Some people call trucker movies “cheesy” and… maybe they are! At least some of them. But perhaps only we truckers can fully appreciate these movies – we know the CB Lingo, recognize familiar roads and terrain, truck stops, and of course, the trucking lifestyle. We live it every day! We know what’s “real” about these movies, and what’s B.S. But either way, whether truckers are romanticized or just made to look goofy, we love our trucker movies. We just need more of them, Hollywood!
Need a little help understanding some of the lingo in some of these films? Check out our CB Slang & 10-Codes (A–Z) page!
Convoy
Kristofferson and MacGraw lead a miles-long Convoy against an abusive sheriff (The Great Ernest Borgnine). Based on C.W. McCall’s big hit song.
White Line Fever
Carrol Jo Hummer takes a stand. There's great road footage in this 70's classic Trucker Movie.
Breaker! Breaker!
Chuck Norris vs. a crooked speed trap. Fights, chases, vintage Norris.
Duel
Dennis Weaver vs. an unseen driver. Spielberg turns a semi into pure menace.
Maximum Overdrive
Comet tail, killer machines, campy fun. Peak 80s chaos at a truck stop.
High Ballin’
Jerry Reed & Peter Fonda take on hired thugs. Late-70s action with heart.
Citizens Band
Small-town stories woven by CB radio—truck-stop grit and laughs.
Coast to Coast
Odd-couple road trip: wealthy escapee + debt-ridden trucker = sparks.
They Drive by Night
Bogart & Raft navigate danger, Depression, and a femme fatale.
Over the Top
Stallone reconnects with his son via Vegas arm-wrestling. 80s distilled.
Black Dog
Swayze, Randy Travis, Meat Loaf—white-knuckle chase and a killer soundtrack.
Sorcerer
Hauling nitro through jungle hell in ancient trucks. Rope-bridge scene = legend.
Smokey and the Bandit
Bandit & Cledus run Coors while Buford T. Justice gives chase. Peak fun.
Ice Road Truckers
Frozen lakes, the Dalton Highway, and chain-rattling drama. Long-running TV grit.
Joy Ride
A CB prank turns deadly. Paul Walker & Steve Zahn in a slick highway thriller.
Breakdown
Kurt Russell stranded in the desert; a tight, efficient nail-biter.
Big Rig (doc)
America through long-haul eyes. Doug Pray’s human, honest road doc.
Trucker
Michelle Monaghan’s life flips when her 11-year-old son shows up. Grit with heart.
The Road Warrior
Post-apocalyptic tanker battles and legendary stunts. Not trucking, but essential.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Relentless, practical-effects carnage. Six Oscars. Also: trucks. Lots of trucks.
