List of auto racing films

Last updated

TitleYearGenreTypeNotes
The Speed Kings 1913Comedy8-minute silent film featuring Fatty Arbuckle.
Kid Auto Races at Venice 1914ComedySilent film starring Charlie Chaplin as a spectator who keeps getting in the way. [1]
The Roaring Road 1919RomanceCar salesman "Toodles" Walden becomes a racer.
Excuse My Dust 1920ComedyWife wants Toodles to give up racing in Roaring Road sequel.
Young Oldfield1924
Sporting Youth 1924ComedyA rich man's chauffeur (Reginald Denny) accidentally ends up in a race.
Kid Speed 1924ComedyA race organizer drops hints that his daughter's time will go to the winner.
Speed Madness 1925
The Checkered Flag 1926
The Speed Classic 1928
Speedway 1929DramaSilent film about a father and son in Indianapolis.
Burning Up 1930DramaFirst talkie about auto racers.
Speed1930
The Racing Strain 1932DramaA driver who drinks tries to turn around his life.
The Crowd Roars 1932DramaOpen wheelMotor racing saga featuring James Cagney. [1]
High Speed 1932DramaAn undercover cop races cars while he tries to catch crooks.
High Gear 1933DramaAfter a friend's death, an auto racer takes a job driving a taxi.
Roaring Roads 1935ComedyA rich boy craving excitement tries racing and encounters gangsters.
Death Drives Through 1935DramaBritish driver falls in love with woman whose father disapproves.
Speed 1936DramaOpen WheelA carburetor's designer (James Stewart) tries Indy 500, seeks world speed record.
Speed to Spare 1936
Indianapolis Speedway 1939DramaOpen wheelThree-time Indy champ (Pat O'Brien) wants a young driver to go to college.
Ten Laps to Go 1938Drama Midget Discovering a race is fixed, a new driver joins it with just 10 laps left.
Burn 'Em Up O'Connor 1939A racing story starring Dennis O'Keefe.
Danger on Wheels 1940
Blonde Comet 1941RomanceOpen wheelA woman (Virginia Vale) races versus men, then falls for one of them.
Born to Speed 1947
Buck Privates Come Home 1947Comedy Midget Abbott and Costello aid a young midget-car racer.
The Big Wheel 1949DramaOpen wheel Mickey Rooney as a brash young driver out to win the Indianapolis 500.
To Please a Lady 1950DramaOpen WheelNewspaper columnist gets reckless racer Mike Brannan (Clark Gable) banned.
Jalopy 1953ComedyGoing backwards, the Bowery Boys win the big race.
The Racers 1953DramaOpen wheelEuropean circuit racing drama starring Kirk Douglas.
Genevieve 1953Musical Vintage cars A British comedy about an automobile rally.
Roar of the Crowd 1953DramaOpen wheelIndy 500 contender vows to quit, becomes a sparkplugs salesman.
Johnny Dark 1954DramaDistance raceEngineer Tony Curtis enters car in Canada-to-Mexico race.
A Race for Life 1954DramaMidget carsCar's owner wonders if driver (Richard Conte) has lost his nerve.
The Widow 1955DramaA countess in Italy falls in love with a doomed racing driver.
Checkpoint 1956CrimeRoad racingA criminal gets into a confrontation with British police at an auto race.
The Devil's Hairpin 1957DramaRoad racingUndefeated champion (Cornel Wilde) is coaxed out of retirement.
Thunder in Carolina 1960DramaStock carRivals vie in Southern 500, starring Alan Hale, Jr. of Gilligan's Island fame.
The Green Helmet 1961DramaRoad racingBritish film about racers competing in Italy, one of whom has lost his nerve.
The Iron Maiden 1962Comedy Traction engines Alan Hale, Jr. again, in a story about a steam-engine rally.
The Lively Set 1964DramaA mechanic (James Darren) feels he's perfected a revolutionary turbine engine.
24 heures d'amant 1964DramaSports car Claude Lelouch-directed film set at Le Mans.
Viva Las Vegas 1964MusicalSports car Elvis Presley is out to win the big race and Ann-Margret.
The Great Race 1965ComedyVintage cars Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis slapstick about long-distance car race.
Grand Prix 1966DramaOpen wheel James Garner and Yves Montand in fictional story of drivers' lives and loves. [2]
Red Line 7000 1966DramaStock car Howard Hawks-directed fiction, starring James Caan.
Fireball 500 1966ComedyStock car Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello vehicle.
Spinout 1966MusicalOpen wheel Elvis Presley is out to win the big race and Shelley Fabares.
