The Best Motorcycle Movies Ever Made
It's hard to imagine a time before Marlon Brando and motorcycles were synonymous. Stanley Kramer pushed the classic biker flick into cinematic history in 1953 with The Wild One - paving the way for other daring directors to tackle its thrilling genre over the next decade. But of course, it wasn't until Hells Angels made their rumbling entrance on cinema screens that spirits were truly ignited. These are some of cinema's top motorcycle-themed movies revving up an unmissable adventure!
Read this list to see the best biker flicks of all time and let us know which is your favorite!
Devil's Angels (1967)
With the tagline "Violence is their god... and they hunt in a pack like rabid dogs!" it's obvious Devi's Angels is packed full of stellar action. Following the story of the outlaw biker gang, the Skulls, the film goes from fun and quirky to "all hell breaks loose" real quick.
After the Skulls are forced to lie low in a tiny town, they become entranced with local beauty queen Marianne. But, one embarrassing night for her leads to a jail sentence for the Skulls' leader, Cody. Now, the MC is forced to terrorize the town and hunt like a pack of rabid dogs.
Beyond The Law (1993)
The 1993 TV movie Beyond the Law stars Charlie Sheen as Dan Saxon, a cop who goes undercover in a notorious motorcycle gang. Apparently, there is intel about the group of outlaws that says they are involved in a narcotics-smuggling and arms-dealing ring.
The thing with infiltrating an MC, though, is that in order to gain their trust, Saxon must do what they say, no matter how dangerous or illegal. So, it begs the question, how far beyond the law is he willing to go to bring the criminal gang to justice?
Stone Cold (1991)
In his Hollywood debut,1980s football star Brian Bosworth stars as Joe Huff, aka John Stone. in the film Stone Cold. The film follows rough and tough Alabama cop Joe Huff as he's reassigned to a case in Mississippi. His job is to infiltrate a motorcycle gang called "The Brotherhood."
As it turns out, the gang is linked to many government official murders and sets up to strike once again in an attempt to free one of their members who is on trial for murder. Now, it's up to "John Stone" to save the district attorney.
The Wild One (1953)
Considered the original outlaw biker film, the 1953 film The Wild One made actor Marlon Brando a household name while making the idea of biker gangs kind of, well, cool! We mean, just look at Brando in the film, looking all suave with his slicked-back hair, leather jacket, and the 1950 Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle. How could people think any differently?
The film follows the story of Johnny and his motorcycle club as they drive into Carbonville for a competition. Of course, there's a touchy Sheriff, a rival gang, and a complicated love interest. The film was critically acclaimed upon its release and is now considered a classic.
Hells Angels On Wheels (1967)
Poet, an angry gas station attendant, finds his life-changing when he joins the local chapter of the Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Club. Led by Jack Nicholson and other unknown actors, Poet tests fate when he develops feelings for their leader's girlfriend.
As his reckless actions take him further down a road full of legal consequences, tension mounts in this thrilling drama!
The Rebel Rousers (1970)
The Rebel Rousers (1970) stars Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern, and Harry Dean Stanton. It follows Paula and Karen, an expecting couple whose peace is disrupted by a biker gang. J.J., an old friend of both, visits the town, but instead of helping the gang's planned attack on them, he proposes a bike race as an alternative solution to their aggressors' demands.
Realizing its importance in keeping them safe, they agree and make preparations for it, leading to one heck of a conclusion that viewers won't forget!
Every Which Way But Loose (1978)
The 1978 action-comedy Every Which Way But Loose is too bizarre to make up. It stars Clint Eastwood as Philo Beddoe, a fighter and best friend to an orangutan. Everything seems to be going great for Beddoe until the country singer he is seeing, Lynn Halsey-Taylor, up and disappears without a trace.
So, he and his trusty orangutan sidekick hit the open road in search of her. Only, they wind up clashing with a gang of bikers on more than one occasion, leading up to an epic showdown. See, we told you the movie was too kooky to make up!
Hell Ride (2008)
Hell Ride is a good old-fashioned movie about revenge. The Deuce and Billy Wings of the Six-Six-Six'ers biker club slay a rival club member, Cherokee Kisum. Years later, the Six-Six-Six'ers are back in town, and Cherokee's boyfriend, Pistolero, wants to avenge her death.
Recruiting his friend Gent and Eddie Zero for help, Pistolero concocts a plan. The film was released under a "Quentin Tarantino Presents" banner and pays homage to the old 1960s and 1970s outlaw biker films.
Easy Rider (1969)
The 1969 film Easy Rider is wildly regarded as one, if not the, best biker flick ever made. Breaking out of the typical biker gang mold that was seen in late-'60s cinema, this film follows the story of two biker hippies as they travel cross-country in search of a place to belong in the United States.
Interestingly, the film explores the different societal landscapes that were occurring during the '60s, including peace, love, narcotics, and the idea of a communal lifestyle. To give you a clue of the popularity surrounding this film upon its release, Easy Rider made $60 million at the box office, off a $400,000 budget!
Roadside Prophets
While comedy isn't really the first thing people typically think about when going into a biker flick, Roadside Prophets is one of the exceptions. Technically, the movie doesn't follow a motorcycle club but rather a Harley Davidson-riding enthusiast named Joe who goes on an unlikely adventure into the desert to spread a guy's ashes. Oh, and he just met this guy.
