A truck driver’s lifestyle means always being on the road. For most people it’s a job, but for drivers it’s a calling, a passion, something that gives them pure happiness. Non-truckers may not understand some of the fascination with trucks because these vehicles are large and intimidating. Trucks have already been modernized and the days of associating them with dirt and being difficult to maintain are over. Hollywood took advantage of the truck driver lifestyle by making films that focus on these drivers, who are often stereotyped. Such films came in the 1970s, an era of the classics.
What makes a trucker movie good is that it can be of any genre, from drama and romance to comedy and action. Whatever the plot, the driver’s larger-than-life personality will entice viewers, enough to leave them wanting more – more speed, more torque, more horsepower. Hollywood slowed down in producing this type of movie, so some of the old ones became iconic. With a little grease and oil, this genre is just waiting to hit the road again. Here are some trucker movies that surprised critics and fans alike, thanks to their effective portrayal of actors, compelling storyline, and inspiring take on trucker lifestyles.
8/8 Maximum Overdrive (1986)
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A horror movie with trucks and other vehicles? Novelist Stephen King delivered just that with Maximum overdrive, his directorial debut — though he never said that again. The film, based on King’s story, trucks, is about machines that came to life and attacked humanity. It was a flop, with its lead actor, Emilio Estevez, and King nominated in the Golden Raspberry Award as the worst actor and director respectively. Sure, it’s not the best movie out there, but it’s worth watching for a moment that will make you laugh out loud – sometimes necessary for some truck drivers or movie buffs in general. Now a remake is being planned to make this movie better.
7/8 Big Rig (2007)
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American director Doug Pray is known for his work on various subcultures and he made sure not to overlook the truck driver lifestyle. In the documentary film Big Rig, he met many long-haul drivers, listened to their inspiring stories, while introducing truck culture to the US. This film, which has had a unique release, is as authentic as it gets, especially because there are no actors, just real drivers and their true stories. The battle is literally real as the subjects narrate their challenges down the road. Rooftop Films said it best: Big Rig is a dynamic film with ‘beautiful shots from all over the country’.
6/8 Steel Cowboy (1978)
steel cowboy is one of the films released during the height of the truck craze in the US. This television movie first aired on the National Broadcasting Company and stars James Brolin, Jennifer Warren, Melanie Griffith and the late actors Rip Torn and Strother Martin. It follows the story of a truck driver and his friend as they transport stolen cattle for a black salesman. Radio Times film critic David Parkinson praised director Harvey Laidman’s pace as he takes viewers on a journey of justice and revenge. steel cowboy is tame and unassuming, and while it’s not a popular movie, it will please true blue truck drivers and movie buffs alike.
5/8 Over the Top (1987)
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Sylvester Stallone stars in Over the top, where he starred as a long-distance trucker trying to reconnect with his estranged son while arm wrestling. Variety said the film was “routinely made in every way,” while the consensus on Rotten Tomatoes said, “the title shows itself in the cheesiest of ways.” Some critics are not fans of this movie, and looking back Stallone said:, he would have “made it less shiny and put it more in an urban setting.” He added that he “wouldn’t have used an endless stream of rock songs, but instead scored music, and most likely would have made the event in Vegas more ominous — not quite as carnival-like.” Nevertheless, it is still “viewable” and “a” perfect distillation of a Stallone movie.”
4/8 Black Dog (1998)
Another truck movie with a cult following, Black Dog left an impression on fans of this genre. It stars the late actor Patrick Swayze as a driver in a high-speed chase because he unknowingly took a truckload of illegal weapons onto the road. Australian film critic Adrian Martin praised director Kevin Hooks for adeptly and brazenly delivering the goods. It may not be the best action movie, but truckers would love this movie, thanks to its thrilling stunts and “slam-bang action” that will grab viewers in the first few seconds. Swayze also has his way of acting, something to attract fans.
3/8 breaker! breaker! (1977)
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In breaker! breaker!John David “JD” Dawes (Chuck Norris) searches for his brother in a town run by a corrupt judge. This project was Norris’ first starring role in a movie, making it a must-see for his fans. Film critic Paul Mavis said Norris was a “strong, quiet type” action hero and praised him for his “perfectly good” performance, as it was a first for him. RiffTrax said fans should watch this movie if they want to see Norris mustache-free. As Mavis said, this solid release from Olive Films is a “very mild, but perfectly acceptable head-cruncher.”
2/8 Convoy (1978)
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Convoy is one of the classic truck movies made during the height of the trucking craze in the United States at a time when citizen band radio was still a thing. The film, based on the CW McCall song, was directed by Sam Peckinpah. It follows the story of three drivers (Kris Kristofferson, Burt Young and Franklyn Ajaye) who are harassed by a sheriff (Ernest Borgnine). The film was a hit and gained cult status; plus it was from Peckinpah? most commercially successful film. Empire’s Kim Newman said Kristofferson was perfectly cast for the lead role, praising the film for being “pleasant.”
1/8 Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
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Smokey and the Bandit deserved a lot of credit, which is not surprising, because this sleeper hit is “very cool and irreverent”. This film, starring Burt Reynolds, was successful and spawned spin-offs and a TV series. In addition, some scenes had a major cultural impact, such as the “diablo sandwich.” Film critic Ron Pennington of The Hollywood Reporter said: this action comedy film is “a merry hairdresser chase storyline in which action replaces character or plot development.” Still, as confirmed by his daughter, Alfred Hitchcock loved this movie — enough to convince everyone from truck drivers to movie fans to watch this hit movie.