ShoutOut examples in ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV''.

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: Single-Player ]]

* As early as the [[https://youtu.be/Vzue74y7A84?t=49 second trailer]], Rockstar teased the inclusion of the [=JB700=], which is based on the Aston Martin [=DB5=] of Film/JamesBond [[Film/{{Goldfinger}} fame]].
** The classic car is introduced in a mission wherein Franklin has to steal it off of a movie set for Devin Weston. Not only can Franklin steal an actor's tuxedo to reach the car easier, but the [[WeaponizedCar car itself possesses]] a caltrop launcher in the trunk and a set of machine guns on the hood. [[spoiler:It even has a [[EjectorSeat passenger eject]] button.]]
** Franklin gets to use the vehicle again when delivering it to Weston's assistant. Towards the end of the mission, he calls her and introduces himself as "[[TheNameIsBondJamesBond Franklin, Franklin Clinton]]."
* The cars in the franchise have always been "close" to some kind of real life vehicle, but this game takes the word "close" and "trademark infringement" to within a razor's edge. Almost every car can be easily recognized as a very specific real world car in both model and year with [[LawyerFriendlyCameo very minor adjustments]] having been done to stay away from trademark lawsuits.
* Michael's BorrowedCatchphrase ("you forget a thousand things every day; make sure this is one of them") comes from one of Solomon Richards' many classic Vinewood movies, ''Arthur Penny's Sanitorium''. While the plot of ''Sanitorium'' itself bears no resemblance to it, it's very similar to a line from ''Film/Dillinger1973'' ("this could be one of the big moments in your life; don't make it your last") that Warren Oates as Dillinger repeats to bank tellers at his own robberies. Deepening the connection, the film was an Creator/AmericanInternationalPictures release produced by Samuel Z. Arkoff, one of Solomon's real-life inspirations.
* When Trevor and Wade are crashing at Floyd's place, you can randomly stumble upon Floyd wearing a pink onesie. Think about it for a sec. Floyd in a Pink onesie. [[Music/PinkFloyd Floyd. Pink.]]
* There are [[Series/BrassEye Good Aids]] Pharmacy trucks driving around the city streets.
* One man is seen walking the streets carrying a sign saying "[[Series/FatherTed Down With This Sort Of Thing!]]"
* Blaine County local Cletus is certainly a [[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons slack-jawed yokel.]]
* The weird way Lamar says "nigga" at the end of his "Don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful" rant comes from Film/{{Friday}}.
** In the same rant he also [[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoSanAndreas berates Franklin's haircut, which leads to an introduction to barber shops.]]
*** If you keep the same haircut, [[DevelopersForesight he will insult it again shortly after.]] If you don't, he'll express relief that you got a new haircut, saying he was ready to shoot you if you didn't change it.
*** If you change haircuts and put on dorky clothes (e.g., khakis and an argyle sweater), Lamar will compliment you on you haircut [[DevelopersForesight but say your clothes make you look like a mark]].
* Many of the street names are subtle references, such as [[VideoGame/RedDeadRedemption Cholla Springs Ave.]] in Sandy Shores and [[Literature/TheGrapesOfWrath Joad Lane]] in, appropriately enough, Grapeseed.
* One of the highways (The one that passes the docks on the way to the airport) is called the [[VideoGame/LANoire Elysian Fields Freeway.]]
* Trevor can buy a jacket[[note]]Listed in the discount store as "Champagne Driver Jacket"[[/note]] exclusive to him that heavily resembles [[Film/Drive2011 The Driver's jacket]], the only difference being that it has a crab emblem on the back instead of a scorpion.
* One of the shirts available for Michael to buy is the infamous parrot-print aloha shirt from ''VideoGame/MaxPayne3''.
