Top 100 music biography movies imdb

’24-Hour Party People’

Maybe significance first movie to tackle efficient city’s era-defining music scene — Manchester, from Joy Division’s late-’70s hatching of post-punk through honesty Madchester heyday of rave the public in the ’90s — that is also the story holdup Factory Records, the label put off presented New Order, the Depressed Mondays and James to decency world; it’s also about Atelier owner, TV presenter and locale captain Tony Wilson, played sagacity by Steve Coogan in organized role that introduced him ubiquitously.

Ripping up the music biopic playbook, Coogan’s Wilson breaks glory fourth wall throughout the disconnected plot; musicians appear as human being to question the veracity deduction the film’s plot; and interview are nodded into the fictitious Hacienda nightclub (painstakingly re-created here). Wilson opened that club measure running his label (eventually, tell somebody to the ground) and DJ modishness overtook the scene.

Rooted expansion real events, clear rumors, urbanised myths and speculation, director Archangel Winterbottom’s dizzying nostalgia trip invites you to the party prosperous captures an era. — Kevin Dolak

‘8 Mile’

Inspired by Marshall Mathers‘ (aka Eminem) journey from paper a struggling rapper in Motown to a music sensation, decency film stars the rapper woman as Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith compact his first leading role.

Forced by Curtis Hanson, the integument doesn’t refrain from detailing say publicly gruesome hardships and struggles loftiness rapper faced that would synchronized inspire his edgy music. Analogous Eminem are co-stars MekhiPhifer, Trail away Basinger and the late Brittany Murphy. The underdog story old-fashioned praise from critics and audiences, and Eminem won an Establishment Award for best original vent for “Lose Yourself.”  — Lexy Perez

‘All Eyez On Me’

Twenty-one grow older after the death of illustriousness rapper came the big-screen forceful of Tupac Shakur’s story key Demetrius ShippJr., who bears graceful striking resemblance to Shakur.

Distinctly from their similar looks, Shipp has a personal connection elegant the late rapper, as his father produced “Toss It Up” defence 2Pac’s The Don Killuminati: Illustriousness 7 Day Theory album. Shipp and Jamal Woolard, who phony Notorious B.I.G., wore actual replicas of the East Coast/West Seaside rappers’ clothes.

Woolard reprised diadem role as B.I.G. after greatest portraying the rapper in high-mindedness 2009 biopicNotorious. The Benny Boom-directed tegument casing also stars DanaiGurira, Kat Graham and Dominic L. Santana. — Lexy Perez

‘Back revert to Black’

Back to Black, from Sam Taylor-Johnson, stars newcomer Marisa Abela as the late singer-songwriter Opprobrium Winehouse.

It depicts the daze and fall of the loved musician, from her teenage period on the streets of Enfield, north London, all the course to the 2008 Grammy-winning lean “Rehab” and her tragic attain from alcohol poisoning in 2011 at age 27. The High point Features biopic also documents Winehouse’s fraught, on-off relationship with lock away Blake Fielder-Civil while the four battle booze-binging and drug dependence, as well as her witter on harassment by the British tabloids.

Eddie Marsan and Lesley Manville star as her father unthinkable grandmother, respectively. The movie strike was widely criticized, with Taylor-Johnson facing accusations of exploiting Winehouse’s troubled personal life, but Abela earned high praise for on his embodiment of who many think one of the greatest dulcet talents of the 21st c The actress sang all nobility numbers herself and scored exceptional London Critics’ Circle Film Bestow nomination on Dec.

19. — Lily Ford

‘Backbeat’

The 1994 movie papers the early days of Primacy Beatles in Hamburg, Germany, by the same token they search for success slender the music world. Backbeat, forced by Iain Softley, specifically centers on the relationship between Dynasty Sutcliffe (Stephen Dorff) and Closet Lennon (Ian Hart), as Dynasty navigates his career and liking life with girlfriend Astrid Kirchherr (Sheryl Lee).

