Image via Complex
With the release of Hobbs & Shaw, the forthcoming Ford v Ferrari, and new hope of a sequel (or two!) to 2015’s award-winning Mad Max: Fury Road, it’s evident that car movies continue to be entertaining for filmgoers and profitable for Hollywood. After all, who doesn’t love watching characters putting the pedal to the metal on the silver screen?
Reflecting back on nearly two decades of thrilling high-speed chases and sleek sets of wheels, our cup seems to runneth over with fantastic car movies across genres—action, indie, and horror, to name a few—that can satisfy even the most discerning film buffs.
Before we get to our crash course, a few ground rules: These selections all debuted in or after 2000, we’re limiting ourselves to one movie per franchise (meaning only one entry of Fast & Furious eligible, do not @ me), and the term “car movies” is loosely defined—if it features a car in a couple of key set pieces, it’s fair game. Get ready to start your engines, folks: here are Complex’s picks for the 15 best car movies of the 21st century.
'The Transporter'
Director: Corey Yuen, Louis Leterrier
Starring: Jason Statham, Shu Qi, François Berléand, Matt Schulze
Release Date: October 11, 2002
Perhaps more than any other movie on this list, The Transporter is an unabashed action movie that just so happens to feature cars. As wheelman Frank Martin, actor Jason Statham emerged from this film ready for his moment in the sun. As is standard for the absolutely nuts action flicks from French outfit EuropaCorp like Taken and Lucy, some of the action sequences take a turn toward the absurd, but Statham’s cool-as-a-cucumber demeanor offers up a sense of calm amid the chaos. It’s a skillset he’s continued to refine—and even subvert—in the years since.
'Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby'
Director: Adam McKay
Starring: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, Gary Cole, Michael Clarke Duncan, Leslie Bibb, Jane Lynch, Amy Adams
Release Date: August 4, 2006
The second in director Adam McKay’s unofficial man-child trilogy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby isn’t as beloved (read: quoted) as Anchorman or Step Brothers, but it has its charms. Better (and funnier) than you probably remember it, this film is so much more than “shake and bake” and “if you’re not first, you’re last,” but rather offers a surprisingly poignant performance by Will Ferrell. He seemingly leaps gleefully at the chance to play a character that’s as irredeemable—and deeply damaged—as Ricky Bobby, while still managing to stir up a surprising level of warmth and admiration. Turns out the thrills of NASCAR make for the perfect backdrop to explore someone with an ego as vulnerable—and sweet—as Ricky’s.
'Rush'
Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Brühl, Olivia Wilde, Alexandra Maria Lara, Pierfrancesco Favino, Natalie Dormer
Release Date: September 27, 2013
Ron Howard’s 2013 Oscar-bait biopic about the long-standing, real-life rivalry between Formula 1 drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda didn’t quite land with audiences the way it should have, but those who saw Rush were treated to a compelling portrait of two equal, yet opposite, forces. The movie structures the truly obsessive competition between Hunt (Chris Hemsworth in Thor mode, brash and cocky) and Lauda (Daniel Brühl, the steady and consummate professional) as a perpetual jockeying back and forth, not unlike the race itself. Howard’s rather intense direction of those races, alongside the aforementioned actors’ superlative performances, results in a finished product that rises above its otherwise staid biopic beats.
'Senna'
Director: Asif Kapadia
Starring: Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Frank Williams, Ron Dennis
Release Date: May 25, 2011
How do you capture the spirit of someone who raced like he was running out of time? Asif Kapadia’s Senna is the first of two documentaries from the director (the second being 2016’s heart-wrenching Amy) to focus on a legendary talent taken from the world too soon. The knowledge of the inevitable fate of three-time Formula 1 champ Ayrton Senna hangs a definitive melancholy over the film, but it’s not without levity: Comprised entirely of archival footage from his family and the media who followed Senna’s too-short career, Kapadia paints a staggering portrait of Senna’s boyish charms and fierce competitive nature (his rivalry with teammate Alain Prost would make Hunt and Lauda blush) using the driver’s own words. If you’ve seen Amy, you already know that Kapadia’s working on another level, spinning a yarn that makes it feel like the subject is actually back. Sadly, it’s a magic trick—but, oh, what a trick it is.
'Logan Lucky'
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Seth MacFarlane, Riley Keough, Katie Holmes, Katherine Waterston, Dwight Yoakam, Sebastian Stan, Hilary Swank, Daniel Craig
Release Date: August 18, 2017
Logan Lucky befell a similar fate as Rush, another film from a beloved director that failed to resonate with audiences. Without performing too much of a box-office autopsy, Logan Lucky director Steven Soderbergh botched the release by essentially self-financing and releasing it without backing from a major studio. As a result, the movie largely came and went without so much as a whimper—which is a real shame, considering how absurdly enjoyable the whole venture is. The self-described “Ocean’s 7/11” serves up a stacked cast of Hollywood who’s whos: Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Riley Keough, Katherine Waterston, Katie Holmes, Sebastian Stan, and a wildly entertaining Daniel Craig. Hinged on a heist happening in the middle of a NASCAR race, the film (lead by first-time writer Rebecca Blunt) shows a deep empathy for the hard-working Logan clan, who are simply trying to do what they think is best. It’s a refreshing and loving film that just so happens to feature one of the best Game of Thrones jokes of all time. And there’s a good chance you’ve never seen it.