* Eagle-eyed [[Literature/AmericanGirlsCollection American Girl]] doll fans might notice Molly Schultz as an obscure reference to Molly [=McIntire=]--on top of both Mollys being brunettes and wearing glasses, the mystery book ''Spy On The Home Front'' has Molly [=McIntire=] befriend a girl named Anna ''Schulz'' and her family, whose father Fritz worked at a garage in a town named ''Weston''.
* The heists are almost all inspired by famous movie heists:
** Blitz Play's entire premise is copied from the introduction of ''Film/{{Heat}}'', right down to the details: the protagonists wear masks and overalls; the target is a high security truck; the plan involves intercepting the truck by blocking its path before t-boning it; and they even blow the truck doors with charges, deafening a guard who curses them. When planning the mission, one of the gold requirements, "Cliché", requires choosing the hockey masks worn in the movie.
** Michael can also be customized to have a goatee and haircut that looks very similar to that of Robert De Niro from the film.
** Devin Weston looks like Michael Cheritto from ''Film/{{Heat}}''. Hell, he even calls Franklin "Slick" throughout the game.
** The Paleto Score is heavily based on the bank robbery from the same film, complete with Michael and the hired gun dressing up in suits and ski masks like De Niro's crew and the robbery being followed by a massive, rolling shootout.
** The Big Score has two possible routes:
*** Subtle route: The target? Gold. The means of acquisition? Armored cars and control of traffic patterns. The getaway vehicles? A customized fleet of distinctive automobiles, albeit [[BlandNameProduct Bravado Gauntlets]] rather than Mini Coopers. Also the cars are modified to handle the load. Yup, it's ''Film/TheItalianJob1969''. And since you can customise your cars, you can make them the appropriate colours for a bit of an extra reference (red, white and blue!)
*** The Obvious route's premise is copied line for line from the villains' plan in [[spoiler: ''Film/DieHardWithAVengeance''. Cause a distraction with some fake terrorism while drilling into the Union Repository's vault through the subway.]]
* You can buy a suppressor for the shotgun, and it has the exact same sound effect as it did in ''Literature/NoCountryForOldMen''.
** Furthermore, there is a random encounter involving the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and a case full of money that is straight out of the movie, dead dogs and all. Taking the money can lead to being chased down by goons, though thankfully there's no Anton Chigurh to contend with.
* Another Coen Brothers tribute - the foggy, snow-driven intro, especially the final shot, may be a reference to Fargo's similar scenes of frozen wasteland.
* The mission where [[spoiler: Jay Norris]] is assassinated by phone bomb is identical to one of the murders from ''Film/LawAbidingCitizen''.
** And the keynote he's giving up the point where he's assassinated bears far more than a passing resembling to the "Stevenotes" that Creator/SteveJobs [[https://youtu.be/EHWRkuDlNOE was famous for]], except with the smugness and condescending superiority turned up to eleven.
* Michael pulls a house off a cliffside by hooking up the support beams to a pickup truck, much like Riggs in ''Film/LethalWeapon2''.
* Trevor opts to hide the Chinese drug dealer, Cheng, Jr., and his interpreter [[Film/TheHangover in an ice box]] when his meth-cooking lab comes under attack.
* The closing line of the game? [[spoiler:In Ending C, Michael notes ''"Tell you what, T... [[Film/LethalWeapon I'm getting too old for this nonsense...]]"'']]
* In order to get 100% on the mission “Derailed”, you must land on top of a train using the first jump. Said requirement is called "Better Than CJ", in reference to the infamous “[[MemeticMutation All we had to do was follow the damn train, CJ!]]” line from the "Wrong Side Of The Tracks" mission in [[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoSanAndreas San Andreas]].
* In Sandy Shores, there's a piece of graffiti that says [[Franchise/StarTrek Beam Me Up]].
* In the garage were you deliver the stolen cars for Weston, is a wall that has a list of target cars written on it that only shows up under UV light like in [[Film/GoneInSixtySeconds2000 Gone In 60 Seconds]].
* When talking about their first score in the Paleto Score, Michael mentions that his first score was in [[{{VideoGame/Manhunt}} Carcer City]].
