Best Car Movie Showdown: Fast & Furious vs. Gone in 60 Seconds

Some movies are all about the cars. When you think of high-speed action, wild stunts, and legendary vehicles, two names stand out: The Fast and the Furious franchise and Gone in 60 Seconds (2000). Both films have left their mark on car culture, but which one is the best car movie? Let’s break it down.

1. The Storylines

Gone in 60 Seconds follows master car thief Memphis Raines (Nicolas Cage), who is forced out of retirement for one last job: stealing 50 high-end cars in one night to save his brother’s life. It’s a pure heist movie, balancing tension and adrenaline with a strong crew dynamic. If you love a high-stakes heist with a focus on cars, this could be the best car movie for you.

Meanwhile, The Fast and the Furious franchise has evolved from street racing and undercover police work to global heists and spy-level missions. What started as a Point Break-style story with cars has exploded into a high-octane saga featuring family, loyalty, and ridiculous action sequences. With its larger-than-life appeal, it has cemented its place as one of the best car movie franchises of all time.

2. The Cars

At the heart of Gone in 60 Seconds is Eleanor, the 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang. This car is more than just a mode of transportation, it’s an obsession. Eleanor’s sleek silver body with black racing stripes makes it instantly recognizable. The GT500 packs a monstrous 428 cubic-inch V8 engine capable of producing raw, unfiltered muscle car power. Every scene that features Eleanor builds anticipation, making it the most coveted car in the film. Beyond Eleanor, Gone in 60 Seconds showcases an impressive lineup of exotic cars, including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Aston Martins, but none hold the same emotional weight. If a single iconic car defines the best car movie for you, Eleanor makes a strong case.

Fast & Furious boasts a vast array of cars, from Japanese tuners to European exotics, but no single car takes center stage. Sure, there are cars that appear and reappear throughout the franchise, but the most memorable machines are the American muscle cars. One standout is the Camaro from Furious 7. The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, built for extreme stunts, embodies the franchise’s love for high-octane spectacle. Painted in a rugged matte black with aggressive aerodynamics, this car is a brute force machine, designed for high-impact action. Unlike Eleanor’s graceful menace, the Camaro is all about chaos, especially in the infamous plane drop sequence. As Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson) finds himself unwillingly ejected from a cargo plane with the Camaro in tow, the scene perfectly encapsulates Fast & Furious’s over-the-top approach to car action. If stunts and muscle cars define the best car movie for you, Fast & Furious delivers.

Both films pay tribute to American muscle in different ways, Eleanor with its timeless beauty and the Camaro with its raw, explosive aggression.

3. The Action

Gone in 60 Seconds keeps its action grounded in reality. The final chase, where Memphis pushes Eleanor to the limit, is a masterclass in practical stunt work. The film relies on real cars, real roads, and real tension, making every moment feel authentic and high-stakes. If you value realism in the best car movie, this film is a top contender.

Fast & Furious, however, operates in a world where physics take a backseat to adrenaline. From dragging safes through city streets to launching cars between skyscrapers, the franchise is all about pushing the limits of what’s possible. The Camaro plane drop in Furious 7 is a perfect example, ridiculous, over-the-top, and insanely entertaining. The film’s commitment to spectacle makes for breathtaking action sequences that defy reality but keep audiences hooked. If jaw-dropping action defines the best car movie for you, Fast & Furious is hard to beat.

For those who love practical car chases, Gone in 60 Seconds delivers. If you’re after larger-than-life stunts, Fast & Furious dominates.

4. The Characters

In Gone in 60 Seconds, Memphis Raines is a smooth, skilled wheelman, backed by an ensemble cast including Angelina Jolie and Robert Duvall. The film’s focus stays on the cars and the heist, but the characters add enough charm to keep things engaging. If a focused crew with a clear mission makes the best car movie for you, Gone in 60 Seconds fits the bill.

Fast & Furious is built on character-driven action, with Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) leading an ever-growing crew. Tyrese Gibson, Dwayne Johnson, and Jason Statham bring added personality, making every film bigger than the last. If character relationships and over-the-top energy are key in the best car movie, Fast & Furious takes the lead.

5. Cultural Impact

Gone in 60 Seconds cemented Eleanor’s status as one of the most desirable Mustangs in the world. The film is a cult classic among car lovers, keeping the heist genre alive with a mix of nostalgia and adrenaline. Many argue it is the best car movie for Mustang fans.

Fast & Furious, however, changed the game. It introduced millions to car culture, boosted sales for JDM icons, and turned street racing into a global phenomenon. Even as it shifted away from racing, the franchise never lost its grip on car culture. With its influence on car enthusiasts worldwide, it has a strong case for being the best car movie franchise.

Both films left an undeniable impact, but in different ways, Gone in 60 Seconds made Eleanor an icon, while Fast & Furious revolutionized car films altogether.

Conclusion

Both Gone in 60 Seconds and Fast & Furious celebrate the art of the automobile in their own unique ways. If you love the idea of a single, legendary car with a deep emotional connection, Gone in 60 Seconds and Eleanor deliver the perfect heist-driven thrill. But if you crave extreme, high-speed action with a variety of cars pushing the limits of possibility, Fast & Furious will keep your adrenaline pumping.

No matter which film fuels your passion, both have earned their place in the pantheon of car movies. Whether you’re team Eleanor or team Camaro drop, one thing’s for sure, when it comes to choosing the best car movie, the race is far from over.

Win A Classic Muscle Car

Furious 7’ 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
Worth $290,000

Specs:

Stock 350 Crate engine
Turbo 400 Auto transmission
Ford 9-inch rearend
Finished in Silver with Black stripes
Left Hand Drive (LHD)
Black interior with wood-look centre console and black fluted seats
Featured in the Hollywood Blockbuster ‘Furious7’, part of the Fast & Furious franchise
1968 model, modified to look like a 1967 model
Scene-certified with the exact scene number written on the pillar inside the door frame
Comes with a commemorative plaque with feature article

1968 Mustang Shelby GT500 Eleanor
Worth $305,000