Gran Turismooffers a unique take on video game adaptations. The Neill Blomkamp film — starring Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, and Orlando Bloom — is based on real events that led a gamer to racing fame. TheGran Turismoname is nothing new to gaming fans, having its first series entry in 1997.
The 2023 film is understandably bringing in both newcomers to racing and beginners to the world of racing simulators. Luckily, there are somegreat TV seriesto keep viewers interested long after the film’s final credits.
10Formula 1: Drive to Survive
F1 is arguably one of the biggest sports in the world, yet many American audiences are still in the dark about this exciting sport. The docuseriesFormula 1: Drive to Survivegives viewersa behind-the-scenes lookat the people who make these daring races happen; the project shines a light on the pressure many drivers and managers face to be the best while offering a glimpse at what it means to be a team owner. It’s also a great introduction to the names who regularly tops the leaderboards each week.
Racing has found a place among fictional series as well;Drivebrought togetherdrama and actionin a thrilling combination. The 2007 series only ran for a short period of time, but it quickly established a cult following. Its premise sees people recruited — both willingly and by force — into a high-stakes illegal race. Storylines hinted at who could be behind the madness, yet viewers never got to the bottom of those mysteries.
Gran Turismo and 14 Other Thrilling Movies for Racing Lovers
These films have the mix of drama, action, and excitement of the adrenaline-fueled world of motorsports, perfect for auto racing enthusiasts.
8Idris Elba: King of Speed
Idris Elba may be better known for his roles inLutherandTheSuicide Squad, but the actor is keen to show off another passion. The non-fiction seriesIdris Elba: King of Speedsees the actor chart the history of racing while also addressing his own past with the sport. More than justa great narrator, the star gets behind the wheel to live out his dreams. He even takes on a rally course in Finland to show just how difficult it is to be a rally driver.
7Hyperdrive
Netflix delves into the excitement of racing with the fast-paced competition seriesHyperdrive. Competitors from around the world converge on the special course, but it’s no ordinary racing venue — pushing drivers to the limit with a changing set of obstacles. Not only do they compete against each other, but time penalties are also in effect during each challenge. The series has a popular actress behind its successful run — with Charlize Theron serving as executive producer.
6Initial D
Anime and mangahave proven themselves more than ready to embrace car-related stories. Shuichi Shigeno’s mangaInitial Dquickly became an anime, thrilling fans across the world. The series focuses on underground racing; this anime opts for more secluded spaces and heightened danger instead ofaFast and Furiousstyleamong the Tokyo streets. While the anime ended in the mid-2010s, the property moved on with three well-received films.
5Speed Racer
Speed Raceris one of the best to ever grace TV screens. Its source material, a manga from Tatsuo Yoshida, instantlyconnected with ‘60s audiences; the property’s popularity would soon grow with a worldwide release.Speed Racerfollows a teenager whose life is centered around racing and a brother who is a complete mystery to viewers.
He’s joined by more than a few interesting characters — including a chimpanzee named Chim Chim. The resulting live-action film version ofSpeed Raceris another visual treat that capitalizes on the series’ aesthetic.
Few series have accomplished whatTop Gearhas over itsdecades-long run. The BBC staple offers a mix of everything a car enthusiast would love and melds it perfectly with the aspects non-gearheads enjoy. Its peak saw presenters Richard Hammond, James May, and Jeremy Clarkson take on challenges, welcome stars in reasonably priced cars, provide reviews, and more good news than anyone ever imagined about the Dacia Sandero.
After the three moved on, the series has seen a few hosting changes andTop Gear’s fate may be in jeopardy after a serious crash involving presenter Andrew Flintoff.
3The Grand Tour
Fans ofTop Gearpresenters Hammond, Clarkson, and May didn’t have to wait long for the trio’s next project. Since 2016, they have presentedThe Grand Tour. The initial season saw them try a format much like that ofTop Gear— adding in more travel-related specials.
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The drama of Vin Diesel’s fictional and dysfunctional family may be too much for some. Here’s a franchise where car races and destruction comes first.
Soon, the demand for those highly-rated trips led to a change in format; it’s not hard to see why the adventures are so popular, especially with every special’s outstanding cinematography. The current crop of specials has these presenters travel to various parts of the world for unique adventures. One of the most notable saw them give up their cars for boats as they ventured through Cambodia and Vietnam.
Netflix’sThe Crewfollows the approach ofTalladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, opting for a comedic look at racing. The series focuses on a NASCAR crew who must deal with changes to their way of life. Much of the humor comes from a generation standpoint, as the wonder’s daughter assumes control; her decisions include bringing fresh talent into the tight-knit world — with more than a few clashes along the way. This Kevin James-led project ran just one season before being dropped by Netflix.
1Blood Drive
Sci-fi has an interesting history with racing-themed projects; viewers can catch the subject in everything from 1975’s cult classicDeath Race 2000to video games like the futuristicF-Zero 99.Blood Driverepresents yet another attempt at merging racing within the genre.
The series sees the US wracked by a host of environmental disasters, with a corporation exploiting every part of the decay. A race forces unlikely allies to compete in a dangerous journey; due to the costs of gas, their vehicles run on blood. Much like other series on the list,Blood Drivedidn’t have a long run — lasting just one season.