* The Playboy Mansion can be found in-game in Rockford Hills northwest of Michael's house. If you go to the backyard pool area (which also contains the famous grotto) during the nighttime you will find a bunch of people having a party which includes several topless women. If you use your character's cell phone camera to take pictures of the topless women they will call you a creep and their boyfriends will attack you.
* On West Coast Talk Radio's "Chakra Attack", the host rants about a [[Film/{{Aliens}} a sensor that can detect aliens in the ceiling and let you know if they're going to drop down and whoop some human ass"]].
** The aliens within the game (both the suited actors found in Vinewood and the real aliens seen in Michael's hallucinations) resemble the Xenomorphs.
* One of the checkmarks needed for getting a gold medal on "Did Someone Say Yoga" is called "[[VideoGame/DarkSouls Praise the Sun]]." One of the poses you have to strike when doing yoga in turn matches the Sunlight Warriors' trademark gesture.
* A Strangers and Freaks mission requires Franklin to jump off a dam to get a gold medal. The checkmark for doing it is called "[[Franchise/AssassinsCreed Leap of Faith]]".
* One of the clothing options for Trevor includes a red jacket over a dark flannel shirt. The jacket is called the [[Film/TheShining Overlooked Red Blouson.]] You could also find an axe lodged in a door inside of Floyd's apartment! And in the UpdatedRerelease, you can ''buy and wield'' an axe, completing the look.
* In one of the random encounters, the player give a ride to a lady escaping from a forced wedding. The groom begins pursuing them, and she shouts "I'm done!" at him. He responds with [[Series/BreakingBad "You're done when I say you're done!"]]
* One of the areas in Los Santos is called [[Music/CypressHill Cypress Flats]].
* In Del Perro Pier, you can find an area with four jet-skis. In order, they are colored [[WebAnimation/{{RWBY}} red, white, black, and yellow.]]
* The game tip involving changing your brightness settings asks if you are suffering from ''VideoGame/EternalDarkness''.
* In "Scouting the Port" Trevor, who looks a lot like Jack Nicholson, wears a black beanie and sunglasses similar to [[Film/OneFlewOverTheCuckoosNest Randle McMurphy's.]]
* A multi-homage case with a "returning player exclusive" vehicle added to the Next-Gen versions of the game, named the Duke O'Death. It's reinforced appearance is akin to the vehicles from ''Film/DeathRace'', but looks more like the [[Film/MadMax Pursuit Special]]. The Random Encounter where you first find the car is named after ''Film/{{Duel}}'', with the encounter playing out exactly like the movie. And the name of the car apparently comes from the fictional book ''The Duke of Death'' from the Clint Eastwood movie ''Film/{{Unforgiven}}''.
* A random encounter in Raton Canyon features two police cars and a helicopter behind a Tornado with two women driving. When a police officer approaches the car, it speeds off the cliff and explodes in the canyon, mirroring the ending scene of ''Film/ThelmaAndLouise'' to a T, though the movie didn't show the car crash, or explode.
* One of Trevor's side missions involves him taking some tainted weed from a pro-legalization advocate, causing him to go on a colorful drug trip where he is tasked to kill waves of [[MonsterClown demented clowns]]. The reference is made clear due to a [[Film/PeeWeesBigAdventure specific Danny Elfman piece that plays in the background]] during the trip.
* Sometimes, you'll switch to Trevor and find him in his tighty-whitey briefs and shoes. Meth-cooking sociopath in his briefs and shoes? [[Series/BreakingBad Where have we seen that before?]]
** The meth your online character has the option of making is blue!
* Of the hockey mask designs available to players, one is clearly [[Franchise/FridayThe13th based on Jason Voorhees.]] Right after you're introduced to the masks, [[{{Film/Heat}} you need to buy boiler suits]].