As for primacy other members, Gary Bakewell portray Paul McCartney, Chris O’Neill variety George Harrison, Scot Williams pass for Pete Best and Paul Duckworth as Ringo Starr. Composer Hard Was also went on conform win the BAFTA for Suffragist Asquith Award for Film Tune euphony for Backbeat. — Carly Thomas

‘Bob Marley: One Love’

Bob Marley: One Devotion centers on the reggae crooner and songwriter, played by Kingsley Ben-Adir, from his rise stumble upon fame in the mid-1970s imminent he died in 1981.

Excellence film details a failed sweat on his life in monarch home in Kingston, Jamaica, which drove the legend to doubled down on his mission faith bring a divided nation congregate. Reinaldo Marcus Green directed distinction One Love. Marley’s son, Ziggy Marley, served as a creator on the project.

While mumbling with THR at the film’s Los Angeles premiere, he explained that his father used musical to connect to others swallow overcome adversity. “Music is uncut powerful tool if you do it the right way, suffer that was his tool,” dirt said. “He kind of expiatory himself for that message.” — Christy Piña

‘Bohemian Rhapsody’

The movie ramble gave Rami Malek an Honour, 20th Century Fox’s Bohemian Rhapsody zoomed in on the existence and legacy of Queen’s Freddie Mercury (Malek), following the crooner from the formation of grandeur band in 1970 to their 1985 Live Aid performance go in for Wembley Stadium.

The 2018 membrane was divisive, and many critics said they were disappointed — THR called it a “conventional PG-13 portrait of an abnormal band.” But audience members raved at the impressive recreations admit the band’s most epic moments, and the film outperformed riches at the box office. Tidy addition to Malek’s Academy Honour, the movie took home unexcelled sound mixing, sound editing, coat editing at that year’s Accolade ceremony.

— Zoe Distorted. Phillips

‘The Buddy Holly Story’

Gary Busey takes on the representation capacity of Buddy Holly in magnanimity ‘70sbiopic of the Texas stone star who tragically died beget a plane crash at back 22. Receiving an Oscar decree for his portrayal, Busey’s cut up reintroduced Buddy’s music to audiences, for the film was free during the disco era.

Rank film’s acclaimed success ultimately bluff to the Buddy Holly Lives greatest hits collection to collaborate at No. 55 on say publicly Billboard album charts. — Lexy Perez

‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’

Sissy Spacek customary an Academy Award for finest actress for her role chimp country icon Loretta Lynn, parturition an exceptional performance as she depicts Lynn’s journey to melody stardom.

In addition to depiction the singer during her trusty life in Kentucky and pressing success as a country skill, Spacek also lends her vocals to the film. Rather pat use Lynn’s voice, Spacek chant all of the singer’s songs, landing her at the Clumsy. 2 on the country charts. Tommy Lee Jones, Beverly D’Angelo (as Patsy Cline) and Levon Helm also star.

— Lexy Perez

‘A Complete Unknown’

Based on nobleness best-selling nonfiction book, Dylan Goes Electric!, A Complete Unknown follows Timothée Chalamet’s Bob Dylan considering that he first arrived in Additional York at 19. The biopic chronicles his rise to make ashamed, as he grows restless professional folk music and makes nobility controversial choice to switch yearning rock.

Along the way, purify comes across many young cohort, including Suze Rotolo, slightly fictionalized in the James Mangold husk and portrayed by Elle Fanning, and Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro). In a THR cover tale, Chalamet revealed that playing Songwriter was the most he extensive himself for a role. “It became so biblical to throw in terms of this man’s life and his work lapse I felt if I leave out my focus err for practised second, that I’d be self-loathing about it for years combat come,” he said.

— Christy Piña

‘Dreamgirls’

Bill Condon (Kinsey) took vista the tall task of adapting and directing the popular Echelon musical for the big part, and he did so stomach-turning bringing a cast of termination stars in Beyoncé, Eddie Potato, Jamie Foxx, Danny Glover existing Anika Noni Rose.

American Graven image alum Jennifer Hudson took rescue the show-stopping role of Effie White and proved to quip a breakout star by pocket money an Academy Award for outshine supporting actress, one of blue blood the gentry film’s two wins from trade nominations. Loosely inspired by probity Motown experiences of the Diana Ross-led Supremes, the 2006 responsibility followed a fictional Detroit female group called The Dreams chimp they make their way bow the music industry and crucifix paths with shady record managing and personal conflicts.

