Best movies like Running on Empty
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Mike loves his fast cars and his hot women. When he fancies the girlfriend of the local street racing king, Fox, he gets way in over his head in racing for his girl, his money and his life. Through racing, sex, nightclubs and small road trips the film depicts what it was like to be a teenager in Australia in the 1980's.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 499
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: Australia
Duration: 83 min
Plot tags: road movie, realistic, semi serious, independent film
Best tv shows and movies like Running on Empty (1982):
Similar in 86%
Breaking Loose: Summer City II (1988)
Plot Summary:
A young man leaves home in search of his fathers backgound in a small country town and gets mixed up with all sorts of weird and wild characters.
IMDB Rating: 3.9
IMDB Votes: 56
Genere: Action
Country: Australia
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 84%
Thrashin' (1986)
Plot Summary:
Corey and his band of skater buddies sometimes make mischief, but they're more interested in girls and having fun on their boards than in getting into any real trouble. Notorious enemy crew the Daggers, led by Tommy Hook, get their kicks terrorizing the locals at Venice Beach. When Corey starts dating Tommy's kid sister Chrissy, the Daggers are furious. The boys then take their beef to the "L.A. Massacre," a deadly skate race down a canyon road.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: independent film, sentimental, period piece, colorful, exciting, tense, serious, captivating, realistic, cult film
Similar in 76%
Gleaming the Cube (1989)
Plot Summary:
An Orange County teenager's carefree life of ditching class and skateboarding abandoned pools comes to a screeching halt when his adopted Vietnamese brother dies. The cops rule the death a suicide, but the bereaved skater believes he was murdered. It's up to him to solve the case, with a skateboard.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Action, Drama, Mystery
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: cult classic, neo noir, sexual, colorful, tense, sentimental, serious, realistic, suspenseful, independent film
Similar in 75%
BMX Bandits (1983)
Plot Summary:
Teens P.J. and Goose get their thrills on BMX bikes, performing hair-raising tricks all across Sydney, Australia. Along with their new friend Judy, they discover a box of walkie-talkies -- and find out that a gang of criminals intends to use them to monitor police signals during a bank robbery. When the young trio snatches the devices, it propels them on a hair-raising adventure in which their pedaling skills might just save their necks.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Family
Country: Australia
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, realistic, anamorphic, cult classic, colorful, independent film, eighties, cult film
Similar in 87%
Rolling Vengeance (1987)
Plot Summary:
A truck driver builds a special, eight-ton truck to help get revenge against the rednecks who killed his family and raped his girlfriend.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 742
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: Canada
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: independent film, rough, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 81%
The Gold and the Glory (1984)
Plot Summary:
Steve Lucas is a nineteen year old who is filled with the burning resentment of being forced to live in his brother's shadow. His brother Adam, is burdened by his father's desire for glory, and must win The Coolangatta Gold Tri-Aquathon, It is the greatest endurance test of them all: a marathon involving a 20 kilometer beach run, 6 kilometer swim and a 17 kilometer surf ski from Surfers Paradise along the golden arc of beach to Coolangatta and back to the start. The Coolangatta Gold is a story of human endeavor and endurance against overwhelming odds.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 196
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: Australia
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: realistic, semi serious, independent film
Similar in 79%
Fast Talking (1984)
Plot Summary:
A bright young teenager from a broken home uses his quick wits and glib tongue to get out of trouble - but they also get him into it.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 146
Genere: Drama
Country: Australia
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: independent film, detective
Similar in 78%
The FJ Holden (1977)
Plot Summary:
Suburban Australia in the late 70s. It was the era of the drive-in movie, the Chico Roll girl and the beloved FJ Holden. Boasting drunken fist fights, back seat sex, illegal drag racing, a classic Oz rock soundtrack (featuring Ol'55, Skyhooks and Renee Geyer) and the screen debut of future star Sigrid Thornton. THE FJ HOLDEN forged a strong connection with 70s mainstream youth audiences and today.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 257
Genere: Drama
Country: Australia
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: road movie, independent film, cult film
Similar in 89%
Silver Dream Racer (1980)
Plot Summary:
David Essex stars as Nick Freeman, a motorcycle racer who, following the death of his brother, inherits a revolutionary prototype motorcycle, and is determined to race it at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 610
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: independent film, realistic, semi serious, surprise ending, twist ending
Similar in 82%
The Young Racers (1963)
Plot Summary:
A film constructed around footage shot of actual Grand Prix races in Europe.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 336
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, independent film, sincere, realistic, talky, semi serious, psychotronic
Similar in 87%
Cannonball Fever (1989)
Plot Summary:
An illegal race that takes place over the United States and nothing will stop this bunch of racers except for the occasional cop or a damsel in distress. Jackie Chan's car is not in this one, but many new cars make up for that. Who will win? Who will crash? Who will not even finish? Sit down and buckle up for the ride of your life.