'Death Proof'
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Kurt Russell, Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Ferlito, Jordan Ladd, Rose McGowan, Sydney Poitier, Tracie Thoms, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Zoë Bell
Release Date: April 6, 2007
The Quentin Tarantino half of 2007’s Grindhouse double feature has long been considered the superior film, though it feels minor in the director’s larger canon. But knowing that a “lesser” Quentin Tarantino movie (whatever that means) is still better than a large percentage of films out there, Death Proof is worth a watch to simply witness his take on a horror film. Featuring a despicably fun performance by Kurt Russell as a driver of the titular death-proof stunt car, and a thrilling acting turn from Tarantino’s long-time collaborator Zoë Bell, Death Proof is uniquely Quentin: violent, cruel (at times, the film feels like a test balloon for the vileness we see later in The Hateful Eight), clever, and ultimately riveting.
'The Italian Job'
Director: F. Gary Gray
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Seth Green, Jason Statham, Mos Def, Franky G, Donald Sutherland
Release Date: May 30, 2003
Pre-Fate of the Furious, director F. Gary Gray got the chance to remake 1969’s car movie The Italian Job, though his version shared little DNA with its predecessor. In retrofitting the concept for a modern audience, 2003's The Italian Job essentially ported over the title, the inciting incident and iconic Mini Coopers of the original. It also paired Gray with future Fate of the Furious actor Jason Statham and Charlize Theron (more on her in a bit). Your mileage may vary on certain plot elements and performances, but it’s undeniable that the Los Angeles-based Mini Cooper sequence is the film’s high mark, as thrilling and captivating now as it was in 2003
'Gone in 60 Seconds'
Director: Dominic Sena
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie, Giovanni Ribisi, Delroy Lindo, Will Patton, Christopher Eccleston, Chi McBride, Robert Duvall
Release Date: June 9, 2000
While revisiting Gone in 60 Seconds, I was struck by the fact that it’s basically four genre films rolled into one: a “one last job,” a heist, a ticking clock, and a car movie. Where other films would struggle to balance these disparate elements, Gone in 60 Seconds impressively merges them into a single, well-oiled machine. Perhaps parts of it haven’t aged well, but the truly absurd—and absurdly entertaining—set pieces transcend the lesser sections. Special kudos to Nicolas Cage, Robert Duvall, Christopher Eccleston, Delroy Lindo, and Angelina Jolie, who all seem to know exactly what movie they’re making, and they’re game for it all. Furthermore, Gone outlines a rough template that The Fast and the Furious calls upon in later years—specifically in the exploration of familial bonds forged between the crew. It’s always important to respect your elders, and it’s easy to do when they’re this fun.
'Fast Five'
Director: Justin Lin
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Matt Schulze, Sung Kang, Dwayne Johnson
Release Date: April 29, 2011
As any good driver knows, sometimes you’ve got to change course to get to where you’re going. This logic is at the core of what would become an extremely successful pivot from a franchise that was a decade old and desperately in need of a hit of NOS. Fast Five’s recipe was two-fold: forgo the street-racing formula that made it a household name, and add one of the most charismatic actors alive to its ranks: Mr. Franchise Viagra himself, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The result was better than anyone could have anticipated. Director Justin Lin’s transitioning of the film into the beloved heist genre was the breath of fresh air the franchise needed to attract a larger audience. The Rock’s (very real!) rivalry with Vin Diesel gave the series a character they could not only love to hate, but hate to love. Led by writer Chris Morgan’s script, the now-ensemble cast clicks into a familial rhythm that further entices the audience to spend time with them. Add in one hell of a closing set piece (the magic of which, the franchise is arguably still trying to recapture), and you’ll quickly realize the film has truly pulled off a heist—in more ways than one.
'Collateral'
Director: Michael Mann
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Peter Berg, Bruce McGill
Release Date: August 6, 2004
Far from a retread of director Michael Mann’s other famous Los Angeles movie, Collateral is quite literally a journey into hell. A modern-day tale of Charon and Hades, jousting for control of the river Styx, the film is anchored by captivating dual performances: one by Jamie Foxx, who comes alive the more his character, Max, is pushed to his limits; and the other by Tom Cruise, whose willingness to play ball here is astonishing, fully embracing Vincent’s villainous and vile nature. While Charon, as Max, might be the master of his own boat (or taxi cab), all it takes is a visit from Hades to turn his world upside down. How do you fight the literal devil on your shoulder? Collateral dives right into the heart of that question, and there are no easy answers. To borrow a phrase from another film on this list: Out here, everything hurts.
