The 25 best car chases in movie history

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The Italian Job (1969)​

Peter Collinson sold the rights to The Italian Job and many years later they decided to make a new one. Unfortunately, they couldn't keep up with the original chase, which includes three Mini Coopers, a mall, and a flight of stairs. If you look closely, you'll see one of the drivers steal a pedestrian's lunch.

 

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John Wick (2014)​

Just when you think John Wick is running out of moves, he whips out "car-fu." Yes, car-fu. Wick chases down the head of a Russian crime syndicate and takes out his henchman by swerving into them at max speeds, knocking them out with the fist of his Ford.

 

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Death Proof (2007)​

Since this is a list about car chases, we've got to include Death Proof. The film is directed by Quentin Tarantino and is inspired by exploitation movies of yore, so you know there's going to be a whole lot of road rage. Tarantino's road rage is au naturel--it runs on the fumes of engines and the screams of girls.

 

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Duel (1971)​

Before Steven Spielberg made us scared of the ocean, he made us scared of the road. He took a Jaws-like approach to his original monster, an 18-wheeler that stalks Dennis Weaver up and down the desert. For a while, we only see its shadow. Then come the fangs.

 

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Police Story (1985)​

We're not talking about the dreary, middling remake also starring Jackie Chan. That one didn't have a car chase. The original Police Story has one of the great car chases, a full-steam-ahead rampage through a shantytown that sends buildings flying, extras soaring, and Mitsubishi's launching into space. How they pulled it off remains one of life's great mysteries.

 

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The Blues Brothers (1980)​

"It's 106 miles to Chicago. We got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses." With that line from Dan Aykroyd, we are given one of the most improbable car chases in movie history: cops, rival bands, Illinois Nazis and the US Army try to catch the Blues Brothers, but it's no use. They're on a mission from God.

 

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The French Connection (1971)​

If Bullit gave birth to the car chase, The French Connection gave it life. Friedkin's dashboard camera and handheld camerawork, not to mention Gene Hackman's sweaty-palmed performance, put audiences behind the wheel for the very first time. Before Connection, car chases were a joyride with our favorite stars. After Connection, they were a leering invitation to ride shotgun. Both are great, but Connection is undeniable.