Want to know the best Racing Movies? How about the worst Racing Movies? Curious about Racing Movies did at the box office or which Racing Movies picked up the most Oscar® nominations and Oscar® wins? Need to know which Racing Movies movie got the best reviews from critics and audiences? Well you have come to the right place….because we have all of that information.
This page represents part 8 in a series of pages that are trying to identify the Top 100 Sports Movies. This page will look at the top 46 Racing movies. Movies are ranked by using a combination of box office results, reviews from audiences and critics and award recognition. For you horse racing movie fans, I realize that there are hundreds more movies that could have been included. I pretty much picked the ones that were mentioned the most when reading about the best horse racing movies. So movies like Julia Robert’s Something To Talk About, which has a horse competition at the end of the movie, did not make the list.
Racing Movies Movies Can Be Ranked 6 Ways In This Table
The really cool thing about this table is that it is “user-sortable”. Rank the movies anyway you want.
- Sort Racing Movies by the type of racing done in the movie
- Sort Racing Movies by actual domestic box office grosses
- Sort Racing Movies by adjusted box office grosses using current movie ticket cost
- Sort by how Racing Movies were received by critics and audiences. 60% rating or higher should indicate a good movie.
- Sort by how many Oscar® nominations and how many Oscar® wins each Racing Movie received.
- Sort Racing Movies by Ultimate Movie Score (UMR). UMR Score puts box office, reviews and awards into a mathematical equation and gives each movie a score.
| R | Movie (Year) | UMR Co-Star Links | Adj. B.O. Worldwide (mil) | UMR Score | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | Movie (Year) | UMR Co-Star Links | Actual B.O. Domestic (mil) | Adj. B.O. Domestic (mil) | Adj. B.O. Worldwide (mil) | B.O. Rank by Year | Review | Oscar Nom / Win | UMR Score | S |
| 1 | Seabiscuit (2003) AA Best Picture Nom |
Jeff Bridges & Tobey Maguire |
120.3 | 215.0 | 265.20 | 17 | 77 | 07 / 00 | 98.6 | |
| 2 | National Velvet (1944) | Elizabeth Taylor & Donald Crisp |
11.9 | 399.7 | 634.60 | 7 | 79 | 05 / 02 | 98.4 | |
| 3 | Grand Prix (1966) | James Garner | 23.8 | 232.8 | 232.80 | 8 | 75 | 03 / 03 | 97.7 | |
| 4 | Ford v Ferrari (2019) AA Best Picture Nom |
Christian Bale & Matt Damon |
117.6 | 138.4 | 264.40 | 22 | 86 | 04 / 02 | 97.0 | |
| 6 | Breaking Away (1979) AA Best Picture Nom |
Dennis Christopher & Dennis Quaid |
27.1 | 116.4 | 116.40 | 34 | 90 | 05 / 01 | 96.3 | |
| 5 | Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) | Will Ferrell & Amy Adams |
148.2 | 242.8 | 267.00 | 13 | 70 | 00 / 00 | 95.2 | |
| 7 | Days of Thunder (1990) | Tom Cruise & Robert Duvall |
82.7 | 210.7 | 402.50 | 13 | 54 | 01 / 00 | 90.7 | |
| 9 | Broadway Bill (1934) | Myrna Loy | 2.5 | 116.7 | 116.70 | 32 | 69 | 00 / 00 | 86.2 | |
| 8 | The Crowd Roars (1932) | James Cagney | 1.5 | 73.4 | 107.70 | 59 | 81 | 00 / 00 | 85.7 | |
| 11 | Winning (1969) | Paul Newman & Robert Wagner |
19.2 | 145.4 | 145.40 | 15 | 54 | 00 / 00 | 83.8 | |
