20 Motorcycle movies To Watch

As much as I love to ride, sometimes you just want to sit back and watch. Here's a list of some of my favorite motorcycle movies (in no specific order). They range from movies with high-speed motorcycle chase scenes, to movies dedicated to nostalgic rides, all the way to documentaries examining why people compete in the most challenging of motorcycle races.

1. The Girl on a Motorcycle (1968)

Why DESCRIPTION

Why it's great: An unhappily married woman wears nothing but leathers as she rides her motorcycle to see her lover in Germany. It's all about freedom, female empowerment, eroticism, psychedelic delusions, heartbreak and tragedy.

2. Grease 2 (1982)

Why it's great: Unlike the original Grease, it's a badass girl calling the shots this time. She changes the oil in cars, is done with basic high school boys and is sexually woke! She wants a "cool rider" and has some killer musical numbers to tell everyone about it.

3. Easy Rider (1969)

Why it's great: It makes the search for freedom on two wheels with your alcoholic, hippy friends look like the most fun time in the world. If Jack Nicholson in a football helmet on the back of a chopper flapping his arms doesn't make you smile, nothing will.

4. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

Why it's great: The goofy, relatable girl falls in love with the charming boy after he teaches her to ride his Triumph Bonneville. It's a Rom-Com classic, the movie you put on when you don't know what to watch. It has a convoluted, crazy plot and feel good ending.

5. Tron: Legacy (2010)

Why it's great: There's a mix of rare, discontinued Ducati Sport 1000 Biposto and cyber world light cycle scenes. The movie itself is so-so but the visuals are stunning and Olivia Wilde is badass as Quorra.

6. Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life (2003)

Why it's great: There's a stash of customized motorcycles in China that coincidentally match her attire. And she takes a preposterous, but rad, motorcycle ride on the Great Wall of China. Angelina Jolie never disappoints as the gorgeous, well-read, rebel that saves the world.

7. Long Way Round (2004 - 2005)

Why it's great: This TV series sheds light on the good, the bad and the ugly of a 115 day motorcycle journey from London to New York. It makes you appreciate paved roads while simultaneously wishing you could ride the dirt roads of Kazakhstan... at least when no one breaks down, drops the bike, or gets gasoline in their eye.

8. Kill Bill Vol.1 (2003)

Why it's great: A Tarantino cult favorite full of bloody revenge, distinct camera angles, and suspenseful, extended dialogue. Also, Uma Thurman's yellow tracksuit and matching Kawasaki are iconic.

9. TT: Closer to the Edge (2017)

Why it's great: Your favorite racers, mine being Guy Martin, share their motivation to compete in the TT Race, one of the most-dangerous races through the public streets of the Isle of Man. The film evokes emotion as the riders and their family members explain their passion for motorcycles and why they come back for more, even after seeing 200 others pass away while competing in the race.

10. Top Gun (1986)

Why it's great: Top Gun will get your adrenaline pumping and make you hot for a testosterone filled America. It's packed with fast planes, motorcycles, and tan, hard-bodied men playing volleyball.

11. Purple Rain (1984)

Why it's great: Prince rides a purple 1981 Honda CM400 with a matching purple jacket, white ruffled shirt and tight studded pants. He is the chicest bad boy of all time. He's in a band, has a troubled home life, is on the brink of success and is never without his Prince swagger. Unsurprisingly, he rides off into the sunset with his girl wrapped around him on his bike.

12. Into the Dust (2016)

Why it's great: It shows you the endurance, skill, passion and preparation needed to undergo one of the most grueling motorcycle races, the Baja 1000. Bonus, this documentary is free on Youtube.

13. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Why it's great: It has one of the best motorcycle chase scenes of all time. The stuntwoman, Debbie Evans, even won Best Overall Stunt for this nail-biting, high-speed chase performance. Who knows, it might have inspired Keanu Reeves to start his own motorcycle company.

14. Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)

Why it's great: The Angels synchronize motocross stunts while wearing the flyest monochromatic motocross gear. The villain also whips out two guns while upside down, mid-jump, and fires off a round at the girls, blowing up one of their engines. Naturally, Cameron Diaz air-cartwheels off the exploding machine onto Barrymore's bike.

15. The Dark Knight (2008)

Why it's great: Talk about a big-budget film coming through. Dark, bold, and thought-provoking, The Dark Knight was a phenomenal movie with a monumental performance from Heath Ledger. The motorcycle in the film didn't disappoint either. Popping right out of the Batmobile, this bike has fat tires, weapons, and rolling capabilities a rider could only dream of testing out.

16. Motocrossed (2001)

Why it's great: Most importantly, it's a Disney Channel Original Movie. You know it's gold. But it's also about a girl that wants to ride motocross with the boys so shaves her head and pretends to be her injured twin brother. There's also a love connection with a fellow rider, it's complex for its time.

17. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Why it's great: It's oversaturated with action, incredible visuals, the most dynamic chase scenes, larger-than-life characters and death machines. You'll want to ride like a wild-haired, war-cult maniac after watching it.

18. The Great Escape (1963)

Why it's great: Based on a true event during WWII, the movie humanizes the war and the people in it. It ends with a masterful action scene cutting between the multiple escapees struggling for freedom on trains, boats, bikes and motorcycles. It's a must-see if you're a Steve McQueen fan, if not, it will make you one.

19. Skyfall (2012)

Why it's great: The scenery is unmatched in the action packed opening scene of this James Bond film. This particular motorcycle chase happens on the Grand Bazaar rooftop in Istanbul. They actually shot the clip of the men jumping through the window in one shot.

20. The Wild One (1953)

Why it's great: This movie is the reason everyone kind of wants to date the bad-boy and why outlaw biker gear became chic. Johnny (Marlon Brando) and his biker gang come to town, wreak havoc, move towns, and find moto rivals. There's also lessons of friendship, loss, star-crossed love, and rebellion.