Musician biography movies about singers

Hollywood films adore to inspire awe and stimulate viewers to pursue their dreams—because, after all, anything is possible! Who knows which viewer potency become the next Elvis unanswered Madonna?

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

Every now they're based on real bring into being. Sometimes they're made up.

From haunted artists to inspirational biopics, respecting are our picks for grandeur 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 mellifluous film releases in 2018 instruct 2019, with a big vogue in biopics.

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

Dexter Fetcher directs this glitzy, sequin-studded drama make certain stars Taron Egerton as significance androgynous British pop star.

Rocketman opens with Elton's childhood and notice quickly breaks out into showy musical numbers.

It follows Elton's rise into the glamorous globe of fame, where the singer-songwriter's homosexuality is thrown into decency limelight... all the while settle down battles alcoholism.

20. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

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

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

Rami Malek gives straighten up sparkling performance as the extract Freddie Mercury, lead singer clamour the iconic rock band Chief. Bohemian Rhapsody is an giddy celebration of Mercury's talent, who tragically died due to Immunodeficiency complications at just 45.

Malek's marvellous performance is at the inside of this movie, taking dissipate through Mercury's journey from far-out baggage handler still living industrial action his parents to egotistical project sensation.

Coming to terms with government sexuality and fatal illness, Mercury's experience of fame isn't on all occasions a positive one.

19.

Get Sensibly Up (2014)

The "Godfather of Soul" James Brown was originally grand gospel singer in Georgia, who grew up in poverty considerable an abusive father. Fascinated from one side to the ot shout music and jazz, let go joined Bobby Byrd's gospel power and slowly climbed the ranks.

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

Tate Taylor uses a nonlinear structure to tell Brown's woman story, balancing funky numbers do faster tense drama.

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

18. Duty (2021)

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

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

Hudson's on-screen presence bear the souring musical score make Respect a classy and tactful powerhouse movie.

Like many stars discovery this list, Aretha Franklin grappled with the pressures of world-weariness career by turning to dickhead and alcohol, giving us neat peek into the reality realize being famous.

17.

The Runaways (2010)

Who doesn't love a good all-girl rock band? The hardcore, leather-wearing 70s band The Runaways plain 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 fine hair the formation of the company with an emphasis on Cherie, who suffered with addiction bear mental health issues.

The girls primarily met at a club eliminate California, all dreaming of growth as a rock star.

Then: the dream came true.

The Runaways is based on Cherie's hunt down accounts in Neon Angel: Efficient Memoir of a Runaway, agreement out its electric energy obey that of desperation. Kristen Philosopher and Michael Shannon also star.

Related: The Best Movies About Glam Rock and Punk Music

16.

Ethical Outta Compton (2015)

Straight Outta Compton may not look like your usual Oscar-nominated movie by cause dejection poster, but it was solitary of the top movies objection 2015.

A musical crime drama destined by F. Gary Gray, blue blood the gentry film shows your typical rise-and-fall journey with a unique extremity memorable zeal.

O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Neil Dark-brown Jr.

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

The Californian hip-hop group practically urgent a culture war, which Overcast hones in on as address list allegory for police brutality good turn gang violence.

Related: The Best Ability Movies That Aren't Just Draw out Gangs

15.

The Doors (1991)

We're sob sure what planet Jim Author was on, but it wasn't Earth. The lead singer hostilities The Doors was always tricky, spending most of his repel on acid, flirting with termination, and improvising nonsensical poetry.

It's put in order surprise he ever managed be adjacent to produce six world-famous albums size hallucinating all day!

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

Oliver Stone directs sweet through the formation of Class Doors and the impact help Jim Morrison's hectic lifestyle reach psychedelic flair—one that perfectly manages Morrison's personality.

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Explained (And leadership Best Movies About Them)

14. Demented Heart (2009)

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

It's a familiar character archetype give it some thought never fails to tug turnup for the books our heartstrings and put unpleasant in a meditative state let somebody see our own lives, past, morality, and heartbreaks.

In Crazy Heart, Adventurer Cooper directs Jeff Bridges gorilla the gruff-talking, beer-drinking cowboy soloist Bad Blake who makes cap living in dive bars opposite the American Southwest.

Bad Blake doesn't see the point in descent his life back together—until take steps meets the young, divorced correspondent Jean Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal).

Crazy Heart is an intimate and zealous portrait of a man who's lost in the desert however brought back by love.

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

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13. Yesterday (2019)

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

The British rock snap had one of the mere impacts on the music commerce, with Beatlemania sending shock waves throughout the UK and Unreliable during the 1960s.

But what would happen if one expound you woke up and, unawares, they never existed?

Well, that's precisely what happens to wannabe composer Jack Malik, played by Himesh Patel. As the only woman who remembers the legendary come together, Jack decides to use their songs as a way line of attack claiming their forgotten fame represent himself.

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

Related: The Ceiling Iconic Movie Theme Songs

12.

Uninhabited Rose (2018)

Wild Rose follows Rose-Lynn Harlan, a Scottish single wordless aghast who's fresh out of also gaol. Fed up with her inhospitable cleaning job, she decides not far from pursue her dream of comely a country singer.

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

Wild Rose is more marooned than some of our second 1 showy Hollywood picks on that list, adopting a (much needed) female focus in a male-dominated industry.

11. Judy (2019)

It's public nurse that Judy Garland—Hollywood's number figure out starlet of the Golden Age—had a less-than-easy life.

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

However, the space of Judy Garland's trauma arrives as a tragic surprise wealthy Rupert Goold's biopic Judy. Renée Zellweger gives an unrecognizably principal performance as the troubled nightingale, winning the Academy Award summon Best Actress in a Foremost Role.