On his way, Joe meets Sam, another guy riding his bike through the desert (go figure). Together, they encounter many interesting folks and begin a weird type of friendship that only two dudes traveling alone in the desert can form.
Satan's Sadist
Bear with us while we explain the premise of Satan's Sadist. For starters, this film is not for the light of heart. Following the story of the motorcycle outlaws known as "Satans," the movie does nothing but have the viewer watch as they stalk and terrorize two people who want nothing more than to get out of the desert.
We're not going to ruin the ending, but let's just say it is too pretty, but the law-abiding citizens are able to hold their own against the ruthless criminal organization. Or do they?!
Wild Hogs (2007)
Nothing says comedy like four old men having a mid-life crisis and deciding to go on a motorcycle road trip with their pals. Starring the comedic genius of John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, Tim Allen, and William H. Macy, Wild Hogs follows the four men as they plan a trip to California.
Of course, nothing goes as planned, and somehow they wind up on the bad side of Del Fuegos, a rough motorcycle club. Yea, what could possibly go wrong during that fight?!
The Loveless
Starring a young, leather-clad Willem Dafoe, the 1981 outlaw biker film The Loveless is equal parts of romance and violence. On their way to Daytona for a bike race, a motorcycle gang rubs some locals at a diner the wrong way. One thing leads to another, and there are slashed tires, fights, a car crash, and a romance that is way too messy for anyone's well-being.
Amazingly, the film was shot in three weeks with a very low budget. Nonetheless, it was praised for its action sequences and script. Not a bad start for director Kathryn Bigelow's action film debut!
The Girls From Thunder Strip
The 1966 film The Girls From Thunder Strip is unlike any other biker flick you've heard of. For starters, the film surrounds a group of southern girls. But these gals aren't exactly what one would call "southern belles." Instead, they're bootleggers who decide to take on a biker gang over moonshine.
But that's not even the best part. There's a federal agent sent to the same area who is tasked with taking down illegal doings, including bootlegging! Critics enjoy the absurdity of the content while saying it has a certain charm.
Bury Me An Angel
Bury Me an Angel will go down in history as the first outlaw biker film to have a female director, Barbara Peeters. And, unlike other biker flicks, this movie centers around one girl and her friends who seek vengeance for her brother's death.
Of course, she's a biker who hopes on her Harley on the way out of town, but she's not terrorizing anyone yet. We mean, the girl is six feet tall and hops on the back of a bike toting a shotgun. So, there's bound to be violence at some point.
Hell's Belles
After winning a $2,000 motorcycle at an auction, Dan decides to sell it in order to pay for a ranch where he wants to settle down. Hell's Belles follows Dan's journey as the bike is stolen by some thugs who are on their way to Mexico.
So, Dan takes it upon himself to use an array of strange weapons, including rocks and, weirdly enough, rattlesnakes, to take down the people who stole from him. Of course, his girlfriend, Cathy, is along for the ride. While it's not your typical biker flick, critics seem to enjoy the fun plot!
The Born Losers (1967)
Since the 1950s, director Tom Laughlin had been trying to figure out a way to incorporate the character Billy Jack into a script. So, when biker flicks became popular in the '60s, he decided to capitalize on the idea of a motorcycle gang. The movie The Born Losers is actually based on a true story surrounding the Hells Angels MC.
The movie follows the story of a biker gang reigning terror in a coastal California town, resulting in four girls being assaulted. But Vietnam veteran Billy Jack won't stand for it, taking on the gang single-handily in a heroic attempt to rid the town of their criminal acts.
She-Devils On Wheels
Unlike the other movies on this list, She-Devils on Wheels follows a different type of motorcycle club. This one is all-female, and they go by the name Man-Eaters. The film follows the Man-Eaters as they terrorize their small Florida town and initiate new members. They live outside the law, except for their own rule of new falling in love.
Interestingly, this film didn't hire actors in the traditional sense. Instead, actual female motorcycle club members were asked to participate in the film. The women were part of the Iron Cross motorcycle club's Cut-Throats Division.
Eye Of The Tiger
The 1986 action drama Eye of the Tiger is exactly the type of film any '80s cheesy movie enthusiast has been dreaming of. The movie follows the story of convict Buck Matthews as he is released from prison and rejoins his wife and daughter in their hometown. But things are different, and the town is overrun by a violent motorcycle gang.
Being a Vietnam War veteran, Buck decides to take matters into his own hands. Calling up his old war friend, J.B. Deveraux, the two do what the cops are scared of: to rid the town of the violent outlaws.
The Hard Ride
The 1971 outlaw film The Hard Ride is pretty much that -- a hard ride. The movie follows U.S. Marine Phil as he promises his dying buddy that he'll take care of his beloved motorcycle, Baby. Well, what sounds like an easy task turns out to be anything but simple.
When Phil goes to collect the bike from his friend's now ex-girlfriend, a rough biker gang comes into the picture. They decide right then and there that they don't like the idea of Phil having the bike or the girl.
Did your favorite motorcycle film make the list? Comment and let us know!
