Movies about famous singers has been a popular genre for decades, providing audiences a glimpse into the lives of some of the world’s most talented and beloved musicians.
These biopics offer a mix of drama, excitement, and great music, as well as real-life hardships like addiction, tumultuous relationships, and untimely deaths.
Here are the 33 most notable movies about famous singers:
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Best Movies About Famous Singers
1. SELENA (1997)
Selena tells the story of the life and career of late Tejano music superstar Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, who was tragically murdered at the age of 23.
This movie follows Selena’s rise to fame — from her childhood in Texas to her emergence as a successful and beloved singer, songwriter, and fashion designer in the Latin community.
It also explores her family life, including her relationship with her father (who was also her manager) and her marriage to Chris Pérez (who was her guitarist).
2. WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT (1993)
What’s Love Got to Do With It is a biopic about acclaimed singer Tina Turner, who refused to be defined by her past.
This film captures Turner’s journey from her humble beginnings in Tennessee all the way to her being recognized as a music icon, both as part of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue and as a solo artist.
You’ll also witness Turner’s tumultuous and abusive relationship with her former husband and music partner, Ike Turner, as well as her eventual escape from his control.
3. ELVIS (2022)
As the name implies, Elvis is a biographical drama film that showcases the story of the early life and career of the legendary musician Elvis Presley.
The film focuses on Presley’s early years as a truck driver in Memphis, Tennessee to his rise to fame as a rock and roll superstar.
The movie explores Presley’s musical influences, his relationships with his family and friends, and his journey to becoming one of the most iconic figures in music history.
4. BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (2018)
Bohemian Rhapsody shares the story of Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the legendary rock band Queen.
Featuring some of Queen’s greatest hits, film follows Mercury from his early days as a struggling musician to the formation of his visionary band.
This biopic also unearths into Mercury’s struggle with his identity and his battle with AIDS.
5. COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER (1980)
Watch the depiction of country music legend Loretta Lynn on her road to becoming one of country’s greatest stars in Coal Miner’s Daughter.
This movie examines her early marriage to Oliver “Mooney” Lynn, her struggles with poverty and motherhood, and her eventual breakthrough in the music industry.
Her relationship with her husband (and manager) was complicated, but she had a close friendship with fellow country music star Patsy Cline.
6. THE RUNAWAYS (2010)
The Runaways tells the story of the all-female punk rock band comprising of Joan Jett and Cherie Currie of the same name.
The movie follows The Runaway’s formation in Los Angeles in the mid-1970s and takes a look at their experiences as young women in the male-dominated rock music industry.
This film also delves into the bandmate’s struggles with drug abuse, internal conflicts, and the pressures of fame.
7. LA VIE EN ROSE (2007)
La Vie en Rose is a biopic that takes you on a journey of the French singer Édith Piaf’s life.
Her childhood was riddled by poverty, but she found fame as a singer in Paris.
Being one of the most iconic singers in French music history, Piaf’s eventual decline was brought on due to drug addiction and illness.
8. RAY (2004)
Ray tells the story of the American musician Ray Charles, who made a name for himself in the 1950s and 1960s with hits such as “Hit the Road Jack” and “What’d I Say.”
You’ll watch his life from his upbringing in Georgia to his rise to fame, as well his struggles with addiction and personal relationships.
Plus, the movie shares Charles’ experiences with racism and the music industry.
9. WALK THE LINE (2005)
Another movie that explores the life of a famous musician is Walk the Line, which tells the story of Johnny Cash.
The film chronicles Cash’s journey from his childhood in Arkansas to how he grew to be one of the most well-known country stars of all time.
The movie also explores Cash’s relationship with his wife, June Carter, and features some of his most iconic songs, including “I Walk the Line” and “Ring of Fire”.
10. ALL EYEZ ON ME (2017)
The movie All Eyez on Me follows legendary rapper Tupac Shakur’s upbringing in New York City as well as his move to California, where he became involved in the music industry (and eventually become an actor).
You’ll see Tupac’s personal and legal troubles, including his time in prison and his feud with East Coast rapper Notorious B.I.G.
This movie is notable for its portrayal of Tupac’s music and his impact on the hip-hop genre, as well as its exploration of the social and cultural issues that influenced his music (like police brutality).
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11. NOTORIOUS (2009)
For a biopic about Christopher Wallace, better known by his stage name Notorious B.I.G., put on Notorious.
This biography follows Wallace’s early life in Brooklyn, New York and his road to becoming a notorious rapper and member of the East Coast hip-hop scene in the 1990s.
Watch his personal and professional struggles, including his involvement in the drug trade and his feud with West Coast rapper Tupac Shakur.
12. JERSEY BOYS (2014)
Jersey Boys is a musical biographical drama based on the rise and fall of the 1960s rock ‘n’ roll group The Four Seasons.
The film documents the group’s formation, their struggles to make it big, and their eventual success with hits like “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, and “Walk Like a Man.”
