The 13 Best Horror Movies with Cars: Killer Rides, Haunted Highways & Vehicular Nightmares
Discover the 13 best horror movies with cars that will make you think twice before your next road trip. From haunted vehicles to murderous drivers, these films mix speed with screams.
When it comes to horror, there's something uniquely terrifying about a machine built for travel turning into a vessel of terror. Whether it’s a haunted car, a possessed truck, or a road trip gone horribly wrong, horror movies with cars are a sub-genre that delivers high-octane chills.
If you're a horror fan with a need for speed, buckle up: here are the 13 best horror movies with cars that will make you want to take the bus instead.
1. Christine (1983)
Director: John Carpenter
This Stephen King adaptation is the gold standard of horror car flicks. Christine, a cherry-red 1958 Plymouth Fury, has a mind of her own—and she’s jealous, deadly, and utterly unforgettable.
Why it’s great: It's the ultimate "car as killer" film, combining supernatural horror with teenage obsession.
2. Duel (1971)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Before Jaws, Spielberg terrorized audiences with this minimalist thriller. A motorist is relentlessly pursued by a faceless, malevolent trucker on a lonely highway.
Why it’s great: Suspenseful, atmospheric, and a masterclass in tension with very little dialogue.
3. Jeepers Creepers (2001)
Director: Victor Salva
A brother and sister on a road trip cross paths with a mysterious truck and an even more terrifying creature. The movie opens with one of the most nerve-racking vehicular chases in horror history.
Why it’s great: The truck itself feels like a character, and the dread builds with every mile.
4. Death Proof (2007)
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) uses his "death-proof" stunt car to murder young women—until he meets his match. Part slasher, part grindhouse throwback, all adrenaline.
Why it’s great: Killer stunts, a badass female revenge arc, and Tarantino’s signature dialogue.
5. Maximum Overdrive (1986)
Director: Stephen King
What happens when machines, including trucks, come alive and turn homicidal? Pure chaos. This campy cult classic, written and directed by King himself, is trashy fun.
Why it’s great: Killer soundtrack, over-the-top deaths, and that iconic truck with the Green Goblin face.
6. The Car (1977)
Director: Elliot Silverstein
A demonic, driverless black car terrorizes a small desert town. Think Jaws, but on asphalt.
Why it’s great: Eerie atmosphere, cult classic vibes, and an unforgettable villain vehicle.
7. Road Games (1981)
Director: Richard Franklin
A long-haul trucker becomes suspicious of a serial killer on the highways of Australia. Hitchhikers, serial killers, and wide open roads? What could go wrong?
Why it’s great: Combines Rear Window with road horror. A slow-burn thriller with a killer payoff.
8. Rubber (2010)
Director: Quentin Dupieux
This one’s wild: a sentient tire named Robert develops telekinetic powers and goes on a killing spree. Yes, seriously.
Why it’s great: It’s absurdist horror at its finest, with sly meta-commentary on the genre itself.
9. Highwaymen (2004)
Director: Robert Harmon
A grieving man hunts a disfigured serial killer who uses a souped-up Cadillac to mow down women on the road.
Why it’s great: Gritty, emotionally charged, and brutal with its vehicular carnage.
10. Wheels of Terror (1990)
Director: Christopher Cain
A mysterious black car stalks and abducts young girls in the Arizona desert. A TV-movie gem that’s scarier than you'd expect.
Why it’s great: Effective scares, creepy chase scenes, and a solid female lead.
11. Joy Ride (2001)
Director: John Dahl
Two brothers on a cross-country trip play a prank on a trucker who turns out to be a sadistic psychopath named Rusty Nail.
Why it’s great: Genuinely suspenseful, with great pacing and a terrifying villain.
12. Super Hybrid (2010)
Director: Eric Valette
A mysterious car towed to a police garage turns out to be a shape-shifting, man-eating creature. Think Transformers meets The Thing.
Why it’s great: Unique creature design and claustrophobic setting.
13. Dead End (2003)
Directors: Jean-Baptiste Andrea, Fabrice Canepa
A family road trip takes a dark turn when they detour onto an eerie, never-ending road. Psychological horror meets surreal nightmare.
Why it’s great: Creepy atmosphere, strong performances, and a genuinely unnerving twist.
Bonus Mention: The Wraith (1986)
Director: Mike Marvin
This cult classic stars Charlie Sheen as a mysterious driver who returns from the dead in a futuristic black car to take revenge on the gang that killed him.
Why it’s great: A mix of supernatural vengeance, street racing, and '80s neon vibes. The car chases are epic, and the concept is pure retro gold.
Why We Love Horror Movies with Cars
Cars represent freedom, control, and escape. But when things go wrong, they become traps, weapons, or even predators. The best horror movies with cars tap into these fears and add speed, isolation, and a hefty dose of the uncanny.
Whether it’s a killer car, a haunted highway, or a murderous truck driver, these 13 (now 14!) films prove one thing: in horror, the road is anything but safe.
So next time you buckle up, maybe check the back seat—just in case.
