Top 10 Movies About NASCAR That Will Make Your Heart Race

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - NASCAR is one of the most exciting sports in America. Cars race faster than 200 miles per hour, just inches apart. The crowd roars, and the engines scream. In a single second, everything can change. It is not just a race. It is a story of speed, risk, and the will to win. That is why there are many great movies about NASCAR that put you right in the middle of the action.

If you love this racing series, here are ten NASCAR movies that are absolutely worth your time.

Where to Watch: Paramount+, USA Network, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Plex 

Let's kick off this list with the most well-known NASCAR movie ever made. Directed by Adam McKay, it stars Will Ferrell as Ricky Bobby, a NASCAR superstar with everything to lose. His perfect life is shaken when a flamboyant French rival, played by Sacha Baron Cohen, challenges him for the top spot. Many NASCAR fans find it too exaggerated. But it remains one of the most beloved comedies of the 2000s, and a gateway film for new racing fans. 

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

Starring a young Jeff Bridges, this film is based on the true story of Junior Johnson. Johnson was a moonshine runner from North Carolina who became one of NASCAR's earliest legends. When his father is sent to prison, Junior turns to racing to earn money for the family. Starting in demolition derbies, he slowly climbs up to the big leagues. Directed by Lamont Johnson and adapted from articles by Tom Wolfe, this is a raw and grounded story. 

Where to Watch: Paramount+, fuboTV, YouTube TV, MGM Plus, Philo, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, JustWatch TV, Spectrum On Demand

In this movie, Tom Cruise takes the central role as Cole Trickle, a fearless race car driver with talent but very little control.  He is paired with an experienced crew chief, Harry Hogge, played by Robert Duvall. Hogge tries to teach Cole patience and discipline on the track. After a serious crash at the Daytona 500, Cole must fight to rebuild his confidence. Directed by Tony Scott, the film also stars Nicole Kidman. It is a classic underdog story with great racing footage. 

Where to Watch: Disney+, Amazon Video, Fandango At Home, Apple TV Store

Pixar's beloved animated film takes place in a world where cars are the people. Lightning McQueen is a hotshot rookie racer heading to a big championship race. He gets stuck in a small, forgotten town along the way. There, he learns that winning is not everything. While made for children, Cars has charmed audiences of all ages. It even features real NASCAR legends like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon as voice actors.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Kanopy, Hoopla

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this crime comedy follows two unlucky brothers from West Virginia. They plan a daring heist during the Coca-Cola 600 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Channing Tatum and Adam Driver play the brothers, while Daniel Craig plays an eccentric safecracker they recruit for the job. The race serves as the perfect cover for their plan. It is clever, funny, and full of surprises from start to finish. 

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

Directed by the legendary Howard Hawks, this film follows three NASCAR drivers and the women in their lives. Together, they navigate love, rivalry, and the constant danger of the track. The story moves between personal lives and the high-speed world of racing. While not as well remembered as other Hawks classics, it offers an authentic look at 1960s professional racing, complete with real race footage from that era. 

Where to Watch: YouTube TV, Hoopla, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

Starring Richard Pryor, this film tells the true story of Wendell Scott. Scott was the first Black driver to win an upper-tier NASCAR race. He faced enormous challenges on and off the track, including open racism from other drivers, officials, and fans. Despite all of this, he kept racing and kept pushing forward. Pryor brings both humor and real emotion to the role. Beau Bridges and Pam Grier also appear in supporting roles. This is an important film, not just as a sports story, but as a piece of American history.

Where to Watch: -

Narrated by Paul Newman in one of his final film appearances, this documentary tells the full story of Dale Earnhardt. Known as "The Intimidator," Earnhardt won seven NASCAR championships during his career. The film uses archival footage, home videos, and interviews with family and rivals. Directed by Rory Karpf and Mike Viney, it traces Earnhardt's life all the way to his tragic death at the 2001 Daytona 500. 

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Plex Player

This documentary focuses on one of the most unforgettable moments in NASCAR history: the 2001 Daytona 500. Michael Waltrip crossed the finish line to win his very first race. Seconds later, he learned that his friend and team owner Dale Earnhardt had been killed in a crash behind him. Directed by Paul Taublieb and based on Waltrip's bestselling book, this is an honest and deeply emotional film about joy and tragedy arriving at the same moment. 

Where to Watch: Disney+, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

Closing out this list is a much lighter and more playful take on NASCAR. Lindsay Lohan plays Maggie Peyton, a young woman who rescues a beat-up Volkswagen Beetle from a junkyard. What she does not know is that the car, called Herbie, has a mind of its own. Together, they set their sights on competing in NASCAR. Real drivers like Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson appear in cameo roles. It is a feel-good film for all ages.