The 10 Best NASCAR Movies, Including Talladega Nights & Cars

There may not be many NASCAR movies, but the ones that do exist are a rollicking good time on the racetrack. While racing is a sport the world over, and car racing is just as popular, particularly of late, thanks to Netflix’s Drive to Survive, NASCAR is uniquely American. Developed during prohibition because bootleggers had to make their cars fast enough to outrun the cops, NASCAR was born in the backwoods of America, and it still retains that uninhibited, anything-goes edge that draws millions of viewers each year.

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Cars and car chases have always been a staple of the movies. They are just a blast to see on screen, screaming through streets and deserts as the drivers try to best, beat, and occasionally, murder, one another. NASCAR movies skip any pretense and offer just what the viewers want, car racing in its purest form. Some NASCAR movies are funny, taking advantage of the specific culture that surrounds it, some are heart-pounding, but all of them are fun, and show why so many people watch these vehicles zoom around in circles for hours.

10 Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005)

Lindsay Lohan Resurrects The Herbie Franchise

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Herbie: Fully Loaded GComedyAdventureFantasyRomance

Herbie: Fully Loaded, directed by Angela Robinson, follows Maggie Peyton as she becomes the owner of Herbie, a Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own. Maggie embarks on a journey to transform Herbie into a NASCAR competitor, blending adventure and automotive excitement in this family-friendly feature.

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*Availability in US Director Angela Robinson Release Date June 22, 2005 Cast Lindsay Lohan , Michael Keaton , Matt Dillon , Breckin Meyer , Justin Long , Cheryl Hines , Jimmi Simpson , Scoot McNairy , Thomas Lennon , Jill Ritchie , Jeremy Roberts , E.E. Bell , Peter Pasco , Mario Larraza , Patrick Cranshaw , Wendi McLendon-Covey , Amy Hill , Mark Deklin Runtime 100 Minutes Expand

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The Herbie movie franchise began back in 1968 and Herbie: Fully Loaded is the sixth movie in the series. The titular Volkswagen Beetle is a racecar with a mind of its own, able to make its own decisions on and off the track. In Herbie: Fully Loaded, Maggie Peyton (Lindsay Lohan) is the youngest member of the Peyton racing dynasty, about to enter the workforce with ESPN. However, the discovery of Herbie in a junkyard inspires her to pursue her dreams and become a racecar driver.

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While Herbie: Fully Loaded may be one of the slighter Disney movies, it’s still a lot of fun and has an impressive cast including Justin Long, Michael Keaton, Matt Dillon, and Lindsay Lohan in one of her last roles before her years in the wilderness, from which she’s only just emerging. The film also features plenty of NASCAR cameos, including Tony Stewart, J. J. Yeley, and Allen Bestwick.

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9 Six Pack (1982)

A Washed-Up Racer Has One More Chance On The Track

Six Pack PGComedyDramaSport

Six Pack follows race car driver Brewster Baker, played by Kenny Rogers, who discovers a group of orphaned kids stripping his car for parts. As he learns their predicament, Brewster decides to take them under his wing. Directed by Daniel Petrie, this 1982 film blends themes of camaraderie, redemption, and the unlikely bond formed between a seasoned driver and a motley crew of children.

Director Daniel Petrie Release Date July 16, 1982 Cast Kenny Rogers , Diane Lane , Erin Gray , Barry Corbin , Terry Kiser , Bob Hannah , Tom Abernathy , Robbie Fleming Runtime 108 Minutes

After his 1978 hit, The Gambler, it felt like Kenny Rogers was everywhere, and he entered Hollywood with his starring role in Six Pack, a NASCAR comedy featuring Rogers as Brewster Baker. Brewster is a down-on-his-luck driver looking for a sponsor. As he travels across America, parts of his car are stolen by a group of orphans, the titular “six-pack”, and Brewster decides to adopt the kids as his racing partners as they compete against the corrupt law enforcement in the area.

Anthony Michael Hall and Diane Lane also appear in early roles as the orphans. It’s a ridiculous romp that has a surprising amount of heart and Rogers plays the beleaguered driver well. The end of the film also features real footage of the 1982 NASCAR Coca-Cola 500, a race won by Darrell Waltrip.

