In film, there has long been a fascination with automobiles, and we have seen a wide range of them, from the most luxurious and elegant to the most dangerous. We can’t stop swooning over the sleek cars in James Bond or Fast and Furious movies, and we still can’t stop gushing over the sleek cars in action thrillers, sci-fi flicks, and horror movies!
In horror films, killer automobiles may be employed in two different ways. It’s either presented as a terrifying medium, or it’s wicked and has a mind of its own! In any case, the films elicit a huge response from the audience, since we all have a secret passion for high-tech cars.
In this video, we’ve produced a list of some of the best horror films that have a fatal automobile in the mix! Fasten your seatbelts, because you’re about to go on a rollercoaster ride!
The Wraith (1986)
A well-known motorcycle gang terrorises a tiny Arizona community. They compel other drivers to compete in drag races in order to win their cars. A strange black vehicle appears in town after the gang kills a young man.
Members of the gang are challenged to deadly races, and the gang-members are being killed in the process! This vigilante serves vengeance to the murderous gang in a way that is best suited for them, but what is the identity of the man in the car!
This film is a must-see for everyone who enjoys the spirit of the 1980s. It features a thrilling premise, plenty of action and vehicle chases, and an overall enjoyable narrative. Sherilyn Fenn and a young Charlie Sheen make for a brilliant cast and do a good job in their individual parts. There are a few corny scenes, and the lack of logic is frequently apparent.
We, on the other hand, couldn’t get enough of the automobile, which was a technological marvel. It was a Dodge M4S that had been custom-built for the film. The super-fast car boasted of a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine and could reach speeds of up to 190 mph.
Around $1 million was spent on the car alone, and it also required skilled drivers to maneuver this beast of a vehicle! There are some jaw-dropping scenes involving the car, and during the filming of one of these, a fatal accident resulted in the death of a cameraman. The plot might not be original, but the presentation is innovative and makes it a must-watch for B-movie fans.
Christine (1983)
Arnie, a young man, buys a gorgeous Plymouth Fury from an unknown individual, but this red and white automobile may not be as nice as it appears! He is completely enamoured with the automobile, giving it the name Christine and attempting to restore it to its former state.
Soon enough, the demonic car has an effect on the young man and terrorizes those who stand in his way. Things get more troublesome when the young man has a girlfriend, and the car shows signs of jealousy. He also starts showing changes in his character that were never expected of him. Is there an end to his troubles?
When Stephen King and John Carpenter collaborate, you know you’re going to get something extraordinary, and Christine is no exception! This is a classic terrifying car-horror film with a strange concept and plenty of suspense.
The last scene, where the ultimate confrontation with the vehicle takes place, is perhaps the scariest of the film’s many terrifying scenes. The vehicle in question is a 1958 Plymouth Fury, a glossy crimson beauty with a beautiful appearance that quickly grabbed our hearts.
It was super cool to watch Christine repair her damaged parts by herself! As far as acting is concerned, Keith Gordan and John Stockwell were pretty good in their respective roles. The way Arnie’s character turns from a geek to a tough badass was skillfully portrayed by Keith Gordon. In short, Christine is one creepy well-made horror flick that you certainly don’t want to miss out on!
Duel (1971 TV Movie)
David is driving through the open roadways to get to a meeting across town. He overtakes a truck being driven by a maniac on his way there. The truck driver takes exception to David’s overtaking, and the chase quickly becomes a frustrating chase in which the truck appears intent on destroying David’s ride.
David does everything in his capacity to put off the insane chase, but nothing seems to work. Can he come out of this duel alive?
Duel is a television film that showcased Steven Spielberg’s abilities as a filmmaker. With the terrifying concept of a crazy truck driver chasing the salesperson, he manages to give the viewers a frightening time.
The fact that there is no good explanation for why the assaults are going place adds to the enjoyment of the film! Dennis Weaver’s acting performance is deserving of praise, as he plays the naïve victim to perfection. Spielberg was so pleased with his work in this movie that he used some of the techniques used here in one of his horror classics – Jaws.
Coming to the car, or rather the truck used in this movie, it had the perfect intimidating appearance that was required. It was a 55 Peterbilt 281, and this ancient tractor unit was shown driving at breakneck speed while trying to crush the red Plymouth Valiant that belonged to the salesman.
The rusty old looks of the truck were purposely crafted to add to the horror of the viewer, and although it was a mere operative in the hands of the driver, it still had an uncanny evil personality!
Maximum Overdrive (1986)
A bizarre radiation storm is caused by a random comet, and it has catastrophic repercussions for Earth. All of the machines awaken, and they turn against their creators, the humans! A group of people is holed up at a truck stop, but their troubles have only just begun with the trucks coming to life in a maniacal, homicidal form. The group led by a cook named Bill tries desperately to survive in this crisis, and if their escape plans do not work, they are done for!
The premise of this film is plainly not meant to inspire logic, yet even the unlikely story is entertaining to watch. This is one of the few times that Stephen King has attempted to fill the director’s shoes, and we must agree that it is a fun effort.
When all of the equipment starts up, some murderous trucks appear, led by a big Western Star 4800 tractor unit. Because of its massive Green Goblin mask, this nasty truck was immediately recognised as the major enemy. The black paint of the trailer was scribbled with the Happy Toyz logo, and it was quite a sight to watch this vehicle trying to squash everything in sight.
One of the things that we loved about this film was that nobody was shown mercy! There is a scene where a steam-roller storms out of nowhere and crushes a little kid. Maximum Overdrive is regarded as a cult-classic in the world of B-movies, and it is a terrific watch as a guilty pleasure.
