These Are The Underrated Car Movies We Should Be Watching

Film has been the dominant medium for over a century, transcending language barriers to share stories with audiences worldwide. While it can spotlight beloved pets, current events, or even moving stars—cars—nothing beats a great car movie for gearheads.

After asking readers to nominate underrated automotive films worth watching, the response was overwhelming. The sheer volume of suggestions made narrowing down the list a challenge, but the final selection leans on trailers and stills with proper licensing.

Among the standout picks are classics and cult favorites that deserve a second look. The Gumball Rally tops the list as the definitive no-rules cross-country race, embodying the spirit of the real-life Cannonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash.

This 1976 film delivers pure, unfiltered automotive chaos. Death Race 2000 (1975) blends action, drama, and absurdity in a transcontinental road race where points are scored for running over pedestrians—delivered with the low-budget charm of a B-movie.

Jacques Tati’s Trafic (1971) offers a comedic take on automotive culture, appealing to those who appreciate the director’s signature style. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) features some of the most iconic car scenes in cinema, including a hilarious moment where a man walks alongside his own car stuck in first gear.

For anime fans, Redline (2009) is a visually stunning sci-fi racing spectacle, hand-drawn with over 100,000 cels and zero CGI. Short Time (1990) delivers a memorable car chase scene, even if the rest of the movie is forgettable.

Maximum Overdrive (1986) isn’t strictly a car movie, but vehicles play a central role in this Stephen King adaptation. Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (1974) is a cult classic featuring a high-octane 1966 Impala and a striking yellow 1969 440 Charger, chased by a Dodge Polara interceptor.

Used Cars (1980) is a hilariously underrated comedy produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Bob Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale—before they struck gold with Back to the Future. Drive Angry (2011) rounds out the list, a film included primarily for its star, Nicolas Cage.

The comments section of the original post contains an even more extensive list of recommendations, ensuring there’s no shortage of underrated car movies to explore.