I dug through all the archives and lists related to racing, race cars, and drivers. I compiled 99% of the complete list here (no Fast & Furious movies though). The films are not sorted by any specific criteria, and I consciously decided not to include IMDb ratings. Just browse the list and watch.
Driven (2001)
Not everyone will admit it, but the most anticipated moments in racing are the crashes. “Driven” has it all: cars crashing into walls, tires flying sky-high, landing in water, exploding, and some even overtaking everyone mid-air to land in first place. For those well-versed in motorsport, don’t expect realism, and film lovers shouldn’t anticipate Oscar-worthy direction and acting. However! The emotional aspect of the storyline “hits the heart,” and the human relationships provoke empathy—all set against a backdrop of various mixed racing series. If you’ve seen everything else, “Driven” will suffice.
By the way, the movie had a complicated history. Stallone wrote the script back in 1997, inspired by the Italian Grand Prix in Formula 1, but the project didn’t take off. Director Renny Harlin had plans to make a film about Ayrton Senna, but he, too, couldn’t complete the project. Harlin and Stallone had previously worked together on “Cliffhanger” and decided to combine their ideas into the ultimately ambiguous “Driven.”
Days of Thunder (1990)
“Days of Thunder” starring Tom Cruise. As they say, “not a cliché, but a classic.” A life-affirming, emotional movie, very “Hollywood” in essence—dedication and hard work, backed by talent, can realize any dream. “Days of Thunder” is based on NASCAR circa 1990 and feels fairly authentic in its details. Although NASCAR legend Richard Petty was unhappy with the disregard for technical regulations and rules in the movie.
The film has an interesting production history, featuring professional drivers Bobby Hamilton and Tommy Ellis. It’s worth watching “Days of Thunder” at least for the excellent direction by Tony Scott (“The Last Boy Scout,” “Enemy of the State,” “Déjà Vu”), the first collaborative work of Cruise and Kidman, and a good soundtrack. Personally recommended.
The Cannonball Run (1981)
A somewhat crude, madcap story about an underground car race featuring chases, scantily clad women, and bawdy jokes: race across the country for a million dollars without getting caught by the cops. Flying, burning, exploding cars—it’s all there. “The Cannonball Run” isn’t for film critics—it’s for those who enjoy it as a guilty pleasure. Considering the movie is virtually devoid of plot, it can be considered a classic beer-friendly comedy with sexist and racist jokes every five minutes. Such scripts wouldn’t fly today.
There’s a film with the same name from 1976 starring David Carradine (“Cannonball!”), which is more of an action movie. It’s about the same chaotic race for the finish-line prize with unscrupulous competitors. Worth watching for variety.
Speedway (1968)
Elvis and Nancy Sinatra present: the best NASCAR driver plus an undercover tax officer. A sports musical that’s not the worst of Presley’s works. A good guy gets entangled with tax authorities due to the machinations of his best friend-manager, and only a victory can save his financial situation. Filmed at Charlotte Motor Speedway, North Carolina, with professionals like Cale Yarborough, Tiny Lund, Buddy Baker, Dick Hutcherson, J.C. Spencer, Roy Mayne, and Richard Petty. A musical in the spirit of its time: colorful, naive, light.
American Graffiti (1973)
I didn’t know this film by George Lucas before putting together this compilation. And although it doesn’t exactly correspond to “racing” themes, its incredible “car culture” aesthetic and soundtrack earned it a spot on the list. The film captures the golden era, the so-called “age of innocence” before the assassination of Kennedy. A whole epoch shifted in a decade, and this transition is beautifully showcased in the movie. I liked it—a film with an aftertaste…
Le Mans (1971)
The Legendary Steve McQueen Film
Essentially, a cinematic work that can rival many documentaries in terms of authenticity and realism. Le Mans is, of course, about racing, but it’s embedded with a romantic backstory that feels perfectly placed and doesn’t encroach on the professional sports aspect. I won’t elaborate further—everything about this film has already been said. Absolutely a must-watch. It’s the best racing movie of all time, timeless in every sense.
Rush (2013)
One of the finest and most visually stunning modern films based on Formula 1. It portrays the 1976 F1 season through the lens of the rivalry between drivers Niki Lauda and James Hunt, executed in what you might call a classic Hollywood style—in the best way possible. If you haven’t seen this film yet, watch it right now!
The Last American Hero (1973)
This movie is based on the life of Junior Johnson, a famous stock car racer. A good, underrated film despite its limited budget. I’d even call it historically significant. A young Jeff Bridges delivered an excellent performance in this role.
Red Line 7000 (1965)
A strange film. Ignoring the human drama, the true protagonists here are the classic racetracks, cars, motorcycles, and other gear that would appeal to the average motorsport enthusiast. It’s like a fashionable film from the 1960s, atypical for a truly great director like Howard Hawks (Scarface). Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to exclude it from this list.
A Few More Racing Movies:
- Winning (1969)
- Ford v. Ferrari (2019)
- Grand Prix (1966)
- Eat My Dust! (1976)
- Death Race 2000 (1975)
- Born to Race (2011, 2014)
Now, let’s move on to documentaries.
Senna (2010)
This is the story of Ayrton Senna, a Brazilian Formula 1 superstar. This is not your typical documentary. It skips retrospective commentary and interviews, instead building the narrative from archives filmed during the legend’s life. You’ll get an inside look at F1’s inner workings, along with Senna’s personal journey. Despite the inevitable ending, this film is deeply inspiring and optimistic—about how a Brazilian boy became a modern folk hero, overcoming social and political challenges. Senna provided hope and a role model for his fellow countrymen. This is a film that even those unfamiliar with Ayrton Senna’s name can appreciate. Ayrton Senna is far more than just a talented racing driver—he’s a phenomenon.
Dust to Glory (2005)
Baja 1000—the world’s longest and most prestigious off-road race, immortalized not just in cinema but also in video games. The documentary Dust to Glory tells the story of the legendary 2003 race and feels like a mix of NASCAR and Mad Max: Fury Road. Over the course of 24 hours, cars worth millions of dollars turn into post-apocalyptic juggernauts straight out of a Mad Max movie. The film offers extensive footage from inside the vehicles (50+ cameras) and helicopters and features legendary racers and motorcyclists. That’s about it—a straightforward, average documentary for fans of the sport.
Nearly Every Documentary About Racing, Drivers, NASCAR & F1, Plus Some Series:
- Ferrari: Race to Immortality (2017)
- The 24 Hour War (2016)
- TT3D: Closer to the Edge (2011)
- McLaren (2017)
- Williams (2017)
- Hunt vs Lauda: F1’s Greatest Racing Rivals (2013)
- Weekend of a Champion (2013)
- Weekend of a Champion (1972)
- 1 (2013)
- Jim Clark: The Quiet Champion (2009)
- Ferrari 312B: Where the Revolution Begins (2017)
- 33 Days (2014)
- Crash and Burn (2016)
- Grand Prix: The Killer Years (2011)
- One by One (1974)
- Brabham (2020)
- Series: Formula 1: Drive to Survive
- Series: F1 Legends
- Series: Grand Prix Driver