Born essentially at the same time, cinema and cars are practically siblings that have grown together for over a century. Ever since the first on-screen car chase in 1903’s Runaway Match, they have complemented each other to create some of the greatest scenes, thrilling chases, and iconic moments in cinema history. Many vehicles have stolen the show that they have become the stars themselves, outshining their human counterparts.
Buckle up as we count down the Greatest 100 Movie and TV Vehicles of All Time in a high-octane ride through the best legends on wheels to ever burn rubber on film! No spaceships or yellow submarines here; this list will celebrate the vehicles that have left tire tracks through movie, TV, and pop culture history!
80. The “Pork Chop Express” | Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
The “Pork Chop Express” shines brightest in the opening moments of John Carpenter’s beloved 1986’s Big Trouble in Little China. The 1985 Freightliner FLC 120 with a cab-over-engine big rig is a beast of a truck and perfectly suits Jack Burton’s swagger. Played by the rizz-dripping Kurt Russell, Jack drops pearls of wisdom and iconic quotes over the CB radio to anyone who will listen.
Adorned with a white paint job with blue and yellow racing stripes, and a running pig with the words “Pork Chop Express” emblazoned in standout lettering across its sleeper cab, the truck exudes personality. In the film, it’s Burton’s mobile base as he hauls cargo only to get tangled in a wild adventure involving ancient curses, kung fu, and a kidnapped fiancée. The truck’s sleeper interior, decked out with a bed and retro pin-up posters, reflects Burton’s rough-around-the-edges charm, making it as much a co-star as a mode of transport.
-Vincent Kane
79. The Yellow Fiat 500 | Castle of Cagliostro (1979)
Almost every car (or vehicle, if you want to be pedantic) that made the cut either has an instantly iconic look and/or is integral to the plot. Some have great designs, while others literally have personalities. The Fiat 500 from the Lupin series (most notably The Castle of Caglistro) is definitely one of the more obscure entries on this list and unless you’re a fan of this character and have seen most of his projects, you have probably gone your entire life without ever knowing this car exists. The Fiat 500 is a rear-engined, four-seat, small city car that was manufactured by Fiat Automobiles from 1957 to 1975. It’s the far cooler version of the BMW bug and fits the character of Lupin perfectly. It is quirky, easy to fit into small spaces (the perfect getaway car) and has an undeniable style.
-Sailor Monsoon
78. The “Tornado Wrangler” | Twisters (2024)
Easily one of the coolest vehicles of the 2020s so far, as this custom-built 2010-2015 Dodge Ram 3500 dually with a snarling tornado-with-horns logo on the grille, and an exoskeleton of welded steel that gives it a roll-cage toughness. Designed with real storm-chasing scientist Sean Waugh’s input, the truck boasts augers that drill two feet into the ground to anchor it against tornado winds, extra chassis weight for stability, and a reinforced frame to shrug off flying debris. It’s a perfect match for Glen Powell’s cowboy bravado as YouTube-famous storm chaser Tyler Owens.
-Vincent Kane
77. Bus 2525 | Speed (1994)
Since 1988, people have been chasing the Die Hard formula with many imitators falling flat, but who knew Die Hard on a bus would be one of the best and most thrilling? A madman put a bomb on the number 2525 public transit bus carrying passengers, and it will explode if it slows down below 50 mph. This 1976 40-foot-long, 35-ton behemoth was hardly built for speed, yet it burst onto the scene as a high-octane octane drama-filled death trap.
12 buses were used for the film with some modifications for stunts like the nail-biting freeway chase, where it barrels down an unfinished highway at breakneck speed, weaving through traffic and sparking pure adrenaline. One of the coolest parts is when it hits that iconic gap in the overpass and soars through the air before slamming back to earth, somehow intact. To this day, I believe the bus actually made that jump, and you can’t convince me otherwise.
-Vincent Kane
76. The Warthog | Halo (Franchise)
The Warthog, officially designated as the M12 Force Application Vehicle (FAV), is one of the most recognizable and versatile vehicles in the Halo series. On the surface, it’s just a rugged looking Jeep, which is far less exciting as some of the more sci-fi looking vehicles in the series but anyone who’s played these games knows how integral they are in capture the flag or how exciting the final “escape from the thing blowing up” levels are. In the multiplayer community, it’s known not just for its effectiveness, but for chaotic, hilarious moments, whether flipping off a cliff or splattering unsuspecting enemies. The Warthog is more than just a vehicle, it’s a symbol of Halo’s identity. Its presence in every major title reinforces its importance in the universe’s lore and gameplay, blending function with fun in a way few other video game vehicles ever have.
-Sailor Monsoon
75. 1979 Chevy Monte Carlo | Training Day (2001)
You needed a car that could match Dezel Washington’s swagger as dirty cop Alonzo Harris in 2001’s Training Day and the low-riding 1979 Chevy Monte Carlo decked out in a glossy black-and-chrome finish that rolls on Dayton wire wheels and hydraulics to make it bounce was a perfect choice.
