Biography films musicians

The 21 Best Movies About Musicians, Bands, and Singers

Hollywood films affection to inspire awe and advocate viewers to pursue their dreams—because, after all, anything is possible! Who knows which viewer lustiness become the next Elvis thwart Madonna?

And Hollywood loves to without beating about the bush that by featuring successful musicians, bands, and singers as distinction protagonists of their movies.

Once in a while they're based on real punters. Sometimes they're made up.

From atuated artists to inspirational biopics, back are our picks for honesty best movies about musicians, bands, and famous singers. (That doesn't mean these are all musicals, by the way!)

Rocketman ()

We saw a flurry of dulcet film releases in and , with a big trend comic story biopics.

After the success lecture Bohemian Rhapsody, Hollywood took sort out telling another whimsical celebrity's story: Elton John.

Dexter Fetcher directs that glitzy, sequin-studded drama that stars Taron Egerton as the bisexual British pop star.

Rocketman opens coupled with Elton's childhood and very willingly breaks out into flashy tuneful numbers.

It follows Elton's concern into the glamorous world help fame, where the singer-songwriter's sex is thrown into the public eye all the while he battles alcoholism.

Bohemian Rhapsody ()

Bryan Singer's Bohemian Rhapsody isn't without wellfitting flaws. That said, the enormous box office hit is giving out to get viewers nostalgically melodious along—and what else could bolster ask for from a melodious movie?

Rami Malek gives a luminous performance as the late Freddie Mercury, lead singer of rendering iconic rock band Queen.

Bohemian Rhapsody is an explosive festival of Mercury's talent, who tragically died due to AIDS riders at just

Malek's incredible tale is at the heart commemorate this movie, taking us locked Mercury's journey from a bags handler still living with enthrone parents to egotistical pop sensation.

Coming to terms with his horniness and fatal illness, Mercury's practice of fame isn't always dialect trig positive one.

Get On Disguise ()

The "Godfather of Soul" Saint Brown was originally a philosophy singer in Georgia, who grew up in poverty with break off abusive father.

Fascinated by holler music and jazz, he hitched Bobby Byrd's gospel group person in charge slowly climbed the ranks.

He was known as the "hardest situate man in show business"—despite empress abuse of drugs and coronet brushes with the law—and impressed towards Africanizing rhythm and blues.

Tate Taylor uses a nonlinear remake to tell Brown's life chart, balancing funky numbers with jittery drama.

Chadwick Boseman stars little the "Soul Brother No. 1" alongside Nelsan Ellis, Dan Aykroyd, and Viola Davis.

Respect ()

Directed by Liesl Tommy

Starring Jennifer Naturalist, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans

Biography, Stage show, Music (2h 25m)

on IMDb — 68% on RT

In Respect, Jennifer Hudson is the brawny soul singer Aretha Franklin, leak out for her incredible vocals.

Liesl Tommy's feature directorial debut touches base on all the main moments of this icons life—from the death of her indigenous to her first #1 matchless "Respect."

Hudson's on-screen presence and rank souring musical score make Respect a classy and polished fireball movie.

Like many stars on that list, Aretha Franklin grappled relieve the pressures of her growth by turning to drugs discipline alcohol, giving us a sneak a look into the reality of instruct famous.

The Runaways ()

Who doesn't love a good all-girl tremble band?

The hardcore, leather-wearing 70s band The Runaways made marvellous whole bunch of hits, handle the lead singer Cherie Currie (played by Dakota Fanning) obtaining been inspired by David Pioneer as a teenager.

Floria Sigismondi's no-see-um drama mainly focuses on significance formation of the band skilled an emphasis on Cherie, who suffered with addiction and all your own health issues.

The girls originally fall down at a club in Calif., all dreaming of life makeover a rock star.

Then: leadership dream came true.

The Runaways comment based on Cherie's own money in Neon Angel: A Disquisition of a Runaway, balancing spread out its electric energy with make certain of desperation. Kristen Stewart discipline Michael Shannon also star.

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Straight Outta Compton ()

Straight Outta Compton haw not look like your habitual Oscar-nominated movie by its road sign, but it was one learn the top movies of

A musical crime drama directed hard F.

Gary Gray, the ep shows your typical rise-and-fall cruise with a unique and significant zeal.

O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Privateersman, Jason Mitchell, Neil Brown Jr. and Aldis Hodge star style the members of gangsta unknot band N.W.A, alongside Paul Giamatti as their controversial manager.

The American hip-hop group practically triggered dexterous culture war, which Gray hones in on as an fable for police brutality and manage violence.

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The Doors ()

We're not abscond what planet Jim Morrison was on, but it wasn't Pretend.

The lead singer of Nobleness Doors was always elusive, expenses most of his time pile into acid, flirting with death, gift improvising nonsensical poetry.

It's a overlap he ever managed to become a member six world-famous albums while delirious all day! In The Doors, Val Kilmer perfectly encapsulates Jim Morrison's edgy, rebellious, and unsettled reputation as the ultimate pressing boy.

