Car chase scenes are some of the purest expressions of entertainment in cinema. We all have our favorites, but some are better than others at keeping you on the edge of your seat.

In this post, we’re going to discuss some of the best car chase scenes in films made since the turn of the millennium. We love Bullitt and Ronin as much as the next person, but we want to cover new ground.

Car Chase Scene

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Mad Max: Fury Road Car Chase Scene

Mad Max: Fury Road is basically one big car chase movie and it has some of the greatest action in a movie ever. The unique customization of the vehicles, the destructive instincts, and filmmaking make this shine.  

Mad Max: Fury Road Car Chase Scene Analysis | StudioBinder

Best Car Movies

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

The Matrix Reloaded Car Chase Scene

This is one of my personal favorites on the list but for the exact opposite reason for the Nightcrawler scene. Because The Matrix is a unique world with unique rules, you can build some really creative action as well as adding complications that wouldn’t exist in other films.

Car Chase Movies

Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)

Gone in 60 Seconds Car Chase Scene

This scene in Gone in 60 Seconds has a few things going for it that many other car chase scenes seldom have, and that is a personal connection to the vehicle itself. The story makes sure to build up both the love and hate for the car that makes this chase scene even more fun to watch.

Best Car Chase Movies

Baby Driver (2017)

Baby Driver Car Chase Scene

What makes the car chase scenes in Baby Driver so great is the creativity. Watching Baby drive between two cars with similar paint all while perfectly synced with music gives these scenes an extra rhythm. 

Good Car Movies

The Fast and the Furious (2001)

The Fast and the Furious Car Chase Scene

Many of the car chase scenes in “The Fast Franchise” are great, but very few have as strong of story implications,  passion, and heart as the ending sequence from the original The Fast and the Furious

Best Car Chase Scenes

The Transporter (2002)

The Transporter Car Chase Scene

The Transporter is a film franchise built around the car chase scene, and for good reason. There is something about European car chases that also seem a bit more stressful, and maybe it’s the rather thin streets.

Car Scenes

Skyfall (2012)

Skyfall Car Chase Scene

Most Bond films have a great car chase scene somewhere in the film, but the reason this one stands out is due to the destruction that takes place around the chase, as well as a really stellar ending to the scene.

Police Chase Movie Scene

The Bourne Identity (2002)

The Bourne Identity Car Chase Scene

Again, destruction and continuing through destruction is one of the hallmarks of a great car chase scene. This car chase scene stands out because the car itself isn’t exactly a 1967 Mustang. Bourne also finds really creative ways to elude the police with a nice smooth ending. 

Car Movies List

Bad Boys II (2003)

Bad Boys II Car Chase Scene

Michael Bay understands action better than most directors, and he understands that finding really interesting places to put the camera is half the battle in a good car chase scene.

Best Car Scenes

Nightcrawler (2014)

Nightcrawler Car Chase Scene

This car chase scene in Nightcrawler has a few things going for it that so many others do not. Most of the best car chase scenes happen in a world full of wheelmen that are professional drivers and criminals operating in an almost supernatural world. This scene has a couple of regular guys trying to get some primo news footage. The stakes seem much higher.

Up Next

Best movie cars of all time

To pull of a great car chase scene, sometimes you need a great car. Some are fast, some have gadgets, and some just look darn cool. There have been many iconic movie cars in cinema history — the ECTO-1, the Batmobile, the Gigahorse, the Shaggin' Wagon, and just about everything James Bond ever drove. Let's take a roadtrip through the best movie cars of all time.

Up Next: Best movie cars →
Solution Icon - Shot List and Storyboard

Showcase your vision with elegant shot lists and storyboards.

Create robust and customizable shot lists. Upload images to make storyboards and slideshows.

Learn More ➜

Tags:
  • SC Lannom is a screenwriter and director living in Los Angeles. He works as a writer, director, and content producer here at StudioBinder.

49 Shares
Copy link