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Maximum Overdrive

Maximum Overdrive

Imagine your worst nightmare...machines take over the world!

19865.81h 38m

Overview

When a comet passes close to the earth, machines all over the world come alive and go on homicidal rampages. A group of people at a desolate truck stop are held hostage by a gang of murderous 18-wheelers. The frightened people set out to defeat the killer machines…Or be killed by them.

Directed by Stephen King
Written by Stephen King
Produced by Martha De Laurentiis
Box OfficeBudget: $10.0MRevenue: $7.4M

Top Cast

Emilio Estevez

Emilio Estevez

Bill Robinson

Pat Hingle

Pat Hingle

Hendershot

Laura Harrington

Laura Harrington

Brett

Yeardley Smith

Yeardley Smith

Connie

John Short

John Short

Curt

Ellen McElduff

Ellen McElduff

Wanda June

J.C. Quinn

J.C. Quinn

Duncan

Christopher Murney

Christopher Murney

Camp Loman

Holter Graham

Holter Graham

Deke

Frankie Faison

Frankie Faison

Handy

Themes & Keywords

man vs machinegas stationroadhousesiegelorrycometautomationtruckarcadeexploding truckexploding gasoline stationinanimate objects come to lifeeighteen wheelersemi truck

About Maximum Overdrive

Maximum Overdrive is a horror, action, science fiction, comedy film released in 1986 exploring themes of man vs machine, gas station, roadhouse, siege, lorry, comet. Directed by Stephen King, it stars Emilio Estevez, Pat Hingle, Laura Harrington. When a comet passes close to the earth, machines all over the world come alive and go on homicidal rampages. A group of people at a desolate truck stop are held hostage by a gang of murderous 18-wheelers. The frightened people set out to defeat the killer machines…Or be killed by them.

Movies Similar to Maximum Overdrive

Discover titles like Maximum Overdrive — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to Maximum Overdrive

If you enjoyed Maximum Overdrive, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of Maximum Overdrive.

Trucks
24% Match

Trucks(1997)

Movie4.5/10

A group of seemingly humanistic trucks takeover a truck stop and starts killing everything in sight. The remaining townsfolk must band together and come up with a way to murder the inanimate objects, a seemingly difficult task considering the abnormal circumstances.

Dawn of the Dead
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During an ever-growing epidemic of zombies that have risen from the dead, two Philadelphia SWAT team members, a traffic reporter, and his television-executive girlfriend seek refuge in a secluded shopping mall.

Over the Top
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Lincoln Hawk a hard-luck big-rig trucker takes us under the glaring Las Vegas lights for all the boisterous action of the World Armwrestling Championship. Relying on wits and willpower, Hawk tries to rebuild his life by capturing the first-place prize money, and the love of the son he abandoned years earlier into the keeping of his rich, ruthless father-in-law.

The Blob
18% Match

The Blob(1988)

Movie6.8/10

In Arborville, California, three high school students try to protect their hometown from a gelatinous alien life form that engulfs everything it touches.

Duel
18% Match

Duel(1971)

Movie7.4/10

Traveling businessman David Mann angers the driver of a rusty tanker while crossing the California desert. A simple trip turns deadly, as Mann struggles to stay on the road while the tanker plays cat and mouse with his life.

Mad Max
18% Match

Mad Max(1979)

Movie6.7/10

In the ravaged near-future, a savage motorcycle gang rules the road. Terrorizing innocent civilians while tearing up the streets, the ruthless gang laughs in the face of a police force hell-bent on stopping them.

Screamers: The Hunting
18% Match

A group of humans arrive on Sirius 6-B to investigate an SOS signal sent out from the planet, which has been supposedly deserted since the destruction of the man-made weapons known as "screamers." Once the squad arrives, they find a group of human survivors eking out an existence in an old military outpost.

Demon Seed
17% Match

Demon Seed(1977)

Movie5.9/10

A scientist creates Proteus, an organic supercomputer with artificial intelligence which becomes obsessed with human beings, and in particular the creator's wife.

Smokey and the Bandit Part 3
17% Match

The Enos duo convince Cletus, aka The Bandit, to come out of hiding and help them promote their new restaurant. With a little coaxing, he agrees, producing an almost-creaky Trigger as his mode of transport. But his nemesis, Sheriff Buford T. Justice, is on the hunt, forcing Cletus and Trigger to hit the road. Can they steer clear of the vengeful sheriff?

Convoy
17% Match

Convoy(1978)

Movie6.3/10

Trucker Rubber Duck and his buddies Pig Pen, Widow Woman and Spider Mike use their CB radios to warn one another of the presence of cops. But conniving Sheriff Wallace is hip to the truckers' tactics, and begins tricking the drivers through his own CB broadcasts. Facing constant harassment from the law, Rubber Duck and his pals use their radios to coordinate a vast convoy and rule the road.

Rest Stop
17% Match

Rest Stop(2006)

Movie5.4/10

In Texas, the aspirant actress Nicole Carrow runs away home to Los Angeles with her boyfriend Jess Hilts. They drive through a shortcut in an old road, and when they park in a rest stop, Jess is abducted by the sadistic driver of an old yellow truck. Along the night, Nicole is threatened by the sick maniac, while mysterious things happen to her in the place.