It sounds like every kid’s dream: to be discovered online and given a chance to fulfill your dreams. That’s just what happened to teenager Jann Mardenborough. Born in County Durham, Mardenborough was the son of a professional footballer but developed an interest in a different competition altogether. He became an avid player of the Gran Turismo racing games series on Playstation and his ability led him to the GT Academy, which gave online players an opportunity to take their video game skills to a real-life racetrack. Though he had no real experience before age 19, he was given a spot at the Duba 24-Hour Race driving for Nissan. Now director Neill Blomkamp whose visionary style made classics out of movies like District 9 and Elysium, is directing Mardenborough’s story in Gran Turismo (2023). Starring Archie Madekwe, who most of you may recognize from movies like Midsommar and TV shows like See, stars as Mardenborough, with David Harbour (Stranger Things), Orland Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbean), Darren Barnet (Never Have I Ever), Djimon Hounsou (Guardians of the Galaxy), and Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls starring alongside him. For anybody who can’t wait to see this incredible true story, here’s everything we know about how, when, and where you can watch this action-packed blockbuster.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on December 15.
Gran Turismo
Based on the unbelievable, inspiring true story of a team of underdogs – a struggling, working-class gamer, a failed former race car driver, and an idealistic motorsport exec – who risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world.
Is ‘Gran Turismo’ Streaming on Netflix?
Yes, as of December 15, Gran Turismo is now available to stream on Netflix. Thanks to a deal that was struck back in early 2021, all of Sony’s recent films are available to stream on Netflix after their exclusive theatrical and PVOD windows end. Gran Turismo will be joining other recent Sony titles on Netflix including Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, No Hard Feelings, and Insidious: The Red Door.
Gran Turismo also joins a variety of other video game adjacent projects on Netflix including Uncharted, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Castlevania, and Arcane.
You can click the link below to stream Gran Turismo now.
Is ‘Gran Turismo’ Available On-Demand?
Yes, for those who don’t have Netflix, Gran Turismo is also available to purchase and rent on-demand. You can choose from the links below to find the film on the platform of your choice.
When Did ‘Gran Turismo’ Come Out?
Gran Turismo received a limited release in US theaters on August 11, 2023, followed by a wide release on August 25, 2023. The film ended up making $121.6 million at the worldwide box office, against a $60 million budget.
Watch the Trailer for ‘Gran Turismo’
The above trailer for Gran Turismo was released on July 20. For Jann, a race is not just a race but a way of life. As he skids through the streets, evading police, we see that the track is not the only place where he wants to prove himself. Though his father doesn’t believe in his goals, he decides to pursue them when he is chosen as one of the top 10 Gran Turismo video game players in the world. Put through excruciating and physically debilitating tests of strength and skill, he proves everybody wrong. But when the time comes, will he be able to replicate his undeniable virtual skills on a real-life track in a real-life race?
Is ‘Gran Turismo’ Available on DVD and Blu-ray?
Gran Turismo received a 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD release on November 7, 2023. Since Gran Turismo was released theatrically rather than on a streaming platform, it was expected that it would also enjoy a DVD and Blu-ray release. The physical media release comes with exciting special features and bonus content including The Plan: The True Story of Jann Mardenborough, and The Wheels: The Fast-Acting Cast. Here’s the full list of bonus features that you’ll get with the Blu-ray and 4K UHD release (the DVD release only includes the above two):
- Deleted & Extended Scenes
- The Engine: Driving the Visuals
- The Pit Crew: Action and Stunts
- The Garage: The Amazing Automobiles
- The Plan: The True Story of Jann Mardenborough
- The Wheels: The Fast-Acting Cast
You can choose from the links below to purchase the film from your preferred retailer.
More Movies Like ‘Gran Turismo’ That You Can Watch Right Now
To help you out while you wait for your local theater to screen this action-packed sports drama, check out these three other real-life stories about the thrill of a good race and the triumph of an underdog.
Rush (2013)
Any passing fan of Formula One racing will be familiar with the name Nikki Lauda. His triumphs on the track were incredible, but it was his fiery and near-deadly crash that made him famous for all time. Rush centers on the rivalry between the pragmatic and ambitious Nikki Lauda and the wildly talented and unpredictable James Hunt and how it led to Lauda’s crash and subsequent underdog rise from the ashes. Directed by Ron Howard, Rush is as entertaining as it is poignant and includes some of the director’s most heart-racing scenes since Apollo 13. However, the thing that takes this movie to the next level is the performances of its two leads, Chris Hemsworth, who gives his best performance outside the Marvel Universe, and Daniel Brühl, who delivers on and off the track.
Ford v. Ferrari (2019)
Before the 1960s, Ferrari could quite safely enjoy the title of the only consistently competitive car company at the world-renowned Le Mans Sports Car Race and Ford was synonymous with safety and affordability, but not really glamour. That would all change during the 1963 Le Mans Race, when a new team of drivers and designers changed everything. Ford v Ferrari follows American car designer Carroll Shelby and British driver Ken Miles as they work together to battle their own personal demons, the laws of science, and corporate bureaucracy to create the fastest car in the competition. Director James Mangold, who has traveled between action dramas like Logan and personal biopics like Walk the Line, finds the way to toe the line between impactful personal turmoil and triumphs as well as suspenseful action sequences making it one of the best car movies. Meanwhile, the film’s leads, Matt Damon and Christian Bale’s terrific chemistry give the film a sense of warmth and authenticity.
Seabiscuit (2003)
It’s hard to think of an animal more famous than Seabiscuit. Though he could never have realized it, his triumphs on the track became vital victories not only for the people who cared for him but for a nation desperate to find an underdog to root for. Seabiscuit tells the story of this undersized and undervalued racehorse and the people who bought him, took care of him, and believed in him. Though the importance of this horse may be difficult to grasp, the film demonstrates how the Great Depression turned an animal into a national symbol of triumph. Thanks to its brilliant depth and storytelling, this film became one of the highest-grossing sports movies.
