22 Top Car Movies That Aren't Part of the Fast & Furious Series

While “thrilling” might be a stretch by today’s standards, The Big Wheel stands as a classic example of a car-racing film from an era predating muscle cars and advanced film technology. The movie features exciting action centered around the post-WWII Indianapolis 500, blending special effects with authentic vintage racing footage to create a captivating experience. The story follows a young driver (played by Mickey Rooney!) who partners with his father’s former mechanic to chase glory at the Indy 500—a tale steeped in sports-movie drama.

Where to stream: Prime Video, Sling TV, YouTube

If you’re in the mood for car chases served with a generous helping of humor, this film delivers. Featuring one of the most star-studded casts ever assembled, the story revolves around a chaotic race to claim a $350,000 prize. Renowned director Stanley Kramer (Judgement at Nuremberg, Inherit the Wind) decided to venture into comedy, bringing together icons like Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, and countless others. They portray ordinary individuals whose greed drives them to increasingly absurd lengths to outpace their rivals in reaching the buried treasure hidden in a state park.

While the car chases are primarily comedic, they are plentiful—and there’s no rule stating a car movie can’t embrace absurdity. The film’s seemingly straightforward premise of gathering stars and sending them on a wild race has had a profound influence on the genre.

Where to stream: Digital rental

1966 was a pivotal year for racing, both in reality and on the silver screen. While Ford v Ferrari revisits the 24 Hours of Le Mans from that year, John Frankenheimer’s Grand Prix captures a dramatized version of the Formula One season. The narrative follows four drivers at various career stages as they grapple with the personal sacrifices demanded by the sport. What sets the film apart is its dedication to authenticity.

Frankenheimer filmed during actual F1 events, seamlessly integrating real footage with on-location stunts, often disrupting races to achieve his vision. Cameos by F1 stars of the time lend the racetrack sequences an almost documentary-like quality. The movie earned three Oscars for its technical prowess in capturing the intensity of racing, marking the dawn of a more contemporary era in car films.

Where to stream: Digital rental

By the time Steve McQueen starred in this iconic car film, he was already cementing his status as the “king of cool.” His reputation was further solidified by an unforgettable ten-minute car chase through San Francisco’s streets, featuring McQueen—a real-life racing enthusiast—behind the wheel of a striking 1968 Mustang GT 390.

While it’s often said, “they don’t make ‘em like that anymore,” this film truly embodies that sentiment. Eschewing special effects and explosions, it relies on breathtaking stunt driving and a gripping plot to deliver genuine thrills. Its authenticity stands in stark contrast to today’s CGI-heavy, spectacle-driven films.

Where to stream: Digital rental

While the 2003 remake is commendable, the original Italian Job remains the definitive choice for a cross-European comedic heist. Starring Michael Caine with a Quincy Jones score, the film uniquely features both Noël Coward and Benny Hill. However, it’s the legendary Turin climax that truly sets it apart: teams in Mini Coopers loaded with gold navigate a traffic-light blackout to outmaneuver the police. This iconic scene even inspired an annual charity event where enthusiasts retrace the film’s route in similar vehicles.

Where to stream: Prime Video, Paramount +

Kowalski doesn’t need rest. The car delivery driver plans to fuel up on stimulants and drive nonstop. On a Friday night, he wagers that he can deliver a white 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T across the country by Sunday, a day ahead of schedule. What unfolds is essentially a drug-fueled, feature-length chase, punctuated by encounters with a gay hitchhiker, a nude motorcyclist, and a helpful DJ portrayed by Cleavon Little (famous for Blazing Saddles).

With its exaggerated action and controversial ending, the film has become a quintessential cult classic, influencing directors like Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino, who paid homage to it in 2007’s Death Proof. More on that later.

