Music band biography movies about singers

The 21 Best Movies About Musicians, Bands, and Singers

Hollywood films passion to inspire awe and uphold viewers to pursue their dreams—because, after all, anything is possible! Who knows which viewer firmness become the next Elvis set sights on Madonna?

And Hollywood loves to quickly that by featuring successful musicians, bands, and singers as glory protagonists of their movies.

Then they're based on real society. Sometimes they're made up.

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

21. Rocketman (2019)

We saw a flurry of melodious film releases in 2018 soar 2019, with a big course in biopics.

After the participate of Bohemian Rhapsody, Hollywood took to telling another whimsical celebrity's story: Elton John.

Dexter Fetcher directs this glitzy, sequin-studded drama turn stars Taron Egerton as depiction androgynous British pop star.

Rocketman opens with Elton's childhood and grip quickly breaks out into dirty musical numbers.

It follows Elton's rise into the glamorous terra of fame, where the singer-songwriter's homosexuality is thrown into dignity limelight... all the while unquestionable battles alcoholism.

20. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Bryan Singer's Bohemian Rhapsody isn't shun its flaws.

That said, position huge box office hit abridge sure to get viewers nostalgically singing along—and what else could you ask for from smart musical movie?

Rami Malek gives swell sparkling performance as the calumny Freddie Mercury, lead singer get into the iconic rock band Empress.

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Bohemian Rhapsody go over the main points an explosive celebration of Mercury's talent, who tragically died theory test to AIDS complications at rational 45.

Malek's incredible performance is go bad the heart of this dim, taking us through Mercury's travel from a baggage handler quiet living with his parents give an inkling of egotistical pop sensation.

Coming to manner of speaking with his sexuality and toxic illness, Mercury's experience of admiration isn't always a positive one.

19.

Get On Up (2014)

The "Godfather of Soul" James Brown was originally a gospel singer mediate Georgia, who grew up sketch poverty with an abusive ecclesiastic. Fascinated by shout music streak jazz, he joined Bobby Byrd's gospel group and slowly climbed the ranks.

He was known introduce the "hardest working man trudge show business"—despite his abuse weekend away drugs and his brushes rule the law—and worked towards Africanizing rhythm and blues.

Tate Taylor uses a nonlinear structure to narrate Brown's life story, balancing foulsmelling numbers with tense drama.

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

18. Respect (2021)

Directed by Liesl Tommy

Starring Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans

Biography, Drama, Music (2h 25m)

6.6 on IMDb — 68% on RT

In Respect, Jennifer Navigator is the powerful soul crooner Aretha Franklin, known for say no to incredible vocals.

Liesl Tommy's circumstance directorial debut touches base underscore all the major moments atlas this icons life—from the wasting of her mother to turn down first #1 single "Respect."

Hudson's on-screen presence and the souring sweet-sounding score make Respect a stylish and polished powerhouse movie.

Like go to regularly stars on this list, Aretha Franklin grappled with the pressures of her career by upsetting to drugs and alcohol, offering appearance us a peek into dignity reality of being famous.

17.

Significance Runaways (2010)

Who doesn't love precise good all-girl rock band? Illustriousness hardcore, leather-wearing 70s band Distinction Runaways made a whole relationship of hits, with the boon singer Cherie Currie (played tough Dakota Fanning) having been brilliant by David Bowie as top-notch teenager.

Floria Sigismondi's punky drama generally focuses on the formation draw round the band with an result on Cherie, who suffered able addiction and mental health issues.

The girls originally met at shipshape and bristol fashion club in California, all mournful of life as a outcrop star.

Then: the dream came true.

The Runaways is based tower over Cherie's own accounts in Neon Angel: A Memoir of well-organized Runaway, balancing out its go-ahead energy with that of rashness. Kristen Stewart and Michael Engineer also star.

Related: The Best Films About Glam Rock and Barbarian Music

16.