Thunder Alley 1967RomanceStunt driver (Fabian), boss's daughter (Annette Funicello) team up in 500-mile race.
Hell On Wheels 1967RomanceMechanic, engineer fall for same dame. Marty Robbins stars.
A Man and a Woman 1967DramaOpen wheelFrench film about a woman who falls in love with an auto racer.
Track of Thunder 1967DramaStock carTwo rival drivers end up involved with the same girl.
The Love Bug 1968Family Demolition derby driver gets his hands on a magical Volkswagen; first in the Herbie series [3]
Speedway 1968MusicalStock car Elvis Presley is out to win the big race and Nancy Sinatra.
The Wild Racers 1968Drama Fabian now races on the European circuit.
The Magnificent Tony Carrera 1968DramaA Spanish-German film about a successful racer who is also a thief.
Winning 1969DramaIndy car Paul Newman and Robert Wagner as rival drivers.
Monte Carlo or Bust! 1969ComedyVintage carsa.k.a. Those Daring Young Men in their Jaunty Jalopies
The Racing Scene 1969DocumentaryA look at actor James Garner's involvement with auto racing.
Pit Stop 1969DramaFigure EightA promoter sponsors drivers in a "new" form of race car driving called The Figure Eight [1]
Le Mans 1971DramaSports car Steve McQueen as a competitor in 24 Hours of Le Mans. [1]
Once Upon a Wheel 1971DocumentarySports car Paul Newman narrates an ABC television insider's look at auto racing.
Weekend of a Champion 1972DocumentaryFormula OneDocumentary directed by Roman Polanski chronicling Jackie Stewart's racing season. [1]
The Last American Hero 1973BiographicalStock carFictional biography of Junior Johnson, starring Jeff Bridges as "Junior Jackson." [1]
Ho! 1974Drama Jean-Paul Belmondo plays a racing driver turned bank robber.
Herbie Rides Again 1974ComedySequel to The Love Bug.
Flåklypa Grand Prix 1975
Death Race 2000 1975ActionScience-fiction about dangerous car race, starring David Carradine. [4]
Eat My Dust! 1976ComedyRacing film starring Ron Howard
Bobby Deerfield 1977DramaFormula One Al Pacino as a famed driver who falls in love with a dying woman.
Greased Lightning 1977BiographicalStock carTrue story of stock-car trailblazer Wendell Scott, starring Richard Pryor. [1]
Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo 1977ComedyThe third entry in the Herbie series.
The Quick and the Dead 1977DocumentaryOpen wheelA behind-the-scenes look at Grand Prix racing, narrated by Stacy Keach.
Fast Company 1979DramaDrag RacingAn up-and-coming drag racer and an aging star cope with a corrupt manager.
Dirt1979DocumentaryOff RoadFrom motorcycles to Swamp buggies, off-road racing competitions.
Herbie Goes Bananas 1980ComedyThe fourth entry in the Herbie series.
The Cannonball Run 1981ComedyCross-countryBased on an actual cross-country race [3]
Six Pack 1982ComedyStock car Kenny Rogers stars and sings hit theme song.
Safari 3000 1982AdventureEnduranceA 3,000-mile race across Africa attracts a young American (David Carradine).
Heart Like a Wheel 1983Biographical Drag racing Based on the life of Shirley Muldowney, played by Bonnie Bedelia.
Stroker Ace 1983ComedyStock car Burt Reynolds as a fictional NASCAR star.
Born to Race 1988DramaStock carFiction featuring Joseph Bottoms in lead role.
La Carrera Panamericana 1990DocumentaryHistoric sports carDocumentary starring Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, Nick Mason and manager Steve O'Rourke.
Checkered Flag 1990DramaOpen wheelUnsold TV pilot about friendship of a driver and mechanic.
Dorf Goes Auto Racing 1990ComedyStock carDirect-to-video short film. Part of Tim Conway's Dorf series.
Days of Thunder 1990DramaStock car Tom Cruise as a NASCAR newcomer, based loosely on Tim Richmond. [5]
Thunderbolt 1995ActionTouring carHong Kong film with Jackie Chan as a race-car mechanic. [2]
Race the Sun 1996Family Solar car Halle Berry as a teacher whose school competes in World Solar Challenge.
La Passione 1996DramaFormula OneItalian film about Ferrari racing.
The Love Bug 1997ComedyMade-for-TV remake of original 1968 film of the same title.
Super Speedway 1997DocumentaryOpen wheel Paul Newman narrates documentary on the building of a race car.
Miracle in Lane 2 2000Drama Soap Box Derby Made-for-TV film based on the life of Justin Yoder.