| 13 | Riding High (1950) | Bing Crosby | 6.7 | 150.8 | 150.80 | 25 | 51 | 00 / 00 | 82.9 | |
| 12 | Le Mans (1971) | Steve McQueen | 16.7 | 108.9 | 108.90 | 18 | 64 | 00 / 00 | 82.8 | |
| 13 | Rush (2013) | Chris Hemsworth & Directed by Ron Howard |
26.9 | 35.7 | 119.70 | 96 | 84 | 00 / 00 | 81.6 | |
| 14 | Hidalgo (2004) | Viggo Mortensen | 67.3 | 116.8 | 187.70 | 42 | 58 | 00 / 00 | 80.7 | |
| 13 | Secretariat (2010) | Diane Lane | 59.7 | 81.6 | 81.60 | 58 | 68 | 00 / 00 | 80.1 | |
| 15 | McFarland, USA (2015) | Kevin Costner | 44.5 | 56.9 | 58.50 | 60 | 75 | 00 / 00 | 79.5 | |
| 17 | The Big Wheel (1949) | Mickey Rooney | 4.2 | 104.5 | 104.50 | 83 | 59 | 00 / 00 | 79.3 | |
| 20 | Greased Lightning (1977) | Richard Pryor | 20.5 | 99.3 | 99.30 | 39 | 57 | 00 / 00 | 76.7 | |
| 21 | The Racers (1955) | Kirk Douglas | 5.0 | 103.7 | 103.70 | 67 | 56 | 00 / 00 | 76.4 | |
| 20 | Gran Turismo (2023) | Orlando Bloom | 44.4 | 44.4 | 117.90 | 54 | 74 | 00 / 00 | 76.3 | |
| 19 | The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) | Tom Courtenay | 2.7 | 38.7 | 38.70 | 89 | 75 | 00 / 00 | 75.5 | |
| 22 | Sporting Blood (1931) | Clark Gable | 1.6 | 83.1 | 135.60 | 75 | 61 | 00 / 00 | 75.1 | |
| 24 | Six Pack (1982) | Kenny Rogers | 20.2 | 74.2 | 74.20 | 35 | 63 | 00 / 00 | 74.7 | |
| 24 | Phar Lap (1983) | Tom Burlinson | 2.9 | 9.9 | 9.90 | 104 | 83 | 00 / 00 | 74.0 | |
| 27 | To Please a Lady (1950) | Clark Gable | 5.9 | 132.2 | 187.50 | 43 | 43 | 00 / 00 | 73.1 | |
| 26 | Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005) | Kurt Russell | 32.8 | 55.2 | 65.30 | 85 | 65 | 00 / 00 | 70.4 | |
| 27 | The World's Fastest Indian (2005) | Anthony Hopkins | 5.1 | 8.6 | 30.80 | 162 | 79 | 00 / 00 | 69.5 | |
| 29 | Speedway (1968) | Elvis Presley | 8.6 | 70.5 | 70.50 | 42 | 59 | 00 / 00 | 69.3 | |
| 29 | Dream Horse (2021) | Toni Collette | 2.4 | 2.6 | 2.70 | 89 | 80 | 00 / 00 | 68.4 | |
| 28 | The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019) | Kevin Costner | 26.4 | 31.1 | 39.70 | 87 | 71 | 00 / 00 | 67.9 | |
| 30 | Casey's Shadow (1978) | Walter Matthau | 9.6 | 44.0 | 44.00 | 61 | 66 | 00 / 00 | 67.3 | |
| 34 | The Boys In The Boat (2023) | Joel Edgerton & Directed by George Clooney |
52.6 | 52.6 | 55.40 | 48 | 62 | 00 / 00 | 65.6 | |
| 31 | The Story of Seabiscuit (1949) | Shirley Temple | 2.3 | 57.5 | 57.50 | 134 | 60 | 00 / 00 | 64.9 | |
| 32 | Spinout (1966) | Elvis Presley | 6.0 | 58.4 | 58.40 | 47 | 58 | 00 / 00 | 62.7 | |
| 33 | Heart Like a Wheel (1983) | Bonnie Bedelia | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.90 | 146 | 72 | 01 / 00 | 57.0 | |
| 34 | On the Edge (1986) | Bruce Dern | 0.4 | 1.3 | 1.30 | 190 | 71 | 00 / 00 | 53.3 | |
| 37 | Hard Miles (2024) | Matthew Modine | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.50 | 146 | 69 | 00 / 00 | 49.8 | |
| 38 | Indianapolis Speedway (1939) | Pat O'Brien & Ann Sheridan |
1.6 | 60.7 | 74.70 | 145 | 49 | 00 / 00 | 47.9 | |
| 39 | Speed Racer (2008) | John Goodman & Susan Sarandon |
43.9 | 66.0 | 141.00 | 64 | 47 | 00 / 00 | 46.8 | |
| 38 | The Program (2016) | Ben Foster | 0.1 | 0.1 | 4.20 | 355 | 68 | 00 / 00 | 46.1 | |
| 40 | The Last American Hero (1973) | Jeff Bridges | 3.8 | 23.1 | 23.10 | 79 | 59 | 00 / 00 | 42.8 | |
