Ultimate Speed Thrills: 10 of the Best Car Movies You Can’t Miss

As distinguished and refined automobile enthusiasts, we here at TouchUpDirect have a fondness for the more vehicular type of cinema. Or to put it in a more understandable way, we love movies that have car chases. We prefer a feature film that has a need for speed. We like our movies to go vroom. Putting together our list of favorites has caused heated debate amongst our co-workers. We know that we are missing Baby Driver and anything from the Tom Cruise oeuvre. So if you disagree with anything on our list, take comfort in the fact that Kevin from accounting has already yelled at us about it. From iconic muscle cars and relentless chases to precision heists and real life racing drama, our list runs the gamut. In no particular order, here are our choices for the best car movies.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

The four Mad Max movies and their spinoff Furiosa are not only the pinnacle of the car movie genre, but some of the best action films of all time. But Mad Max: Fury Road is considered by many to be the best of George Miller’s post-apocalyptic Mad Max series. While the previous films starred Mel Gibson as the titular hero, Tom Hardy took over the role for Fury Road. The film sees Max team up with Charlize Theron’s Imperator Furiosa as she helps the wives of the warlord, Immortan Joe, escape. The film is one dazzling car chase filled with incredible stunts, an operatic story set in a bleak but dazzling desert. But as fascinating as the film is, the behind the scenes story is perhaps even more interesting.

It took 22 years for George Miller to get Mad Max: Fury Road made. He had the idea right after the original Mad Max movies came out but, a combination of industry politics and just plain bad luck stalled the films progress. This sense of ill-omen even found its way into production. Filming had to be moved from Australia to Namibia after it rained for the first time in 15 years, creating greenery and blooms in their desolate wasteland. Studio executives almost nixed the move but had to agree after producer Doug Mitchell put all their vehicles on a ship to Namibia. Tensions were high due to the high degree of difficulty and clashes between the actors made it to the gossip pages. It was a hard shoot for other reasons. While many films generate vehicular stunts, Mad Max: Fury Road went in a different direction. The catch-22 of practical effects is that it looks amazing but often heightens the risks to stunt drivers and stunt people. And Fury Road had some insane stunts. Once, even George Miller was caught up in how realistic the effects were when a crash sheared off the head off a dummy. Miller leapt up, forgetting that it was a dummy and that the stunt driver was in a roll cage. The director’s decision to rely on mostly practical effects made for a grueling shoot but an absolutely breathtaking film.

For a movie that is one long car chase, you need some spectacular vehicles. While the post-apocalypse of the Mad Max world is stark and terrifying, the movie is truly gorgeous. George Miller noted that ““just because it’s the wasteland, it doesn’t mean people can’t make beautiful things”. To create his world, Miller put together a workshop in Sydney filled with artists and craftspeople to create the weapons, props, and vehicles. To emulate the scrapper nature of the world, the designers scrounged for materials to create their work. For the War Rig, Furiosa’s massive tank truck, they moved the cabin of a Tatra 815 eighteen wheeler back so the engine would be more prominent. They welded the cab together with the back half of a widened 1940s Chevy Fleetmaster Sedan to add passenger space. Past the tanker and the fuel pod is the rear turret, made from a hollowed out Volkswagen Beetle. The eventual product was a staggering 78 feet long. For Immortan Joe’s Giga Horse, they fused two 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Villes on top of each other. These incredible designs helped make Mad Max: Fury Road an absolute sight to behold and one of the best car movies in film history.

Bullitt (1968)

Can you be one of the greatest car movies of all time if you only have one car chase scene? You can if you’re Bullitt, with its truly revolutionary 11 minute car chase scene. Starring Steve McQueen as San Francisco detective, Frank Bullitt. Bullitt and his friends are tasked with protecting a mobster about to testify at a Senate Subcommittee about organized crime. Things go awry and Bullitt is soon dodging bullets from hitmen as he tries to unravel the mystery at the heart of the film. A career defining role for Steve McQueen, Bullitt won an Oscar for editing and was preserved in the Library of Congress. But even after all this time, its greatest legacy is that car chase. 

The opening part of the chase is a cat and mouse game that begins when Bullitt notices that there are hit men tailing his gorgeous dark green 1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT 2+2 Fastback. The hit men are cruising about in a 1968 Dodge Charger 440 Magnum. He loses them in the winding streets of San Francisco and soon the hunters become the prey. Once the assassins realize what is happening, a seatbelt is buckled and we’re off to the races. The cars dodge and weave through the crowded streets, messily scraping up against obstacles and losing bits of the cars as they go. They leave the heart of the city, somehow creating more carnage on the less crowded streets, continuing their chase until the explosive end.

