Honestly, walking into a thrift store today and seeing that bright white cover of the DVD Herbie Fully Loaded feels like a personal attack from the mid-2000s. It’s peak Lindsay Lohan era. It was 2005, a time when Disney was obsessed with reviving every dormant 1960s property they owned. But here’s the thing: most of those reboots were pretty forgettable. This one? It actually has some heart under the hood.
Herbie, the 1963 Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of his own, had been MIA from the big screen since 1980. Bringing him back to the NASCAR era felt like a weird move on paper. You’ve got a car that pees oil on people competing against professional stock cars. It shouldn't work. But thanks to director Angela Robinson and a surprisingly game cast, it kinda does.
What’s Actually on the DVD Herbie Fully Loaded?
If you're picking this up for the first time in twenty years, the disc is basically a museum of 2005 Disney marketing. It’s not just the movie; it’s the "extras" that make it a total trip.
First, you’ve got the music video for "First" by Lindsay Lohan. It is remarkably of its time. She’s singing about wanting to come first in a guy's life while wearing heavy eyeliner and standing near race cars. It’s the kind of thing you only find on these physical discs now that streaming services have stripped away the "fun" fluff.
The special features also include:
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- Bloopers: Mostly Lindsay Lohan shrieking when something goes wrong on set.
- Deleted Scenes: Seven of them, actually. One includes a subplot where Maggie’s brother (played by Breckin Meyer) wants to be a musician instead of a driver.
- A Day at the Races: A featurette hosted by NASCAR driver Deborah Renshaw.
- Bringing Herbie to Life: A look at how they used 37 different Herbies to film the movie.
They used a mix of CGI and practical effects. Robinson actually pushed for mechanical Herbies whenever possible. That’s why the car feels "real" compared to the hollow digital characters we see in movies today. When Herbie gets "sad" and his headlights droop, it’s mostly old-school movie magic.
Why Herbie: Fully Loaded Matters More Than You Think
Most people dismiss this as just another "teen star" vehicle. That's a mistake. Honestly, the cast is stacked. You’ve got Michael Keaton playing the overprotective dad, Ray Peyton Sr., and Matt Dillon as the villainous Trip Murphy. Dillon plays it so over-the-top that it’s genuinely funny. He’s a NASCAR champ who gets outsmarted by a Beetle. His descent into madness is the best part of the movie.
The plot is your standard "follow your dreams" Disney fare. Maggie Peyton (Lohan) graduates college and wants to be a reporter for ESPN, but her family is racing royalty. Her dad buys her a car from a junkyard—Herbie—and the car basically forces her to race.
It grossed over $144 million worldwide. Not bad for a $50 million budget.
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The NASCAR Connection
What makes the DVD Herbie Fully Loaded unique is the sheer amount of NASCAR cameos. If you’re a racing fan, you’ll spot Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, and Dale Jarrett. They aren't just there for a second; they’re part of the world. Disney even ran special paint schemes on real NASCAR cars during the 2005 season to promote the film. It was a massive cross-promotional machine.
Technical Specs for the Collectors
For the nerds out there, the DVD (released October 25, 2005) is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. The colors are super saturated. It’s very bright, very "Disney." The audio is Dolby Digital 5.1, which sounds surprisingly good during the final race sequence at the California Speedway.
There's an "Alternate Title Opening" on the disc too. It’s way more disjointed than the montage we got in the final cut. The final version used a cool sequence of old Herbie footage and fake newspaper clippings to bridge the gap between the 60s and the 2000s. It was a smart way to respect the history without making the new movie feel like a history lesson.
Is It Still Worth Watching?
If you have a kid who likes cars, or if you’re just feeling nostalgic for the days of the "Disney DVD" logo and the "Coming Soon to Theaters" bumpers, then yes. It’s a G-rated movie that doesn't feel too "babyish."
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The humor is physical. Herbie squirts oil. He winks. He kicks people. It’s classic slapstick. Sure, some of the CGI looks a bit dated now—especially when Herbie makes "faces" at Trip Murphy—but the actual racing stunts still hold up.
Basically, the DVD Herbie Fully Loaded is a reminder of a specific moment in pop culture. It was the end of the original Herbie era and the peak of the 2000s teen queen era. It’s harmless, fun, and surprisingly well-made.
If you’re looking to add this to your collection, you can usually find it for under five bucks at any used media store. Just make sure the disc isn't scratched to death, as these were usually handled by kids who didn't know how to treat a DVD.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
Check your local thrift store or eBay for the "Special Edition" version which sometimes includes a bonus disc. If you're into the history of the franchise, watch the original 1968 The Love Bug immediately after to see how much of the original "clunky" charm director Angela Robinson managed to keep.