The 8 Best Movies About Car Dealerships, Ranked
There are plenty of jokes being made about car salesmen and used car dealerships to go around and it’s no wonder that plenty of movies use it as its premise since exploring the concept can be both fascinating and hilarious at the same time. This is why we decided to put together this odd and unexpected list of 8 best movies about car dealerships, and we’re going to rank the movies based on their IMDB scores. Ranging from comedies to dramas, there’s plenty to interest everyone, so let’s go!
8. ‘Breakfast of Champions’ (1999)
IMDb Score: 4.5
What it’s about: Dwayne Hoover, a respected car salesman in Midland City, Indiana, is on the verge of having a nervous breakdown, which is made even worse due to some family troubles. At the same time, a little-known science fiction author, Kilgore Trout, is hitchhiking through the Midland City arts festival, and Hoover, looking for a way out of his troubles, decides to attend the festival, and the meeting between the two will change their lives forever.
Why you should watch it: This is actually an adaptation of a book under the same name, and even though the movie wasn’t superbly executed, it’s still a fascinating social commentary with plenty of dark humor.
7. ‘Suckers’ (2001)
IMDb Score: 5.6
What it’s about: I believe this movie’s tagline says enough about what to expect. Bobby, played by Louis Mandylor, is a nice guy looking for work, but he is also trying to escape from loan sharks, to which he owes a lot of money. He lands a job as a car salesman at Southside Motors, and soon after being hired, he discovers how messed up and ruthless that world really is. It makes the loan shark business look like a children’s playground.
Why you should watch it: Besides revealing the secrets of the car sales industry, there’s nothing notable about the movie at all. It’s a rage-watch if anything.
6. ‘The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard’ (2009)
IMDb Score: 5.7
What it’s about: Ben Selleck has a failing car dealership in Temecula, California, and hires the unconventional and ruthless mercenary Don Ready, along with his team of Babs, Jibby, and Brent, to “improve” business. The team is supposed to sell 211 cars over the 4th of July weekend and is allowed to do it through any means necessary.
Why you should watch it: Like the previous movie, ‘The Goods’ doesn’t try to be philosophical when it comes to the world of used cars, it’s merely a funny commentary about the industry as a whole.
5. ‘Cadillac Man’ (1990)
IMDb Score: 5.7
What it’s about: Joey O’Brien is a car salesman whose life is falling apart. His ex-wife wants alimony; he has trouble with his daughter, who is currently M.IA. and has two mistresses desperately in love with him. He also has trouble at work and needs to sell 12 cars over the course of 2 days if he wants to keep his job.
Why you should watch it: The movie stars Robin Williams, for starters, and that should be enough, but if you’re looking for more arguments, the movie has everything: humor, drama, romance, and suspense.
4. ‘Used Cars’ (1980)
IMDb Score: 6.7
What it’s about: Rudy Russo, a sly car salesman in Mesa, Arizona, aims to run for the state senate. He works at the struggling New Deal used car lot and strikes a deal with the owner, Luke Fuchs, who agrees to invest in Rudy’s political campaign if he can revive the failing business. Across the street, Luke’s twin brother, Roy, attempts to save his own car lot from demolition. When a staged accident results in Luke’s death, Rudy, with the help of his colleagues, develops a plan to hide the truth and secure Luke’s inheritance, involving burying Luke in a vintage Edsel on the dealership’s backlot.
Why you should watch it: There are plenty of things in common between politicians and used-car salesmen and this movie offers you a glimpse of it. It’s a black humor comedy movie with plenty of witty dialogue.
3. ‘Flywheel’ (2003)
IMDb Score: 6.7
What it’s about: Jay Austin, a dishonest car salesman, consistently cheats his customers, including overcharging his own pastor. His relationships with his wife and son are worsening, and he faces foreclosure on his car lot. After a moment of personal conviction triggered by a sermon on television, Jay undergoes a transformation, becoming a born-again Christian. This leads him to reconsider his unethical business practices, and he aims for a more honest and principled life.
Why you should watch it: This movie feels like no real character development will take place, but it does and the “born-again” Christian theme is not a punchline or another scam, it really does happen, so if you’re looking for a redemption story, this movie is perfect for you.
2. ‘Tucker: The Man and His Dream’ (1988)
IMDb Score: 6.9
What it’s about: In the film, Detroit engineer Preston Tucker, driven by a lifelong passion for cars, sets out to build the “car of the future” after World War II. With the support of his family and the assistance of designer Alex Tremulis, Tucker plans the revolutionary “Tucker Torpedo” featuring innovative safety designs. To fund the venture, Tucker partners with New York financier Abe Karatz and acquires the Dodge Chicago Plant to start manufacturing, hiring Robert Bennington to oversee the day-to-day operations of the newly formed Tucker Corporation.
Why you should watch it: the movie is based on the true story of Preston Tucker, an innovator in the automotive industry, and it’s really a good look into a crucial period in post-World War II America and the challenges that revolutionary men in the industry faced at that time.
1. ‘The Woman Chaser’ (1999)
IMDb Score: 7.1
What it’s about: In 1950s Los Angeles, Richard Hudson, a savvy car dealer from San Francisco, established a used-car dealership. He gets tired fast of the car business, so he hands over the lot to his assistant Bill and embarks on a new business venture—writing his first film, titled “The Man Who Got Away.” The film takes a dark turn, telling the story of a truck driver who goes berserk, causes a tragic accident, and ultimately dies in a confrontation with the police.
Why you should watch it: ‘The Woman Chaser’ is yet another movie on this list based on a book and also features plenty of social commentary and darkly humorous jokes. It also developed a cult following over the years hence the high IMDb score.
Have a movie to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!