Top 4 Moonshine Movies

Movies based around the moonshine culture are typically filled with action, excitement and fast cars. While there have been dozens of moonshine movies to hit the big screen, a select few stand out from the rest. Whether you are a moonshiner or not, chances are you’ll enjoy watching the following movies.

#1 – Thunder and Lighting

Released in 1977, Thunder and Lightning is a flick starring David Carradine and Kate Jackson as Florida moonshiners. The duo are not only faced with law enforcement troubles, but they’ve also got to deal with organized crime trying to take over their business. If you haven’t seen Thunder and Lightning yet, I highly recommend checking it out.

#2 – White Lightning

White Lightning is a moonshine movie released just a few years before Thunder and Lightning. It features the all-too-famous Burt Reynolds as Gator McKlusky. McKlusky is a moonshine who’s serving a prison sentence for his crimes. Once McKlusky hears news that his brother was murdered by the local sheriff, he goes undercover for federal agents to bring him down. White Lightning contains some of the best car chase scenes of all time, especially towards the end when McKlusky and the sheriff go head to head.

#3 – Thunder Road

An even older moonshine movie that’s become a classic over the years is Thunder Road. Released in 1958, Thunder Road is a crime-drama movie starring Robert Mitchum as war-veteran Lucas Doolin. Doolin works in the family moonshine business where he’s forced to evade law enforcement, tax agencies and gangsters, all while trying to keep his family alive. Thunder Road has become somewhat of a cult classic, with certain theaters still running it on occasion. There’s plenty of action, high-speed car chases and even some comedy in Thunder Road, so check it out if you are looking for a good movie to watch one night.

#4 – Lawless

If you are looking for a more modern movie about moonshine, you should check out Lawless. This Hollywood blockbuster was released last year and features a ton of big-name actors and actresses, some which include Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, and Guy Pearce. Lawless takes place in 1931 Virginia where the Bondurant brothers work as independent moonshiners. Everything is going smooth until a new federal agent comes into town to try and shake the brothers down. Of course, the Bondurant brothers aren’t willing to pay off the agent and a showdown ensues.