The 50 Craziest Car Chase Scenes In Movie History

Image via Complex Original

A car chase is traditionally defined as the pursuit of suspects in a vehicle by law enforcement. However, once the car chase was prominently featured in film, thanks to cinematic masterpieces like Bullitt and The French Connection, its marketability became apparent, and it spread to a mainstream audience that was hungry for more. Today, nearly every action flick involves an inventive, adrenaline-fueled chase sequence that attempts to top its previous counterparts. Here are our top 50 picks of the most over-the-top car chases in cinematic history.

50. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

Cars Involved: 1997 BMW E38 750iL, two 1986 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasses
Cars Totaled: 1997 BMW E38 750iL and 1986 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse
Location: The Russian border
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: You know you're awesome when you can steer your car, while in pursuit, from the back seat of your BMW 750 with your cell phone. James Bond is king.

49. Christine (1983)

Cars Involved: 1958 Plymouth Fury
Cars Totaled: None in this scene
Location: California
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: This John Carpenter cult horror film contains this scene, in which the evil, red 1958 Plymouth Fury, named Christine, chases down a greaser and leaves him a lifeless fireball.

48. Short Time (1990)

Cars Involved: 1984 Dodge Diplomat, 1977 and 1980 Chevrolet Impalas, 1976 Pontiac Catalina, 1981 Plymouth Caravelle
Cars Totaled: 1976 Pontiac Catalina, 1981 Plymouth Caravelle
Location: Seattle, Wash.
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: After being told that he has two weeks to live, a Seattle cop tries to get killed in the line of duty for insurance benefits. This obscure 1990s comedy features an epic seven-minute car chase.

47. Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000)

Cars Involved: 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, 1992 & 1993 Ford Crown Victorias, 1997 BMW E39 540i, 1995 Jeep Cherokee
Cars Totaled: Crown Vics and the Cherokee, all police vehicles
Location: Long Beach, Calif.
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: The only thing this remake shares in common with the '70s original is that a band of car thieves is forced to steal a lot of cars. Even though the chase scenes are much shorter than the originals, they still take you on a wild ride.

46. The Driver (1978)

Cars Involved: 1973 Ford Galaxie 500, three 1974 Plymouth Furies
Cars Totaled: All three 1974 Plymouth Furies
Location: Los Angeles
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Here's an epic police chase scene from 1978. The getaway car is a 1973 Ford Galaxie 500. The police cars are 1974 and 1975 Plymouth Furys.

45. Deathproof (2007)

Cars Involved: 1996 Honda Civic DX, 1969 Dodge Charger, 1971 Chevrolet Nova
Cars Totaled: 1969 Dodge Charger, 1996 Honda Civic DX
Location: Austin, Texas
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: A washed-up stuntman in a modified, death-proof 1970 Dodge Charger takes the lives of these poor damsels in distress. Leave it to director Quentin Tarantino to merge gore and cars with a feigned romantic music video backdrop.

44. Drive (2011)

Cars Involved: 2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0, 2005 Chrysler 300C,
Cars Totaled: 2005 Chrysler 300C
Location: California
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Based on the novel by James Sallis, this action flick staring Ryan Gosling is filled with minimalist but expertly crafted car chases. Because of budget restrictions and the demand for authenticity by the director, CGI was not used. Even better.

43. The Driver (1978)

Cars Involved: 1973 Chevrolet C-10 Stepside, 1976 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Cars Totaled: 1976 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Location: Los Angeles
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Ryan O'Neal stars as the title character of The Driver, a paid car thief who ends up snagging some pretty sweet rides. Watch this '78 Chevrolet C-10 navigate through this chase sequence.

42. Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops (1955)

Cars Involved: Police patrol wagon, police motorcycle with sidecar, Mercedes-Benz 500K Spezial-Roadster
Cars Totaled: None in this scene
Location: Los Angeles
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: These bumbling lawmen, known as the Keystone Cops, birthed the car chase. Produced between 1912 and 1917, they were often depicted gathering onto their jalopy to the point of overflowing as they chased down the crooks.

41. The Terminator (1984)

Cars Involved: 1977 Dodge Monaco, 1977 Cadillac Eldorado
Cars Totaled: 1977 Dodge Monaco
Location: Los Angeles
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Director James Cameron expertly sustains this one long chase sequence of a film without losing the audience's attention or revealing the low-budget origins of the picture. Nice work James. Now stop using CGI and go back to car chases.

