Formula 1 and motorsport in general are ripe for exploration in movies. Audiences unfamiliar with motor racing may fail to see the appeal, but many fans will tell you there’s always drama behind the scenes. Racing is also a dangerous sport in any discipline when the entire grid is full of drivers who will do everything in their power to finish in first place.
Given the popularity of motor racing worldwide and its rich history, finding movies about the sport can be surprisingly difficult. Many fantastic action films feature great car chase scenes, but few make that aspect their focus, especially when those chases take place on a track. Audiences unfamiliar with racing may just see it as ‘cars driving in a line around a circuit,’ which can be a tough perception to break.
Fortunately, some movie directors are up to the challenge, offering great stories that showcase the highs and lows of motorsport with a Hollywood twist. Those movies have the unenviable task of catering to both experienced fans and newcomers, and the best offer something for everyone.
Some movies focus on real-world racing events or even legendary drivers like Ayrton Senna. Others focus on the behind-the-scenes controversies and the drama between teams and drivers, which can be just as exciting as the races themselves.
Whether you have encyclopedic knowledge of motor racing or just want to see cars fly past at breakneck speed, here’s a selection of movies that racing and motorsport fans are sure to enjoy.
10
The Fast And The Furious (2001)
The Fast and the Furious isn’t a traditional motorsport movie and is more of an action title with a focus on street racing. Still, the film was incredibly influential in the early 2000s. Brian’s (Paul Walker) Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX and Toyota Supra MK4 introduced many to car culture for the first time, and the story is solid to boot.
Brian is an undercover cop in the original The Fast and the Furious movie. He’s tasked with busting Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his crew, who are undertaking daring highway robberies at speed. Brian’s moral compass is tested when he becomes emotionally invested in the group.
The Fast and the Furious is an action-crime movie before it is a street-racing film. Nevertheless, its influence cannot be understated, and if audiences didn’t want Brian’s car after watching in 2001, they likely wanted a Honda Civic instead.
9
Cars (2006)
Cars might seem like a silly recommendation, since it’s a Disney-Pixar title. However, it’s one of the few movies showcasing any kind of motorsport to a younger audience, and kids will likely enjoy it more than any other movie on this list.
Lightning McQueen is an arrogant but skilled race car voiced by Owen Wilson. He gets stranded in the forgotten town of Radiator Springs after ending an important race in a tiebreaker. McQueen is eager to get back to racing and to challenge the Piston Cup, but must learn some important lessons first.
Cars offers a unique coming-of-age story with a charming Pixar twist. The movie is suitable for a multigenerational audience and is a great entry point into motorsport for any young budding fans.
8
Need For Speed (2014)
Need for Speed is an underrated street racing movie starring Aaron Paul as Tobey Marshall. He’s an ex-con who’s just served two years behind bars. He returns to the streets to take down the street racer who put him there.
The movie tells a classic revenge story with stylish racing at the helm. Marshall is after Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper). The issue is that Brewster has a lot of money and can buy influence that Marshall doesn’t have.
Need for Speed feels more grounded than the Fast and the Furious movies. It also deserves a special mention, as most of the stunts are genuine and performed by real stunt experts rather than CGI.
7
Le Mans (1971)
The Le Mans movie may be more than five decades old, but it was praised at the time for its accurate depiction of 24-hour racing. It feels like a time capsule for fans of modern motorsport, capturing the unforgiving nature of endurance racing.
The movie stars Steve McQueen as Michael Delaney and Siegfried Rauch as Erich Stahler. Both racers are from different teams, each boasting a very different racing philosophy. Those racing styles are put to the ultimate test in one of the most dangerous racing events on the planet.
Le Mans is a must-watch for motorsport fans because it feels real. Much of the footage is taken from an actual race, capturing the atmosphere and intensity of the event like few other movies can.
