We’ve all enjoyed the excitement of a good car chase: the hero’s pursuit, the police chase, and the incredible driving feats that often defy reality. But how do these cinematic spectacles measure up against actual road regulations? At RD2SuccseseFastTrack, we took a break from our focus on practical driving skills to investigate. We analyzed a selection of top-rated, high-grossing, and big-budget films featuring car chases. Working with one of our experienced driving instructors, we identified instances of dangerous driving and assessed the number of major and minor faults that would be incurred under driving test conditions. The results revealed a significant level of rule violations.
Elements of a Classic Car Chase Film
Examining popular car chase films reveals recurring elements. On average, these productions command a budget of approximately $73 million, with the Aston Martin frequently featured as the vehicle of choice. While James Bond is a staple behind the wheel, Vin Diesel also contributes significantly to the genre. These films resonate with audiences, as evidenced by average ratings of 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 6.9 on IMDb.
Top-Rated Car Chase Films
When it comes to thrilling car chases in cinema, James Bond films consistently deliver. Four 007 movies feature among the top 10 highest-rated car chase films on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb. While “The French Connection” boasts 35 major incidents of dangerous driving, the highest-rated film, “Goldfinger,” achieves its acclaim with only seven. Notably, the Bond films stand out for their relatively law-abiding approach, being the only ones in the top 10 with fewer than 10 incidents of dangerous driving.
Car Chase Films and Box Office Success
Does a higher frequency of illegal driving translate to increased box office earnings? The data suggests a correlation. Furious 7, the highest-grossing car chase film, features 12 major and 15 dangerous driving incidents. Another franchise installment, The Fate of the Furious, showcases 26 such incidents. The remaining three Fast and Furious films in the top 10 contribute a combined total of 36 dangerous driving scenes.
While audiences appear to enjoy Vin Diesel’s cinematic driving feats, it’s crucial to remember that these actions are not to be replicated in real-world driving scenarios.
High-Budget Car Chase Films
Which films have invested the most in creating spectacular car chases? 2017’s “The Fate of the Furious,” part of the Fast and Furious franchise, and 2021’s “No Time To Die,” a Bond film, both commanded a substantial $250,000,000 budget. “The Fate of the Furious” features numerous dangerous driving incidents, while “No Time To Die” showcases a significant number of major and dangerous driving sequences. “Spectre,” another Bond installment, while slightly less expensive, delivered an even greater volume of hazardous driving maneuvers in Daniel Craig’s Aston Martin.
Top 3 Most Reckless Movie Car Chases
Setting aside budget, ratings, and box office results, which films feature the most egregiously illegal driving? Which movies showcase driving so perilous that no driving instructor would dare to be a passenger?
- The French Connection: Topping the list with 35 dangerous driving incidents—30 major and 5 minor—is The French Connection. This 1971 Oscar-winning film is renowned for its iconic seven-minute car chase through Brooklyn, spanning 26 blocks. Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle commandeers a 1971 Pontiac LeMans to pursue a hitman escaping on an elevated train, involving chasing a train, speeding, driving on the wrong side of the road, swerving around trucks, and endangering pedestrians.
- Baby Driver: Second on the list is 2017’s Baby Driver. The film’s opening scene features 33 dangerous driving incidents, including 20 major and two minor. It involves a bank heist and a getaway in a red Subaru, featuring running red lights, speeding, handbrake turns, and driving while listening to headphones.
- The Fate of the Furious: Completing the top three is The Fate of the Furious, with 26 dangerous driving incidents, including 18 major and one minor. Vin Diesel drives through flower shops, into oncoming traffic, and evades the law, making this 2017 Fast and Furious installment a driving instructor’s nightmare.
Real-World Driving with RD2SuccseseFastTrack
Car chases belong in movies, not on real roads. For expert driving instruction, choose RD2SuccseseFastTrack. Our intensive driving courses help you prepare for your test quickly, and our network of DVSA-registered instructors ensures you learn from the best.
