10 Best Car Films Ever
December 13, 2011 by Charlie Fraser
These are the ten car films that we reckon car-enthusiasts will enjoy best. Theyre all decent films by themselves, but the cars in them make they unmissable!
In no particular order, this is the list. Weve also included the IMDb rating (an average score given by people who have watched the movie) and a link to Amazon to buy the DVD.
Senna
IMDb rating:8.7/10
Metascore:79/100
Even if youre not a fan of F1 then youll still really enjoy this documentary film, its truly excellent. The film documents the life of Ayrton Senna, one of the most talented drivers motorsport has even seen, who sadly died at the peak of his career. It looks at the complex personality of Senna, the intense rivalries and the danger of F1 at the time. The film got an incredible reception from critics and has won numerous awards.
Memorable quote:
If you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver.
Buy Senna DVD on Amazon(UK)
Buy Senna DVD on Amazon(US)![]()
Buy Senna DVD on Amazon(US)
Cars
IMDb rating:7.4/10
Metascore:73/100
Dont write this off as a kids movie, its a decent film! So it doesnt actually feature any real cars, as its an animated cartoon, but its a fun feel-good film. The plot is about an arrogant race-car that gets stuck in a sleepy old town and realises its not as bad as he thought it was when he starts making some true friends.
All of the characters in the film are cars, and the look of them are heavily influenced by real-life vehicles. Theres a couple of car-geek references in there too to look out for.
Memorable quote:
Okay, here we go. Focus. Speed. I am speed. One winner, forty-two losers. I eat losers for breakfast. Breakfast? Maybe I should have had breakfast? Brekkie could be good for me. No, no, no, focus. Speed. Faster than fast, quicker than quick. I am Lightning
Le Mans
IMDb rating: 6.4/10
Youll enjoy this movie more for the race scenes than the plot, but its well worth watching. A large part of the racing footage comes from the 1970 Le Mans race, so theres lots of real racing action. Starring Steve McQueen, its the story of a racing driver competing against his arch-rival.
Memorable quote:
When youre racing, it… its life. Anything that happens before or after… is just waiting.
The Italian Job
IMDb rating: 7.2/10
This is the original, not the awful remake. Anyone whos seen this before will enjoy watching again, and if you havent seen it before then make it a priority to watch it soon! Its a light-hearted action comedy about the robbery of gold from Turin. The movie features lots of stunning cars, including a Lamborghini Miura, Jaguars E-Types, Aston Martin DB4 and of course the original Minis.
Memorable quote:
You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!
Talladega Nights
IMDb rating: 6.4/10
Metascore: 66/100
Easily the funniest film on the list, Talladega Nights is a hilarious comedy about NASCAR drivers and the rivalries involved. It stars Will Ferrel and also Sacha Baron Cohen. Theres lot of racing footage and a few features and jokes that only car enthusiasts will get, but youll be too busy laughing at the ridiculous stereotyped characters to even remember the in-jokes!
Memorable quote:
[Looking under the hood of his race car] Hot dog! I mean, that’s like lookin’ up Yasmine Bleeth’s skirt!
Fast Five (Fast and Furious 5)
IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Metascore: 67/100
Wait. Dont instantly dismiss this as yet another Fast and Furious sequel, this ones actually pretty good. It features most of the original cast of the first movie, meaning more Paul Walker and Vin Diesel, but again dont be put off!
The film is about the group stealing $100m from a dodgy businessman in Rio de Janeiro, whilst being pursued by the police. Theres a fantastic chase scene and the plots not bad either, with a lot of action sequences and comedy moments. Theres some great cars in the movie too, including a lot of American muscle classics, supercars and even a Ford GT40.
Memorable quote:
The guys we’re after are professional runners. They like speed and are guaranteed to go down the hardest possible way so make sure you’ve got your funderwear on. We find ’em we take ’em as a team and we bring ’em back. And above all else we don’t ever, ever let them get into cars
Gone in 60 Seconds
IMDb rating: 6.1/10
Metascore: 35/100
Not the greatest plot ever, but the endless stream of gorgeous cars will keep petrolheads interested. The film is a remake, but its an enjoyable one. The story is about an ex-car thief who attempts one last job, to steal 100 high-end cars in a night. Theres a couple of nice car chases and all-in-all its quite a stylish film. Worth a watch on a lazy Sunday.
Memorable quote:
I just stole fifty cars in one night! I’m a little tired, little wired, and I think I deserve a little appreciation!
Cannonball Run
IMDb rating: 5.5/10
Metascore: 60/100
Theres very little in the way of story-line here, but its a good old fashioned car chase movie. The plot is about an illegal car race across American with some characterful competitors. The real stars of the film are the cars, which include an Aston Martin DB5, Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari 308. Leave your brain behind and enjoy it.
Memorable quote:
Come on! 1000 miles on one wheel? We’re trying to win a race, not set a record!
Grand Prix
IMDb rating: 6.8/10
F1 fans will love this movie. It captures the danger and glamour of 1960s motorsport with stunning race scenes and in-car footage. It also features great shots of some of the most famous race circuits when they were in their heyday. The plots not bad and theres a fair bit of suspense too.
Memorable quote:
I think if any of us imagined – really imagined – what it would be like to go into a tree at 150 miles per hour we would probably never get into the cars at all, none of us.
Bullitt
IMDb rating: 7.4/10
Another Steve McQueen classic, and one of the most memorable car chase scenes ever. The bit that will stick in your mind is the chase involving a Dodge Charger and Mustang Fastback. Other stars included a couple of other American classics and a beautiful Porsche 356. The parts in-between the chase arent great, but its worth watching the whole thing just for it.
Memorable quote:
Look, Chalmers, let’s understand each other… I don’t like you.
What are your favourites that we missed off the list? Let us know in the comments below.
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