Car Movies and Movie Cars

Ranked #430 in Cars, #25,305 overall

Good Movies about Great Cars

Do you love Great Car Movies? If you want to read about some great movies, and the cars that made them so great, then you've come to the right place.

Reminisce about great movies from your past and discover some that you might not have seen before.

The Fast and the Furious - 2001

Car Movies - The Fast and the Furious

The Fast and the Furious Cars:
1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS 420A
1993 Mazda RX7
1994 Toyota Supra
1995 Volkswagen Jetta
2000 Honda S2000
1970 Dodge Charger
Many more Fast and Furious Cars


The Fast and the Furious Cast:
Vin Diesel
Paul Walker
Michelle Rodriguez
Chad Lindberg
Jordana Brewster


Great Movie


The Fast and the Furious delivers heavy doses of what car enthusiast want to see in a movie:

  • cars - lots of heavily-modified, sleek, fast cars
  • girls - also heavily modified... sleek... you get the idea
  • high-speed action
  • gear head jargon

This movie impacted a generation and put feet to the tuner-car genre with its bold, aggressively designed cars and thumping soundtracks. Special FX inside-the-engine shots following the NOS streams are recognizable to car-tech novices and exhilarating to horse power junkies.

An LA policeman goes undercover to infiltrate a gang of suspected high-jackers. Split loyalties lead to some hard decisions but, in the end,nobody goes to jail and somehow both the cop and the King of the street racing scene come out heroes.

Don't let the cliche of a story line fool you, this is a must see that spawned four sequels ( although the franchise did decline significantly after the second movie - 2 Fast 2 Furious ).

Watch "The Fast and the Furious" instantly.

Fast and the Furious Series

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The Road Warrior - 1979

Car Movie - the Road Warrior

Road Warrior Car:
1973 XB GT Ford Falcon with nitrous oxide and an on-demand Weiand Supercharger.

Road Warrior Cast:
Mel Gibson
Joanne Samuel as Jessie
Hugh Keays-Byrne as Toecutter
Steve Bisley as Jim Goose
Tim Burns as Johnny the Boy
Vincent Gil as Nightrider

Great Movie



Mad Max The Road Warrior started the "Survivor" theme that has become a popular subculture within the custom car and custom motorcycle circuit. What was Ford thinking when they decided that the XB GT Falcon (351 Cleveland engine, 9 inch rear differential and front disc brakes all being standard equipment) wasn't right for the American market? Come to think of it, what's Ford thinking now by keeping the Falcon out of the U.S.?

Cult Classic film showcasing the futuristic degradation of society and the lone man still willing and able to stand up for what's good. Great crash scenes. To American eyes, the cars and motorcycles look bizarre, yet strangely familiar - and totally Bad A$$. Check out these Mad Max Road Warrior clips.

Watch "Road Warrior/Mad Max" instantly.

Smokey and the Bandit - 1977

Car Movies - Smokey and the Bandit

Smokey and the Bandit Cars:
1977 Pontiac Firebird Special Edition
Kenworth W900A


Smokey and the Bandit Cast:
Burt Reynolds as Bo "Bandit" Darville
Sally Fields as Carrie "Frog"
Jackie Gleason as Sheriff Buford T. Justice "Smokey Bear"
Jerry Reed as Cledus "Snowman" Snow


Great Movie



Some movies don't age well; Smokey and the Bandit is not among them: Burt Reynolds wears his best mustache, Sally Fields never looked better, Jerry Reed is just being Jerry Reed and nobody can cuss better than Jackie Gleason could cuss. Add in some 1970s trucker CB slang and an hour and a half of "high speed pursuit" and you've got a timeless classic.

The Bandit and Snowman are hired to run a truckload of bootleg Coors from Texarkana to Atlanta in just 28 hours. The only way they can make it in time is if the Bandit gets in a speedy car and runs blocker.

Watch "Smokey and the Bandit" instantly.

Gone In 60 Seconds - 2000

Car Movie - Gone In 60 Seconds

Gone In 60 Seconds Cars:
There are a lot of cars and the 50-car pick list changes throughout the movie but, the one that everyone remembers is the 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 - code name "Eleanor."

