Ron Howard’s Rush will be hitting theatres across the country over the next week.
What better way to prepare for Hollywood’s latest racing film than by revisiting our top 10 favorite racing films of all time? Surely, our Top 10 will be different than yours. We’re not film snobs, and we’re not above including animated or sophomoric movies on our list either. That’s just us.
Check out our Top 10 below and feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments section.
10. Heart Like a Wheel
You know us…we had to get a drag racing movie on to the list. Snake and Mongoose just came out, and we’ll see if that one stands the test of time. For now, we go with the true story of the legendary Shirley Muldowney, who was played by Bonnie Bedilia. She gets bonus street cred for playing John McClane’s wife in Die Hard.
9. The Fast and the Furious
There are, what—12 different sequels to Fast and Furious? Spurred on by one staff member (who shall remain nameless) with a thing for strapping, bald-headed men, we’ve put the original Fast and Furious movie on our list. We choose to look past Vin Diesel’s role in these films and recognize that there have been some pretty cool cars in this movie franchise. PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: DO NOT STREET RACE
8. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Maybe it’s because I was all jacked up on Mountain Dew, but I loved Talladega Nights the first time I saw it. And seems to get funnier each additional time I see it. If you’re serious about your racing action, you’ll disagree with Talladega Nights being on this list—you can voice your displeasure in the comment section below. As Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) himself once said, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” Or you’re #8 on our particular list.
7. Cars
OK, so…it’s a kids’ movie. It’s still one of the more memorable racing movies in our book. And unlike a lot of the others on the list, you could actually go take your kids to see it. There’s something to be said for family time, right?
This film follows Lightning McQueen’s quest for the Piston Cup, and his unexpected detour through Radiator Springs. It even teaches the kiddos a history lesson about old Route 66.
6. The Love Bug
This film inspired legions of Volkswagen Beetle fans, a TV series, and a movie reprisal starring Lindsey Lohan (hence, the title Herbie Fully Loaded). We’ll forgive The Love Bug for that last one, because the original movie starring Dean Jones is a classic. You don’t want to like it, but you do—admit it.
5. Grand Prix
The plot of this movie centered around Grand Prix racing and a love triangle involving main character Pete Aron (James Garner) and his former teammate. How’s that for action? Making it even better, authentic car guy James Garner did all his own driving in this film.
4. The Cannonball Run
Featuring an all-star cast of 1970s and 80s stars, The Cannonball Run is based on the Cannonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash—an actual event organized to protest the 55-mph speed limit. In this movie, J. J. McClure (Burt Reynolds) and his fellow competitors participate in an illegal car race across the country and will do anything to win. Hilarity ensues.
3. Days of Thunder
What happens when Scientology meets the super speedway? You get Days of Thunder—a classic film that 30- and 40-somethings still quote to this day. Rife with bad racing clichés, the movie followed the rise and tribulations of Cole Trickle. Even the name is cliché. And in no way is that bad.
Check out our original post on Days of Thunder here.
2. Le Mans
When you’re Steve McQueen, you can be cool without saying a word. Exhibit A: 1971’s Le Mans, a film following the rivalry between the Porsche team and the Ferrari team at the Le Mans. There’s absolutely no dialogue for the first half-hour of the film, but race fans love this movie for its realistic racing action, which included actual footage from the 1970 Le Mans race.
1. Two-Lane Blacktop
Who would’ve thought that a film about a couple dudes drag racing across the country would land on the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry? A film has to be culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant to make the registry, and you could argue that this film was all three. Starring musicians James Taylor and Dennis Wilson (Beach Boys)–and a now-famous gray-primered 1955 Chevy–this 1971 film is tops on our list.
Others that didn’t make the list: Driven, Speed Racer, Senna, and about 11 Fast and Furious flicks.
Macon county line ,??? another cheese story line .Cool cars
Left out Vanishing Point? Its better than 4 or 5 of these movies listed!
New small budget film; “Long Beach”. It’s about the old car clubs with interviews with original members about old hot rods, fistfights, and racing. Great Flic!!!!
Aloha Bobby and Rose!
OMG what about the aussie flick Running On Empty
Talladega nights? really?
http://youtu.be/1YuExOULwf8
wasn’t there a movie called the wrath or something like that it had some good cars an racing
not even close
Return to Macon County (Nick Nolte, Don Johnson), Two lane Blacktop, got to love Vanishing Point
Missing; Vanishing Point, Smokey and the Bandit, Stroker Ace, Gumball Rally, The Last American Hero, Macon County Line, Thunder Road, and 3. ALL of which are far better than Fast & Furry, Degha Nights, and Grand Prix. This was a crappy list. Stroker Ace and 3 would be my favorites.
What about Hot Rod 1973, good show
what about American Graffiti i would put that at number one for sure this list is some what of a joke
There’s a cool movie called CLUTCH The Movie that just came out that some of you may be interested in.
Need to see and mention Erica Ender’s Movie “Right On Track” by Disney about a Young Jr. Dragster Driver going for her 1st Wally. Erica is currently 4th in the Chase for Pro-Stock category in NHRA after Winning last Sunday (9-30-13). Great Roll Model for young girls to follow.
I would replace “The Cannonball Run” with the “Gum Ball Rally”. Far better movie based the Cannonball cross country race. 427 Cobra vs. 365 GTS Ferrari. Plus Raul Julia is awesome in this movie as Franco. His best line: “And now My friend, the first-a rule of Italian driving”. [rips off his rear-view mirror and throws it out of the car] “Whats-a behind Me is not important!”.
Little known, but very good movie, “Born to run”; Another sleeper “Catch me if you can” and “Hollywood Knights” Find those car movies and check them out.
Bummed that vanishing point, dirty mary, ,crazy larry, and the original gone in 60 seconds didn’t make the list. Love two lane blacktop though!!!!
What happened to Vanishing Point?