Grab the Popcorn! It's Time for Movie Night!
Since it’s October and that’s prime scary-movie viewing time, we thought we’d shake things up a bit! We’re sharing some of our picks for interesting horror-thrillers centering around cars. Get your adrenaline revving, Gearheads, because we’re kicking off our list with an all time classic from the 1980s.
Please note that not all movies on this list will be suitable for all audiences, and viewer discretion is advised for any potential mature content.
Christine
1983, Rated R, 1hr 50min
This classic tale of horror was adapted from a novel penned by Stephen King and directed by John Carpenter. This supernatural thriller centers around the 1958 Plymouth Fury owned by nerdy Arnie Cunningham. After a raucous bully defaces his vehicle, the car comes to life and begins enacting her revenge on anyone who has wronged her. It’s up to Arnie’s peers to pump the brakes and bring the violence to a screeching halt, but will they make it in time?
The Car
1977, Rated R, 1hr 36min
A small town in the remote desert of the Southwest US is terrorized by a car which is seemingly possessed. After two local bicyclists are run down, local Sheriff Wade Parents and deputy Everett are called in to investigate. But after the car kills Everett, and threatens to derail some local festivities, it’s up to Sheriff Wade to take the wheel and get this show on the road. Can he save his girlfriend, loved ones, and the locals before it’s too late?
Death Proof
2007, Rated R, 1hr 27min
Citing such “Grindhouse” genre classics such as Vanishing Point as his inspiration, even going so far as to recreate the vehicle used in it, Tarantino brings us a new type of terror. When a stuntman Mike takes his “death proof” cars on the road and uses them to murder people, things take a dastardly turn. He has modified his car to be the most terrifying thing on four wheels, leaving him to survive his murder sprees without a scratch! But when he targets the wrong group of gals, he soon learns they’re tough as nails and ready for everything, and he might not make it to the qualifiers in his next death race….
Blood Car
2007, Not Rated but Mature Themes, 1hr 16 min
If you’re looking for ultra low budget and ultra ridiculous plot, this is one wild ride! In the not so distant future, rising global crises have caused gasoline prices to skyrocket to astronomical prices. Environmentally conscious teacher and committed vegan Archie has devised a vehicle to run on an alternative fuel source: wheat grass! But one day he makes an accidental startling discovery: it runs even better …..ON BLOOD! Can Archie outwit the local and federal law enforcement and keep his clean-fuel car out of their hands?
Duel
1977, Rated PG, 1hr 14min
One of the earliest works of masterclass filmmaker Steven Spielberg, Duel follows David the Salesman as he makes his way across the country on a 2-lane highway. All is hunky dory until David unleashes a bit of mild-mannered road rage at a frustrating truck driver, one who seems to enjoy enacting sweet, sweet revenge of a psychologically torturous nature. We spend most of our time with David as he tries to outwit and outdrive this mysterious big rig and its malicious truck driver. Despite the simple premise it’s a real nail biter!
Mad Max Franchise
90min+, 1979-2015+, Rated R
Set in a post apocalyptic Australian future, the Mad Max Franchise follows a vengeful Australian Cop doing his best to thwart a vicious biker game who kills, maims, and steals precious resources. It’s up to Max to save the world from further wars, famine, and socioeconomic chaos and preserve resources and avenge his own vendetta. Writer/Director George Miller has been working on this franchise quite passionately since the late 1970s. It has some of the best car chases in cinema history! This dystopian SciFi horror flick has delighted fans for generations, and continues to gain popularity evolving from Cult Classic to mainstream household name.
Even More Great Car Themed Horror-Thrillers!
Dead End
The Hitcher
Maximum Overdrive
Joy Ride
The Wraith
Rubber
Death Race
Roadkill
Robo Cop
