Our Favourite Cars From Movies

Some of the most famous cars from movies have become just as recognisable as the characters who drive them. From time-travelling sports cars to muscle cars and gadget-filled spy vehicles, these iconic film cars have become part of pop culture history.

Famous Classic Cars From Movies

Austin Mini Cooper – Italian Job

Summary: The Austin Mini Cooper is one of the most famous movie cars ever, known for its ability to travel across a city and through tight gaps.

• Film: The Italian Job (1969).
• Why It’s Famous: Iconic small cars that created a famous police chase.
• Real Car: Austin Mini Cooper

The first on the list and perhaps the most well-known, is the Austin Mini Cooper that graced our screens in 1969. Used by Michael Caine’s group of bank robbers, Austin Mini Coopers weaved through Turin to escape the police. These tiny cars became iconic, and their ancestors are still carrying the flag today. The Mini Cooper has taken on various modernisations over time, and you can even buy an electric model now. The Mini Cooper is now a well-known model globally, and it has its early ancestor in the Italian Job to thank for this.

Aston Martin DB5 – Goldfinger (1964)

Summary: One of the most famous movie cars of all time, the Aston Martin DB5 is known for its clean looks and hidden weaponry.

• Film: Goldfinger (1964)
• Why It’s Famous: Unmistakeable British design, and an ever-present throughout the Bond franchise.
• Key Feature: Guns coming out of the headlights.
• Real Car: Aston Martin DB5.

Staying in the UK, and around the same time, is the Aston Martin DB5. This car was only in production from 1963 to 1965 but has etched itself in the history books as one of the most iconic cars to ever hit our roads. This was confirmed when the car featured on a ‘British Auto Legends’ postage stamp in 2013, commemorating legendary British vehicles. Aside from its spectacular look, the DB5 became famous through its role in Goldfinger, the James Bond film realised in 1964, where the car was James Bond’s trusted machinery. The DB5 in Goldfinger underwent major modifications, to get it perfect for James Bond. These changes were fictional and made the DB5 the perfect vehicle. Some of these modifications included:

• Machine guns behind the front indicators
• Front and rear bulletproof screens
• Radar scanner and tracking screen
• Passenger ejector seat
• Deployable nails to deflate tyres

1961 Ferrari 250 GT California – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

Summary: One of the most iconic cars of all time, the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California is known for its classic luxury look and sizeable price tag.

• Film: Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
• Why It’s Famous: Expensive car that gets destroyed towards the end of the film.
• Key Feature: £10 million in the real world.
• Real car: 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California.

The most expensive car on the list, and perhaps the most beautiful, the 250 GT California was famously destroyed in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off by the character Cameron. This car is stunning and rare, with only 56 made. Destroying even one car is simply too expensive, and with that, a replica was used in the film. A real 250 GT California could set you back anywhere from $14 to $19 million, making it one of the most expensive cars to ever be sold. 

Famous Futuristic Cars From Movies

DeLorean DMC-12 – Back To The Future

Summary: The DeLorean is one of the most famous movie cars ever, known for its time-travel capabilities and futuristic design.

• Film: Back to the Future (1985)
• Why It’s Famous: Time-travelling car powered by a flux capacitor.
• Key Feature: Requires 88mph to travel through time.
• Real car: Based on the DeLorean DMC-12.
• Film: The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
• Why It’s Famous: Futuristic car that could travel underwater.
• Key Feature: Underwater travel.
• Real car: Based on the Lotus Esprit S1.
• Film: The Dark Knight Trilogy
• Why It’s Famous: Tank-like car that seemed indestructible.
• Driven By: Batman.

Sticking with futuristic cars, we take a trip to America to focus on the DeLorean. This car played an essential role in the film, providing the means to time travel for Doc and Marty McFly to 2015. The car would make the time jump when it hit 88 miles an hour, which at the time, was a decent speed. The design of the car was futuristic in its day, with the style fairly new and one which has since not been repeated often. Gullwing doors give the DeLorean an edge over many cars, and the pop culture association it carries with it makes you recognizable to many on the roads. So, if you are a fan of the series, or have a love for gullwing doors, the DeLorean and Back to the Future is definitely something to have a closer look at.

Lotus Esprit S1 – The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Summary: The Lotus Esprit S1 is a famous movie car, with its futuristic look and ability to travel underwater.

Another Bond car enters our list, with the Esprit another iconic film car. A box design not too dissimilar from the DeLorean, the Esprit was again ahead of its time design-wise. Where it gained its popular status in the Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. In this film, the Esprit was used in a car chase along the coast of Sardinia and made its escape by turning into a submarine and travelling underwater. The scene in which this took place lives long in the memory of Bond films and is the reason for its inclusion on the list. On the roads, the Esprit was manufactured from 1976 to 1978, making its stint on the roads fairly short, but its impression on the water long-lasting.

Batmobile – The Dark Knight Trilogy

Summary: The Batmobile is one of the most popular movie cars ever, with its role in the recent Dark Knight trilogy showcasing its brute power and force.

The Batmobile has always been a famous car, but it’s redesign in the Dark Knight Trilogy makes it stand out even more. A tank-like look, machine guns planted and the ability to travel up the side of walls made the Batmobile a fierce asset to Batman. As you can imagine, the car is purely fictional, and no car resembles it on the market.

Ecto-1 (Ghostbusters)

Summary: The Ecto-1 is one of the most famous movie cars, known for its ambulance shape, roof equipment, and ghost-hunting role in Ghostbusters.

• Film: Ghostbusters (1984)
• Why It’s Iconic: A converted ambulance packed with ghost-hunting gear.
• Based On: Cadillac Miller-Meteor Sentinel (1959).

A converted ambulance turned into a ghost hunting machine, the Ecto-1 isn’t the most luxurious or the highest performance on the list, but it’s definitely iconic. Based on the 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Sentinel, it’s one of the oldest cars on this list.

Famous Muscle Cars From Movies

Dodge Charger – Fast And Furious

Summary: The Dodge Charger is one of the most famous movie cars of all time, known for its aggressive look and drag racing in the Fast and Furious franchise.

• Film: The Fast And The Furious (2001)
• Why It’s Famous: Engine coming out of the bonnet, made for drag racing.
• Driven By: Dom Toretto/Vin Diesel.

The 1970 Dodge Charger R/T makes the list, with its aggressive look and drag race ability showcased by Vin Diesel’s character Dominic Toretto in the Fast and Furious franchise. The car is a symbol of the US, and its timeless look has helped it stand the test of time.

Ford Mustang GT Fastback – Bullitt (1968)

Summary: The Ford Mustang GT Fastback from Bullitt is one of the most famous movie cars ever, known for starring in one of cinema’s most iconic car chases.

• Film: Bullitt (1968)
• Why It’s Famous: Starred in a legendary high-speed chase through San Francisco.
• Key Feature: Highland Green finish and raw muscle-car styling.
• Real Car: 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback.

Other Famous Cars From Movies

• Toyota Supra – Fast & Furious
• Volkswagen Beetle (Herbie) – The Love Bug
• Lamborghini Miura – The Italian Job

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FAQs

What is the most famous car from a movie?

The DeLorean from Back to the Future is often considered the most famous movie car because of its time-travel role and distinctive gull-wing design.

What car did James Bond drive in Goldfinger?

James Bond drove the Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger.

What car was used in The Italian Job?

The most famous car used in The Italian Job was the Austin Mini Cooper.

What is the Ghostbusters car called?

The Ghostbusters car is called the Ecto-1.