Top 10 Motorcycle Films Ever Made

Films depicting motorcycle gangs or cross-country riders are often labeled as biker movies. At one point, these films became a thriving 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 movies often delved into themes of rebellion, drugs, gang conflicts, and evading authorities. Over time, Hollywood has produced some noteworthy biker films, sometimes by accident. Below is a curated list of 10 standout biker movies worth watching.

10. Beyond the Law (1993)

While not the best film in Charlie Sheen's career, the 1993 movie Beyond the Law features Sheen, before his Two and a Half Men fame, 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 film may not top the list of biker movies, but it earns points for its action sequences, numerous Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and a solid cast. Michael Madsen, a favorite of Quentin Tarantino, plays the gang's leader, nicknamed “Blood,” while Linda Fiorentino portrays Sheen's sharp-tongued love interest. Though it never won awards, it’s a decent pick for late-night viewing.

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9. The Born Losers (1967)

The 1967 biker film The Born Losers combines action with a social message. Starring 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. Inspired by a real-life 1964 incident involving the Hells Angels, this film is the first in a series of five Billy Jack movies, including The Trial of Billy Jack (1974) and Billy Jack Goes to Washington (1977). Many consider The Born Losers the standout entry in the series.

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

8. Hells Angels On Wheels (1967)

Before becoming a Hollywood icon, Jack Nicholson appeared in low-budget horror films and biker movies. In the late 1960s, he starred in several biker films, 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 becomes disillusioned by the gang’s brutality and violent crimes, 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 stars former football player Brian Bosworth as an Alabama cop who infiltrates a dangerous biker gang in Mississippi for the FBI. The movie stands out thanks to its supporting cast, including William Forsythe (Raising Arizona, The Rock) as a deranged gang member and Lance Henriksen (from Aliens) as the gang’s equally unhinged leader. While Bosworth’s later films were forgettable, Stone Cold remains his best work, featuring a predictable yet action-packed and bloody finale.

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 films, the 1986 movie Eye of the Tiger delivers a dose of nostalgia. Gary Busey, before his personal struggles, stars as a Vietnam veteran who returns to his hometown to find it terrorized by a ruthless biker gang. Determined to restore order, Busey takes on the gang single-handedly. Featuring Yaphet Kotto (Alien, Midnight Run) and Seymour Cassel (Rushmore, Beer League), the film echoes First Blood but swaps corrupt cops for outlaw bikers. Packed with motorcycle chases, flying kicks, and WWE-style moves, it’s a quintessential '80s action flick. The title, borrowed from Survivor’s Rocky III theme song, adds to its charm.

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

5. Loveless (1981)

The 1981 biker film Loveless marked Willem Dafoe’s (Platoon, Spider-Man) early career and was Kathryn Bigelow’s (Point Break, The Hurt Locker) directorial debut. The story follows a motorcycle gang passing through a small town on their way to Daytona races, where they clash with local authorities. Shot on a tight budget in just three weeks, the film 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 early work.

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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 investigating a murder. Named after the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide motorcycles used by cops at the time, the movie blends existential themes with action. Blake’s character, who faces ridicule for his height, navigates moral ambiguity and police corruption. Despite its philosophical undertones, the film delivers thrilling motorcycle chases. Its tagline, “He’s a good cop. On a big bike. On a bad road,” captures its gritty tone.

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

3. On Any Sunday (1971)

Released in 1971, the documentary On Any Sunday is narrated by motorcycle racing icon Steve McQueen, who also appears in the film. It captures the rising popularity of motorcycle racing in the early 1970s, showcasing thrilling races, jumps, and dirt bike action. Nominated for a 1972 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, it’s widely regarded as the finest documentary on motorcycle racing. Film critic Roger Ebert praised it, comparing its impact on motorcycles to what Endless Summer achieved 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 the 1950s. 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 success, The Wild One has since become a classic. The 1950 Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle Brando rode in the film is now one of the most prized pieces of movie memorabilia.

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1. Easy Rider (1969)

It’s no surprise that 1969’s Easy Rider tops this list. Universally acclaimed as the ultimate biker, road, and counterculture film, it stars Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda as two free-spirited bikers traveling from Los Angeles to New Orleans to sell drugs and explore America. Directed by Hopper and featuring Jack Nicholson as a boozy lawyer they meet along the way, the film revolutionized cinema. Nicholson earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, propelling him from B-movies to stardom. Easy Rider also cemented Hopper and Fonda’s careers, proving biker films could be both artistic and impactful.

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