40. The Dark Knight (2008)

Cars Involved: Tumbler, Batpod, Peterbilt 359
Cars Totaled: Tumbler and Peterbilt 359
Location: Gotham City
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Can you count the number of vehicles involved in this scene? Watch as the police vehicles (with helicopter above and a SWAT van holding the prisoner) are ferociously pursued and ambushed by the Joker. The sequence concludes with a face-off battle between the Joker's 16-wheeler and Batman's converted Batpod.

39. The French Connection (1971)

Cars Involved: 1971 Pontiac LeMans, two trains
Cars Totaled: None in this scene
Location: New York City
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: A 1971 Pontiac LeMans racing through the streets of New York, frantically chasing an elevated train, is the highlight chase sequence of the film. Trivia: Two unplanned car crashes occurred during production --one with a stunt car, the other with a civilian, although no one was severely injured.

38. The Italian Job (1969)

Cars Involved: Three 1967 Austin Mini Cooper S 1275 Mk Is, three 1950 Moto Guzzi Falcone, 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia TI, 1964 Bedford VAL 14 Harrington Legionnaire
Cars Totaled: All three Minis
Location: Turin, Italy
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: The entire second half of this film is little more than an epic car chase involving three Mini Coopers, a couple of Jaguars, and a bus--all of which travel through, under, and above the streets of Turin, Italy.

37. The California Kid (1974)

Cars Involved: 1957 Plymouth Belvedere, 1934 Ford 3-Window Coupe
Cars Totaled: 1957 Plymouth Belvedere
Location: Clarksburg, Calif.
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Set in the town of Clarksburg, Calif., in 1958, The California Kid follows the story of a disturbed sheriff, whose wife and daughter were killed by a speeder. The cop has consequently developed a habit of punishing speeders by pushing their cars off the mountain highway in his 1957 Plymouth Belvedere. And yes, that's Martin Sheen behind the wheel.

36. The Sugarland Express (1974)

Cars Involved: 1973 Dodge Polara, 1972 Ford Galaxie
Cars Totaled: None in this scene
Location: Texas
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: This movie is based on the true story of a fugitive couple chased by police and a mob of Texan bystanders. Director Steven Spielberg excels at the task of creating an evocative chase sequence that's driven by the real-life dramatics of the story.

35. Due Date (2010)

Cars Involved: 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab LS, two 1999 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors
Cars Totaled: One 1999 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
Location: El Paso
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Pursued by the police in Ford Crown Victoria interceptors, a Chevrolet Silverado towing a trailer is commandeered by the picture's two stars. This road flick features some decent automotive destruction and a car chase that doesn't disappoint.

34. Driven (2001)

Cars Involved: Two purpose-built CART Cars
Cars Totaled: None in this scene
Location: Chicago
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: International CART auto racing is brought to the big screen in this semi-mindless film by Renny Harlin.

33. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Cars Involved: 2001 Ducati 996, 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Freightliner FLA9664T, four 1995 Chevrolet Caprices,
Cars Totaled: 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT
Location: Los Angeles
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Here's Trinity on her Ducati motorcycle as she navigates her way through the Matrix--or as we know it--the heavily congested lanes of the L.A. freeway.

32. Who Am I? (1998)

Cars Involved: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV, two 1992 BMW E36 316i
Cars Totaled: One 1992 BMW E36 316i
Location: Johannesburg
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Jackie Chan introduced most of the world to the four-wheeled wonder--the Lancer Evolution IV. For that, Shanghai Noon can be forgiven. Here's the Lancer in full gear.

31. The Green Hornet (2011)

Cars Involved: 1965 Chrysler Imperial Crown, 2006 Chevrolet Impala
Cars Totaled: 2006 Chevrolet Impala
Location: Los Angeles
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Based on the '60s television series, the Green Hornet's vehicle--a modified Chrysler Imperial--gets an appearance in this car chase.

30. Grand Prix (1966)

Cars Involved: 1966 Ferrari 312, 1964 BRM P261
Cars Totaled: None in this scene
Location: Circuit de Monaco
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: This film is memorable for one reason: The adrenaline-fueled Monte Carlo racing sequences.

29. The Other Guys (2010)

Cars Involved: 2002 Cadillac Escalade, 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
Cars Totaled: Both cars
Location: New York City
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: The opening scene of The Other Guys is filled with some of the most over-the-top vehicular action sequences in film. This parody of car chases actually creates a level of cinematic craftsmanship for future chase scenes to top.

