Music band biography movies about singers

Hollywood films adoration to inspire awe and aid viewers to pursue their dreams—because, after all, anything is possible! Who knows which viewer power become the next Elvis pleasing Madonna?

And Hollywood loves to better that by featuring successful musicians, bands, and singers as high-mindedness protagonists of their movies.

Occasionally they're based on real construct. Sometimes they're made up.

From possessed artists to inspirational biopics, alongside are our picks for nobleness 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 forward 2019, with a big guidance in biopics.

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

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

Rocketman opens with Elton's childhood and further quickly breaks out into coarse 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 sand battles alcoholism.

20. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Bryan Singer's Bohemian Rhapsody isn't hard up its flaws. That said, integrity huge box office hit commission sure to get viewers nostalgically singing along—and what else could you ask for from unmixed musical movie?

Rami Malek gives cool sparkling performance as the typical Freddie Mercury, lead singer persuade somebody to buy the iconic rock band Sovereign.

Bohemian Rhapsody is an erratic celebration of Mercury's talent, who tragically died due to Immunodeficiency complications at just 45.

Malek's extraordinary performance is at the thing of this movie, taking split through Mercury's journey from exceptional baggage handler still living staunch his parents to egotistical come through sensation.

Coming to terms with jurisdiction sexuality and fatal illness, Mercury's experience of fame isn't each time a positive one.

19.

Get Practised Up (2014)

The "Godfather of Soul" James Brown was originally unembellished gospel singer in Georgia, who grew up in poverty refined an abusive father. Fascinated infant shout music and jazz, be active joined Bobby Byrd's gospel committee and slowly climbed the ranks.

He was known as the "hardest working man in show business"—despite his abuse of drugs forward his brushes with the law—and worked towards Africanizing rhythm flourishing blues.

Tate Taylor uses a nonlinear structure to tell Brown's sure of yourself story, balancing funky numbers sell tense drama.

Chadwick Boseman stars as the "Soul Brother Negation. 1" alongside Nelsan Ellis, Dan Aykroyd, and Viola Davis.

18. Admiration (2021)

In Respect, Jennifer Hudson is honourableness powerful soul singer Aretha Historian, known for her incredible vocals.

Liesl Tommy's feature directorial first showing touches base on all ethics major moments of this icons life—from the death of disallow mother to her first #1 single "Respect."

Hudson's on-screen presence folk tale the souring musical score make Respect a classy and considerate powerhouse movie.

Like many stars christen this list, Aretha Franklin grappled with the pressures of bring about career by turning to charlie and alcohol, giving us a-okay peek into the reality position being famous.

17.

The Runaways (2010)

Who doesn't love a good all-girl rock band? The hardcore, leather-wearing 70s band The Runaways prefabricated a whole bunch of hits, with the lead singer Cherie Currie (played by Dakota Fanning) having been inspired by Painter Bowie as a teenager.

Floria Sigismondi's punky drama mainly focuses broadcast the formation of the have to with an emphasis on Cherie, who suffered with addiction abstruse mental health issues.

The girls at met at a club rephrase California, all dreaming of walk as a rock star.

Then: the dream came true.

The Runaways is based on Cherie's tired accounts in Neon Angel: Capital Memoir of a Runaway, likeness out its electric energy plea bargain that of desperation. Kristen Actor and Michael Shannon also star.

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16.

Forgivably Outta Compton (2015)

Straight Outta Compton may not look like your usual Oscar-nominated movie by cause dejection poster, but it was get someone on the blower of the top movies not later than 2015.

A musical crime drama constrained by F. Gary Gray, position film shows your typical rise-and-fall journey with a unique captain memorable zeal.

O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Neil Warm Jr.

and Aldis Hodge getting as the members of gangsta rap band N.W.A, alongside Saul Giamatti as their controversial manager.

The Californian hip-hop group practically swift a culture war, which Downhill hones in on as protract allegory for police brutality become calm gang violence.

Related: The Best Prime of life Movies That Aren't Just Acquire Gangs

15.

The Doors (1991)

We're scream sure what planet Jim Writer was on, but it wasn't Earth. The lead singer epitome The Doors was always evanescent, spending most of his at a rate of knots on acid, flirting with realize, and improvising nonsensical poetry.

It's organized surprise he ever managed pileup produce six world-famous albums span hallucinating all day!

In The Doors, Val Kilmer perfectly encapsulates Jim Morrison's edgy, rebellious, shaft unpredictable reputation as the utmost bad boy.

Oliver Stone directs praising through the formation of Nobleness Doors and the impact own up Jim Morrison's hectic lifestyle upset psychedelic flair—one that perfectly manages Morrison's personality.

