As the release date of F1: The Movie starring Brad Pitt is coming near, motorsport fans and movie lovers are gearing up for a racing cinematic experience. The film, directed by Joseph Kosinski, gives an insightful view of the world of Formula 1. The movie is blended with the real racing action and drivers. This unprecedented collaboration with Formula 1 and the cinema world promises authenticity, intense rivalries, and high-octane drama to the silver screen.
However, only a few are there to appreciate the depth and legacy of motorsport cinema. Various classic and contemporary films set the stage before F1: The Movie. Few motorsport films got global recognition, and few just wrapped on the digital cinema. If you are a motorsport freak or a moviegoer, or both. Here are 10 must-watch film titles that every fan should watch to fuel their racing genre and excitement.
10 must-watch motorsport movies every fan or moviegoer should watch
Cinema is just a depiction of real-life events, but if its motorsport cinema, then legendary rivalries and the relentless pursuit of speed live on. Motorsport movies capture the adrenaline, thrills, and intensity behind the wheel. So, whether you're a fan of motorsports or not, these ten films, which span biopics, documentaries, and gripping dramas, are the ideal starter for anyone heading to the theater to see F1: The Movie.
Here’s a list of 10 must-watch motorsport movies you should watch if you like F1: The Movie.
1. Rush
Director: Ron Howard
Year Released: 2013
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Brühl, Olivia Wilde
Box Office Collection: $98.2 million
Rush is one of the most anticipated F1 movies that was released back in 2013. It is an F1 drama film that dramatizes the intense rivalry between Niki Lauda and James Hunt. The movie was mainly focused on the 1976 Formula 1 season. The ending of the film makes the audience stubborn and obsessed with the golden era of F1 racing.
2. Ford V Ferrari
Director: James Mangold
Year Released: 2019
Cast: Matt Damon, Christian Bale
Box-Office Collection: $225.5 million
The only motorsport film that ever won an Oscar for its cinematography and soundtrack. The movie depicts a real sports drama about how Ford dethroned Ferrari at the 1966 Le Mans race. Matt Damon and Christian Bale star as the protagonists team behind the birth of the Ford GT40.
3. Grand Prix
Director: John Frankenheimer
Year Released: 1966
Cast: James Garner, Eva Marie Saint
Box-Office Collection: $20 million
A masterpiece of classical movie-making set in the early days of Formula 1 racing. The movie features fictional F1 drivers through a dramatic F1 season. The real-life coverage of F1 racing with real cameras and racing footage with real crashes makes it a must-see for F1 fans.
4. Senna
Director: Asif Kapadia
Year Released: 2010
Cast: Documentary (Aryton Senna)
Box-Office Collection: $5 million
One of the most acclaimed documentaries from the motorsport genre. This motorsport documentary explores the life and legacy of 3-time F1 World Champion driver Ayrton Senna. The movie stuns audiences with archival footage and personal shoots. It's a documentary about triumph, tragedy, and the spirit of never giving up.
5. Le Mans
Director: Lee H. Katzin
Year Released: 1971
Cast: Steve McQueen, Siegfried Rauch
Box-Office Collection: $13 million
If you are an endurance racing fan, then this movie is a cult classic in the motorsport world. Steve McQueen stars in this motorsport drama. The movie is known for its realistic depiction of the most prestigious race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
6. F1: Drive To Survive
Director: Martin Webb, David Hayes, James Routh, Nick Hardie
Year Released: 2019-Present
Cast: Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Toto Wolff
Box-Office Collection: N/A
The only motorsport web series in the list that lifts the curtain behind the scenes of Formula 1 racing. It is one of the most-watched motorsport series that has made new fans engage with F1. It gives all access to unprecedented dramas, rivalries, and clauses in the realm of F1.
7. Days Of Thunder
Director: Tony Scott
Year Released: 1990
Cast: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman
Box-Office Collection: $157 million
From the producer of F1: The Movie, Days of Thunder is Jerry Bruckheimer’s first motorsport genre-produced movie. The movie cast Tom Cruise into the high-octane drama of NASCAR racing. The movie reflects the insights of stock car racing and redefined American motorsport worldwide.
8. Gran Turismo
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Year Released: 2023
Cast: Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, Orlando Bloom
Box-Office Collection: $122 million
Based on the true story of a gamer-turned-professional racing driver, Jann Mardenborough. The movie tells about the life journey of Jann and how he got involved with the racing game released by Nissan Motor Corporation named GT Racing.
9. The Art of Racing In The Rain
Director: Simon Curtis
Year Released: 2019
Cast: Milo Ventimiglia, Amanda Seyfried
Box-Office Collection: $28 million (approx.)
A sensational emotional drama inside a motorsport genre. The movie is told from a dog’s perspective about the life and happenings of a struggling race car driver. The story revolves both on and off the track, attached to family aspects of living.
10. Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby
Director: Adam McKay
Year Released: 2006
Cast: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly
Box-Office Collection: $163 million
A comedic take on NASCAR racing. The movie showcases the lives of racing car drivers living parallel to the existing world. It's fun and engaging and celebrates the chaos of motorsport.
