music

Movies About Musicians: 25 Biopics to Watch Now

Taron Egerton, who portrays Sir Elton John in the “Rocketman” film, performs with the titular character at Cannes in 2019. / Mike Marsland/GettyImages

By: Sarah Lynch

Published Sep 18, 2020

Bohemian Rhapsody’s stunning box office success made at least one point clear: Music biopics are far from relics of the past.

Through these riveting films, larger-than-life icons are humanized, criticized, idolized and even memorialized. Music biopics bring real stories to life, evoking nostalgic memories with unforgettable tunes and performances. Most recently, Elton John’s musical biopic Rocketman exceeded its projected opening and landed in the No. 3 spot in the U.S./Canada market.

Future biopics are already on the horizon for a number of artists, including Aretha Franklin, Judy Garland, Céline Dion, and David Bowie. But don’t forget about the amazing slate of music biopics already available. Take a look back at 25 of the best, featuring recent releases as well as beloved classics.

1. ‘Rocketman’ (2019)

Before Elton John became one of the most successful recording artists ever and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, among other accolades, he was a young piano prodigy living in London. Rocketman recounts the star’s struggles with addiction and coming to terms with his sexuality. The film also highlights the memorable music, energetic performances and theatrical costumes that secured John’s immutable greatness in pop rock history.

Available on: Amazon Prime

2. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (2018)

Freddie Mercury’s tumultuous rise to fame is riddled with conflict, sex, drugs and, of course, Queen’s legendary rock music. Rami Malek’s Academy Award-winning performance as Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody presents the musician’s rise to fame and the personal toils that threatened his reputation. With spectacular music sequences to tunes you know by heart, the 2018 hit fully deserves a viewing.

Available to Rent on: Amazon Prime

3. ‘The Runaways’ (2010)

The Runaways chronicles the formation of the rock band of the same name and the turbulent relationship between bandmates Cherie Currie and Joan Jett. The two are united by an unshakable dream of rock stardom, but as the band attains more notability Currie’s drug addiction becomes increasingly afflicting. The film beautifully portrays the vulnerable moments and musical experiences that would eventually propel Jett to start her own band, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

Available to Watch on: Netflix

4. ‘Walk The Line’ (2005)

From humble beginnings on a cotton farm in Arkansas, Johnny Cash made an astonishing journey to become a country music icon. The 2005 film delves into many aspects of Cash’s life—his childhood trauma, Air Force service and troubling addictions—including his romance with June Carter, a role that won Reese Witherspoon an Academy Award.

Available to Watch on: HBO Max

5. ‘Selena’ (1997)

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez lived only 23 years, but her life story is immortalized in the 1997 film Selena. Jennifer Lopez scored her breakthrough role as the Queen of Tejano music. A young Selena starts singing with her father’s band to form Selena y Los Dinos and begins a romance with guitarist Chris Perez. She eventually evolves into an influential artist and icon in the Mexican-American community, remembered for her music, fashion and untimely death.

Available to Rent on: Amazon Prime

6. ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It?’ (1993)

Tina Turner’s personal history is one of trials, tribulations and breakthroughs. What’s Love Got to Do With It? follows young Anna Mae Bullock’s early life coping with her unstable family. Turner finds eventual solace in Ike Turner’s band and she soon begins a romantic relationship with Turner, which descends into chaos after their marriage. Angela Bassett brings Turner’s remarkable story to life in the 1993 film.

Available to rent on: Prime Video

7. ‘The Doors’ (1991)

Jim Morrison’s legacy as the lead singer of The Doors is depicted in the 1991 film of the same name. Val Kilmer plays “The Lizard King” himself, emphasizes the problematic drug usage and alcohol addiction that led to his exit from the band. Morrison’s life epitomizes the sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll lifestyle that afflicted many of the genre’s most legendary musicians.

Available to watch on: Amazon Prime

8. ‘La Bamba’ (1987)

Before he was known as Ritchie Valens, Richard Steven Valenzuela led a normal life in Los Angeles, playing music and eventually finding fame. The film represents Valens relationships with his girlfriend Donna Ludwig and brother Bob Morales. The 1987 movie outlines the events that led to his appearance on American Bandstand and his fateful addition to the Winter Dance Party tour.

Available to Watch on: Hulu

9. ‘Sid and Nancy’ (1986)

Sex Pistols band member Sid Vicious enters into a chaotic relationship with groupie Nancy Spungen. Already heroin-addicted herself, Spungen engages in heroin use with Vicious, whose relationship with his bandmates eventually starts to decay. Vicious and Spungen’s relationship progresses from unstable to explosive over the course of this dramatic film.

Available to Rent on: Amazon Prime

10. ‘The Buddy Holly Story’ (1978)

Buddy Holly’s extraordinary story unfolds in the 1978 film The Buddy Holly Story starring Gary Busey. Jesse Charles, Ray Bob Simmons and Holly form a trio called The Crickets, quickly gaining traction in the rock ’n’ roll sphere. The film details the band’s evolution and Holly’s immeasurable influence on the music industry.

Available to Rent on: Amazon Prime