Given the emotional resonance and stunning visuals that often go part and parcel with them, it’s not all that surprising that cars have played memorable, even central roles in many iconic films. From silly British comedies to poignant documentaries and tense thrillers, the automobile has long been a staple of great cinema. And these days, thanks to the magic of widespread video streaming, watching or rewatching these great flicks is easier than ever.
Not all great car movies are available to stream without an additional fee, as studios increasingly herd their content onto proprietary streaming services. But, here are 10 car films that are available, as of this writing, to view on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and a few free video streaming services.
The Italian Job (1969)
The Italian Job is a classic British heist movie starring a nattily-dressed Michael Caine. There’s the cheery humor and the literal cliff-hanger ending to enjoy, sure, but The Italian Job may be most notable for being the single best car-spotting movie in history.
The film opens with an orange Lamborghini Miura cruising through the Great St Bernard Pass. The heist’s iconic escape cars are red, white, and blue Minis. An Aston Martin DB4 convertible and E-Type Jags play supporting roles. Heck, even the cops drive Alfa Romeo Giulias.