28. Charlie's Angels (2000)

Cars Involved: Two purpose-built Indy Cars
Cars Totaled: Black Indy car
Location: Los Angeles
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Racing outside of the stadium and proceeding onto the streets of Los Angeles, this car chase leads to a spectacular wreck of a red car. And a game of chicken between the race cars on a suspension bridge.

27. The Love Bug (1969)

Cars Involved: 1963 Volkswagen Beetle Sun-roof Sedan, 1963 Apollo 3500 GT
Cars Totaled: None in this scene
Location: Sierra Nevada Mountains
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Here's the self-aware, intelligent 1963 Volkswagen Beetle named "Herbie" at his finest.

26. Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

Cars Involved: 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, 1975 Plymouth Fury, 1977 Pontiac LeMans, two 1972 Plymouth Satellites
Cars Totaled: Both 1972 Plymouth Satellites
Location: Arkansas
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: What do you get when you mix creative car stunts and great comedic performances? An hilarious film that was the year's second-highest-grossing picture, after Star Wars. Firebird Trans Am sales skyrocketed too, after its appearance as Reynolds's ride. Watch this 1977 Pontiac Transam as it's chased by local cops.

25. Ronin (1998)

Cars Involved: 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL, 1995 Citroën Xantia, 1995 Citroën XM, 1998 Audi S8 D2
Cars Totaled: None in this scene
Location: Nice, France
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: This impressive chase was filmed at actual speeds. Several cars are used in the film, including a Peugeot 406, a Citroen Xantia and XM, a BMW M5, a Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9, a rare Mercedes-Benz W116, and, most famously, an Audi S8.

24. Faster (2010)

Cars Involved: 1967 Pontiac GTO
Cars Totaled: None in this scene
Location: Nevada
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Dwayne Johnson (formerly The Rock) is a getaway driver attemting to elude pursuing cops as he steers a 1967 Pontiac GTO. At one point, he drives in reverse and performs some remarkable technical turns.

23. The Fast and the Furious (1955)

Cars Involved: 1953 Jaguar XK120, 1950 Jowett Jupiter
Cars Totaled: None in this scene
Location: U.S.-Mexico border
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: John Ireland portrays escaped murderer Frank Webster who kidnaps society girl Connie Adair and her Jaguar XK120 sports car at a roadside diner. On their way to Mexico, they participate in an international sports car rally from California to the border.

22. Freebie and the Bean (1974)

Cars Involved: 1972 Ford Custom 500, 1970 Plymouth Fury
Cars Totaled: 1972 Ford Custom 500, several bystander vehicles
Location: San Francisco
Click Here To Watch The Chase 
Complex Says: Crazed driver Freebie (James Caan) and by-the-book "Bean" (Alan Arkin) are two wise-cracking, San Francisco police detectives out to catch Red Meyers. This film is saturated with over-the-top chases that almost take away from the actual story line. But who really cares?

21. The Blues Brothers (1980)

Cars Involved: 1974 Dodge Monaco Bluesmobile, several 1975 Dodge Monaco police cars
Cars Totaled: Several 1975 Dodge Monaco police cars
Location: Chicago
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Sixty police cars purchased at $400 each were mostly destroyed by the completion of filming. At the time of its release, the movie held the world record for the most cars destroyed in one film. That record fell in the sequel, Blues Brothers 2000.

20. Quantum of Solace (2008)

Cars Involved: 2008 Aston Martin DBS, 2006 Alfa Romeo 159, Land Rover Defender 90
Cars Totaled: Land Rover Defender 90, 2006 Alfa Romeo 159
Location: Italy
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Can James Bond's Aston Martin DBS elude pursuing black Alfa Romeos on a narrow mountainous road while dodging firing machine-guns? Uh, of course he can. Watch this sick 360-degree turn as he avoids collisions with vehicles and trucks, and causes a police van to crash and flip off the side of the road.

19. Unknown (2011)

Cars Involved: 1994 Mercedes-Benz W124 E-Klasse, 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
Cars Totaled: None in this scene
Location: Berlin
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Dr. Martin Harris (Liam Neeson) is in for one hectic ride, when a car crash leaves him with extensive memory loss. This thriller, featuring BMWs from all eras, is filled with as many twists and turns in the storyline as there are in the chase sequences.

