When it comes to cycling movies, there are relatively few options (and they range from great to umm, terrible.). This list is going to focus on the best cycling movies from all over the world.
If you’re looking for a list of cartoons or animated films, check out The Best Cycling Anime of All-Time. And if you’re after documentaries, check out The Best Documentaries About Cycling.
Here’s the thing about cycling movie lists…a lot of them cheat. Sometimes you end up with a documentary (some are great, but you should know what you’re getting), sometimes you get something where the cycling is irrelevant to the rest of the film, or worse you end up with something labelled as a movie about cycling…but ends up barely even featuring a bike. Here’s a list to change that, but before we get into my top 10 films about biking, here are two honourable mentions:
- 2 Seconds – about a jaded downhill racer who rediscovers her love for biking after moving to Montreal and working as a bike messenger.
- Nonsense – most people tend to think of RAD or BMX Bandits when they think of BMX biking movies, but I find this 2018 Malayalam film to be immensely more watchable.
Okay, on with the show.
Best Cycling Movies from Around the World
A rundown of some of the best cycling movies of all time. This list includes some of the best movies about cycling from all around the world!
Original Release Date: 1979
Original Language: English
Running Time: 101 minutes
This Academy Award winner is a charming coming of age film about a group of friends coming to terms with life after high school. The story focuses on Dave, who is obsessed with the Italian cycling team, as he competes for the affections of Katherine…by pretending to be an Italian exchange student!
Original Release Date: 2012
Original Language: Arabic
Running Time: 98 minutes
The first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia is a lovely tale of a young girl that enters a Qu’ran recitation competition with the hopes of using the prize money to buy a green bicycle. The movie is both subtle and moving. But not necessarily the right choice if you’re looking for an exhilarating race-heavy flick.
Original Release Date: 2006
Original Language: English
Running Time: 96 minutes
Based on the true story of cyclist Graeme Obree, who broke the world one hour record on a cycle of his own design (using parts from his washing machine). This cycling biopic is a little overrated in my opinion, but definitely worth a watch.
Original Release Date: 1985
Original Language: English
Running Time: 113 minutes
This film is everything you’d expect from a cycling movie from the 80s! Starring Kevin Costner (sporting a fabulous moustache), as a cyclist and sports physician that convinces his younger brother to join him in a gruelling cross-country bike race, “The Hell of the West”!
Is it realistic? Nope.
Is it cheesy? Yup.
Does it feature Eddy Merckx? ...Very briefly.
Original Release Date: 1992
Original Language: Hindi
Running Time: 176 minutes
Loosely based on Breaking Away, this story is about a young student’s journey to adolescence and self-acceptance as he trains to compete in an inter-collegiate bicycle race after his elder brother is injured is a must-watch for fans of Bollywood or international cinema.
Original Release Date: 2012
Original Language: English
Running Time: 92 minutes
Starting Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Premium Rush isa guilty pleasure cycling film about a NYC bike messenger (he’s on a fixie, because no brakes!) on the run from corrupt police officers. In my opinion, it’s essentially a better, newer version of Quicksilver.
Original Release Date: 2015
Original Language: Mandarin
Running Time: 125 minutes
Dante Lam’s cycling drama chronicles a young man’s dream of becoming a pro cyclist. Somewhat surprisingly, this is the only movie on this list that fits what I think would be the most expected mold of a “cycling film”, and it does it well.
Original Release Date: 2017
Original Language: English
Running Time: 41 minutes
This short mockumentary focusing on doping in cycling has no business being as funny as it is! The brief 41-minute runtime leaves you wishing there was more. Watch it twice so you can catch the many cameos.
Original Release Date: 2013
Original Language: French
Running Time: 98 minutes
La Grande Boucle (French for The Great Loop, a nickname for the Tour de
France) is a lighthearted, feel good comedy that will generally fall under everyone’s radar. The plot follows an ex-pro cyclist who decides to ride the Tour de France one day ahead of the actual competitors. I happened to randomly watch it on a flight from Toronto to Turkey, and it’s an easy enough way to pass an hour and a half.
Original Release Date: 2015
Original Language: English
Running Time: 103 minutes
No list would be complete without a film focusing on one of cycling’s most iconic/notorious figures, Lance Armstrong. While there are plenty of great documentaries on the subject, this is the only mainstream film to tackle it (and it does a surprisingly good job).
Now it’s your turn. What’s your favourite cycling movie? Have I missed anything? Let me know in the comments below.
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