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8 Stroker Ace (1983)

Reynolds Charms In This Racing Comedy

Stroker Ace PGActionComedyRomance

Stroker Ace is a sports-comedy film directed by Hal Needham, featuring Burt Reynolds as a talented yet reckless NASCAR driver. The story follows Stroker Ace as he battles personal and professional challenges, including a contentious relationship with his demanding sponsor Clyde Torkle, played by Ned Beatty. With his loyal mechanic and on-and-off love interest by his side, Stroker navigates the ups and downs of the racing circuit.

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*Availability in US Director Hal Needham Release Date July 1, 1983 Cast Burt Reynolds , Ned Beatty , Jim Nabors , Parker Stevenson , Loni Anderson , John Byner , Frank O. Hill , Cassandra Peterson Runtime 96 Minutes

Stroker Ace is an action comedy sports film from director Hal Needham starring Burt Reynolds as the titular Stroker Ace, a NASCAR driver who is as talented as he is pompous. After embarrassing his sponsor for the last time, Stroker sets out to find a new sponsor and lands a deal with a chicken company that ends up being a problem for him, forcing him to have to figure a way out of his bad deal.

Needham and Reynolds had collaborated before on other car-themed movies including, Smokey and the Bandit and The Cannonball Run, and Stroker Ace is a a bit of a worse version of those two films. Reynolds is not giving the greatest effort, but it still manages to be a fun time, and even when Reynolds is not giving it his all, he’s still effortlessly charming to make any scene work.

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7 Red Line 7000 (1965)

Real Life And Film Crash Together

Red Line 7000 ApprovedActionDramaSport

Red Line 7000 is a 1965 drama directed by Howard Hawks focusing on the lives of NASCAR drivers and their romantic entanglements. The film stars James Caan, Laura Devon, Gail Hire, and Charlene Holt, exploring themes of competition, love, and the personal challenges faced by those in the high-risk world of auto racing.

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*Availability in US Director Howard Hawks Release Date November 9, 1965 Cast James Caan , Laura Devon , Gail Hire , Charlene Holt , John Robert Crawford , Marianna Hill , Skip Ward , Norman Alden Runtime 110 Minutes

In Red Line 7000, legendary director Howard Hawks introduces a racing team run by Pat Kazarian (Norman Alden). Pat’s team has seen some grim crashes of late and has had to bring on new, but hungry, racers to try and turn around his team’s chances. The racers have another reason for wanting to be on Pat’s team, his alluring sister, Julie Kazarian (Laura Devon).

Red Line 7000
uses real-life race and crash footage interspersed throughout the film to make for an explosive and harrowing ride.

Red Line 7000 uses real-life race and crash footage interspersed throughout the film to make for an explosive and harrowing ride. Hawks cast many newcomers in the film, including James Caan as Mike Marsh, who had only been in one film previously. There are a lot of soap opera-y elements to the film with everyone trying to have a relationship with someone else, but it never takes itself too seriously and is as light on its feet as the racers are on the road.

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6 Speedway (1968)

Elvis And Nancy Sinatra Party On The Racetrack

Speedway GComedyMusicRomance

Speedway is a 1968 film featuring Elvis Presley as a race car driver who finds himself pursued by a determined tax auditor, played by Nancy Sinatra, aiming to resolve his financial discrepancies. Set against the backdrop of competitive auto racing, the film blends drama with lighthearted romance.

Director Norman Taurog Release Date June 7, 1968 Cast Elvis Presley , Nancy Sinatra , Bill Bixby , Gale Gordon , William Schallert , Victoria Paige Meyerink , Ross Hagen , Carl Ballantine , Poncie Ponce , Harry Hickox , Christopher West , Beverly Powers , Richard Petty , Buddy Baker , Cale Yarborough , Dick Hutcherson , Tiny Lund , G.C. Spencer , Roy Mayne , Harper Carter , Bob Harris , Michelle Newman , Dana Brown , Courtney Brown , Patti Jean Keith Runtime 94 minutes Expand

Speedway stars Elvis Presley and Nancy Sinatra, in her final film role, as Steve Grayson and Susan Jacks. Steve is a NASCAR driver with a heart of gold who uses his frequent winnings to help his friends and family. When his manager accidentally loses all his money, Steve is assigned an IRS agent, Susan Jacks, to ensure he pays back all his taxes. As she keeps a close eye on him, she can’t help but fall in love too.

