ROTTEN TOMATOES: Total Recall: 50 Most Memorable Movie Cars

Total Recall: 50 Most Memorable Movie Cars

We count down the 50 most famous cars to drive across the silver screen.

by Matt Atchity | May 08, 2008

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50 - 46 | 45 - 41 | 40 - 36 | 35 - 31 | 30 - 26 | 25 - 21 | 20 - 16 | 15 - 11 | 10 - 6 | 5 - 1
Honorable Mentions

This week sees the long-awaited release of the live action Speed Racer, starring Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, and Susan Sarandon. But we all know the real star of the movie is the legendary Mach 5. After 40 years, the Mach 5 makes the jump from animation to the big screen, and to celebrate, we're counting down the most memorable cars of all time.

A couple of quick notes before we get started. For the most part, we're only picking one car per film. Also, a car has to show up in a movie to make it on the list, so KITT and the A-Team van don't make it. And the rankings refer to how memorable a car is, not how cool it is (that would be a much different list). Lastly, a special thanks to our friends at The Internet Movie Car Database for use of their screenshots and car data.

Editor's Note: In light of an overwhelming audience response, we've moved the Mustang from Bullitt into the top 5.

more info...

50. Chili's Minivan
Type of car: 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette
Special features: It's the Cadillac of minivans.
Appears in: Get Shorty

On his trip out to Los Angeles, shylock Chili Palmer (John Travolta) orders a Cadillac from the car rental service, but gets this minivan instead. And Chili is so cool that by the end of the film, the Oldsmobile Silhouette becomes the "must have" car for the discerning filmmaker.

more info...	49. The Dude's Gran Torino Type of car: 1973 Ford Gran Torino Special features: Nihilists hate it. Appears in: The Big Lebowski It's rare that a car fits its owner so perfectly, but the Dude and this car are a perfect match. By the time the movie is over, it's been stolen, vandalized, crashed into a dumpster, and set on fire, but nonetheless, the Dude abides.

more info...	48. Jack Cate's Cadillac Type of car: 1964 Cadillac DeVille Convertible Special features: Doesn't look like a cop car at all. Appears in: 48 Hrs., Another 48 Hrs. This beat-up Cadillac has definitely seen better days, just like its owner. What's really sad is that even with access to Reggie's stolen drug money, Jack spends 25 grand to get another beat-up old Caddy in the sequel.

more info...	47. Lane's Camaro Type of car: 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 350 Special features: Muddy Waters theme song, attracts French exchange students Appears in: Better Off Dead Lane Meyer (John Cusack) has hidden this gem under a cover in the driveway for far too long. But his hot new friend Monique helps him get it running again so he can get a taste of winning.

more info...	46. Fozzie's uncle's Studebaker Type of car: 1951 Studebaker Commander Special features: Custom paint job Appears in: The Muppet Movie What better car for a cross-country trip than an old Studebaker? Okay, so there are a lot of better cars, but considering that it's Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear taking the trip, this car fits them pretty well.

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(1-20 of 128 posts) | Reply

digitalrelic writes:
on May 08 2008 02:52 PM

Great list, the number 1 was a perfect choice! The delorean is absolutely iconic.

(Reply to this)

cypress550 writes:
on May 08 2008 02:55 PM

im glad the general lee which should be atleast number 2 but oh well and also torettos 1970 charger, what can i say im a charger fan

(Reply to this)

IMAmoose24 writes:
on May 08 2008 03:01 PM

I think the DB5 is WAYYYY more iconic than herbie, the general lee, and the mach 5. Think about it. 50 Most Memorable MOVIE CARS. Mach 5 and General Lee both came before in they're tv series and herbie, well Lohan ruined that for most fans.

I Agree with the De Lorean at that no. 1 spot, but the DB5 should have had that no. 2.

(Reply to this)

jokerboy1991 writes:
on May 08 2008 03:16 PM

Great list. The only car I think is missing is Kurt Russels car in Deathproof with the skull.

(Reply to this)

tgibfo writes:
on May 08 2008 03:27 PM

Nice list, M!
Although I have to admit I would have put Christine and the Eco 1 higher than Speed Racer and The General Lee which, as pointed out before, were really TV cars. And if TV cars are included, Kitt should be in the top ten!

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minderbinder writes:
on May 08 2008 03:34 PM

Nice list, especially the delorian for #1.

But I have to disagree with the inclusion of the General Lee. You said in the intro you were leaving out TV cars, and while yes, it was in the movie, the car is only famous because of the TV show and not the turd of a movie. If it were only in the movie it wouldn't be on this list at all. Seems like you guys are bending your own rules.

