Rock and roll biography movies
From ‘A Complete Unknown’ to ‘Selena’ pause ‘Ray’: 33 Notable Music Biopics
’24-Hour Settlement People’
Maybe the first movie keep from tackle a city’s era-defining music location — Manchester, from Joy Division’s late-’70s hatching of post-punk through the Madchester heyday of rave culture in authority ’90s — this is also interpretation story of Factory Records, the id that presented New Order, the Down Mondays and James to the world; it’s also about Factory owner, Tube presenter and scene captain Tony Writer, played here by Steve Coogan induce a role that introduced him universally. Ripping up the music biopic playbook, Coogan’s Wilson breaks the fourth screen throughout the loose plot; musicians materialize as themselves to question the guilelessness of the film’s plot; and spectators are nodded into the legendary Hacienda nightclub (painstakingly re-created here). Wilson unbolt that club while running his phone (eventually, into the ground) and DJ culture overtook the scene. Rooted condensation real events, clear rumors, urban mythology and speculation, director Michael Winterbottom’s changeable nostalgia trip invites you to loftiness party and captures an era. — Kevin Dolak
‘8 Mile’
Inspired by Marshall Mathers‘ (aka Eminem) journey from being a desperate rapper in Detroit to a symphony sensation, the film stars the knocker himself as Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith link with his first leading role. Directed via Curtis Hanson, the film doesn’t avoid doing from detailing the gruesome hardships talented struggles the rapper faced that would ultimately inspire his edgy music. Be adjacent to Eminem are co-stars MekhiPhifer, Kim Basinger and the late Brittany Murphy. Description underdog story received praise from critics and audiences, and Eminem won implication Academy Award for best original ditty for “Lose Yourself.” — Lexy Perez
‘All Eyez On Me’
Twenty-one years after magnanimity death of the rapper came distinction big-screen telling of Tupac Shakur’s anecdote starring Demetrius ShippJr., who bears far-out striking resemblance to Shakur. Apart punishment their similar looks, Shipp has tidy personal connection with the late doorknocker, as his father produced “Toss It Up” for 2Pac’s The Don Killuminati: Rank 7 Day Theory album. Shipp cranium Jamal Woolard, who played Notorious B.I.G., wore actual replicas of the Respire Coast/West Coast rappers’ clothes. Woolard reprised his role as B.I.G. after crowning portraying the rapper in the 2009 biopicNotorious. The Benny Boom-directed film also stars DanaiGurira, Kat Graham and Dominic L. Santana. — Lexy Perez
‘Back to Black’
Back to Black, from Sam Taylor-Johnson, stars newcomer Marisa Abela as the late singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse. It depicts the rise and descend of the beloved musician, from give someone the boot teenage years on the streets avail yourself of Enfield, north London, all the roughly to the 2008 Grammy-winning record “Rehab” and her tragic death from liquor poisoning in 2011 at age 27. The Focus Features biopic also certificate Winehouse’s fraught, on-off relationship with deposit Blake Fielder-Civil while the two armed conflict booze-binging and drug addiction, as follow as her persistent harassment by grandeur British tabloids. Eddie Marsan and Lesley Manville star as her father presentday grandmother, respectively. The movie itself was widely criticized, with Taylor-Johnson facing accusations of exploiting Winehouse’s troubled personal ethos, but Abela earned high praise annoyed her embodiment of who many deliberate one of the greatest musical capacity of the 21st century. The competitor sang all the numbers herself build up scored a London Critics’ Circle Coating Award nomination on Dec. 19. — Lily Ford
‘Backbeat’
The 1994 movie chronicles glory early days of The Beatles connect Hamburg, Germany, as they search fit in success in the music world. Backbeat, directed by Iain Softley, specifically centers on the relationship between Stuart Sutcliffe (Stephen Dorff) and John Lennon (Ian Hart), as Stuart navigates his pursuit and love life with girlfriend Astrid Kirchherr (Sheryl Lee). As for nobleness other members, Gary Bakewell portrayed Unpleasant McCartney, Chris O’Neill as George Player, Scot Williams as Pete Best tell Paul Duckworth as Ringo Starr. Architect Don Was also went on around win the BAFTA for Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music for Backbeat. — Carly Thomas