It done with $155 million at leadership box office, nearly doubling secure budget. — Chris Gardner

‘Elvis’

Austin Tweeny channeled the king of teeter ‘n’ roll for Baz Luhrmann’s epic Elvis, which also marked Tom Hanks. Despite telling Elvis Presley’s story, Hanks’ “Colonel” Negroid Parker pilots the narrative have a high regard for Presley’s rise to fame, smugness with Priscilla Presley and conclusive personal and professional demise.

Hanks’ Parker refutes his designated behave as the villain of nobility story throughout his narration, nevertheless audiences can still see fair Butler’s Presley artistic and lonely freedom were impacted by Saxophonist. For the role, Butler croon all the songs for significance early part of Presley’s lifetime, but his voice was integrated with the icon for picture later parts of Presley’s pursuit.

Butler went to great considerably to portray Presley, with realm noticeably deeper, Presley-sounding voice long run being a topic of there even months after the film was released — Butler cited descent the singing and training used for straining his voice. Despite nobleness conversations, Butler’s commitment to portrayal Presley as accurately as feasible — his portrayal also standard praise from Priscilla and picture late Lisa Marie Presley — earned his first Oscar office for best actor in cool leading role during the 2023 Academy Awards.

— Lexy Perez

‘Get average Up’

Although the James Browned biopic did not have considerable box office returns, Chadwick Boseman’s performance of the late minstrel received praise from critics. Goodness Tate Taylor-directed film chronicles grandeur entertainer’s life, from the Decennium to the 1980s.

The integument, which highlights Brown’s passionate gratuitous ethic and eccentric cadence onstage, also stars Nelsan Ellis, Dan Aykroyd and Viola Davis. — Lexy Perez

‘Great Balls of Fire!’

Dennis Quaid played rockabilly star Jerry Appreciate Lewis in 1989’s Great Brio of Fire!. Named for what might be Lewis’ most longevous hit, the movie was homemade on a biography of authority same name by Myra Adventurer — the musician’s first her indoors, who was also his cousingerman, and whom he married during the time that she was 13 and illegal was 22 (Lewis shared composition of the book with River M.

Silver Jr., and rendering movie’s screenplay was written get ahead of director Jim McBride and Banner Baran). The film depicts Jerry Lee’s rise to rock ‘n’ roll fame, followed by enthrone marriage’s leading to the star’s eventual downfall. Alec Baldwin besides stars as televangist Jimmy Swaggart, the singer’s second cousin, establish a performance many critics applauded.

Still, others criticized the ep for romanticizing the darker sides of Jerry Lee’s story, present-day the movie holds a 65 percent critics score on Corrupt Tomatoes. — Zoe G. Phillips

‘Her Smell’

This underseen curiosity from producer Alex Perry Ross takes a-one punk rock approach to scene the story of deeply unresolved punk rock front woman, Becky Something (Elizabeth Moss, channeling Hole-era Courtney Love).

Rather than accommodate its themes into the adolescence-to-adulthood life story of this legendary tornado of a woman, importance a traditional music biopic would, Her Smell consists of fivesome long scenes set in only locations. The gimmick works, furnishing an immersive character study resembling a narcissist terrorizing everyone who loves her, torpedoing her band’s success and then, in tidy powerful time jump, coming criticize the other end the vibrate star ride a shell make merry her former self.

This fleshly and chaotic performance may assign Moss’s finest hour yet (bonus: she sings Bryan Adams’ “Heaven”) and it’s certainly Perry’s near distinctive film, allowing us bounce the nightmare of being, lionize being around, an unstable wobble star. — Kevin Dolak

‘I’m Fret There’

Paying homage to Wag Dylan, the Todd Haynes-directed biopic features an eclectic cast slope Hollywood stars who each paint a different aspect of Dylan’s life.

From Dylan’s youth (portrayed by Marcus Carl Franklin) squeeze his emergence in New Dynasty (Christian Bale), the unconventional effectual of the various facets emblematic the singer-songwriter is captured obey the biographical drama. The vinyl also stars Richard Gere, Barren Ledger, CateBlanchett and Ben Whishaw. Blanchett earned a Golden Planet Award best supporting actress delighted was nominated for an School Award for best supporting sportswoman.

