Vans on film: 6 iconic TV shows and movies starring vans

​Vans aren't just useful – they've got star potential too. Discover 6 of their most iconic Hollywood turns.

Scooby-Doo is known for cracking cases with his friends Shaggy, Velma and Fred. His mystery-solving skills are legendary. Almost as legendary, in fact, as his iconic green van, the Mystery Machine.

Bursting onto our television sets in 1969, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! had us hooked. Now, more than 50 years later, the Mystery Machine is recognised across the globe.

2. Dumb and Dumber

A classic comedy film with lighthearted humour and quirky characters, Dumb and Dumber hit the big screen in 1994 and, to this day, is still a fan favourite.

The film is based on Harry and Lloyd's cross-country road trip, which – oddly enough – is done in a modified dog-grooming van.

The Mutt Cutts van took a four-legged friend and turned it into a four-wheeler!

3. Ghostbusters

Who you gonna call? GHOSTBUSTERS!

This wouldn't be an article about vans and films if we didn't include the retro classic that is Ghostbusters. 

In 1984, Ghostbusters landed in cinemas – and it remains an iconic American supernatural comedy.

This incredible film has left an indelible mark on popular culture with its catchy theme song, proton packs and slime.

And, of course. the Ghostbusters wouldn't have been able to go about their daily job of catching ghosts if it wasn't for their trusty van: Ecto-1.

4. Toy Story

Another iconic film that will live on for decades to come, Toy Story set the standard when it came to 3D animation.

Now, we know what you're thinking. If you're anything like us, you instantly thought of the main characters Buzz Lightyear and Woody. Where is the van in Toy Story?

Fast forward to the end of the film. You'll see Woody frantically trying to reach Andy and his family as they're moving home.

The house is packed up, the boxes are in the removal van and Woody and Buzz have a huge challenge on their hands: chase down the van and jump into it!

Buzz and Woody hitch a ride on a Pizza Planet van to catch up to their lost owner – and the rest is history.

5. The A-Team

Are you humming the theme tune? We thought you might be!

The iconic van that featured in The A-Team has spawned countless replicas. And for good reason: it starred in the most popular action series of all time.

The blacked-out windows, red stripe and accents gave off a sporty vibe. In actual fact, though, the van was incredibly slow. With this van, The A-Team couldn't get from A to B very quickly at all.

Nonetheless, this van will go down in history as another iconic staple from TV land.

6. Inside Man

This 2006 crime thriller stars the likes of Denzel Washington and Jodie Foster and has an incredible storyline.

Throughout the film, multiple vans are shown. However, the film's most pivotal moments start with a van marked "Perfectly Planned Printing".

This is the vehicle used by the bank robbers. As the storyline progresses, you'll see clearly why it has one of the most vital roles of all.

The film's setup wouldn't have worked the way it did without the use of vans and campers. The directors handled it perfectly as any other vehicle wouldn't have had the same impact.

Final thoughts

There are hundreds more films and TV shows featuring iconic vans that we could shout about, from Only Fools and Horses, to Breaking Bad, to Little Miss Sunshine. But if we did, we would be here all day.

In any case, whether it's in movies or day-to-day life, vans play a key role and can be at your disposal at the touch of a button.

Metro Vehicle Hire has a range of vans to suit your needs, from little to large and everything in between. We can help you move house, take your band on tour or take a road trip across the country with a bunch of your friends.

So, if you're looking for van hire in Newcastle upon Tyne, we've got you covered. Browse our fleet of Transit vans, crew vans and Luton vans – or get in touch for a quick, competitive quote.