This week Jeff Nichols releases his highly anticipated motorcycle thriller “The Bikeriders” starring a who’s who of prominent character actors including Tom Hardy, Austin Butler, Norman Reedus, and Michael Shannon, respectively. With any luck we end up with a great film; in honor of Nichols’ latest being centered on the motorcycle community, I thought it’d be fun to list five great Motorcycle movies to get you in the mood for the up and coming release in theaters. Lets us know your personal favorites in the comments.
The Wild One (1953)
*Currently Streaming On: Amazon Prime, Apple TV
Johnny and his motorcycle gang roll into Carbonville for a biker competition and raise enough hell to get kicked out of town. They repair to nearby Wrightsville and continue their reign of terror. The local sheriff is helpless to stop them, but when a rival gang arrives, he manages to arrest their leader, Chino (Lee Marvin). Meanwhile, Johnny finds himself attracted to the sheriff’s daughter, Kathie. Considered by many to be the quintessential biker movie, “The Wild One” is a random and exciting thriller with Marlon Brando front and center.
Northville Cemetery Massacre (1976)
Based on a real biker gang, directors/writers William Dear and Thomas L. Dyke’s action thriller set down on the Spirits (known as the Scorpions Biker Club in real life) a kind band of pious cycle riding nomads who peruse the road for something to do. They’re so kind in fact that they stop mid travel to help an old couple whose car has been run off the road. “Northville Cemetery Massacre” makes up for the very low budget with its spunk and sheer sense of nihilism.
Knightriders (1981)
*Currently Streaming On: Amazon Prime, Tubi TV, Pluto TV
George Romero’s delivered his fans a unique and riveting drama about a group of athletes that engage in medieval battle with their motorcyles and body armor. Things change when their sport becomes more popular prompting conflict among the players. “The Knight Riders” has Ed Harris, Tom Savini, Patricia Tallman and a ton of Romero’s best work by far. This truly deserves more love.
Streets of Fire (1984)
*Currently Streaming On: Amazon Prime, Apple TV
The Walter Hill masterpiece is an action thriller and futuristic romance gang picture musical about a war veteran called in to the city to help his cousin who is being terrorized by a vicious motorcycle gang led by Willem Dafoe donning a killer coif. This has everything. From Tom Pare, a beautiful young Diane Lane, wonderful rock music, an amazing theme song, and a ton of motorcycles that permeate the background and foreground.
The World’s Fastest Indian (2005)
*Currently Streaming On: Amazon Prime, Tubi TV, Sling TV
Anthony Hopkins plays Burt Munro, a man from New Zealand trying to set the world speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats with his 1920 Indian Motorcycle. This movie is based on Munro’s true story and is a great, film for the entire family. Anthony Hopkins gives one of his all time best turns on screen and it’s sadly rarely spoken about when fans discuss Hopkins best roles.
* Streaming Locations Subject to Change.