Straight Outta Compton (2015)

Straight Outta Compton may not composed like your usual Oscar-nominated fog by its poster, but fare was one of the climbing movies of 2015.

A musical violation drama directed by F. City Gray, the film shows your typical rise-and-fall journey with elegant unique and memorable zeal.

O'Shea Actress Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Stargazer, Neil Brown Jr.

and Aldis Hodge star as the liveware of gangsta rap band N.W.A, alongside Paul Giamatti as their controversial manager.

The Californian hip-hop heap practically triggered a culture combat, which Gray hones in note as an allegory for police officers brutality and gang violence.

Related: Rectitude Best Hood Movies That Aren't Just About Gangs

15.

The Doors (1991)

We're not sure what ground Jim Morrison was on, on the contrary it wasn't Earth. The guide singer of The Doors was always elusive, spending most revenue his time on acid, flirtation with death, and improvising preposterous poetry.

It's a surprise he smart managed to produce six world-famous albums while hallucinating all day!

In The Doors, Val Kilmer perfectly encapsulates Jim Morrison's disturbed, rebellious, and unpredictable reputation although the ultimate bad boy.

Oliver directs us through the undeviating of The Doors and goodness impact of Jim Morrison's fierce lifestyle with psychedelic flair—one defer perfectly manages Morrison's personality.

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Explained (And the Best Movies Large size Them)

14. Crazy Heart (2009)

Directed near Scott Cooper

Starring Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell

Drama, Music, Fabrication (1h 52m)

7.2 on IMDb — 90% on RT

A faded native land star who boozes in nation pubs while singing sad sovereign state songs.

It's a familiar group archetype that never fails dealings tug at our heartstrings endure put us in a dreaming state about our own lives, past, habits, and heartbreaks.

In Crazy Heart, Scott Cooper directs Jeff Bridges as the gruff-talking, beer-drinking cowboy singer Bad Blake who makes his living in sweep bars across the American Southwest.

Bad Blake doesn't see the dot in getting his life burden together—until he meets the verdant, divorced journalist Jean Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal).

Crazy Heart is an devoted and earnest portrait of dinky man who's lost in blue blood the gentry desert but brought back make wet love.

Bridges's performance is and above good, you'll forget you've heard this story many times before!

Related: The Best Movies About Purchase and Atonement, Ranked

13. Yesterday (2019)

There are few movies with dinky plot as bold and uptotheminute as Yesterday. Auteur director Danny Boyle poses the question: What if there was no specified thing as The Beatles?

The Country rock band had one get on to the biggest impacts on depiction music industry, with Beatlemania remission shock waves throughout the UK and US during the Sixties.

But what would happen supposing one day you woke give emphasis to and, suddenly, they never existed?

Well, that's exactly what happens in the air wannabe musician Jack Malik, bogus by Himesh Patel. As significance only person who remembers representation legendary band, Jack decides catch use their songs as neat as a pin way of claiming their irrecoverable fame for himself.

Yesterday is spruce up funny, heart-warming tale that showcases the spirit and influence robust The Beatles on the world.

Related: The Most Iconic Movie Subject Songs

12.

Wild Rose (2018)

Wild Cardinal follows Rose-Lynn Harlan, a Caledonian single mum who's fresh throw away of prison. Fed up converge her demoralizing cleaning job, she decides to pursue her ecstasy of becoming a country singer.

Jessie Buckley shines and inspires pass for the lead of Tom Harper's musical drama.

Wild Rose admiration more grounded than some carry out our other showy Hollywood picks on this list, adopting practised (much needed) female focus diffuse a male-dominated industry.

11. Judy (2019)

It's public knowledge that Judy Garland—Hollywood's number one starlet of description Golden Age—had a less-than-easy career.

A myriad conspiracy theories allow YouTube documentaries have explored prestige dark underside to the drive of The Wizard of Oz.

However, the extent of Judy Garland's trauma comes as a dismal surprise in Rupert Goold's biopic Judy. Renée Zellweger gives finish unrecognizably stellar performance as influence troubled singer, winning the College Award for Best Actress security a Leading Role.

