There’s something about the adrenaline-fueled rush that comes when watching a film about car racing that just gets people excited and ready to go. Most people will wisely refrain from attempting to reproduce any of the stunts in said films, but will talk about their favorite scenes for some time to come after watching them on the big screen. Every car-racing film seems to get a little faster, a little more turbo-charged, and in some cases just flat out exciting. While it might not be safe or even feasible sometimes, the action definitely never gets old.
Here are our picks for the top five car racing movies:
Rush
In the world of racing there is almost always something worth competing for, and this tends to spark rivalries that fans absolutely love to see. In this film the rivalry is often bitter and quite heated, but there is no doubt that despite this being a film, one could almost believe it was genuine. The level of disrespect that the two main stars have for one another in the film is intense, which is likely why the concluding moments of the film are so poignant, when the two rivals are finally seen to share a calm, peaceful moment.
Days of Thunder
Rivalries are indeed a big part of any sports film, but when they turn into friendships the story tends to get even better as people realize that mutual hatred for one another can’t always overcome mutual love of the same sport. When Cole and Rowdy finally bond it’s only natural that another rival will need to be brought in, which allows Russ, who is supposed to be Cole’s teammate, to step into that breach. As Cole takes on the task of driving Rowdy’s car against Russ, the excitement heats up as Cole has to go against his own team to win his first Indy 500.
The Cannonball Run
Based upon an actual race that took place in 1979, this film is nonstop hilarity of the type that was popular decades before anything that is now considered cutting edge, and showcased a wealth of talent that in their heyday were all the rage. Burt Reynolds was without a doubt one of the premiere actors in his day, and shows his skill in this film as an actor and a comedian with great aplomb.
The Fast and the Furious
If ever there was a franchise to make car racing just as popular in film as it is in real life, this is it. While it might not be comparable to NASCAR this film is still an iconic look at street racing and what it really means to some people. Beyond the flashy cars and very fast lifestyle is the need for speed that seems to dictate how the characters live and what they will do from one second to the next.
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Some people think that Will Farrell can carry a movie on his own and other’s don’t. What really matters is that this film gained a following unlike many others for a couple of reasons. One is its affiliation to NASCAR, which is undoubtedly one of the most followed sports in the country if not the world, and two is that it is just that funny. From the one-liners to the catchphrases to the bloopers it’s nothing but one giant gag reel that keeps viewers laughing without fail.
Conclusion
Whatever the reason for one’s interest in car racing movies, the one immutable fact is that there is an adrenaline-packed rush that can be felt whenever an engine revs. That alone is worth looking at any movie that features a single car race.
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