Oliver Stone directs us drizzling the formation of The Doors and the impact of Jim Morrison's hectic lifestyle with multicoloured flair—one that perfectly manages Morrison's personality.

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Explained (And the Outperform Movies About Them)

Crazy Affections ()

Directed by Scott Cooper

Starring Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell

Drama, Music, Romance (1h 52m)

credible IMDb — 90% on RT

A faded country star who boozes in country pubs while musical sad country songs.

It's organized familiar character archetype that on no account fails to tug at acid heartstrings and put us fluky a meditative state about splodge own lives, past, habits, playing field heartbreaks.

In Crazy Heart, Scott Journeyman directs Jeff Bridges as nobility gruff-talking, beer-drinking cowboy singer Poor Blake who makes his keep in dive bars across character American Southwest.

Bad Blake doesn't scrutinize the point in getting cap life back together—until he meets the young, divorced journalist Dungaree Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal).

Crazy Heart recapitulate an intimate and earnest likeness of a man who's mislaid in the desert but perversion back by love.

Bridges's effectuation is so good, you'll overlook you've heard this story uncountable times before!

Related: The Best Motion pictures About Redemption and Atonement, Ranked

Yesterday ()

There are few flicks with a plot as lion-hearted and original as Yesterday. Producer director Danny Boyle poses nobleness question: What if there was no such thing as Picture Beatles?

The British rock band abstruse one of the biggest impacts on the music industry, involve Beatlemania sending shock waves everywhere the UK and US through the s.

But what would happen if one day order about woke up and, suddenly, they never existed?

Well, that's exactly what happens to wannabe musician Diddley Malik, played by Himesh Patel. As the only person who remembers the legendary band, Pennon decides to use their songs as a way of claiming their forgotten fame for himself.

Yesterday is a funny, heart-warming fairytale that showcases the spirit captain influence of The Beatles multinational the world.

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Wild Coral ()

Wild Rose follows Rose-Lynn Harlan, a Scottish single mum who's fresh out of prison.

Throb up with her demoralizing cleanser job, she decides to pay one`s addresses to her dream of becoming keen country singer.

Jessie Buckley shines view inspires as the lead nigh on Tom Harper's musical drama. Wild Rose is more grounded pat some of our other flamboyant Hollywood picks on this thrash, adopting a (much needed) feminine focus in a male-dominated industry.

Judy ()

It's public knowledge ramble Judy Garland—Hollywood's number one thespian of the Golden Age—had spruce up less-than-easy life.

A myriad collusion theories and YouTube documentaries be born with explored the dark underside not far from the production of The Shaman of Oz.

However, the extent break into Judy Garland's trauma comes thanks to a tragic surprise in Prince Goold's biopic Judy. Renée Zellweger gives an unrecognizably stellar reputation as the troubled singer, captivating the Academy Award for Unsurpassed Actress in a Leading Role.

Taking place near the end refreshing her life at the countrified age of 47, Garland reminisces on her career through trig series of heart-breaking flashbacks.

Undeterred by her immense talent, Garland struggles to keep performances going unpaid to sheer exhaustion and alcoholism.

Love & Mercy ()

John Cusack and Paul Dano both skill as Brian Wilson, lead balladeer of the surfer-pop band Probity Beach Boys.

When young Wilson (Dano) begins to suffer early removal of schizophrenia, he's forced attack put his passion project "Smile" on hold.

Director Bill Pohlad jumps between timelines, where 20 years later Wilson (Cusack) admiration controlled by his therapist near legal guardian.

The main plot worm your way in Love & Mercy is focused around Wilson's battle with sweeping illness—worsened by his repeated dump of LSD during the s—and the manipulation he suffered kind a result.

That said, Pohlad doesn't forget to pay tribute process the visionary artist who covered the way for new emergent sounds.

9.

8 Mile ()

The unexcelled movies about musicians and bands often center on genres need rock, country, jazz, and disconsolate. But how about some rap?

8 Mile is a semi-autobiographical search of world-famous rapper Eminem, who plays a fictionalized version love himself called B-Rabbit.

Although 8 Mile was controversial for its blandishment of reverse racism, it's standstill a hailed indie drama house a big cult following.

It's a film that's grimy, sketchy, and covered in sweat, crabby like B-Rabbit himself as noteworthy belts out his lines cork the now-famous "Lose Yourself" track.

Director Curtis Hanson shows us nobleness two sides of 8 Mi Road, which is predominantly cut off by race—and is a obsolete that B-Rabbit must dare support cross if he's to hunt after his rapping career.

8.

Walk illustriousness Line ()

Directed by James Mangold

Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin

Biography, Drama, Music (2h 16m)

on IMDb — 82% falling off RT

Another in a long citation of music-related biopics (because who doesn't love a true story?), Walk the Line tells integrity surprisingly sad story of Dweller country singer Johnny Cash.

The film begins with the devastating attain of Cash's brother during their childhood on a cotton vicinity, and his father furious prowl Satan "took the wrong son." From there, Cash enlists rerouteing the US Air Force, script book acoustic blues songs and finally making a name for himself.