Death Proof (2007)
Mike is a Hollywood stuntman with a dark side that no one knows about. He’s a psychopath who follows and murders women for the thrill of it, then makes it look like a car accident. As he utilises his modified automobile to murder his victims, his nefarious intentions appear to be going just perfectly.
However, there is a change of fortune when he sets his eyes upon a group of girls who are willing to fight back! Will the feisty girls get the better of Mike, or is his car really death proof?
Automobiles not only intrigue us, but they also present a profitable challenge for the greatest directors. In this film, the renowned Quentin Tarantino takes over as director and crafts a timeless homage to 1960s grindhouse films.
It’s not meant to be taken seriously, and it’s a spoof of the distinctive style of filming found in exploitation films from the 1960s and 1970s. As the title suggests, the car concerned is death-proof indeed, and it took some remarkable customizations by Stuntman Mike to make the car perform as desired.
It was a 70 Chevy Nova, and we will never forget the iconic grey paint job and the white skull pain on the front. We watched in horror as the car became a tool for the serial killer to destroy and dismember his victims. It isn’t often that you get to see Tarantino handling a B-movie, and this is a chance you shouldn’t let go!
Wheels of Terror (1990 TV Movie)
Laura leaves the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles for the peace and quiet of Cooper Valley, Arizona. She is a bus driver who relocates with her daughter Stephanie to the country in order to give her a good existence.
However, peace is short-lived because a dangerous psychopath is on the prowl. He abducts and molests young girls, and when Stephanie is kidnapped right in front of Laura, she goes on a desperate chase through the desert to nab the criminal!
This is as excellent as a TV movie gets, and the action-packed adventure received a positive response from audiences. The film manages to bring your attention to a serious subject, that of the twisted, insane child-killer, through an intriguing plot. There are certain parallels with Duel that you simply cannot overlook.
For example, this film, like Duel, never provides a glimpse of the killer. He drives a frightening 74 Dodge Charger, and something about the black vehicles of this type makes them the ideal evil vehicle. In this case, the grill of the car was customized to give it the ideal satanic look. Joanna Cassidy is impressive in her role as the determined mother who would go to any extent to save her daughter.
Many of you might be wondering how a school bus can keep up with a fast ripping car! Well, in the beginning, there is a scene where they let you know that a racing engine has been fitted into the bus. Although the film is actually a prolonged chase sequence, the suspense and thrill in the plot will get you sailing through the entire length of it.
Killdozer (1974 TV Movie)
An airfield is being built on an island by a construction crew. They come upon a weird blue rock that they are unable to move. It’s actually a space meteorite with an evil spirit that wants to harm you.
When one of the team members tries to move the boulder using a Caterpillar D9 bulldozer, it provides the ideal chance. The machine stops working, and when it resumes later, it seems to have a mind of its own! The murderous bulldozer now starts killing the workers on the island, and there seems to be no means of stopping this mayhem!
This sci-fi horror film was adapted from a novel by Theodore Sturgeon for television. It first broadcast on the ABC network back in the day, and despite some obvious flaws, it was an exciting watch. Although it was not well received by reviewers, the film has developed a cult following over time.
One of the problems with the bulldozer is that it moves at a glacial pace! For instance, the top speed of 7.3 mph that the Caterpillar D9 can muster is much lesser than an average human jogging down the track. However, when it goes on a murderous rampage, logic takes a backseat. We were watching in awe as the bulldozer revved its engine and frantically waved its huge blade to effect some kills.
The climactic scene where this Killdozer manipulated by alien forces is involved in an epic showdown is one of the best moments of the film. Killdozer is no classic, but still the perfect movie for a fun evening with a couple of beers.
The Hearse (1980)
Jane is attempting to cope with a difficult divorce, but after relocating to the home of her deceased aunt, she discovers that this is only the beginning of her problems! She comes into several inexplicable ghostly events, including an ominous black hearse attempting to run her over with a frightening driver behind the wheel! She also meets a nice young man in the town and has romantic inclinations towards him.
But is he the same person as the strange driver in the black hearse! As it turns out, her aunt was involved in some form of witchcraft, and she might have secrets that have consequences!
Before we begin, it’s important to note that this film isn’t just about the hearse! The film does, however, retain the fundamentals of a good horror film by guiding us through an intriguing ghost narrative filled with many secrets! Trish Van Devere is a capable actor, and she and David Gautreaux do a good job in the film.
The mysterious haunted hearse might have a limited role, but it makes a strong impact in the scenes where it is stalking Jane. The back-story of the car makes things even creepier. While we did enjoy the movie, the ending was a bit of a letdown for us. If you have watched this film, do let us know your thoughts about the climax!
The Car (1977)
Everything is calm and serene in a little desert village until a bizarre possessed vehicle arrives! It appears to be in a deadly mood and slaughters those who happen to cross its path. While the inhabitants are clueless on how to contain this car, the town sheriff might be the only man with a chance!
This tight, single-minded horror-thriller isn’t very frightening, but the production is flawless. It’s beautifully filmed using wide-angle lenses, and the travelling views are just gorgeous. You’ll quickly become attached to the characters and watch in horror as the wicked black sedan eliminates them one by one! In terms of the vehicle, a modified Lincoln Continental Mark III was employed in the film as the wicked black automobile.
There was no driver, and it was simply shown as a vicious machine with a penchant for murder. To perfect the sinister look of the car, the roof was much lower than usual, and the model was built just for this film. A particular mention must be made of the spine-chilling horn, which adds to its frightening effect. There were four versions of the car for the entire length of shooting, and it took over ten months to get things together! If car-horror is your cup of tea, this movie will surely be a treat for you!