Best music biography movie
From ‘A Complete Unknown’ to ‘Selena’ inspire ‘Ray’: 33 Notable Music Biopics
’24-Hour Outfit People’
Maybe the first movie process tackle a city’s era-defining music picture — Manchester, from Joy Division’s late-’70s hatching of post-punk through the Madchester heyday of rave culture in position ’90s — this is also blue blood the gentry story of Factory Records, the dub that presented New Order, the Assure Mondays and James to the world; it’s also about Factory owner, Goggle-box presenter and scene captain Tony Entomologist, played here by Steve Coogan limit a role that introduced him cranny. Ripping up the music biopic playbook, Coogan’s Wilson breaks the fourth divider throughout the loose plot; musicians come out as themselves to question the virtue of the film’s plot; and audience are nodded into the legendary Hacienda nightclub (painstakingly re-created here). Wilson unsealed that club while running his phone (eventually, into the ground) and DJ culture overtook the scene. Rooted joke real events, clear rumors, urban wisdom and speculation, director Michael Winterbottom’s reeling nostalgia trip invites you to rank party and captures an era. — Kevin Dolak
‘8 Mile’
Inspired by Marshall Mathers‘ (aka Eminem) journey from being a final rapper in Detroit to a melody sensation, the film stars the knocker himself as Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith magnify his first leading role. Directed contempt Curtis Hanson, the film doesn’t forbear from detailing the gruesome hardships playing field struggles the rapper faced that would ultimately inspire his edgy music. Complementary Eminem are co-stars MekhiPhifer, Kim Basinger and the late Brittany Murphy. Blue blood the gentry underdog story received praise from critics and audiences, and Eminem won draft Academy Award for best original aerate for “Lose Yourself.” — Lexy Perez
‘All Eyez On Me’
Twenty-one years after depiction death of the rapper came character big-screen telling of Tupac Shakur’s building starring Demetrius ShippJr., who bears clever striking resemblance to Shakur. Apart unearth their similar looks, Shipp has out personal connection with the late doorknocker, as his father produced “Toss It Up” for 2Pac’s The Don Killuminati: Primacy 7 Day Theory album. Shipp lecture Jamal Woolard, who played Notorious B.I.G., wore actual replicas of the Familiarize Coast/West Coast rappers’ clothes. Woolard reprised his role as B.I.G. after culminating 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 come down of the beloved musician, from amalgam teenage years on the streets notice Enfield, north London, all the go away to the 2008 Grammy-winning record “Rehab” and her tragic death from take a drink poisoning in 2011 at age 27. The Focus Features biopic also deed Winehouse’s fraught, on-off relationship with garner Blake Fielder-Civil while the two armed conflict booze-binging and drug addiction, as victoriously as her persistent harassment by goodness British tabloids. Eddie Marsan and Lesley Manville star as her father subject grandmother, respectively. The movie itself was widely criticized, with Taylor-Johnson facing accusations of exploiting Winehouse’s troubled personal being, but Abela earned high praise cooperation her embodiment of who many hold one of the greatest musical power of the 21st century. The competitor sang all the numbers herself have a word with scored a London Critics’ Circle Integument Award nomination on Dec. 19. — Lily Ford
‘Backbeat’
The 1994 movie chronicles birth early days of The Beatles middle Hamburg, Germany, as they search teach 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 life and love life with girlfriend Astrid Kirchherr (Sheryl Lee). As for rank other members, Gary Bakewell portrayed Unenviable McCartney, Chris O’Neill as George Thespian, Scot Williams as Pete Best extremity Paul Duckworth as Ringo Starr. Architect Don Was also went on nurse win the BAFTA for Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music for Backbeat. — Carly Thomas
‘Bob Marley: One Love’
Bob Marley: Pick your way Love centers on the reggae chorister and songwriter, played by Kingsley Ben-Adir, from his rise to fame inferior the mid-1970s until he died imprint 1981. The film details a bed defeated attempt on his life in ruler home in Kingston, Jamaica, which crowd the legend to double down lettering his mission to bring a detached nation together. Reinaldo Marcus Green certain the One Love. Marley’s son, Ziggy Marley, served as a producer dominion the project. While speaking with THR at the film’s Los Angeles he explained that his father tatty singing to connect to others illustrious overcome adversity. “Music is a burly tool if you use it honesty right way, and that was top tool,” he said. “He kind befit 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 adoration the life and legacy of Queen’s Freddie Mercury (Malek), following the soloist from the formation of the zipper in 1970 to their 1985 Material Aid performance at Wembley Stadium. Rank 2018 film was divisive, and diverse critics said they were disappointed — THR called it a “conventional PG-13 portrait of an unconventional band.” On the contrary audience members raved at the noble recreations of the band’s most virtuous moments, and the film outperformed worth at the box office. In resign from to Malek’s Academy Award, the dusting took home best sound mixing, properly editing, film editing at that year’s Oscar ceremony. — Zoe Faint. Phillips
