Top 10 Sentient Vehicles in Movies and TV

#10: The Gadgetmobile
“Inspector Gadget” (1999)

Wowsers! It’s kind of ironic that the Gadgetmobile in the 1999 live-action “Inspector Gadget” movie would be even cartoonier than the Gadgetmobile in the original animated series. Compete with police sirens, cage, hydraulics, paintballs and boxing glove, this wisecracking convertible has pretty much everything a law enforcer could need. Well, except maybe some guns, but what do you expect? It’s a Disney movie, as the car blatantly points out. Bad puns and fourth wall jokes aside, its arsenal of inventive accessories will still have you chanting, “Go go Gadgetmobile!”

#9: Scoop
“Bob the Builder” (1998-2012)

If construction vehicles were to ever unionize, Scoop the backhoe would definitely have our vote for union leader. While Bob the Builder has no shortage of reliable vehicle friends like Muck, Dizzy, Lofty, and Roley too, this yellow digger is truly trailblazing for being the first machine to join the Can-do Crew. Fast, optimistic, and always there to lend a helping hand (or a helping digging bucket), Scoop never fails to get the job done. Can we fix it? With Scoop on our side, yes we can! No prob, Bob!

#8: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” (1968)

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. In the hands of inventor Caractacus Potts, a broken-down European Grand Prix car goes from Shitty Shitty Bang Bang to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Despite speaking with sounds rather than words, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang still surpluses with a flamboyant personality. This highly adaptable vehicle is full of surprises, which is great for when the road ahead appears uncertain or absent. Whether driven on land, water, or up into the sky, you’ll be singing that catchy Sherman Brother’s song with every passing mile.

#7: Benny the Cab
“Who Framed Roger Rabbit” (1988)

Both a car and a toon, Benny from “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” brings new meaning to the notion of a “cartoon.” Although the cab driver is taken out of the equation, this taxi exemplifies the same brand of foul language, grating small talk, and aggressive driving skills that you might expect. You’ll definitely want to buckle your seatbelt after getting behind Benny’s wheel. Whenever you need a lift, though, just stick out your thumb and he’ll be there. Even in the age of Uber, that’s just too convenient to pass up.

#6: Christine
“Christine” (1983)

If you read enough of Stephen King’s novels and watch enough of his film adaptations, you’ll find that he has a fascination with killer cars. Nowhere is this better represented than in “Christine,” where the titular character is a 1958 Plymouth Fury draped in seductive red and white. Christine brings out the worst in her owner Arnie, showing him how to go from nerd to rebel without a cause. This literal monster car’s hobbies might include revenge and road rage, but at least you’ll never have to worry about restoration.

#5: The Magic School Bus
“The Magic School Bus” (1994-97)

In Ms. Frizzle’s class, every day is a field trip. These imaginative adventures wouldn’t be possible, however, if it weren’t for her magic school bus. This motor vehicle has the ability to take students anywhere, from the ocean, to outer space, to the inside of a volcano, to back in time, and even down Arnold’s throat. Sure, it’s sort of troubling that parental permission slips are never issued, meaning the Frizz’s actions borderline on kidnapping. Nevertheless, the children are guaranteed a first-rate education with her behind the Magic School Bus’s wheel.

#4: KITT
“Knight Rider” (1982-86)

While David Hasselhoff got top billing in “Knight Rider,” we all know that the Knight Industries Two Thousand or “KITT” was the show’s real star. Long before there was GPS, there was this artificially intelligent supercar that seemed to have every application imaginable: Turbo boost capability, a flamethrower, and the ultimate entertainment system built into his dashboard. Hell, he even had an evil twin of sorts, which went by the name of Knight Automated Roving Robot or KARR. Throw in the voice of Mr. Feeny and KITT is one automobile we’ll gladly pay sticker price for.

#3: Lightning McQueen
“Cars” franchise (2006-)

It’s still unclear whether this Pixar series exists in a post-apocalyptic future where cars have overthrown mankind or a parallel universe where automobiles are the dominant species. In any case, Cars Land is full of diverse characters, the most iconic being Lightning McQueen. A hotshot racecar, Lightning keeps his eye on the prize with no regard for others. After hitting a roadblock in Radiator Springs, though, will Lightning learn the value of friendship? Will your child want a Lightning McQueen toy after seeing “Cars?” The answer to both is a resounding, “Yes.”

#2: Herbie the Love Bug
“Herbie” franchise (1968-)

Of all the living automobiles to come off Disney’s assembly line, Herbie is the one that never appears to run out of gas. Debuting in 1968, this Volkswagen Beetle has appeared in a handful of theatrical films, a made-for-TV reboot, and even a short-lived sitcom. Although he’s never talked and rarely had much facial expression, Herbie is a surprisingly charming screen presence. Even more surprising, he can be quite fast on the racetrack. Just as you should never judge a book by its cover, never judge a car by its model either.

Before we hit the road with our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Tugger
“South Park” (1997-)
- Killdozer
“Killdozer!” (1974)
- Dusty Crophopper
“Planes” (2013)
- Brum
“Brum” (1991-2002)
- 1956 Ford Fairlane
“The Twilight Zone” (1959-64)

#1: Thomas the Tank Engine
“Thomas & Friends” (1984-)

This blue locomotive first appeared in a series of books by Reverend Wilbert Awdry. But Thomas seems to be on a perennial train track with his TV series defining early childhoods since the mid-‘80s. He can at times be overly zealous to live up to that number one on his side. At the end of every day, however, Thomas will prove that he’s the little engine that could. Painted an inviting blue color and almost always wearing a cheerful smile, he’s one train that every kid should climb aboard.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite sentient vehicle? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.