Zzzzzzoom! The 10 Best Racing Movies of All Time Might Blow Your Engine

✦ Edited and fact-checked by Randy Harward, our Senior Staff Writer with 25 years covering entertainment and TV.

Whether it’s the high-stakes drama of the Formula One circuit or the gritty, grease-stained world of stock car racing, we’ve always been obsessed with movies that live in the redline. We’re talking about films where the car isn’t just a prop—it’s the protagonist. If you’re looking to satisfy your need for speed, we’ve rounded up the definitive list of must-watch cinema for gearheads.

While we’re revisiting some of the classics mentioned in our previous sports coverage, we’ve narrowed our focus here to “pure” racing films. That means no documentaries and no “incidental” racing like you’d find in a heist movie. We’re going full-throttle, from the meticulously historical to the delightfully over-the-top.

10. “Grand Prix” (1966)

This film revolutionized how racing was captured on screen, using innovative split-screen techniques and mounting cameras directly onto Formula One cars. It follows the lives of four drivers through a fictionalized season, and the cinematography remains breathtaking even by today’s standards. We believe every fan of the sport owes it to themselves to watch the movie that set the gold standard for every racing epic that followed.

9. “The Love Bug” (1968)

Long before “Cars,” there was Herbie. This Disney classic introduced the world to the sentient Volkswagen Beetle that could out-maneuver the sleekest sports cars on the track. We find it charmingly nostalgic, and the racing scenes are surprisingly well-choreographed for a late-’60s family film, making it a great entry point for younger fans.

8. “Le Mans” (1971)

Steve McQueen’s passion project is perhaps the purest racing film ever made. There is very little dialogue in the first half-hour; instead, the movie relies on the sights and sounds of the actual 24-hour endurance race. We consider this the minimalist masterpiece of the genre, prioritizing authentic racing footage over traditional Hollywood melodrama to create a truly immersive experience.

7. “The Cannonball Run” (1981)

For those who prefer their racing with a side of slapstick, this star-studded cross-country romp is an absolute classic. Based on a real-life illegal street race, it features everything from Ferraris to a speedy ambulance. We love the chaotic energy and the sense of fun that reminds us that sometimes, racing is just about the thrill of the open road and outrunning the law.

6. “Days of Thunder” (1990)

Often described as “‘Top Gun’ on wheels,” this is the quintessential NASCAR movie. Tom Cruise’s Cole Trickle is the ultimate hotshot rookie who has to learn how to actually drive a stock car from a crusty crew chief. We can’t help but enjoy the pure ’90s bravado and the iconic “rubbin’ is racin'” philosophy that defines the film’s high-impact action sequences.

5. “Cars” (2006)

Don’t let the animation fool you—this is a racing movie through and through. It’s a love letter to Route 66 and the history of the Piston Cup, featuring voices from actual racing legends like Richard Petty. We find the story of Lightning McQueen learning that there’s more to the sport than just winning the trophy to be a heartfelt tribute to the racing community’s roots.

4. “Rush” (2013)

Ron Howard’s look at the 1976 F1 season is essentially a psychological thriller disguised as a racing movie. The rivalry between the playboy James Hunt and the methodical Niki Lauda is legendary, and the film captures their polar-opposite philosophies perfectly. We especially love the sound design here; the roar of the vintage engines is enough to give any car enthusiast goosebumps.

3. “Ford v Ferrari” (2019)

This is a modern masterpiece that balances corporate intrigue with pure racing adrenaline. The chemistry between Matt Damon’s Carroll Shelby and Christian Bale’s Ken Miles is the engine that drives the plot toward the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. We think it’s the perfect gateway film for non-racing fans because it explains the mechanics of the sport without ever losing its high-speed momentum.

2. “Ferrari” (2023)

Adam Driver disappears into the role of Enzo Ferrari during a pivotal, do-or-die summer in 1957. While the personal drama is heavy, the racing sequences during the Mille Miglia are some of the most visceral and terrifyingly realistic ever put to film. We appreciate how it shows the brutal cost of speed, focusing on the engineering obsession required to keep a legendary brand from collapsing.

1. “F1” (2025)

As the newest entry on our list, the Best Picture-nominated “F1” leverages cutting-edge camera technology to put you directly in the cockpit alongside Brad Pitt. We love how this film captures the modern, high-gloss intensity of the current Formula One era while grounding it in a veteran-rookie comeback story. It is a visual masterclass that makes you feel every G-force on the track, proving that the genre still has plenty of gas in the tank.

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