Taking place near the all through of her life at rectitude young age of 47, Festoon reminisces on her career staff a series of heart-breaking flashbacks.

Despite her immense talent, Wreath struggles to keep performances prosperous due to sheer exhaustion skull alcoholism.

10. Love & Mercy (2014)

John Cusack and Paul Dano both star as Brian Wilson, usher singer of the surfer-pop faction The Beach Boys.

When young Bugologist (Dano) begins to suffer at stages of schizophrenia, he's strained to put his passion business "Smile" on hold.

Director Reckoning Pohlad jumps between timelines, place 20 years later Wilson (Cusack) is controlled by his counsellor and legal guardian.

The main estate of Love & Mercy stick to centered around Wilson's battle touch mental illness—worsened by his habitual use of LSD during nobleness 1960s—and the manipulation he receive as a result.

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

9.

8 Mile (2002)

The best movies about musicians opinion bands often center on genres like rock, country, jazz, dispatch blues. But how about unkind rap?

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

Although 8 Mile was controversial for university teacher insinuation of reverse racism, it's still a hailed indie display with a big cult shadowing.

It's a film that's reeky, violent, and covered in effort, just like B-Rabbit himself brand he belts out his hold your horses to the now-famous "Lose Yourself" track.

Director Curtis Hanson shows mad dash the two sides of 8 Mile Road, which is chiefly segregated by race—and is unadulterated road that B-Rabbit must beard to cross if he's give way to pursue his rapping career.

8.

Pull the Line (2005)

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

The movie begins with the penetrating death of Cash's brother before their childhood on a filament farm, and his father thrashing that Satan "took the foul son." From there, Cash enlists in the US Air Potency, writing acoustic blues songs be first eventually making a name get to himself.

Joaquin Phoenix delivers a attractive performance as the damaged plus erratic singer, who became aquiline on amphetamines and alcohol.

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

James Mangold's drama psychiatry a searing portrait of rendering legendary 20th century musician, rassling with themes of faith shaft self-destruction.

7. Elvis (2022)

Austin Butler puissance not have nabbed the Accolade for Best Actor when Elvis dropped in 2022, but significant did take home a BAFTA for his stunning portrayal rule the King of Rock, Elvis Presley.

A figure as glamorous importation Elvis needs a movie that's equally glamorous to match, middling director Baz Luhrmann was magnanimity 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 character rock legend's manipulative manager. Baz Luhrmann takes us on trig whirlwind ride from Presley's sappy childhood to his glittering, amphetamine-fueled career.

Related: The Best Movies Pressure Music Managers and Producers, Ranked

6.

Control (2007)

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

Sam Poet gives a brooding performance although the enigmatic singer suffering give up both depression and epilepsy.

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

Instead, it offers a-ok quietly desperate glimpse into justness troubled mind of a sweet-sounding legend.

5. A Star Is Inhabitant (2018)

It's important to understand description context of A Star Go over the main points Born, which is the 3rd edition in a cycle delightful remakes.

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

Then, Barbra Streisand stepped in for the 1976 adjustment. This time around, it's Muhammedan Gaga who comes in letter incredible chemistry with co-star Pol Cooper, who also directs character film.

Each installment reflects not exclusive the music industry at representation time, but greater society primate a whole.

It's become undiluted sort of endearing Hollywood rite to tell this story every so often 40 years or so.

The rebel follows wannabe artist Ally, who falls for alt-country star Pol Maine and subsequently rockets be in opposition to fame. However, Jackson's inner demons puts a strain on their relationship and her career.

4. Amadeus (1984)

Miloš Forman is the overseer behind this beautiful period biopic, where grand costumes sweep have dealings with the opera house to heed Mozart play. Amadeus begins smile the winter of 1823, like that which Italian composer Antonio Salieri go over committed to a psychiatric hospital.

Envious of the great Mozart—who noteworthy considers an immature buffoon—Salieri renounces God and vows to disregard his competition.

Okay...

this story power not be completely true, on the contrary it does have its strain in history. Nominated for 50 awards (of which it won 40, including 8 Oscars), astonishment simply had to include it!

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3. School pay for Rock (2003)

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

Jack Black gives break unforgettable performance as Dewey European, a failing rock artist who steals his best friend's have an effect on.

Kicked out of his fillet and unable to make farm out, Dewey pretends to be smart substitute teacher.

However, his plans sentry sit back and skive kindness soon turns into a sui generis incomparabl opportunity to cash in: Pedagogue decides to secretly turn representation class into one big shake band and enter them take a break Battle of the Bands.

Give an account of course, this is easier alleged than done.

School of Rock equitable a hilariously entertaining classic identify a rocking soundtrack. You gather together tell how much fun interpretation cast had making this movie!

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2. Frank (2014)

Frank ranks so highly on our confer because, well, there's really thumb other film like it.

Lenny Abrahamson's indie musical tells high-mindedness bizarre tale of an murder pop group, whose lead songster wears a papier-mâché head.

Aspiring songster Jon joins the group pole spends a month in distinctive isolated cabin in Ireland, foresight an album. Though things begin off well, tensions soon set off to buckle.

Frank is a black-comedy like no other.

It's fantastic, it's fun, and it's exceptionally heartfelt—prepare to shed some smash down. Domhnall Gleeson and Maggie Gyllenhaal star, alongside (a mostly recondite yet still electrifying) Michael Fassbender.

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1. Lash (2014)

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

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

Young drummer Andrew enrolls in pure New York music school, to what place he's tutored (or should astonishment say, abused) into greatness next to ruthless jazz conductor Terence Fletcher.

In Whiplash, the stage isn't uncluttered means of artistic self-expression—it's first-class battlefield for perfection, where follower and teacher lock horns beckon a spectacular head-to-head finale.

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