The now iconic car chase was filmed with meticulous attention to detail and innovative techniques that have since become legendary in the world of cinema. Director Peter Yates and cinematographer William A. Fraker employed a variety of methods to capture the exhilarating pursuit through the streets of San Francisco. Rather than relying on studio sets, the chase was shot on the hilly streets of San Francisco. The filmmakers utilized multiple camera setups, including mounted cameras on the cars themselves, to provide dynamic perspectives and immerse viewers in the action. They even filmed from just over the driver’s shoulder, putting the audience in the chase itself. Careful planning and coordination were essential to execute the complex maneuvers required for the chase, with stunt drivers skillfully navigating the challenging terrain of the city’s steep hills and winding roads. The result is a breathtaking sequence that remains a benchmark for car chase scenes, celebrated for its realism, intensity, and technical brilliance.

Grindhouse: Death Proof (2007)

Originally released with Planet Terror under the name Grindhouse, Death Proof is considered to be Quentin Tarantino’s ninth film (with him counting the two Kill Bills as one movie). Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino paid tribute to the old grindhouse theaters of their youth. The film is structured as a double feature, with Rodriguez’s Planet Terror being a zombie apocalypse film. Tarantino’s film, on the other hand, follows two groups of young women who become the target of a serial killer. “Stuntman” Mike, played by Kurt Russell, uses a 1970 Chevy Nova and a 1969 Dodge Charger as his weapons of choice. 

While the whole endeavor shows off Tarantino’s love of exploitation films, it features all kinds of easter eggs that prove his car movie nerd cred. Stuntman Mike’s cars are filled to the brim with references. The Charger’s license plate is 983-DAN, the same one that Henry Fonda’s Charger sports in Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry. The Nova’s license plate is a shout out as well. It reads JJZ-109, a reference to Steve McQueen’s Mustang in Bullitt. Stuntman Mike even has Convoy’s rubber duck hood ornament. But the car movie referenced most is the classic Vanishing Point. The entire second half of the film is designed as a showcase for the great Kiwi stuntwoman, Zoë Bell. Playing herself, Bell finds a legendary 1970 Dodge Challenger exactly like the one in Vanishing Point. An iconic car deserves an iconic stunt so she convinces her friends to help her pull off the “ship’s mast” stunt. The stunt requires Bell to ride the hood of the car, using two belts tied to the front doors to stabilize herself. This, of course, is exactly when Stuntman Mike finds them.

Death Proof features two intense chase scenes and Tarantino put together a top notch team of stunt people to pull it off. The first, a head-on collision, required the Chevy Nova to go at 80 mph, do a flip, bounce and slide until it landed in front of a camera. The stunt team was skeptical but Buddy Joe Hooker executed the cannon roll so perfectly that the car traveled 160 yards and landed right in front of the camera. The second chase scene took about 6 weeks to film a 20 minute sequence of Zoe Bell clinging precariously to the hood of a fast moving car as it was being rammed by the Dodge Charger. Bell did her own stunts, of course. Tracy Keehn-Dashnaw and Chrissy Weathersby took on stunt driving for the Challenger, with Buddy Joe Hooker behind the wheel of the Charger. In one stunt, a bystander car, driven by stunt legend Terry Leonard, interrupts the chase with a near miss. With Bell, Keehn-Dashnaw, Hooker, and Leonard working, the director later marveled that he had four of the greatest stunt people in the world in one shot. While considered by Tarantino to be his worst movie (though one that he is still proud of), Death Proof deserves cult status honestly. With its brilliant cast, stunning stunts and the absolutely rocking songs on its soundtrack, it is a great addition to the ultimate car movie canon.

The Italian Job (1969 & 2003)

The realm of car movies boasts a plethora of enduring classics, among which The Italian Job stands out as an evergreen favorite in the annals of car movie history. Both its original version from 1969 and its reimagining in 2003 have enthralled audiences with their exhilarating robbery plots, the iconic status conferred upon Mini Coopers, and a perfect mixture of wit intertwined with high-octane car action.

In the original Italian Job, Charlie Croker puts together a bold scheme to steal gold bullion in Turin, Italy. His plan relies on generating a colossal traffic jam through compromised traffic systems as the thieves skillfully maneuver through avenues, stairways, and tunnels aboard Mini Coopers laden with purloined gold. The newer version sees the titular Italian Job go wrong, leaving a beloved team member dead and the survivors out for revenge against the man that betrayed them. The Mini Coopers in this iteration find their way to Los Angeles instead of Italy.

