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The World's Fastest Indian

The World's Fastest Indian

Based on one hell of a true story.

2005127 minPG-13Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films
Director
Roger Donaldson
Starring
Anthony Hopkins, Walton Goggins, Diane Ladd, Bruce Greenwood

The life story of New Zealander Burt Munro, who spent years building a 1920 Indian motorcycle—a bike which helped him set the land-speed world record at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967.

Where to watch

Where can I watch The World's Fastest Indian?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The World's Fastest Indian streaming on Dox via Prime Video, Magnolia Selects via Prime Video, Prime Video, The Roku Channel (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about The World's Fastest Indian?

The World's Fastest Indian earns 10 badges, led by Modern classic and Top 5% of films.

Show 2 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content

Reception

Is The World's Fastest Indian worth watching?

The World's Fastest Indian's Midcredits score is the 96th percentile of all films, from 88K ratings across 6 sources. 89% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

96th percentile

Better received than 96% of films

94th percentile among Biography96th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)92nd
Approval (how many liked it)97th

75 /100

92nd percentile of all films

91st percentile among Biography92nd percentile among 2000s

Critics 68 · Audience 76

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

89% liked it

97th percentile of all films

96th percentile among Biography98th percentile among 2000s
89% rated it 7–1011% rated it 1–6

Critics 83% · Audience 89%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 10 wins / 5 noms overall

95th percentile

88K ratings across platforms

88th percentile among Biography91st percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 11% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$25M
Domestic gross$5.1M
Worldwide gross$18M

Returned 0.7× its budget — 76th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A charming, old-fashioned underdog story about a determined, eccentric dreamer, anchored by a warm Anthony Hopkins performance.

Fans praised

  • Anthony Hopkins' captivating, career-best performance
  • Inspiring true story of an underdog pursuing a lifelong dream with determination and charm
  • Heartwarming, feel-good road-trip with memorable characters and gentle humor

Detractors panned

  • Slow, meandering pacing with excessive padding before the final act
  • Clichéd, formulaic script that feels like a Hallmark movie
  • Hopkins' unconvincing Kiwi accent and the character's grating 'what?' repetition

What stands out

ActingDivisive90

Hopkins delivers a captivating, career-best portrayal; strong supporting cast

Emotional impactDivisive85

Uplifting, inspiring journey that moves many viewers to tears

EndingDivisive80

Satisfying, emotional resolution to the quest

CinematographyDivisive75

Beautiful shots of New Zealand and Bonneville salt flats

HumorDivisive65

Gentle, charming laughs from Burt's eccentricities

CharactersDivisive60

Colorful but shallow supporting characters; Burt's charm is the centerpiece

Plot and storyDivisive55

Formulaic underdog narrative with predictable turns

Pacing40

Slow-moving first half, picks up in final act

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 3 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 9 points apart
  • Critics vs users 3 points apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is The World's Fastest Indian like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you hopeful. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
HopefulWarmTense
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
WarmAdventurous · 11% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats Burt Munro's story with genuine warmth and sincerity, never winking at the audience or undercutting its emotional moments.
The rideThe film sustains a gentle, warm hopefulness throughout, with the emotional weight and mild tension concentrated on the final run at Bonneville.
StructureThe film follows a conventional chronology: setup in New Zealand, journey across the US, and climactic race at Bonneville.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves the audience uplifted, inspired by Munro's determination and the kindness he encounters, with a warm, hopeful glow.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).QuestMission
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% (this title) · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Mission: Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).

10% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeBurt Munro's lifelong dream to take his modified 1920 Indian motorcycle to the Bonneville Salt Flats and break the land-speed record drives the narrative, fitting the quest archetype with a mission subtype.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% (this title) · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% (this title) · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Purpose · 9% of filmsCommunity · 14% of films: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Ambition · 7% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores Burt's relentless pursuit of a personal calling and how his passion for the motorcycle connects him to strangers along the way.
StanceThe film celebrates Burt's pursuit of purpose and the kindness of strangers with warmth and admiration.

The world

Mid 20th centuryRuralIn transitRealistic
Orchestral modernFolkSupportive music · original score · J. Peter Robinson
SettingNew Zealand farm town and the open road across the American Southwest to the Bonneville Salt Flats
MusicThe score combines gentle guitar and orchestral textures that underscore the warmth and loneliness of the open road.

Content guide

Is The World's Fastest Indian okay for kids?

PG-13

The World's Fastest Indian is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for brief language, drug use and a sexual reference” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (9/100), sexual content at mild (19/100), language at moderate (37/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (29/100) and frightening material at mild (19/100). Overall it is heavier than 4% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 14 other countries
  • UK12A
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany12
  • FranceU
  • Ireland12
  • Brazil10
  • FinlandK-12
  • ItalyT
  • NetherlandsAL
  • Norway12
  • Russia18+
  • SpainAPTA
  • Sweden15
  • Switzerland0
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 6% of all filmsHeavier than 4% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 8%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 28%
Profanity
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 36%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 39%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 18%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is language, heavier than 36% of PG-13-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does The World's Fastest Indian have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The World's Fastest Indian?

Cast

3 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen; 1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Anthony Hopkins
as Burt Munro
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Walton Goggins
as Marty
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Diane Ladd
as Ada
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Bruce Greenwood
as Jerry
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Iain Rea
as George
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Tessa Mitchell
as Sarah
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Aaron Murphy
as Tom
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Tim Shadbolt
as Frank
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Annie Whittle
as Fran
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Greg Johnson
as Duncan
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

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What are movies like The World's Fastest Indian?

Movies like The World's Fastest Indian include The Dark Horse (2014), Ride Like a Girl (2019) and Rustin (2023). Of the 12 closest matches, most are biopics, and several are films set in the 1960s.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

8 of these 12 share its story type: sports underdog. Those cards say what else they share.

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What else shares a premise, people or place with The World's Fastest Indian?

1.3K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: sports underdog. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.