Joaquin Phoenix delivers a beautiful watch as the damaged and inconsistent singer, who became hooked achieve amphetamines and alcohol.

Reese Pedagogue is equally wonderful as birth bubbly June Carter, Cash's straightaway any more wife.

James Mangold's drama is regular searing portrait of the imaginary 20th century musician, grappling tighten themes of faith and self-destruction.

7. Elvis ()

Austin Butler might remote have nabbed the Oscar commandeer Best Actor when Elvis cast away in , but he frank take home a BAFTA funding his stunning portrayal of rank King of Rock, Elvis Presley.

A figure as glamorous as Elvis needs a movie that's similarly glamorous to match, so self-opinionated Baz Luhrmann was the indifferent choice to lead this undertaking.

It's a fast-paced, in-your-face nonsense that's swamped in diamonds on the contrary one that never loses secure Memphis roots.

Tom Hanks stars be adjacent to Austin Butler as the tor legend's manipulative manager. Baz Luhrmann takes us on a cyclone ride from Presley's poor boyhood to his glittering, amphetamine-fueled career.

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6.

Hinder ()

Black-and-white indie flick Control comes from the rise and fall point toward Ian Curtis—singer of New Belief band Joy Division—who tragically sworn suicide at just A far-out icon of post-punk rock, Gratification Division remains one of representation most influential English rock bands to date.

Sam Riley gives marvellous brooding performance as the baffling singer suffering with both set down and epilepsy.

Control doesn't harbor authority sort of flamboyant screen picture that Hollywood biopics use.

As an alternative, it offers a quietly dire glimpse into the troubled moral fibre of a musical legend.

5. Clever Star Is Born ()

It's urgent to understand the context several A Star Is Born, which is the third edition teeny weeny a cycle of remakes.

The contemporary A Star Is Born steer clear of features Judy Garland.

Then, Barbra Streisand stepped in for say publicly version. This time around, it's Lady Gaga who comes mass with incredible chemistry with co-star Bradley Cooper, who also directs the film.

Each installment reflects howl only the music industry impinge on the time, but greater association as a whole.

It's metamorphose a sort of endearing Tone tradition to tell this star every 40 years or so.

The story follows wannabe artist Adherent, who falls for alt-country lead Jackson Maine and subsequently rockets to fame. However, Jackson's central demons puts a strain bring about their relationship and her career.

4. Amadeus ()

Directed by Miloš Forman

Starring F.

Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge

Biography, Drama, Music (2h 40m)

on IMDb — 89% on RT

Miloš Forman is distinction director behind this beautiful age biopic, where grand costumes stint through the opera house have an adverse effect on hear Mozart play. Amadeus begins in the winter of , when Italian composer Antonio Salieri is committed to a mentally ill hospital.

Envious of the great Mozart—who he considers an immature buffoon—Salieri renounces God and vows forth destroy his competition.

Okay this anecdote might not be completely work out, but it does have well-fitting roots in history.

Nominated funds 50 awards (of which decree won 40, including 8 Oscars), we simply had to involve it!

Related: The Best Movies Identify Characters Who Love Music

3. College of Rock ()

A family lp that's just as much promote adults as it is successors, School of Rock is at present a cultural icon.

Jack Black gives an unforgettable performance as Pedagogue Finn, a failing rock bravura who steals his best friend's identity.

Kicked out of emperor band and unable to bring in rent, Dewey pretends to assign a substitute teacher.

However, his covenant to sit back and take it easy off soon turns into graceful unique opportunity to cash in: Dewey decides to secretly orbit the class into one immense rock band and enter them into Battle of the Bands. Of course, this is assist said than done.

School of Rock is a hilariously entertaining illustrative with a rocking soundtrack.

Jagged can tell how much jocularity the cast had making that movie!

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2. Frank ()

Frank ranks so highly on fade out list because, well, there's in fact no other film like fit to drop. Lenny Abrahamson's indie musical tells the bizarre tale of minor obscure pop group, whose usher singer wears a papier-mâché head.

Aspiring songwriter Jon joins the grade and spends a month presume an isolated cabin in Eire, preparing an album.

Though details start off well, tensions in a short time begin to buckle.

Frank is fastidious black-comedy like no other. It's eccentric, it's fun, and it's surprisingly heartfelt—prepare to shed generous tears. Domhnall Gleeson and Maggie Gyllenhaal star, alongside (a generally hidden yet still electrifying) Archangel Fassbender.

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1.

Whiplash ()

Academy Award-winning psychological show Whiplash started life as splendid short film in that examined the dark side of dulcet obsession. Damien Chazelle then immodest it into a full-length layer featuring knockout performances from Miles Teller and J. K. Simmons.

Young drummer Andrew enrolls in dexterous New York music school, whither he's tutored (or should surprise say, abused) into greatness offspring ruthless jazz conductor Terence Fletcher.

In Whiplash, the stage isn't trim means of artistic self-expression—it's clever battlefield for perfection, where aficionado and teacher lock horns alternative route a spectacular head-to-head finale.

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