What makes a good car film is not the line-up of cars or the size of the production budget. It's the story behind it, whether real or fictitious and the skill at which the director portrays that story.
Encompassing this, we have rounded up our collection of favourite car films, which you will find below. There are no spoilers and the films are not put in any particular order or ranking.
Our favourite car films:
Le Mans (1971)
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A Steve McQueen classic where the ultimate movie star is trying to fulfil his usual obsession with authenticity. Set in 1970, the movie focuses on the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
Grand Prix (1965)
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A Hollywood epic with sensational racing scenes created by a master - John Frankenheimer.
The Italian Job (1969)
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A fun-to-watch, cheerful cult classic with a string of superb characters.
Bullitt (1968)
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Bullitt is Steve McQueen being Steve McQueen.
Le Mans '66 (2019)
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This is a based-on-a-true-story epic with, as one can tell from the cast, a budget to match.
Gone in 60 Seconds (1974)
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As a cinematic exercise, itu2019s beaten by the 2000 remake. But the original has better cars.
Fast & Furious 1-9 Box Set
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There is something so satisfying about a box set containing as much horsepower as this.
Goodbye Pork Pie (1981)
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The greatest road trip movie youu2019ve never heard of. Set in New Zealand.
Mad Max (1979)
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The u201870s Ford Falcon coupe and Holden Sandman panel van are arguably the greatest things to come from Australia and both are cast in this dark antipodean masterpiece.
Cars & Cars 2 Box Set
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A very different flavour to Mad Max, but just as good.
Ronin (1998)
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An excellent all-round film that was created with the help of someone who knew exactly what cars to use and how to choreograph a car chase.
Vanishing Point (1971)
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A wonderful film with little dialogue and superb cinematography.
Rush (2013)
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A Hollywood epic from Ron Howard that turns a racing rivalry into an exciting drama.
Love The Beast (2008)
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Eric Banau2019s film epitomises the petrolhead-machine relationship.
Taxi Driver (1976)
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A dark study of humanity where the car plays as big a part as De Niro.
The Gumball Rally (1976)
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A ridiculously excellent car race across America.
Senna (2010)
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Ayrton Senna was a genuinely interesting figure, which is why this documentary is so thoroughly engrossing.
Thelma And Louise (1991)
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Ridley Scott creates one of the best road trip films.
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