Where to stream: Digital rental

While overshadowed by the Nicholas Cage-led, Jerry Bruckheimer-produced remake, the 1974 original was a box office hit and is often hailed as one of the most destructive car films ever made. The story follows a group of car thieves tasked with stealing 48 vehicles in just a few days, but the film’s crowning achievement is its 40-minute chase sequence. The independent production invested heavily in purchasing over a hundred cars, most of which were demolished in action scenes filmed with far less concern for safety than modern standards would allow.

Where to stream: Vudu, Tubi

Before Mad Max hit the screens, David Carradine led this dystopian car film set in the grim future of the year 2000. In a totalitarian U.S., the government distracts the masses with a brutal transcontinental race featuring flamboyant cars and drivers with names like Frankenstein, Machine Gun Joe, Matilda the Hun, and Nero the Hero. Much like the later video games “Grand Theft Auto” and “Carmageddon,” competitors earn extra points for eliminating rivals and pedestrians in increasingly violent ways.

The plot revolves around rebel Thomasina Paine (yes, the name is intentional), who aims to dismantle the race and the oppressive regime. However, director Roger Corman’s focus remains firmly on delivering relentless, brutal action.

Where to stream: Prime Video, Tubi

The finest car movies weave their action into compelling characters and plots that amplify the tension when the engines roar. However, sometimes simplicity reigns supreme, and no film captures this better than Claude LeLoch’s 1976 short. The prolific French director’s work is a masterclass in pure, unfiltered driving excitement.

Filmed in a single take with a camera mounted on a Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9, LeLoch personally navigated the streets of Paris at dawn, speeding past iconic landmarks while blatantly disregarding traffic laws. Reportedly reaching speeds of up to 125 mph, the resulting eight-minute sequence is nothing short of exhilarating. Recently restored, the film even inspired a follow-up shot in Monaco just last year.

Where to stream: Vimeo, YouTube

Though it may not enjoy the same fame as its successors (perhaps due to the absence of Burt Reynolds), The Gumball Rally pioneered the comedy road race genre that flourished in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s (Smokey and the Bandit, Cannonball Run, Convoy, etc.). The plot is straightforward: a wealthy candy magnate organizes a no-holds-barred coast-to-coast race, inviting friends and car enthusiasts to compete in a variety of vehicles, including an AC Cobra, Ferrari Daytona, and Porsche 911, all while evading the police. The film inspired countless real-life races worldwide, albeit with slightly more regulation.

Where to stream: Digital rental

In the 1970s, the allure of Coors beer was enough to spark wild adventures. Burt Reynolds, alongside Sally Field, embarks on a high-speed journey from Texarkana to Atlanta in a Pontiac Trans Am, diverting attention from a truckload of smuggled beer. Hot on their trail is Jackie Gleason. The film’s most iconic moment features a rocket-assisted jump over a defunct bridge, a stunt performed by director Hal Needham himself. Topped with one of the catchiest theme songs ever, the movie remains a cultural touchstone.

Where to stream: Digital rental

Professional racing has historically lacked diversity, a fact rooted in systemic issues like racism. However, Black Americans have made significant contributions to the sport, with Wendell Scott leading the way as the first Black racer to win a Grand National race in NASCAR and later being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Greased Lightning, featuring Richard Pryor in a rare dramatic role alongside Beau Bridges and Pam Grier, chronicles Scott’s journey. While the film takes creative liberties with his life, focusing on personal struggles, it also delivers thrilling racing sequences that highlight a story deserving of recognition.

Where to stream: Prime Video

William Friedkin’s neo-noir thriller isn’t strictly a car movie, but it secures its place on this list with one of the most breathtaking car chases of the 1980s. Friedkin tasked stunt coordinator Buddy Joe Hooker with creating a sequence to surpass the iconic chase in his earlier film, The French Connection. The result is a high-stakes pursuit featuring an Impala speeding the wrong way on a Los Angeles freeway, dodging hundreds of oncoming vehicles. Friedkin even had lead actor William Petersen perform some of the driving, capturing genuine reactions that add to the scene’s intensity.

