These Car Chase Scenes Will Spike Your Adrenaline
Some of the most exciting scenes in cinematic history have been car chase scenes—and these are the greatest ones of all time.
Baby Driver (2017)
Baby Driver opens up with a thrilling car chase right out of the gates. Ansel Elgort plays Miles (Baby), the talented getaway driver of a red 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX at the start of the film.
Baby Driver (2017)
Set to a groovy soundtrack, Miles calmly evades the authorities by drifting around cars, driving into oncoming traffic, and camouflaging his Subaru among similar-looking vehicles.
Death Proof (2007)
Death Proof might not be Quentin Tarantino's most lauded accomplishment, but it certainly has its golden moments. It's especially good at making the stunt workers shine—most notably stuntwoman Zoë Bell, who plays herself in the film.
Bell is the key ingredient in the stressful car chase scene.
Dimension Films, Death Proof (2007)
Death Proof (2007)
In Death Proof's unforgettable car chase scene, Zoë Bell gets audiences' adrenaline pumping when she holds onto the hood of a 70s Challenger while it races at dangerous speeds. Her expertise alone makes this a sequence worth watching.
Dimension Films, Death Proof (2007)
Vanishing Point (1971)
The 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T shines in Vanishing Point, and while there are several car chases in the film, there was one particular scene said to be the most expensive in Hollywood history.
Twentieth Century, Vanishing Point (1971)
Vanishing Point (1971)
In one sequence, the Challenger goes head to head with a Jaguar E-Type/XK-E—and it reportedly cost $1,464,454 million to make.
Twentieth Century, Vanishing Point (1971)
Lucy (2014)
Starring Scarlett Johansson, the strength of Lucy's action scenes can be attributed to the title character, who has gained powerful psychokinetic abilities. With Lucy behind the wheel, her sharp ability to handle her vehicle makes for a compelling high-speed chase through the densely packed streets of Paris.
Lucy winds between cars, expertly maneuvering around obstacles, while dramatic accidents unfold in her wake. The cherry on top? This just so happens to be her first time behind the wheel.
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
One of the strongest scenes in The Matrix Reloaded is the car chase on the highway. A fun behind-the-scenes fact is that this set was constructed especially for the film.
Warner Bros., The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
In this epic scene, the Twins chase down Trinity, Morpheus, and the Keymaker. The dramatic slo-mo segments are what makes this scene not only memorable, but also undeniably Matrix-esque.
Warner Bros., The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
The Rock (1996)
If there's one thing director Michael Bay knows how to execute, it's an explosive action scene. In The Rock, starring Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery, Bay pulled off an over-the-top car chase scene along the streets of San Francisco, complete with fiery clouds and a sprinkle of comedy.
Hollywood Pictures, The Rock (1996)
The Rock (1996)
With Cage behind the wheel of a yellow Ferrari and Connery manning a black Humvee, this dynamic duo takes on a fleet of cop cars. Does it all make sense? Well, no. But it's sure fun to watch.
Hollywood Pictures, The Rock (1996)
The Batman (2022)
There's something so smooth and elegant about the filming of The Batman's chase scene, where Batman (Robert Pattinson) pursues the Penguin (Colin Farrell). Set at night, the black tones are gorgeously contrasted with the orange street lights.
Warner Bros., The Batman (2022)
The Batman (2022)
As the chase ensues, we follow the batmobile onto a rain-drenched highway. An effective technique used throughout this sequence had the cameras actually mounted on the cars themselves.
Of course, the pinnacle of this chase is the incredibly satisfying moment when the batmobile bursts through the fire of a massive explosion.
Warner Bros., The Batman (2022)
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
The car chase scene in Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One takes place in Rome and sees our protagonist Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and Grace (Hayley Atwell) behind the wheel of a yellow Fiat 500.
As exhilarating as this sequence is, it is equally comedic, with Ethan and Grace facing the added stress of being handcuffed to one another.
Paramount, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
The Italian Job (1969)
Starring Michael Caine, The Italian Job is considered one of the best British films of all time. It also happens to have a winning car chase in its second half, featuring Mini Coopers, Jaguars, and a bus.