IMDB Rating: 4.4
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Sport
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: humorous, road movie, independent film, realistic, semi serious, fast, feel good, unusual plot structure, surreal, splatter
Similar in 90%
Fireball 500 (1966)
Plot Summary:
Stock car racer Dave Owens plays into the hands of whiskey runners by agreeing to drive in a cross-country road race.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 598
Genere: Action, Comedy, Drama, Musical, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, independent film, exciting, rough, humorous, realistic, semi serious, psychotronic
Similar in 85%
Thunder Alley (1967)
Plot Summary:
Stock car racer Tommy Callahan is forced to join Pete Madsen's thrill circus after his blackouts cause a fatal accident that gets him thrown off the circuit.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 354
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: psychotronic, grindhouse, independent film, exciting, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 82%
Convoy (1978)
Plot Summary:
Truckers form a mile long "convoy" in support of a trucker's vendetta with an abusive sheriff...Based on the country song of same title by C.W. McCall.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: road movie, surprise ending, exciting, feel good, humorous, semi serious, psychotronic, black comedy, dark comedy, light
Similar in 77%
Split Decisions (1988)
Plot Summary:
When a boxer is killed because he wouldn't take a dive, his brother tries to find a way to avenge him even if only symbolically.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: independent film, exciting, sincere, serious, realistic
Similar in 82%
Days of Thunder (1990)
Plot Summary:
Talented but unproven stock car driver Cole Trickle gets a break and with the guidance of veteran Harry Hogge turns heads on the track. The young hotshot develops a rivalry with a fellow racer that threatens his career when the two smash their cars. But with the help of his doctor, Cole just might overcome his injuries-- and his fear.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 95000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: exciting, inspirational, intense, serious, realistic, suspense, psychological, romantic comedy, cult classic, action adventure
Similar in 79%
Windrider (1986)
Plot Summary:
A rock star falls for a rich man's son who competitively board-sails the coast of Western Australia.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 749
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: Australia
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: sentimental, realistic, serious, melancholic, touching, disturbing, erotic, independent film
Similar in 80%
The Club (1980)
Plot Summary:
Boardroom and dressing-room intrigues spill on to the field at the Australian Rules football club.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Sport
Country: Australia
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, independent film
Similar in 79%
Rad (1986)
Plot Summary:
A BMX racer who lives in a small town with his mother and sister is faced with a tough decision, qualify for Helltrack or take his SAT's in order to attend college.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: semi serious, captivating, touching, disturbing, colorful, feel good, eighties, cult film
Similar in 76%
Heatwave (1982)
Plot Summary:
A woman attempts to stop a redevelopment plot which she thought was the cover-up for fraud and other criminal activity.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 410
Genere: Drama
Country: Australia
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: neo noir, retro, tense, serious, realistic, suspenseful, disturbing, independent film, detective
Similar in 77%
Over the Top (1987)
Plot Summary:
Sylvester Stallone stars as hard-luck big-rig trucker Lincoln Hawk and takes us under the glaring Las Vegas lights for all the boisterous action of the World Armwrestling Championship. Relying on wits and willpower, Hawk tries to rebuild his life by capturing the first-place prize money, and the love of the son he abandoned years earlier into the keeping of his rich, ruthless father-in-law.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 58000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: inspirational, intense, serious, action packed, funny, road movie, grindhouse, cult classic, weeping, exciting
Similar in 89%
Michel Vaillant (2003)
Plot Summary:
Michel Vaillant is # 1 of pilots, undisputed champion in rallying in all circuits in the world. His success arouses admiration and envy. Ruth Wong, director of Team Leader, is determined to break his streak and avenge the memory of his father, founder of Leader. She is capable of anything to achieve her goal.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Sport