Customized with a plush interior and a booming sound system, the car isn’t just for transportation. Naw, it is a legend that cruises the streets of LA that’s less about raw speed and more about a menacing presence to match the charisma of the corrupt detective. It’s Alonzo’s mobile command center where he schools Ethan Hawke’s rookie Jake Hoyt in the brutal realities of LA’s underworld, all while prowling the city’s toughest neighborhoods.
-Vincent Kane
74. The Creeper Truck | Jeepers Creepers (2001)
Anyone who has seen Jeepers Creepers knows the Creeper’s truck is as memorable as the Creeper himself. The rusted 1941 Chevrolet Heavy-Duty COE, complete with a cow catcher on the front for hauling bodies, is a menacing presence. Sporting a license plate that reads “BEATNGU” (Be Eating You), It is capable of hitting speeds of over 100 mph despite its weathered exterior and battered frame. Its unforgettable intro with a blaring horn helps turn a mundane drive into a terrifying nightmare pursuit down a desolate highway that gave a new meaning to road rage.
-Vincent Kane
73. Sam Raimi’s ’73 Oldsmobile Delta 88 | Various Films
Affectionately dubbed “The Classic,” Sam Raimi’s personally owned vehicle became a cinematic staple that’s rolled through the director’s filmography like a trusty sidekick. Most famously, it is tied to Ash Williams in the Evil Dead series. This full-size, mustard-yellow sedan was Raimi’s real-life family car, purchased new by his parents and later immortalized on screen. The Classic has appeared in nearly every one of Raimi’s films in some capacity, making its debut in The Evil Dead (1981). It has been a star or at the very least an easter egg throughout the Evil Deads, the Spider-Mans, and even a part of the MCU in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
-Vincent Kane
72. M577 Armored Personnel Carrier | Aliens (1986)
Built from a modified Hunslet ATT77 Airfield Tug that was normally used to tow jumbo jets, this 12-wheeled, 70-ton beast was modified to have angular armor, twin turrets, and a sleek design. It becomes a fusion-powered juggernaut capable of hauling Ripley, Hicks, and the squad through the xenomorph-infested colony. Inside, its cramped, high-tech command center is loaded with screens, weapons racks, and a drop-down turret control.
The tank quickly becomes a lifeline in the chaos as it smashes through debris and walls to save the day during a xenomorph ambush. The scene peaks as Ripley takes the wheel, flooring it to escape the exploding facility. The APC bounces over rubble while the squad clings to survival. It’s a gritty, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that had all of us cheering due to its sheer badassery.
-Vincent Kane
71. 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu | Drive (2011)
If I had unlimited cash reserves and could buy all of my favorite cars, I still wouldn’t buy the 1973 Chevy Malibu that Ryan Gosling drives in the movie Drive. Because the thing about that car is not the car itself. Sure, it’s cool. It’s got understated but solid lines and plenty of power under the hood. But the cool factor of this car goes thru the roof with Gosling at the wheel. And it gets even cooler when you realize that Gosling found and plucked the car out an LA scrapyard. And the kicker? Gosling stripped it down and rebuilt it himself in an effort to solidify his bond with the car. It doesn’t get much cooler than that.
-William Dhalgren
70. 1973 Ford Gran Torino | Gran Torino (2008)
Even at 78 years old, Clint Eastwood proved he’s still a bad ass with a perfect co-star in the stoic, steel-bodied 1973 Ford Gran Torino. The long, sculpted body, complete with chrome trim and a bold grille, exudes 1970s American bravado, perfectly suiting the Korean War vet and retired Ford worker who cherishes it as a relic of his past. It’s a symbol of Walt’s identity and values, meticulously maintained in his garage while he navigates tensions with his neighbors in a decaying Detroit neighborhood.
Audiences would nod in appreciation during a scene where Walt takes it for a slow, rumbling cruise through the streets. Eastwood’s steely glare behind the wheel radiates pure old-school cool with an understated swagger and timeless grit to tie a bow on this late-career triumph for the actor/director.
-Vincent Kane
69. 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T | Vanishing Point (1971)
A perfect fit for Kowalski’s high-stakes, cross-country speed run from Denver to San Francisco, this muscle car embodied the raw freedom and rebellion of its driver. The car’s raw power and Kowalski’s defiance merge into pure cinematic adrenaline during the film’s climactic desert chase. Kowalski pushes it to the limit, weaving through Nevada’s dusty highways with police cruisers and choppers in hot pursuit. The scene peaks as he floors it toward a roadblock of bulldozers, engine roaring and tires screaming, only to meet his fate in a fiery explosion!