While the remake is incredibly fun and watchable with an incredible cast, it has a tough act to follow. The original The Italian Job, with its audacious robberies and renowned actors driving beloved Mini Coopers imbued within each frame a timeless British allure. Particularly striking is how this film captures British cultural nuances (seen notably in its dry English humor) featuring stellar performances from Michael Caine, Noël Coward, and Benny Hill. Immortalized by its literal cliffhanger ending, the 1969 Italian Job is forever cemented within cinematic car lore. It remains indispensable for car aficionados, passionate about the genre and has earned a place amongst the top car movies of all time.

Cars (2006)

Diving into the animated genre, Pixar’s Cars is a distinguished film within car movie circles. When it debuted in 2006, the movie achieved box office acclaim by amassing over $460 million globally. Yet, its true distinction lies not just in its financial triumph but also in how it resonates with audiences through its poignant celebration of car culture and exploration of personal growth and companionship.

With Owen Wilson lending his voice to protagonist Lightning McQueen and comedian Larry the Cable Guy portraying Tow Mater, Cars features an impressive lineup that brings life to this automotive world. The meticulous representation of various automobiles — from sleek race cars to timeless classics like a VW Microbus — Distinguishes this picture.

The homage paid by Cars extends deep into automobile lore including homages such as one character being modeled after esteemed NASCAR mechanic Smokey Yunick. There’s even recognition for screen legend Steve McQueen. As we follow Lightning McQueen on his voyage filled with insight using his own set of wheels, themes parallel those faced by speed racers – friendship’s importance, humility’s virtue, and searching for meaning.

Following up with several sequels expanding on Lightning McQueen’s journey alongside friends have only enriched the narrative tapestry woven around these characters’ lives. Catering equally well both to auto enthusiasts and fans of animation alike, Cars continues to deliver engrossing stories richly layered with emotional depth ensconced amidst highly detailed vehicular depictions worth exploring time again.

Gone in 60 Seconds (1974 & 2000)

Within the adrenaline-fueled genre of car movies, Gone in 60 Seconds stands out as a benchmark. The heart-pumping excitement characteristic of this film is evident in both its original 1974 iteration and its high-octane 2000 remake, both featuring scenes brimming with intense vehicular heist sequences designed to keep viewers gripped.

H.B. Halicki was not only at the helm as director, but also took on the protagonist’s role for the classic Gone in 60 Seconds, while Nicolas Cage led a star-studded cast under Dominic Sena’s direction in the later version. Both versions span across different eras yet equally fulfill their aim to present thrilling pursuits involving fast cars.

Central to each film’s narrative is an audacious quest—the original targeted thefts of no less than forty-eight vehicles with a Mustang codenamed ‘Eleanor’ being the crown jewel whereas its successor upped stakes by challenging characters to acquire fifty cars within one night under life-or-death circumstances. Remarkably, an identical vehicle becomes central: ‘Eleanor,’ that legendary Mustang synonymous with high-speed chases remains pivotal throughout both films. From gritty improvisation scriptwork seen back then contrasted against polished screenwriting and character development offered by modern cinema showcases evolution seen within this aspect of filmmaking dedicated specifically towards automobiles aficionados.

Echoing through every nail-biting instance where wheels screech and engines roar are moments quintessential for any enthusiast who cherishes scenarios like those found during illicit sprints akin country outlaw road races or even challenges reminiscent faced amidst Le Mans’ prestigious backdrop—an unmissable journey into realms where connoisseurs find solace courtesy two definitive renditions proudly housed under banner defining speedy excursions: Gone In Sixty Seconds.

Ford v Ferrari (2019)

In the 60s, racing giant Ferrari poked a sleeping bear. In 1963, they were just about ready to close a deal that would sell Ferrari to the Ford Motor Company. Ford needed something sleek and cool to appeal to the youth (the Ford Mustang was a few years from release at this point). Ferrari made gorgeous sports cars. It seemed like a match made in heaven. There was only one problem: In this deal, Enzo Ferrari would lose control of the racing team that had been dominating the Grand Prix circuits for years. Scuderia Ferrari was also a giant in endurance racing, having won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for 5 years running. Enzo Ferrari would not budge on this issue and Henry Ford II would not remove this condition. Talks fell apart in a nasty way, with Enzo Ferrari telling Ford that their cars and factory were ugly. The now vengeful Ford decided to hit Ferrari where it hurt…on the racetrack. The ensuing events contained enough drama to fill an entire feature length film. Perhaps one that would be a hit at the box office and win Oscars.

