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Racing movies are such a special kind of film. They can be action-packed, comedic, dramatic, romantic, and suspenseful; but all of them will make you drive your car differently than you normally would after leaving a theater.
There are a wide array of racing films, from the acclaimed Pixar franchiseCars,to the dramatic, minimal speaking role ofRyan GoslinginDrive,orWill Ferrell’s comedic masterpieceTalladega Nights,which is still probably a top five quoted by a group of guys hanging out. Yes, some of these films don’t entirely center around racing, but there are at least racing sequences in them, which is all that matters.
Updated on June 20, 2025, by Jessie Nguyen:
People adore the adrenaline rush and thrill that fast-paced action offers, which is why racing movies are so well-liked. Moreover, with anEnzo Ferraribiopic titledFerraripremiering in the US on December 25, there are plenty of awesome racing car movies to keep fans pumped for the latest film about a racing legend.
16’Gone in 60 Seconds' (2000)
BeforeThe Fast and The Furiousthere wasGone in 60 Seconds.TheNicolas Cage-led action movie didn’t receive great reviews from critics, but it was still able to be successful at the box office, making$237 million on a $90 million budget.RELATED:Every Nicolas Cage Role Referenced In ‘The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent’
After his brother, Kip messes up a car theft, master car thief Memphis Raines (Cage) must come out of retirement to steal 50 cars in 24 hours to save his brother. The dialogue may be cheesy, but that’s with a lot of action movies. The chase scenes are still awesome here.
15’Fast & Furious' Franchise (2001 - )
The pinnacle racing movie and franchise. In 2022, this franchise is a far cry from what it started out as, an undercover cop turned member of the crew he was investigating, film.Vin DieselandPaul Walkerbuilt this franchise into what it is today –Fast & Furiousmovies have become an absolute box-officejuggernaut.
Who would have thought this franchise would get to 10 movies? It truly is incredible. The plots getting exceedingly ridiculous, withFast 9culminating in a trip to space forLudacrisandTyrese Gibson’s characters (an idea that seemingly started out as a joke). The introductions ofThe RockandJason Stathamspawned a spin-off,Hobbs & Shaw.AndJohn Cenajoined as Dom’s forgotten brother. This franchise consistently excels at one thing: keeping fans in awe with its mind-blowing chases. Now, it’s truly out of the world, quite literally.
14’Thunderbolt' (1995)
Thunderboltfollows a sports car technician Chan Foh To (Jackie Chan) who assists the police in his leisure time by inspecting vehicles that have been improperly modified. One day, his sister is kidnapped and his business is trashed by a super-criminal street racer he once sent to jail. Thus, to free her, he must defeat the man.
Although Jackie Chan was connected to racing movies such asThe Cannonball Run, early in his American career, it would take some time for him to star in his own interpretation of the genre. Thus,Thunderboltincludes all the hallmarks of a typical Chan film, including intricate action scenes,Chan’s gravity-defying stunts, and incredibly mad antagonists, along with some excellent racing scenes.
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13’Days of Thunder' (1990)
Days of Thunderfollows Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise), a young racer from Eagle Rock, California, who has years of open-wheel racing expertise and has won championships with the World of Outlaws, and now transitions into the competitive world of Nascar racing. He also has a strong temper and because of this, he frequently gets into arguments with teammates as well as other drivers.
Days of Thunderis a racecar counterpart ofTop Gunthat succeeds in its goals with just the right amount of tension, thrill, action, romance, and humor, making it a must-see in the genre. Moreover, fans who are knowledgeable about racing will enjoy cameo appearances by the top drivers and commentators of the era.
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12’Speed Racer' (2008)
Speed Raceris a car racing movie based on the anime of the same name, and it is not for everyone. It’s probably the most unique out of every movie on this list because it is a live-action version of an anime. It is very, very colorful, and even though the CGI may not hold up that well, it’s still one of the better anime live-action adaptations to date.
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The Racer family: Speed (Emile Hirsch), Pops (John Goodman), and the complicated brother Racer X (Matthew Fox) all give good performances. The action is great, and the score byMichael Giacchinois elite.Speed Racer,over the past decade, has gained a sizable cult following despite its underperformance at the box office.
11’Le Mans' (1971)
This will not be the last racing movie on this list that revolves around the 24 hours of Le Mans race. The 1971 film of the same name is hailed as one of the most realistic portrayals of racing in a movie to date.Steve McQueenplays Michael Delaney, who is a top-notch Le Mans driver.
Le Manshas some romance budding between Delaney and his rivals widow, Lisa (Elga Andersen), but it is mostly praised for its driving sequences, and also featured real footage from the 1970 Le Mans race that took place a year prior to the movie’s release.
Perhaps amongWill Ferrell’s most iconic films(it was his largest opening weekend box office at that point),Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobbydocuments the hilarious rise and fall of the titular character, Ricky Bobby, as well as his complex relationship with his father (Gary Cole) and his best friend Cal (John C. Reilly). Directed byAdam McKayand written by McKay and Ferrell, the movie was praised for its use of satire and gags.
Ricky Bobby became one of Ferrell’s most iconic characters for his outlandish, supremely narcissistic, and cocky attitude. He was so quotable, from “If you ain’t first, you’re last,” (which was technically his father’s quote) to his drawn-out prayers to baby Jesus; everyone knows to chew Big Red because of him.
Watch on Hulu
9’Cars' Franchise (2006 - 2017)
One ofPixar’s many successful franchises,Carstakes place in a world of anthropomorphic cars. Following Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) as he gets lost in the town of Radiator Springs, befriending the locals and learning there is more to life than just racing.
The success of the first movie spawned a sequel, which by all accounts was considerably less good, scoring only a40% on Rotten Tomatoes, unheard of for a Pixar movie. However, the franchise did get a third movie 11 years after the original, and it is arguably the best of the three.
Watch on Disney+
8’The Last American Hero' (1973)
The Last American HerofollowsJunior Johnson(Jeff Bridges), a real-life NASCAR driver who became a legendary figure in the sport. Johnson’s life is realistically and grittily portrayed in the film, from his early days as a moonshiner in the rural South to his ascent to fame in stock car racing.
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The Last American Herois not a typical sports movie. It goes beyond the thrill of racing and delves into the complexities of Junior Johnson’s character, his relationships, and the moral dilemmas he faces along the way. Moreover, the film immerses viewers in the world of stock car racing and captures the essence of the American spirit with its excellent performances, authentic Southern atmosphere, and memorable soundtrack, making it a timeless classic that continues to reverberate with audiences, both fans of the sport and those seeking a compelling human story.
7’Snake and Mongoose' (2013)
Snake and Mongooseis abiographical sports drama filmthat explores the captivating and often intense world of NHRA drag racing in the 1960s and 1970s. The film revolves around the legendary rivalry between two iconic figures in the sport,Don “The Snake” Prudhomme(played byJesse Williams), andTom “The Mongoose” McEwen(played byRichard Blake).
The movie deftly strikes a balance between intense racing scenes and a thorough examination of the personal and professional lives of its main protagonists. It not only explores the business of motorsports and the marketing breakthroughs that made drag racing a well-liked and financially lucrative sport but also celebrates the dramatic races that take place on the track. Thus,Snake and Mongooseis a captivating tribute to Prudhomme and McEwen’s vision and their big influence on drag racing. A must-see for motorsport fans and anyone curious about American racing history.