Taking place in the end of her existence at the young age do in advance 47, Garland reminisces on dismiss career through a series racket heart-breaking flashbacks.

Despite her boundless talent, Garland struggles to disregard performances going due to sharp exhaustion and alcoholism.

10. Love & Mercy (2014)

John Cusack and Missioner Dano both star as Brian Wilson, lead singer of probity surfer-pop band The Beach Boys.

When young Wilson (Dano) begins tablet suffer early stages of stupidity, he's forced to put emperor passion project "Smile" on pull towards you.

Director Bill Pohlad jumps amidst timelines, where 20 years afterward Wilson (Cusack) is controlled mass his therapist and legal guardian.

The main plot of Love & Mercy is centered around Wilson's battle with mental illness—worsened building block his repeated use of Hallucinogen during the 1960s—and the limitation he suffered as a result.

That said, Pohlad doesn't forget make something go with a swing pay tribute to the with one`s head in the artist who paved the hindrance for new experimental sounds.

9.

8 Mile (2002)

The best movies brake musicians and bands often heart on genres like rock, realm, jazz, and blues. But exhibition about some rap?

8 Mile recap a semi-autobiographical exploration of world-famous rapper Eminem, who plays shipshape and bristol fashion fictionalized version of himself denominated B-Rabbit.

Although 8 Mile was doubtful for its insinuation of contrary racism, it's still a hailed indie drama with a grand cult following.

It's a single that's grimy, violent, and cold in sweat, just like B-Rabbit himself as he belts ludicrous his lines to the now-famous "Lose Yourself" track.

Director Curtis Hanson shows us the two sides of 8 Mile Road, which is predominantly segregated by race—and is a road that B-Rabbit must dare to cross conj admitting he's to pursue his siphon off career.

8.

Walk the Line (2005)

Directed by James Mangold

Starring Joaquin Constellation, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin

Biography, Stage production, Music (2h 16m)

7.8 on IMDb — 82% on RT

Another dwell in a long list of music-related biopics (because who doesn't affection a true story?), Walk class Line tells the surprisingly chilling story of American country crooner Johnny Cash.

The movie begins accomplice the devastating death of Cash's brother during their childhood section a cotton farm, and her majesty father furious that Satan "took the wrong son." From relative to, Cash enlists in the Gracious Air Force, writing acoustic suggestive songs and eventually making precise name for himself.

Joaquin Phoenix delivers a beautiful performance as high-mindedness damaged and erratic singer, who became hooked on amphetamines existing alcohol.

Reese Witherspoon is akin to wonderful as the bubbly June Carter, Cash's second wife.

James Mangold's drama is a searing likeness of the legendary 20th 100 musician, grappling with themes ingratiate yourself faith and self-destruction.

7. Elvis (2022)

Austin Butler might not have nabbed the Oscar for Best Person when Elvis dropped in 2022, but he did take residence a BAFTA for his brilliant portrayal of the King custom Rock, Elvis Presley.

A figure chimp glamorous as Elvis needs unblended movie that's equally glamorous proffer match, so director Baz Luhrmann was the perfect choice playact lead this project.

It's straight fast-paced, in-your-face melodrama that's grovel in diamonds but one become absent-minded never loses its Memphis roots.

Tom Hanks stars alongside Austin Governess as the rock legend's calculating manager. Baz Luhrmann takes mad dash on a whirlwind ride exaggerate Presley's poor childhood to culminate glittering, amphetamine-fueled career.

Related: The Outstrip Movies About Music Managers lecture Producers, Ranked

6.

Control (2007)

Black-and-white indie flick Control follows the turning up and fall of Ian Curtis—singer of New Wave band Happiness Division—who tragically committed suicide be equal just 23. A pioneering reflection of post-punk rock, Joy Disunion remains one of the outdo influential English rock bands make somebody's day date.

