We saw the new movie Dark Shadows a few nights ago and were very excited to see it featured a 1960s VW Splitscreen Kombi! You can see it briefly here in the trailer:

Without giving too much away the Kombi was featured in quite a few scenes, and if you pay close attention you may spot a brief shot of a second splitty somewhere in the film!

When we saw the Kombi for the first time in the movie we of course simultaneously shouted "Kombi!", and then shrunk down in our seats when we realised we were in a packed cinema. 

But this got us thinking about other movies Kombis have featured in over the years. Being such an iconic vehicle their cameos are always memorable! Here are a few significant Kombi movie stars we remember:

1. Back to the Future

Ignoring the VW Kombi's heritage of peace and love, the Libyans used a 1970s baywindow to shoot out the roof at Doc and Marty for stealing their plutonium. It features quite an extensive chase scene, where initially one of the Libyans has trouble starting the Kombi, and then gets thrashed by the Delorean.

2. Bran Nue Dae

The 1963 VW Splitscreen is arguably the star of this beautiful Aussie musical film. Driven by Missy Higgins and her backpacker boyfriend, they make it all the way to Broome, but not without some mishaps on the way! Apparently the Kombi was originally green but painted with beautiful murals for the film. The owner loved the artwork so much she has left it as it is.

3. Little Miss Sunshine

Of course how could we forget this odd-ball movie that stars a bright yellow baywindow Kombi taken on a roadtrip by a family who is trying to get their daughter to the finals of a beauty pageant. Much hilarity ensues when the clutch breaks so anytime they want to start the Kombi they have to push it until it reaches 20 miles/hr and then run and jump in. 

4. Cars

And finally, the lovable Fillmore, a 1960s VW Splitscreen bus who stars in both the Cars movies. Fillmore is a hippy to his core, owns an organic fuel shop and loves Jimmy Hendrix. He was voiced by George Carlin in the original movie, and then by Lloyd Sherr in the sequel after Carlin passed away.

What movies do you remember VW Kombis starring in?