New films are great but why not take a trip down memory lane to a time when life was simpler and less at home.
- 1. The Love Bug (1968)
- 2. Footloose (1984 original, 2011 remake)
- 3. Pretty in Pink (1986)
- 4. Happy Gilmore (1996)
- 5. 50 First Dates (2004)
- 6. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
- 7. Horrible Bosses (2011)
- 9. Once Upon A Time…in Hollywood (2019)
- 10. Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019)
Whether you want to watch something new or revisit an old favorite, these 10 movies featuring classic Volkswagen models are a perfect place to start. The movies are available to rent, stream or they may even be in your DVD or VHS collection under the stairs. So make some popcorn, dim the lights and get ready to yell “PUNCH BUGGY” with these 10 films.
1. The Love Bug (1968)
A down-on-his-luck racecar driver and his mechanic discover a white 1963 Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own. Walt Disney’s The Love Bug, the first Herbie film in 1968, grossed an estimated US $51 million. For decades since its release, it’s been a kid’s favourite, and it would return as a sequel and television series a number of times. Its most recent version was Herbie: Fully Loaded with Lindsay Lohan at the peak of her celebrity in 2005.
2. Footloose (1984 original, 2011 remake)
When teenager Ren McCormack and his family move from a big city to a small town he’s in for a culture shock. He can’t quite believe that he’s living in a place where rock music and dancing are illegal. When Ren gets pulled over for listening to rock-n-roll in his yellow 1972 Volkswagen Beetle, he realises his small town is overdue for some change. Cue the dancing!
3. Pretty in Pink (1986)
A cult classic. Andie is not popular at school and mostly keeps to her friend Iona and childhood sweetheart, Duckie. But what happens when one of the popular guys at school falls in love with her? This high school misfit drives her light pink 1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia to the prom – a perfect accessory to her homemade, puffy-sleeved dress.
4. Happy Gilmore (1996)
An Adam Sandler comedy classic of the ’90s. The transformation of a hockey player wannabe into a pro golfer takes many hilarious turns, including an attack with a white 1972 Volkswagen Super Beetle. All he wants is to make some money to save his grandma’s house.
5. 50 First Dates (2004)
Henry (Adam Sandler) falls in love with Lucy (Drew Barrymore), who suffers from short-term memory loss. Lucy drives a sunny yellow 1973 Volkswagen Thing as she goes on 50 First Dates around Hawaii with him.
6. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
A dysfunctional family comes together as they road-trip to California so their daughter can participate in a beauty pageant. Travelling in a yellow 1971 Volkswagen T2 Microbus across the country they were well and truly unaware of what the journey had in store for them.
7. Horrible Bosses (2011)
Nick, Dale and Kurt have personal grudges against their bosses and plot revenge against them from a silver 2011 Volkswagen Jetta…but things do not go as planned.
8. Bumblebee (2018)
When a teenager discovers a beat-up yellow 1967 Volkswagen Beetle in a junkyard, she unwittingly brings an extraterrestrial civil war to Earth. Very much a robot in disguise.
9. Once Upon A Time…in Hollywood (2019)
Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood is set in 1969 Los Angeles, sees TV star Rick Dalton, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt, make their way around an industry they hardly recognise anymore as Hollywood’s golden age comes to an end. A baby blue 1964 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia also stars in the film as Rick and Cliff struggle to find meaningful work.
10. Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019)
In his quest to earn a show on network TV, comedian Zach Galifianakis drives his 2006 Volkswagen Passat wagon across the country, interviewing celebrities along the way.
Keyword: 10 iconic movies starring classic Volkswagens