Driven 2001ActionOpen wheel Sylvester Stallone as a former Champ Car star.
The Fast and the Furious 2001Action Street racing Brian O'Conner, an LAPD officer, goes undercover in the street racing world to investigate a group of unknown truck hijackers. This film is the first in the Fast & Furious series.
éX-Driver The Movie 2002Anime
The Snake and the Stallion 2002DocumentarySports carThe racing history of the AC Cobra, and the rivalry between Carroll Shelby and Enzo Ferrari.
Right on Track 2003FamilyDrag racingDisney Channel story about a pair of drag-racing sisters.
Kart Racer 2003Family Kart racing The story is about a young boy who wants to enter a go-kart race against a competitor.
Michel Vaillant 2003DramaRacing film based on a French comic book.
2 Fast 2 Furious 2003ActionStreet racingBrian O'Conner and Roman Pearce team up to go undercover for the U.S. Customs Service to bring down drug lord Carter Verone in exchange for the erasure of their criminal records.
NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience 2004DocumentaryStock car
3: The Dale Earnhardt Story 2004DocumentaryStock carMade for TV. Chronicles life and career of Dale Earnhardt.
Dust to Glory 2005Documentary Offroad racing A documentary about the 2003 Baja 1000.
Herbie: Fully Loaded 2005ComedyStock carThe most recent entry in the Herbie series.
Tom and Jerry: The Fast and the Furry 2005AnimatedStock car Direct-to-video feature about Tom and Jerry entering a race to win a luxurious mansion.
Cars 2006AnimatedStock carFamily comedy with voices of Paul Newman (who himself was a retired racing driver), Owen Wilson, Richard Petty (also a former racing driver) and Larry the Cable Guy; numerous racing drivers guest-star, including seven-time Formula One Champion Michael Schumacher. [6]
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby 2006ComedyStock carA cocky NASCAR star (Will Ferrell) must learn humility after setbacks in his career and home life. [2]
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift 2006ActionStreet racingHigh school car enthusiast Sean Boswell is sent to live in Tokyo with his father and finds solace in the city's drifting community.
Dale 2007DocumentaryStock carAnother look at racing legend Dale Earnhardt.
Ta Ra Rum Pum 2007DramaStock carIndian film.
Death Race 2008Sci-fi Jason Statham in a revised version of 1975 film. [4]
Redline 2007ActionStreet racingA group of multimillionaires wager millions of dollars over their high-powered luxury cars. [7]
Death Racers 2008Sci-fiFuturistic story of prisoners competing in race to the death.
Truth in 24 2008DocumentarySports carA team's preparation for 2008's 24 Hours of LeMans.
Speed Racer 2008ActionFuturisticLive-action version of Japanese anime series, with Emile Hirsch as Speed. [8]
Street Racer 2008Action Mockbuster of Speed Racer with similarities to The Fast & The Furious [7]
Love The Beast 2009DocumentaryTarmac rallyAustralian film directed by and featuring Eric Bana and his 1970s Ford car.
Racing Dreams 2009DocumentaryKartingKids ages 11–13 aspire to someday become NASCAR drivers. [2]
Redline 2009Sci-fiJapanese animated film. [9]
Fast & Furious 2009ActionStreet racingSet before the events of Tokyo Drift, Dominic Toretto and Brian O'Conner are forced to work together, racing to take down a powerful drug lord.
Death Race 2 2010Sci-fiPrequel for the 2008 Death Race film. [4]
Senna 2010DocumentaryOpen wheelThe life and death of Formula One great Ayrton Senna. [3]
Tim Richmond: To the Limit2010DocumentaryStock carMade for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A look at Tim Richmond, his lifestyle, and his death from AIDS.
Born to Race 2011Drag racing
Red Dirt Rising 2011Stock carBased on the life of early driver Jimmie Lewallen.
Cars 2 2011AnimatedSports carSequel to 2006 family comedy hit. Much like the first film, numerous racing drivers guest-star. [10]
25 Hill 2011DramaSoap Box DerbyBoy who lost his father teams in Soap Box Derby with man who lost his son.
Truth in 24 II: Every Second Counts 2012DocumentarySports carSequel to 2008 film, documenting Audi's adventurous and cliffhanging 2011 race.
Death Race 3: Inferno 2013Sci-fiTakes place between Death Race 2 and the 2008 Death Race films [4]
Rush 2013DramaFormula OneTrue story depicting Hunt–Lauda rivalry between drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda during the 1976 Formula One season.
1 2013DocumentaryFormula OneAlso known as 1: Life on the Limit, a documentary of the history of Formula One. [2]
Turbo 2013AnimatedIndy carA snail becomes the fastest thing on the race track.