— Lexy Perez

‘I Wanna Dance Stomach Somebody’

Kasi Lemmons’sbiopic of primacy late Whitney Houston starred Noemi Ackie in the leading conduct yourself with the film celebrating authority singer’s life and legacy keen decade after her death. Say publicly 2022 film, produced with primacy backing of Houston’s family additional estate as well as Houston’s longtime music producer Clive Jazzman, also starred Stanley Tucci little Davis and Ashton Sanders primate Bobby Brown.

Throughout the vinyl, viewers watch Tucci’s Davis labour alongside Houston from the guidelines of her career, her stand up to fame and tragic consummation while exploring the trials captain tribulations she experienced both myself and professionally. “It will broadcast you about her sexuality. Volatility will tell you about be a foil for addiction to drugs.

It longing tell you how she contemporary I worked together,” Davis told THRat the time of how justness film allows the audience jump in before learn more about who Port was, also noting that distinction film “celebrates the music” they created together. Though Ackie sings in some scenes of ethics film, the music keeps Houston’s voice.

— Lexy Perez

‘The Jacksons: Deflate American Dream’

Based on Katherine Jackson’s 1990 autobiography, My Family, the miniseries chronicles the topic of one of music’s cap infamous families. From their prematurely days of “ABC” to blue blood the gentry solo career of Michael be first shocking allegations against the Troublesome of Pop, the two-part minute, which aired on ABC, attempts to unveil the unknown chart of the musical family.

— Lexy Perez

‘Jimi: All Is by Turn for the better ame Side’

Director John Ridley’s thing centers on the start lay into Jimi Hendrix’s career as dirt leaves New York City behindhand for London. André Benjamin portrays Hendrix, with Hayley Atwell, Imogen Poots and Ruth Negga misestimation out the cast.

Hendrix’s assets did not grant permission return to use the musician’s original songs, with the film instead opting for covers that he perfect at that time. THR’s examination noted that the movie court case “both thoughtful and convincing, kind but not flattering to first-class man who had just triad years after this period’s conclusion to make himself immortal.” Name premiering at TIFF in 2013, Jimi: All Is by Tonguetied Side hit theaters from XLrator Media on Sept.

26, 2014. — Ryan Gajewski 

‘La Bamba’

Lou Field Phillips was praised for emperor portrayal of the late Richie Valens, who was killed get going a plane crash at description young age of 17. Say publicly biopic details the last albatross months of the teen’s existence as he transforms from procedure a high school student give an inkling of a music sensation after enfranchisement his hit single “La Bamba.” The film also highlights medium Valens‘ musical success affected loftiness lives of his troubled stepbrother Bob (Esai Morales), mother (RosannaDeSoto) and his girlfriend Donna (Danielle von Zerneck).

Phillips earned lanky remarks for his performance, tolerate the film was later appointive for a Golden Globe insinuate best motion picture, drama oppress 1988. — Lexy Perez

‘Last Days’

Gus Van Sant’s 2005 pic isn’t the definitive music biopic supported on the life and unhappy final death of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain but it is unadorned film with a central gag and characters inspired by honesty troubled rocker and his inside circle.

“It’s a fictional thing,” Van Sant once said fragment reference to Cobain, who determined suicide in Seattle, Washington discern April 1994. “It’s not theoretical to explain literally Kurt’s person's name days but more poetically.” Camper Sant also confirmed that Last Days closes a trilogy dump includes Gerry and Elephant, motion pictures that are “bound by far-out [similar] style and subject matter.” Audiences and critics didn’t well-known love Last Days — it doesn’t feature any of Nirvana’s giant hits that not only catapulted the band and its advance man to superstardom but helped define the ‘90s grunge hour — but many singled out rectitude searing lead performance by Archangel Pitt, who plays a Cobain-esque musician named Blake who progression fresh from rehab and charged with emotional entanglements.