Gone In 60 Seconds Cast:
Nicholas Cage
Angelina Jolie
Giovanni Ribisi
Chi McBride
Robert Duvall
Scott Caan
Will Patton
Timothy Olyphant
Christopher Eccleston
Vinnie Jones

Good Movie



Imagine being able to drive any car that you want: the hottest, fastest, most exotic cars ever made, all for the taking. That's what makes Gone in 60 Seconds so exciting. All you have to do is get over that whole felony car theft hangup.

A retired car jacker reunites his team for one last, huge score. They have 72 hours to steal 50 specific cars in order to save Memphis Raines' kid brother's life. Memphis stares down the-one-that-got-away so many times before - Eleanor.

Watch "Gone in Sixty Seconds" instantly.

(Herbie) The Love Bug - 1968

Car Movies - Herbie the Love Bug

The Love Bug:
1963 Volkswagen Beetle

the Love Bug Cast:
Dean Jones
Michele Lee
Buddy Hackett
sequels included:
Helen Hayes
Stefanie Powers
Don Knotts
Cloris Leachman
Lindsay Lohan
Michael Keaton
Matt Dillon
Breckin Meyer
Justin Long
Cheryl Hines

Good Movie


I know that I'll get flack for this but I don't care; I like Herbie The Love Bug! If you don't like him, then make your own list. Ok, maybe I don't like all of the Herbie movies, but I like them enough to recommend the first - The Love Bug (1968) and the last - Herbie - Fully Loaded (2005).

Through the magic of Disney, a Volkswagen Beetle comes to life and becomes a world-class race car. Refreshingly, the last Herbie sequel carries all the charm and fun that the first had thirty seven years earlier. Unfortunately, I find the three in between to be a little repetitive - even Disney can only get so much mileage out of a good idea.

Watch "The Love Bug" instantly.

Death Proof - 2007

Car Movies - Death Proof

Death Proof Cars:
1970? Chevy Nova
1969 Dodge Charger
1970 Dodge Challenger
1972 Ford Mustang


Death Proof Director:
Quentin Tarantino He also wrote the movie and played Warren the Bartender.

Death Proof Cast:
Kurt Russell
Rosario Dawson
Rose McGowan
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Eli Roth


Good Movie


Full of fast action, gratuitous violence and hot chicks that love muscle cars - but in Death Proof, the flat black Nova with white death-head STEALS the show. Tarantino is a master at balancing the realistic and the totally bizarre. If you've ever wanted to see Kurt Russell play the bad guy, then this is the movie for you.

Three women borrow a souped-up muscle car and set out to have a little fun. A serial killer that's also fond of American muscle gives chase... until the women turn the tables and start chasing him. ***Spoiler Alert: the women win.***

Watch "Grindhouse: Death Proof" instantly.

Death Race 2000 - 1975

Car Movies - Death Race 2000

Death Race 2000 Cars:
Mostly VW based Kit Cars themed to resemble a bull, a rocket powered missile, a gangster-style car, etcetera. The star is a Shala Vette kit car themed to resemble a green scaly monster with red eyes. This was the 70s, folks.

Death Race 2000 Cast:
David Carradine
Sylvester Stallone

OK Movie


You know those games where you earn points for running over innocent pedestrians? Death Race 2000 started it all way back in 1975. The original Death Race 2000 is a Sci-Fi cult classic deserving of a better remake than the 2008 Death Race sequel, which shares little more than a name with the original. This is not the kind of movie that you'll watch over and over again, but it's worth having in your collection.

In the futuristic year 2000, a jaded and moral less society craves a new form of entertainment - the Death Race. Competitors gain points by using machine-gun laden race cars to kill spectators, geriatric patients (or the doctors and nurses), helicopter-flying terrorists and any random pedestrian that's unfortunate enough to come within range. It's fun for the whole family.

