The Wild Angels

Considered a pivotal film in establishing Peter Fonda as a counterculture icon, The Wild Angels, released in 1966, tells the story of Heavenly Blues, portrayed by Fonda, the leader of a motorcycle gang known as the Angels. Set in Mecca, California, the film revolves around the Angels' clash with law enforcement after seeking revenge on a group of thieves.

Director Roger Corman's inspiration for the film came from a photograph of a biker funeral in a 1966 Life magazine issue. Motivated by this photo, Corman aimed to create an adventure film akin to Lawrence of Arabia and Bridge on the River Kwai.

As such, The Wild Angels resonated with audiences and became a commercial success, grossing over $15 million. It also played a significant role in popularizing the biker movie genre and elevating Fonda's status to a household name.

Release: 1966

Stars: Peter Fonda, Nancy Sinatra, Bruce Dern

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 63%