Top 10 films that feature cars

Cars have been part of our daily lives for decades and the modern world just can’t seem to live without them. Our fascination with these four wheeled vehicles has become the central theme of some of the greatest  films that feature cars ever made. Nothing is more exciting than a movie with a car chase scene. To keep our reader’s adrenaline pumped and flowing, Carmudi PH has listed some of the most popular and chart topping films whose themes are related to cars.

The Fast and the Furious

Arguably the best film franchise that centers around illegal car racing and heists, the Fast and the Furious has dashed its way straight into the hearts of film goers and car enthusiasts. What started in 2001 as one of Paul Walker’s most memorable films is now on its seventh instalment, the upcoming Furious 7, which will be out on April 3, 2015. Gross: $2.3 billion as of October 2013 (past six movies) Best car featured: 1970 Dodge Charger Actors/Actresses: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodirguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Dwayne Johnson  

Transformers

When the popular 90s cartoon Transformers was made into a film in 2007, fans of the popular toy line saw one of their dreams come true. The plot is very familiar- organic machines (Autobots and Decepticons) which can transform into awesome vehicles are led into battle to gain the mythical object, All Spark. Some of its notable characters are Optimus Prime, Bumble Bee, Megatron and Starscream. Its latest instalment, the Age of Extinction, was released in 2014 and a fifth movie is scheduled for 2016. Gross: $1.3 billion as of November 2014 (www.boxofficemojo.com) Best car featured: 2013 Bugatti Veyron (as Drift) Actors/Actresses: Mark Wahlberg, Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel  

Gone in 60 Seconds

Can you steal a luxury car in just a minute? Apparently you can in this car heist movie. The film’s synopsis is simple: the car thief protagonist is forced to steal 50 cars in just one night for a mafia boss. What follows are breathtaking car chases across Los Angeles and Long Beach, California. Gross: $237 million Best car featured: 1967 Ford Mustang (a.k.a. Eleanor) Actors/Actresses: Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie, Giovanni Ribisi, Delroy Lindo  

Bullitt

This iconic 1968 crime action film is one of Steve McQueen’s best films where his character plays a San Francisco police officer out to protect a surprise star witness in an ongoing Senate Subcommittee hearing on organized crime. What’s the best part of the film? A 9 minutes and 42 seconds pure car chase scene with cars flying over hills and screeching as they turn on tight curves. Gross: $42 million Best car featured: 1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT 2+2 Fastback Actors/Actresses: Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, Jacqueline Bisset  

Smokey and the Bandit

One of the classic American action comedy films rolled out in 1977 and was later made into a television series in the 90s. The film is about a legendary truck driver and his associate who were contracted by a businessman and his son to smuggle 400 cases of Coors Beer to Texas in 28 hours. Cops eventually got whiff of their scheme, ending in a highway game of tag with some comic scenes. Gross: $300 million Best car featured: Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Actors/Actresses: Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Mike Henry  

American Graffiti

This coming of age of film is one of the best to document the cruising rock and roll culture of 1960s teenagers, the generation that we now call the Baby Boomers. It tells the story of four soon to be high school graduates whose lives are on the brink of major change. Their lives were further intertwined because of the films multiple storylines. Gross: $140 million Best car featured: 1956 Ford Thunderbird Actors/Actresses: Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Harrison Ford  

Vanishing Point

Dubbed as one of the best car chase movies ever, Vanishing Point tells the story of Kowalski, a worker at a car delivery service. His task is to deliver a package across the country, but as fate would have it he is forced to run away from authorities and on his travels he is challenged by car racers. This is all in a day’s job for a 70s transporter. Gross: $1.585 million Best car featured: 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Actors/Actresses: Barry Newman, Cleavon Little, Dean Jagger  

The Transporter

Jason Statham plays as a mercenary who also distinguishes himself as a driver for hire that will deliver anything, anywhere with no questions asked- for the right price. This 2002 French action thriller is about a professional “transporter” who only has three rules: never change the deal, no names, and never open the package. But what if he breaks one of the rules? Gross: $100 million Best car featured: Audi A8 W12 Actors/Actresses: Jason Statham, Fracois Berleand, Shu Qi, Alessandro Gassman  

Mad Max

Set in an apocalyptic future where humanity is broken and everyone is concerned with getting supplies and resources to survive. In an age where crazy is the norm, only two people may be able to restore order- Max (played by Mel Gibson) and his companion Furiosa. Gross: $68.6 million Best car featured: Ford XB Falcon Actors/Actresses: Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Steve Bisley  

The Italian Job

We know that minicars are cute, but to be used in one of the best heist films in history gives them a different reputation altogether. Both the original 1969 film and the 2003 remake are favorites with car enthusiasts. Gross: $106.1 million Best car featured: Mini Cooper S Actors/Actresses: Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Donald Sutherland, Jason Statham