| 40 | Fireball 500 (1966) | Frankie Avalon | 6.5 | 63.7 | 63.70 | 43 | 45 | 00 / 00 | 41.6 | |
| 42 | Pit Stop (1969) | Ellen Burstyn | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.40 | 174 | 65 | 00 / 00 | 40.4 | |
| 43 | 4 Minute Mile (2014) Film Festival Circuit Only |
Richard Jenkins | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 299 | 63 | 00 / 00 | 36.6 | |
| 43 | International Velvet (1978) | Anthony Hopkins & Christopher Plummer |
2.2 | 10.2 | 10.20 | 111 | 60 | 00 / 00 | 36.0 | |
| 45 | 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story (2004) ESPN Movies |
Barry Pepper | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 313 | 63 | 00 / 00 | 35.3 | |
| 47 | The Lively Set (1964) | James Darren | 1.6 | 17.9 | 17.90 | 121 | 55 | 01 / 00 | 32.1 | |
| 48 | 43: The Richard Petty Story (1972) | Darren McGavin | 0.8 | 4.8 | 4.80 | 149 | 60 | 00 / 00 | 32.0 | |
| 47 | American Flyers (1985) | Kevin Costner | 1.4 | 4.3 | 4.30 | 146 | 60 | 00 / 00 | 31.6 | |
| 50 | Snake & Mongoose (2013) | Tim Blake Nelson & John Heard |
0.2 | 0.2 | 0.20 | 220 | 61 | 00 / 00 | 31.1 | |
| 51 | Run, Fatboy, Run (2007) | Simon Pegg | 6.0 | 9.4 | 9.40 | 159 | 56 | 00 / 00 | 28.4 | |
| 52 | Bobby Deerfield (1977) | Al Pacino | 11.9 | 57.5 | 57.50 | 53 | 39 | 00 / 00 | 23.9 | |
| 53 | Shergar (1999) | Alan Barker | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.30 | 252 | 57 | 00 / 00 | 23.7 | |
| 54 | Endurance (1998) | Haile Gebrsellasie | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.30 | 235 | 56 | 00 / 00 | 21.8 | |
| 55 | Red Line 7000 (1965) | James Caan | 4.2 | 44.3 | 44.30 | 63 | 41 | 00 / 00 | 20.4 | |
| 56 | Track of Thunder (1967) | Tommy Kirk | 0.5 | 4.0 | 4.00 | 166 | 54 | 00 / 00 | 20.4 | |
| 57 | King of the Turf (1939) | Adolphe Menjou | 0.7 | 28.5 | 28.50 | 200 | 46 | 00 / 00 | 19.3 | |
| 58 | Race for Glory (1989) | Peter Berg | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.30 | 202 | 54 | 00 / 00 | 18.4 | |
| 59 | Driven (2001) | Sylvester Stallone & Burt Reynolds |
32.7 | 62.4 | 104.50 | 72 | 29 | 00 / 00 | 13.4 | |
| 58 | Silver Dream Racer (1980) | Beau Bridges | 0.4 | 1.5 | 1.50 | 171 | 49 | 00 / 00 | 11.9 | |
| 61 | Let It Ride (1989) | Richard Dreyfuss & Teri Garr |
5.0 | 13.5 | 13.50 | 108 | 44 | 00 / 00 | 10.7 | |
| 60 | Goldengirl (1979) | James Coburn & Leslie Caron |
1.2 | 5.4 | 5.40 | 136 | 46 | 00 / 00 | 10.6 | |
| 63 | One Fast Move (2024) Amazon |
Edward James Olmos | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 220 | 45 | 00 / 00 | 7.4 | |
| 64 | Stroker Ace (1983) | Burt Reynolds | 13.0 | 44.5 | 44.50 | 54 | 30 | 00 / 00 | 6.3 | |
| 65 | Shifting Gears (2018) | E. Emmet Walsh | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 400 | 43 | 00 / 00 | 6.1 | |
| 66 | Champions (1984) | John Hurt | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.60 | 179 | 41 | 00 / 00 | 4.6 |
Stats and Possibly Interesting Things From The Above Racing Movies Table
- Six Racing Movie crossed the magical $100 million mark. That is a percentage of 13.04% of his movies listed. National Velvet (1945) is the biggest box office hit when looking at adjusted domestic box office.
