The 14 Most Iconic Ferraris In Movie History
Ferraris and film have always shared a flair for drama.
Whether tearing through city streets or stealing scenes with a single gleam of red paint, these cars weren’t just props, they were stars in their own right.
With engines that roared louder than any dialogue and curves that upstaged leading actors, each Ferrari brought its own charisma to the screen.
Some added speed, others added style, but all left tire marks on movie history that still haven’t faded.
1. Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
“It is his father’s love, it is his father’s passion,” warns Cameron before Ferris ‘borrows’ the gorgeous red convertible.
The car’s ill-fated joyride culminates in that gut-wrenching scene where it crashes through the glass garage and plummets into the ravine below.
Film trivia: The producers actually used replicas for the destruction scene – no real Ferraris were harmed!
Today, a genuine 250 GT California would fetch north of $10 million at auction, making it one of the most valuable collector cars on earth.
2. Ferrari 308 GTS – Magnum, P.I.
Tom Selleck’s mustache may have been the show’s true star, but his cherry-red Ferrari 308 GTS came in a close second.
The detective’s wheels became so iconic that Ferrari sales skyrocketed during the show’s 1980-1988 run.
Magnum actually drove several different 308 models throughout the series as newer versions were released.
The production team cleverly incorporated these upgrades into the storyline. Surprisingly, the 6’4″ Selleck barely fit in the compact Italian sports car – they had to modify the seats just so he could drive it!
3. Ferrari Testarossa – Miami Vice
After a black Daytona in Season 1 (more on that later), Crockett upgraded to this white-hot slice of 80s excess.
Legend has it Enzo Ferrari himself gifted two black Testarossas to the production, which were promptly repainted white to stand out during night filming.
The car’s dramatic side strakes and flat, wide rear end became instant design icons.
Miami Vice’s influence was so massive that white Testarossas became nearly impossible to find – everyone wanted to channel their inner Don Johnson.
The car recently sold at auction for $1.75 million, proving nostalgia comes with a hefty price tag.
4. Ferrari 512 BB – Cannonball Run
Burt Reynolds might’ve been the headliner, but this black-and-gold beauty stole every scene it graced.
The opening sequence follows the 512 BB blasting across desert highways, setting the tone for the entire madcap cross-country race film.
Racing enthusiasts know this particular Ferrari marked a significant shift for the brand – it was their first mid-engine 12-cylinder production car.
The film actually used two different 512s during production. One fun detail: director Hal Needham was a former stuntman who insisted on authentic high-speed driving sequences rather than special effects.
5. Ferrari F355 Spider – The Rock
Nicolas Cage’s chemical weapons expert Stanley Goodspeed tears through San Francisco in this yellow beauty during one of the most underrated car chases in action movie history.
“I’ll take pleasure in gutting you, boy!” his pursuer threatens before Cage floors it through the hilly streets.
Director Michael Bay, never one for subtlety, destroys countless vehicles during this sequence. The F355’s distinctive engine wail became the soundtrack for an entire generation of gearheads.
Cage reportedly did some of his own driving stunts, though the more extreme maneuvers were handled by professionals.
6. Ferrari 575M Maranello – Bad Boys II
Martin Lawrence screams “Mike, you’re not gonna fit!” seconds before Will Smith squeezes this silver stallion between two buildings during the film’s wild opening chase.
Michael Bay strikes again with his signature automotive destruction porn.
The 575M represented Ferrari’s return to front-engine V12 grand tourers, making it perfect for Miami’s long stretches of highway.
Movie magic alert: the chase sequence required five identical Ferraris, with several being sacrificed for those cringe-inducing crash scenes.
The 575M’s $250,000 price tag makes this easily one of the most expensive chase sequences ever filmed.
7. Ferrari F430 – Redline
Racing heiress Natasha Martin (Nadia Bjorlin) pilots this scarlet beast in illegal street races throughout Las Vegas.
While the movie itself might not have set box offices ablaze, the car scenes featuring the F430 were genuinely spectacular.
Producer Daniel Sadek actually used cars from his personal collection for filming. The F430 represented a technological leap for Ferrari with its Formula 1-derived electronic differential and manettino switch.
Tragically, one of the film’s Ferraris was destroyed in a real-life crash when Eddie Griffin lost control during a promotional event.