** In the Updated Rerelease, the mask has changed, but still looks cool.
* Trevor's mission to steal the Merryweather jet filled with weapons involves the pilot shouting [[Film/AirForceOne "Get off my plane!"]] Not that it helps him.
* During "The Paleto Score", [[ComicBook/TheWalkingDead the Sherrif is named Kirkman, while the eager Deputy is named Grimes]].
* The picture of the wolf on the banner in Trevor's trailer strongly resembles [[ImageMacro Courage Wolf]].
* If the player tells a taxi driver to hurry up, he will sometimes say, "[[Film/JurassicPark Hold on to your butt]]."
* There appears to be a big blockbuster movie based on the Republican Space Rangers cartoon being held at one of the movie theatres in the game, complete with a guy in costume. Said costume bears more than a passing resemblance to the [[{{Franchise/Halo}} Master Chief's powered armour]], especially when seen from the back.
* One of Solomon Richards' films is a SpaceOpera titled "The Shoulder of Orion" - a reference to Roy Batty's famous monologue in ''Film/BladeRunner.''
* One of Peter Dreyfuss' films is titled "Bury Me" and there's a synopsys of it the in-game Classic Vinehood website, which pretty much sounds like a ''Film/JacobsLadder'' parody.
* A [[https://youtu.be/8_-NYyYxHcM?t=572 Private Taxi Fare]] for the Downtown Cab Co. references the plot of ''Film/{{Collateral}}''. Franklin is asked to go to the airport and pick up a SharpDressedMan, who spouts some {{Ubermensch}}-like philosophy before asking Franklin to be his getaway driver on a crime he's about to commit. [[spoiler: Unlike the film, however, the passenger is an [[StupidCrooks incompetent]] jewel thief who immediately blows his cover and relies on Franklin's [[BadassDriver quick thinking]] to escape.]]
* One of the custom rim types you can purchase for your car is titled Fujiwara. They look identical to the rims found on Takumi Fujiwara's [=AE86=] in ''Manga/InitialD''.
* Around the city you'll find billboards for ''Rehab Island'' which show a palm tree on a blue background. [[VideoGame/DeadIsland Hmmm...]]
* During one of Michael's [[MushroomSamba peyote trips]], he turns into a seagull and during the narcotics-fueled rambling that ensues comments that "(seagulls) don't do jokes! [[Theatre/TheSeagull We do theatre.]]"

[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Online'' ]]

* In the ''Grand Theft Auto Online'' missions titled "Meth'd Up" and "Crank Up The Volume", you have to steal a [[Series/BreakingBad recreational vehicle that is being used as a mobile meth lab.]] TruthInTelevision, by the way; mobile meth labs are a popular method of avoiding the cops.
* When creating your character, you have the option to choose what your parents and grandparents from both sides look like, which deter on your own looks. You can even choose to have a special dad, instead of a customized dad. And who is that dad? John Marston from ''VideoGame/RedDeadRedemption''.
* One of the suits from the Valentine's Day Massacre DLC looks a lot like the "Golden Boy" suit from ''VideoGame/LANoire''.
* A rare mask that was only available from October 3rd to October 5th, as well as for a day during the Festive Surprise if you got a Special Crate, is the mask that the Smilies wore in ''VideoGame/ManHunt''.
* In one of the Humane Raid heist setup missions, the players board an aircraft carrier to steal a old VTOL fighter jet equipped with an EMP as well as some regular Lazer fighters to fight off incoming enemy jets. After knocking out the bandits and taking air superiority, [[Film/TopGun "Danger Zone"]] by Music/KennyLoggins plays.
* The layout of the yacht in Series A Funding's first setup mission is eerily similar to the one from ''VideoGame/MaxPayne3''.
* The Freemode Events Update give us The Beast, which looks a lot like Michael J. Fox in ''Film/TeenWolf''.
* One of the Business Battles added in the After Hours Update is to pick up a [[Series/MrBean lime green Issi Classic with a black hood]].