Paramount, The Italian Job (1969)
The Italian Job (1969)
The chase winds through Turin, Italy, with the vehicles squeezing onto pedestrian sidewalks and driving through shopping areas. Of course, people loved the film so much, Hollywood couldn't help but attempt a remake in 2003.
Paramount, The Italian Job (1969)
The Italian Job (2003)
Sometimes remakes seem utterly pointless, but in the case of the 2003 remake of The Italian Job, the highly entertaining Mini Cooper chase was well worth it.
Starring Charlize Theron and Mark Wahlberg, this film really made the Mini Cooper shine. Following its release, sales of Mini Coopers skyrocketed an estimated 20%.
Paramount, The Italian Job (2003)
Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974)
Starring Peter Fonda and Susan George, it's no wonder Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry boasts an exhilarating car chase scene. After all, the film was based on the novel, The Chase.
Twentieth Century, Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974)
Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974)
Defining details of this chase scene involve a helicopter, as well as several stunning crashes throughout—not to mention its extremely tragic end.
Twentieth Century, Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974)
To Live And Die In LA (1985)
Starring William Petersen and Willem Dafoe, To Live and Die in LA brought Los Angeles of the 80s to the big screen. The strength of its car chase scene really lies in its variety of settings.
Kicking off along the 6th Street Bridge, this chase brings viewers by the docks, through warehouses, across some train tracks, and even onto the highway.
United Artists, To Live And Die In LA (1985)
Bullitt (1968)
San Francisco really is one of the best places to film a car chase—and Bullitt, starring the legendary Steve McQueen, is a prime example. There's nothing quite like watching McQueen tearing—and flying—around in a green Mustang GT.
Solar Productions, Bullitt (1968)
Bullitt (1968)
In fact, this particular Mustang might be one of the most famous cars in Hollywood history. In 2020, it reached a selling price of a whopping $3.4 million at auction.
Solar Productions, Bullitt (1968)
Drive (2011)
The opening getaway scene of Drive, starring Ryan Gosling, is smooth and masterfully controlled—just like its cool-and-collected main character.
Drive (2011)
With the authorities on his tail, Gosling's character expertly maneuvers the roads in his Chevy Impala—beneath underpasses, down alleys, and through busy intersections. The contrast between the quiet and fast-paced moments will bring viewers right to the edge of their seats.
John Wick (2014)
Starring Keanu Reeves, John Wick is a wild ride from start to finish—and every movie from the franchise promises at least one unforgettable car chase. However, some might argue that the car chase from the first movie still holds the crown.
Summit Entertainment, John Wick (2014)
John Wick (2014)
Though the first film didn't have the grand budget of its sequels, what it managed to accomplish is applaudable. Wick pulls off some impressively controlled drifting while releasing rounds on his enemies, proving that a production doesn't necessarily need to spend a ton of money to execute an effective car chase scene.
Summit Entertainment, John Wick (2014)
The Man With The Golden Gun (1974)
Arguably, there are many car chases from the James Bond series that belong on this list, but The Man with the Golden Gun definitely deserves its flowers. After all, it has one of the most impressive car stunts in Hollywood history.
Eon Productions, The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
The Man With The Golden Gun (1974)
Featuring an AMC Hornet X, this car sequence includes a mind-blowing corkscrew jump across a river. The exact calculations for a successful jump required computer modeling. But it was still a daunting feat.
Eon Productions, The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
The Man With The Golden Gun (1974)
According to the director Guy Hamilton, "The guy who did the roll had never driven the car before or ever done it. He wasn’t concerned because as long as it had the run up, so long as it’s 48 miles per hour, the rest is automatic. You hang on, cross your fingers, and bingo he did it in one take".
Eon Productions, The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
Smokey And The Bandit (1977)
The car chase scene in Smokey and The Bandit might not be the most dramatic or visually loud, but it does have something to offer that few others do—charm. While this beloved classic promises action and comedy, it also serves up a touching love story.
