Let’s be real—sometimes the true stars of our favorite shows and movies aren’t the actors. It’s the cars. The ones pulling off insane stunts, showing up in total style, or just looking way too cool to ignore. Maybe that’s why the 2025 Detroit Auto Show featured a special exhibit on iconic film vehicles and TV show cars.
From the Griswolds’ station wagon to the Jurassic Park Jeep Wrangler and K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider, 2025 has already been a mix of imagination and nostalgia. Moving forward to cars in the movies 2025, you’ll see a blend of old and new.
Iconic Cars in Recent Films
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera features a standout chase with a surprising hero: the all-electric Porsche Taycan Turbo—the first time an EV has led a major action sequence.
With Fast X Part 2 on the horizon (2026), 2023’s Fast X still deserves a shoutout. It loaded up on JDM legends like the 2000 Honda S2000 and the 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS, alongside modern muscle like the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody. Jason Statham’s red McLaren Senna added a supercar edge. He actually owns that car.
Per ComicBook.com, Vin Diesel teased that the next film could feature a Toyota Supra, Barracuda, Road Runner, and more Chargers.
Why They Stood Out
Cars like these don’t just support the plot—they are the plot. Some become characters themselves: the Batmobile, the General Lee, the Back to the Future DeLorean. A roaring engine, tight cornering, or just parking in slow-mo can say more than dialogue.
The Mustang in Bullitt didn’t just chase—it owned the screen. Who didn’t hold their breath when that car caught air on those hilly San Franciscan street scenes?
TV Shows Driving the Hype
Reality shows like Top Gear and Jay Leno’s Garage aside, scripted TV also brings the heat to the small screens, too. Shows like Knight Rider, and The Fall Guy delivered everything from high-tech like K.I.T.T. to everyday heroes like Colt Seavers' beat-up Silverado.
Magnum P.I.'s Ferrari 308 GTS? One of the set cars that Tom Selleck drove in the series sold at auction for over $180,000 in 2017.
While exact numbers are unknown, The Dukes of Hazzard boosted Dodge Charger popularity—especially the 1968–1969 models. The General Lee became a legend, and many fans built replicas. Nearly 80,000 Chargers were built in 1969 alone, and around 320 were used in the show. That orange Charger helped turn late-’60s Mopars into icons.
Notable 2025 Series with Standout Rides
Amazon’s Fallout goes full retro-futuristic with wild, Mad Max-style machines. Slammed sedans with ’50s fins, nuclear-powered rigs, and radiation-ready customs roll across a dusty apocalypse. These aren’t props—they’re full-on characters.
Hulu’s Paradise is the opposite—clean, modern, and brutal. Set in a massive underground bunker, the show rolls out:
- Ford Mustang Mach-E – silent and sleek
- Rivian R1S and VW ID.4 – all-electric torque
- Jeep Wranglers – lifted, armored, and trail-ready
- Ford F-150 – hauling and towing under pressure
- Suburbans and Tahoes – blacked-out presidential escort style
From bunker scenes to chase sequences, the cars help build the tension and tone.
How Vehicles Add Character
A ride says everything. Muscle cars scream attitude. SUVs bring power. Pickups show grit. Whether it’s custom or clapped out, a vehicle reflects the character—and sometimes, it is the character. Sometimes, we remember the famous movie cars long after we remember the stars that drove them.
What Makes a Car Iconic On-Screen
A car earns icon status through:
- Design that turns heads
- Sound that’s unmistakable
- Performance that thrills
- Presence that owns the frame
Whether drifting, launching, or parked under neon lights, an iconic ride leaves a mark.
Reboots and Classic Revivals
Hollywood loves a comeback—and iconic cars keep returning with upgrades. These reboots aren’t just about nostalgia – they’re about giving legendary rides a modern edge while staying true to what made them famous.
The A-Team van got a modern makeover for a movie version of the popular TV show: now a Chevy with a fake GMC badge, packing a 5.0L V8, three sunroofs, and a chip mod. Still loud, still tough—just a bit smarter (but still terrible gas mileage).
Cultural Impact
When a car makes an impression on-screen, it doesn't just entertain—it ignites fandom. Still today, replicas of the General Lee show up at car shows and Comic-Cons, fully detailed and built with love. Fans quickly turn their love for iconic movie and TV vehicles into viral TikTok and Instagram videos – sparking a new revolution of passionate fans. You’ll find hashtags like #MovieCars generating millions of views of builds and fan tributes.
Once a car hits icon status on the big screen, it takes on a life of its own.
Influence on Modding and the Real World
From full-on movie replicas to inspired customs, car enthusiasts build what they see. Whether it's Dom’s Charger or a Mad Max beater, screen cars drive real-world trends—paint jobs, body kits, swaps, even EV conversions. Fans use modding as a tribute to their on-screen favorites, and take movie magic to their garages. Just look for a Fast and Furious build at the next custom car show in your neighborhood for a glimpse of the lingering effects of a highly successful movie franchise.
Conclusion
On-screen, the right car can make a scene. It brings swagger, meaning, or pure mayhem. And fans notice—replicating, modding, and honoring those rides long after the credits roll.
As film tech evolves—with EVs, AI, and wild designs—expect a new generation of screen legends.
Buckle up. The car is still the star.
