Short answer
The Man with the Golden Gun’s 1974 corkscrew jump is our top scene because it is a documented real stunt that Guinness recognises as the first astro spiral on film. Furious 7’s tower-to-tower jump and The Blues Brothers’ drawbridge leap follow.
- Top scene
- The Man with the Golden Gun, 1974
- Documented record
- First astro spiral on film
- Basis
- Editorial choice, not a numeric score
Top 10 Most Memorable Car Flying Scenes in Movies at a Glance
| Film | Car / scene | Year |
|---|---|---|
| The Man with the Golden Gun1974 | AMC Hornet corkscrew jump | 1974 |
| Furious 72015 | Lykan HyperSport tower jump | 2015 |
| The Blues Brothers1980 | Bluesmobile drawbridge jump | 1980 |
| Smokey and the Bandit1977 | Pontiac Trans Am bridge jump | 1977 |
| Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets2002 | Flying Ford Anglia | 2002 |
| Chitty Chitty Bang Bang1968 | Flying Chitty | 1968 |
| Back to the Future Part II1989 | Flying DeLorean | 1989 |
| Blade Runner1982 | Spinner police vehicle | 1982 |
| Bullitt1968 | San Francisco hill chase | 1968 |
| The Fifth Element1997 | Flying taxi chase | 1997 |
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Top 10 Most Memorable Car Flying Scenes in Movies: Entry Details
The Man with the Golden Gun
1974 · AMC Hornet corkscrew jumpA modified AMC Hornet corkscrews through the air over a river. Guinness World Records recognises it as the first astro spiral stunt on film, performed by Loren “Bumps” Willert. A modified AMC Hornet corkscrews through the air over a river. Guinness World Records recognises it as the first astro spiral stunt on film, performed by Loren “Bumps” Willert.
- Car
- AMC Hornet
- Record
- First astro spiral on film
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- A genuine stunt, not a visual effect
- Recognised by Guinness
Things to consider
- Sources disagree on filming dates
Furious 7
2015 · Lykan HyperSport tower jumpA Lykan HyperSport leaps between skyscrapers in the Etihad Towers sequence. Exterior shots were filmed in Abu Dhabi, but the jump itself was staged in a studio in Atlanta. A Lykan HyperSport leaps between skyscrapers in the Etihad Towers sequence. Exterior shots were filmed in Abu Dhabi, but the jump itself was staged in a studio in Atlanta.
- Car
- W Motors Lykan HyperSport
- Jump filmed
- Atlanta studio
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- Spectacular scale
- Real exterior location
Things to consider
- The jump was staged in a studio
The Blues Brothers
1980 · Bluesmobile drawbridge jumpThe Bluesmobile, a 1974 Dodge Monaco, jumps an open drawbridge in Chicago. The film treats the car as able to perform near-impossible stunts. The Bluesmobile, a 1974 Dodge Monaco, jumps an open drawbridge in Chicago. The film treats the car as able to perform near-impossible stunts.
- Car
- 1974 Dodge Monaco
- Scene
- Drawbridge jump
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- Comic, instantly recognisable scene
- Iconic car
Things to consider
- Physically implausible, as a source notes
Smokey and the Bandit
1977 · Pontiac Trans Am bridge jumpThe Bandit’s black Pontiac Firebird Trans Am jumps a broken bridge in a chase through the American South. The scene helped make the car a pop-culture icon. The Bandit’s black Pontiac Firebird Trans Am jumps a broken bridge in a chase through the American South. The scene helped make the car a pop-culture icon.
- Car
- Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
- Scene
- Bridge jump
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- Practical stunt
- Defined the Trans Am’s image
Things to consider
- Details from general film references
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
2002 · Flying Ford AngliaThe Weasleys’ enchanted car is a 1962 Ford Anglia 105E that flies Harry and Ron to Hogwarts. Fans voted the scene second-best car scene in cinema. The Weasleys’ enchanted car is a 1962 Ford Anglia 105E that flies Harry and Ron to Hogwarts. Fans voted the scene second-best car scene in cinema.
