Hollywood movies are known for going over the top with special effects and many times have large budgets with money dedicated specifically to the purchasing and destruction of cars. Some of the stunts and chase scenes in blockbuster movies are downright outrageous, featuring violations of the laws of physics and monetary damage totals in the millions. Here are some of the most ludicrously over-the-top Hollywood car crashes:
15. Bad Boys II (2003)
Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett are pursuing a vehicle transporter through Miami when its load starts crashing into traffic. The automobiles bounce, spin, and crash across the road as the investigators attempt to keep up in Mike’s Ferrari.
Marcus has a lot to say from the passenger seat. You probably would, too.
14. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
A deadly cyborg grabs a large crane and chases John Connor and Kate Brewster around Los Angeles. Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s Terminator holds on as the crane swoops into buildings and sends automobiles flying.
By the end of the chase, the roadway appears to have been hit by a wrecking ball. In a way, it does.
13. Death Proof (2007)
Kurt Russell plays Stuntman Mike, a murderer who has converted his automobile into a weapon. He accelerates at a car carrying four women, and they smash head-on.
Quentin Tarantino depicts the incident from several viewpoints, revealing how horrific it is for the folks in the other car. This one is much tougher to laugh at than most movie disasters.
12. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
The Matrix Reloaded‘s highway pursuit has Morpheus and the Keymaker riding atop a speeding truck while agents attempt to stop them. Another truck is quickly approaching them from the opposite direction.
The two vehicles crash, resulting in a massive explosion, but Neo arrives just in time to save Morpheus and the Keymaker. Morning traffic has never looked so scary.
11. Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
John McClane is being pursued by a chopper and has run out of ammo. So he sends an empty police vehicle into a tollbooth and launches it directly into the airplane.
The automobile and aircraft both end up in bits. It’s a stupid technique to bring down a helicopter, which is why it makes our list.
10. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
Jason Bourne travels across Moscow in a yellow cab, pursued by an assassin. The taxi takes hit after hit, losing bits along the way, but Bourne continues to drive.
The chase concludes in a tunnel, where Bourne fires at the opposing vehicle and pushes it into a concrete barrier. His taxi doesn’t look much better afterward.
9. Baby Driver (2017)
Baby, the getaway driver, confronts an enraged Buddy in a parking garage, with Buddy pursuing him in a stolen police car. Baby strikes back by slamming the car over the cliff and smashing to the ground below.
It’s a stunning fall, but Baby still has Buddy to contend with. The dude really doesn’t know when to stop.
8. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
The opening chase does not allow Max much time to appreciate the desert. A group of War Boys chases him over the dunes, and an explosive strike causes his black Interceptor to roll across the ground.
Max winds himself in the clutches of his pursuers. The remainder of the film isn’t any nicer to its automobiles.
7. The Dark Knight (2008)
After the Joker assaults a police convoy, Batman pursues him with the Batpod. He uses wires to flip the Joker’s vehicle upside down in the middle of a Gotham roadway.
The Joker emerges from the wreckage and continues on his way. Most drivers would end their day.
6. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)
G.I. Joe is well-known for the number of automobiles crashed while shooting. Joe: The Rise of Cobra features approximately 112 automobiles damaged during filming, creating a stunning exhibition.
5. Transformers Series (2007 – Present)
You can’t have a conversation about outrageousness and car crashes without discussing the Transformers movies. What is cooler than thrilling car crashes?
Thrilling car-that-transforms-into-giant-robot crashes.
4. Final Destination 2 (2003)
While the spooky crash scene involving an 18-wheeler carrying lumber is not the most expensive or surreal car crash scene ever, it makes the list because of how realistic it seems.
Horror movies are much scarier when horror could actually exist in the real world. Driving behind a lumber truck will never feel the same.
3. The Blues Brothers (1980)
The Blues Brothers is a movie with exaggerated scene after exaggerated scene, and the famous car chase is no different. It even held the record for the most cars wrecked in the production of a movie for a long time.
2. Twister (1996)
Tornadoes are powerful forces of nature that are scary enough to turn the manliest men wimpy. You can’t intimidate the wind. This movie is partly a story of man versus nature; aka car versus tornado (hint: put your money on the latter).
With flying cows, trucks, and 18-wheelers, Twister definitely has one of the most outrageous car crash scenes.
1. The Fast and the Furious (2001)
For a film that’s all about fast cars and action-packed chases, it is no surprise that Fast and the Furious tops the list. In the movie, a Dodge Charger makes a truly epic jump followed swiftly by a full-body makeover by an 18-wheeler.
Television and movies will continue to outdo previous generations by spending more money or becoming more outrageous. As more movie records are broken, it will be interesting to see the boundaries pushed by future films. Share some of your favorite Hollywood car crashes in the comments.