8. Ferrari Enzo – Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle
Demi Moore’s fallen angel Madison Lee makes her dramatic entrance behind the wheel of this ultra-exclusive hypercar.
Named after the company’s founder, only 400 Enzos were ever built, making it rarer than hen’s teeth.
The film’s use of the Enzo was particularly impressive considering it had just been released when shooting began.
Formula 1 technology runs through the Enzo’s veins – its electrohydraulic transmission shifts in just 150 milliseconds.
Moore reportedly took high-performance driving lessons to look convincing behind the wheel of this 660-horsepower monster.
9. Ferrari 458 Italia – Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Vrooom! The sleek 458 transforms into the Autobot Mirage (voiced by Francesco Quinn), slicing through Decepticons with blade-like precision.
Director Michael Bay’s obsession with exotic cars reaches its zenith here. Ferrari rarely allows its vehicles to be portrayed as anything but perfect, making this transforming 458 a rare exception.
The real car packs a 4.5-liter V8 producing 562 horsepower – no robot transformation needed to impress.
Several actual 458s were used during filming, though most transformation sequences were (thankfully) created using CGI rather than slicing up million-dollar supercars.
10. Ferrari 550 Maranello – Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)
“Eleanor” might steal the spotlight, but this burgundy beauty makes quite an impression during the film’s high-stakes car heist marathon.
Nicolas Cage’s Memphis Raines boosts the 550 from a restaurant valet section with remarkable ease.
The 550 Maranello marked Ferrari’s return to front-engine V12 grand tourers after years of mid-engine flagships.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer insisted on using real exotic cars rather than replicas whenever possible.
Eagle-eyed viewers might catch the film’s subtle nod to the original 1974 movie when this Ferrari briefly passes Eleanor during a key sequence.
11. Ferrari Daytona Spyder – Miami Vice (Season 1)
Before the Testarossa, Sonny Crockett cruised Miami in this jaw-dropping black convertible. Plot twist: it wasn’t actually a Ferrari!
Budget constraints forced the production to use a Corvette-based replica, which infuriated the real Ferrari so much they donated those Testarossas for later seasons.
The replica was built by McBurnie Coachcraft and became so popular that Ferrari sued to stop production.
Despite being a fake, this “Daytona” captured the cocaine-fueled excess of 1980s Miami perfectly.
Don Johnson’s white suit and the black Daytona created a visual contrast that defined the show’s revolutionary aesthetic.
12. Ferrari LaFerrari – Need for Speed
Aaron Paul’s mechanic-turned-racer Tobey Marshall drools over this hybrid hypercar during the film’s exotic car gathering.
The LaFerrari represents Ferrari’s first foray into hybrid technology, combining a V12 engine with electric motors for a mind-bending 950 horsepower.
Only 499 were produced, making this one of the rarest screen appearances of any Ferrari. The film’s director insisted on practical effects rather than CGI whenever possible.
Most of the high-speed racing scenes used real stunt driving, though the LaFerrari scenes were carefully controlled given the car’s $1.4 million price tag and irreplaceable status.
13. Ferrari 250 GTO – Vanilla Sky
Tom Cruise’s troubled publishing magnate David Aames drives this copper-colored masterpiece through an eerily empty Times Square.
The scene becomes increasingly surreal, mirroring the film’s mind-bending plot.
The 250 GTO is arguably the holy grail of classic cars, with only 36 ever built. Director Cameron Crowe fought hard to feature a real one rather than a replica.
The film’s use of this ultra-rare Ferrari (worth over $50 million today) perfectly symbolizes Aames’ wealth and disconnection from reality.
Fun fact: Cruise insisted on doing his own driving scenes despite the car’s irreplaceable status.
14. Ferrari 488 Pista – 6 Underground
Ryan Reynolds leads a team of ghost operatives in Michael Bay’s explosive Netflix thriller, kicking things off with a lime green 488 Pista tearing through Florence’s historic streets.
The opening chase sequence lasts a jaw-dropping 20 minutes! Bay, true to form, destroys priceless architecture and countless vehicles alongside the Ferrari.
The 488 Pista represents Ferrari’s track-focused variant with 710 horsepower – perfect for outrunning Italian police.
Stunt coordinator Ben Cooke revealed they actually wrecked several specially prepared replicas during filming, saving the real Ferraris for close-up beauty shots.