- An average Racing Movie grosses $54.00 million in adjusted box office gross.
- Using RottenTomatoes.com’s 60% fresh meter. 24 Racing Movies are rated as good movies…or 52.17% of his movies. Highest rated Racing movie is Breaking Away (1979). Lowest rated Racing movie is Stroker Ace (1983).
- Eight Racing Movie (Hoosiers) received at least one Oscar® nomination in any category…..or 17.39% of the listed movies.
- Four Racing Movies won at least one Oscar® in any category…..or 8.69% of his movies.
- An average Ultimate Movie Score (UMR) is 39.86. 9 of Racing Movies’s movies scored higher that average….or 19.56% of the listed movies. National Velvet (1945) got the highest UMR….Champions (1984) got the lowest UMR Score.
My other Sports Movie Links
- Top 100 Biggest Box Office Grossing Sports Movies
- Top 100 Best Reviewed Sports Movies
- Top 400 Sports Movies
- Ranking Baseball Movies
- Ranking Basketball Movies
- Ranking Boxing Movies
- Ranking Football Movies
- Ranking Golf Movies
- Ranking Hockey Movies
- Ranking Olympics Movies
- Ranking Racing Movies
- Ranking Soccer Movies
- Ranking Other Sports Movies poker, surfing, rodeo, curling and others
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Day’s of thunder is the best racing movie I believe, I watched. Although, there are many others movies but I just loved the spirit of Tom Cruise and her romance with Nicole Kidman made it more spicier
Hey Ankush….glad you like Days of Thunder so much….it did pretty well in the rankings.
You’re joking.
It was a ridiculous Cruise ego trip with no basis in reality.
Hey kelly a. The rankings are based on box office, reviews and awards….despite the horrible reviews for Days of Thunder….it is one of the most succesful box office sports movies of all time. If you sort the movies by review %….Days of Thunder plumments in the rankings. Winning will be part of this page the next time we update the website. Good stuff.
Again, excellent list you have here. Although I’m a bit surprised “Seabiscuit” made number one on the racing movies category. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the movie a lot myself. I just didn’t think it would end up being number one on this list. lol. Oh well. that’s one of the reasons why I always like reading your hubs on this stuff, as I always find it interesting to see how each film measures up on these statistics. Anyways, keep up the good work.
Actually Stevennix2001….I forgot to add in National Velvet’s 5 oscar nominations and 2 oscar wins….which moved National Velvet from 3rd to 1st…..I got my mistake on the Top 100 list….I also forgot to add in Grand Prix 3 Oscar wins….which moved it from 5th to 4th.
I think Driven was the racing movie with Stallone? I think if it was raining that badly at the race in japan it would have been cancelled. I am trying to remember the name of the movie with Richard Pryor as a moonshine runner who becomes a professional racer. Jeff Brighes played a fellow driver and friend.
Hey Ruffridyer yep Driven was with Stallone….and the Pryor movie was called Greased Lightning….which I should have included as well. Thanks for the comments and reading the movie page.