6 Best Competitive Road Cycling Movies

By Vlad Zakh · August 23, 2026

Road cycling is punishing, and the films about it show the toll. The Program follows Lance Armstrong’s comeback and the doping scandal behind it, Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist looks at the tragic fall of an Italian legend, and The Climb tests a long friendship across a series of rides. The Flying Scotsman, American Flyers and Alleycats complete the six.

The Climb (2020)

TMDB ★ 6.5

A long, complicated friendship between two men is tested across a series of bike rides.

Directed by Michael Angelo Covino · 1h 34m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Sundance Now · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Alleycats (2016)

TMDB ★ 5.4

An underground bike courier is dragged into a dangerous conspiracy after witnessing a deadly crime.

Directed by Ian Bonhôte · 1h 41m

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Program (2015)

TMDB ★ 6.3

Cyclist Lance Armstrong's remarkable comeback story unravels into one of sport's greatest doping scandals.

Directed by Stephen Frears · 1h 43m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist (2014)

TMDB ★ 7.1

The tragic rise and fall of tormented Italian cycling legend Marco Pantani.

Directed by James Erskine · 1h 36m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Rent: Fetch TV, Beamafilm · Buy: Fetch TV

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Flying Scotsman (2006)

TMDB ★ 6.9

A working-class Scottish cyclist builds a homemade bike to chase the world hour record.

Directed by Douglas Mackinnon · 1h 36m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

American Flyers (1985)

TMDB ★ 6.1

Two estranged brothers reconnect while training for a gruelling cross-country cycling race.

Directed by John Badham · 1h 53m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Howdy Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

6 Best Competitive Road Cycling Movies

The Climb (2020)

Alleycats (2016)

The Program (2015)

Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist (2014)

The Flying Scotsman (2006)

American Flyers (1985)

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