The cinema is full of movies dedicated to cars. From dramatic films to cartoons, many have tried to tell the golden world of racing cars and to return the adrenaline that is experienced on the track to the big screen. In the long list of automotive films, however, there are some truly unmissable titles for those with a passion for motors. Here is a selection, obviously not exhaustive.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans (1971) and Le Mans ’66 – the great challenge (2019)

Let’s start with a couple of titles dedicated to a historic race , one of the most dangerous and tiring in the world: the 24 Hours of Le Mans . These are two very different films, by type of film and by release date, even if they tell a very similar historical period, being both set in the late 60’s and early 70’s . The 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans film was a fiasco in its debut but was extensively re-evaluated afterwards. The protagonist is the legendary Steve McQueen , a true lover of engines, who here plays the role of Michael, one of the participants in the 1970 race. In Le Mans ’66 – The great challenge, on the other hand, at the center of the scene is the mythological rivalry between Ford and Ferrari , for the victory of the 1966 race. In the cast, the names of Matt Damon and Christian Bale stand out.

Rush (2013)

Rush is also the story of an incurable rivalry, this time between two top-level riders like Hunt and Lauda . The clash between the two characterized all the 70s of Formula 1, reaching its peak in the 1976 World Championship , that of the dramatic accident that disfigured Lauda forever and that Hunt won by only one point, in the last race, right in front of the Austrian.

Fast & Furious (2001)

More than a movie, Fast & Furious is a universe, made up of ten feature films, a spin off, two shorts and an animated series. The twenty-year saga, entirely focused on the world of clandestine racing , has been able to gather around it a large number of fans and enthusiasts and has helped launch the career of Vin Diesel , inextricably linked to these productions. Net of the exaggerations and the forcing of the plot, Fast & Furious remains a concentrate of adrenaline that sticks to the armchair.

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Days of Thunder (1990)

A great cast, in which the names of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman stand out, and a great direction, that of Tony Scott , are the ingredients of the success of Days of Thunder , a film that has just turned 30 years old. The film tells the story of Cole Trickle , a young and reckless racing driver, and his rivalry with Rowdy Burnes , who later became his friend.

Fast as the Wind (2016)

Among the films of cars that deserve to be seen there is also an important Italian production, Veloce come il vento , starring Stefano Accorsi . The actor plays the role of Loris De Martino , the heir to a family of track champions, who from a rally champion has turned into a drug addict with no future. For him, the opportunity for redemption comes when, after the death of his father, he decides to help his sister Giulia train for the GT Championship.

Grand Prix (1966)

Going back in time, one cannot fail to include the historic Grand Prix among the cinematic pearls dedicated to motoring, which with its three-hour duration is undoubtedly a cult for lovers of the genre. The plot sees the intertwining of the personal and sporting stories of different drivers, ready to do battle to conquer the 1966 Formula 1 world championship .

Crazy Beetle (1968)

A completely crazy beetle , the famous Disney film, is undoubtedly of a completely different tenor compared to the drama of the Grand Prix, but it is nonetheless a film that made history. It is very difficult, in fact, to find someone who has not laughed following the rambling events of the Herbie beetle, who seems to have a soul and a great desire to do his own thing.

Cars – Roaring Engines (2006)

This roundup of films for car lovers ends with another Disney masterpiece, this time in a cartoon version. The protagonist of Cars is Lightning McQueen (the tribute to Steve McQueen seems evident), a young and enterprising racing car who dreams of taking part in the Piston Cup, the most important race in the world. On his way, however, he will find numerous obstacles, to overcome which he will need many friends.

Books to read for those who love cars