Parking lots and garages are not usually the first thing that comes to mind when we think of classic movie settings. However, over the years, filmmakers have found creative ways to incorporate parking into their stories, and at Oobeo we are all for celebrating it!
From high-stakes car chases to heartwarming moments, parking has played a significant role in several memorable films.
Let’s explore the top 5 movies featuring parking, each offering a unique perspective on this everyday aspect of urban life.
William Friedkin’s controversial thriller “Cruising” is set in the gritty underworld of New York City’s leather scene. While the film’s content is certainly not for everyone, it features several scenes set in parking lots, adding to the overall atmosphere of suspense and tension. Al Pacino plays an undercover detective, and the parking lots serve as a backdrop for his investigation.
While not as well-known as some other films on this list, “My Blue Heaven” offers a comedic take on the witness protection program. Starring Steve Martin and Rick Moranis, the film includes a hilarious scene where Martin’s character, a former mobster, struggles to park a massive Cadillac in a crowded suburban shopping center. The film’s humor often arises from everyday situations, making it a lighthearted take on parking troubles.
“The Italian Job,” directed by F. Gary Gray, is a heist film centered around a group of thieves who plan to steal gold bars in Venice, Italy. This movie features several thrilling car chase sequences and intricate parking maneuvers as the thieves navigate the narrow streets and canals of Venice. The climax of the film involves an ingenious use of Mini Coopers to escape through the city’s extensive sewer system. While we’ve opted to bring this up to date for our younger readers, our British team members argue it should be the 1969 classic. Who could forget such lines as “you’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off” and “Hang on a minute, lads, I’ve got a great idea!”. Enjoy your recently announced retirement Michael Caine!
John Hughes’ classic coming-of-age comedy “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” features a memorable parking-related scene. Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) and his friends “borrow” Cameron’s father’s rare Ferrari for a joyride around Chicago. Their adventure includes a memorable scene where they park the expensive car in a downtown parking garage, leading to a series of comical mishaps. Being the geeks we are, we think it only fair to point out that the it’s not actually a real Ferrari 250 GT California crashing out of the window in the movie, but in fact a well crafted fake. Thanks motortrend!
Quentin Tarantino’s iconic film “Pulp Fiction” is known for its non-linear narrative and unforgettable characters. One of the most memorable scenes takes place in a parking lot, where hitmen Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) retrieve a mysterious briefcase. This parking lot scene serves as a pivotal moment in the film, combining tension and dark humor that Tarantino is famous for. The parking lots are listed on movie locations and are in Los Angeles if you ever fancy visiting!
So there we have it…it’s always going to be controversial picking the top lists of anything…. but what have we missed?
Other notable entries could be Austin Powers, Diamonds are Forever, Tomorrow Never Dies, Fight Club, The Matrix Reloaded, Transporter 2…the list goes on…let us know your choices!
