As you watch your favorite movies, you may notice an American icon: the yellow taxicab. This vehicle has been used in films since as early as the 1930s. But even as time and movie production technology have progressed, the taxi has remained a classic form of transportation in many films, such as those listed in the blog below.
1.”Who Framed Roger Rabbit” (1988)
In this live-action/animation crossover, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” features Benny the Cab. Benny’s sarcasm and need for speed make him one of the most memorable characters of the film. But unlike traditional taxis, Benny doesn’t need a driver to operate.
Throughout the movie, Benny takes Roger Rabbit on high-speed car chases and adventures you won’t believe.
2.”DC Cab” (1983)
Starring Mr. T and Max Gail, “DC Cab” tells the tale of five down-on-their-luck cabbies working for a run-down cab company. A young man named Albert comes to town and tries to inspire the crew to become independent cab drivers, but Albert gets kidnapped during his visit.
Do the cabbies search for Albert and become successful cabbies? Or will they continue to work for the failing cab company instead?
3. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961)
Perhaps the most iconic film of the 1960s, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” also contains one of the most heart-wrenching scenes in movie history.
At the end of the film, Paul Varjak and Holly Golightly drive down the street in a taxi, Paul confesses his love to Holly and wants to marry her. She, however, rejects his proposal. After realizing she loves Paul, Holly jumps out of the taxi and runs in the rain to find him.
4.”Taxi” (2004)
Before Jimmy Fallon became a late-night talk show host, he appeared in a number of films. For instance, in 2004, he starred alongside Queen Latifah in this action-comedy adventure.
Fallon portrays detective Andy Washburn, who commandeers a souped-up taxicab in New York City. Cab driver Belle Williams (Queen Latifah) uses her racecar-esque vehicle to help Washburn catch a gang of female bank robbers from Brazil.
5.”Collateral” (2004)
When you think of Tom Cruise movies, you expect to find action-packed danger, and “Collateral” is no exception. Cruise plays a villain and contract killer named Vincent who takes cab driver Max (played by Jamie Foxx) hostage. Max must drive across LA, taking Vincent from one hit to the next.
But Max is determined to save Vincent’s last victim-and himself in the process.
6.”Scrooged” (1988)
Bill Murray takes the stage in this 1980s retelling of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The Ghost of Christmas Past (played by David Johansen) appears as a cigar-smoking cab driver who takes Frank Cross (Murray’s character) on a journey to his past.
During his trip, Cross sees different events in his life that turned him into a cold-hearted TV executive.
7. “Race to Witch Mountain” (2009)
This remake of the 1970s and 1980s film collection introduces a whole new tale of daring adventure and conspiracy.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson portrays Jack Bruno, a cabbie who previously worked as a getaway driver for the mob. After a spaceship crashlands just outside of Las Vegas, two strange children appear in Jack’s cab and ask him to drive them to the middle of the desert.
The children turn out to be alien siblings who need to return to their ship before an alien assassin does.
8.”Ghostbusters” (1984)
In this cult classic of the 1980s, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis act as three parapsychologists who start up their own ghostremoval company. At one point in the film, the Ghostbusters catch a zombie taxi driver who has a deadly sense of humor.
The “Ghostbusters” franchise is set to release a new film during the summer of 2016. Perhaps the new film will feature a taxi somewhere in the film.
9.”The Fifth Element” (1997)
Set in the 23rd century, “The Fifth Element” stars Bruce Willis as a Special Forces solider turned reckless cab driver named Korben Dallas. After a mysterious woman named Leeloo (played by Milla Jovovich) falls into his taxi, Korben must take her and a priest to find a mysterious weapon that can save the world from total destruction.
Also starring Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, and Chris Tucker, this film creates the perfect balance of action, comedy, drama, and romance.
As evidenced by the films listed above, taxis have played a prominent role in movies across the years. Many of the characters in these films have extraordinary escapades, while others face extreme peril. Though you may not have the same adventures as Bruce Willis and Bill Murray did in a cab, you can depend on this reliable mode of transportation to get you to and from any activity you like.
Contact your local cab company to schedule a pickup, or simply look out for the classic yellow cabs as you walk around larger cities.
Want to learn more about the taxicab? Read through the rest of our blog posts!
