Trying to figure out what to watch for your next movie night? If you’re an auto enthusiast, look no further! We’ve compiled a list of some of the best movies for car lovers across a variety of genres.
As you browse through these titles, you’ll notice that some films have been marked with an asterisk. This means they’re part of a series. If you end up watching and liking the first one, check out the rest of the installations.
While cars may not be the central focus of all these films, they’ve been selected based on cars getting a lot of screen-time in them and various car-related themes that most enthusiasts will appreciate. So, grab your popcorn, get comfortable, and immerse yourself in these car-tastic films!
Action/Thriller
For adrenalin seekers, action and thriller flicks are where it’s at. Nowadays, it’s not hard to find an action movie with high-speed car chases and shocking automotive stunts. To see some explosive vehicles in motion, check out films like these:
- Mad Max, 1979
- The Fast and the Furious, 2001*
- Drive, 2011
- Rush, 2013
- Need for Speed, 2014
Classics
In the film industry, the title “classic” means a film that has remained popular and memorable after several screenings, often over a span of several decades. For car fans, especially classic car fans, classic car-related films are often referred to as some of the greatest car movies ever made. So, if you’ve got a sweet spot for throwbacks, look out for some of these old-school titles:
- Grand Prix, 1966
- Bullitt, 1968
- The Italian Job, 1969
- Le Mans, 1971
- The Cannonball Run, 1981
Documentaries
Documentaries artistically capture the reality of a particular point in time or spread information about a topic with knowledge from trusted sources. If you’re interested in learning more about cars and car-related events throughout history, keep your eye out for documentaries like these:
- Truth in 24, 2008
- Love the Beast, 2009
- Senna, 2010
- APEX: The Story of the Hypecar, 2015
- A Faster Horse, 2015
Dramas
For those who enjoy something a little more sentimental, drama films rely on high stakes to get you emotionally invested in the lives of their characters. Their stories can be entirely fictional or based on true events—which are often referred to as “historical dramas” or “period pieces.” Here are some car-related dramas worth considering for your movie evening:
- Tucker: The Man and His Dream, 1988
- Thelma & Louise, 1991
- The Art of Racing in the Rain, 2019
- Ford vs. Ferrari, 2019
- Drive My Car, 2021
Family
If you have a young auto enthusiast in your home, movies are a great way to connect and bond with them over their interests. Make some car-themed snacks, kick back, and enjoy these family-fun flicks:
- Herbie the Love Bug, 1968*
- Back to the Future*, 1985
- Cars, 2006*
- Transformers, 2007*
- Speed Racer, 2008
Movies and Car Enthusiasts
Nothing beats rainy day more than sitting back and enjoying a car movie with friends or family. But if the weather’s right, you can also hop in the car and catch an old flick at a drive-in! Whatever you choose, the greatest car movies ever made are often just at your fingertips. Happy viewing!
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