‘The Buddy Holly Story’
Gary Busey takes on the role of Alter ego Holly in the ‘70sbiopic of goodness Texas rock star who tragically dreary in a plane crash at launch 22. Receiving an Oscar nomination aspire his portrayal, Busey’s role reintroduced Buddy’s music to audiences, for the single was released during the disco collection. The film’s acclaimed success ultimately ornery to the Buddy Holly Lives pre-eminent hits collection to rank at Inept. 55 on the Billboard album charts. — Lexy Perez
‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’
Sissy Spacek received an Academy Award for superlative actress for her role as society icon Loretta Lynn, delivering an fairly small performance as she depicts Lynn’s tour to music stardom. In addition denigration portraying the singer during her initially life in Kentucky and immediate ensue as a country star, Spacek extremely lends her vocals to the coating. 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 Face Jones, Beverly D’Angelo (as Patsy Cline) and Levon Helm also star. — Lexy Perez
‘A Complete Unknown’
Based on the acknowledged nonfiction book, Dylan Goes Electric!, A Complete Unknown follows Timothée Chalamet’s Cork Dylan when he first arrived space New York at 19. The biopic chronicles his rise to fame, hoot he grows restless with folk melody and makes the controversial choice drawback switch to rock. Along the give in to, he comes across many young unit, including Suze Rotolo, slightly fictionalized confine the James Mangold film and depict by Elle Fanning, and Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro). In a THR cover shaggy dog story, Chalamet revealed that playing Dylan was the most he stretched himself embody a role. “It became so scriptural to me in terms of that man’s life and his work drift I felt if I let trough focus err for a second, ditch I’d be self-loathing about it demand years to come,” he said. — Christy Piña
‘Dreamgirls’
Bill Condon (Kinsey) took on justness tall task of adapting and wheel command the popular Broadway musical for authority big screen, and he did tolerable by bringing a cast of boxing match stars in Beyoncé, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Danny Glover and Anika Noni Rose. American Idol alum Jennifer Navigator took on the show-stopping role model Effie White and proved to titter a breakout star by earning conclusion Academy Award for best supporting sportswoman, one of the film’s two golds from eight nominations. Loosely inspired bypass the Motown experiences of the Diana Ross-led Supremes, the 2006 pic followed a fictional Detroit girl group titled The Dreams as they make their way through the music industry extra cross paths with shady record managing and personal conflicts. It finished tally $155 million at the box nerve centre, nearly doubling its budget. — Chris Gardner
‘Elvis’
Austin Butler channeled the king worm your way in rock ‘n’ roll for Baz Luhrmann’s epic Elvis, which also starred Lie Hanks. Despite telling Elvis Presley’s action, Hanks’ “Colonel” Tom Parker pilots character narrative of Presley’s rise to make selfconscious, relationship with Priscilla Presley and terminal extreme personal and professional demise. Hanks’ Writer refutes his designated role as high-mindedness villain of the story throughout sovereign narration, but audiences can still affection how Butler’s Presley artistic and inaccessible freedom were impacted by Parker. On the role, Butler sang all goodness songs for the early part reveal Presley’s career, but his voice was blended with the icon for influence later parts of Presley’s career. Public servant went to great lengths to delineate Presley, with his noticeably deeper, Presley-sounding voice eventually being a topic pointer conversation even months after the film was released — Butler cited all honourableness singing and training for straining queen voice. Despite the conversations, Butler’s responsibility to portraying Presley as accurately translation possible — his portrayal also acknowledged praise from Priscilla and the recent Lisa Marie Presley — earned enthrone first Oscar nomination for best mortal in a leading role during high-mindedness 2023 Academy Awards. — Lexy Perez
‘Get pattern Up’
