15 Car Shows You Can Stream Right Now

Calvin Fisher has scoured all the available streaming services available in South Africa to list the best car flicks to make your lockdown fly by.

I know. You're bored. I am too, but relief is in sight. I've spent the last few days combing DSTV Now, Amazon Prime and Netflix to bring you this list of awesome movies and documentaries that you can watch RIGHT now! What qualifies a "car movie"? Well, I've kept it simple so whether the car is the star of the show or simply features prominently, I reckon it's in here. So, no movies with just one cool car chase – sorry Jason Bourne. And while John Wick and his wicked Mustang would totally qualify, it sadly doesn’t exist on the aforementioned streaming services. So, with the stage set, action!

1. Grand Tour (on Amazon Prime)

Modern Top Gear was born from the loins of this crusty old trio: Messrs Clarkson, Hammond and May. Naturally, their Amazon series, the Grand Tour, is a master class in motor-vehicular mayhem. Even if the modern version often takes the jokes too far, the cinematography is outstanding to watch. Binge all 3 seasons. Immediately.

2. Days of Thunder (on DStv Now)

You can thank Multichoice's pop-up Tom Cruise channel for this one. This is clearly the inspiration for Will Ferrell's Talladega Nights, which sadly can't be found on the aforementioned services. And that's okay because Days of Thunder is an absolute classic. Think Top Gun with cars. In fact, just think Cars – minus Owen Wilson's Lightning McQueen.

3. Wheelman (on Netflix)

This one’s a hidden Netflix gem that deserves to be watched. It stars getaway driver Frank Grillo at the helm of a four-door E46 BMW – notice I didn’t say M3. Pundits reckon it's a naturally aspirated 3.0-litre straight-6 similar to an SA-built 330i of that era, but that is beside the point. Frank manages to make the compact Bavarian saloon look as cool as any muscle car.

4. Fast and Furious: Hobbes and Shaw (on DSTV Now)

I get it… you’ve got Fast and Furious fatigue, we all do. This spin-off featuring The Rock, Idris Elba and Jason Statham, however, doesn’t even try to take itself seriously and comes choc-full of the hottest metal you can imagine. Brainless. Stimulation. Guaranteed.

5. Formula One: Drive to Survive (on Netflix)

If you are limited to watching just one F1-themed docu-series then this has to be it. It comes with a compelling storyline and an excellent presentation likely to enthral aficionados and newcomers. This is top-shelf content, folks. Boredom be gone. In fact, I'd say you'll enjoy this more than your average 2020 F1 race. Especially now that the season in on pause.

6. Joy Ride (on Amazon Prime)

This one stars the late Paul Walker, but is not a Fast and Furious movie. Rather, he partners up with the zany Steve Zahn as brothers on a rollercoaster of a thriller written by JJ Abrahams. They’re on a cross-country road trip in a 1971 Chrysler Newport (not your typical muscle car). The film is made in the spirit of 70s thriller, The Duel – so it involves a killer in hot murderous pursuit.

7. Senna (on Netflix)

This is the ultimate tale of 3-time world F1 drivers' champion Ayrton Senna, one of the greatest and arguably, most iconic F1 racing drivers of all time. It follows his illustrious career right up until the moment he died at Imola in 1994. It's been brilliantly cobbled together from interviews, old footage and unaired content, into the most riveting and emotional narrative you could hope for.

8. Baby Driver (on Netflix)

This is an Edgar Wright flick, director of the Simon Pegg trilogy of Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End. He also did Scott Pilgrim and has mastered the cinematic jump-cut sequence, making his approach to a classic heist movie (and its talented getaway driver) that much more exciting. They make a red Subaru WRX sedan do very interesting things to the beat of the soundtrack, which is worth the price of admission alone.

9. Hot Fuzz (on Amazon Prime)

Look, we have to talk about this. Edgar Wright again, with the Simon Pegg-Nick Frost dream team in a British crime comedy. It makes it into my list for the way they turned boring Vauxhall Astra police cars into action superstars. Handbrake turns. J-Turns. It’s all here. Like a classic Top Gear skit turned Hollywood blockbuster.

10. Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (on Netflix)

I love cars obviously, but I also love coffee and come on, who doesn’t like to laugh? This Jerry Seinfeld creation, born on YouTube and now lovingly produced for Netflix, has the lot. There are 3 seasons to enjoy with exotic metal and a hilarious list of Hollywood’s funniest to keep you coming back.

11. 6 Underground (on Netflix)

This Ryan Reynolds’ vehicle is the closest you’ll come to Ronin – an explosive Michael Bay heist film with double-crosses, carnage and a plethora of wicked metal including, but not limited to, the Ferrari 488 and a particularly drifty green Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio. The latter enjoys an extended car chase scene so gratuitous it reminds me why the man’s films are referred to as Bayhem. Thankfully more in the vein of Bad Boys than those ridiculous Transformers movies.

12. The Italian Job (on Netflix)

Mark Wahlberg, Jason Statham and Charlize Theron star in this old-school heist film and must club together to take the fight to Edward Norton after a wicked betrayal in the opening act. Luckily they have a trio of heavily-modified Mini Coopers with which to wreak havoc. If you've ever enjoyed a gymkhana, this movie has all the handbrake turn, parking lot tomfoolery you could hope for.

13. Smokey and the Bandit (on Netflix)

Can you name a more iconic duo than Burt Reynolds and his black Pontiac Firebird Transam? Smokey and the Bandit lives in that rarified air between Cannonball Run and The Dukes of Hazzard. This is still great entertainment despite being over 4 decades old. And if you don’t know who Burt Reynolds is, please hand in your petrolhead licence at once

14. Initial D (on Netflix)

It’s the legendary tale of Takumi Fujiwara and his Hachi Roku – the infamous 4AGE powered rear-wheel-drive Trueno hatchback. This car alone has one of the largest followings ever and is responsible for a significant part of drift culture. Needless to say, I am a massive massive fan of the Initial D anime series and this live-action version, while just average, stars your favourite JDM icons, including R32 Skyline GTRs, Mazda RX-7s and Civic Type Rs.

15. Wired Cars (on Amazon Prime)

There’s no denying that technology is becoming increasingly relevant in motoring, so when a technology magazine like Wired decides to do a series on the motorcar, you can count on a fresh perspective. They don't disappoint with these snappy videos, including a look at the cars from movies like the Fast and Furious franchise, investigate weird driving laws, tackle texting and driving and imagining a future with driverless cars.

15 Car Shows You Can Stream Right Now

Calvin Fisher

22 Apr 2020