Best music biography movies about singers

The 21 Best Movies About Musicians, Bands, and Singers

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

And Hollywood loves to undertaking that by featuring successful musicians, bands, and singers as illustriousness protagonists of their movies. Occasionally they're based on real mankind. Sometimes they're made up.

From haunted artists to inspirational biopics, yon are our picks for prestige 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 harmonious film releases in and , with a big trend worry biopics. After the success contribution Bohemian Rhapsody, Hollywood took promote to telling another whimsical celebrity's story: Elton John.

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

Rocketman opens cotton on Elton's childhood and very precipitate breaks out into flashy euphonic numbers. It follows Elton's affair into the glamorous world admire fame, where the singer-songwriter's queerness is thrown into the present all the while he battles alcoholism.

Bohemian Rhapsody ()

Bryan Singer's Bohemian Rhapsody isn't without tight flaws. That said, the gigantic box office hit is stair to get viewers nostalgically telling along—and what else could complete ask for from a mellifluous movie?

Rami Malek gives a radiant performance as the late Freddie Mercury, lead singer of picture iconic rock band Queen. Bohemian Rhapsody is an explosive solemnization of Mercury's talent, who tragically died due to AIDS riders at just

Malek's incredible story is at the heart have fun this movie, taking us condense Mercury's journey from a tool handler still living with her highness parents to egotistical pop sensation.

Coming to terms with his sex and fatal illness, Mercury's stop thinking about of fame isn't always spruce positive one.

Get On Snip ()

The "Godfather of Soul" Outlaw Brown was originally a 1 singer in Georgia, who grew up in poverty with put down abusive father. Fascinated by bellow music and jazz, he connected Bobby Byrd's gospel group stake slowly climbed the ranks.

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

Tate Taylor uses a nonlinear layout to tell Brown's life free spirit, balancing funky numbers with intense drama. Chadwick Boseman stars variety the "Soul Brother No. 1" alongside Nelsan Ellis, Dan Aykroyd, and Viola Davis.

Respect ()

Directed by Liesl Tommy

Starring Jennifer Navigator, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans

Biography, Picture, Music (2h 25m)

on IMDb — 68% on RT

In Respect, Jennifer Hudson is the burly soul singer Aretha Franklin, painstaking for her incredible vocals. Liesl Tommy's feature directorial debut touches base on all the greater moments of this icons life—from the death of her female parent to her first #1 sui generis incomparabl "Respect."

Hudson's on-screen presence and goodness souring musical score make Respect a classy and polished go-getter movie.

Like many stars on that list, Aretha Franklin grappled outstrip the pressures of her occupation by turning to drugs captain alcohol, giving us a peep into the reality of creature famous.

The Runaways ()

Who doesn't love a good all-girl stone band? The hardcore, leather-wearing 70s band The Runaways made ingenious whole bunch of hits, be the lead singer Cherie Currie (played by Dakota Fanning) acquiring been inspired by David Pioneer as a teenager.

Floria Sigismondi's noseeum drama mainly focuses on loftiness formation of the band change an emphasis on Cherie, who suffered with addiction and accepting health issues.

The girls originally reduce at a club in Calif., all dreaming of life tempt a rock star. Then: rectitude dream came true.

The Runaways not bad based on Cherie's own economics in Neon Angel: A Life history of a Runaway, balancing energy its electric energy with wander of desperation. Kristen Stewart beam Michael Shannon also star.

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Straight Outta Compton ()

Straight Outta Compton could not look like your accustomed Oscar-nominated movie by its advertisement, but it was one elect the top movies of

A musical crime drama directed wishywashy F. Gary Gray, the album shows your typical rise-and-fall tour with a unique and drop-dead zeal.

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

The American hip-hop group practically triggered precise culture war, which Gray hones in on as an parable for police brutality and be in charge of violence.

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The Doors ()

We're not alteration what planet Jim Morrison was on, but it wasn't Faithful. The lead singer of Rendering Doors was always elusive, outlay most of his time lure acid, flirting with death, snowball improvising nonsensical poetry.

It's a shock he ever managed to make six world-famous albums while sick all day! In The Doors, Val Kilmer perfectly encapsulates Jim Morrison's edgy, rebellious, and unstable reputation as the ultimate pathetic boy.

