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

Matt Damon’s $225 million sports biopic, which has been described as the pinnacle of the “dad movie” sub-genre, is racing its way towards pole position on the streaming charts. Released in 2019, the movie was directed by a man who knows a thing or two about biopics: James Mangold (A Complete Unknown and Walk the Line). Alongside Matt Damon, the film also featured an all-star cast, including Christian Bale, Caitríona Balfe, Josh Lucas, Jon Bernthal, Noah Jupe, Ray McKinnon, and Tracy Letts. So take your marks, get ready, and go and watch Ford v Ferrari on streaming.

Ford v Ferrari (or Le Mans 66 if you want the non-American title) is streaming on Netflix, and it’s racing up the streamer’s weekly chart. Ford v Ferrari is the sixth most popular film on the platform this week. The top spot is currently dominated by the new true-crime documentary, Evil Influencer: The Jodi Heldebrandt Story.

Matt Damon stars as Carroll Shelby, who is tasked by Ford with winning the prestigious Le Mans 24-hour race in France (which, at the time, was dominated by Ferrari). Christian Bale co-starred as Ken Miles, the legendary late racing driver who partnered with Shelby on the project, and drove the Ford GT40 during the Le Mans race. The official synopsis reads:

“American automotive designer Carroll Shelby and fearless British race car driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference, the laws of physics and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary vehicle for the Ford Motor Co. Together, they plan to compete against the race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.”

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

Bale and Damon by their sports car

20th Century Fox

The “dad movie” sub-genre is exactly what it says on the tin. It’s the kind of movie that might not change the world or make you have an intense emotional reaction. But dads across the world agree that it’s a great movie (bonus points if they watch it on a Sunday afternoon while fighting off the urge to nap).

There are countless examples of great “dad movies.” Almost every one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s films fits into the category, as do Sylvester Stallone’s and Jason Statham’s. Also in the mix are classic goofball comedies like Caddyshack, Animal House, and Airplane. There’s an indescribable essence to “dad movies.” The closest comparison would be the parallel sub-genre, one which was perfectly dubbed by Letterboxd users as “Guys being guys.” In these films, men do traditionally masculine activities, break the law, fight, steal, be successful, look cool doing it, and don’t apologize for it.

Ford v Ferrari is a prime example of this. It’s about two men chasing a dream, to be successful and win the Le Mans championship (bonus dad points for mentioning race cars). Add to that Matt Damon and Christian Bale, who are tremendous actors in their own right, and firm favorites of the dad crowd, as is Jon Bernthal, and you have a winner on your hands.