18. Against All Odds (1984)

Cars Involved: 1983 Porsche 911 SC Cabrio, 1980 Ferrari 308 QV GTSi
Cars Totaled: None in this scene
Location: Los Angeles
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: A seedy Los Angeles is the backdrop for this film. The staged action between a Porsche 911 Cabriolet and Ferrari 308 GTSi along L.A.'s insanely crowded Sunset Boulevard was shot on Sunday mornings, with the road closed for 15-minute bursts.

17. Duel (1971)

Cars Involved: 1971 Plymouth Valiant DeLuxe, 1955 Peterbilt 281
Cars Totaled: None in this scene
Location: California desert
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: This low-budget picture, shot in less than two weeks, was Steven Spielberg's made-for-TV film debut. Pursued by a crazed diesel-engined truck on the California highway, mild-mannered traveling salesman David Mann (Dennis Weaver) tries to escape harm's way in his red 1971 Plymouth Valiant.

16. Thunder Road (1958)

Cars Involved: 1957 Chevrolet Two-Ten, 1951 Ford Custom Tudor Sedan, 1957 Ford Custom, 1950 Ford Custom DeLuxe
Cars Totaled: 1957 Ford Custom
Location: Tennessee
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: "You'll Need Shock Absorbers!" was the film's advertised tagline at the time. This cult drive-in favorite about transporting moonshine from the Appalachians of rural North Carolina to Kentucky will stand the test of time as one of the most iconic car films in history. Trivia: Robert Mitchum, the star, also wrote the film's theme song, "Ballad of Thunder Road."

15. Bad Boys II (2003)

Cars Involved: Ferrari 550 Maranello, 2000 Mack Vision transporter, 2003 GMC Yukon Denali, two 1994 Chevrolet Caprices, 1998 Ford Crown Victoria
Cars Totaled: Several cars on the transporter
Location: Miami
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Michael Bay knows how to direct a chase scene. A silver Ferrari 550M Maranello, carrying detectives Lowery and Burnett, is in pursuit of villains who have stolen a loaded vehicle carrier and are chucking whole cars (and boats) at our heroes.

14. Hooper (1978)

Cars Involved: 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, two 1969 Moto Guzzi V 750 Police Specials, 1970 Ford Maverick, 1961 Cadillac Miller Meteor Sentinel Ambulance, 1963 Mercury Comet, International Harvester Transtar II
Cars Totaled: Everything but the Trans Am
Location: Hollywood
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: This flick is filled with extremely challenging stunts. Sonny Hooper (Burt Reynolds) drives through a collapsing factory, barely missing its falling chimney, and makes a rocket-propelled leap over river where a bridge once stood before its collapse. Whew!

13. To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

Cars Involved: 1981 Chevrolet Impala, 1979 and 1981 Chevrolet Malibus, 1985 Mercury Grand Marquis LS
Cars Totaled: None in this scene
Location: Los Angeles
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Here's William Petersen piloting his Chevrolet the wrong way down a freeway in this incredible chase conclusion. Continuity catch: Petersen is driving on the right-hand side of the road, while the rest of traffic is set in the wrong direction. It's just part of the insanity that makes this chase simultaneously so disconcerting and thrilling.

12. Drive Angry (2011)

Cars Involved: 1971 454 Chevelle SS, hydrogen tanker truck, several 2000 Chevrolet Impala 9C1s
Cars Totaled: Everything but the Chevelle SS
Location: Colorado
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Car chases in 3D and Nicolas Cage. It's too good to be true.

11. The Bourne Identity (2002)

Cars Involved: 1989 Mini Mayfair MkV, 1991 Citroen ZX Série 1, two 1990 BMW K75 RTs, 1989 Renault Trafic Série 2
Cars Totaled: Two 1990 BMW K75 RTs
Location: Paris
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Who doesn't love a Mini chase down one-way streets and staircases through the streets of Paris. Watch Jason Bourne evade the cops in a vintage Austin Mini Cooper. The extended chase sequence concludes with a police motorcyclist crashing into a Peugeot 405, as the Cooper pulls into an underground parking garage.