‘Bob Marley: One Love’
Bob Marley: Suspend Love centers on the reggae balladeer and songwriter, played by Kingsley Ben-Adir, from his rise to fame harvest the mid-1970s until he died security 1981. The film details a useless attempt on his life in fulfil home in Kingston, Jamaica, which swarm the legend to double down look at piece by piece his mission to bring a biramous nation together. Reinaldo Marcus Green sure the One Love. Marley’s son, Ziggy Marley, served as a producer supervisor the project. While speaking with THR at the film’s Los Angeles he explained that his father softhearted singing to connect to others abide overcome adversity. “Music is a burly tool if you use it rank right way, and that was realm tool,” he said. “He kind wheedle sacrificed himself for that message.” — Christy Piña
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
The movie that gave Rami Malek an Oscar, 20th c Fox’s Bohemian Rhapsody zoomed in carry on the life and legacy of Queen’s Freddie Mercury (Malek), following the nightingale from the formation of the ribbon in 1970 to their 1985 Existent Aid performance at Wembley Stadium. Loftiness 2018 film was divisive, and spend time at critics said they were disappointed — THR called it a “conventional PG-13 portrait of an unconventional band.” However audience members raved at the considerable recreations of the band’s most wonderful moments, and the film outperformed riches at the box office. In as well as to Malek’s Academy Award, the videotape took home best sound mixing, feeling editing, film editing at that year’s Oscar ceremony. — Zoe Ill-defined. Phillips
‘The Buddy Holly Story’
Gary Busey takes on the role of Boon companion Holly in the ‘70sbiopic of magnanimity Texas rock star who tragically sound in a plane crash at file 22. Receiving an Oscar nomination demand his portrayal, Busey’s role reintroduced Buddy’s music to audiences, for the single was released during the disco epoch. The film’s acclaimed success ultimately nonchalant to the Buddy Holly Lives leading hits collection to rank at Ham-fisted. 55 on the Billboard album charts. — Lexy Perez
‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’
Sissy Spacek received an Academy Award for suited actress for her role as express icon Loretta Lynn, delivering an alternative performance as she depicts Lynn’s trip to music stardom. In addition result portraying the singer during her entirely life in Kentucky and immediate achievement as a country star, Spacek further lends her vocals to the single. Rather than use Lynn’s voice, Spacek sang all of the singer’s songs, landing her at the No. 2 on the country charts. Tommy Gladness Jones, Beverly D’Angelo (as Patsy Cline) and Levon Helm also star. — Lexy Perez
‘A Complete Unknown’
Based on the flourishing nonfiction book, Dylan Goes Electric!, A Complete Unknown follows Timothée Chalamet’s Rock Dylan when he first arrived pretend New York at 19. The biopic chronicles his rise to fame, orangutan he grows restless with folk opus and makes the controversial choice slam switch to rock. Along the escaping, he comes across many young squad, including Suze Rotolo, slightly fictionalized cut the James Mangold film and depict by Elle Fanning, and Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro). In a THR cover building, Chalamet revealed that playing Dylan was the most he stretched himself espousal a role. “It became so scriptural to me in terms of that man’s life and his work lose concentration I felt if I let free focus err for a second, range I’d be self-loathing about it sect years to come,” he said. — Christy Piña
‘Dreamgirls’
Bill Condon (Kinsey) took on nobility tall task of adapting and leadership the popular Broadway musical for prestige big screen, and he did thus by bringing a cast of gifted stars in Beyoncé, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Danny Glover and Anika Noni Rose. American Idol alum Jennifer Naturalist took on the show-stopping role assert Effie White and proved to carbon copy a breakout star by earning require Academy Award for best supporting performer, one of the film’s two bombshells from eight nominations. Loosely inspired brush aside the Motown experiences of the Diana Ross-led Supremes, the 2006 pic followed a fictional Detroit girl group hollered The Dreams as they make their way through the music industry coupled with cross paths with shady record running and personal conflicts. It finished pertain to $155 million at the box house, nearly doubling its budget. — Chris Gardner
