Who doesn’t love a good car chase?! There are plenty of them on celluloid – ever since Buster Keaton and The Three Stooges, Hollywood has been obsessed with automobiles in pursuit. The art of a car chase scene can be matched only by the art on movie posters. Whether foreign or domestic, people take film advertisements very seriously – so much so that millions have been spent on special edition film posters. We didn’t spend a dime on these images – but we did take the time to browse our favorite Car-Themed movie posters.

10. The Transporter Series

We at Automopedia have always loved how you can line up the three Transporter posters and watch Statham do his thing, with or without an Audi.

9. Duel

Leave it to a story by Stephen King and film by young unknown Stephen Spielberg to create a creep looking advertisement.

8. Vanishing Point

Fiery car crashes and naked hippy chicks – well there’s no nudity on the poster, but plenty of Barry Newman’s head.

7. Smokey & The Bandit

This Spanish poster for the classic car-chase comedy is a mash-up reminding us of an old Playboy cartoon. Yes, we remember Playboy cartoons.

6. Mad Max

The only thing cooler than this fan-made Mad Max poster is…

5. Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior

…is this other fan made one for Mad Max 2. It’s really Ralph Steadman inspired (Fear & Loathing) and accentuates the lips of Australian people.

4. Bullitt

Bullitt already has a slew of cool 60′s posters featuring the Mustang Fastback, Steve McQueen and guns. This Japanese version really jumps out at the audience.

3. Gone in 60 Seconds

The non-Nick Cage version of Gone in 60 Seconds is an under-appreciated action film with a much better poster history than it’s remake counterpart.

2. Cannonball Run

Another Burt Reynolds car-chase-comedy always shows off ample assets in its advertisements – when it comes to their vehicles that is. And how can you dislike a poster with Sammy Davis Jr.?!

1. The Blues Brothers

Ok, there’s less going on here compared to some of the other posters above. So, why No. 1? Reasons: upside down police cruiser, dancing Jake & Elwood Blues, and a tag line of “The most devastating team since nitro and glycerine.” LOVE IT.

Hollywood loves taking classic car chase movies and remaking them. Sometimes the results are good, but usually not. In fact, many Hollywood remakes tank after opening weekend, with just cause – how can you honestly do-over a classic like Vanishing Point or Death Race 2000? But occasionally, a redux brings in higher box office numbers than its original. Check out our list and voice your opinion!

Gone in 60 Seconds

The original 1974 version of Gone in 60 Seconds is not only a cult car movie, but also may be one of the first independent movies – produced on a small budget with H.B. Halicki writing, starring, directing, producing and even doing his own stunts. The original is famous for trashing 93 cars in 97 minutes, 2000′s remake, starring Nicolas Cage and serial adopter Angelina Jolie, was a much larger film – featuring a big name cast, lots of sexy import vehicles, and violent Michael Bay audio/visual drops. At least both movies feature their own Eleanore cars.

Vanishing Point

1971′s Vanishing Point, starring Barry Newman, Cleavon Little and a naked, big bushed chick riding a motorcycle, ranks right up with Bullitt as a historic car chase film. A Cult Classic, Vanishing Point takes place in and around a 1970 Dodge Challenger on its way from Denver to San Francisco. A TV movie version was released in 1997, starring Viggo Mortensen. Both acting and stunts in the update were less than memorable.

Dukes of Hazzard

One of many popular television series to make it on the big screen, The Dukes of Hazzard is best known for Catherine Bach’s ass The 1969 Dodge Charger – General Lee. Bo and Luke Duke (as well as their cousins) spent 7 seasons as a throne in the backside of Boss Hogg in Hazzard County. In 2005, Jackass star Johnny Knoxville, Southland Tales American Pie’s Seam William Scott and singer Jessica Simpson drove The General Lee onto the big screen in a film adaptation, featuring The Bandit himself, Burt Reynolds (who makes several appearances on our list) as Boss Hogg.

Knight Rider

Another classic TV show starring a hot car, Knight Rider Turbo Boosted into our homes weekly on NBC from 1982 until 1986. Several Movie of the Week sequels have been made since, and last year NBC decided to bring back KITT in the form of a Ford Mustang voiced by Batman Forever’s Val Kilmer…this show is just full of YUCK. Is nothing sacred??!?

