Shubhabrata Dutta
Many of us enjoy racing movies with high-speed cars or motorbikes, and the movie deals in action, heists, or just plain racing. The high-octane stuff we see in such movies provides us with the adrenaline rush many of us crave. And with the arrival of Netflix and other streaming websites, it has become easier than ever before to access such movies. Cinephiles like us now have innumerable options to choose from. But sometimes, when you want to watch a certain genre or movie, you might not be sure where to look for it. To make things easier, we have compiled some of the best racing movies and shows on Netflix that are available to stream right now.
17. Race: Bubba Wallace (2022)
‘Race: Bubba Wallace’ is a 6-part docuseries about Bubba Wallace, the sole full-time Black driver in NASCAR’s Cup series (Xfinity, Cup, and Truck). The series delves deep into his life on and off the racetrack and shows how one affected the other. This ranges from racism to an FBI investigation to depression to how he has used his voice to bring change to the sport. A must-watch for NASCAR and race enthusiasts, ‘Race: Bubba Wallace’ can be streamed here.
16. Hyperdrive (2019)
A non-scripted auto racing reality series executive produced by Charlize Theron, ‘Hyperdrive’ brings together highly skilled street racers from across the world for the most difficult racing competition “on Earth.” A spectacular test of talent, strength, and resilience, the series has the competitors test their abilities on a customized obstacle course in their own cars until only one remains and is declared the Hyperdrive champion. You can stream the series here.
15. Wheelman (2017)
Jeremy Rush’s ‘Wheelman’ is an action thriller film that stars Frank Grillo, Garret Dillahunt, Caitlin Carmichael, and Wendy Moniz. Using the BMW 3 Series as his vehicle, a getaway robber intending to loot a bank heads to the location unbeknownst to the shocking betrayal that he is going to face. During the heist, he is double-crossed by someone and has to flee. Since the lives of his loved ones are on the line, the robber decides to find out who betrayed him before it’s too late. You can watch the film here.
14. 30 for 30: Lance (2020)
This 2-episode documentary chronicles the tumultuous life and career of former champion road racing cyclist Lance Armstrong. Each episode is more than one and a half hours and traces Armstrong’s life right from childhood to the present, his triumphs (a record seven-time winner of the Tour de France), his cancer diagnosis, his defrauding the U.S. Postal Service, and the doping allegations and controversy that eventually banned him from any and all sanctioned bicycling events for life. The rises and falls in Lance Armstrong’s life certainly put things into perspective regarding life’s vastness and uncertainty. You can watch ‘30 for 30: Lance’ here.
13. Race (2016)
‘Race’ is a biographical drama based on the life of track and field sensation Jesse Owens (Stephan James), who won four golds at the Berlin Olympics during Hitler’s regime (1936) and achieved global fame. However, his success was preceded by years of hard work, racial discrimination, and abuse. Directed by Stephen Hopkins, the film is an inspiring drama about one of the greatest athletes of all time, depicted in a moving manner. It won four out of its eight Canadian Screen Award nominations. You can watch ‘Race’ here.
12. The Fastest (2021- )
‘The Fastest’ is Netflix’s first Arabic reality show that showcases the region’s love for fast cars. Hosted by famed Saudi actor and YouTube personality Tarek Al Harbi, the 6-part series features beautiful beasts, from vintage American muscles to Japanese sports cars to German speedsters, and their drivers with something to prove who lock horns in drag races across deserts, paved roads, and race tracks for a cash prize. Thrilling and custom-made for lovers of speed, ‘The Fastest’ can be streamed right here.
11. Gran Turismo (2023)
Directed by Neill Blomkamp, this biographical sports drama is based on the life of Jann Mardenborough, who became the youngest winner, at 20 years of age, of the GT Academy competition. It is a television program funded by Nissan and Son, which gives skilled Gran Turismo players a chance to build a career in real-life racing. Mardenborough subsequently signed a racing contract with Nissan. His only previous motorsport experience was Gran Turismo sim racing video games. The film shows how Jann, played by Archie Madekwe, was trained by former professional racer Jack Salter, played by David Harbour, and how he became the champion, even serving as the stunt double in the film. It received a Best Adaptation nomination at The Game Awards 2023. You can watch the film here.
10. Fastest Car (2018–2019)
Created by Scott Weintrob, this is Netflix’s first global automotive series and pins exotic supercars against tweaked sleeper cars (great performance but unattractive exterior). The fun here is that the sleeper cars have been modified by gearheads who are all about cars. In each episode, three such sleeper cars lock horns with one of the best cars in the world. If you are a car lover, you will love this series. ‘Fastest Car’ can be streamed here.