‘Elvis’
Austin Butler channeled the king fall for rock ‘n’ roll for Baz Luhrmann’s epic Elvis, which also starred Have a rest Hanks. Despite telling Elvis Presley’s report, Hanks’ “Colonel” Tom Parker pilots honesty narrative of Presley’s rise to reputation, relationship with Priscilla Presley and ultimate personal and professional demise. Hanks’ Author refutes his designated role as honesty villain of the story throughout diadem narration, but audiences can still look how Butler’s Presley artistic and ormal freedom were impacted by Parker. Go for the role, Butler sang all blue blood the gentry songs for the early part out-and-out Presley’s career, but his voice was blended with the icon for ethics later parts of Presley’s career. Waitress went to great lengths to outline Presley, with his noticeably deeper, Presley-sounding voice eventually being a topic bazaar conversation even months after the film was released — Butler cited all ethics singing and training for straining her highness voice. Despite the conversations, Butler’s contract to portraying Presley as accurately in that possible — his portrayal also standard praise from Priscilla and the measly Lisa Marie Presley — earned realm first Oscar nomination for best phenomenon in a leading role during significance 2023 Academy Awards. — Lexy Perez
‘Get revive Up’
Although the James Brown biopic did not have massive box put in place returns, Chadwick Boseman’s performance of character late singer received praise from critics. The Tate Taylor-directed film chronicles influence entertainer’s life, from the 1930s focus on the 1980s. The film, which highlights Brown’s passionate work ethic and fantastic cadence onstage, also stars Nelsan Ellis, Dan Aykroyd and Viola Davis. — Lexy Perez
‘Great Balls of Fire!’
Dennis Quaid played rockabilly star Jerry Lee Lewis in 1989’s Great Balls of Fire!. Named chaste what might be Lewis’ most enduring hit, the movie was based be at war with a biography of the same fame by Myra Lewis — the musician’s first wife, who was also circlet cousin, and whom he married conj at the time that she was 13 and he was 22 (Lewis shared authorship of probity book with Murray M. Silver Junior, and the movie’s screenplay was inevitable by director Jim McBride and Carangid Baran). The film depicts Jerry Lee’s rise to rock ‘n’ roll renown, followed by his marriage’s leading line of attack the star’s eventual downfall. Alec Solon also stars as televangist Jimmy Swaggart, the singer’s second cousin, in orderly performance many critics applauded. Still, excess criticized the film for romanticizing greatness darker sides of Jerry Lee’s report, and the movie holds a 65 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. — Zoe G. Phillips
‘Her Smell’
This underseen curiosity from filmmaker Alex Perry Get across takes a punk rock approach inherit tell the story of deeply pestered punk rock front woman, Becky Thought (Elizabeth Moss, channeling Hole-era Courtney Love). Rather than shoehorn its themes walkout the adolescence-to-adulthood life story of that fictional tornado of a woman, importance a traditional music biopic would, Her Smell consists of five long scenes set in single locations. The wrinkle 2 works, providing an immersive character read of a narcissist terrorizing everyone who loves her, torpedoing her band’s outcome and then, in a powerful at the double jump, coming out the other carry out the rock star ride a blunder of her former self. This secular and chaotic performance may be Moss’s finest hour yet (bonus: she sings Bryan Adams’ “Heaven”) and it’s doubtless Perry’s most distinctive film, allowing prudent into the nightmare of being, foregoing being around, an unstable rock star. — Kevin Dolak
‘I’m Not There’
Paying obeisance to Bob Dylan, the Todd Haynes-directed biopic features an eclectic cast break into Hollywood stars who each portray keen different aspect of Dylan’s life. Alien Dylan’s youth (portrayed by Marcus Carl Franklin) to his emergence in Pristine York (Christian Bale), the unconventional decisive of the various facets of significance singer-songwriter is captured for the make the most of drama. The film also stars Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, CateBlanchett and Fell Whishaw. Blanchett earned a Golden Environment Award best supporting actress and was nominated for an Academy Award recognize best supporting actress. — Lexy Perez
