#1 Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)
Dominic Sena directed this car enthusiast favorite following Nicholas Cage’s car thief character. In exchange for his little brother’s life, the reformed car thief, Randall “Memphis” Raines, has to do the impossible: in less than three days, he has to steal not one, but fifty exotic supercars for the ruthless crime lord, Ray Calitri. To stand a chance of pulling off this intricate and time-sensitive grand theft auto, once more, Memphis has to rely on his old gang–his knowledgeable mentor, Otto; the old friends, Sphinx and Donny; his reluctant ex-girlfriend, Sway, and a band of tech-savvy young thieves–however, the police are already onto them. The film features auto favorites including Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches, and Eleanor–a rare Ford Shelby Mustang GT500.
#2 Ford V Ferrari (2019)
Winning two Academy Awards for Best Film Editing and Best Sound Editing, Christian Bale and Matt Damon follow the storyline of the iconic 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. As Enzo Ferrari’s fast Rosso-Corsa racing cars dominate the mid-1960s motorsport world, the American car designer, Carroll Shelby, is forced to retire after winning the demanding 1959 ’24 Hours of Le Mans’ endurance race. But, before long, an unexpected proposition by the Vice President of Henry Ford’s motor company, Lee Iacocca, will offer an opportunity to beat the Italians at their own game. Now, under those pressing circumstances, the British sports car driver and racing engineer, Ken Miles, reluctantly agrees to lend a hand and improve the firm’s image, as Ford’s race team has less than ninety days to rewrite history. As a result, the non-conformist duo comes up with the mighty Ford GT40 Mk I high-performance racing car.
#3 Fast and Furious (2001)
Known as one of the most well known car and racing-focused films, Los Angeles street racer Dominic Toretto falls under the suspicion of the LAPD as a string of high-speed electronics truck robberies rocks the area. Brian O’Connor, an officer of the LAPD, joins the ranks of Toretto’s highly skilled racing crew undercover to convict Toretto. However, O’Connor finds himself both enamored with this new world and in love with Toretto’s sister, Mia. As a rival racing crew gains strength, O’Connor must decide where his loyalty really lies. The franchise is arguably one of the most action-packed and cult-followed auto series.
#4 Drive (2011)
Ryan Gosling stars in his action drama following a mysterious man who has multiple jobs as a garage mechanic, a Hollywood stuntman and a getaway driver seems to be trying to escape his shady past as he falls for his neighbor – whose husband is in prison and who’s looking after her child alone. Meanwhile, his garage mechanic boss is trying to set up a race team using gangland money, which implicates our driver as he is to be used as the race team’s main driver. Our hero gets more than he bargained for when he meets the man who is married to the woman he loves.
#5 The Italian Job (1969)
Starring Michael Caine and Noël Coward, Charlie has a “job” to do. Having just left prison, he finds one of his friends has attempted a high risk job in Italy right under the nose of the Mafia. Charlie’s friend doesn’t get very far, so Charlie takes over the “job”. Using three Mini Coopers, a couple of Jaguars, and a bus, he hopes to bring Torino to a standstill, steal the gold, and escape. Serving as one of the original, popular car films, The Italian Job set the tone for racing and action Hollywood features.