(Reply to this)

Jen Yamato writes:
on May 08 2008 03:36 PM

jokerboy, Stuntman Mike's Death Proof car made the honorable mentions!

(Reply to this)

RT-Matchity writes:
on May 08 2008 03:45 PM

In reply to this comment (#1726670)
There was a brief debate about whether or not to include cars that started on TV (the General Lee, Starsky's Gran Torino, the Mach 5), but we ultimately decided to include them. Our reasoning was that if a successful TV actor (i.e. Neil Patrick Harris) appears in a movie or two, is he still just a TV star? And even though the Mach 5 and the General Lee were primarily TV cars, they were definitely treated as stars of their respective (big-budget) films. And we figured it's more of an oversight to leave them out, rather than include them.

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davechung writes:
on May 08 2008 04:20 PM

I busted out in a big smile as soon as I saw Fozzie's Studebaker made the list. Epic win for the bear.

(Reply to this)

jokerboy1991 writes:
on May 08 2008 04:47 PM

In reply to this comment (#1726671)
Oh ok

(Reply to this)

jokerboy1991 writes:
on May 08 2008 04:48 PM

In reply to this comment (#1726671)
Hey Jen sicnce youve seen speed racer alreay is it any good? I wanna see it but the reviews have been negative, which I expected. Also is RACER X in it alot?

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Jen Yamato writes:
on May 08 2008 05:23 PM

jokerboy, I LOVED Speed Racer. I've never disagreed personally with the Tomatometer so strongly. Unless you have the heart of a cynic (like 65 % of critics at the moment), you'll enjoy it. And there's enough Racer X to make a Matthew Fox fan weep. You know what's interesting about Matthew Fox? EVERYTHING.

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jocorotten writes:
on May 08 2008 05:38 PM

The Aston Martin DB5 is a machine of great beauty. I want one. Very very much. Great list Matchity. If you are into car movies, I recommend digging out an obscure, early Peter Weir Aussie flick called The Cars that Ate Paris. It scored 50% on the Tomatometer and it is very very weird and very very black but the cars are an experience! In trivia interesting probably only to myself, it was filmed in a tiny, one road Aussie town where I spent part of my childhood.

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jokerboy1991 writes:
on May 08 2008 06:05 PM

In reply to this comment (#1726788)
Cool thanks Jen, Im gonna trust ya because u seem to like cool action flicks with ausome bizare style, like mostly the Night Watch series, and we both are excited for Wanted seems to look like we will finnaly get a cool R action flick. Im also happy theres alot of Racer X, matthew fox is ausome- hes ausome on Lost.

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JUDGE DREDD writes:
on May 08 2008 06:12 PM

Huh? The Batmobile shoulda been no 1
Then delorian at 2
then Ecto 1 at 3.

I dont care what happens after that.

(Reply to this)

villain78 writes:
on May 08 2008 08:00 PM

I was kinda hopin' to see Lightning McQueen up there, but then again I'm like one of five people who loved Pixar's Cars. Or maybe animated ones don't count. Great list!

(Reply to this)

hitnrun017 writes:
on May 08 2008 08:05 PM

I would of thrown up if Herbie wasn't in the top 10, thank you!

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theginsengtree writes:
on May 08 2008 08:16 PM

I have to take issue with Bullitt being so low. C'mon!

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Mr. & Mrs. B writes:
on May 08 2008 08:16 PM

The movies made after TV shows such as Dukes of Hazzard were horrible and if the movie was to stand alone the car wouldn't be famous at all and should not be considered for a car in the top ten. Ok now that I'm done venting with a run on sentance, I loved the rest of the list. Awesome that the Batmobile made it on the list three times (thank God you didn't include the Batman and Robin Batmobile). Personally Christine should have been higher on the list. That car scared the crap out of me as a child, honestly I still have nightmares!

(Reply to this)

Mr. & Mrs. B writes:
on May 08 2008 08:17 PM

The movies made after TV shows such as Dukes of Hazzard were horrible and if the movie was to stand alone the car wouldn't be famous at all and should not be considered for a car in the top ten. Ok now that I'm done venting with a run on sentance, I loved the rest of the list. Awesome that the Batmobile made it on the list three times (thank God you didn't include the Batman and Robin Batmobile). Personally Christine should have been higher on the list. That car scared the crap out of me as a child, honestly I still have nightmares!

(Reply to this)

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