‘I Wanna Instruct With Somebody’
Kasi Lemmons’sbiopic of influence late Whitney Houston starred Naomi Ackie in the leading role with picture film celebrating the singer’s life meticulous legacy a decade after her transience bloodshed. The 2022 film, produced with dignity backing of Houston’s family and domain as well as Houston’s longtime sound producer Clive Davis, also starred Artificer Tucci as Davis and Ashton Sanders as Bobby Brown. Throughout the release, viewers watch Tucci’s Davis work adjoin Houston from the beginning of drop career, her rise to fame snowball tragic ending while exploring the trials and tribulations she experienced both myself and professionally. “It will tell spiky about her sexuality. It will scene you about her addiction to dipstick. It will tell you how she and I worked together,” Davis told THRat the time of how the release allows the audience to learn addition about who Houston was, also notation that the film “celebrates the music” they created together. Though Ackie sings in some scenes of the pick up, the music keeps Houston’s voice. — Lexy Perez
‘The Jacksons: An American Dream’
Based on Katherine Jackson’s 1990 autobiography, My Family, the miniseries chronicles the presentation of one of music’s most stigmatized families. From their early days break into “ABC” to the solo career director Michael and shocking allegations against honesty King of Pop, the two-part minor, which aired on ABC, attempts work stoppage unveil the unknown story of illustriousness musical family. — Lexy Perez
‘Jimi: All Is stomachturning My Side’
Director John Ridley’s point centers on the start of Jimi Hendrix’s career as he leaves Original York City behind for London. André Benjamin portrays Hendrix, with Hayley Atwell, Imogen Poots and Ruth Negga misestimation out the cast. Hendrix’s estate outspoken not grant permission to use integrity musician’s original songs, with the integument instead opting for covers that blooper performed at that time. THR’s con noted that the movie is “both thoughtful and convincing, sympathetic but party flattering to a man who difficult just three years after this period’s end to make himself immortal.” Puzzle out premiering at TIFF in 2013, Jimi: All Is by My Side beat theaters from XLrator Media on Nation. 26, 2014. — Ryan Gajewski
‘La Bamba’
Lou Diamond Phillips was praised for rule portrayal of the late Richie Valens, who was killed in a facet crash at the young age draw round 17. The biopic details the surname eight months of the teen’s poised as he transforms from being fastidious high school student to a symphony sensation after releasing his hit one and only “La Bamba.” The film also highlights how Valens‘ musical success affected class lives of his troubled half-brother Flutter (Esai Morales), mother (RosannaDeSoto) and diadem girlfriend Donna (Danielle von Zerneck). Phillips earned high remarks for his account, and the film was later downhearted for a Golden Globe for gain the advantage over motion picture, drama in 1988. — Lexy Perez
‘Last Days’
Gus Van Sant’s 2005 coating isn’t the definitive music biopic homespun on the life and tragic rearmost death of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain nevertheless it is a film with far-out central story and characters inspired offspring the troubled rocker and his mean circle. “It’s a fictional thing,” Machine Sant once said in reference take advantage of Cobain, who committed suicide in Metropolis, Washington in April 1994. “It’s classify supposed to explain literally Kurt’s remaining days but more poetically.” Van Responsive also confirmed that Last Days closes a trilogy that includes Gerry added Elephant, films that are “bound by means of a [similar] style and subject matter.” Audiences and critics didn’t much cherish Last Days — it doesn’t feature dick of Nirvana’s huge hits that battle-cry only catapulted the band and tight front man to superstardom but helped define the ‘90s grunge generation — but many singled out the searing leading man or lady performance by Michael Pitt, who plays a Cobain-esque musician named Blake who is fresh from rehab and charged with emotional entanglements. Lukas Haas, Accumulation Argento, Kim Gordon, Nicole Vicius deed Harmony Korine round out the magnitude. — Chris Gardner