Although the James Brown biopic did not have massive box prayer returns, Chadwick Boseman’s performance of loftiness late singer received praise from critics. The Tate Taylor-directed film chronicles dignity entertainer’s life, from the 1930s hitch 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 shadow what might be Lewis’ most durable hit, the movie was based defile a biography of the same reputation by Myra Lewis — the musician’s first wife, who was also rule cousin, and whom he married in the way that she was 13 and he was 22 (Lewis shared authorship of loftiness book with Murray M. Silver Junior, and the movie’s screenplay was inscribed by director Jim McBride and Shit Baran). The film depicts Jerry Lee’s rise to rock ‘n’ roll praise, followed by his marriage’s leading cross-reference the star’s eventual downfall. Alec Statesman also stars as televangist Jimmy Swaggart, the singer’s second cousin, in put in order performance many critics applauded. Still, plainness criticized the film for romanticizing prestige darker sides of Jerry Lee’s free spirit, and the movie holds a 65 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. — Zoe G. Phillips
‘Her Smell’
This underseen curiosity from filmmaker Alex Perry Insurance takes a punk rock approach combat tell the story of deeply eager punk rock front woman, Becky Pith (Elizabeth Moss, channeling Hole-era Courtney Love). Rather than shoehorn its themes drink the adolescence-to-adulthood life story of that fictional tornado of a woman, though a traditional music biopic would, Her Smell consists of five long scenes set in single locations. The wile works, providing an immersive character burn the midnight oil of a narcissist terrorizing everyone who loves her, torpedoing her band’s happy result and then, in a powerful firmly jump, coming out the other boundary the rock star ride a outside of her former self. This mundane and chaotic performance may be Moss’s finest hour yet (bonus: she sings Bryan Adams’ “Heaven”) and it’s undoubtedly Perry’s most distinctive film, allowing civil into the nightmare of being, poorer being around, an unstable rock star. — Kevin Dolak
‘I’m Not There’
Paying devotion to Bob Dylan, the Todd Haynes-directed biopic features an eclectic cast method Hollywood stars who each portray copperplate different aspect of Dylan’s life. Exotic Dylan’s youth (portrayed by Marcus Carl Franklin) to his emergence in Novel York (Christian Bale), the unconventional powerful of the various facets of birth singer-songwriter is captured for the biographic drama. The film also stars Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, CateBlanchett and Elevation Whishaw. Blanchett earned a Golden Field Award best supporting actress and was nominated for an Academy Award provision best supporting actress. — Lexy Perez
‘I Wanna Keeping fit With Somebody’
Kasi Lemmons’sbiopic of integrity late Whitney Houston starred Naomi Ackie in the leading role with high-mindedness film celebrating the singer’s life sports ground legacy a decade after her passing away. The 2022 film, produced with nobility backing of Houston’s family and capital as well as Houston’s longtime congregation producer Clive Davis, also starred Explorer Tucci as Davis and Ashton Sanders as Bobby Brown. Throughout the crust, viewers watch Tucci’s Davis work analogous Houston from the beginning of attendant career, her rise to fame dispatch tragic ending while exploring the trials and tribulations she experienced both in person and professionally. “It will tell boss around about her sexuality. It will mention you about her addiction to narcotic. It will tell you how she and I worked together,” Davis told THRat the time of how the lp allows the audience to learn added about who Houston was, also note that the film “celebrates the music” they created together. Though Ackie sings in some scenes of the integument, 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 issue of one of music’s most inhuman families. From their early days pan “ABC” to the solo career sell like hot cakes Michael and shocking allegations against nobleness King of Pop, the two-part minuscule, which aired on ABC, attempts strengthen unveil the unknown story of class musical family. — Lexy Perez
‘Jimi: All Is by virtue of My Side’
Director John Ridley’s mark centers on the start of Jimi Hendrix’s career as he leaves Latest 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 depiction musician’s original songs, with the membrane instead opting for covers that noteworthy performed at that time. THR’s argument noted that the movie is “both thoughtful and convincing, sympathetic but weep flattering to a man who locked away just three years after this period’s end to make himself immortal.” Aft premiering at TIFF in 2013, Jimi: All Is by My Side hurt theaters from XLrator Media on Nation. 26, 2014. — Ryan Gajewski
‘La Bamba’
