Top 10 Best Racing Movies of All Time

1-10

Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - September 19th 2025, 23:55 GMT+2

Cropped The Fast and the Furious 2001 — 10. The Fast and the Furious (2001)

Street racing, heists, and family drama – *The Fast and the Furious* zipped onto screens with a roar and absolutely changed the game. Dom Toretto’s black ’70 Dodge Charger or Brian’s flashy imports aren’t just cars, they’re statements: muscle vs. style, speed vs. loyalty. The plot may be a bit thin in places, but once the tires start squealing, who really cares? The midnight races feel sweaty, fast, and real, like you can almost smell the burnt rubber. It’s the film that turned underground car culture into a billion-dollar franchise and made “NOS” a household word. Love it or roll your eyes, this one left tire marks on movie history. | © Universal Pictures

Cars 2006 — 9. Cars (2006)

Pixar went full-throttle into racing with *Cars*, giving us Lightning McQueen, the Piston Cup, and a pit crew of talking vehicles. It’s bright, it’s funny, and it’s loaded with visual Easter eggs for car nerds and kids alike. Radiator Springs steals the show, with more warmth and personality than most blockbuster leads. Yes, the story is a little predictable, but the details – the Hudson Hornet, the Route 66 vibes, and the dazzling race animations – make it worth the ride. *Cars* proves that racing doesn’t always need grit and grease; sometimes, it needs heart, friendship, and a tow truck who can steal a scene. | © Pixar Animation Studios

Cropped Heart Like a Wheel 1983 — 8. Heart Like a Wheel (1983)

Few racing films hit harder than *Heart Like a Wheel*, the true story of drag racing pioneer Shirley Muldowney. It skips the glam and goes straight for the grit, showing just how brutal, exhausting, and isolating the sport can be. The dragsters themselves roar with dangerous energy, and every race feels like a gamble with fire. Watching Shirley fight for respect in a male-dominated world makes the victories land even harder. It may not have the glossy polish of modern racing films, but it has authenticity in spades. For pure determination and smoke-filled track drama, this one deserves its place on the grid. | © 20th Century Fox

Cropped Ford v Ferrari 2019 — 7. Ford v Ferrari (2019)

Racing purists and casual fans alike can’t help but get swept up in *Ford v Ferrari*. Matt Damon and Christian Bale bring Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles to life with banter, brilliance, and just the right amount of stubbornness. The Ford GT40’s battles against Ferrari at Le Mans are staged with pulse-pounding precision, making the audience feel every gear shift and screech. Sure, the corporate politics sometimes slow things down, but the moment the cars hit the track, it’s pure cinema. Sleek, loud, and surprisingly heartfelt, this one balances drama and horsepower beautifully. | © 20th Century Fox

Cropped Days of Thunder 1990 — 6. Days of Thunder (1990)

Hotshot rookie Cole Trickle (yes, that name) storms onto the NASCAR circuit in *Days of Thunder*, and Tom Cruise delivers exactly the kind of over-the-top energy you’d expect. The stock cars are loud, colorful, and dangerously fast, with crashes that look and feel bone-rattling. Is the story cliché? Absolutely – but sometimes clichés work when paired with roaring engines and 200 mph showdowns. The rivalries are fiery, the romance is melodramatic, and the racing is just plain fun to watch. It’s popcorn cinema with a throttle wide open. | © Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Cropped Grand Prix 1966 — 5. Grand Prix (1966)

Few films capture the glamour and grit of Formula One quite like *Grand Prix*. Sweeping camera work pulls you right into the race, giving an almost documentary-like feel to every turn and crash. James Garner leads a cast that feels larger than life, embodying the fearless spirit of the sport. The visuals, combined with an unforgettable score, create an experience that still feels fresh decades later. It’s a film that doesn’t just show racing – it makes you feel the speed in your bones. | © Cherokee Productions

Cropped Le Mans 1971 1 — 4. Le Mans (1971)

With *Le Mans*, Steve McQueen cemented his status as the king of cool, steering one of cinema’s most authentic racing experiences. Shot on location during the actual 24-hour race, the movie immerses you in the rhythm of endurance racing like no other. The roar of engines, the tension of pit stops, and the sight of cars streaking through the night combine into pure cinematic adrenaline. It’s not just a racing film – it’s a love letter to motorsport itself. | © Cinema Center Films

Cropped F1 movie 2025 — 3. F1 (2025)

Bringing the thrill of modern Formula One to the big screen, F1 delivers spectacle on a whole new level. Mixing real Grand Prix footage with a gripping fictional story, the film makes every corner, every crash, and every overtake feel larger than life. Brad Pitt and a stellar cast give the drama emotional weight, but it’s the authenticity of the racing that steals the show. With stunning camerawork and sound design, this movie is set to become the definitive F1 experience for fans and newcomers alike. | © Apple Studios

Cropped Rush 2013 — 2. Rush (2013)

*Rush* dives headfirst into the legendary rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda, capturing both the glamour and danger of 1970s Formula One. Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl shine in performances that are as magnetic as the story itself. The racing sequences are breathtaking, blending raw speed with emotional stakes that keep you on the edge of your seat. Every frame pulses with energy, making it one of the most exhilarating sports films ever made. | © Cross Creek Pictures

Cropped redline 2009 — 1. Redline (2009)

Hand-drawn animation meets nitro-fueled chaos in *Redline*, one of the most stylish racing films ever made. Every frame bursts with color, energy, and detail, turning intergalactic racing into a wild feast for the eyes. The story follows JP, a daredevil racer with more guts than luck, as he takes on the legendary Redline competition – where rules don’t exist and survival isn’t guaranteed. What sets this film apart isn’t just the over-the-top action, but the sheer craftsmanship: it took seven years to make, and you can feel that devotion in every explosion, drift, and screeching turn. *Redline* doesn’t just entertain; it overwhelms the senses and redefines what an animated racing film can be. | © Madhouse

1-10

From roaring engines to heart-stopping finishes, racing movies have a way of getting your adrenaline pumping like few other genres can. Whether it’s the gritty realism of street racing, the high-stakes drama of Formula 1, or the sheer fun of underdog stories, these films capture the thrill of speed and the passion behind the wheel. Over the years, some racing movies have stood out above the rest – combining unforgettable performances, iconic cars, and edge-of-your-seat action. In this list, we’re counting down the top 10 best racing movies of all time, celebrating the films that left tire marks not just on the asphalt, but on cinema history itself.