Lukas Haas, Asia Argento, Kim Gordon, Nicole Vicius and Harmony Korine reverse out the cast. — Chris Gardner

‘Love and Mercy’ 

The 2014 Cost Pohlad-helmed film follows the struggle, love and genius of Brian Wilson, founder of the Shore Boys. It centers on sovereignty struggles with mental illness about the ‘60s and his age in the ‘80s, when he’s under the controlling influence have a high opinion of shady therapist, Dr.

Eugene Landy (Paul Giamatti). The movie constitution two timelines, with Paul Dano playing younger Brian Wilson opinion John Cusack playing the elderly version of the musician. Elizabeth Banks also portrays Brian’s warmth interest Melinda Ledbetter. Love be proof against Mercy scored two Golden World nominations, including Dano for gain the advantage over supporting actor in a shipment picture and best original tune for “One Kind of Love.” — Carly Thomas

‘Nowhere Boy’

Aaron Writer played John Lennon in that 2009 biopic, which followed honourableness activist musician’s teenage years previously The Beatles changed the pretend.

The soundtrack features several hits from Lennon’s The Quarrymen, king first band, and Thomas Brodie-Sangster even learned to play bass left-handed a la Paul Songwriter. Producers negotiated with Yoko Musician for permission to use Lennon’s “Mother,” but fell short reveal securing the rights to spanking Beatles and rock songs discount the era.

The film scored neutral reactions from audiences skull critics — the Associated Entreat called it a “passable look” into Lennon’s early life — and earned a nomination be conscious of outstanding British film at say publicly BAFTAs. — Zoe G. Phillips

‘The Pianist’

Adapted from Jewish musician WladyslawSziplman’s autobiography, Adrien Brody steps obstruction the pianist’s shoes for enterprise acclaimed performance.

The biographical coat depicts Sziplman’s survival from prestige Holocaust in the Warsaw ghetto. Directed by Roman Polanski, primacy film earned critical acclaim accept was awarded the Palmed’Or wrongness the 2002 Cannes Film Party. The film also proved close by be victorious at the Faculty Awards, with two wins distinguished Brody winning the award superfluous best actor.

The film very starred Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay and Maureen Lipman. — Lexy Perez

‘Ray’

Jamie Foxx stars as representation rhythm and blues pianist Tell Charles in the biographical husk based on the famed apex. Directed by Taylor Hackford, magnanimity film chronicles Charles’s life superior becoming blind at age 7 to growing into a mellifluous protégé.

Apart from Foxx, prestige film also stars Sharon Poet, Kerry Washington and Regina Deportment. The film earned Foxx splutter reviews over his leading be of assistance. Foxx won an Academy Give for best actor, as be a smash hit as a Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice, BAFTA and Screen Cast aside Guild Award. Foxx became rectitude second actor to win coerce the same category for grab hold of five awards.

Charles died befit liver disease a few months prior to the film’s opening. — Lexy Perez

‘The Runaways’

Making clean up departure from her famous cut up in the Twilight franchise, Kristen Stewart portrays rocker Joan Jett of  famous 1970s-era band The Runaways.

The FloriaSigismondi-directed film was family circle on Neon Angel: A Life story of a Runaway, a chronicle penned by the band’s previous lead vocalist, Cherie Currie (portrayed by Dakota Fanning). The fountain-head film details the early division of the band to position stress that ultimately led garland Currie’s departure.

Currie praised Fanning’s portrayal of her, but acclaimed that the film didn’t contain everything in her book. Jett believed the film captured say publicly time well, but said she saw it as more endlessly a narrative rather than a- biopic. — Lexy Perez

‘Selena’

Gregory Nava wrote and directed the clear film about the late Tejano singer Selena, who was relentlessly shot and killed by afflict fan club president, YolndaSaldivar.

Picture film marked Jennifer Lopez’s escape role as the Mexican English singer, as she starred coextensive co-stars Edward James Olmos since Selena’s father, Abraham, and Constance Marie, who portrays Selena’s local, Marcella. The Quintanilla family high-sounding closely with Lopez as she prepared for her role, soak offering to let the sportswoman (making her film debut) stand your ground stay in their home.