'Drive'
Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Christina Hendricks, Ron Perlman, Oscar Isaac, Albert Brooks
Release Date: September 16, 2011
Like a good rap song made great off the strength of a killer sample, Drive’s success comes because of its influences, not in spite of them. We see shades of The Transporter, Collateral, and even 1987’s The Driver present in Nicolas Winding Refn’s 2011 cult hit, but the slickness of its execution is distinct. While the opening car sequence is perhaps most memorable, the way Refn builds tension and dread throughout the course of the movie is, frankly, masterful. There’s plenty of evidence for why Drive has lingered well past its expiration date, from the stylish visuals that could populate One Perfect Shot’s Twitter account for years, to a surprising Ryan Gosling performance that’s the perfect nail to Refn’s hammer—not to mention an absolutely killer soundtrack.
'Baby Driver'
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Eiza González, Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, Jon Bernthal
Release Date: June 28, 2017
Describing something as “purely x” has lot a bit of its meaning in 2019, but it’s safe to say that Baby Driver is 100% Edgar Wright. More than any other entry on this list, save for Mad Max: Fury Road (which, of course, is on this list), this film simply would not and could not exist were it not for the British director and his unique sensibilities. It’s essentially a receptacle for more than 20 years worth of influences and interests, fitting as Wright had been workshopping some version of the story since 1995, going so far as to test the concept in a 2003 Mint Royal music video. That dedication shows in the script, with each song and the corresponding sequence inextricably linked, a combination that helps the film roar to life—not unlike the various vehicles we see Ansel Elgort’s Baby drive. As seen in the opening car chase, the timing and precision Wright deploys creates a getaway for the audience in the same way he does for Baby. And we’re more than happy to be along for the ride.
'Locke'
Director: Steven Knight
Starring: Tom Hardy, Olivia Colman, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott, Ben Daniels, Tom Holland, Bill Milner
Release Date: April 18, 2014
From the moment we were introduced to Tom Hardy in Inception, he quickly became an actor that people just wanted to see doing things: Holding dogs. Drinking coffee. Riding bikes. While Hardy’s career of late has lost some of its initial luster, he’s still a force of nature and, if the box-office returns of Venom are any indication, a guy people still love to see, well, doing things. If you want roughly 90 minutes of nothing but staring at Tom Hardy’s face, well, folks: have I got the movie for you.
Essentially a one-man play that takes place during a late-night drive, 2013’s Locke (written and directed by frequent Hardy collaborator Steven Knight) succeeds entirely because of Hardy’s sheer presence and magnitude. To say any more will give away too much, but the film does feature some great vocal performances by Oscar-winner Olivia Colman, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott (sup, Hot Priest?!) and future Spider-Man Tom Holland, who all interact with Hardy’s trapped Ivan Locke via speakerphone. Fitting that we are, too, trapped along with him … in a captivating performance.
'The Rover'
Director: David Michôd
Starring: Guy Pearce, Robert Pattinson, Scoot McNairy, David Field, Anthony Hayes, Gillian Jones, Susan Prior
Release Date: June 20, 2014
It’s been a decade since a global collapse transformed the Australian outback into a crime-filled wasteland. Our hero loses his car and, for some unknown reason, is obsessed with getting it back, leaving nothing but violence in his wake. Sound familiar?
Nope, this isn’t that other post-apocalyptic car film that may come to mind first, but rather writer/director David Michôd’s follow-up to his well-received debut, Animal Kingdom. More so a Western than a Mad Max clone, The Rover focuses on Guy Pearce’s dogged Eric, who managed to survive in this world on anger and resentment alone. One of A24’s earliest releases, with the lowest opening of any movie in 2014, The Rover is often a nasty piece of work—much like Pearce’s character.
But there’s a warmth at its core, and it’s named Robert Pattinson. Fresh off the Twilight saga and seeking a career reinvention, Pattinson’s extremely vulnerable performance as the naive Reynolds proves to be the beating heart of the film. His character bends the film to his will, culminating in a disconcerting and heart-wrenching performance of Keri Hilson’s Pretty Girl Rock. What’s left at its violent, dour conclusion is an experience that sticks with you long after the credits have rolled.
'Mad Max: Fury Road'
Director: George Miller
Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Riley Keough, Zoë Kravitz, Abbey Lee, Courtney Eaton
Release Date: May 15, 2015
You saw this coming, right? The thing about Mad Max: Fury Road is that many people didn’t, not at the time at least. The film had a storied and borderline catastrophic production (delays, lawsuits, dangerous stunts, and actor disagreements) that caused many to write the film off before it even arrived. But much like the engine of Max Rockatansky’s (played with an intense furosity by a recast Tom Hardy) famed V8 Interceptor, once the movie roared to life, it became impossible to deny its power.
Essentially one extended car chase, George Miller’s auto-apocalyptic opus quickly became hailed as one of the best movies of the decade. From its rich visuals (each War Boy’s steering wheel is unique to them) to its rich thematic text, it’s not an overstatement to call this film a true masterpiece, led by an iconic and moving performance by our girl Charlize. We live, we die, we live again—and so does the glory that is Fury Road.