The XJ-S is outlandish and certainly makes a statement

 

The Jaguar XJ-S has retained its cinematic charm as a symbol of speed or stylish rebellion. No wonder it often make an appearance in many aspects of popular culture since its creation. 

Have we missed any?

 

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Miss Dior with Natalie Portman (2017) features a pink XJ-S Convertible

 

 

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Film

 

Through big‑budget blockbusters and cult favorites alike, the XJ-S endures onscreen as a symbol of effortless speed, elegance, and timeless attitude.

 

The Wild Geese (1978) Roger Moore and a group of mercenaries go on a mission in Africa, featuring an XJ-S pre HE Coupé

 

The Great Muppet Caper (1981) features an XJ-S pre-HE. The Muppets stop a diamond heist with Nicky Holiday (thief), played by Charles Grodin

 

The XJ-S also surfaces in indie and genre films like Stormy Monday (1988), where Sting admires and claims a burgundy XJ-S amidst noir‑tinged dealings.

 

Drop Dead Fred (1991) Fred, played by Rik Mayall, crashes an XJ-S into lobby of a house

 

In Speed (1994) Jack Traven, played by Keanu Reeves, crashes a green XJ-S Hess & Eisenhardt Convertible. The XJ-S takes part in a thrilling chase sequence on the LA motorways with a Metrobus, culminating in the main character leaping from the XJS onto a speeding bus before, leaving the Jaguar to crash into water barrels, underscoring the car’s durability and dramatic flair whilst getting on a bus with a bomb on it. 

 

Malicious (1995) Melissa Nelson, played by Molly Ringwald, a psycho stalker drives an XJ-S 2+2 Convertible

 

The XJ-S rolled into Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997) as a cherry‑red convertible driven by Romy (Mira Sorvino) with Michele (Lisa Kudrow) in the passenger seat. The XJ-S embodied their fantastical reinvention at the reunion, complete with a funky fresh flair and style.

 

Death Race (2008) Travis Colt, played by Justin Mader, dies whilst racing in a XJ-S. Futuristic race to the death to get out of prison

 

Death Race 2 (2010) The Sheikh, played by Michael Solomon, drives the same XJ-S in the prequel to Death Race

 

In indie film Only Lovers Left Alive (2013), the XJ-S appears as the sleek ride of a lifestyle vampire couple.

 

Mindhorn (2016),in which a faded TV detective, played by Julian Barratt, solves a crime features an XJS-C

 

Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey (2020), Harley Quinn played by Margot Robbie, drives a XJ-S Hess & Eisenhardt Convertible

 

 

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Television

 

The New Avengers (1976-1977) Mike Gambit played by Gareth Hunt

 

Return of The Saint (1978-1979) The Saint (Simon Templar) played by Ian Ogilvy

 

Lovejoy Series 5 Episode 8 (1993) Miss Cavendish (Lovejoy’s love interest), played by Caroline Langrishe, drove an XJ-S 2+2 Convertible

 

Curfew (2019) Errol Chambers, played by Sean Bean, drove a XJ-S Coupé  painted in Group 44 colours

 

The Crown Series 4 Episode 10 (2020) Princess Diana, played by Emma Corrin, drove a XJS-C 

 

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Music Videos

 

 

Makiveli's (featuring 2Pac & Val Young) To Live and Die in LA (1996) features an XJ-S Convertible

 

Bowling for Soup's 1985 (2004) features an XJ-S Coupé

 

Sam Smith's I’m not the only one (2014) features a XJ-S Coupé

 

Kesha's Joyride (2024) features an XJS-C

 

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Celebrity owners include

 

 

 

Diana, Princess of Wales	Comedian Bob Monkhouse	Model Barbara Edwards	Musician Bob Dylan
Sarah, Duchess of York	F1 Driver Nigel Mansell	Model Jerry Hall	Musician Frank Sinatra
Actor Sir Patrick Stewart	Footballer Trevor Francis	Musician Joan Jett	Musician Karen Carpenter
Actor Sir David Jason	Model Anna Nicole Smith	Musician Tom Petty	Musician Tupac

 

 

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Toys

 

 

Hot Wheels introduced an XJ-S in 1978 with variants made up to the early 1980s

 

Corgi & Corgi Jr. introduced an XJ-S in 1978 with many variants produced up to the early 1990s

 

Mattel created a pink XJ-S for Barbie in 1990