Death Race 2000

Death Race 2000 was a Mad Max-like post nuclear fallout cult film featuring monster cars. Each driver scored for killing pedestrians, and higher points for running over babies and old farts. Death Race, the 2008 remake starring The Transporter’s Jason Statham, is a disappointing update set on a dilapidated NASCAR prison track with lots of flashy explosions, but no long lasting impressions.

The Blues Brothers

Jake and Elwood Blues are on a mission from God – and in order to carry it out they’ve purchased a 1974 Dodge Monaco Police Cruiser. Aside from being (almost) invincible, The Blues Mobile can pretty much fly, avoid most collisions, and take you shopping through JCPennys. In 2000 a sequel was made…but with a thin plot (and not-so-entertaining soundtrack) Blues Bothers 2000 was pretty much a watered down, family friendly version of its predecessor.

Car Movies Hollywood Should Not Remake (but probably will)

Bullitt

Bullitt’s Ford Mustang and the chase scene featuring it (through the hilly streets of San Francisco) has become so popular that not one, but three special edition Ford production models (1968, 2001 and 2008 year makes) have been produced in honor of the car. Talks of a remake have circulated for decades, but for now all we have to go on are B-movie knock offs starring Steve McQueen’s son, Chad.

Smokey & The Bandit

Smokey and the Bandit may be one of the best films to ever feature Jackie Gleason, and is without a doubt one of the only good films with Burt Reynolds. This booze-running Southern Comedy spawned two forgettable sequels and a very short lived TV series (The Bandit, 1994) starring a fresh faced kid driving a (ugh) Dodge Stealth, remember those things? Well kids, rumors abound that Craig Brewer (director of Black Snake Moan & Hustle and Flow) is set to direct a film entitled Mother Trucker – based off Smokey & the Bandit.

Cannonball Run

Burt Reynolds, in his third appearance on our list (that guy sure loves to drive) starred along dead singers Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. in this cross country racing farce. Two sequels to the film (Cannonball Run 2, Speed Zone!) exist, but no words on a remake…yet.

Mad Max

Post Apocalyptic patrol officer Max witnesses the deaths of his partner and eventually his hot Australian wife and adorable some by leather chap wearing outback psychopaths. Mad Max and its sequels were praised for their dystrophy views of the future, and for insane car stunts. Star Mel Gibson has been interested in doing yet another sequel, and a possible rebirth of the original feature has been discussed.

Throughout 81 years of The Academy Awards several films centering around transportation or impromptu road trips have been nominated for an Academy Award. You won’t find Gone in 60 Seconds at the Oscars, but we still love seeing these classic motion pictures receive nods for their acting, directing, and setting – which many times includes some gorgeous automobiles and other moving scenery. Thanks to Wikipedia for help with plot summaries.

Shanghai Express – 1932

In 1931, China is embroiled in a civil war. Friends of British Captain Donald ‘Doc’ Harvey (Brook) envy him because the fabulously notorious Shanghai Lily is also a passenger on the express train from Peiping to Shanghai. This classic was nominated for Best Pictures that year, and takes place mostly on board the very train mentioned in its title.

Around the World in 80 Days – 1956

Around the world in a hot air balloon – Around 1872, an English gentleman Phileas Fogg (the great David Niven) claims he can circumnavigate the world in eighty days. He makes a PS£20,000 wager with several skeptical fellow members of his London gentleman’s club, the Reform Club, that he can arrive back within 80 days before exactly 8:45 pm.

Bonnie & Clyde – 1967

From car chases in a Model T to the greatest shoot out and murder (of criminals and their vehicle) in film history – Bonnie & Clyde went out with a bang, just like they lived. In the middle of the Great Depression, Clyde Barrow (Warren Beatty) and Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway) meet when Clyde tries to steal Bonnie’s mother’s car. Bonnie, who is bored by her job as a waitress, is intrigued with Clyde, and decides to take up with him and become his partner in crime.

The French Connection – 1971

Gene Hackman stars as Det. Popeye Doyle in this gruff crime thriller. It is often cited as containing one of the greatest car chase sequences in movie history. The chase involves Popeye commandeering a civilian’s car (a 1971 Pontiac LeMans) and then frantically chasing an elevated train, on which a hitman is trying to escape. The scene was filmed in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn roughly running under the B subway line , which runs on an elevated track above 86th Street.