- Car
- 1962 Ford Anglia 105E
- Scene
- Flight to Hogwarts
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- Genuinely flies, not just jumps
- Beloved by fans
Things to consider
- A fantasy effect
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
1968 · Flying ChittyChitty is a one-of-a-kind car that sprouts wings and flies. The road version, built in 1967 by Alan Mann Racing, was designed by Ken Adam with help from Rowland Emett. Chitty is a one-of-a-kind car that sprouts wings and flies. The road version, built in 1967 by Alan Mann Racing, was designed by Ken Adam with help from Rowland Emett.
- Designer
- Ken Adam
- Registration
- GEN 11
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- Classic flying car
- Memorable design
Things to consider
- Only one car was fully working
Back to the Future Part II
1989 · Flying DeLoreanA DeLorean time machine fitted with hover conversion flies through 2015. It is among the best-known flying cars in film. A DeLorean time machine fitted with hover conversion flies through 2015. It is among the best-known flying cars in film.
- Car
- DeLorean DMC-12
- Set in
- 2015
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- Iconic vehicle
- Futuristic setting
Things to consider
- Visual-effects flying
Blade Runner
1982 · Spinner police vehicleThe Spinner is a police vehicle that drives on roads and lifts off between skyscrapers. Its design is credited to Syd Mead. The Spinner is a police vehicle that drives on roads and lifts off between skyscrapers. Its design is credited to Syd Mead.
- Vehicle
- Spinner
- Designer
- Syd Mead
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- Influential design
- Road and air operation
Things to consider
- Quiet, atmospheric rather than action-led
Bullitt
1968 · San Francisco hill chaseA Ford Mustang GT 390 and a Dodge Charger R/T 440 become airborne over San Francisco hills during the chase. The cars leave the ground rather than fly. A Ford Mustang GT 390 and a Dodge Charger R/T 440 become airborne over San Francisco hills during the chase. The cars leave the ground rather than fly.
- Cars
- Mustang GT 390, Charger R/T 440
- Setting
- San Francisco
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- Real driving, no flying effects
- Hugely influential chase
Things to consider
- Brief airborne moments
The Fifth Element
1997 · Flying taxi chaseBruce Willis plays a flying-taxi driver in a futuristic New York directed by Luc Besson. The taxi chase is the film’s signature vehicle sequence. Bruce Willis plays a flying-taxi driver in a futuristic New York directed by Luc Besson. The taxi chase is the film’s signature vehicle sequence.
- Director
- Luc Besson
- Vehicle
- Flying taxi
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- Vivid futuristic traffic
- Memorable chase
Things to consider
- Entirely a visual effect
Top 10 Most Memorable Car Flying Scenes in Movies: Analysis
Why the Golden Gun jump leads
It is the one scene here backed by a world record and a real stunt driver, which is why it ranks above effects-led flights. Furious 7 follows for scale, even though the jump was staged in a studio.
Real jumps versus true flight
Golden Gun, Blues Brothers, Smokey and the Bandit and Bullitt show cars leaving the ground. Chitty, Harry Potter, Back to the Future Part II, Blade Runner and The Fifth Element let cars actually fly. For real vehicles of that kind, see our guide to real-life flying cars.
Our verdict
Editorial verdict
The Man with the Golden Gun’s corkscrew jump is the most memorable documented car stunt, while Furious 7 and The Blues Brothers supply the biggest spectacle. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Harry Potter are the best true flying cars.
FAQ: Top 10 Most Memorable Car Flying Scenes in Movies
Which movie has the most famous car jump?
The Man with the Golden Gun, whose AMC Hornet corkscrew jump Guinness recognises as the first astro spiral stunt on film.
Was the Furious 7 tower jump filmed in Abu Dhabi?
Only the exterior shots were. The jump itself was staged in a studio in Atlanta, according to press reports.
What car flies in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets?
A 1962 Ford Anglia 105E.
Which cars actually fly rather than jump?
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Harry Potter Ford Anglia, the Back to the Future Part II DeLorean, the Blade Runner Spinner and The Fifth Element’s taxis.
Is this a ranking of the best car chases?
No. It focuses on scenes where the car leaves the ground.
Sources & methodology
Editorial choice weighted by documentation, cultural impact and how clearly the car leaves the ground. Facts come from the sources listed; several rest on press reports and general film references, which are weaker than technical documents. The order is a judgement, not a score.
Maintained by Artsiom Dusau, a software engineer and BMW 4 Series owner. Editorial policy
