Top 10 Greatest Motorcycle Films Ever Made

Biker films, often depicting motorcycle gangs or cross-country riders, were once a booming niche in Hollywood. The Hells Angels, for example, inspired a wave of movies in the '60s and '70s, including Hells Angels On Wheels, Nam’s Angels, Satan’s Sadists, and Angels’ Wild Women. These films typically explored themes of rebellion, motorcycles, drugs, gang conflicts, and evading authority. Over time, Hollywood has produced several noteworthy biker films, some even by accident. Below is a curated list of 10 exceptional biker movies worth watching.

10. Beyond the Law (1993)

While not Charlie Sheen's finest work, the 1993 film Beyond the Law features Sheen, pre-Two and a Half Men, as an undercover officer infiltrating a ruthless biker gang involved in illegal arms trafficking across the U.S. Known as Made of Steel in Europe, this movie isn’t a standout in the biker genre but earns points for its action sequences, numerous Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and a solid supporting cast. Michael Madsen, a Tarantino favorite, plays the gang’s leader, nicknamed “Blood,” while Linda Fiorentino portrays Sheen’s sharp-tongued love interest. Though it never won awards, it’s worth a watch if you stumble upon it during a late-night cable session.

https://mubi.com/films/beyond-the-law-1993 Source: Mubi.com

9. The Born Losers (1967)

The 1967 biker film The Born Losers combines action with social commentary. Starring B-movie icon Tom Laughlin as “Billy Jack,” a half-Native American Vietnam veteran, the movie follows his fight against a menacing biker gang terrorizing a California town. Laughlin aimed to highlight the discrimination faced by Native Americans in the 1960s, using the biker movie trend to bring attention to the issue. The plot was inspired by a real-life 1964 incident involving the Hells Angels. This film kicked off a series of five Billy Jack movies, with The Born Losers often regarded as the best of the bunch.

https://mubi.com/films/the-born-losers Source: Mubi.com

8. Hells Angels On Wheels (1967)

Before becoming a Hollywood icon, Jack Nicholson cut his teeth in low-budget horror films and biker movies. In the late 1960s, he appeared in several biker flicks, including the notable Hells Angels On Wheels (1967). Nicholson plays “Poet,” a solitary gas station worker who finds camaraderie with the Hells Angels. Initially thrilled by the outlaw lifestyle, Poet soon grows disillusioned after witnessing the gang’s brutality and criminal acts, including murder. While the cast features mostly unknown actors, the film is worth watching for a glimpse of a young Nicholson and its impressive motorcycle scenes.

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7. Stone Cold (1991)

The 1991 film Stone Cold marks the only notable movie starring former football player Brian Bosworth. He plays an Alabama cop who goes undercover for the FBI to infiltrate a ruthless biker gang in Mississippi. The film’s appeal lies in its supporting cast, including William Forsythe as the gang’s unhinged enforcer and Lance Henriksen as their equally deranged leader. While Bosworth’s later career was dominated by straight-to-video biker films, Stone Cold stands out as his best work. The movie culminates in a predictable yet intense and bloody shootout, delivering exactly what fans of the genre expect.

http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/brian-bosworth-the-boz-action-masterpiece-stone-cold/ Source: Grantland.com

6. Eye of the Tiger (1986)

For fans of 1980s action-packed cheese, the 1986 film Eye of the Tiger delivers. Starring Gary Busey in his prime as a Vietnam vet returning to his hometown, only to find it terrorized by a ruthless biker gang. Determined to restore order, Busey takes on the gang single-handedly. With supporting roles from Yaphet Kotto and Seymour Cassel, the movie feels like a biker-themed version of First Blood. Packed with motorcycle chases, flying kicks, and WWE-style moves, it’s a quintessential '80s action flick. The title, borrowed from Survivor’s iconic Rocky III theme, adds an extra layer of nostalgia.

http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Eye_of_the_Tiger Source: Imfdb.org

5. Loveless (1981)

The 1981 biker film Loveless marked Willem Dafoe’s early career and Kathryn Bigelow’s directorial debut. The story follows a motorcycle gang passing through a small town on their way to Daytona, where they clash with local law enforcement. Filmed on a tight budget in just three weeks, this indie gem features a leather-clad Dafoe and earned critical acclaim, including praise from the New York Times for its script and action. With an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s a fascinating look at Bigelow’s beginnings as a director.

http://houseofselfindulgence.blogspot.ca/2015/11/the-loveless-1981.html Source: Houseofselfindulgence.blogspot.ca

4. Electra Glide In Blue (1973)

The 1973 film Electra Glide In Blue stars Robert Blake as an Arizona motorcycle cop promoted to the Homicide Unit, where he uncovers corruption while solving a murder. The title references the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide motorcycles used by cops at the time. With its tagline, “He’s a good cop. On a big bike. On a bad road,” the movie blends existential themes with action. Blake’s character, who faces ridicule for his height, navigates moral ambiguity and police corruption, all while engaging in thrilling motorcycle chases.

https://mubi.com/films/electra-glide-in-blue Source: Mubi.com

3. On Any Sunday (1971)

The 1971 documentary On Any Sunday, narrated by motorcycle racing legend Steve McQueen, captures the rising popularity of motorcycle racing in the early 1970s. Featuring thrilling races, jumps, and dirt bike action, the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Widely regarded as the definitive documentary on motorcycle racing, it earned high praise from critics like Roger Ebert, who compared its impact to that of Endless Summer for surfing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=975TpZqgXg4 Source: YouTube

2. The Wild One (1953)

The 1953 film The Wild One catapulted Marlon Brando to fame and introduced the concept of outlaw motorcycle gangs to mainstream audiences. Brando’s portrayal of leather-clad biker Johnny Strabler became an iconic symbol of 1950s rebellion. Co-starring Lee Marvin as a rival gang leader, the movie depicts the chaos unleashed on a small town by feuding biker gangs. A critical and cultural landmark, The Wild One remains a classic, and the Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle Brando rode is now one of the most prized pieces of movie memorabilia.

http://www.parkerandsons.nl/the-biker-jacket-not-only-for-badasses/ Source: Parkerandsons.nl

1. Easy Rider (1969)

No list of biker films would be complete without 1969’s Easy Rider, widely hailed as the ultimate road movie and counterculture classic. Starring Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda as two free-spirited bikers traveling from Los Angeles to New Orleans, the film explores themes of freedom, rebellion, and the American dream. Featuring Jack Nicholson in a career-defining role as an alcoholic lawyer, Easy Rider revolutionized cinema and elevated biker movies to an art form. Nicholson’s Oscar-nominated performance catapulted him to stardom, while Hopper and Fonda cemented their legacies as icons of the counterculture movement.

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