posted on February 23, 2024
Aussie film buffs: are you on the hunt for the best Australian car movies? You’ve come to the right place.
From sci-fi thrillers to homegrown comedies, we’ve rounded up the best pieces of Australian cinema that celebrate classic cars, epic road trips and the thrill of hitting the highways of Australia.
An overview: The best Australian car movies of all time
It’s hard to pick a favourite when it comes to Aussie car movies. But if we had to narrow it down, these would be our top 10 picks of the best Australian car movies of all time.
The top 10 best automotive movies from the Australian film industry:
- The Mad Max Saga (1979 – 2024)
- Malcolm (1986)
- Two Hands (1999)
- Dirty Deeds (2002)
- The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
- BMX Bandits (1983)
- Midnight Spares (1980)
- Running on Empty (1982)
- Ford vs Holden (2023)
- Peter Brock: Over The Top (2020)
Top Australian car movies of the 2000s
From inspiring documentaries to bizarre road trip flicks, the 2000s delivered a stack of unmissable Aussie car movies, including:
- Dirty Deeds (2002)
- Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
- Love The Beast (2009)
- Peter Brock: Over The Top (2020)
- Thunderstruck (2004)
- Last Cab to Darwin (2015)
- Ford v Holden (2023)
Dirty Deeds
Set in Sydney in 1969, Dirty Deeds is a fast-paced action adventure flick that will keep you on the edge of your seat. When the Mafia send Tony and Sal to Australia to score a cut of illegal gambling profits from Australian gangsters, a string of events unfolds that leads to an unexpected trip into the Australian outback.
Mad Max
It’s hard to miss an instalment of the epic Australian dystopian action film series Mad Max. Since the 1970s, this apocalyptic story has played out against the harsh backdrop of Australia’s outback roads. Since the turn of the century, two films have been added to the Mad Max series (Fury Road in 2015 and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga in 2024).
Love The Beast
This fascinating car documentary, directed by Eric Bana, traces the 25-year history of Eric’s first car (a 1974 Ford XB Falcon Hardtop, if you’re interested). This documentary traces the journey of restoring this classic car (purchased for just A$1,100) before entering it into one of the most dangerous car racing events: The Targa Tasmania Rally.
Peter Brock: Over The Top
Another documentary, Peter Brock: Over the Top follows the life of one of Australia’s greatest racing car drivers, Peter Brock. Expect an intimate and vivid portrait of Peter’s life on and off the racecourse, from his earliest car memories to his record-breaking victories and the car accident that ended it all.
Thunderstruck
The name of this car film says it all. As loyal AC/DC fans, five best mates make a pact that if one of the crew were to pass away, the others would buy them next to Bon Scott. This commitment became a reality 12 years later, leading the group to tackle a road trip from Sydney to Fremantle Cemetery.
Last Cab to Darwin
Set against the spectacular Aussie outback, this car film follows a Broken Hill cab driver who has been given a terminal diagnosis. Committed to ending his life on his terms, he journeys 3,000 km cross-country to Darwin in this poignant, life-affirming film.
Note from the author: This film is based on the true story of Max Bell, who made this same road trip to seek euthanasia back in 1996.
Ford v Holden
Narrated by Aussie legend Shane Jacobson, this feature-length documentary traces the long-standing rivalry between Australia’s two most iconic car brands: Ford and Holden. Expect an in-depth look at the history of these competing companies and how these brands shaped the car industry in Australia for decades to come.
Top Australian car movies of the 1990s
Expect gritty dramas and laugh-out-loud comedies from the best car films to hit the screens in Australia during the 1990s, including:
- Two Hands (1999)
- Metal Skin (1994)
- The Big Steal (1990)
- In The Red (1999)
- Return Home (1990)
Two Hands
This Australian black comedy stars Heath Ledger as Jimmy, a young kid who finds himself on the wrong side of the law and owing thousands of dollars to a local gang leader. Car buffs: make sure to look out for the epic classic cars featured throughout this film, such as the 1973 Ford Falcon XA 351 Coupe Chassis.
Metal Skin
Fast cars take centre stage in this action-fuelled drama. The flick follows four young Aussies living in the working-class suburbs of Melbourne whose lives become entangled. Expect thrills and plenty of epic car chases in this pulsating car flick.
The Big Steal
Danny Clark (the film’s 18-year-old protagonist and Footscray local) is on a mission to impress his love interest, Joanna. Naturally, he tries to buy a 1973 Jaguar XJ6 from a local car dealer. The catch? The engine blows. This hilarious comedy follows the events that take place as Danny tries to seek revenge and justice against the corrupt salesman, involving plenty of twists and turns along the way.
In The Red
Looking for an action-packed car film? Look no further than In The Red. When two underworld gangs come head to head, chaos and calamity ensue. Expect illegal drag racing and a car chase through Sydney’s streets between a Nissan 200SX and a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS.
Return Home
After moving away from his hometown of Adelaide, Noel returns home to stay with his brother Steve, a mechanic who runs a garage. The film focuses on the relationships Noel forges in the garage (particularly with star mechanic Gary), which causes him to consider: should he return to his life in the big smoke or embrace the charm of this small town instead?
Top Australian car movies of the 1980s
For the golden era of Aussie car films, look no further than the 1980s. Don’t miss these top-notch car movies, including:
- Running on Empty (1982)
- The Chain Reaction (1980)
- Running From The Guns (1987)
- Freedom (1982)
- BMX Bandits (1983)
- Fast Talking (1984)
- Malcolm (1986)
- Midnite Spares (1980)
Running on Empty
Want to see what life was like in Australia during the 1980s? Running On Empty is a must-see car flick, following Mike (a budding street car racer and owner of a Ford Falcon GT-HO Phase III). The film follows Mike and his best mate, Tony, as the pair get sucked into the world of street racing.