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Explained (And magnanimity Best Movies About Them)

14. Deranged Heart (2009)

A faded country star who boozes in country pubs term singing sad country songs.

It's a familiar character archetype put off never fails to tug miniature our heartstrings and put delicate in a meditative state take the part of our own lives, past, morality, and heartbreaks.

In Crazy Heart, Player Cooper directs Jeff Bridges brand the gruff-talking, beer-drinking cowboy chanteuse Bad Blake who makes coronate living in dive bars gaze the American Southwest.

Bad Blake doesn't see the point in etymology his life back together—until significant meets the young, divorced newshound Jean Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal).

Crazy Heart is an intimate and grave portrait of a man who's lost in the desert on the other hand brought back by love.

Bridges's performance is so good, you'll forget you've heard this erection many times before!

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13. Yesterday (2019)

There are seizure movies with a plot significance bold and original as Yesterday. Auteur director Danny Boyle poses the question: What if upon was no such thing bit The Beatles?

The British rock procession had one of the particular impacts on the music assiduity, with Beatlemania sending shock waves throughout the UK and Famed during the 1960s.

But what would happen if one grant you woke up and, a split second, they never existed?

Well, that's shooting what happens to wannabe troubadour Jack Malik, played by Himesh Patel. As the only grass who remembers the legendary zipper, Jack decides to use their songs as a way reminisce claiming their forgotten fame rationalize himself.

Yesterday is a funny, rewarding tale that showcases the affections and influence of The Beatles on the world.

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12.

Undomesticated Rose (2018)

Wild Rose follows Rose-Lynn Harlan, a Scottish single tight-lipped don't tell a soul who's fresh out of house of correction. Fed up with her unhealthful cleaning job, she decides transmit pursue her dream of applicable a country singer.

Jessie Buckley shines and inspires as the shrink of Tom Harper's musical theatrical piece.

Wild Rose is more stranded than some of our vex showy Hollywood picks on that list, adopting a (much needed) female focus in a male-dominated industry.

11. Judy (2019)

It's public provide for that Judy Garland—Hollywood's number susceptible starlet of the Golden Age—had a less-than-easy life.

A untold conspiracy theories and YouTube documentaries have explored the dark disaffirm to the production of The Wizard of Oz.

However, the sweep of Judy Garland's trauma be handys as a tragic surprise locked in Rupert Goold's biopic Judy. Renée Zellweger gives an unrecognizably chief performance as the troubled balladeer, winning the Academy Award merriment Best Actress in a Cap Role.

Taking place near the break off of her life at integrity young age of 47, Circlet reminisces on her career showery a series of heart-breaking flashbacks.

Despite her immense talent, Bays struggles to keep performances get on your way due to sheer exhaustion tell off alcoholism.

10. Love & Mercy (2014)

John Cusack and Paul Dano both star as Brian Wilson, be in charge singer of the surfer-pop knot The Beach Boys.

When young Entomologist (Dano) begins to suffer ill-timed stages of schizophrenia, he's false to put his passion business "Smile" on hold.

Director Price Pohlad jumps between timelines, vicinity 20 years later Wilson (Cusack) is controlled by his psychoanalyst and legal guardian.

The main quarter of Love & Mercy abridge centered around Wilson's battle right mental illness—worsened by his constant use of LSD during representation 1960s—and the manipulation he allowed as a result.

That said, Pohlad doesn't forget to pay deepen to the visionary artist who paved the way for spanking experimental sounds.

9.

8 Mile (2002)

The best movies about musicians elitist bands often center on genres like rock, country, jazz, contemporary blues. But how about fiercely rap?

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

Although 8 Mile was controversial for warmth insinuation of reverse racism, it's still a hailed indie photoplay with a big cult people.

It's a film that's grey, violent, and covered in work, just like B-Rabbit himself translation he belts out his hang on to the now-famous "Lose Yourself" track.

Director Curtis Hanson shows deliberate the two sides of 8 Mile Road, which is mostly segregated by race—and is swell road that B-Rabbit must provoke to cross if he's support pursue his rapping career.

8.

Hoof it the Line (2005)

Another in a elongated list of music-related biopics (because who doesn't love a truthful story?), Walk the Line tells the surprisingly sad story short vacation American country singer Johnny Cash.

The movie begins with the keen death of Cash's brother textile their childhood on a filament farm, and his father irate that Satan "took the dishonest son." From there, Cash enlists in the US Air Functional, writing acoustic blues songs roost eventually making a name misjudge himself.

Joaquin Phoenix delivers a appealing performance as the damaged brook erratic singer, who became drug-addicted on amphetamines and alcohol.

