F1: The Movie is basking in its victory lap as global box office numbers soar high, and the film races to the top spot. Brad Pitt takes the wheel as Sonny Hayes, a ‘never was’ ex-Formula 1 driver who comes out of retirement to help revive a struggling team owned by an old friend, guide a rising star, and chase the title he once let slip away.
Produced by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, the film is packed with real F1 cameos and enough on-track action to keep fans thrilled. Hans Zimmer’s electrifying score amplifies the movie’s emotion and gives it cinematic horsepower at every turn. Whether you’re here for the technical precision, the underdog story, or the pure rush of watching carbon fibre missiles fly down at 300 kmph, F1 takes home the chequered flag. And if you’re not ready to hit the brakes just yet, here are 10 more high-action racing movies that burn rubber on screen.
Senna (2010)
One of the most critically acclaimed motorsport documentaries ever made, Senna follows the powerful, emotional, and ultimately tragic life of legendary Brazilian Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna. The film focuses on his meteoric rise, intense rivalry with Alain Prost, the underhanded political manoeuvres within Formula 1, and the tragic series of events that led to his untimely death at the San Marino Grand Prix. Senna is the first in a series of three narrative-driven, archive-constructed documentaries released by critically acclaimed British filmmaker Asif Kapadia, who followed it up with Amy and Diego Maradona. If you’re even remotely interested in the world of F1, Senna is a must watch.
Ford v Ferrari (2019)
Formula 1 is as much about the car as it is about the driver. Set in the 1960s, Ford v Ferrari tells the true story of how American automotive designer, Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon), teamed up with British racing driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) to help Ford Motor Company end Ferrari’s reign at the 24 hours of Le Mans, the world’s most gruelling endurance race. Ford v Ferrari is the clash between corporate ambition and creative genius. It’s fast, fierce, and fuelled by a strong underdog story. The film won two Academy Awards for Best Film Editing and Best Sound Editing and remains one of the best racing dramas of the decade.
Rush (2013)
Think you saw Chris Hemsworth in F1: The Movie? You weren’t imagining it. His blink -and -you’ll-miss-it cameo is a nod to the movie Rush. Based on the real-life rivalry between British driver James Hunt and Austrian driver Niki Lauda, Rush is a high-octane biographical drama that covers one of the most intense and iconic seasons of Formula 1 history. Directed by Jon Howard, the film unpacks the infamous crash at Nürburgring, where Lauda suffered intense burn marks and returned to the tracks just six weeks later to challenge Hunt for a final showdown. Beyond the speed and danger, Rush is a story about ambition, rivalry, and overcoming adversity. The whole movie unpacks like a psychological thriller on wheels and promises to keep you gripped, even if you’re new to the world of Formula 1 racing.
Schumacher (2021)
Schumacher is one of the many iconic F1 drivers Sonny Hayes is referenced to have raced alongside during his prime years in F1: The Movie. This family-approved, authorised documentary traces the life and career of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. It follows his journey from karting in Germany to becoming one of the most prominent figures in Formula 1, first with Benetton, and later, with Ferrari. Schumacher isn’t as fast-paced or drama-fuelled as Senna or Rush, but it features never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage and intimate family interviews that offer a rare glimpse into the life of the man behind the wheel.
Driven (2001)
Driven might not be as polished as F1: The Movie, but it does deliver its own brand of early 2000s racing spectacle. Inspired by the CART series, the movie stars Sylvester Stallone as Joe Tanto, a retired driver with a troubled past who is brought in as a mentor and backup driver to Jimmy Byl, a talented young rookie who is crumbling under pressure from media, team, and his overbearing manager. As egos clash, rivalries peak, and tensions rise, the movie culminates toward a dramatic, high-stakes showdown filled with over the top racing sequences. The film is far more melodramatic and stylised than F1: The Movie, but it bears a loose resemblance in its themes of redemption, mentorship, and psychological toll of elite motorsports.
Gran Turismo (2023)
Gran Turismo is quite underrated. Based on a true story, the movie follows Jann Mardenborough, a Brit teen gamer who scores a once in a lifetime wild ride to train and compete as a professional driver thanks to his extraordinary skills in the popular simulator game. While F1 is rooted in the realism of the sport, Gran Turismo serves as an inspiring tale to other gamers who share the dream of making it in the competitive world of motorsport racing. It’s got the same underdog energy and heart as F1 and packs in its own share of sharply edited and immersive racing scenes.
Baby Driver (2017)
Baby Driver isn’t your typical racing film, but it absolutely belongs on any list of high-octane driving movies, especially if you haven’t been able to stop listening to the F1: The Movie soundtrack since leaving the cinema. The film stars Ansel Elgort as Baby, a getaway driver with tinnitus who drowns out the ringing in his ears by syncing his every move to carefully curated playlists. Working for a ruthless crime boss, Baby uses his exceptional driving skills to pull off high-profile heists until he decides he wants out. Baby Driver is part action thriller, part musical, and all style, with pulse-pounding car chases choreographed to the beat of its unforgettable soundtrack.
Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005)
Yes, Herbie: Fully Loaded is technically a kids’ film, but it’s also just a genuinely good movie about racing. We’ve got Lindsay Lohan in her prime leading-lady era as Maggie Peyton, the youngest member of a legendary NASCAR family, who takes on a beaten-up Volkswagen Beetle, a self-aware, mischievous car with a mind of its own, and sets out to make her own name in the racing world. Herbie is the goofy, feel-good, self-aware cousin of F1: The Movie, less about the technical side of motorsport and more about the magic and mayhem of it all. It’s the perfect family-friendly binge to introduce younger kids to the thrill of racing.
Days of Thunder (1990)
Fearless, cocky, intense; Days of Thunder is Tom Cruise in peak action star mode, tearing through the NASCAR circuit with the same dedication, rigour, and adrenaline he brought to the Top Gun and Mission: Impossible films. The movie follows Cole Trickle (Cruise), a hot-headed, fearless open-wheel racer who’s given a shot at the NASCAR circuit. With the support of veteran crew chief Harry Hogge, Cole sets out to learn the ropes of stock car racing while balancing fierce rivalries, internal doubts, and the life-and-death nature of his job. Days of Thunder also set in motion the whirlwind romance between Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, who plays his romantic interest in the film.
Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007)
Ta Ra Rum Pum walked so F1: The Movie could drive. With Brad Pitt’s new film burning rubber at the cinemas, the internet has been quick to reawaken its love and memes for Ta Ra Rum Pum. And while most of it is nostalgia-drenched irony, let’s be honest: Ta Ra Rum Pum is one of the few, if not the only, Bollywood movies that went full throttle with racing drama. The film stars Saif Ali Khan as Rajveer, a gifted street-car driver who gets spotted by a talent scout and quickly rises through the ranks of professional racing in the US. But after a terrible crash, he’s forced to rebuild his life, career, and family from scratch. Ta Ra Rum Pum is more family melodrama than motorsport realism, but it’s the closest Bollywood has gotten to a true racing film, and for that, it deserves an honorary mention on the list.
Where To Watch Movies Like 'F1: The Movie' Online
To discover more about TV shows and movies currently streaming in India, check out the JustWatch streaming guide! You can filter your search by streaming service, genre, price, age rating, and score. Be sure to build your watchlist and receive helpful notifications on what to watch next based on your preferences!