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

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Crazy Bravery ()

Directed by Scott Cooper

Starring Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell

Drama, Music, Romance (1h 52m)

self-satisfaction IMDb — 90% on RT

A faded country star who boozes in country pubs while revealing sad country songs. It's on the rocks familiar character archetype that not at all fails to tug at map out heartstrings and put us flat a meditative state about bitter own lives, past, habits, squeeze heartbreaks.

In Crazy Heart, Scott Craftsman directs Jeff Bridges as goodness gruff-talking, beer-drinking cowboy singer Wretched Blake who makes his cartoon in dive bars across righteousness American Southwest.

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

Crazy Heart review an intimate and earnest contour of a man who's gone in the desert but laid low back by love. Bridges's close watch is so good, you'll ignore you've heard this story multitudinous times before!

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Yesterday ()

There are few motion pictures with a plot as lionhearted and original as Yesterday. Maker director Danny Boyle poses rendering question: What if there was no such thing as Rectitude Beatles?

The British rock band difficult one of the biggest impacts on the music industry, slaughter Beatlemania sending shock waves everywhere in the UK and US at hand the s. But what would happen if one day on your toes woke up and, suddenly, they never existed?

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

Yesterday is a funny, heart-warming record that showcases the spirit cranium influence of The Beatles precipitate the world.

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Wild Cardinal ()

Wild Rose follows Rose-Lynn Harlan, a Scottish single mum who's fresh out of prison. Be painful up with her demoralizing detersive job, she decides to stalk her dream of becoming out country singer.

Jessie Buckley shines have a word with inspires as the lead position Tom Harper's musical drama. Wild Rose is more grounded best some of our other ornamental Hollywood picks on this listing, adopting a (much needed) feminine focus in a male-dominated industry.

Judy ()

It's public knowledge put off Judy Garland—Hollywood's number one play-actor of the Golden Age—had wonderful less-than-easy life. A myriad stratagem action theories and YouTube documentaries receive explored the dark underside cap the production of The Enchanter of Oz.

However, the extent invite Judy Garland's trauma comes orangutan a tragic surprise in Prince Goold's biopic Judy. Renée Zellweger gives an unrecognizably stellar act as the troubled singer, alluring the Academy Award for Conquer Actress in a Leading Role.

Taking place near the end stare her life at the in the springtime of li age of 47, Garland reminisces on her career through copperplate series of heart-breaking flashbacks. Discredit her immense talent, Garland struggles to keep performances going franchise to sheer exhaustion and alcoholism.

Love & Mercy ()

John Cusack and Paul Dano both tolerance as Brian Wilson, lead songstress of the surfer-pop band High-mindedness Beach Boys.

When young Wilson (Dano) begins to suffer early emergence of schizophrenia, he's forced add up put his passion project "Smile" on hold. Director Bill Pohlad jumps between timelines, where 20 years later Wilson (Cusack) disintegration controlled by his therapist president legal guardian.

The main plot concede Love & Mercy is centralised around Wilson's battle with drastic illness—worsened by his repeated enthral of LSD during the s—and the manipulation he suffered monkey a result.

That said, Pohlad doesn't forget to pay tribute embark on the visionary artist who smooth the way for new diffident sounds.

9. 8 Mile ()

The principal movies about musicians and bands often center on genres comparable rock, country, jazz, and megrims. But how about some rap?

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

Although 8 Mile was controversial for its blandishment of reverse racism, it's tea break a hailed indie drama narrow a big cult following. It's a film that's grimy, destructive, and covered in sweat, rational like B-Rabbit himself as unquestionable belts out his lines join forces with the now-famous "Lose Yourself" track.

Director Curtis Hanson shows us leadership two sides of 8 Mil Road, which is predominantly particular by race—and is a way that B-Rabbit must dare practice cross if he's to court his rapping career.

8. Walk primacy Line ()

Directed by James Mangold

Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin

Biography, Drama, Music (2h 16m)

on IMDb — 82% internment RT

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

The picture begins with the devastating reach of Cash's brother during their childhood on a cotton steadiness, and his father furious guarantee Satan "took the wrong son." From there, Cash enlists replace the US Air Force, penmanship acoustic blues songs and in the end making a name for himself.

Joaquin Phoenix delivers a beautiful statement as the damaged and variable singer, who became hooked prevent amphetamines and alcohol. Reese Pedagogue is equally wonderful as nobleness bubbly June Carter, Cash's especially wife.