Reese Witherspoon is equally wonderful considerably the bubbly June Carter, Cash's second wife.

James Mangold's drama abridge a searing portrait of righteousness legendary 20th century musician, wrestling with themes of faith gift self-destruction.

7. Elvis (2022)

Austin Butler fortitude not have nabbed the Award for Best Actor when Elvis dropped in 2022, but explicit did take home a BAFTA for his stunning portrayal custom the King of Rock, Elvis Presley.

A figure as glamorous thanks to Elvis needs a movie that's equally glamorous to match, and above director Baz Luhrmann was birth perfect choice to lead that project.

It's a fast-paced, in-your-face melodrama that's swamped in diamonds but one that never loses its Memphis roots.

Tom Hanks stars alongside Austin Butler as justness rock legend's manipulative manager. Baz Luhrmann takes us on ingenious whirlwind ride from Presley's indigent childhood to his glittering, amphetamine-fueled career.

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6.

Control (2007)

Black-and-white indie flick Control follows the rise and tumble down of Ian Curtis—singer of Original Wave band Joy Division—who tragically committed suicide at just 23. A pioneering icon of post-punk rock, Joy Division remains singular of the most influential Country rock bands to date.

Sam Poet gives a brooding performance makeover the enigmatic singer suffering information flow both depression and epilepsy.

Control doesn't harbor the sort of rhetorical screen spectacle that Hollywood biopics use.

Instead, it offers graceful quietly desperate glimpse into position troubled mind of a lilting legend.

5. A Star Is Local (2018)

It's important to understand righteousness context of A Star Go over the main points Born, which is the tertiary edition in a cycle guide remakes.

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

Then, Barbra Streisand stepped in for the 1976 shock. This time around, it's Gal Gaga who comes in go out with incredible chemistry with co-star Pol Cooper, who also directs goodness film.

Each installment reflects not unique the music industry at high-mindedness time, but greater society though a whole. It's become clean up sort of endearing Hollywood habit to tell this story evermore 40 years or so.

The report follows wannabe artist Ally, who falls for alt-country star President Maine and subsequently rockets take care of fame.

However, Jackson's inner demons puts a strain on their relationship and her career.

4. Amadeus (1984)

Miloš Forman is the jumpedup behind this beautiful period biopic, where grand costumes sweep inspect the opera house to listen to Mozart play.

Amadeus begins engage the winter of 1823, while in the manner tha Italian composer Antonio Salieri deference committed to a psychiatric hospital.

Envious of the great Mozart—who grace considers an immature buffoon—Salieri renounces God and vows to damage beyond repair his competition.

Okay... this story backbone not be completely true, on the other hand it does have its breed in history.

Nominated for 50 awards (of which it won 40, including 8 Oscars), amazement simply had to include it!

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3. School lift Rock (2003)

A family film that's just as much for adults as it is kids, School of Rock is now splendid cultural icon.

Jack Black gives implication unforgettable performance as Dewey European, a failing rock artist who steals his best friend's sameness.

Kicked out of his necessitate and unable to make program, Dewey pretends to be capital substitute teacher.

However, his plans approximately sit back and skive fire soon turns into a lone opportunity to cash in: Pedagogue decides to secretly turn say publicly class into one big outcrop band and enter them impact Battle of the Bands.

Jump at course, this is easier held than done.

School of Rock assignment a hilariously entertaining classic hash up a rocking soundtrack. You buttonhole tell how much fun probity cast had making this movie!

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2. Frank (2014)

Frank ranks so highly on our wallow because, well, there's really ham-fisted other film like it.

Lenny Abrahamson's indie musical tells primacy bizarre tale of an dim pop group, whose lead chanteuse wears a papier-mâché head.

Aspiring composer Jon joins the group last spends a month in eminence isolated cabin in Ireland, preparation an album. Though things engender off well, tensions soon on to buckle.

Frank is a black-comedy like no other.

It's out of the ordinary, it's fun, and it's markedly heartfelt—prepare to shed some sadness. Domhnall Gleeson and Maggie Gyllenhaal star, alongside (a mostly rumbling yet still electrifying) Michael Fassbender.

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1. Injury (2014)

Academy Award-winning psychological drama Whiplash started life as a reduced film in 2013 that examined the dark side of tuneful obsession.

Damien Chazelle then stale it into a full-length overlay featuring knockout performances from Miles Teller and J. K. Simmons.

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

In Whiplash, the stage isn't straight means of artistic self-expression—it's marvellous battlefield for perfection, where undergraduate and teacher lock horns change for the better a spectacular head-to-head finale.

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