6
Days of Thunder (1990)
Days of Thunder isn’t as realistic as some of the other all-time great racing movies and yet, it offers an intense portrayal of NASCAR racing in the 90s, starring Tom Cruise as Cole Trickle, a fearless racer with a point to prove.
We meet Trickle as an already experienced racer, though he is a novice in NASCAR. He’s exceptional on the track, but he’s reckless in a sport that has claimed multiple lives. Trickle also forges a rivalry with another driver, Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker), as both push each other to their limits.
Days of Thunder offers the vibes you’d expect from the 90s, and the movie feels similar to Top Gun in many ways. Cruise is charismatic as ever, and his relationship with his mentor, Harry (Robert Duvall), is a highlight.
5
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
Many of the movies on this list offer semi-serious portrayals of racing, even if they aren’t all realistic. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is quite different, as it’s an action-comedy starring Will Ferrell as Ricky Bobby, a professional racer.
Bobby isn’t just good; he wants to be the best with his famous quote, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” He races alongside his friend, Cal Naughton Jr (John C. Reilly), but has a terrible crash while battling Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen).
NASCAR is a wild sport at times, and Talladega Nights captures some of that magic with a comedy twist. The movie is approachable for motorsport newcomers with plenty of jokes fans will enjoy.
4
Senna (2010)
Ayrton Senna is widely considered one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time. He was incredibly fast, even in poor conditions, and the Senna movie is a documentary about his remarkable career and untimely end.
As Senna is a documentary, it uses real archival footage. Audiences learn about Senna’s rivalry with Alain Prost and his multiple F1 championship wins. The movie also explores the legendary racer’s death following the infamous crash at the San Marino (Imola) GP in 1994.
Senna is a powerful movie that highlights the dangers of Formula 1 and the struggles drivers can face with the FIA. The movie is arguably essential viewing for fans of the sport, even if some may understandably find it a difficult watch.
3
Ford V Ferrari (2019)
Fans of motorsport know that engineers play a huge role, and the greatest teams know they have to bend the rules without breaking them egregiously. Ford v Ferrari captures that struggle like few other movies have.
The movie is based on real-life events and the rivalry between Ford and Ferrari in 1996. Ford hired Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) to beat Ferrari at endurance racing. Shelby then called upon Ken Miles (Christian Bale), an engineering savant and skilled driver, to put a bold strategy into motion.
Ford v Ferrari features many superb racing scenes, but it also demonstrates the sport at the corporate level. Bale and Damon have incredible chemistry, and the movie is arguably among the greatest racing dramas of all time.
2
F1 (2025)
F1 is the newest title on the list, starring Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes. He’s a skilled, veteran racer, but he’s also retired from the sport. A former colleague pulls him back into the fray in the hopes he will change the fate of a failing F1 team.
Hayes teams up with Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), a much younger driver. The two clash immediately, with one an old-school racer and the other relying on cutting-edge technology and data.
F1 offers a stylish portrayal of the sport to a wide audience. While some fans might argue that many aspects of the film are unrealistic, it offers a tense motorsport drama that even viewers unfamiliar with the sport can enjoy.
1
Rush (2013)
Formula 1 has seen multiple incredible rivalries over the years, and one of the greatest was between Niki Lauda and James Hunt in 1976. Rush is based on that dramatic F1 season starring Chris Hemsworth as Hunt and Daniel Brühl as Lauda.
Hunt and Lauda are both incredible racers in Rush, pushing each other to their limits. Lauda is cool and analytical, while Hunt is more brash and willing to take risks. As in real life, Lauda endured a horrific crash while racing at the Nürburgring, suffering life-changing injuries. The movie explores the racers’ relationship and rivalry, as well as the real dangers of racing.
Fans of historical F1 will enjoy Rush for its respectful portrayal of two legendary drivers. It’s a powerful story, delivered in a way that will have even newcomers invested. Hemsworth and Bruhl’s chemistry is believable, and the movie is full of intense racing scenes.