Snake and Mongoose 2013DramaDrag racingTrue story depicting rivalry between funny-car drivers Don 'The Snake' Prudhomme and Tom 'The Mongoose' McEwen.
Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans 2015DocumentarySports carOn the actor's quest to make his 1971 auto-racing film Le Mans .
Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman 2015DocumentaryA documentary on Paul Newman's racing career [2]
The 24 Hour War 2016DocumentaryEndurance racingDocumentary on battle between Ford and Ferrari at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race. [2]
Cars 3 2017AnimatedSports carSequel to Cars and Cars 2 [11]
Death Race 2050 2017Sci-fiDirect sequel to Death Race 2000 [4]
Logan Lucky 2017ComedyStock carA group of people attempt a heist of the Charlotte Motor Speedway on a racing day. [3]
Dirt2018ActionOff-roadA young car thief works for an off-road racing team [12]
Death Race: Beyond Anarchy 2018Sci-fiSequel to 2008 Death Race film [4]
Pegasus 2019ComedyRallyingChinese comedy about a former rally driver on his comeback trail
Trading Paint 2019DramaDirt trackA stock car racing legend is drawn back to the dirt track when his son, an aspiring driver, joins a rival racing team. [13]
Blink of an Eye 2019DocumentaryNASCARAn examination of the career of Michael Waltrip, climaxing in his victory in the 2001 Daytona 500—an event overshadowed by the final-lap accident that claimed the life of his car owner and friend, Dale Earnhardt.
Ford v Ferrari 2019DramaSports carTrue story depicting Ford's road to take down Ferrari at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race. [2]
Qualified2019DocumentaryIndyCarMade for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Chronicles the struggle of Janet Guthrie to become the first female driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500.
Lady Driver2020DramaDirt trackA rebellious teen (Grace Van Dien) becomes a dirt-track racer while trying to uncover her family history. [14]
Gran Turismo 2023BiographicalSports carBased on the video game series by Polyphony Digital, the movie follows Jann Mardenborough and his real journey from a working-class racing gamer to being a pro racer in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, driving for Nissan after competing in the GT Academy. [15]
Ferrari 2023DramaSports car Enzo Ferrari (Adam Driver) grapples with personal and professional crises, including the death of his son Dino the year before, as his racing team prepares to enter the 1957 Mille Miglia. [1]
Race for Glory: Audi vs. Lancia 2024BiographicalRallyingA biopic revolving around the Audi-Lancia rivalry during the 1983 World Rally Championship.
F1 2025DramaFormula OneFilmed on location during the 2023 Formula One World Championship, revolving around a fictional Formula One driver who returns to the sport to mentor an up-and-coming rookie.

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "10 great motor racing films". BFI. 2023-12-14. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rawat, Kshitij (2024-03-26). "The Best Auto Racing Movies For A Thrilling Watch". AugustMan Malaysia. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Morgan, Chris (2024-10-24). "Vroom service: The 20 best films about racing". Yardbarker. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Norman, Dalton; Russell, Tom (2023-08-25). "Death Race Movies In Order: By Release Date & Chronologically". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  5. ↑ Crislip, Anthony (2022-03-16). "The Real Life Inspiration For Tom Cruise's Days Of Thunder Character". SlashFilm. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  6. ↑ Schwarzbaum, Lisa (June 7, 2006). "Cars". EW.com. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  7. 1 2 Gibbons, Ben (2023-12-24). "10 Movies That Tried & Failed To Copy Fast & Furious". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  8. ↑ Bove, Kate (2024-07-14). "16 Years Later, I'm Still Amazed By This Underrated Anime Adaptation". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  9. ↑ Kuhnke, Oisin (2024-01-17). "Got the January blues? The best anime racing film around might just help you". VG247. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  10. ↑ Ness, Mari (2018-01-04). "Pixar's First Minor Roadblock: Cars 2". Reactor. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  11. ↑ Goldberg, Matt (2017-06-14). "Cars 3 Review: Pixar's Latest Finds a Comfortable Speed". Collider. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  12. ↑ "Dirt the movie – Short Course Racer | Home of Short Course Racing" . Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  13. ↑ "Trading Paint: A (Dirt Racing Fan's Modest) Review". TEHBEN.COM. 2019-03-05. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  14. ↑ "Lady Driver | A Dirt Racing Fan's Film Review". TEHBEN.COM. 2020-05-05. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  15. ↑ Piccotti, Tyler (2023-12-18). "The 'Gran Turismo' Movie Tells a Remarkable True Story—With One Big Exception". Biography. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
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