There’s plenty of racing and singing in Speedway, with much of the movie filmed at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It even features some of the most notable racers of the time in cameos, including Richard Petty, Buddy Baker, Cale Yarborough, Tiny Lund, and others. Speedway is classic Presley fare, and any NASCAR fan will find it an easy entry into the King’s filmography.

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5 Cars (2006)

What If NASCAR Had Feelings?

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8/10 Cars GAnimationAdventureComedyFamilySport

Cars is a 2006 animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios. Directed by John Lasseter, the film follows Lightning McQueen, a race car who ends up in the small town of Radiator Springs on his way to a major racing event. As he repairs the damaged road, he forms unexpected friendships that teach him valuable life lessons. The movie features the voices of Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, and Bonnie Hunt.

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*Availability in US Director John Lasseter , Joe Ranft Release Date June 8, 2006 Cast Owen Wilson , Paul Newman , Bonnie Hunt , Larry the Cable Guy , Cheech Marin , Tony Shalhoub Runtime 116 minutes

Cars has always been considered a bit of a stumbling block in a string of fantastic Pixar movies, but looking back, it has a bit more to offer than the rest of the Cars franchise ended up suggesting. The first film is a simple story. Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) is a famous racecar who gets lost on his way to the next big race. In Radiator Springs, Lightning learns a thing or two about humility and hard work and even gets some legitimate racing tips along the way.

Bob Costas, Darrell Waltrip, Humpy Wheeler, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are just a few NASCAR and sports personalities who voice car versions of themselves in
Cars
​​​​​​.

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Beautifully animated, as would be expected, Cars has a much more modern and conventional wisdom and tone than other Pixar movies, which compete to be as unique as possible. However, with convention comes some incredible action and racing sequences that feel and sound real. The cars may be animated, but this is some of the best NASCAR racing on screen.

4 Logan Lucky (2017)

Steven Soderbergh’s NASCAR Heist Is A Blast

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8.5/10 Logan Lucky PG-13CrimeActionComedy

Logan Lucky is a comedy-heist film by Steven Soderbergh, the director behind the Ocean’s Eleven series. The Logans are a blue-collar family from the hills of West Virginia, and their clan has been famous for its bad luck for nearly 90 years. But the conniving Jimmy Logan decides it’s time to turn the family’s luck around, and with a bit of help from his friends, the “Redneck Robbers,” he plans to steal $14 million from the Charlotte Motor Speedway on the busiest race day of the year.

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*Availability in US Director Steven Soderbergh Release Date August 18, 2017 Cast Channing Tatum , Adam Driver , Daniel Craig , Farrah Mackenzie , Jim O’Heir , Riley Keough , Rebecca Koon , Katie Holmes Runtime 118 Minutes Budget $29 million

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Steven Soderbergh moved the heist movie style that he perfected with the Ocean’s movies to the world of NASCAR with Logan Lucky and the setting breathes new life into the format. Brothers Jimmy (Channing Tatum) and Clyde Logan (Adam Driver) hatch a plan to rob Charlotte Motor Speedway using Jimmy’s knowledge of the underground tunnel system below the track to their benefit. They enlist the help of their younger sister Mellie (Riley Keough) and an old safecracker, Joe Bang (Daniel Craig), in the process.

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Logan Lucky
never lets off the gas and its constant twists can be hard to keep up with, but make their solutions all the more gratifying once they’re revealed.

Logan Lucky never lets off the gas and its constant twists can be hard to keep up with, but make their solutions all the more gratifying once they’re revealed. Every actor is doing some of their best work and while the film may at points appear to be mocking NASCAR fandom, it’s a loving teasing that comes from a place of understanding.

3 Days Of Thunder (1990)

Top Gun On The Black Top

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9/10 Days of Thunder PG-13SportActionDrama

Days of Thunder, directed by Tony Scott, stars Tom Cruise as Cole Trickle, a young and talented race car driver entering the high-stakes world of NASCAR. The 1990 film follows Trickle’s journey as he forms a pivotal partnership with legendary crew chief Harry Hogge, portrayed by Robert Duvall. Together, they navigate the competitive circuit, facing fierce rivalries and personal challenges in their pursuit of victory.

