Gran Turismo

We love racing movies. Racing films captivate us like nothing else. We feel the thrills, gasp at the stunts and cheer on fearless drivers pushing their limits

In preperation for Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story (get your tickets here), we've curated a list of 12 top racing films, ranked by Rotten Tomatoes scores. Whether you crave gripping dramas, riveting documetnaries or hihg-adrenaline action, our collection has something for you. You can see the full Rotten Tomatoes list here.

Buckle in, adjust the mirror, and brace for an exhilirating ride through the world of racing movies!

 

12. Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans (2015)

Steve McQueen The Man & Le Mans

Tomatometer: 77%

Synopsis: The 1971 movie Le Mans encountered myriad hindrances during production, posing challenges for renowned actor and fervent racing enthusiast Steve McQueen, for whom the movie was a personal endeavor.

Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans chronicles the actor's pursuit of his dream film. In 1970, after two decades of success with movies like The Thomas Crown Affair, McQueen embarked on a project to create a feature-length documentary about the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans race. However, his passion endeavor turned into a near catastrophe. This documentary unveils the gripping truth about McQueen's journey, featuring previously unseen footage and candid interviews.

 

11. The Love Bug (1968)

Herbie the Love Bug

Tomatometer: 78%

Synopsis: Race car driver Jim Douglas and mechanic Tennessee Steinmetz come across a white Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own. They name the car "Herbie" and the little team quickly becomes popular on the California racing scene. This doesn't sit well with Peter Thorndyke, a sports-car dealer who enlists his assistant in an attempt to come between the friends and their extraordinary car.

This delightful Disney classic follows Herbie as it cleverly causes trouble.  Robert Stevenson directs and Dean Jones, Michele Lee, and Buddy Hackett star in this family comedy favorite. The film spawned five sequels that showcase Herbie's adventures in races worldwide.

 

10. Snake and Mongoose (2013)

Snake and Mongoose

Tomatometer: 80%

Synopsis: Don Prudhomme and Tom McEwen, renowned drag racers from Southern California, join forces with industry titans to revolutionize the sports landscape.

This captivating documentary-style drama delves into the groundbreaking partnership between drag racers Don Prudhomme and Tom McEwen. Snake and Mongoose chronicles their journey as they set out to revolutionize the sport in 1975, offering up a riveting experience. Directed by Wayne Holloway and featuring a stellar cast including Jared Leto, Noah Wyle, Ashley Hinshaw and Richard Blake, Snake and Mongoose showcases Prudhomme and McEwen's triumph on a grand scale. Prepare for gripping narrative and sheer brilliance.

 

9. Rally Road Racers (2023)

Rally Road Racers

Tomatometer: 81%

Synopsis: Racing newcomer Zhi seizes the chance to challenge the rally car circuit's reigning champion. Assisted by a former driver turned mechanic, Zhi embarks on a thrilling adventure, facing treacherous terrains, fierce rivals and unexpected hurdles. The goal? To showcase his undeniable talent and establish himself as the next racing prodigy... and maybe prove a little something to himself in the process.

Rally Road Racers is an exciting comedy-adventure flick with heart. Join a team of friends on a wild, hilarious, no-holds-barred road rally across an animated China. The voice cast is led by Jimmy O. Yang as Zhi, with J.K. Simmons as the loyal mechanic and John Cleese as a villainous rival. It's pure cinematic joy for the whole family -- even the adults!

 

8. Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman (2015)

Mario Andretti and Paul Newman

Tomatometer: 91%

Synopsis: Paul Newman, the illustrious actor, embarked on a racing career that spanned an impressive 35 years.

This insightful documentary explores the remarkable career of actor-turned-racecar driver Paul Newman. Through exclusive interviews with Newman's friends, colleagues and family, directors Adam Carolla and Nate Adams take audiences on a captivating journey through Newman's challenges, triumphs and personal battles.  

 

7. The 24 Hour War (2016)

Tomatometer: 100%

Synopsis: During the 1960s, a rivalry of epic proportions emerged between Henry Ford II and Enzo Ferrari, two titans of the automobile industry, as they clashed at Le Mans.

You may be familiar with the clash of these racing titans via the 2019 drama Ford v Ferrari, which we'll get to in a bit. This meticulously crafted documentary takes a broader view of the subject, tracing the company histores and rivalries that led up to the showdown at the 1996 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Directors Adam Carolla and Nate Adams weave together interviews from drivers with gripping archival footage to take audiences on an unforgettable journey. It's a must-see for any racing enthusiast.

 

6. Grand Prix (1966)

Grand Prix

Tomatometer: 100%

Synopsis: The world's most fearless drivers gather for the 1966 Formula One championship. After a spectacular wreck in the initial race, American driver Pete Aron (James Garner) loses his sponsorship. Undeterred, he joins a rival Japanese racing team. Amidst a passionate love affair with a fellow racer's spouse, Pete also confronts Jean-Pierre Sarti, a seasoned French contender boasting two world titles.

Visionary filmmaker John Frankenheimer and an international ensemble cast take viewers on an adrenaline-fueled journey to the high-stakes Monaco Grand Prix. With its awe-inspiring action sequences, Grand Prix offers a truly immersive experience that puts you right in the driver's seat.