American Graffiti – 1973

The story is presented in a series of vignettes focused on the four main characters, Curt Henderson (Richard Dreyfuss), Steve Bolander (Ron Howard), John Milner (Paul Le Mat), and Terry “The Toad” Fields (Charles Martin Smith). The four meet in the Mel’s Drive-In parking lot at sunset as a car radio plays a rock and roll station. Steve and Curt are preparing to leave town to attend college in the East, and this is the last night they will spend with their friends. Despite receiving a scholarship from the local Moose Lodge, Curt is reluctant to head off for the unknown, but Steve is eager to get out of Modesto. His girlfriend Laurie (Cindy Williams), Curt’s younger sister, is unsure of his leaving, to which he suggests they see other people while he is away to “strengthen” their relationship.

Taxi Driver – 1976

One of the greatest team-ups between Robert DeNiro and Martin Scorsese, Taxi Driver revolves around a war veteran who begins an unhealthy obsession with crime, sex workers and general scum during 1976 New York City. Much of the film takes place inside DeNiro’s Chevrolet Checkered Cab.

Rain Man – 1988

Charlie Babbitt (Cruise), a Los Angeles car dealer in his mid-twenties, is in the middle of importing four grey market Lamborghinis. The deal is being threatened by the EPA, and if Charlie cannot meet its requirements he will lose a significant amount of money. After some quick subterfuge with an employee, Charlie leaves for a weekend trip to Palm Springs with his girlfriend, Susanna. Charlie’s trip is cancelled by news that his estranged father, Sanford Babbitt, has died. Charlie travels to Cincinnati, Ohio, to settle the estate, where he learns an undisclosed trustee is inheriting $3 million on behalf of an unnamed beneficiary, while he is to receive a classic Buick Roadmaster convertible and several prize rose bushes. Eventually he learns the money is being directed to a mental institution, and he discovers that it is the home of his autistic brother, Raymond (Hoffman). This great road trip film includes some of the best acting from both characters.

Driving Miss Daisy – 1989

Trying to get your old white misses to the Piggly Wiggly is harder than it seems – especially in the still very segregated South. It is 1948 and Mrs. (“Miss”) Daisy Werthan, a 72-year-old widow, lives in Atlanta, Georgia, alone except for an African American housemaid named Idella. After a driving mishap where her Chrysler automobile is totaled, Miss Daisy’s son Boolie tells her she will have to get a chauffeur because no insurance company will insure her. She refuses, but Boolie is determined to find her one. Meanwhile, she is stuck at home and is unable to run errands or visit friends. Boolie finds a man named Hoke Colburn, who had driven for a local judge until he died, and he decided to remain in the area rather than accompany the widow when she moved away.

Pulp Fiction – 1994

Quentin Tarantino’s crime caper film features classic scenes in a car along with shots sitting in the a ’57 Chevy Bel Air turned booth seating. And don’t forget the fun time cleaning brain and blood out of the back seat. Much like Tarantino’s other movies Pulp Fiction is viewed out of order with its events. Unlike his other stories, there aren;t (too many) feet shots.

Fargo – 1996

“Maybe we can take care of this right here…in Brainerd.” Fargo, directed by Joel & Ethan Cohen, revolves around a Buick salesman who wants to off his wife. That simple task becomes out of control with killers Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare.

Crash – 2004

The film depicts several characters living in Los Angeles, California during a 36-hour period and brings them together through car collisions, shootings, and carjacking. Through these characters’ interactions, the film seeks to depict and examine not only racial tension, but also the distance between strangers in general. Crash has garnered much controversey with its use of racism and prejudice.

Little Miss Sunshine – 2006

Sheryl Hoover (Toni Collette) is an overworked mother of two children, who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her brother, Frank (Steve Carell), is a scholar of French author Proust and a homosexual, temporarily living at home with the family after having attempted suicide. Sheryl’s husband Richard (Greg Kinnear) is a Type A personality striving to build a career as a motivational speaker and life coach. Dwayne (Paul Dano), Sheryl’s son from a previous marriage, is a Nietzsche-reading teenager who has taken a vow of silence until he can accomplish his dream of becoming a test pilot. Richard’s foulmouthed father and war veteran Edwin (Alan Arkin), recently evicted from a retirement home for snorting heroin, lives with the family; he is close to his seven-year-old granddaughter Olive (Abigail Breslin). Olive learns she has qualified for the “Little Miss Sunshine” beauty pageant that is being held in Redondo Beach, California in two days. Her parents and Edwin, who has been coaching her, want to support her, and Frank and Dwayne cannot be left alone, so the whole family goes. Because they have little money, they go on an 800-mile road trip in their yellow Volkswagen T2 Microbus.