America’s fascination with driving fast has resulted in many car movies over the years. If you’re staying in one night and looking for something good to watch, check out one of these top car movies:
1.Thunder Road (1958)
This classic black and white film starring Robert Mitchum has it all: action, fast cars and a little bit of romance. Mitchum plays the role of Lucas Doolin who delivers illegal liquor to various distribution points in his hot rod amidst dangerous gangsters and beautiful nightclub singers.
2. The Love Bug (1968)
Who doesn’t love the 1963 Volkswagen Beetle Herbie? This film was the first in a comedy series about this lovable beetle produced by Disney. Herbie has a mind of his own and tries to set his owner up with a cute mechanic while astounding the world and winning race after race. This delightful movie will keep you and the kids laughing.
3. The Fast and the Furious (2001)
This action film is another that has resulted in a series of sequels, and the latest rumor has it that a spin-off will begin production in September 2018. The series has become the sixth-highest grossing film series of all time with a combined gross of over $5 billion! The original film is based off of an article about street clubs that race Japanese cars under the cloak of night. Some of the elite racers (Vin Diesel) are suspected to be stealing expensive electronics, and an undercover FBI agent (played by Paul Walker) tries to discover who is at the root of the crimes.
4. Cars (2006)
Cars was a big hit in 2006, making more than $462.2 million at the box office and proceeding to launch a series of movies, toys and products. Although an animated children’s movie, Cars is loved by all ages and even won a Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film. It tells the story of hot shot rookie racecar Lightning McQueen, who is a bit too cocky on his way to a championship race in Los Angeles. He finds himself lost in the run-down town of Radiator Springs, where he makes some new friends and learns new racing tricks as well as the value of friendship over winning trophies.
5. Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)
The 2000 version featuring Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie is a remake of the one produced in 1974. Randall “Memphis” Raines (played by Cage) is a professional car thief but wants to retire from the business when his younger brother gets himself mixed up in serious trouble. In an attempt to save his brother, Randall agrees to an elaborate plan to steal 50 cars in one night along with several other car thieves. However, another group of thieves is attempting the same plan simultaneously, and of course detectives are trying hard to shut down the operations. If you love a good car chase, this movie is for you!
6. Bullitt (1968)
Another film known for its car chase scene, Bullitt is recognized as an influential movie and is preserved by the Library of Congress in the National Film Registry for being culturally, historically and aesthetically significant. It features a politician eager to present a witness for a crime, but the witness is placed in protective custody until his appearance. The witness is killed by a pair of hitmen, launching Lieutenant Bullitt into a mission to find out who killed the witness under his protection.
Of course, there are so many car movies that it’s nearly impossible to determine the best of all time. What are some of your favorite car movies?