Simply Unforgettable
It's a powerful thing when a movie can be recognized by cars alone. Throughout our history, many cars have become synonymous with their pop culture counterparts. Even when cars aren’t the central point of the narrative, the right car can worm its way into our minds and sit there forever. You know them, you love them, you won’t ever forget them.
1. 1964 Aston Martin DB5
This gorgeous silver car is best known for its appearance in the James Bond films. It was introduced to the series in the 1964 film Goldfinger. At the time, this car would’ve been the hottest thing on the market; instead of being seen as a vintage staple, we know it as today.
2. 1975 Ford Mustang Cobra II
This infamous car first appeared in the television show Charlie’s Angels. While the model year quickly became synonymous with the show, a 1976 Cobra was the actual model used. Let’s be honest, though, no one was really paying attention to the car.
3. Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6
This car was featured heavily in the 1995 movie Bad Boys. The actual car was a 1994 model and was owned by the film's director, Michael Bay. Apparently, Porsche didn’t feel like providing a car to the explosion-happy director.
4. 1969 Dodge Charger
This iconic car goes by a better name, the General Lee. Bright orange, a giant 01 painted on the side, and an iconic horn sound, this car made a name for itself in The Dukes of Hazzard series. Due to the sheer amount of stunts done with the vehicle, the show used over 300 Dodge Chargers over its run.
5. 1977 Pontiac Trans Am
This car blew everyone away when it became the titular character of Smokey and the Bandit. While this 1977 film rocketed the car to stardom, the Trans Am was a popular choice for action movies throughout the 1970s.
Adi Gassmann Original uploader was Mrx86 at de.wikipedia on Wikimedia
6. 1960 BMW Isetta
This adorable car was a staple in the 90s sitcom Family Matters. It was often used for comedic effect, thanks to its small size, and was a point of pride for the one and only Steve Urkel. The car itself was produced by BMW from 1953 to 1961 as a means of affordable transportation.
7. Subaru Impreza WRX
This car was heavily featured in the opening chase scene in the 2017 movie Baby Driver. The model year was 2006, but its bright red color definitely left its mark on audiences. The car was heavily modified to look like a WRX STI, and multiple cars were used to complete the many stunts involved in the film.
8. 1974 Ford Gran Torino
You’ve probably seen this car decked out in a gorgeous red and white paint job, thanks to its association with the TV show Starsky & Hutch. One of the 9 original cars used in the TV show went to auction in August 2025, eventually being sold for $20,000.
order_242 from Chile on Wikimedia
9. 1932 Ford Coupe
This car was famously featured in the 1973 movie American Graffiti. It’s well known for its bright canary yellow paint, see-through hood, and black interior. The car quickly became associated with teenage rebellion and is a great representation of American car culture.
10. 2000 Bentley Arnage Red Label
This powerhouse of a car can only be driven by a powerhouse of a man, and Hannibal Lecter is that man to a T. It’s classic elegance, slightly menacing, and very expensive— all things the good doctor represents.
11. 1959 Cadillac
You may not recognize this car outright, thanks to all the bits and bobs attached to it - not to mention the giant crossed-out ghost painted on its side. That’s right, a converted Cadillac serves as the Ecto-1 in the 1984 film Ghostbusters. It featured a long body, similar to that of a hearse, which we suppose is fitting due to the nature of the film.
12. 1960s Ford Taunus Transit Van
This iconic van is possibly the 6th member of the Scooby Doo gang. The original cartoon model is widely disputed, with some fans believing that the Mystery Machine is actually a Ford Econoline or a Dodge A100, but does it matter? It’s the flower power paint job that makes the car what it is.
13. 1981 DeLorean DMC-12
This flat car has a stainless steel body, gull-wing doors, a V6 engine, and can reach 88 miles per hour. A cult classic thanks to the Back to the Future franchise, the name “DeLorean” is nearly synonymous with the films. Funnily enough, the original DeLoreans’ speedometer only went up to 85mph, so it had to be custom-fit for its time-traveling purposes.
Spy007au at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia
14. 1967 Chevrolet Impala
Known as “The Impala” to many, this iconic car is a staple of the television show, Supernatural. Throughout the show’s 15-season run, only a total of 9 Impalas were used. However, they did completely destroy one of them for the show’s season 1 finale.
15. 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder
This gorgeous roadster was the inspiration behind the iconic red car in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. We say inspiration, because the real 250 GT Spyders were too rare and too valuable to risk any potential damage. That didn’t stop folks from buying the knockoffs, though, as one was sold at auction for over $300,000.
16. 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS
8 seasons, red paint, and an iconic mustache - this car was made famous for its use in the television show Magnum, P.I. While several models of the 308 were used throughout the show’s run, the 1978 model was the very first. The car (and show) was so popular that it quickly became a household name and a broader symbol of the decade.
17. 1973 XB GT Ford Falcon
Known better as a Pursuit Special, this iconic car was featured in several films throughout the Mad Max franchise, despite the crew’s original plan to use a Ford Mustang. In order to prepare the car for its action-heavy role, it underwent some pretty intense modifications, exposing its superchargers, a fiberglass nose, and the car’s iconic black-on-black paint scheme.
Andrew Bone from Weymouth, England on Wikimedia
18. 1977 Leyland MINI 1000
This compact car was a much more powerful and better-equipped model than the 850, but we don’t think it was prepared to be driven by a broom handle. Yes, this chartreuse car was piloted by the one and only Mr. Bean, and came equipped with everything you’d expect in a car, like an armchair tied to the roof frack, and a large padlock on the driver’s side door.
Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand on Wikimedia
19. 1963 Volkswagen Beetle
He is a Beetle, but he’d probably prefer to just be called Herbie. Yes, Volkswagen’s iconic car found a home in Disney after becoming the lovable sentient vehicle in The Love Bug franchise. Herbie has been heavily featured by Disney throughout the decades, and at least 90 Beatles were used to portray him.
20. 1960s Chevrolet Corvette
This car was heavily featured in the 1960s show, Route 66, which followed two men skirting around the United States in a gorgeous red and white convertible. The car became such a hit that Corvette topped 10,000 units the year the show debuted.