10. Cannonball Run (1981)

Cars Involved: 1980 Lamborghini Countach LP 400 S, 1981 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, 1977 Ferrari 308 GTS, 1964 Aston Martin DB5, 1980 Subaru DL, 1978 Dodge Sportsman
Cars Totaled: None in this scene
Location: Connecticut
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: A Ferrari 308 GTS, an Aston Martin DB5, and a Lamborghini Countach make short work of a Pontiac Firebird police cruiser. Fact: Car and Driver editor Brock Yates resurrected Burt Reynolds's ambulance, a modified Dodge Tradesman, when he reenacted the famous race in the 1970s, as part of a protest against the onset of 55 mph speeding limits nationwide.

9. Vanishing Point (1971)

Cars Involved: 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T, 1970 Dodge Coronet police cars
Cars Totaled: None in this scene
Location: Death Valley
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Accompanied by a rock-soul soundtrack, pill-popping Vietnam vet and former race car driver Stanley Kowalski fires across Death Valley in a souped-up, 1970 two-door Dodge Challenger, with police in pursuit.

8. A Man and a Woman (1966)

Cars Involved: 1965 Ford Mustang, Ford GT 40
Cars Totaled: Only 35 of more than 200 cars finished the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally
Location: French Riviera
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Who knew romantic films could also combine inventive car chases? Jean-Louis Trintignant plays a race car driver who competes in the Monte Carlo Rally in a 1965 GT Mustang.

7. Gone in 60 Seconds (1974)

Cars Involved: 1973 Ford Mustang Fastback, 1970 Dodge Coronet 440, 1971 Ford Custom 500, 1971 Mercury Montego, 1968 & 1969 Plymouth Belvederes, 1966 Volkswagen Type 31 Fastback Sedan
Cars Totaled: 1966 Volkswagen Type 31 Fastback Sedan
Location: Long Beach
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Stealing 48 specific cars for a drug lord is no easy task. But it makes for some incredible chases. Fact: Almost one car is crashed for every minute of this 97-minute film.

6. What's Up, Doc? (1972)

Cars Involved: 1952 Cadillac Fleetwood 75, 1971 Ford Custom Taxi, 1969 Cadillac Deville Convertible, 1962 Volkswagen Bus Type 2 Samba, grocery delivery tricycle
Cars Totaled: 1962 Volkswagen Bus Type 2 Samba
Location: San Francisco
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Peter Bogdanovich's clever spoof of Bullitt's chase sequence is one of the high points of this screwball comedy, starring Barbra Streisand as a woman who will stop at nothing to land Ryan O'Neal.

5. xXx (2002)

Cars Involved: 1998 Chevrolet C5 Corvette Convertible, 1993 & 1999 Ford Crown Victorias
Cars Totaled: 1998 Chevrolet C5 Corvette Convertible
Location: Eastern Europe
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: A Chevrolet Corvette gets base-jumped off a bridge in this opening scene from Triple X.

4. The Seven-Ups (1973)

Cars Involved: 1973 Pontiac Ventura Custom, 1968 Plymouth Fury I, 1973 Pontiac Grand Ville, 18-Wheel Trailer Truck
Cars Totaled: 1973 Pontiac Ventura Custom
Location: New York City
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Two Pontiacs chase through city streets, busy intersections, sidewalks, screaming schoolchildren, and police barricades, and they even get airborne during this chase scene. The scene concludes with the impact of the Ventura Sprint Coupe into the rear-end of a parked 18-wheeler trailer truck. It's amazing that anyone stayed alive in the film.

3. The Transporter (2002)

Cars Involved: 1995 BMW E38 E735i, two 2001 Peugeot 307s, 2000 Peugeot 607
Cars Totaled: 2001 Peugeot 307
Location: Southern France
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: The first film of the series opens with an over-the-top chase in a modified BMW 7-Series. Enjoy.

2. Bullitt (1968)

Cars Involved: 1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT Fastback, 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 440
Cars Totaled: 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 440
Location: San Francisco
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: "Bullitt" is the quentesential car chase movie. In fact, it was the first film to highlight a car chase lasting more than eight mintues. Check out this San Fransisco street chase between a '68 Ford Mustang and a '68 Dodge Charger.

1. The Fast and the Furious (2001)

Cars Involved: 1995 Toyota Supra Convertible, 1970 Dodge Charger, two Kawasaki KLR 650s
Cars Totaled: No cars, both bikes
Location: Los Angeles
Click Here To Watch The Chase
Complex Says: Street racers used souped-up, nitrous oxide-injected vehicles for the intense chase sequences throughout the movie. The film opens with a violent, high-speed, western-style robbery on the interstate. Can't beat that.