 

5. Racing Dreams (2009)

Racing Dreams

Tomatometer: 100%

Synopsis: Filmmaker Marshall Curry explores the inner workings of the World Karting Association,  the youth racing league that acts as a launching pad for aspiring NASCAR drivers. Curry focuses on three teenage racers  - Josh Hobson, Brandon Warren and Annabeth Barnes - documenting captures their skills, challenges and personal stories.

Racing Dreams invites us to ride shotgun with the three young racers as they strive to make their marks. Their passion and unwavering dedication shine through every twist and turn.  Through insightful interviews with the drivers, their families, and industry experts, this film gives us an intimate glimpse into the sacrifices, hard work and commitment required to become a successful driver. Get ready to be inspired.

 

4. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)

Talladega Nights

Tomatometer: 71%

Synopsis: Ricky Bobby, the NASCAR superstar played by Will Ferrell, is living his best life. Fans adore him, he has a beautiful wife and he's swimming in wealth. However, everything comes crashing down when Jean Girard, the French Formula One champion played by Sacha Baron Cohen, enters the picture. With his father by his side, Ricky must claw his way back from rock bottom to the top of the podium.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby takes us on a hysterical joyride through the whirlwind life of Ricky Bobby from his birth in the back of a car (his father missed the turnoff for the hospital) to the biggest race of his life. There are touching notes in this comedy, as Ricky Bobby finds comfort in his family, learns who his true friends are and struggles to reconcile his dimished fortunes with his "if you ain't first, you're last" mindset. With heart-pounding racing sequences, and mind-blowing car maneuvers and dialogue you'll be quoting for days, Talladega Nights is a delightful fusion of adremaline and gut-busting humor. 

 

3. Cars (2006)

Cars

Tomatometer: 75%

Synopsis: On his way to California for the Piston Cup Championship, young race car Lightning McQueen falls out of his trailer and ends up in the dilapidated town of Radiator Springs. As he forms bonds with the eccentric locals, winning the championship ceases to be his top priority.
 
In the course of this heartwarming animated hit, Lightning McQueen discovers that racing is about more than speed and fame – it’s also about friendship, loyalty and determination. The action is fun, but it’s the heartfelt moments and genuine emotions that make this movie special. 
 
 

2. Rush (2013)

Rush

Tomatometer: 88%

Synopsis: It’s the mid-1970s on the Formula One circuit, and charismatic English playboy James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and meticulous Austrian perfectionist Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) have a rivalry going on. The drivers push themselves to their limits, both mentally and physically. As they burn up the track, risking their lives with every lap, the women in their lives (Olivia Wilde and Alexandria Marie Lara) can only watch.
 
Director Ron Howard takes viewers on a dizzying ride through the 1976 Formula One season, following as Hunt and Lauda jockey for the overall championship. Their contrasting approaches to racing stoke the rivalry, but also lead to an unexpected friendship. With intricately-choreographed racing sequences and masterful performances, Rush captures the passion, courage and determination of two legendary drivers.
 

1. Ford v Ferrari (2019)

Ford V Ferrari

Tomatometer: 92%

Synopsis: American automotive designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and British driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) join forces to construct a groundbreaking vehicle for Ford that can go head-to-head with Enzo Ferrari’s race cars at 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. As they design and test their car, Shelby and Miles battle corporate interference, personal demons and the very laws of physics. 
 
Ford v Ferrari follows Shelby and Miles through the development, testing and deployment of the GT40, a vehicle that would revolutionize auto racing. The action is as intense as you’d expect from a movie about racing, but the human drama at the center of the story makes the movie accessible to people who aren’t racing enthusiasts. This tribute to innovation and the pursuit of greatness is a true masterpiece.
 
 

Honorable Mentions

The Fast and the Furious

These movies just missed our list, but they're well worth checking out.

The Fast Saga: Nearly a dozen movies in, the Fast and Furious movies continue to entertain. Start with the intense street action of The Fast and the Furious (2001) and follow along as a chosen family races in progressively more innovative autos. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) is a particular highlight.

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbes & Shaw (2019): The Fast spinoff features two characters who’ve butted heads elsewhere teaming up to bring down the person behind a bio-threat that threatens to destroy humanity. There’s plenty of racing for the Fast fans, but the broad humor and over-the-top action ensures that you don’t need to catch up on the whole series to appreciate this one.

Days of Thunder (1990): A young driver (Tom Cruise) climbs the NASCAR ranks, overcoming a potentially career-ending crash with the help of his pit crew and a former rival.

Speed Racer (2008): Critics weren't fans of this Wachowski siblings movie, but it's become a cult classic.

Le Mans (1971): The 'Le Mans' of Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans. Lee Katzin directs Steve McQueen as a driver facing the racing world's hardest endurance course. 

Driven (2001): Sylvester Stallone stars as a retired driver brought out of retirement to support a talented rookie. It was panned by the critics, but if you're in the mood for a so-bad-it's-good racing movie, Driven is two hours of pure entertainment.

Looking for racing movies that take you off the racetrack?  Check out the cross-country road race antics of the Cannonball Run series or the dystopian sci-fi of Death Race 2000 (1975). 

 

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a lover of fast cars or you’re seeking adrenaline-fueled movie experiences, racing movies are sure to get your heart pounding.  The sport serves as a backdrop for every genre of film, from dramas like Rush and Ford v Ferrari, to documenaries like The 24 Hour War and Racing Dreams, to comedies like Talladega Nights and Cars. Pick one that suits your taste, buckle up and enjoy the ride!