Goldfinger - 1964

Car Movies - Goldfinger

Goldfinger Car:
Aston Martin DB5


Goldfinger Cast:
Sean Connery as James Bond
Gert Frobe as Goldfinger
Harold Sakata as Oddjob
Bernard Lee as M
Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny


Goldfinger Bond Girls:
Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore
Shirley Eaton as Jill Masterson, the girl who's painted gold


Great Movie


No other car capture the spirit of 007 better than the Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger - equipped with: bullet-proof windshield/rear glass, tire-slashing extending wheel caps, machine guns, homing missiles, smoke screens, oil sprayers and an ejector seat. Oddjob, with his statue-decapitating hat, makes one of the greatest henchmen of all time. Pussy Galore is just legendary.
Bond: "Do you expect me to talk?"
Goldfinger: "No, Mister Bond. I expect you to die."

Goldfinger plans to contaminate the Fort Knox gold supply with radiation, thereby causing world-wide financial collapse and a subsequent increase in the value of his personal supply of untainted gold. Fortunately, 007 saves the world once again.

Watch "Goldfinger" instantly.

Christine - 1983

Car Movies - Christine

Christine Car:
1958 Plymouth Fury named Christine

Christine Writer:
Stephen King

Christine Director:
John Carpenter

Christine Cast:
Keith Gordon
John Stockwell
Alexandra Paul
Robert Prosky
Harry Dean Stanton
Kelly Preston

Great Movie


The "possessed car goes on a killing rampage" story line is not a new one (although Christine had a much higher budget than most others). Why do we like this story, so? I think that it allows us to subconsciously and vicariously live out our otherwise pent up Road Rage. Christine makes the world a safer place to live.

From a time when most horror films were nothing more than slashers comes Christine, a true horror film and one of the best horror films of all time. Arnie, a dark and awkward teen, bears the brunt of a bully's attention - that is until Arnie finds Christine, a car with a thirst for blood going all the way back to the assembly line. Midnight hit-and-run missions (set to a classic 50s soundtrack) eliminate anyone that is perceived to be a threat to Arnie or to the relationship developing between Arnie and Christine.

Watch "Christine" instantly.

Cobra - 1986

Car Movie - Cobra

Cobra Car:
1950 Mercury Monterey

Cobra Cast:
Sylvester Stallone
Brigitte Nielsen
Brian Thompson

OK Movie



Nobody will say that this is a good movie. The only memorable parts of Cobra are the Cobra car and the Spiked Cobra Knife (that knife was a hot item in the late 80s). The big question: is a really cool car enough to save an otherwise forgettable movie? In this case, it is.

Marion "Cobra" Cobretti is a city cop out to catch (more probably kill) a serial killer. Lots of action, violence, guns and one real sweet ride.

Watch "Cobra" instantly.

American Graffiti - 1973

Car Movies - American Graffiti

American Graffiti Cars:
1932 Ford Deuce Coupe
1958 Chevy Impala
1955 Chevy
The movie's set in 1962, so everything's vintage (although there is a Mustang shown in the background once - Oops, Mustang's weren't made until 1964 1/2).

Director:
George Lucas

Producer:
Francis Ford Coppola

American Graffiti Cast:
Richard Dreyfuss
Ronny Howard
Cindy Williams
Wolfman Jack
Harrison Ford
Suzanne Somers
Paul LeMat
Charles Martin Smith
Candy Clark
Mackenzie Phillips
Bo Hopkins

Great Movie


Did American Graffiti rekindle the Hot Rod craze? It sure didn't hurt it. American Graffiti spawned the TV show 'Happy Days" and that definitely kicked off the 50s craze that hit during the 70s. Fortunately, sock hops died again; Hot Rods are here to stay.

Two all-American youths enjoy one last night of "cruisin' the circuit" before heading off to college.

Watch "American Graffiti" instantly.

Hollywood Knights - 1980

Car Movies - Hollywood Knights

Hollywood Knight Cars:
1957 Chevy
AC Cobra
1956 Chevy Sedan Delivery wagon
1965 El Camino
1940 Ford Coupe
More... lots more.