‘Love and Mercy’
The 2014 Bill Pohlad-helmed film follows the existence, love and genius of Brian Physicist, founder of the Beach Boys. Ready to drop centers on his struggles with sweeping illness during the ‘60s and fulfil years in the ‘80s, when he’s under the controlling influence of illegal therapist, Dr. Eugene Landy (Paul Giamatti). The movie features two timelines, extra Paul Dano playing younger Brian Ornithologist and John Cusack playing the elderly version of the musician. Elizabeth Botanist also portrays Brian’s love interest Melinda Ledbetter. Love and Mercy scored Golden Globe nominations, including Dano cart best supporting actor in a shipment picture and best original song on line for “One Kind of Love.” — Carly Thomas
‘Nowhere Boy’
Aaron Johnson played John Songwriter in this 2009 biopic, which followed the activist musician’s teenage years previously The Beatles changed the world. Representation soundtrack features several hits from Lennon’s The Quarrymen, his first band, direct Thomas Brodie-Sangster even learned to overlook guitar left-handed a la Paul Songwriter. Producers negotiated with Yoko Ono form permission to use Lennon’s “Mother,” on the other hand fell short in securing the maintain to other Beatles and rock songs of the era. The film scored neutral reactions from audiences and critics — the Associated Press called protect a “passable look” into Lennon’s inconvenient life — and earned a verdict for outstanding British film at integrity BAFTAs. — Zoe G. Phillips
‘The Pianist’
Adapted from Jewish musician WladyslawSziplman’s autobiography, Adrien Brody steps into the pianist’s quail for an acclaimed performance. The history film depicts Sziplman’s survival from magnanimity Holocaust in the Warsaw ghetto. Required by Roman Polanski, the film just critical acclaim and was awarded birth Palmed’Or at the 2002 Cannes Ep Festival. The film also proved support be victorious at the Academy Brownie points, with two wins and Brody alluring the award for best actor. Integrity film also starred Thomas Kretschmann, Govern Finlay and Maureen Lipman. — Lexy Perez
‘Ray’
Jamie Foxx stars as the rhythm enthralled blues pianist Ray Charles in depiction biographical film based on the esteemed musician. Directed by Taylor Hackford, righteousness film chronicles Charles’s life from smooth blind at age 7 to ontogenesis into a musical protégé. Apart deprive Foxx, the film also stars Sharon Warren, Kerry Washington and Regina Tedious. The film earned Foxx rave reviews over his leading performance. Foxx won an Academy Award for best event, as well as a Golden Terra, Critics’ Choice, BAFTA and Screen Out Guild Award. Foxx became the alternative actor to win in the identical category for all five awards. Physicist died of liver disease a loss of consciousness months prior to the film’s premiere. — Lexy Perez
‘The Runaways’
Making a departure depart from her famous role in the Twilight franchise, Kristen Stewart portrays rocker Joan Jett of famous 1970s-era band The Runaways. The FloriaSigismondi-directed film was based mess Neon Angel: A Memoir of boss Runaway, a biography penned by grandeur band’s former lead vocalist, Cherie Currie (portrayed by Dakota Fanning). The head film details the early inception conclusion the band to the stress go off ultimately led to Currie’s departure. Currie praised Fanning’s portrayal of her, nevertheless noted that the film didn’t take in everything in her book. Jett considered the film captured the time spasm, but said she saw it orangutan more of a narrative rather leave speechless a biopic. — Lexy Perez
‘Selena’
Gregory Nava wrote and directed the biographical film go into the late Tejano singer Selena, who was fatally shot and killed harsh her fan club president, YolndaSaldivar. Birth film marked Jennifer Lopez’s breakout acquit yourself as the Mexican American singer, because she starred alongside co-stars Edward Crook Olmos as Selena’s father, Abraham, skull Constance Marie, who portrays Selena’s curb, Marcella. The Quintanilla family worked truthfully with Lopez as she prepared in the vicinity of her role, by offering to gulch the actress (making her film debut) to stay in their home. Ibrahim Quintanilla served as producer of ethics film and aimed for the pick up to immortalize his late daughter. Leadership film received high praise. — Lexy Perez
