‘Fast and Furious,’ ‘Days of Thunder,’ ‘F1: The Movie’ and More Memorable Car-Racing Films
Car-racing films have provided audiences with a theatrical adrenaline rush for decades.
In the 1960s, moviegoers were dazzled by the effects in Grand Prix and charmed by lovable race cars like Herbie the Beetle in The Love Bug.
Le Mans, The Cannonball Run and Days of Thunder put big stars behind the wheel in Steve McQueen, Burt Reynolds and Tom Cruise, respectively.
In the 21st century, Disney and Pixar reimagined the racetrack for its Cars franchise, complete with a determined talking automobile and many motor-themed puns; Universal’s The Fast and the Furious revved up a winning series of films featuring Vin Diesel and the late Paul Walker; and Sony’s Adam McKay-directed Talladega Nights, starring Will Ferrell, highlighted the humor in high-speed rivalries.
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More recent entrants include critically acclaimed, real-life inspired films like Universal’s Ron Howard-directed Rush, starring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl, and Fox’s James Mangold-helmed Ford v. Ferrari, with Christian Bale and Matt Damon. Apple and Formula One also recently teamed up for F1: The Movie, directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris.
From family-friendly comedies to fast-paced dramas, high-speed car-racing films have taken audiences for an exciting ride throughout the years. Read on for a trip down memory lane in 23 well-known driving movies.
The Neill Blomkamp-directed film, starring David Harbour and Orlando Bloom, is based on the true story of a team of underdogs, including a struggling, working-class gamer, a failed former race car driver and an idealistic motorsport executive, who risk it all to take on one of the most elite sports in the world.
F1: The Movie, directed by Joseph Kosinski, not only stars Brad Pitt and Damson Idris but also features cameos from real F1 drivers. Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton also served as a producer on the pic. The film follows Pitt’s Sonny Hayes, a former F1 driver who comes out of retirement to mentor and team up with a younger driver, Idris’ Joshua Pearce.
