Top 5 Greatest Car Movies on DIRECTV

Who would have thought that cars could have so much personality? Sure there seems to be a different persona in a charming Volkswagen Beetle and a sleek Plymouth Fury, but it takes a bundle of creativity and quality filmmaking to really make them come to life. Pay attention to what’s playing on DIRECTV, and you will find a surprising number of films that feature cars not just as means of transportation, but as principal characters with their own motivations and quirks. In these films, ranging from kids movies to comedy to horror, the cars themselves are the superstars and their anthropomorphic personalities keep the plots interesting. In this article we have compiled a list of the must-see films about cars. If you’ll forgive me the bad joke, these five films are the Cadillacs of Hollywood.

Cars: Pixar hasn’t made a bad picture yet, and Cars can be considered another unquestionable success in their small but flawless canon. Voiced by Owen Wilson, the race car Lightning McQueen comes from a fast-paced world of riches and glory. He travels in style in his own semi-truck, complete with HDTV and video phone, but when he accidentally slides out of it in the middle of nowhere, his life takes an unexpected turn.

Herbie: This endearing little Volkswagen Beetle made its film debut in 1969 with The Love Bug. Painted with racing stripes and the number 53, Herbie has a lot of personality and a mind of his own. There have been several movies starring the charismatic Bug, including a modern, HD remake with Lindsay Lohan called Herbie: Fully Loaded.

Christine: Unlike the other movies that made this list, Christine is a horror film, adapted from a chilling Stephen King novel. Christine is a ’58 Plymouth Fury who lives up to her make, unleashing her murderous wrath on any who gets in her way, even changing the personality of those who own and love her.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Did you know that James Bond creator Ian Fleming once wrote a children’s book for his son? Did you know that author Roald Dahl helped turn that book into a screenplay? The result is a marvelous kid’s movie made in 1968, full of catchy songs and richly imaginative scenes. The eponymous car is an old, beat up, former race car that develops magic powers, and can float, fly, and drive on its own. Although it is from a different era, this throwback is every bit as much of a children’s classic as is Pixar’s sleek, high definition Cars.

Transformers: While the star car in this movie is not, strictly speaking, actually an automobile, it is definitely worthy of a place on this list. Watching the sharp yellow ’76 Chevy Camaro unfold itself into an Autobot, while a police squad car bursts into a Decepticon is just too much fun. With the advanced technology shown by the main characters, it is no surprise that this movie was shot in high definition with loads of special effects.

For cars with charisma, don’t miss these five movies. From 60s throwbacks to modern HD blockbusters, these fast and furious films will have you pressing the gas. Enjoy some well-greased entertainment with car flicks on DIRECTV. There are plenty of DIRECTV specials and offers available if you’re trying to save money, too.