Hollywood Knights Cast:
Robert Wuhl
Tony Danza
Michelle Pfeiffer
Fran Drescher

Great Movie



The Hollywood Knights is an obvious knock off of American Graffiti. They don't just share the same elements, Hollywood Knights uses basically the same story line right down to: the radio dedication that must go out tonight, the vandalism done to the police car, the car club initiation, the walk back after being stranded in the middle of nowhere, the drive-in diner and the big race.
There are some differences of course. American Graffiti is a drama focusing on the story line. Hollywood Knights is a comedy, gratuitously focusing on crude humor, shiny paint it's good-looking cast. If this were a review on cinematic merit, American Graffiti would win hands down but it's not, it's a review of Car Movies. For the average guy looking for a great Car Movie, Hollywood Knights fits the bill.

A group of all-American youth enjoy one last night of cruising their favorite hangout.

Watch "The Hollywood Knights" instantly.

Tuff Turf - 1985

Car Movies - Tuff Turf

Tuff Turf Car:
1968 Camaro


Tuff Turf Cast:
James Spader
Kim Richards
Robert Downey Jr.
Paul Mones
Claudette Nevins
Olivia Barash


Good Movie



This is the only movie I can think of where James Spader plays a good guy. Robert Downey Jr.'s character is not nearly as over the top as usual. Sometime in the 10 years after "Escape to Witch Mountain", Kim Richards got really Hot!
Then there's the car: a muscle-bound 68 Camaro with a 327, in flat black with a brown primer top coat with a smoked headlight cover.
If you're into 80s pop culture, Tuff Turf is a must-see. Complete with popped collars, lace gloves and a boom box so big that you need a red wagon to pull it in. This movie is actually better appreciated now than it was in 1985.

The new kid ( a misunderstood trouble maker who really has a good heart deep down inside) falls for the girl friend of the real local bad guy and street thug/gang leader.

Watch "Tuff Turf" instantly.

Other Great Movie Cars

Ghostbusters
Ecto 1 - 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Ambulance
The Blues Brothers
Blues Mobile - 1974 Dodge Monaco
National Lampoon's Vacation
Wagon Queen Family Truckster - Ford LTD Country Squire
Animal House
Deathmobile - 1964 Lincoln Continental
Back to the Future
DeLorean DMC-12
Dazed and Confused
1973 Duster
1970 Chevelle SS
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
1961 Ferrari GT250
Sex Drive
1969 GTO Judge
Grease
1948 Ford Deluxe Convertible
1949 Mercury
1949 Dodge Wayfarer Convertible

Bad Movies but Great Cars

The Green Hornet
1965 Chrysler Imperial Crown
Cobra
1950 Mercury
Corvette Summer
1973 Chevy Corvette
Speed Racer
Mach 5

What's the Best Car Movie or Movie Car?

  • TheLifestyleChanger Apr 26, 2012 @ 10:35 pm | delete
    I need to brush up on my car movies - thank you for the recommendations. Blessings.
  • SereneSea Jan 28, 2012 @ 1:21 am | delete
    I do not remember any movie that is without a car, however I appreciate your list and would surely want to see some of the movies listed here.
  • WriterJanis Jan 26, 2012 @ 12:35 am | delete
    My favs here are Smokey and the Bandit, The Love Bug and, (sorry!) The Green Hornet.
  • KarenCookieJar Dec 3, 2011 @ 11:49 am | delete
    My husband really likes car movies, I think he has seen all of these.
  • JoyfulReviewer Nov 29, 2011 @ 6:11 pm | delete
    Nice lens idea. I really liked Herbie The Love Bug. Congratulations on getting featured in Squidoo's Car Show winners circle!
  • tammikibler Nov 18, 2011 @ 9:26 am | delete
    Smokey and the Bandit is my favorite, I am so in love with the car, Burt, Sally, Jerry, Jackie. I probably sound like an old fuddy duddy, but I feel like they don't make movies this fun anymore.

    Not that you asked, but I think Days of Thunder should be included in this lens. Not that it's a great movie, but it is a Nascar movie nonetheless.

ToTheBrimm

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Car Movies That Just Didn't Make the Cut

Nothing against these cars, I just don't want to have to watch these movies again.

XB Falcon

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Herbie the Love Bug

The Death Proof Duck Hood Ornament

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James Bond Aston Martin DB5

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Christine - 1958 Plymouth Fury

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by

ToTheBrimm

Who doesn't like a good Car Movie?
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