The Best Racing Movies

Car movies are almost always guaranteed to give you cool cars, thrilling action scenes, and interesting storylines. Some of the best racing movies were underrated when they premiered but have gone on to become cult classics, even for moviegoers who aren’t into cars.

Whether you enjoy fast, expensive sports cars or old classic hotrods, there are plenty of great racing movies to fill a weekend of watching. From older classics to recent hits, the best racing movies have two things in common: fast cars and lots of action.

1) Rush

Based on a true story, “Rush” is a biographical film about the rivalry between two Formula One race car drivers, James Hunt and Niki Lauda, played by Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl. Directed by Ron Howard, the 2013 film was nominated for two Golden Globes and many other awards. Critics approved of the film, as did Lauda himself, “When I saw it the first time, I was impressed. There were no Hollywood changes or things changed a little bit Hollywood-like. It is very accurate. And this really surprised me very positively.”

2) Senna

This 2010 documentary about Brazilian Formula One Racing driver Ayrton Senna, used recorded footage from the actual Formula One races. The film won several awards, including two BAFTA Film Awards and an award from the Sundance Film Festival. Though it’s not as dramatic as the action-packed movies on this list, “Senna” charmed critics and film junkies alike.

3) The Fast & the Furious Series

Starting with “The Fast & the Furious” in 2001, this mega racing franchise is still in the making with films nine and ten being released in 2020 and 2021. Starring Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, the first film in the franchise brought the import tuning scene into mainstream popularity. Full of illegal street racing, super fast cars, and plenty of action, this is a series that performs at the box office and beyond. The series is so popular, it has spawned toys, spin-offs, and even a video game for die-hard fans.

4) Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

This 2006 comedy includes plenty of portrayed NASCAR racing scenes. Starring Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, and Sacha Baron Cohen, Talladega Nights portrays the life of a successful NASCAR driver played by Ferrell as he falls from grace. Though the film didn’t win any awards, it was given positive reviews and was a success at the box office as the second-largest opening for a film starring Will Ferrell. It’s since gained cult status and is a highly-quotable film.

5) The Italian Job

This remake stars mainstream celebs Mark Wahlberg, Donald Sutherland, Charlize Theron, Jason Statham, Edward Norton, and Seth Green. At the time of its release in 2003, the film was the highest grossing film produced by Paramount with critics giving it a thumbs up. Although nothing is in production yet, there has been talk of a sequel.

6) Gone in 60 Seconds

This action film is full of fascinating cars, new and old. Stars include Nicholas Cage, Robert Duvall, and Angelina Jolie. The 2000 blockbuster is a remake of the 1974 original. Fun fact: Seven cars were used as the unique “Eleanor,” and five of them were destroyed during production.

Protect Your Car Even If It’s Not on the Big Screen

You may not be taking on daring racing stunts, but you should still protect your vehicle as if it’s starring in a film. Protect My Car offers a variety of extended warranties that cover cars with fewer than 125,000 miles and under 10 years old so your vehicle can stay on the A-list. 

Even if your vehicle isn’t a movie star, treat it like one with extended warranty coverage from Protect My Car. Get your free quote today!