Movies like The Automotive Story (1954)
The best movies like The Automotive Story (1954) are Detour (1945), Mater Private Eye (2010) and Air Mater (2011). If The Automotive Story hooked you, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
The Automotive Story
Quick picks
- Highest ratedSherlock Jr. (1924)8.0/10 from 1,240 votes
- NewestNot Without Hope (2025)Released 2025
Detour (1945)
The life of Al Roberts, a pianist in a New York nightclub, turns into a nightmare when he decides to hitchhike to Los Angeles to visit his girlfriend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMater Private Eye (2010)
Detective Mater is hot on the trail of a dastardly car-napping! When Tia's sister goes missing, Mater is the only car she can turn to. With this tow truck on the case, anything can happen.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAir Mater (2011)
Mater's decision to fly lands him accidentally at a big airshow.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDonald's Tire Trouble (1943)
Donald, driving in the country, is frustrated in his attempts to fix a flat tire. The jack breaks, the radiator explodes, then the remaining three tires go flat. Donald gives up in disgust and drives on with the flats.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAmerican Underdog (2021)
The true story of Kurt Warner, who went from a stockboy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTime Travel Mater (2012)
When a clock lands on Mater's engine, he travels back in time to 1909 where he meets Stanley, an ambitious young car on his way to California. With the help of Lightning McQueen, Mater alters history by convincing Stanley to stay and build Radiator Springs. Stanley meets Lizzie and they commemorate the opening of the new courthouse with their wedding.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSherlock Jr. (1924)
A film projectionist longs to be a detective, and puts his meager skills to work when he is framed by a rival for stealing his girlfriend's father's pocketwatch.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisWaiting for Guffman (1997)
Aspiring director Corky St. Clair and the marginally talented amateur cast of his hokey small-town musical production go overboard when they learn that Broadway theater agent Mort Guffman will be in attendance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie (2004)
While Ron Burgundy's rivalry with Veronica Corningstone escalates quickly, a group of unprofessional thieves better known as 'The Alarm Clock' try to make the truth known, whatever that may mean...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAirplane! (1980)
An ex-fighter pilot is forced to take over the controls of an airliner when the flight crew succumbs to food poisoning.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRepo Man (1984)
A down and out young punk gets a job working with a seasoned repo man, but what awaits him in his new career is a series of outlandish adventures revolving around aliens, the CIA, and a most wanted '64 Chevy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLarry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm (1999)
Mock documentary about Seinfeld writer Larry David featuring contributions from his friends and colleagues. Larry makes a return to stand-up comedy and prepares to film a television special for HBO. This is the original special that gave birth to the long-running award-winning HBO series.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNot Without Hope (2025)
A group of friends' fishing boat capsizes off the coast of Mexico and they're left alone stranded at sea and struggling for survival.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGrand Theft Hamlet (2024)
Two unemployed friends have a fresh idea: they want to stage Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' in Grand Theft Auto. But even in a virtual world, reality intrudes in a wild and trippy film shot entirely inside the ultra-violent video game.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLemonade Mouth (2011)
When five ragtag freshman first meet in detention, it seems they have nothing in common. But, through music, they form an unbreakable bond and discover they have the makings of the greatest high school garage band in history! In the face of incredible odds, Olivia, Stella, Wen, Mohini and Charlie find they can make a real difference when they learn to lean on each other and let go of everything holding back their dreams.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHow to Irritate People (1969)
A pre-Monty Python mockumentary, written by and presented by John Cleese, that provides tips on learning how to irritate people.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend (2022)
Follow the launch of Lamborghini’s career as a manufacturer of tractors, a creator of military vehicles during World War II, and the designer of Lamborghini cars, which he launched in 1963 as the high-end sports car company Automobili Lamborghini.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
When the bumbling Lieutenant Frank Drebin investigates events following the shooting of his partner, he stumbles upon an attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTom and Jerry: The Fast and the Furry (2005)
After being evicted from their old house by Tom's owner for causing major damage, cat and mouse Tom and Jerry enter a race entitled the "Fabulous Super Race" to win a mansion.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Grand (2007)
The Grand is in the tradition of improvisational comedies like Best In Show and This Is Spinal Tap. The story is set in the world of professional poker and follows six players who reach the final table of the world’s second most famous high stakes tournament, the Grand Championship of Poker.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Automotive Story?
The closest matches to The Automotive Story are Detour (1945), Mater Private Eye (2010) and Air Mater (2011). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Automotive Story?
Start with Detour (1945), the closest match to The Automotive Story.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Automotive Story?
Sherlock Jr. (1924), rated 8.0/10 by 1,240 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Automotive Story?
Not Without Hope (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Automotive Story?
Yes: Detour (1945), Mater Private Eye (2010) and Air Mater (2011).
How are movies similar to The Automotive Story chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Automotive Story, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.