The 17 Best Motorcycle Movies Every Biker Should Watch (At Least Once)
Cinema has long captured the spirit of biker culture — the growl of the V-Twin engine, the call of the open road, and the raw instinct for freedom. Over the decades, filmmakers have brought the biker lifestyle to the big screen through iconic stories, legendary rides, and unforgettable characters.
Here’s our curated list of the top motorcycle movies of all time, from cult classics and raw B-movies to stylish documentaries and even a few comedies. Whether you're off the road or just feel like diving into two-wheeled cinema, these films are guaranteed to hit the throttle on your love for motorcycles.
- Easy Rider (1969)
Director: Dennis Hopper Starring: Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson
A psychedelic road trip through the heart of '60s counterculture. Two friends hit the highway on custom Harley choppers in search of freedom, confronting the harsh realities of the American South along the way.
A psychedelic road trip through the heart of '60s counterculture. Two friends hit the highway on custom Harley choppers in search of freedom, confronting the harsh realities of the American South along the way.
You’ve probably seen it. Watch it again — it never gets old.
- The Wild One (1953)
Director: László Benedek Starring: Marlon Brando (Johnny Strabler)
Brando became an instant icon as Johnny Strabler, the rebellious leader of a motorcycle gang that rolls into a quiet town and shakes things up.
The original anti-hero. The ultimate classic.
- The Wild Angels (1966)
Director: Roger Corman Starring: Peter Fonda, Nancy Sinatra
One of the earliest biker exploitation films. Fonda leads a crew of leather-clad outlaws, challenging the American status quo and embracing the spirit of rebellion.
Pure biker cinema history.
- Hell’s Angels on Wheels (1967)
Director: Richard Rush Starring: Jack Nicholson, Adam Roarke, Sabrina Scharf, cameo by Sonny Barger
Nicholson plays a gas station attendant who gets sucked into the world of the Hell’s Angels. Gritty, intense, and surprisingly authentic, with real-life biker Sonny Barger consulting and making a cameo.
What more could you ask for?
- C.C. and Company (1970)
Director: Seymour Robbie Starring: Joe Namath
A cult oddity: A former football player joins a biker gang and falls for a wealthy woman — caught between love and loyalty.
Sure, it’s a little cheesy, but hey… it's still a motorcycle movie!
- The Savage Seven (1968)
Director: Richard Rush Starring: Robert Walker Jr., Joanna Frank
Full-on biker exploitation. A gang clashes with a Native American tribe in a wild, bloody, over-the-top narrative.
Only in 1968 could this be a storyline.
- Stone (1974) [Αυστραλία]
Director: Sandy Harbutt Starring: Ken Shorter
The cult favorite of Aussie bikers, Stone (1974) is a raw and gritty film with an underground vibe and a moody, melodic soundtrack that blends perfectly with the rough outlaw motorcycle scene.
It doesn’t quite fit the typical “motorcycle movie” mold — it’s more like Mad Max… on two wheels!
- The Loveless (1981)
Director: Kathryn Bigelow Starring: Willem Dafoe
A moody, artistic ride through 1950s Americana. Minimal plot, heavy atmosphere, vintage vibes, and a young Willem Dafoe.
An arthouse trip on two wheels.
- Beyond the Law (1992)
Director: Larry Ferguson Starring: Charlie Sheen, Michael Madsen
Based on a true story. An undercover cop infiltrates a violent outlaw motorcycle club. Tense, dramatic, and realistic.
Charlie Sheen may not be fully convincing, but the story is real.
- 21 Days Under the Sky (2016)
Director: Michael Schmidt
A breathtaking documentary following four friends on vintage Harley choppers as they ride from California to New York on Route 66.
A cinematic tribute to freedom, friendship, and the road.
“Four men, vintage choppers, and the open road. A real journey – not just a ride."
- Choppertown: The Sinners (2005)
Directors: Zack Coffman, Scott Di Lalla
The ultimate documentary on the old-school custom culture of Los Angeles.
It follows the Sinners, a true crew of custom Harley builders, through a world of gritty garages, tattoos, and rockabilly sounds.
There’s no Hollywood glam here. Choppertown is all grease, street philosophy, and pure love for bikes.
- The World’s Fastest Indian (2005)
Director: Roger Donaldson Starring: Anthony Hopkins
Not your typical biker gang movie, but an ode to motorcycle passion. Hopkins stars as Burt Munro, a New Zealander who breaks speed records at Bonneville on a modified 1920 Indian Scout.
Laid-back yet lightning-fast.
- The Bikeriders (2023)
Director & Writer: Jeff Nichols
Starring: Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, Jodie Comer, Norman Reedus, Michael Shannon
Inspired by Danny Lyon’s iconic 1968 photo book, The Bikeriders tells the story of a fictional motorcycle club — the Vandals MC — as it transforms from a tight-knit brotherhood of riders into a dangerous, uncontrollable force.
Not a bad film, but it definitely feels a bit too… Hollywood.
- Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991)
Director: Simon Wincer
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Don Johnson, Tom Sizemore
Not a traditional biker film, but a cult favorite nonetheless. Fast rides, cool jackets, and a gritty story of loyalty and friendship on the edge.
"It’s better to be dead and cool, than alive and uncool."
15. Hell Ride (2008)
Directed by: Larry Bishop
Starring: Larry Bishop as Pistolero, Michael Madsen as The Gent, Dennis Hopper as Eddie 'Scratch' Zero, David Carradine as The Deuce, Vinnie Jones as Billy Wings
Produced by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Larry Bishop, Hell Ride is a wild throwback to the grindhouse biker movies of the '60s and '70s.
The story follows Pistolero, a tough-as-nails biker gang leader who embarks on a brutal journey of revenge after the murder of a former lover, putting him on a collision course with his old enemies, the 6-6-6ers.
Authentic Harleys, blazing fires, desert landscapes, and a rock’n’roll attitude create a cinematic world soaked in gasoline, sweat, and blood.
This isn’t your typical biker movie, it’s a cult road trip, fully endorsed by Tarantino.
16. Wild Hogs (2007)
Director: Walt Becker Starring: John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy
A light-hearted road comedy. Four suburban guys hit the road on motorcycles to escape their routine and rediscover freedom.
It’s Hollywood, it’s funny, and it’s got bikes.
17. Masters of Menace (1990)
Director: Daniel Raskov Starring: David Rasche, Catherine Bach, Tino Insana — cameos by Dan Aykroyd, Jim Belushi, John Candy
A goofy biker road trip. A gang rides cross-country to bury a fallen comrade, crossing paths with cops, chaos, and countless beers.
It’s fun, it's dumb, and it’s full of biker charm.
Bonus – A TV Series That Redefined Biker Culture
Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014)
Creator: Kurt Sutter Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman, Katey Sagal
The series that brought biker culture to mainstream TV. Following the SAMCRO motorcycle club, it’s a story of brotherhood, betrayal, loyalty, and of course… Harley-Davidson.
Required viewing. No further comment.
Final Thoughts – Biker Movies Worth Your Time
This list isn’t random. These films (and Sons of Anarchy) represent the full spectrum of biker culture, from the outlaw legends of the ’60s to modern dramas and easy-going road trip comedies.
Together, they tell the story of Harley-Davidson, of motorcycle freedom, and of the lifestyle that comes with it.
They’re here to inspire you to twist the throttle, feel the open road, and connect with the soul of your machine.
Many of these biker movies can be found on YouTube for free. Others may require a subscription or a bit of digging, but they’re absolutely worth it.
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Because it’s always better to ride than just watch.
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