Note from the author: Don’t confuse the 1982 Running On Empty Australian film with the 1988 American movie of the same name!
The Chain Reaction
Looking for a road movie with a sci-fi twist? This film is a 1980s Aussie classic set in rural Central Australia. Expect a cameo from a young Mel Gibson (who plays a bearded mechanic), a beautifully shot car chase scene and a fascinating tale that follows a catastrophic accident at Waldo (an atomic waste area in outback Australia).
Note from the author: You might notice this film referred to as Nuclear Run, which is the title used for the US film release.
Running From The Guns
Mates Davie and Peter are looking to earn some extra money on the side of their main gig working at an auto repair shop. What they think is a stolen shipping container of toys turns out to be stacked with stolen cash. This sends the pair on a series of events to outrun a high-end crime ring, with cameos from a bunch of epic cars (including the Ford Falcon GTHO, Dodge Charger and even an AC Cobra).
Freedom
Ron, the film’s young Adelaide-based protagonist, dreams of hitting the road in a Porsche 911. After getting sacked from his factory job, his fantasies become a reality when he runs into Annie, an old friend who has the keys to a Porsche Turbo 930. After he decides to make his dreams a reality and steals the car, an epic adrenaline-fuelled adventure begins that ultimately ends in disaster.
BMX Bandits
While not technically a car movie, this is an Australian biker movie that every film lover needs to watch. Featuring Aussie icon Nicole Kidman in her debut role (before becoming a Hollywood celebrity), this film follows two BMX experts who discover a carton of walkie-talkies that lead them to get caught up with a group of bank robbers.
Fast Talking
Set in Sydney, this film follows Steve Carson, a 15-year-old teen from a dysfunctional, broken family. Things start to turn around for Steve when he befriends a ‘Redback’, an ex-con turned mechanic who takes him under his wing to show him his trade and how to restore a damaged motorbike.
Malcolm
After being fired from his job, talented mechanic Malcolm is forced to take in a housemate, Frank, who turns out to be a small-time criminal. After Frank notices Malcolm’s abilities, he’s roped into robberies and heists that harness his mechanical skills. This is a light-hearted comedy infused with car-fuelled adventure.
Midnite Spares
This Aussie film follows a sprint car driver who suspects a local auto-theft gang might have something to do with his dad’s untimely death. Expect the perfect combination of romance, comedy and motoring action in this must-see film.
Note from the author: This film was produced in Sydney during the early 1980s, with much of the sprint car racing footage captured on the Parramatta City Raceway.
Road Games
For a tense thriller set in the South Australian outback, look no further than Road Games. Starring Stacy Keach and Jamie Lee Curtis, this car movie centres on an American truck driver who believes the driver of a green van is murdering women on his driving route and takes it upon himself to catch the culprit.
Top Australian car movies of the 1970s
Step back in time and rewind the clock to the best Australian car movies of the 1970s, including:
- The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
- The FJ Holden (1977)
- The Man From Hong Kong (1975)
The Cars That Ate Paris
Set in the small country town of Paris, Australia, a curious pattern occurs: locals deliberately cause car accidents, selling the scraps as a means of earning a profit. Directed by Peter Weir, it’s a film that straddles the line between comedy and horror perfectly, making it a must-watch.
The FJ Holden
A snapshot of suburban Sydney during the 1970s, The FJ Holden is a time capsule of an era characterised by drive-in cinemas, Chiko Rolls and the classic FJ Holden car. Watch this coming-of-age tale following two teenage rev-heads as they work in a local wrecking yard and win the attention of chicks with their iconic yellow car.
The Man From Hong Kong
An action film with plenty of epic car chases, The Man From Hong Kong is an Australian car flick that follows a Sydney cop as he attempts to arrest a Chinese drug mule. Expect a film that takes strong inspiration from both Hong Kong cinema and the iconic films of James Bond.
Bonus section: The best movies about a road trip
Looking for films that showcase some of Australia’s best road trips? These are our top picks:
- Red Dog (2011): Based on a true story, this film follows a lovable red dog found roaming in the Australian outback who hitches a ride across the Pilbara region.
- The Rover (2014): A dystopian drama starring Guy Pearce, set travelling across the barren terrain of the Australian outback.
- Wolf Creek (2005): A chilly horror film following two British backpackers who are making a road trip from Broome to Cairns along the Great Northern Highway, stopping at Wolf Creek National Park.
- True Love and Chaos (1997): An Aussie road film tracing two lovers who make the road trip from Melbourne to Perth with an angry drug dealer hot on their tail.
- The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994): A hilarious Australian comedy following three drag queens travelling and road-tripping across the Australian desert.
Bonus: The best car movies of all time (worldwide)
Want to keep the movie marathon going? From classic films to modern dramas, here are our top picks for the best automotive movies of all time from across the globe.
- Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
- Cars (2006)
- Drive (2011)
- Taxi Driver (1976)
- Ferrari (2023)
- Rush (2013)
- Le Mans (1966)
- Grand Prix (1971)
Book your dream car on Turo
Feeling inspired to hit the roads of Australia? With Turo, you can book your dream ride from your favourite car film from a local host. From luxury cars to timeless classics, expect to find unique vehicles you can’t find anywhere else on Turo.
What are you waiting for? Browse, book online in minutes and hit the iconic roads of Australia.
Lucinda Starr
Lucinda is a Sydney-based content specialist and avid road tripper. Having travelled across Asia, North America and the South Pacific, she's experienced everything from glamping in a Yurt in -30 degrees in The Yukon, snorkelling in the open seas of Vanuatu and hiking the rocky alps of Kamikochi in Japan. She's currently planning her next overseas adventure, a toss-up between a classic #EuroSummer or a multi-day trek through Nepal.
