the most iconic cars of the 1970s, including a 1971 Ford Mustang, a 1973 Ford Mustang, and a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. The movie was so successful that it was remade in 2000 with Nicolas Cage in the lead role.
- Bullitt (1968)
Bullitt is a classic car movie that stars Steve McQueen as San Francisco Police Lieutenant Frank Bullitt. The movie is famous for its iconic car chase scene through the streets of San Francisco, which has been hailed as one of the greatest car chases in movie history.
The movie features some of the most iconic cars of the 1960s, including a 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback and a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T. The car chase scene in Bullitt has been recreated in many other movies and has become a cultural icon.
- Le Mans (1971)
Le Mans is a movie about the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The movie stars Steve McQueen as Michael Delaney, a driver who is competing in the race. The movie is famous for its realistic portrayal of the race and its intense action scenes.
The movie features some of the most iconic race cars of the time, including a Porsche 917, a Ferrari 512, and a Ford GT40. The movie has become a cult classic among car enthusiasts and racing fans.
- Rush (2013)
Rush is a movie about the rivalry between Formula One drivers James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) in the 1970s. The movie is famous for its realistic portrayal of the racing world and its intense action scenes.
The movie features some of the most iconic Formula One cars of the time, including a McLaren M23 and a Ferrari 312T. The movie was a critical and commercial success, and it won numerous awards.
- The Italian Job (1969)
Unlike Gone in 60 Seconds, we think that the Michael Caine version of this film is far better than the Marky Mark remake of 2001. Again, they are both very fun car-forward films; it’s just the original has the edge in this case. What’s especially enjoyable about this movie is that it took an otherwise unassuming vehicle, the Mini Cooper, and injected it with a hefty dose of much-needed coolness by taking it on an impressive romp through the crowded streets of Turin, Italy. Funny enough, Michael Caine couldn’t actually drive when this movie was being filmed.
7. Duel (1971)
Ever been driving down a highway and passed a slow truck? Sure. Did you then spend the next couple days being chased by the truck as it tried to kill you? Steven Speilberg cut his post-film-school teeth with this dystopian highway film aimed at mild-mannered traveling salesmen who make a living criss-crossing bleak secondary roads. Dennis Weaver is the salesman in question. He had the temerity to pass a beat up old oil truck, which then proceeded to road rage against him and whoever he got near. It’s the best use of a Plymouth Valiant in all of cinema.
8. THE CANNONBALL RUN (1981)
Starring Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Farah Fawcett, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Adrienne Barbeau, Terry Bradshaw, Jackie Chan, Peter Fonda, and Roger Moore (as himself) this is certainly the most star-studded film on our list. But the wide variety of vehicles, action, and a strange story – a cast of eccentric competitors participating in an illegal cross-country race – definitely puts this one somewhere in the top tier of car films. It’s kind of like a live-action version of the cartoon Wacky Racers.
9. THE TRANSPORTER (2002)
It’s a little known fact that this film was penned by Luc Besson – the same man that brought us Léon: The Professional, The Fifth Element, and Lucy. But it makes a lot of sense when you consider how masterfully this film balances martial arts, car chases, and an at least decent storyline (which cannot, unfortunately, be said about the subsequent sequels). This is also one of the films that put star Jason Statham on the map. It follows the story of a driver for hire who breaks his strict “no questions asked” policy when he realizes that the package he’s been hired to transport is actually a woman. For reference: the transporter’s primary car in the film is a 1998 BMW 750iL Euro model.
10. AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973)
While most people know him for Star Wars, George Lucas first made a name for himself with this film about his hometown of Modesto, California. Starring Richard Dreyfuss and Ron Howard, American Graffiti follows a group of high school friends cruising the boulevard on their last night in town before they go off to college. It’s loaded with classic cars, hot rods and, strangely enough, also features Harrison Ford as a traveling drag racer.