Director Tony Scott Release Date June 27, 1990 Cast Tom Cruise , Nicole Kidman , Robert Duvall , Randy Quaid , Cary Elwes , Michael Rooker , Fred Thompson , John C. Reilly Runtime 117 Minutes

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Days of Thunder might feel like a Top Gun knockoff, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worthwhile. There are much worse films to knockoff. In Tony Scott’s NASCAR sports drama, Tom Cruise stars as Cole Trickle, a young driver who is recruited to Chevrolet despite not knowing the ins and outs of the sport. Rivals turn to friends, partners turn to enemies, and Cole learns how to succeed on the track in rip-roaring fashion.

Days of Thunder is a quintessential Tony Scott movie and shows off his knack for balancing ensemble casts, extended action sequences, and not a small amount of heart. It may not be the greatest performance of Cruise’s career, but it’s a unique one in its groundedness and focus. It’s a solidly built, engaging from start to finish sports film that perfectly mirrors the reasons why fans enjoy the sport so much.

2 The Last American Hero (1973)

The True Story Of Junior Johnson

The Last American Hero PGDramaSport

The Last American Hero (1973) follows the true story of stock car racing legend Junior Johnson. Directed by Lamont Johnson, the film stars Jeff Bridges as Johnson, capturing his rise from moonshine runner to national racing icon. Featuring performances by Valerie Perrine and Geraldine Fitzgerald, the movie provides a dramatic glimpse into the grit and determination that defined Johnson’s early career and the American spirit.

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*Availability in US Director Lamont Johnson Release Date July 27, 1973 Cast Jeff Bridges , Valerie Perrine , Geraldine Fitzgerald , Ned Beatty , Gary Busey , Art Lund , Ed Lauter , William Smith Runtime 95 Minutes

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The Last American Hero is based on the true story of Junior Johnson, called Elroy Jackson, Jr. (Jeff Bridges), in the film. When Elroy’s father goes to prison for running moonshine, the preternaturally talented racer Elroy decides to start entering stock car races, moving his way up to bigger and bigger competitions. Along the way, he gets himself into dangerous accidents, supports his family and friends, makes rivals, and strikes up a romance with a race organizer named Marge (Valerie Perrine).

The film is specifically based on journalist Tom Wolfe’s essay “The Last American Hero Is Junior Johnson. Yes!”

Jeff Bridges is the perfect person to play the dashing, devil-may-care Elroy, and he has the confidence to look like a legitimate driver behind the wheel. The Last American Hero is a thrilling adventure ride, with cheer-worthy moments throughout. The fact it’s all based on a real man who perfectly embodies the NASCAR spirit makes it a must-watch for motorsports fans.

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1 Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby (2006)

Will Ferrell Lets It All Hang Out On The Racetrack

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10/10 Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby PG-13ComedySport

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is a 2006 comedy directed by Adam McKay, starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. Ferrell plays a successful NASCAR driver who almost loses his family, best friend, and his career when a French Formula One driver attempts to take his number one spot in the world of racing.

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*Availability in US Director Adam McKay Release Date August 4, 2006 Cast Will Ferrell , John C. Reilly , Sacha Baron Cohen , Gary Cole , Michael Clarke Duncan , Leslie Bibb , Jane Lynch , Amy Adams Runtime 108 Minutes Budget $72.5 Million

An absurd joke, a ridiculous premise, and some insane acting, Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby does not exactly celebrate NASCAR, but if asked to point to the movie closest associated with the sport, Talladega Nights is likely to be the most common answer. This Adam McKay and Will Ferrell reunion stars Ferrell as Ricky Bobby, a Jesus-loving, KFC-eating, in-law-hating, NASCAR driver without a worry in the world. That is until he crashes on the course and has to get his mojo back.

It’s Anchorman on the racetrack and Ferrell is at his wildest, surrounded by equally Looney Tunes characters played by John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, Leslie Bibb, and Jane Lynch to name a few. The intro to the film includes a fake quote attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt, “America is built on speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed.” That quote might be fake, but a lot of love for the sport was built on a NASCAR movie about Ricky Bobby and his pals at Talladega.

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