11 incredibly cool racing movies

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Historical pictures of the world's largest competitions and daring stories of street rallies.

1. Ford vs Ferrari

• USA, France, 2019.
• Biography, sports, drama.
• Duration: 152 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

A team of American engineers led by designer Carroll Shelby plans to create a new sports car for Ford. They are joined by the talented racer Ken Miles. Together they are going to defeat the permanent leader - the Ferrari team at the World Championship in France.

The 2019 film won instant critical acclaim primarily for its cast. The main roles in the project were played by Matt Damon and Christian Bale. Moreover, the latter again lost a lot of weight for the role in order to fit into a narrow racing car.

2. Race

• UK, Germany, USA, 2013.
• Biography, sports, drama.
• Duration: 123 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

The film, based on real events, tells the story of the rivalry between two Formula 1 drivers in the 1976 championship. Everyone considered the Austrian Niki Lauda to be the absolute leader. But his injury allowed the young and ambitious Briton James Hunt to take the lead.

The filmmakers tried to convey historical events as realistically as possible and even agreed with the Formula 1 teams to provide original equipment. However, there was enough room in the tape for fiction as well. And for those who want to know more about this story in more detail, the documentary Hunt vs. Lauda: F1's Greatest Racing Rivals.

3. Big races

• USA, 1965.
• Adventure, comedy.
• Duration: 160 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

Adventurer and ladies' man Leslie the Great arranges the New York - Paris motor rally. The race is joined by his eternal envious rival Professor Faith, as well as the beautiful Maggie, who dreams of writing a report on this event. Opponents will have to get into a town with saloons and cowboys, almost freeze to death in Alaska and even take part in a coup in a European country.

The main roles in this film were played by the famous comedy duo of Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, whom many remember from the movie "There are only girls in jazz." It was directed by Blake Edwards, the author of the legendary Breakfast at Tiffany's.

4. Grand Prix

• USA, 1966.
• Drama, sports.
• Duration: 176 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

The plot of the film tells about the personal life and career of professional Formula 1 racers. Love and friendship coexist with rivalry during the largest European competitions.

This painting has two main components that make it truly epoch-making. First, the writers put together an amazing cast, including Yves Montana and James Garner. And secondly, they filmed directly on real Formula 1 tracks and even included real footage from the 1966 races in the film.

5. Cars

• USA, 2006.
• Adventure, comedy.
• Duration: 112 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 1.

Young, ambitious, but very arrogant, Lightning McQueen almost wins the championship. But he refused to change tires and therefore on the last lap came on a par with the other two challengers. Soon a rematch should take place, but McQueen falls out of the trailer and finds himself in a forgotten town, where he has to find a common language with the rustic but kind locals.

Of course, this children's cartoon is more about friendship and mutual assistance than racing. But nevertheless, the authors decided to make cars the main characters, and everything ends with a competition. Subsequently, the franchise about anthropomorphic machines has grown greatly: not only two sequels were released, but also many spin-offs and cartoons about various minor characters.

6. Genevieve

• Great Britain, 1953.
• Adventure, comedy.
• Duration: 86 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 1.

The film is dedicated to the rally of vintage cars from London to Brighton. Alan McKim and his wife Wendy drive a 1904 car, competing with their buddies Ambrose Clevehouse and his girlfriend Rosalind. During the trip, friends quarrel, and the confrontation is already becoming more serious.

In this comedy film, there are many songs written by the famous Larry Adler, and dance numbers. The composer was even nominated for an Oscar for this work. Many believe that it was the musical component that ensured the success of the picture.

7. Taxi

• France, 1998.
• Action, comedy, crime.
• Duration: 86 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 0.

Daniel was the fastest pizza delivery man. But he decided to quit his job and fulfill his dream - to become a taxi driver. Now the hero carries passengers with incredible speed. He will become a police assistant, because a gang of criminals in cars has appeared in the city, which no one can catch up with.

For all the abundance of humor and criminal plot, the main advantage of the film was the street races, in which Daniel invariably wins. Well, later there were four sequels of the story, and in the USA they shot their own remake of "New York Taxi".

8. Le Mans

• USA, 1971.
• Adventure, drama, sports.
• Duration: 106 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 8.

The plot is dedicated to the famous 24-hour race at Le Mans. The reigning champion Michael Delaney has every chance of winning, but he is too nervous: a year ago, his friend died on this track. And therefore the German Erik Stahler has every chance to bypass the favorite on the track.

Famous actor Steve McQueen has been a racing fan all his life. And he dreamed of making the most realistic film about the competition. That is why there are very few dialogues in the picture, and all the races were filmed during a real race. Together with McQueen, real athletes appeared at Le Mans, and the camera was hung on a specially equipped car that drove 282 laps along the highway.

9. Fast and Furious

• USA, Germany, 2001.
• Action, crime.
• Duration: 106 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 8.

Undercover policeman and real speed fan, Brian O'Connor infiltrates Dominic Toretto's gang to investigate an attack on trailers carrying vehicles. But gradually he is more and more imbued with sympathy for criminals. And one day Brian has to choose between duty and friendship.

This film launched the most popular franchise, which continues to this day. It was only after the first parts that the authors moved further and further from the topic of street racing, turning the plot into an almost fantastic action.

10. Death Race

• USA, Germany, UK, 2008.
• Science fiction, action, thriller.
• Duration: 105 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 4.

After the global economic crisis, which caused a rampant crime, prisons were taken over by private corporations and turned into parts of media holdings. In one of them is the former NASCAR race car driver Jensen Ames. To survive in prison, he has to take part in survival races.

From the creator of the Resident Evil franchise, Paul W. S. Anderson, this dark film combines a dystopian future with harsh auto racing scenes. Well, the main role was played by Jason Statham, whom everyone loved for the image of a tough guy.

11. Race "Cannonball"

• USA, Hong Kong, 1981.
• Adventure, comedy.
• Duration: 95 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 3.

The thrill-seeker JJ McLure decides to race across the country for a massive cash prize. The only trouble is that these competitions are officially banned, so the participants are chased by the police.

It is surprising that the plot of this picture is based on real events. In the early seventies, the Cannonball race was held to protest the ubiquitous 55 mph speed limit. Despite the clandestine status, even famous pilots took part in them.