Ford v Ferrari follows builder Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles as they try to create a car strong enough to defeat Ferrari at the iconic Le Mans Race. The 24 Hours at Le Mans is one of the Triple Crown of Motorsports (along with the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indy 500). It is an endurance test. You race on a mix of private track and public roads, going late into the night. Whoever has covered the most distance after 24 hours is the winner. You have to be fast, but since the circuit is so difficult, precision is key. The need for the right driver behind the wheel of the dream car being built is emphasized heavily in the film. The GT40 designed for Ford is broken several times by the harshness of the race, but the team refuses to quit. The resulting racing scenes are some of the most thrilling in film history.

To simulate the unforgiving but exhilarating sense of the real life race, Director James Mangold enlisted the help of experts in every field. They could not film the current track or risk the rare and expensive cars used at the time. So they built their own Le Mans in California filled with detailed replica racers. Their drivers included veterans of Formula racing, Indy racing, and even Le Mans itself. But filming it would be the true challenge. When you’re filming actors driving cars, a process trailer is used to hold the camera and the lights are towed by a truck as they film. Since they had to simulate high speeds, the production had to rig up a special truck that could keep up with the race cars. They also created a Frankenstein race car, cutting off the back of the GT40 replica and replacing it with a trailer containing four cameras. These innovations gave audiences an unforgettable experience as they learned more about one of the most iconic races of all time.

Speed Racer (2008)

Speed Racer has been racing cars in anime and manga since his creation in 1966. His creator, Tatsuo Yoshida, came up with the idea after seeing Goldfinger and Viva Las Vegas. He gave his character Elvis’ signature pompadour and the character’s racing look. But where does Goldfinger come into it. Well, Speed Racer needs a car to win races and he had a brilliant one in the Mach 5. As iconic a hero as its driver, the Mach 5 is a Bond-esque supercar built by Pops Racer that had buttons to trigger everything from giant blades to an underwater mode. Yoshida had a hit and soon his creation became a sensation across the globe. It was only a matter of time until Speed Racer got a big screen adaptation. And who would take on such a feat? Perhaps some people with their own legendary status.

Lana and Lilly Wachowski became instant legends with their smash hit Matrix movies. Their first project after the first Matrix trilogy ended, Speed Racer had a lot to live up to. The film’s focus was on Speed and the Racer family’s attempts to become the best and thwart the corruption infesting their racing league. While Speed Racer had a dynamite cast and great action, it was the film’s look that gained a lot of attention. Wanting to mimic the imagery of the original anime, this movie uses a lot of CGI to great effect. Even 20 years on, when CGI technology has leapt forward, Speed Racer is genuinely stunning to look at. To create this iridescent dreamworld, the director used a mix of practical and digital effects. All of the cars and props are practical but filmed entirely on green screen. Even a shot of Susan Sarandon handling fruit at a counter has a completely CGI background. While the world they created is astonishing, this animated cinematography really shines during the racing scenes.

The Wachowskis are famous for their compelling action scenes, managing to blend story, visuals, and stunts in a seamless manner. There is no better example of this in Speed Racer than the first race we are shown. In a glowing sensory overload of an arena, Speed expertly handles his competitors and shows us what the Mach 5 can do as his family cheers him on from the stands. The sequence is intercut with talking heads and flashbacks explaining the fall of Speed’s brother, Rex Racer. As the race continues, we see Rex’s signature red car appear as a ghostly specter racing alongside his brother. The two weave in and out as glorious color trails behind them telling us who Speed Racer is really racing against. While the movie received mixed reviews, Speed Racer has become a cult classic. It’s not hard to see why. The Wachowskis’ respect for the original material, as well as their creativity and skill, can be felt in every single frame of the film. While practical effects has become a rallying cry among film nerds, this bonkers movie with its innovative driving sequences and stunning look has found fans amongst even the most jaded critics.

Drive (2011)

Drive is a neo-noir crime thriller that immerses viewers in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles through the eyes of its nameless protagonist. Played with brooding intensity by Ryan Gosling, the driver is a Hollywood stuntman by day and a skilled getaway driver-for-hire by night. He operates by a strict code of conduct, keeping his emotions in check and maintaining a cool detachment from the violent world he inhabits. However, his carefully controlled existence is disrupted when he forms a connection with his neighbor Irene and her young son. This newfound relationship leads him down a dangerous path when Irene’s husband returns from prison, drawing the driver into a web of deception, betrayal, and deadly consequences. 