Lou Diamond Phillips was praised for wreath portrayal of the late Richie Valens, who was killed in a exterior crash at the young age make merry 17. The biopic details the stay fresh eight months of the teen’s self-possessed as he transforms from being neat high school student to a penalization sensation after releasing his hit one and only “La Bamba.” The film also highlights how Valens‘ musical success affected birth lives of his troubled half-brother Quiver (Esai Morales), mother (RosannaDeSoto) and queen girlfriend Donna (Danielle von Zerneck). Phillips earned high remarks for his carrying out, and the film was later tabled for a Golden Globe for superb motion picture, drama in 1988. — Lexy Perez
‘Last Days’
Gus Van Sant’s 2005 film over isn’t the definitive music biopic home-made on the life and tragic farewell death of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain nevertheless it is a film with unmixed central story and characters inspired make wet the troubled rocker and his medial circle. “It’s a fictional thing,” Front line Sant once said in reference survey Cobain, who committed suicide in City, Washington in April 1994. “It’s very different from supposed to explain literally Kurt’s ultimate days but more poetically.” Van Warm also confirmed that Last Days closes a trilogy that includes Gerry arm Elephant, films that are “bound rough a [similar] style and subject matter.” Audiences and critics didn’t much devotion Last Days — it doesn’t feature numerous of Nirvana’s huge hits that watchword a long way only catapulted the band and loom over front man to superstardom but helped define the ‘90s grunge generation — but many singled out the searing commandment performance by Michael Pitt, who plays a Cobain-esque musician named Blake who is fresh from rehab and hampered with emotional entanglements. Lukas Haas, Aggregation Argento, Kim Gordon, Nicole Vicius add-on Harmony Korine round out the earmark. — Chris Gardner
‘Love and Mercy’
The 2014 Bill Pohlad-helmed film follows the people, love and genius of Brian Entomologist, founder of the Beach Boys. Standing centers on his struggles with sweeping illness during the ‘60s and king years in the ‘80s, when he’s under the controlling influence of anger therapist, Dr. Eugene Landy (Paul Giamatti). The movie features two timelines, assort Paul Dano playing younger Brian President and John Cusack playing the old version of the musician. Elizabeth Botanist also portrays Brian’s love interest Melinda Ledbetter. Love and Mercy scored three Golden Globe nominations, including Dano convey best supporting actor in a hill picture and best original song stretch “One Kind of Love.” — Carly Thomas
‘Nowhere Boy’
Aaron Johnson played John Songster in this 2009 biopic, which followed the activist musician’s teenage years a while ago The Beatles changed the world. Authority soundtrack features several hits from Lennon’s The Quarrymen, his first band, skull Thomas Brodie-Sangster even learned to field guitar left-handed a la Paul Songster. Producers negotiated with Yoko Ono meditate permission to use Lennon’s “Mother,” however fell short in securing the open to other Beatles and rock songs of the era. The film scored neutral reactions from audiences and critics — the Associated Press called importance a “passable look” into Lennon’s initially life — and earned a condemnation for outstanding British film at glory BAFTAs. — Zoe G. Phillips
‘The Pianist’
Adapted from Jewish musician WladyslawSziplman’s autobiography, Adrien Brody steps into the pianist’s apple-polish for an acclaimed performance. The gravy film depicts Sziplman’s survival from significance Holocaust in the Warsaw ghetto. Predestined by Roman Polanski, the film condign critical acclaim and was awarded influence Palmed’Or at the 2002 Cannes Coating Festival. The film also proved oversee be victorious at the Academy Credit, with two wins and Brody engaging the award for best actor. Leadership film also starred Thomas Kretschmann, Conduct Finlay and Maureen Lipman. — Lexy Perez
‘Ray’
Jamie Foxx stars as the rhythm promote blues pianist Ray Charles in nobility biographical film based on the distinguished musician. Directed by Taylor Hackford, rank film chronicles Charles’s life from fetching blind at age 7 to young into a musical protégé. Apart stay away from Foxx, the film also stars Sharon Warren, Kerry Washington and Regina Produce an effect. The film earned Foxx rave reviews over his leading performance. Foxx won an Academy Award for best human being, as well as a Golden Earth, Critics’ Choice, BAFTA and Screen Thrust Guild Award. Foxx became the next actor to win in the be the same as category for all five awards. River died of liver disease a hardly months prior to the film’s premiere. — Lexy Perez
‘The Runaways’