-Vincent Kane
68. 1955 Chevrolet 150 | Two-Lane Blacktop (1971)
This bare-bones, primer-gray Chevy, stripped of all things flashy on the outside, perfectly matches Monte Hellman’s minimalist road movie. Rumored to pump out over 400 horsepower, the Chevy’s standout moment comes in a high-stakes desert duel against Warren Oates’s GTO. It roars down a desolate stretch of Route 66, engine howling as it battles for supremacy in a race with no finish line. The scene is pure gearhead poetry as James Taylor’s stoic “The Driver” pushes it to the edge.
-Vincent Kane
67. 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 | The Gumball Rally (1976)
Painted in a striking Guardsman Blue with white stripes for the film, its lightweight aluminum body and flared fenders scream 1960s muscle. This hero car tears up highways from New York to LA with its open cockpit and roaring exhaust, making it the ultimate symbol of untamed speed in this car-chase comedy. With its V8 howling and tires clawing the pavement, the car blasts past traffic in a pulse-pounding chase that culminates in a jaw-dropping slide through the LA River bed later. The Cobra’s sheer power and precision to dodge clogged freeways end up stealing the show.
-Vincent Kane
66. 1926 Hudson Super Six | The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
Painted in a faded black and loaded with the Joads’ worldly possessions is a Depression-era workhorse with its boxy frame and exposed wheels groaning under the weight of their desperate migration. The Hudson Super Six is a weathered and steadfast survivor that carries the Joad family across the Dust Bowl to California.
As it sputters across the scorching sands of Route 66, there is a hauntingly beautiful shot where the car’s battered silhouette against the dawn sky captures the film’s mix of despair and resilience. It’s not as flashy as most entries on this list, but it’s as unforgettable.
-Vincent Kane
65. The Mini Cooper | The Italian Job (1969 & 2003)
These pint-sized powerhouses steal the show during the heist thrillers in both the 1969 original and the 2003 remake. In the original, Michael Caine and his crew famously navigate staircases, rooftops, and sewers to outwit the Italian police while hauling stolen gold. And the 2003 remake sparked one of the most annoying buying frenzies of any car on this list.
About the size of a McDonald’s Happy Meal toy, these Minis are able to perform unique stunts other cars can only dream of, like leaping rooftops and slalom sewer pipes while navigating urban jungles to outrun any would-be chasers.
-Vincent Kane
64. 1991 Mustang GT Convertible | Menace II Society (1993)
Rolling through the raw urban drama with undeniable street cred, customized with gold Dayton wire wheels, it’s a symbol of both menace and aspiration in South Central LA. The Mustang’s coolest moment comes early in the film, during the tense carjacking scene where Caine and O-Dog spot it at a drive-thru and decide to claim it. With a gun to the owner’s head and barking, “I want your Daytons and your stereo!” Caine takes the wheel, peeling out as the car’s V8 roars to life, gold rims glinting under the LA sun, blaring “So, I guess I gotta’ do work so I ain’t finished, I grew up to be a straight up menace”
-Vincent Kane
63. Shaguar | Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
This groovy, scene-stealing ride roared into pop culture as a cheeky nod to James Bond’s Aston Martin in this satirical spy comedy. This 1967 Jaguar E-Type Series I Roadster, painted in a bold red, white, and blue Union Jack splashed across its sleek curves, drove Austin Powers around with his lovely leading ladies. Complete with “SWINGER” license plates and a “SHAGUAR” badge on the rear decklid, it’s a one of a kind shag wagon that oozes plenty of mojo. Does it make you horny? Yeah, baby!
-Vincent Kane
62. “Deathmobile” | Animal House (1978)
Starting off as a sleek, pristine black sedan, the 1966 Lincoln Continental gets transformed into a chaotic parade-crasher nicknamed “Deathmobile.” By chopping the roof, welding on a steel turret with a tinted Plexiglas base, and slapping “EAT ME” across its cake-shaped float disguise, it’s a cherry on top of the riotous comedy.
The Deathmobile’s crowning glory comes in the film’s climactic homecoming parade, where it bursts onto the scene like a frat-fueled battering ram, plowing through floats and stands with gleeful anarchy.
-Vincent Kane
61. 1972 Ferrari Daytona Spyder 365 GTB/4 | Miami Vice (1984-1989)
This sun-soaked icon was the epitome of cool as it tore through the neon-lit streets on the hit show Miami Vice. Painted in a glossy black with tan leather, its pop-up headlights and low-slung profile perfectly matched Crockett’s swagger. One of the most iconic moments of 80s TV is the black Spyder weaving past pastel condos with its V8 growl cutting through Phil Collins’s “In the Air Tonight.” The scene’s moody synths and Crockett behind the wheel as Tubb loads a shotgun made it an instant classic. Pure 1980s cool.
-Vincent Kane
100-81 | 60-41
What are your thoughts on this selection of fine-ass vehicles? Are any of your favorites, or do you think they should rank higher?
