The best car movies of the 80s, ranked

The 1980s gave us some of the most memorable car movies ever made. Hollywood understood something simple: guys love watching cars do impossible things on screen, and the decade delivered. Whether it was a time-traveling DeLorean, a possessed Plymouth Fury, or a Ferrari joyride through Chicago, the 80s made cars the centerpiece of their stories.

Back to the Future (1985): The DeLorean that defined a generation

Back to the Future isn't just a car movie—it's the car movie. The DeLorean DMC-12 went from obscure oddball to cultural icon the moment it hit 88 miles per hour. The car is so central to the story that it becomes a character itself: temperamental, iconic, and unforgettable. This one still holds up completely. Stream it anywhere or grab the Blu-ray; either way, you'll watch it again.

Get it: Back to the Future Blu-ray on Amazon (The definitive DeLorean movie in high quality; the article recommends grabbing it on Blu-ray for rewatching)

Christine (1983): John Carpenter's killer Plymouth

A 1958 Plymouth Fury that murders people. That's the whole pitch, and it works because Christine treats the car with genuine menace. Carpenter builds dread around a machine that shouldn't be alive, and the practical effects—the car reassembling itself, the kills—still land hard. It's horror, it's a car movie, and it's proof that a great premise executed well never gets old.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986): The Ferrari that stole the movie

Matthew Broderick's joyride through Chicago in a borrowed Ferrari 250 GT California is the most famous car scene of the decade. It's not a car movie, but it's the car moment everyone remembers. The sequence is pure joy—no crash, no stunt, just three kids and a beautiful machine. Ferris Bueller's Day Off is essential 80s viewing, and that Ferrari scene is why.

The Cannonball Run (1981): The last of the outlaw racers

The Cannonball Run is a spiritual cousin to Smokey and the Bandit—a cross-country race movie with an all-star cast and zero regard for the speed limit. It's dumb, it's fun, and it knows exactly what it is. The cars are secondary to the chaos, but that's the point. It's pure 80s excess, and it's worth revisiting if you haven't seen it in years.

Where to watch and buy

All of these are available on Blu-ray and stream on the major services—check your library for physical copies before you buy. Streaming rights rotate, so if you want to own them, Blu-ray is the move. They're worth the shelf space.

Quick answers

Is Christine actually scary, or is it just a gimmick?

It's genuinely unsettling. Carpenter doesn't rely on jump scares; he builds dread around the idea of a machine that shouldn't work but does. The practical effects hold up, and the car itself becomes a real threat.

Can I still find these movies on streaming, or do I need to buy them?

Streaming rights change, so check your subscriptions first. If they're not there, Blu-ray copies are cheap and widely available. They're worth owning anyway.

Why doesn't anyone talk about other 80s car movies?

These are the ones that lasted because they either had great storytelling, iconic cars, or both. Plenty of 80s car movies exist, but these are the ones guys still watch.

Is Ferris Bueller really a car movie if it's just one scene?

No, but that scene is so good and so memorable that it belongs on any list of great 80s car moments. Sometimes one perfect sequence is enough.