Universal, Smokey And The Bandit (1977)
Smokey And The Bandit (1977)
The chemistry between Bandit and Carrie, played by Burt Reynolds and Sally Field, makes this chase scene especially enjoyable to watch. As these two whip around in 1977 Firebird, they're pursued by the authorities, including the Sheriff, Smokey, played by Jackie Gleason.
Universal, Smokey And The Bandit (1977)
The Blues Brothers (1980)
Sometimes the best car chase scenes are so unbelievable and wacky, they become the definition of pure fun. This is certainly the case with the car chase in The Blues Brothers, starring the hilarious duo of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
Universal, The Blues Brothers (1980)
The Blues Brothers (1980)
The car chase that wraps up the film is probably the funniest sequence on this entire list. Chased by the authorities, the "Blues Mobile" goes on the most bizarre adventure, with the vehicles even flying through the skies in the most dramatic (and impossible) way.
Universal, The Blues Brothers (1980)
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
The Bourne film franchise is well known for its use of the shaky cam, which hasn't always appealed to every audience. However, The Bourne Supremacy offers up one of the most frenzied and exciting car chase scenes on this list.
Universal, The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
The scene kicks off with an injured Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) fleeing from a Russian assassin and the authorities. He commandeers a taxi and is off to the races. The strength of this car chase really highlights the power of a well-utilized shaky cam.
Universal, The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
Gone In 60 Seconds (1974)
We're not talking about the 2003 remake of Gone in 60 Seconds. Nope. The best car chase scene to come out of this story can only be found in the original version—written, produced, and directed by none other than HB Halicki. Heck, he's also the lead star of the film.
H.B. Halicki Mercantile Company, Gone In 60 Seconds (1974)
Gone In 60 Seconds (1974)
The production of this film and its behind-the-scenes stories are utterly wild, especially when it comes to the very real accidents and stunts. However, what it's best known for is its epic car chase—the longest one in cinematic history.
Buckle up, because this sequence is a whopping 40 minutes long. However, that's not the craziest part.
H.B. Halicki Mercantile Company, Gone In 60 Seconds (1974)
Gone In 60 Seconds (1974)
Turns out, HB Halicki owned every civilian vehicle in the immediate background of this car chase. If you watch closely enough, you'll see the same car appear several times over throughout the long pursuit.
As well, 127 car wrecks transpired over the course of the film's production.
H.B. Halicki Mercantile Company, Gone In 60 Seconds (1974)
Fast Five (2011)
The Fast & Furious franchise has everything to do with car chases. If you have ever bought a ticket to one of these films in your lifetime, you were 100% aware of what you'd signed up for. There are so many films to choose from—but only one of them has the best car chase of the series.
Fast Five (2011)
2011's Fast Five has the most insane car chase scene, revolving around a high-stakes vault heist. Instead of pilfering what's inside the vault, the team decides to just take the whole vault. Dodge Chargers drag the massive prize down the streets of Rio, leaving unthinkable chaos in their wake.
Ronin (1998)
Starring Robert De Niro and Jean Reno, Ronin boasts a pretty intense Parisian car chase scene, which took some major manpower to bring to fruition. Not only did Jean-Pierre Jarier (a former Formula 1 pro) take part, but so did 300 stunt drivers. There were also some major car wrecks—80 in total.
Ronin (1998)
For Ronin, director John Frankenheimer brought his previous experiences with car chase scenes to the table. He'd also worked on Grand Prix—a 1966 film that demonstrated great technical prowess and even snagged some Academy Awards.
The French Connection (1971)
Director William Friedkin truly hit the nail on the head when it came to his 1971 masterpiece, The French Connection, delivering one of the most wild car chase scenes ever. Not only did he break so many rules to pull it off, but he also took some chilling risks.
Twentieth Century, The French Connection (1971)
The French Connection (1971)
By his own admission, Friedkin said, “I had no permits to do the chase scene. None…we had to pay the guy from the transit department $40,000 to shoot on the elevated train. I broke all the rules, I put myself in danger, I put the lives of others in danger, and I really didn’t care. I just felt that nothing was going to go wrong, and, by the grace of God, it didn’t".
