Here are our 10 best bicycle movies to watch over the holidays

The holidays are a great time to catch up on some classic bicycle movies to inspire your next ride.

We know what you’re thinking. Why am I stuck indoors with these people when I could be outside riding. It’s the holidays, it’s a time to put your feet up and enjoy a well-deserved rest. And while riding is surely part of the plans, it’s also a great opportunity for some fine bicycle-inspired cinema. To that end, we’ve prepared a list of our 10 favourite movies that urban cycling lovers will love to watch again and again.

Best Bicycle Movies

Premium Rush (2012)

Premium Rush is a high-speed adrenaline rush on two wheels, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a fearless bike messenger who dodges traffic, outsmarts the law, and pedals through the chaotic streets of New York City to deliver a mysterious package. We love Gordon-Levitt in this movie, it’s just so much fun, and a throwback to the days when everyone wanted to be a bike messenger.

Where to watch: Prime

Copenhagen (2014)

Copenhagen pedals through a coming-of-age tale, following William, a twenty-something Canadian with the maturity of a flat tire, as he ventures to Copenhagen in search of his grandfather. Teaming up with a spirited waitress-turned-translator named Effy, the duo embarks on a bicycle-fueled adventure, unraveling the shadowy secrets of William’s family history. Along the way, Effy challenges William’s skewed views on women, leaving him spinning with unexpected feelings, until the realization hits that she’s half his age – a twist as surprising as a sudden gear change.

Where to watch: Netflix, Tubi

Wadjda (2012)

Wadjda tells the story of an enterprising and rebellious 10-year-old girl in Saudi Arabia who wants to beat a male classmate in a bicycle race, but doesn’t have a bike. She registers for a Koran-reciting competition at her school in hopes of winning enough money to buy the green bicycle she has set her sights on.

Where to watch: Prime, Apple TV

Rising from Ashes (2012)

Rising from Ashes is an inspiring documentary about the formation of the Rwandan national cycling team. In 2006, professional cyclist Jacques “Jock” Boyer moved to Rwanda to help a group of struggling genocide survivors form a cycling organization. All of its members were young children during the genocide, and many were left orphaned. The film follows the cycling organization’s progression into a national team, and the emotional and psychological impacts the cycling team has on both its members and a nation still struggling with the aftermath of trauma.

Where to watch: Kanopy

Rising From Ashes

The Bicycle Thief (1948)

The Bicycle Thief has been heralded as one of the best movies of all time by voices from the New Yorker to the Los Angeles Times. The drama tells the story of Antonio, an impoverished man in post-war Italy who requires a bicycle to do his job, but has his stolen the same day he buys it. He sets out in streets of Rome with his son to track down the thief and retrieve his bike.

Where to watch: Apple TV, MUBI

Bikes vs Cars (2015)

A documentary exploring the impact of cars on cities and the growing bicycle movement advocating for more sustainable urban transportation. Includes cringe-worthy cameo from former Toronto mayor, the late Rob Ford.

Where to watch: Rent or buy on Vimeo here.

The Triplets of Belleville (2003)

This comical French cartoon follows the exploits of Madame Souza, her dog Bruno, and an ageing, eccentric singing trio who set out to save Souza’s grandson after he was kidnapped during the Tour de France.

Where to watch: CBC Gem, Apple TV

Motherload

Motherload is a documentary film directed by Liz Canning. The film explores the cargo bike movement and its potential to address various social and environmental challenges. Specifically, “Motherload” focuses on how cargo bikes can serve as a sustainable alternative to cars for transportation, especially for families.

Where to watch: Stream free on Tubi, rent on Prime, Apple TV

Motherload

The Kid with a Bike (2011)

Another French film, The Kid with a Bike centers around a young boy who has recently been abandoned by his father and left to the care of the state. A hairdresser in town takes him under her wing on weekends, and as the two of them ride around town, the boy struggles to come to terms with his situation.

Where to watch: Apple TV

Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

We love the wonderful Paul Reubens in 2023. What better way to honour his memory than watching this film as Pee Wee Herman sets out on a grand adventure across the US in an attempt to find his beloved red bicycle in this family-friendly American Classic.

Where to watch: Prime, Crave TV