** Another Business Battle event added in the same update requires the player to pick up a Vapid Ellie, which has been modified to resemble Memphis Raines' Eleanor Mustang in ''Film/GoneInSixtySeconds2000'', down to the license plate reading "[=RA1NE=]".
* The Phantom Wedge added with the Import/Export update is a nod to ''Series/MythBusters''. While similar ideas have been used in the media for a while, the Phantom Wedge uses the same design as the one Adam and Jamie built for the finale.
* ''The Doomsday Heist'' update:
** The Avenger tiltrotor VTOL aircraft from. While it's visibly based on the V-22 Osprey, in practice it serves as an airborne version of the Mobile Operations Center, complete with vehicle and weapons bays and a gun turret. In other words, it's a helicarrier, just like in... ''Film/TheAvengers2012''.
** The Deluxo is back! And it's still based on the [=DeLorean=]. But this time, it has hover and flight capabilities, just like [[Franchise/BackToTheFuture Doc Brown's time machine.]] Just swap out the time travel system for a small arsenal.
*** On the Doomsday Heist setup, when you reach the Deluxos a blue-and-white Surfer van will drive past. This is a nod to the Libyans who attack Doc and Marty at the mall, as they drive a similar vehicle with the same color scheme. They're also the only civilian vehicle in the mission that homing missiles will lock onto.
*** Based on the markings on the Railgun, it has an energy capacity of 1.21 Gigawatts.
** The Stromberg is a sports car that can transform into a submarine. Both the concept and the name are references to the Wet Nellie from ''Film/TheSpyWhoLovedMe''. The Ardent, another Esprit-based car introduced in the ''Smuggler's Run'' update prior, also made a snide remark on the Wet Nellie in its description on Warstock Carry and Cache website.
--> "[...] lose your pursuers, pop the dual machine guns, gun down the survivors, drop a pithy remark, open the champagne, have a quickie, drive into the sea, [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome realize you've made a terrible mistake]], [[TakeThat and swiftly drown]]."
* ''Southern San Andreas Super Sport Series'':
** The Hotring Sabre's liveries not only reference liveries that various UsefulNotes/{{NASCAR}} stock cars have had over the years, but there's also liveries based on ''Film/DaysOfThunder'' and ''Film/TalladegaNightsTheBalladOfRickyBobby''.
* The Vigilante appears to be an amalgamation of the Batmobile's design as it appears on ''Film/Batman1989'', and the Tumbler from ''Film/BatmanBegins''.
* The Scramjet, introduced in the ''After Hours'' update, is a clear reference to the Mach 5 from ''Anime/SpeedRacer'', complete with hopping and rocket boost capabilities.
* ''Import/Export'' update:
** The Imponte Ruiner 2000 is GTA's own version of [[Series/KnightRider K.I.T.T.]], minus the snarky AI and plus machine guns and heat-seeking rockets.
** Another of the vehicles that released with the update, the Technical Aqua, bears a strong resemblance to the [[Series/TopGearUK Toyboata]] from the "Amphibious Car" challenge with the configuration of the Nissank (namely, a barrel on each side of the truck for stability).
** Putting the correct modifications on the Comet Retro Custom will make it resemble the Blackbird from ''Manga/WanganMidnight''.
** Two other vehicles, the Wastelander and the Ramp Buggy, took inspiration from vehicles in ''Film/TheFastAndTheFurious'' franchise. (''Fast Five'' and ''Fast and Furious 6'' specifically.)
* Speaking of ''Fast and the Furious'', a handful of vehicles have liveries referencing the ones used for their real life counterparts in the movies. For example, the Elegy Retro Custom has the liveries "Midnight Racer" and "Not Today Pizzaboy", with the former based on Brian O' Connor's famous Skyline R34 from ''Film/TwoFastTwoFurious'' and the latter based on the custom Skyline R32 that appeared in ''Film/TheFastAndTheFurious2001'', with the name further referencing the line "Street's closed, pizza boy" spoken in the movie.