Director Nicolas Winding Refn crafts Drive with meticulous attention to detail, creating a visually stunning and atmospheric experience that evokes the neon-lit streets of Los Angeles. The film’s stylish cinematography, punctuated by slow-motion sequences and bursts of intense violence, captures the tension and grit of the city’s criminal underworld. Cliff Martinez’s haunting synth-driven score adds to the film’s hypnotic atmosphere, heightening the sense of impending danger and moral ambiguity that permeates every frame.

At its core, Drive is a character study that delves into the psyche of its protagonist, exploring themes of morality, identity, and the nature of human connection. Ryan Gosling delivers a riveting performance as the driver, conveying a sense of simmering intensity and vulnerability beneath his stoic exterior. As the driver navigates the treacherous landscape of crime and betrayal, the film invites viewers to contemplate the blurred lines between heroism and villainy, and the sacrifices one must make in the pursuit of redemption. Drive is a cinematic tour de force that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll, leaving audiences mesmerized by its haunting beauty and moral complexity.

Fast 5 (2011)

What we have learned from putting together this list is that there is apparently no subject more contentious around the TouchUpDirect factory than “what is the best Fast & the Furious movie?”. Marcy in Packaging would have you believe that 2 Fast 2 Furious is actually quite underrated. Benny from Customer Service thinks that it’s obviously Furious 7. And we must quote Joy in Marketing in her eloquent speech in favor of Fast & the Furious 6, saying: “6 is where you find out that Vin Diesel can fly after he crashes his own car to catch Michelle Rodriguez, who has been thrown off a tank by her own crew in the middle of a car chase and she can’t even appreciate how deep Vin Diesel’s sacrifice is because she has amnesia.” A strong argument to be sure but…it’s Fast Five. It was always Fast Five. 

The fifth installment in the Fast and Furious franchise marked a significant shift from the series’ roots. Fast Five is where the Toretto found family comes together, with different characters from the first four movies uniting for the first time in an Avengers-like fashion. The establishment of this core family isn’t the only change. What began as a street racing movie with a heist movie subplot about stealing combination DVD/VHS players transformed into a blockbuster action franchise where the Toretto family saves the world on a regular basis. This transition was not only pivotal for the franchise, but also set a new standard for car chase movies.

The movie pushed the envelope with its innovative stunts, such as a train heist using custom off-road vehicles and iconic sports cars. This stunt sequence involved a 1963 Corvette replica being shot out of a train with an air cannon, showcasing the franchise’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive stunts and celebrating classic American automotive muscle. While the film incorporated significant CGI, the production team sought to maintain a sense of realism by blending practical stunts with digital effects. There is no better example of this than the vault scene. 

One of the most unforgettable sequences in Fast Five, the vault scene was unprecedented in the franchise in its scale and creativity. The family chooses to steal the villain’s vault in the most subtle way possible: using their 2010 Dodge Chargers to literally rip the vault out of the building and drag it through the streets of Rio de Janeiro. Their innovative mix of practical and digital effects is best illustrated in the creation of several modified, drivable vaults. To make sure the vault could make a hairpin turn, they sawed off a part of a heavy duty pickup truck and placed the vault over what was left. The stunt driver had only a few tiny eye holes to let them know where they were going. 14 cars and several more types of vaults were needed for a sequence where the vault chase comes to a bridge. A vault that was actually a semi-truck helped them simulate a head on collision while a crane helped turn the vault into a pendulum that knocked cars into the water. Ultimately, Fast Five redefined their franchise and set a new benchmark for car movies. Artfully combining the excitement of high-speed car chases with the tension of a heist film, Fast Five is a must-see for those who enjoy action-packed car movies.

Iconic Car Colors

As a little treat, here’s a look at things to come. It might be some time before we tackle our favorite movie car colors but here’s a little look at some of our favorites.

Bumblebee (Transformers)

Rest in peace, you sweet yellow prince. Wait…is Bumblebee dead? I’m not caught up on my Transformers movies.

The Mirthmobile (Wayne’s World)

We’re not worthy…of this truly epic paint job.

Christine (Christine)

Look. Just because she’s a terrifying murder machine, doesn’t mean that she can’t look good.

Greased Lightning (Grease)

There’s a whole song about how amazing this car looks and what it can do for your…ahem…social life. Don’t look up the non-movie lyrics unless you feel like being scandalized by a movie you watched as a child.

The DeLorean (Back to the Future)

Ford once offered the producers $75,000 to make the time machine in Back to the Future a Mustang. Thank God they didn’t take it. Doc Brown doesn’t seem like the Mustang sort.