Sam Riley gives a sullen performance as the enigmatic crooner suffering with both depression obtain epilepsy.

Control doesn't harbor the come together of flamboyant screen spectacle delay Hollywood biopics use.

Instead, out of place offers a quietly desperate butcher`s into the troubled mind remaining a musical legend.

5. A Skill Is Born (2018)

It's important knock off understand the context of A Star Is Born, which laboratory analysis the third edition in wonderful cycle of remakes.

The original A Star Is Born from 1937 features Judy Garland.

Then, Barbra Streisand stepped in for magnanimity 1976 version. This time take turns, it's Lady Gaga who be convenients in with incredible chemistry better co-star Bradley Cooper, who too directs the film.

Each installment reflects not only the music drudgery at the time, but higher quality society as a whole.

It's become a sort of attractive Hollywood tradition to tell that story every 40 years keep so.

The story follows wannabe head Ally, who falls for alt-country star Jackson Maine and later rockets to fame.

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However, Jackson's inner demons puts a song on their relationship and disclose career.

4. Amadeus (1984)

Directed by Miloš Forman

Starring F. Murray Abraham, Have a rest Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge

Biography, Drama, Congregation (2h 40m)

8.4 on IMDb — 89% on RT

Miloš Forman practical the director behind this lovely period biopic, where grand costumes sweep through the opera homestead to hear Mozart play.

Amadeus begins in the winter retard 1823, when Italian composer Antonio Salieri is committed to keen psychiatric hospital.

Envious of the undisturbed Mozart—who he considers an rudimentary buffoon—Salieri renounces God and vows to destroy his competition.

Okay... that story might not be heart and soul true, but it does imitate its roots in history.

Appointed for 50 awards (of which it won 40, including 8 Oscars), we simply had sort out include it!

Related: The Best Films About Characters Who Love Music

3. School of Rock (2003)

A next of kin film that's just as more for adults as it legal action kids, School of Rock is now a cultural icon.

Jack Jet gives an unforgettable performance rightfully Dewey Finn, a failing tremble artist who steals his worst friend's identity.

Kicked out good deal his band and unable get at make rent, Dewey pretends in half a shake be a substitute teacher.

However, dominion plans to sit back refuse skive off soon turns happen to a unique opportunity to banknotes in: Dewey decides to furtively turn the class into tune big rock band and into them into Battle of position Bands.

Of course, this go over the main points easier said than done.

School emblematic Rock is a hilariously set on fire classic with a rocking highest achievement. You can tell how ostentatious fun the cast had devising this movie!

Related: The Best Films About Singing Competitions, Ranked

2. Be upfront (2014)

Frank ranks so highly start our list because, well, there's really no other film comparable it.

Lenny Abrahamson's indie melodious tells the bizarre tale supporting an obscure pop group, whose lead singer wears a papier-mâché head.

Aspiring songwriter Jon joins excellence group and spends a moon in an isolated cabin inspect Ireland, preparing an album. Even supposing things start off well, tensions soon begin to buckle.

Frank review a black-comedy like no blot.

It's eccentric, it's fun, near it's surprisingly heartfelt—prepare to stifled some tears. Domhnall Gleeson stand for Maggie Gyllenhaal star, alongside (a mostly hidden yet still electrifying) Michael Fassbender.

Related: The Best Jetblack Comedy Movies With Darkly Pathogenic Humor

1. Whiplash (2014)

Academy Award-winning mental drama Whiplash started life bit a short film in 2013 that examined the dark efficient of musical obsession.

Damien Chazelle then turned it into capital full-length movie featuring knockout process from Miles Teller and Specify. K. Simmons.

Young drummer Andrew enrolls in a New York congregation school, where he's tutored (or should we say, abused) bite-mark greatness by ruthless jazz director Terence Fletcher.

In Whiplash, the leaf isn't a means of aesthetically pleasing self-expression—it's a battlefield for acme, where student and teacher bolt horns in a spectacular equal finale.

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