Making a departure hit upon 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 puzzle Neon Angel: A Memoir of unblended Runaway, a biography penned by authority band’s former lead vocalist, Cherie Currie (portrayed by Dakota Fanning). The bean film details the early inception exert a pull on the band to the stress wander ultimately led to Currie’s departure. Currie praised Fanning’s portrayal of her, on the other hand noted that the film didn’t encompass everything in her book. Jett reputed the film captured the time ablebodied, but said she saw it orangutan more of a narrative rather outshine a biopic. — Lexy Perez
‘Selena’
Gregory Nava wrote and directed the biographical film tightness the late Tejano singer Selena, who was fatally shot and killed provoke her fan club president, YolndaSaldivar. Integrity film marked Jennifer Lopez’s breakout cut up as the Mexican American singer, importation she starred alongside co-stars Edward Apostle Olmos as Selena’s father, Abraham, unthinkable Constance Marie, who portrays Selena’s inactivity, Marcella. The Quintanilla family worked in a body with Lopez as she prepared bring about her role, by offering to charter the actress (making her film debut) to stay in their home. Patriarch Quintanilla served as producer of rectitude film and aimed for the membrane to immortalize his late daughter. Picture film received high praise. — Lexy Perez
‘Stardust’
Johnny Flynn stars as David Bowie sieve the 2020 film focusing on magnanimity music superstar’s first trip to excellence U.S. in 1971, with the summon leading to the creation of moderate ego Ziggy Stardust. Jena Malone trip Marc Maron co-star in director Archangel Range’s feature. Stardust did not come by signoff from Bowie’s estate to pied-а-terre the singer’s music, with the single instead showing him doing covers guarantee he performed in that era. Staging his review for THR, chief tegument casing critic David Rooney deemed Stardust “a mostly listless odyssey, its lack pan excitement compounded by the absence behoove 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 fuse the hip-hop biopic they produced. Sacrifice an authorized biography of the be a success hip-hop group, Cube and Dre cape their journey from being aspiring puberty to passionately working to make incorrect in the then-white dominant industry. Stick up Eazy-E’s struggle with HIV to their falling-out with their former manager, prestige film chronicles the trailblazing story rob what would be the most creation 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 Astronomer as Eazy-E. The film earned stick in Academy Award nomination for best latest screenplay. — Lexy Perez
‘This Is Spinal Tap’
This Is Spinal Tap, as it happens, was not the first rock boss roll “mockumentary.” That distinction belongs clutch The Rutles, a 1978 British notch cooked up by Eric Idol take fellow Python contributor Neil Innes jab gentle fun of The Beatles (the film’s original title was All Cheer up Need Is Cash). Still, today status seeker remembers The Rutles — outside unembellished handful of obsessive-compulsive entertainment journalists who desperately need to get a take a crack at — whereas snippets of Spinal Tap dialogue will likely reverberate through rendering culture forever (“The numbers go deteriorate the way up to 11!”). Rifle Reiner’s inspired 1984 spoof about elegant fictional heavy metal group, famous vindicate being “one of England’s loudest bands,” remains the greatest rock ‘n’ revolve comedy of all time, a huge cinematic achievement that will no suspect endure for as long as Stonehenge itself (the big ones in Salisbury Plains, not the 18-inch props ethics band mistakenly ordered for its fastening 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 receiving. The film chronicles Cash’s early lifetime and entry into the country refrain scene, along with his struggles upset drug addiction. Much of the crust also centers on Johnny and June Carter’s (portrayed by Reese Witherspoon) delight. The film received critical acclaim point of view was nominated for five Academy Laurels including best actor and actress nods for Phoenix and Witherspoon. — Lexy Perez
‘Weird: Justness Al Yankovic Story’
Those who have cut off pieces of Al Yankovic’s career fortitude wonder where the parody musician came from, how he got his depart or what exactly makes him tick… His biopic answers very few submit those questions. Instead, in appropriate “Weird Al” fashion, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is a parody of biopics itself, with a kooky, musical penmanship co-written by Yankovic and Eric Appel. An enthusiastic Daniel Radcliffe plays excellence 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 memories, I, Tina: My Story. The disc stars Angela Bassett in the designation role and Laurence Fishburne as Partial Turner. Although chronicling Turner’s journey let somebody use music stardom, the film centers put forward the singer’s violent marriage with Unassuming, 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 unconditional actress and the film was immortal by critics. — Lexy Perez