The big screen has seen some of the most daring, mind-blowing, and downright ridiculous car stunts ever performed. From physics-defying jumps to nail-biting chases, these stunts have kept audiences on the edge of their seats.
They exemplify the boldness of human creativity and courage — pushing the limits of what’s possible and redefining the boundaries of filmmaking. In this post, we will take a thrilling ride through ten of the wildest car stunts from movies.
The Bridge Jump from ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’
In this classic James Bond film, 007 pulls off an incredible 360-degree corkscrew jump over a broken bridge. The stunt was executed in a single take, with no CGI involved.
A stuntman drove an AMC Hornet X Hatchback, launching it off a ramp at the precise angle and speed to complete the spin. This stunt was so spectacular that it earned a spot in the Guinness World Records.
The Mall Chase from ‘The Blues Brothers’
The Blues Brothers’ chaotic mall chase scene is a masterpiece of destruction. Jake and Elwood Blues, driving their “Bluesmobile,” plow through a shopping mall, causing mayhem and destruction in their wake.
The filmmakers actually bought a closed-down mall and filled it with real shops for the stunt. They reportedly caused $7.5 million worth of damage during the filming of this scene.
The Train Jump from ‘Fast Five’
This stunt from ‘Fast Five’ involved driving a car off a cliff and into a river, just as a train is about to hit it. The stunt was executed using a combination of real stunts and CGI.
A real car was actually driven off a 160-foot cliff for the scene, but the train was added in post-production. The result is one of the most heart-stopping moments in the entire ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise.
The Tanker Flip from ‘The Dark Knight’
In ‘The Dark Knight,’ Batman uses his Batpod to flip a semi-truck driven by the Joker. This stunt was performed for real on the streets of Chicago.
A driver in the cab used a specially designed rig to flip the truck end-over-end. The rig was then digitally removed in post-production. This spectacular flip is a testament to the creative and technical brilliance of director Christopher Nolan and his team.
The San Francisco Chase from ‘Bullitt’
This iconic car chase from ‘Bullitt’ takes place on the steep streets of San Francisco. The scene was filmed with real cars and drivers, including star Steve McQueen.
The chase, including its jumps and high-speed cornering, was all done for real, making it one of the most thrilling and realistic car chases in film history.
The Bus Jump from ‘Speed’
In ‘Speed,’ Keanu Reeves’ character must keep a bus moving at over 50 mph or it will explode. The film’s biggest stunt comes when the bus jumps a 50-foot gap in the freeway.
The jump was executed using a real bus and a ramp, though the gap was added digitally. The stunt was so dangerous that only a handful of stuntmen in the world were qualified to perform it.
The Multi-Car Pileup from ‘The Blues Brothers’
Another entry from ‘The Blues Brothers,’ this stunt involved over 100 cars in a high-speed chase that culminates in a massive pileup. The pileup was created using real cars and drivers.
The scene reportedly used 40 stunt drivers and took weeks to film. It’s one of the largest car crash scenes in film history.
The Car Skiing Scene from ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’
James Bond strikes again with a gravity-defying car stunt. In ‘The Man with the Golden Gun,’ 007 skis his car on two wheels down a narrow alley.
The stunt was performed for real by a professional driver. It’s a breathtaking display of precision driving and audacious stunt work.
The Truck Flip from ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’
In ‘Mad Max: Fury Road,’ a massive truck flips and rolls in a spectacular crash. The stunt was performed using a real truck and explosives. The filmmakers rigged the truck to flip at the right moment, creating a stunning and fiery spectacle. It’s a perfect example of the film’s commitment to practical effects and real stunts.
These stunts are just a glimpse into the daring world of movie car stunts. They represent the daring, creativity, and technical prowess of the stunt teams that bring these spectacular moments to life. So buckle up, because in the world of movie car stunts, anything is possible.