* The Vespucci Job Adversary Mode is a nod to ''Film/TheItalianJob1969'', where police vehicles chase an Issi Classic (the in-universe equivalent of the Morris Mini) throughout the streets of Los Santos.
** Additionally, should Karim Denz is chosen as the getaway driver for the Diamond Casino Heist, one of few possible getaway vehicles he'll request to retrieve and provide will be a pair of Issi Classics, modified to resemble two of the Morris Minis used in the film, painted red and blue.
* The Arena War update, is itself largely an homage to ''Film/TheRunningMan'', and also includes:
** The Chevrolet Malibu-based Declasse Tulip takes its namesake from the character Tulip O'Hare from ''Series/{{Preacher|2016}}'', who drives a purple Malibu.
** The Arena versions of the Vapid Dominator show clear inspiration from [[Film/DeathRace Frankenstein's Ford Mustang,]] the most obvious being the large shield-like piece on the rear of the car.
** Arena War versions of the Vapid Slamvan are based on [[https://static.carthrottle.com/workspace/uploads/comments/a7f3d5bec3bd0c9e346998e81da3a66a.jpg the custom Ford F6, dubbed "Stubby Bob"]] from the TV series ''Series/{{Roadkill}}''.
** The Declasse Brutus appears to be based on [[https://www.imcdb.org/v061187.html the custom Chevy K-2500 SIlverado]] from the movie ''Tango and Crash''.
** A few vehicles introduced in the update are references to the ones introduced in the ''Film/MadMax'' series, mainly ''Film/MadMaxFuryRoad'':
*** The Vapid Imperator bears a striking resemblance to the Ford Falcon, and also has a number of different modifications that make it look similar to either the [=Interceptor/Pursuit=] Special, or a modified [[VideoGame/MadMax2015 Magnum Opus fitted with the Wild Hunt body]].
*** The MTL Cerberus takes inspirations from the War Rig, evidently referenced in the cab design. However, the Cerberus is a 8-wheeler tanker while the War Rig is a semi truck.
*** Arena War versions of the Issi Classic are based on [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/roadwarrior/images/b/bd/Vlcsnap-2015-09-13-22h13m32s568.png/revision/latest?cb=20170304083216 the custom Mini Cooper S, dubbed "The Mini"]]
*** The Bravado Sasquatch is based on [[https://img.motoryracing.com/galeria/14000/14964_mad-max-fury-road-bigfoot.jpg Rictus' "Bigfoot" Dodge Power Wagon monster truck.]]
*** The Glendale-based Benefactor Bruiser is highly inspired by [[https://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/roadwarrior/images/7/78/Image.jpg the People Eater's limousine]].
** "Here Come the Monsters" have [[{{Series/Gladiators}} Contenders and Gladiators pitted against each other]]. Rounds are sometimes commenced with an announcement of 'Contenders ready? Gladiators ready?'.
** During the "Flag War" banter Jock Cranley references The Literature/LordOfTheFlies movie.
* The ''Diamond Casino & Resort'' update:
** The Obey 8F Drafter has a livery named "Racing the Edge" which is a reference to the famous BMW M3 GTR (E46) from the ''VideoGame/NeedForSpeed'' series.
** Two of the horses featured in the Inside Track minigame are Hennigan's Steed and Scrawny Nag, both nods to ''VideoGame/RedDeadRedemption'' (a deliberate misspelling of the town Hennigan's Stead and the donkey players start with online, respectively).
** ''Invade and Persuade II'', an arcade cabinet players can buy for their penthouse's bar, features a controllable tank that looks and controls like a ''VideoGame/MetalSlug'' tank. The game also responds to the KonamiCode, which gives the player 99 lives like it originally did in ''VideoGame/{{Contra}}''.
* The ''Diamond Casino Heist'' update:
** One of the games the player can buy for their arcade is a fortune telling machine modelled after Madam Nazar, an NPC in ''[[VideoGame/RedDeadRedemption2 Red Dead Online]]'' that handles everything related to the Collector profession.
