What are some of your most favorite car-themed movies? (Click on Fast & Furious 7 for a review of the last installment of this muscle car franchise.) In a fun and unofficial survey of some friends and family, these seven movies were voted as the top car-themed movies of all time. How do they match up to yours?
Christine (1983)
A nerdish boy buys a strange car with an evil mind of its own and his nature starts to change to reflect it. Directed by John Carpenter, written by Stephen King, screenplay by Bill Phillips. Starring: Keith Gordon, John Stockwell and Alexandra Paul. Rated: R, 110 mins.; action/drama/horror.
Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
The Bandit is hired on to run a tractor trailer full of beer over county lines in hot pursuit by a pesky sheriff. Directed by Hal Needham, written by Needham and Robert L. Levy, screenplay by James Lee Barrett, Charles Shyer and Alan Mandel. Starring: Burt Reynolds, Sally Field and Jerry Reed. Rated: PG, 96 mins.; action/comedy/romance.
Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)
A retired master car thief must come back to the industry and steal 50 cars with his crew in one night to save his brother’s life. Directed by Dominic Sena, written by H.B. Halicki and Scott Rosenberg. Starring: Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie and Giovanni Ribisi. Rated: PG-13, 118 mins.; action/crime/thriller.
Cars (2006)
A hot-shot racecar named Lightning McQueen gets waylaid in Radiator Springs, where he finds the true meaning of friendship and family. Directed by John Lasseter and Joe Ranft, written by Lasseter, Ranft and Jorgen Klubien, screenplay by Dan Fogelman, Lasseter, Ranft, Kiel Murray, Phil Lorin and Klubien. Starring: Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt and Paul Newman. Rated: G, 117 mins.; animation/comedy/adventure.
Grease (1978)
Good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fell in love over the summer. But when they unexpectedly discover they’re now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance? Directed by Randal Kleiser, written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, screenplay by Bronte Woodard. Starring: Stars: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and Stockard Channing. Rated: PG-13, 110 mins.; musical/romance.
Days of Thunder (1990)
A young hot-shot stock car driver gets his chance to compete at the top level. Directed by Tony Scott, written by Robert Towne and Tom Cruise, screenplay by Towne. Starring: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and Robert Duvall. Rated: PG-13, 107 mins.; action/drama/sport.
Bullitt (1968)
An all guts, no glory San Francisco cop becomes determined to find the underworld kingpin that killed the witness in his protection. Directed by Peter Yates, screenplay by Alan Trustman and Harry Kleiner. Starring: Steve McQueen, Jacqueline Bisset and Robert Vaughn. Rated: PG, 114 mins.; action/crime/mystery.
Honorable mentions:
The Italian Job 
Back to the Future 
Herbie the Love Bug
—Compiled by Christy Hinko, summaries by IMDb
