Matt Damon’s $225 Million Racing Drama That’s the Perfect “Dad Movie” Gets the Checkered Flag on Streaming

The critically acclaimed sports drama Ford v Ferrari, starring Matt Damon, is quickly becoming a streaming hit. Often called the perfect “dad movie,” the $225 million film, released in 2019, was directed by James Mangold, known for his work on biopics like Walk the Line. The movie boasts a stellar cast alongside Damon, including Christian Bale, Caitríona Balfe, and Josh Lucas. If you haven’t seen it yet, get ready to enjoy this thrilling story now available on streaming.

The movie Ford v Ferrari (known as Le Mans 66 internationally) is currently gaining popularity on Netflix. It’s the sixth most-watched film on the platform this week, trailing behind the new true-crime documentary, Evil Influencer: The Jodi Heldebrandt Story, which is currently number one.

The movie stars Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby, the man Ford hired to beat Ferrari at the famous Le Mans race in France. Christian Bale plays Ken Miles, a talented and determined driver who teamed up with Shelby to pilot the Ford GT40. Here’s what the movie is about:

In 1966, American car designer Carroll Shelby and British driver Ken Miles teamed up to create a groundbreaking race car for Ford. They faced challenges from company politics, the limits of engineering, and their own inner struggles as they aimed to defeat Ferrari at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France.

What Is a “Dad Movie,” And What Makes ‘Ford v Ferrari’ Such a Standout?


20th Century Fox

A “dad movie” is pretty self-explanatory – it’s not necessarily groundbreaking or deeply moving. But dads everywhere tend to enjoy these films, especially on a lazy Sunday afternoon – even if they’re fighting sleep!

It’s easy to find movies that dads love. Many films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Jason Statham definitely fit the bill, as do classic comedies like Caddyshack, Animal House, and Airplane. These movies have a certain something special – a quality similar to what some on Letterboxd call ‘Guys being guys.’ These films usually feature men doing stereotypically masculine things: they might bend the rules, fight, or succeed at something while looking good, and they rarely feel the need to apologize for who they are.

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The movie Ford v Ferrari perfectly captures that appeal. It’s a story about two determined men striving for success and the ultimate prize: winning the Le Mans race. With stars like Matt Damon, Christian Bale, and Jon Bernthal – all popular with a wide audience – it’s a truly compelling film.

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2026-01-10 02:47