** Continuing the trend set by the previous update, the various video arcade cabinets the player can buy are clearly inspired by games from TheEighties and TheNineties.
*** ''Defender of the Faith'' is basically ''VideoGame/{{Defender}}'' with Platform/Atari2600-like graphics.
*** ''Penetrator'' is an extremely simplistic version of ''VideoGame/{{Tempest}}''.
*** The ''[=Race'n'Chase=]'' line of cabinets are inspired by ''VideoGame/HangOn'' and ''VideoGame/OutRun''. The games even emulate the high-speed sprite scaling faux 3D the originals did. The title is also a reference to the working title DMA used for ''GTA'' when they were first conceptualising the game in the mid-'90s.
*** ''Space Monkey 3: Bananas Gone Bad'' is a homage to the {{Shmup}} genre, although the relatively simple enemy and bullet patterns are more reminiscent of ''VideoGame/{{Galaga}}''.
*** ''The Wizard's Ruin'' takes after ''VideoGame/GoldenAxe'' and/or ''VideoGame/DungeonsAndDragonsChroniclesOfMystara''. Also, powering up Thog is depicted as him getting more and more muscular, taking after a similar mechanic in ''VideoGame/AlteredBeast1988'' (although, in true Rockstar parody fashion, Thog's final level has him [[TopHeavyGuy comically muscular from the waist up]]).
** Among the new weapons introduced is the Ceramic Pistol, and it's description claims it "won't set off a metal detector". This references both the infamously inaccurate description of Glock pistols in ''Film/DieHard2'' and the initial paranoia surrounding polymer-framed pistols in the US.
* ''Los Santos Summer Special'':
** The Penumbra [[Film/TheFastAndTheFurious FF]], if the name isn't an obvious enough reference, has two liveries based on Mitsubishi Eclipses that've appeared in the films.
* ''The Cayo Perico Heist'' update:
** The update's main antagonist, Juan "El Rubio" Stickler, is a [[Film/TheManWithTheGoldenGun Francisco Scaramanga]] {{Expy}} time-shifted to modern times. He even has his own version of the eponymous golden gun that fires a single OneHitKill golden bullet, albeit with a pearl Luger grip. El Rubio's office also looks similar to a room in the film where Scaramanga first fires the gun.
** The heist mission planning screen on the Kostaka features a map of the island that looks almost just like the computer layout of Manhattan Island in the opening of ''Film/EscapeFromNewYork''.
* The ''Los Santos Tuners'' update:
** Following the footsteps of the Sentinel, the Zion, and the Oracle, the new Übermacht vehicle introduced in this update is called the "[[Film/TheMatrix Cypher]]". Similar to the aforementioned 8F Drafter's "Racing the Edge" livery, the "Speed Demon" livery for this car is a homage to the BMW M3 GTR from the ''Need for Speed'' series.
** The "Rolling Dude No.8" livery for the Futo [=GTX=] is based off from the one worn by Tetsu Kobayakawa AKA "Rolling Guy No. 1" from ''[[VideoGame/TokyoXtremeRacer Shutokou Battle]]'' franchise (previously, a similar livery is available for the regular Futo as "Rolling Dude No.7").
*** The "Delivery Boy" livery is an obvious nod to [[Manga/InitialD Takumi Fujiwara's [=AE86=] Sprinter Trueno]] sans "Fujiwara Tofu Shop" sign (as it reads "Stance Andreas" instead). The reference is made stronger as using the said livery will change the Futo's badge to "Tofu".
** One of the liveries that can be unlocked for the Euros is based on [[Film/TheFastAndTheFuriousTokyoDrift DK's [=350Z=]]].
