It is hard to watch TV shows and movies without seeing the automotive industry represented. For decades cars like the 1959 Cadillac from Ghost Busters, the Mystery Machine from Scooby-Doo, and the 1961 Ferrari from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, are just some of the iconic vehicles that drove onto the big screen. The automotive industry does not rest, but rather keeps up with the times. Check out iconic remakes, original TV shows, documentaries, and movies featuring vehicles in the last 23 years.

2000 – Gone in 60 Seconds features Eleanor, the Ford Mustang, as well as actors Nicholas Cage and Angelina Jolie.

2001 – There are too many cars to mention from the first The Fast and the Furious movie. We are so glad they franchised and continued featuring more amazing cars!

2002 – In The Transporter, Jason Statham’s character, Frank Martin, transports goods in his BMW.

2003 – The Bluth’s stair car from Arrested Development is an iconic vehicle that has driven through our TV screens for years. The show would not have been the same without it!

2004 – Feel like you are at a NASCAR race in the documentary, NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience. The unique behind the scenes look it truly one of a kind.

2005 – Herbie Fully Loaded is the story of a Volkswagen bug with a mind of its own! This film features a famous lineup including Lindsay Lohan and Michael Keaton.

2006 – Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is a Will Ferrell classic! The list would not be complete without this comedy or the Wonder Bread car.

2007 – Bumblebee, a 1977 Chevrolet Camaro, from Transformers takes center stage in this action-packed movie of a war between Autobots and Decepticons.

2008 – Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, drove a Pontiac Aztek, which made a prevalent role in the TV series, Breaking Bad.

2009 – The Hangover is an iconic comedy for many reasons, but one memorable scene is Mike Tyson’s tiger loaded into a 1965 Mercedes. Let’s hope this never happens in real life!

2010 – Brazilian Formula One Racer, Ayrton Senna’s life is told in the documentary, Senna. Learn more about the history of this sport in this entertaining film!

2011 – Disney Pixar’s Cars was so good, they made a sequel, Cars 2. Featuring Lighting McQueen and friends representing cars and trucks of a variety of makes and models.

2012 – Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee is a Netflix show with host Jerry Seinfeld. Who doesn’t love comedy, cars, and coffee?

2013 – Gentlemen…start your engines! Formula One fans know the rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda and the biographical sports film, Rush.

2014 – John Wick, played by Keanu Reeves, is seen driving a 1969 Ford Mustang as he seeks vengeance in an action-packed movie, John Wick.

2015 – Mad Max: Fury Road features a variety of vehicles, with the most famous being Max’s V8 Interceptor which is modeled from the Ford Falcon.

2016 – Animated movies are a fun way to highlight and incorporate automotive life in a cute and comical way like animals driving cars and sloths working at the DMV in Zootopia.

2017 – Ansel Elgort plays a getaway driver in Baby Driver, with his vehicle of choice being the Subaru Impreza WRX.

2018 – Action movies are not complete without a good car chase, like in Ant-Man and the Wasp featuring swerving and shrinking cars.

2019 – The name itself gives away the premise for this automotive biographical sports drama, Ford v. Ferrari. Featuring actors like Christian Bale and Matt Damon, this movie has fantastic actors and cars!

2020 – Guinevere, the van featured in Disney Pixar’s Onward, is a character of its own with a painted unicorn along its side!

2021 – American Auto, an NBC comedy, reflects on the work and life of a fictional manufacturer and a car called the Payne Pika.

2022 – The Batmobile is not new, however, the latest release of Batman features a modernized car based off the 1969 Dodge Charger.  

2023 – Finally, the list would not be complete without mentioning the movie that took this year by storm…Barbie! Barbie drives a 1956 Chevrolet Convertible painted pink, of course. 

This list includes cars from different decades, makes, models, colors, shapes, and sizes! Although many of these cars are fictional, they represent the diversity of the cars on the road today. If you are looking to sell more of your inventory and gain exposure to your brand through traditional advertising or automotive digital advertising, we are here to help! Contact us today to learn more about how to get your inventory in front of your greatest audience.