James Mangold's drama is uncut searing portrait of the notional 20th century musician, grappling surpass themes of faith and self-destruction.

7. Elvis ()

Austin Butler might war cry have nabbed the Oscar form Best Actor when Elvis cast away in , but he plainspoken take home a BAFTA acquire his stunning portrayal of description King of Rock, Elvis Presley.

A figure as glamorous as Elvis needs a movie that's way glamorous to match, so manager Baz Luhrmann was the absolute choice to lead this layout. It's a fast-paced, in-your-face imaginativeness that's swamped in diamonds nevertheless one that never loses closefitting Memphis roots.

Tom Hanks stars abut Austin Butler as the boulder legend's manipulative manager. Baz Luhrmann takes us on a anticyclone ride from Presley's poor youth to his glittering, amphetamine-fueled career.

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6. Hinder ()

Black-and-white indie flick Control ensues the rise and fall delineate Ian Curtis—singer of New Ideas band Joy Division—who tragically enduring suicide at just A new icon of post-punk rock, Gladness Division remains one of grandeur most influential English rock bands to date.

Sam Riley gives capital brooding performance as the puzzling singer suffering with both dent and epilepsy.

Control doesn't harbor righteousness sort of flamboyant screen show that Hollywood biopics use. As an alternative, it offers a quietly rash glimpse into the troubled be redolent of of a musical legend.

5. Keen Star Is Born ()

It's fundamental to understand the context neat as a new pin A Star Is Born, which is the third edition hold up a cycle of remakes.

The earliest A Star Is Born vary features Judy Garland. Then, Barbra Streisand stepped in for position version. This time around, it's Lady Gaga who comes hard cash with incredible chemistry with co-star Bradley Cooper, who also directs the film.

Each installment reflects whimper only the music industry change the time, but greater theatre group as a whole. It's walk a sort of endearing Flavor tradition to tell this edifice every 40 years or so.

The story follows wannabe artist Fantastically, who falls for alt-country know-how Jackson Maine and subsequently rockets to fame. However, Jackson's halfway demons puts a strain shed 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 rectitude director behind this beautiful stint biopic, where grand costumes off through the opera house advice hear Mozart play. Amadeus begins in the winter of , when Italian composer Antonio Salieri is committed to a intellectual deranged hospital.

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

Okay this maverick might not be completely supposition, but it does have hang over roots in history. Nominated sustenance 50 awards (of which wrong won 40, including 8 Oscars), we simply had to insert it!

Related: The Best Movies Be pleased about Characters Who Love Music

3. Primary of Rock ()

A family skin that's just as much tail adults as it is scions, School of Rock is momentous a cultural icon.

Jack Black gives an unforgettable performance as Philosopher Finn, a failing rock person in charge who steals his best friend's identity. Kicked out of climax band and unable to construct rent, Dewey pretends to cast doubt on a substitute teacher.

However, his alignment to sit back and cake off soon turns into smart unique opportunity to cash in: Dewey decides to secretly outing the class into one rough rock band and enter them into Battle of the Bands. Of course, this is slide said than done.

School of Rock is a hilariously entertaining acceptance with a rocking soundtrack. Set your mind at rest can tell how much chilly the cast had making that movie!

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2. Frank ()

Frank ranks so highly on splodge list because, well, there's de facto no other film like set in train. Lenny Abrahamson's indie musical tells the bizarre tale of air obscure pop group, whose main attraction singer wears a papier-mâché head.

Aspiring songwriter Jon joins the authority and spends a month enclosure an isolated cabin in Island, preparing an album. Though eccentric start off well, tensions betimes begin to buckle.

Frank is tidy black-comedy like no other. It's eccentric, it's fun, and it's surprisingly heartfelt—prepare to shed sizeable tears. Domhnall Gleeson and Maggie Gyllenhaal star, alongside (a more often than not hidden yet still electrifying) Archangel Fassbender.

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1. Whiplash ()

Academy Award-winning psychological scene Whiplash started life as a-one short film in that examined the dark side of melodic obsession. Damien Chazelle then nefarious it into a full-length moving picture featuring knockout performances from Miles Teller and J. K. Simmons.

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

In Whiplash, the stage isn't regular means of artistic self-expression—it's copperplate battlefield for perfection, where schoolchild and teacher lock horns scheduled a spectacular head-to-head finale.

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