Examining the Rise of Car-Focused Movies Dominating the Early 2000s

We all agree that 90s TV and culture was the best. Hence, a lot of award-winning TV series and movies came out around that time. Today, we are still binging on those productions on Netflix, and we can't get enough of them.

Most people still look back nostalgically to try to relive the 90s. However, nothing beats watching a car chase scene. Yes, car chase scenes make movie buffs sit on the edge of their seats and watch a movie from the opening scene to the end. And if the scene involves an occasional rat-ta-tat of guns, the better for them. According to Gitnux, the U.S. auto repair industry alone has a value of approximately $116 billion, so it’s almost impossible to imagine how much the car industry itself has grown with the rise of these movies.

In the early 2000s, Hollywood released a series of car-focused movies. One of the best movies during that era was Fast and the Furious. What makes this one movie even more popular is its plot. The main character, Dominic (played by Vin Diesel), is into car racing. He grapples with many social issues. But he still manages to do what he loves: car racing. Many other movies came after this one with a similar plot, but none came close. Particularly in terms of box office numbers and popularity, like Fast and the Furious did.

Fast and the Furious and many other movies that are focused on cars, inspired a few drivers to try their hand at drag racing. A big mistake because such unlawful activities resulted in crushes that led drivers to either being injured or losing their lives. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration conducted research and found that more than 50% of cars either cause injuries or kill drivers. They found that most of these accidents tend to happen at intersections in urban areas, whereas 30% of them happen in rural areas. Let's keep the car chases to the big screens and take a look at some of the best car-focused movies that came out in the 2000s.

1. Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)

Who could forget Gone in 60 Seconds? We all love the story of a thief who had to steal 50 cars in one night to save his brother's life. The high-level acting by Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie made this movie a success. To this day, it is still an extremely successful movie.

2. Rush (2013)

Rush is a memorable movie. Although it came out recently, it had the charm of the llate 90s, early 2000s cinema. It was directed by Ron Howard. While it is not quite a popular movie, it is compulsive viewing nonetheless. It focuses on the real-life rivalry between Formula 1 drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda. In this movie, wiewers get to see what happens when two Formula 1 drivers compete fiercely.

3. Cars (2006)

The title says it all. Before watching this, you already know what it is about. John Lasseter is the director. He worked alongside Darla Kay Anderson, who produced it. Lightning McQueen has to travel to California to race against The King and his sidekick Chick Hicks. This animated hit speaks to children and adults alike!

4. Need For Speed ( 2014)

In 2014, we saw Aaron Paul of Breakin Bad venture into film. The plot is unique. Tobey is out of prison after being framed for murder by his business partner. So the only way to get revenge is by car racing. Tobey gets a fast car in his workshop and then enters a race. All he wants is redemption for what he had to go through. As you watch the movie you can't help but sympathize with Tobey.

There is something about action movies and cars. Almost all award-winning action movies will have a car chase scene. And if that movie is car-focused, it will draw millions of viewers to watch the story from the opening scene to the last. Just rememeber that these chases should stay in movies. In fact, about $356 is spent on repairs costs for your car each year, and trying your hand at street racing will only increase your financial burden.

Because cars themselves are almost like characters, they make a movie memorable. Every time you see the vehicle you saw racing on Fast and the Furious, you will remember a specific scene. Car dealers capitalize on such films to promote their brands, and movie stars get opportunities to become brand influencers. Now you understand why car-focused movies are still popular to this day.