The Best Race Car Movies

Modeling Subjects Autos
1

I have to put Le Mans at the top. Great race action.

Second I’d have to put Ford vs. Ferrari

Third I’d put Rush

What do you think? Do you know more great race car movies?

2

Something along those lines, yes. When I watched Ford vs Ferrari, my heart was racing during the car scenes. That does not happen often when I watch a movie.

As far as bits and pieces go, the opening to The Road Warrior, the Lotus chase scene in The Spy Who Loved Me, and the tunnel chase in THX1138.

3

IMHO for sheer spectacle James Garner’s 1966 Grand Prix has far-and-away some of the most exciting racing footage ever put on film. I’d put Ford vs. Ferrari and Le Mans 2nd and 3rd…with the latter actually having slightly-better racing scenes, but much more soap-opera (albeit high-octane) melodrama than the well-told Ken Miles story…of whom I must confess I am a devoted life-long fan.

Honorable mention to Talladega Nights: The Story of Ricky Bobby. [:D]

4

Well strictly speaking, ‘chases’ are different from ‘races’…but since you brought it up, let’s not forget what are perhaps the two most iconic (and sphincter-tightening) car-chase sequences in movie history: Bullitt and The French Connection.

I would add that, whether race or chase, they really need to be experienced on the big screen in a darkened theater. Even the biggest-screen TV doesn’t do them justice.

5

I hadn’t seen Grand Prix. Watching now and loving the open wheel cars!

6

Grand Prix is at the top. There are some good scenes in “A Man and a Woman”.

Bill

7

To Please a Lady

The Racers

LeMans

8

I saw Grand Prix at the Martin Cinerama in St. Louis when it came out. It just took my breath away. This was when Redline 7000 was the best you could get in a racing movie.

I saw Winning with Paul Newman in the theater also. A good movie that launched the stunning racing career of Newman.

Saw Le Mans at a theater in Atlanta when it came out. A good racing movie because superfluous storyline and dialog were left out.

Ford vs. Ferrari. Good racing and good character development.

Days of Thunder gets mentioned only for the amount of money spent on such a colossal movie blunder.

The best/greatest racing movie has yet to be made though.

9

Talladega Nights; The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Bill

10

Grand Prix has spectacular footage. There are scenes that capture the drivers feet while driving at speed. Very cool. The greatest car racing film I have ever seen is Senna. The documentary on Brazilian ace Aryton Senna. The onboard footage at Monaco is just amazing. It perfectly captures the epic battle between Senna and Prost. The film is just brilliant. Watch it and thank me later.

11

It’s not a racing movie, but, it is a car movie. I really really like the re-make of Gone in 60 seconds. Yeah, the acting isn’t great, but, and don’t tell my wife, I’ve had a secret love affair with Eleanor ever since!

12

What list could be complete without Speed Racer? Trixie was super hot and they had ninjas in the movie. My young son was big into this movie.

In all seriousness, I kinda enjoyed the Ricky Bobby movie.

But my favorite has to be Cars.

13

Ford V Ferrari is probably the best so far in that it was based on a true and interesting story (Blaine’s book “Go Like Hell” that the movie is based on is even better). The “Leo Beebe was the villain” storyline was a little overwrought and unnecessary, the real story was more complicated and more interesting.

Here’s two more interesting and true stories that would make really great auto racing movies IMO:

“Black Noon” - fascinating true story behind the tragic 1964 Indy 500, best car racing book ever.

“Nuvolari” - GP racing in the '30’s, Alfa Romeo, Enzo Ferrari, Auto Unions, Silver Arrows Mercs, Ferdinand Porsche, Musolinni, Hitler,…With actual cars and CGI and a decent script based on history and a good cast, it could be a visual masterpiece similar to TITANIC.

14

The '55 LeMans crash is in there in the true stories list. But tough to tell.

15

For me it’s

Le Mans

Ford Vs Ferrari

Grand Prix

Driven

Rush

Gumball rally, not a traditional racing movie.

16

It might only count tangentially for your thread, but “The Great Race” is an excellent car race movie, too. All-Star performances, all around.

Best regards,

Brad

17

For my for action it’s

  1. “Turbo”
  2. “Cars”
  3. “Cars 2”
  4. “Ford vs Ferrari”

[;)]

18

While all of those already mentioned deserve credit, I think there are some others listed below that are worthy too:

  • Heart Like a Wheel (Shirley MulDowney, drag racing)

  • Herbie (VW Bug, Disney)

  • Fast and Furious (2001, first one)

  • McLaren (movie documentary of Bruce McLaren; driver and cars)

  • Cannon Ball Run (first version)

  • Vanishing Point (original)

  • World’s Fastest Indian (Indian motorcycle salt flats racing)

IMHO

19

For me, if it’s “pure racing” then Grand Prix, LeMans, Rush,and Ford vs Ferrari. For movies with great car scenes then American Graffitti 1 & 2, The Hollwood Knights, Gone in 60 Seconds, Bullitt, and Dirty Mary,Crazy Larry.

20

One that goes unnoticed by most car folks, but still has one of the best all time car chases is “To live and die in LA”. Hands down easily in the top 5 all time car scenes. Most car folks have never heard of the movie. Well worth it to see that chase.

BK