We often expect grand set-pieces and explosions from our action films. A major staple of the genre is the chase scene, which appears in countless legendary movies. Those chases come in all shapes and sizes. For example, the slick yet short taxi chase in The Fifth Element sees Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) and Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) evade police in a futuristic cityscape. Mad Max: Fury Road feels like a relentlessly intense feature-length chase scene from start to finish.

There’s a lot of competition, but some movies boast such incredible chases that they become one of their movies’ greatest strengths. Others are so influential that they have helped shape similar modern scenes even decades later.

Many of the films on this list are exceptional in their own right and don’t need a chase scene to earn a recommendation. Still, those same set-pieces are massive highlights, and a great reason to watch the entire movie if you’re on the fence. With this in mind, here’s a selection of movies with unforgettable chase scenes you won’t want to miss.

10

The Truck Chase – Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is one of the greatest action movies ever made. Its influence on the genre cannot be understated, and while it features a few chase scenes, the T1000 (Robert Patrick) chasing down John Connor (Edward Furlong) in a semi truck remains intense even after multiple rewatches.

Connor tries to flee the T1000 on a small motorbike, but the Terminator gives chase in the most intimidating way possible. It hijacks a truck and relentlessly chases Connor into a concrete aqueduct. The emotionless efficiency of the T1000 is on full display in this scene, and the music is a perfect fit.

The truck chase tells the audience everything we need to know about Connor and both Terminators. It also sets the scene for the rest of the movie, ending in a huge ball of flames.

9

Batman Vs The Joker – The Dark Knight (2008)

The Dark Knight is another adored action movie and among the greatest superhero films of all time. The stakes are high as the authorities attempt to transport Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) through the city in an armored convoy.

Things start going wrong the moment the Joker (Heath Ledger) gets involved. His team surgically destroys the convoy one vehicle at a time. Batman (Christian Bale) comes to the rescue in the Batmobile in a scene that eventually ends in our hero chasing the Joker down on a futuristic motorcycle.

The chase ends with a dramatic game of chicken, where Batman refuses to run over the Joker. It’s an impactful scene that shows the lengths the Joker will go to get what he wants.

8

Motorcycle Chase Through Paris – Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

Many scenes across the Mission Impossible franchise deserve recognition, but the motorcycle chase through Paris in Mission: Impossible – Fallout deserves a special mention.

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is trying to escape the Parisian authorities on a motorbike. What follows is a beautifully shot, high-intensity chase through busy streets and narrow passages. Hunt is forced to ride toward incoming traffic multiple times as the police close in from every angle.

There’s a distinct lack of jump cuts throughout the entire scene. The camera angle frequently changes, but we see so much of the chase that it feels like you’re there. It’s an incredible moment in an already action-packed movie.

7

The Bagghar Chase – The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

It may seem like a strange inclusion to have an animated movie on a best chase list. However, the chase through Bagghar in The Adventures of Tintin is an incredible spectacle.

The chase scene is special because it looks like it was filmed in a single shot. There is not a single cut for over two minutes as our heroes, Tintin (Jamie Bell) and Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis), try to capture a bird holding a vital clue.

There is so much going on in the Bagghar chase that you will notice new things in future viewings. The Adventures of Tintin is arguably an underrated action movie and has never garnered a large audience. This scene alone may be enough to earn it a few fans.

6

Parkour Chase – Casino Royale (2006)

The James Bond movies are full of incredible chases and action set-pieces. The parkour chase at the beginning of Casino Royale is exceptional for its stylish stunts. It also immediately establishes the tone of Daniel Craig’s Bond.

007 is chasing Mollaka (Sebastien Foucan) on foot in Casino Royale. The issue is that Mollaka knows parkour and uses it to full effect during a chase through a busy construction site and beyond. Bond is certainly athletic, but he cannot outrun his target.

The chase is particularly memorable because Bond plays to his strengths. He uses vehicles and brute force to relentlessly pursue Mollaka. The pair end up running through busy streets and fleeing armed law enforcement.

5

One Shot Chase Scene – Children of Men (2006)

We praised The Adventures of Tintin for its one-shot chase scene earlier in the list. Children of Men has one too, made even more special as it’s a live-action film.

Theo (Clive Owen) is riding in a car with a group of resistance fighters before they are ambushed. Attackers push a fiery car in our heroes’ way, forcing them to reverse up the road. In fact, most of the single-shot chase is done in reverse, which makes the camera angle even more impressive.

The unique camera position puts the audience inside the car, allowing them to see everything. It’s a busy, intense scene that only ends when the camera exits the vehicle, and we see it drive away, leaving us behind.

4

Bank Robbery Scene – Baby Driver (2017)

Baby Driver is full of exceptionally stylish driving and chase scenes. Many parts of the movie could have made the list, but the bank robbery scene is among the best.

During the movie’s intro, we see Baby (Ansel Elgort) dancing to music in the driver’s seat of a bright red Subaru Impreza WRX. His demeanor immediately changes when we realize he’s a getaway driver for bank robbers entering his car.

Baby effortlessly eludes dozens of police cars as he powerslides and drifts around the city. There’s so much slick driving packed into just a few minutes. The scene also demonstrates how smart Baby is, using a genius tactic to evade a police helicopter despite driving a bright red car.

3

BMW Vs Peugeot Chase – Ronin (1998)

Ronin is a classic action movie starring Robert De Niro as Sam, a former CIA operative. It also features an exceptional chase scene that feels quite grounded compared to other set-pieces on this list.

Our heroes are in an unassuming Peugeot 406, chasing a BMW 5 Series. This chase scene stands out because it’s so convincing. The roads are full of traffic and surrounded by pedestrians. Narrow roads are made even narrower by parked vehicles on all sides.

Regular drivers don’t just conveniently make way either. The Peugeot and BMW are flashing their lights constantly and performing some incredible feats, considering how normal the cars look. It’s an extraordinarily tense chase that lasts more than five minutes with a great conclusion.

2

Car Vs Train – The French Connection (1971)

The train scene in The French Connection is widely regarded as one of the best chases of all time. Gene Hackman is Jimmy Doyle, a detective. He’s trying to capture an assassin. However, his target hijacks a train, forcing Jimmy to pursue in a car.

The chase feels real because the road is packed with traffic. Jimmy frantically blasts his horn throughout the entire scene, and there are dozens of near misses.

Doyle is clearly a skilled driver, but even he makes mistakes. We see him hit a wall after a truck obscures his view, and it’s small details like this that rarely feature in modern chases. Events on the train above are just as desperate as the roads below, ending in a raw, gritty 1v1 showdown.

1

San Francisco Chase – Bullitt (1968)

Fans of movie car chases likely saw this coming a mile away, but the chase through San Francisco in Bullitt takes the number one spot. The stakes couldn’t be higher as our hero, Frank Bullitt (Steve McQueen), pursues hit men in a black Dodge Charger.

Frank is driving another beefy muscle car, a Ford Mustang GT Fastback. Both cars sound fierce and powerful, jumping off the ground as they race across the steeply angled streets.

The chase scene in Bullitt has it all. The cars roar around corners, we see hubcaps spin off, yet it still feels grounded in reality. There is no music or sudden jump cuts. There isn’t even any talking, which makes sense considering the concentration required.

The San Francisco chase is such an accomplished scene; it’s hard to believe that Bullitt is almost 60 years old. The entire film holds up remarkably well, and newcomers won’t be disappointed, even if they are only watching for the legendary chase scene.