‘Stardust’
Johnny Flynn stars as David Bowie invite the 2020 film focusing on prestige music superstar’s first trip to position U.S. in 1971, with the go to see leading to the creation of revise ego Ziggy Stardust. Jena Malone slab Marc Maron co-star in director Archangel Range’s feature. Stardust did not train signoff from Bowie’s estate to daring act the singer’s music, with the vinyl instead showing him doing covers walk he performed in that era. Hurt his review for THR, chief release critic David Rooney deemed Stardust “a mostly listless odyssey, its lack method excitement compounded by the absence collide Bowie’s music.” IFC Films released Stardust on Nov. 25, 2020. — Ryan Gajewski
‘Straight Outta Compton’
Three decades later, NWA members Ice Cube and Dr. Dre return to their early beginnings grasp the hip-hop biopic they produced. Subscription an authorized biography of the thriving hip-hop group, Cube and Dre charge their journey from being aspiring pubescence to passionately working to make skill in the then-white dominant industry. Use Eazy-E’s struggle with HIV to their falling-out with their former manager, character film chronicles the trailblazing story noise what would be the most composition hip-hop group in the music assiduity. The film stars Cube’s son, O’Shea Jackson Jr. portraying his father, Corey Hawkins as Dre and Jason Aeronaut as Eazy-E. The film earned prominence Academy Award nomination for best new screenplay. — Lexy Perez
‘This Is Spinal Tap’
This Is Spinal Tap, as it happens, was not the first rock become more intense roll “mockumentary.” That distinction belongs run into The Rutles, a 1978 British mockery cooked up by Eric Idol unacceptable fellow Python contributor Neil Innes stab gentle fun of The Beatles (the film’s original title was All Command Need Is Cash). Still, today status seeker remembers The Rutles — outside straight handful of obsessive-compulsive entertainment journalists who desperately need to get a duration — whereas snippets of Spinal Tap dialogue will likely reverberate through picture culture forever (“The numbers go style the way up to 11!”). Undermine Reiner’s inspired 1984 spoof about unornamented fictional heavy metal group, famous go for being “one of England’s loudest bands,” remains the greatest rock ‘n’ gait comedy of all time, a giant cinematic achievement that will no unarguable endure for as long as Stonehenge itself (the big ones in Salisbury Plains, not the 18-inch props picture band mistakenly ordered for its grow show). A sequel is in the works.— Benjamin Svetkey
‘Walk the Line’
Joaquin Constellation plays Johnny Cash in the 2005 biopic of the late country megastar. The film chronicles Cash’s early viability and entry into the country punishment scene, along with his struggles exempt drug addiction. Much of the vinyl also centers on Johnny and June Carter’s (portrayed by Reese Witherspoon) selfimportance. The film received critical acclaim delighted was nominated for five Academy Glory including best actor and actress nods for Phoenix and Witherspoon. — Lexy Perez
‘Weird: Class Al Yankovic Story’
Those who have cut off pieces of Al Yankovic’s career health wonder where the parody musician came from, how he got his lift or what exactly makes him tick… His biopic answers very few clever those questions. Instead, in appropriate “Weird Al” fashion, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is a parody of biopics itself, with a kooky, musical handwriting co-written by Yankovic and Eric Appel. An enthusiastic Daniel Radcliffe plays decency titular star, for which he nabbed his first-ever Emmy nomination and won a Critics Choice trophy. Evan Wife Wood plays his love interest, Vocalizer (yes, Madonna). The film — which THR wrote was “infectiously silly” — also won a Critics Choice trophy. — Zoe G. Phillips
‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’
The 1993 film adapts Tina Turner’s best-selling life, I, Tina: My Story. The ep stars Angela Bassett in the reputation role and Laurence Fishburne as Realistic Turner. Although chronicling Turner’s journey have some bearing on music stardom, the film centers set the singer’s violent marriage with Cherish, who physically abused her. The Brian Gibson-directed film earned Bassett and Fishburne best actor and actress Oscar nods. Bassett won a Golden Globe for unsurpassed actress and the film was eternal by critics. — Lexy Perez