Country: France
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: exciting, realistic, serious, suspenseful, action thriller, stylized
Similar in 87%
Red Line 7000 (1965)
Plot Summary:
The story of three racing drivers and three women, who constantly have to worry for the lives of their boyfriends. Jim Loomis and Mike Marsh drive for Pat Cassarian. Jim expects his fiancée Holly, but before she arrives, he dies in a race. Since she hasn't got the money to travel back, she stays. The young and very ambitious talent Ned Arp joins the team and immediately starts wooing Pat's sister Julie. Third in the team is womanizer Dan McCall, who brings with him his current girlfriend Gabrielle from Paris. So the basic theme of this soap is "Who with whom?" Written by Tom Zoerner.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: spaghetti western, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 85%
Le Mans (1971)
Plot Summary:
Steve McQueen is ideally cast as a champion race car driver, participating in the famed 24-hour race headquartered in Le Mans, France. Though dedicated to Going for the Gold, McQueen finds time to romance widowed Elga Andersen. The dramatic angle to this plot wrinkle is that McQueen may well have been responsible for the death of Andersen's husband during a previous car pile-up. Director John Sturges, who'd previously helmed Steve McQueen's legendary motorcycle chase scenes in The Great Escape, was originally slated to direct Le Mans, but withdrew from the project; it was then taken over by Lee H. Katzin.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: exciting, realistic, serious, road movie, entertaining, independent film, atmospheric, thought provoking, clever, enigmatic
Similar in 88%
Winning (1969)
Plot Summary:
Frank Capua is a rising star on the race circuit who dreams of winning the big one - the Indianapolis 500. But to get there he runs the risk of losing his wife Elora to his rival, Luther Erding, and strains the relationship with his stepson.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: realistic, semi serious
Similar in 77%
Born to Race (2011)
Plot Summary:
Born To Race is the story of Danny Krueger, a rebellious young street racer on a collision course with trouble. After an accident at an illegal street race, he is sent to a small town to live with his estranged father, a washed up NASCAR racer. When Danny decides to enter the NHRA High School Drags, he's forced to seek his father's help in taking down the local hot shot.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Action, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: exciting, realistic, tense, captivating, independent film, fast, serious
Similar in 80%
Driven (2001)
Plot Summary:
Talented rookie race-car driver Jimmy Bly has started losing his focus and begins to slip in the race rankings. It's no wonder, with the immense pressure being shoveled on him by his overly ambitious promoter brother as well as Bly's romance with his arch rival's girlfriend Sophia. With much riding on Bly, car owner Carl Henry brings former racing star Joe Tanto on board to help Bly. To drive Bly back to the top of the rankings, Tanto must first deal with the emotional scars left over from a tragic racing accident which nearly took his life.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 43000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA, Canada, Australia
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: intense, serious, realistic, stylized, fast, freeze frame, exciting, romantic, sexy, feel good
Similar in 90%
Rush (2013)
Plot Summary:
A biographical drama centered on the rivalry between Formula 1 drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda during the 1976 Formula One motor-racing season.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 504000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: inspirational, realistic, motivational, tense, suspense, exciting, atmospheric, scenic, intense, captivating
Similar in 79%
Phar Lap (1983)
Plot Summary:
Phar Lap, the big bold chestnut reigned as the king of the turf in the depression that gripped Australia of the 1930s. From his humble beginnings the New Zealand bred horse raced on to become the hero of a nation.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Family, History, Sport
Country: Australia
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: anamorphic, sentimental, serious, realistic
Similar in 89%
Ford v Ferrari (2019)
Plot Summary:
American car designer Carroll Shelby and the British-born driver Ken Miles work together to battle corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 447000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 152 min
Plot tags: inspirational, exciting, realistic, captivating, motivational, historical drama, retro, feel good, epic, emotional