Where to stream: Digital rental

It’s no shock that Days of Thunder feels like Top Gun on a NASCAR circuit, given it reunites the same director, producers, and star. Tom Cruise plays Cole Trickle, a charismatic open-wheel racing champion aiming to conquer the Indianapolis 500, much like Mickey Rooney in The Big Wheel. To achieve his goal, Trickle needs a top-tier car and the support of a neurosurgeon (Nicole Kidman) who aids his recovery after a devastating crash. The film’s authenticity is bolstered by real racing footage captured on actual tracks with professional drivers, though the dialogue often pales in comparison to the on-track realism.

Where to stream: Prime Video, Hulu, Sling TV

While not a traditional “car” movie, Ridley Scott’s Thelma & Louise earns its place as a quintessential road film and a gripping buddy crime drama. The 1966 Ford Thunderbird, driven by Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, becomes an iconic symbol of their desert escape. Though the film lacks high-speed chases, it delivers one of cinema’s most unforgettable moments in its climactic final scene, where Louise decisively presses the accelerator.

Where to stream: Prime Video, Sling TV

Director John Frankenheimer once again demonstrates that the best car chases rely on practical effects rather than CGI. Drawing on techniques honed during Grand Prix in 1966, Frankenheimer filmed realistic chase sequences in Paris and Nice. Stars like Robert De Niro and Jean Reno received high-performance driving lessons, and the cameras captured them inside vehicles even when professional Formula One drivers were at the wheel. While the plot—centered on operatives hired to steal a mysterious briefcase—is compelling, the film is best remembered for its adrenaline-pumping chases featuring BMWs, Peugeots, and a Mercedes-Benz 500 E.

Where to stream: Prime Video, Sling TV

High-speed tofu delivery might not sound like the premise for an adrenaline-fueled action film, but that’s exactly what Initial D delivers. Based on the popular Japanese manga, this Hong Kong-produced adaptation, directed by Andy Lau of Infernal Affairs fame, stays true to its Japanese setting. While the film includes its share of teen drama, the heart of the story lies in its thrilling downhill drifting sequences—and, of course, tofu delivery.

Where to stream: Netflix

Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof pays tribute to the gritty, low-budget exploitation films of the past, a hallmark of his filmmaking style. The plot centers on ‘Stuntman Mike,’ a serial killer who modifies his 1971 Chevy Nova SS with a roll cage and other enhancements to survive extreme crashes while targeting his victims. His reign of terror meets its match when he encounters a trio of women, including two fearless stunt drivers, who turn the tables on him.

Where to stream: Digital rental

Nicolas Winding Refn’s 2011 film Drive achieved a rare feat: it captivated both critics, who hailed it as one of the year’s best, and action enthusiasts. Drawing inspiration from the effortless cool of Steve McQueen’s Bullitt, Ryan Gosling stars as “Driver,” a Hollywood stuntman by day and a getaway driver by night, operating a custom 1973 Chevy Chevelle Malibu. His life takes a turn when he grows close to his neighbor, leading him into a classic noir-style heist gone wrong. With its retro aesthetic and stunning stunt work, the film has earned its place as a modern classic.

Where to stream: Digital rental

George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road is a triumphant return to the post-apocalyptic world he first created, this time centering on the unforgettable Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron). Fleeing from the tyrannical Immortan Joe with his captive brides, Furiosa’s journey across a desolate wasteland is both a relentless car chase and a modern western. The film’s vehicles, like the “Gigahorse”—a fusion of two 1959 Cadillacs on a massive truck chassis—are as real as they are outrageous. Praised by critics and audiences alike, the film earned a well-deserved Best Picture nomination.

Where to stream: HBO Max

As the newest entry on this list and only the second car film to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination, Ford v Ferrari delivers thrilling racing sequences while recounting the true story of automotive designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale). Tasked by Ford to develop the GT40, their goal is to dethrone Ferrari at the 1966 Le Mans race. The film meticulously recreates historic racing moments, showcasing a variety of classic cars in action.

Where to stream: HBO Max, Prime Video