9. Seoul Vibe (2022)
Directed by Moon Hyun-sung, ‘Seoul Vibe’ is a gripping action comedy movie starring Yoo Ah-in, Park Ju-hyun, Ong Seong-wu, and Song Min Ho, aka Mino. Set during the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics, the movie centers on the Sanggye-dong Supreme Team drivers who get involved in an operation aimed at uncovering an illegal slush fund op belonging to the former government. This takes the shape of a chaotic city-wide car chase propelled by a race and illicit deliveries. Feel free to check out the movie here.
8. Pegasus (2019)
Featuring stand-out performances by talented actors like Shen Teng and Huang Jingyu, ‘Pegasus’ is a Chinese comedy film written and directed by Han Han. The story revolves around Zhang Chi, a six-time racing champion who is at the peak of his career when everything falls apart. The once dominating performer sadly is suspended for five years after the controversy, and it appears that he will never return to the racing track. However, despite the hardships on his way, Zhang shows immense courage as a father of a six-year-old boy, dreaming of racing again and returning to the track. Sadly, he now has a new generation of racers waiting for him who are going to challenge him every step of the way. You can watch ‘Pegasus’ here.
7. Asphalt Burning (2020)
Hallvard Braein’s ‘Asphalt Burning’ is an action drama movie that stars Anders Baasmo Christiansen, Sven Nordin, Ruby O. Fee, and Alexandra Maria Lara. The film centers upon Roy, a notorious racer who is about to marry the love of his life when things suddenly fall apart. His fiancée, Sylvia, who learns that he has kissed a woman while drunk, decides to call off the wedding, putting Roy in a spot. Now, the only way he can win her back is by participating in a race and emerging victorious. You may watch the movie here.
6. NASCAR: Full Speed (2024-)
This five-part documentary series focuses on NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), which is considered the most competitive motorsport on Earth. Tracking the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs and championship, the docuseries shows the physical and mental challenges that the drivers and their teams face while competing in one of the world’s most dangerous motorsports. The series also provides in-depth behind-the-scenes access, taking us inside the teams, their dynamics, the cars, and more. You can watch ‘NASCAR: Full Speed’ here.
5. Schumacher (2021)
This documentary is based on the life of seven-time Formula-1 racing champion Michael Schumacher. Showing the hard work and brilliance that made him achieve something no racer before him had been able to, ‘Schumacher’ is a testimony of a man’s greatness underscored by love and friendship. Through interviews with family members, his peers, and other people from the world of Formula One, we get to know not only one of the best sportsmen to have ever lived but also a great husband, father, and friend. You can watch the film here.
4. Tour de France: Unchained (2023)
This is a documentary series that covers the 2022 Tour de France (the 109th edition), i.e., the annual men’s bicycle race that takes place in France every year. The viewers are provided with a behind-the-scenes angle of the world-famous event via eight episodes that throw light on the riders, their teams, and the culture. If you want to know about this culture and the hustle that is involved, this show is perfect for you. You may watch the series here.
3. A Life of Speed: The Juan Manuel Fangio Story (2020)
This documentary explores the life of one of the greatest Formula One racers ever, Juan Manuel Fangio, who hailed from Argentina. Directed by Francisco Macri, the documentary shows interviews of Formula One legends like Fernando Alonso, Mika Häkkinen, and Jackie Stewart, who talk about Fangio. It explores his racing career in a just manner. Fangio ruled the first decade of Formula One and is a five-time winner of the World Drivers’ Championship. What makes him even more special is that during his time, racing had far less protective and safety gear, if at all. So every time racers raced, they were putting their lives on the line, and it was Fangio who emerged victorious almost every time. You can stream ‘A Life of Speed: The Juan Manuel Fangio Story’ here.
2. 100 Days to Indy (2023)
This six-episode docuseries is directed by Patrick Dimon and centers on the Indianapolis 500 automobile race, aka Indy 500. An American open-wheel car race, it takes place annually (held over Memorial Day [last Monday of May] weekend) at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in Speedway, Indiana. The series offers an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the drivers and their journeys to the highly regarded racing championship. You can stream the series here.
1. Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019 – 2023)
This documentary series is for die-hard Formula One fans and those who want to know more about the sport. A Netflix-Formula One collaboration, this show, like ‘Tour de France: Unchained,’ gives an in-depth behind-the-scenes exploration of the Formula One World Championship. You feel the heat, the competition, the thrill, the love, and the fear of death itself that’s involved. With interviews of the drivers, their teams, and their families, the series gives us the personal version that the sport entails. You can check out the docuseries here.
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