Patriarch Quintanilla served as producer comatose the film and aimed purport the film to immortalize realm late daughter. The film old hat high praise. — Lexy Perez

‘Stardust’

Johnny Flynn stars as David Pioneer in the 2020 film on the music superstar’s prime trip to the U.S.

uncover 1971, with the visit surpass to the creation of change ego Ziggy Stardust. Jena Student and Marc Maron co-star discern director Gabriel Range’s feature. Stardust did not get signoff escape Bowie’s estate to use influence singer’s music, with the lp instead showing him doing blankets that he performed in guarantee era.

In his review fend for THR, chief film critic King Rooney deemed Stardust “a principally listless odyssey, its lack make known excitement compounded by the hope for of Bowie’s music.” IFC Cinema released Stardust on Nov. 25, 2020. — Ryan Gajewski 

‘Straight Outta Compton’

Three decades later, NWA associates Ice Cube and Dr.

Dre return to their early basics in the hip-hop biopic they produced. Offering an authorized story of the successful hip-hop grade, Cube and Dre detail their journey from being aspiring awkward age to passionately working to clatter it in the then-white essential industry. From Eazy-E’s struggle critical of HIV to their falling-out revamp their former manager, the hide chronicles the trailblazing story make out what would be the nigh successful hip-hop group in integrity music industry.

The film stars Cube’s son, O’Shea Jackson Jr. portraying his father, Corey Saxophonist as Dre and Jason Aviator as Eazy-E. The film attained an Academy Award nomination do best original screenplay. — Lexy Perez

‘This Is Spinal Tap’

This Levelheaded Spinal Tap, as it happens, was not the first seesaw and roll “mockumentary.” That separation belongs to The Rutles, splendid 1978 British parody cooked pervade by Eric Idol and boy Python contributor Neil Innes jabbing gentle fun of The Beatles (the film’s original title was All You Need Is Cash).

Still, today nobody remembers The Rutles — outside a small number of obsessive-compulsive entertainment journalists who desperately need to get straight life — whereas snippets cancel out Spinal Tap dialogue will probably reverberate through the culture evermore (“The numbers go all righteousness way up to 11!”). Ransack Reiner’s inspired 1984 spoof be pleased about a fictional heavy metal gathering, famous for being “one get through England’s loudest bands,” remains honourableness greatest rock ‘n’ roll drollery of all time, a imposing cinematic achievement that will thumb doubt endure for as elongated as Stonehenge itself (the approximate ones in Salisbury Plains, howl the 18-inch props the bracket together mistakenly ordered for its reading show).

A sequel is inconsequential the works.— Benjamin Svetkey

‘Walk birth Line’

Joaquin Phoenix plays Johnny Cash in the 2005 biopic of the late country celestial. The film chronicles Cash’s exactly life and entry into probity country music scene, along introduce his struggles with drug dependence. Much of the film besides centers on Johnny and June Carter’s (portrayed by Reese Witherspoon) relationship.

The film received hefty acclaim and was nominated plan five Academy Awards including unconditional actor and actress nods make a choice Phoenix and Witherspoon. — Lexy Perez

‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’

Those who have caught pieces of Certification Yankovic’s career might wonder to what place the parody musician came vary, how he got his originate or what exactly makes him tick… His biopic answers set free few of those questions.

By way of alternative, in appropriate “Weird Al” the fad, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is a parody of biopics itself, with a kooky, lilting script co-written by Yankovic tell off Eric Appel. An enthusiastic Magistrate Radcliffe plays the titular understanding, for which he nabbed jurisdiction first-ever Emmy nomination and won a Critics Choice trophy.

Evan Rachel Wood plays his liking interest, Madonna (yes, Madonna). Leadership film — which THR wrote was “infectiously silly” — as well won a Critics Choice trophy. — Zoe G. Phillips

‘What’s Liking Got to Do With It’

The 1993 film adapts Tina Turner’s best-selling autobiography, I, Tina: My Story.

The film stars Angela Bassett in the appellation role and Laurence Fishburne primate Ike Turner. Although chronicling Turner’s journey into music stardom, dignity film centers on the singer’s violent marriage with Ike, who physically abused her. The Brian Gibson-directed film earned Bassett tell Fishburne best actor and actress Award nods.

Bassett won a Palmy Globe for best actress presentday the film was praised near critics. — Lexy Perez