** When visiting the LS Car Meet, there's a random chance that a few of the AI-generated cars will be replicas of certain vehicles in popular media, such as:
*** Cars from the ''Fast and Furious'' franchise;
*** The aforementioned Raines' Eleanor Mustang replica from the Nightclub Business Battles alongside a Viseris which represents the De Tomaso Pantera from the original 1974 version of ''[[Film/GoneInSixtySeconds1974 Gone in 60 Seconds]]'' film;
*** A purple Buccaneer Custom representing the '67 Pontiac GTO from ''[[Film/{{XXX}} xXx]]'';
*** A yellow Hustler replicating the Ford 5-window coupe from ''Film/AmericanGraffiti'';
*** Cars belonging to RealLife athletes, such as Usain Bolt's golden Nissan GTR, which is represented with an Elegy [=RH8=], and Ken Block's well-known gymkhana Ford Focus RS, which is represented with a Flash GT.
** The Access Point setup for "The Prison Contract" mission has the player steal a ramp from a movie set which is reminiscent of ''Film/TheTerminator'', with some [=NPCs=] around the area that bears resemblance to Creator/LindaHamilton, director Creator/JamesCameron, and Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger. To bring the reference even further, one of the possible locations for the ramp is in the Los Santos Storm Drain, which brings the dam chase scene from ''Film/Terminator2JudgmentDay'' in mind.
*** The Arnold-lookalike NPC himself [[BossInMookClothing absorbs a lot more damage]] compared to the normal hostile [=NPCs=], referencing the Terminator's NighInvulnerable status.
* ''The Contract'' update:
** Lamar's Youga Custom in the Short Trip mission "OG Kush" is an in-universe counterpart of the weed van from the 1978 stoner flick ''Film/UpInSmoke'', down to his claim that the van's panels are made out of marijuana "bioplastic". The climax of the mission also references the film's ending, [[spoiler:where EverybodyMustGetStoned due to a fire burning up the van's panels.]]
** The WMC Reever, a motorcycle based on the ARCH Method 143, takes its namesake from Creator/KeanuReeves, who co-founded ARCH Motorcycles.
** From Halloween 2021 onwards, the lobby will a random event involving a Declasse Tornado Custom with red paint job with red lights and flaming in the front which is a clear reference to ''Film/{{Christine}}'', with the burning front end reminiscent of the scene where she runs over Buddy Repperton down a highway.
* The ''Criminal Enterprises'' update:
** Six of the vanilla GTA V cars had expanded customization with liveries. The livery "STD" from the Übermacht Sentinel XS (and this time being based in BMW M3 E92 which is the successor of the E46) once again references the famous BMW M3 GTR (E46) from the ''Need For Speed'' series, after the Obey 8F Drafter and Übermacht Cypher.
** In Halloween 2022 event featured a random event involving the player to steal a Exotic Export car in a specific location only to get chased by a driverless Apocalypse Cerberus, making reference to the 1972 film ''Film/{{Duel}}''.
* ''Los Santos Drug Wars'' update:
** The Fooliganz are a {{Expy}} of the UsefulNote/{{Juggalo}} subculture.
** The ''Breaking Bad'' references in the Journey gets amplified with the introduction of its clean variant the Journey II, with the "Cooking Time" livery resembling the one used in Walter and Jesse's Fleetwood Bounder.
** The Karin Boor has the liveries "Star-Spangled Patriot" and "Rusty Patriot" that resemble Joy's Subaru BRAT from the sitcom ''Series/MyNameIsEarl''.
** Festive Surprise 2022 featured two new random events; a [[Film/DieHard shootout between the police and two "criminal masterminds" atop the Weazel Plaza building]] and encountering a creature named [[Literature/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas The Gooch]].
* ''San Andreas Mercenaries'':
** The Brigham's "Ghosts Exposed" livery is based on the ''Franchise/{{Ghostbusters}}''[='=] Ecto-1.
* ''The Chop Shop''
** the vehicle robbery planning in the chop shop is done in UV marker on a wall similar to ''Film/GoneInSixtySeconds''.
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