Best Truck Driver Movies of All Time
While a truck driver’s lifestyle doesn’t offer much time off, one tried and true way to spend your time off the road is watching a trucker movie. We all know that most of the movies don’t truly capture what life is like for a truck driver, but there are a select few that come pretty darn close.
Regardless of how real they are, we have a couple truck driver movies that top our watch list time after time. Here’s our list of the best trucker movies to watch next time you’ve got a break in your schedule. Maybe you’ll laugh at how unrealistic they are, or maybe you’ll relate to a particular character. Either way, we’re sure you’ll be entertained.
Convoy – 1978
Convoy is an action film starring Kris Kristofferson as Martin “Rubber Duck” Penwald, who is driving across the Southwest. Rubber Duck, who has a variety of run-ins with the dirty Sheriff Wallace, proves himself to be a fearless and skilled driver as well as a loyal friend. It’s safe to say this cult classic is a truck driver movie that will definitely stand the test of time.
Duel – 1971
Duel is actually Steven Spielberg’s feature-length directorial debut. Unlike Convoy, the truck driver in this movie is actually the villain. The lead character, David Mann, is a businessman on his way to see a client. While trying to pass a rusted old tank truck, Mann subsequently angers the driver. The ensuing scenes are filled with action and adventure as Mann tries to escape the wrath of the truck driver.
Big Rig – 2007
As the only documentary on our list of semi truck movies, Big Rig holds a special place in our hearts. Given that the film consists of real drivers talking about their actual lives, this movie is also the most accurate in terms of describing what life is like on the road. Fun fact – the crew for this film, which only consisted of three people, didn’t actually plan out their interviews. They just walked into a truckstop and randomly asked drivers if they would be willing to be interviewed.
Smokey and the Bandit – 1977
As the second highest grossing film in 1977, Smokey and the Bandit was a hit right off the bat. Starring Burt Reynolds as Bo “Bandit” Darville, this trucker film chronicles Bandit and his pal Snowman as they attempt to illegally transport 400 cases of beer from Texas to Georgia. As the pair heads back to Atlanta, picking up a runaway bride along the way, they catch the eye of Sheriff Justice and the chase begins.
White Line Fever – 1975
Carroll Jo “CJ” Hummer follows in his father’s footsteps by becoming a local truck driver. However, after his father passes, circumstances lead him to enter the Air Force and head to Vietnam. Once he returns, he finds that the trucking company he previously worked for is now having their drivers haul illegal contraband. The story continues with CJ standing up against the illegal activities, which ultimately leads him to a series of altercations.
High-Ballin’ – 1978
The last movie on our list of best trucker movies follows “Iron Duke”, an independent trucker, as he goes up against King Carroll, a local trucker boss. King Carroll will stop at nothing to drive independent truckers out of business, and Iron Duke and his friend Rane have had enough. This movie is intriguingly described as “a modern day western, with trucks instead of horses” making it even more of a must-watch.
While this list is by no means an extensive list of all truck driver movies, it does contain our top favorites of all time. Each one is worth a watch, even if it doesn’t always accurately portray what life is like for a truck driver. While the car chases and explosions may be less frequent in real life, they’re still entertaining on a day off.
If you’re looking for a more accurate view of what life is like for a driver, check out our truck driver training page. Don’t rely on a movie to tell you what it means to be a truck driver – our instructors will help you learn everything you need to know and get you out on the road.