It also explores the personal lives of the band members, including their relationships with each other, their families, and their romantic partners.
13. ROCKETMAN (2019)
Covering the life of legendary British musician Elton John, Rocketman is another musical biopic film.
This film follows Elton John’s journey from his early days as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music to his global success of an awarding-winning superstar.
You’ll also see Elton John’s struggles with addiction, his sexuality, and his search for acceptance and love.
14. THE DOORS (1991)
The Doors chronicles the life of Jim Morrison, the lead singer of the iconic rock band of the same name.
Watch The Doors’ trajectory to fame in the 1960s, as well as Morrison’s personal struggles with addiction, sexuality, and his relationships with his bandmates and partners.
Even though this film was controversial upon its release due to its graphic depiction of drug use and sexual content, it has since become a cult classic.
15. LADY SINGS THE BLUES (1972)
Billie Holiday’s life in the 1930s and 40s is displayed in the biopic Lady Sings the Blues.
This movie explores Holiday’s relationships with her mother, her partners, and her bandmates, as well as her experiences with the criminal justice system.
You’ll also observe her struggles with drug addiction, racism, and abusive relationships.
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16. THE PIANIST (2002)
The Pianist is a biographical war drama focusing on Władysław Szpilman, a Polish-Jewish pianist who survived the Holocaust.
In this emotional biopic, watch Szpilman’s experiences during the Nazi occupation of Warsaw, Poland during World War II.
His personal life, including his relationships with his family and his struggles to survive in the face of persecution and genocide, are all displayed in this harrowing piece of cinema.
17. GET ON UP (2014)
Get On Up tells the story of the American singer-songwriter James Brown, who is considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
Watch how he overcame poverty in the rural South to become the “Godfather of Soul”.
This biopic also delves into his struggles with drug addiction and his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement.
18. THE DIRT (2019)
Heavy metal band Mötley Crüe is presented in the biographical drama film, The Dirt.
This movie explores the band’s wild lifestyle, including their partying, drug use, and sexual exploits.
Through the screen, you’ll look at their gritty personal struggles with addiction and relationships, as well as the pressures of fame.
19. I’M NOT THERE (2007)
I’m Not There is a unique experimental biographical piece about American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, who is played by six different actors.
This film is structured as a series of vignettes that represent different phases of Dylan’s career, from his early folk music days to his electric period and beyond.
The movie also explores Dylan’s personal life, including his relationships with his wives and his contribution to the Civil Rights Movement.
20. LOVE & MERCY (2014)
Love & Mercy details the life of American musician Brian Wilson, who is best known as the co-founder of The Beach Boys.
The film takes place during different stages of his life and follows his creative process in the 1960s as he wrote some of The Beach Boys’ most famous songs, including “Good Vibrations” and “God Only Knows”.
The movie was praised for its portrayal of Wilson’s struggles with mental illness and substance abuse.
21. GREAT BALLS OF FIRE! (1989)
Goodness gracious Great Balls of Fire! shares the life of rock and roll musician Jerry Lee Lewis.
Following his career in the 1950s, this film doesn’t shy away from Lewis’ personal life and well-deserved controversies.
The movie unmasks Lewis’ relationships with his cousin and wife, Myra Gale Brown, who was only 13 years old at the time of their marriage.
22. THE JACKSONS: AN AMERICA DREAM (1992)
One of the most successful musical families in American history is the Jackson family, and The Jacksons: An American Dream puts their story on the screen.
This miniseries follows the Jacksons’ rise to fame, from their early days performing as The Jackson 5 in the 1960s to Michael Jackson’s solo career in the 1980s.
It also dives into the family’s relationships with each other, their struggles with racism and poverty, and their experiences in the music industry as a whole.
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23. THE TEMPTATIONS (1998)
Another biographical television miniseries, The Temptations portrays the American vocal group of the same name, The Temptations.
This miniseries follows the group’s formation in the 1960s and how they gained popularity with hits, such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”.
Watch how they deal with racism and the music industry, as well as personal struggles with addiction and loss of members to illness and death.
24. CONTROL (2007)
Control tells the story of Ian Curtis, the lead singer of the British post-punk band Joy Division.
Touching on Curtis’ early days in Manchester, watch as he achieved success with Joy Division in the late 1970s.
You’ll also gain insight on his struggles with epilepsy and depression, as well as his relationships with his wife and his mistress.
25. BEYOND THE SEA (2004)
If you’re a fan of “Mack the Knife” and “Splish Splash”, then you’ll be intrigued by Beyond the Sea.
This biographical musical drama captures the life of America singer and actor Bobby Darin, from his childhood in the Bronx to his success as a pop star, as well as his marriage to actress Sandra Dee.
You’ll also see Darin’s struggles with health issues and his desire to be taken seriously as an actor.
26. LA BAMBA (1987)
Mexican American rocker Ritchie Valens gained celebrity status in the late 1950s with the hits “La Bamba” and “Donna”.
La Bamba showcases Valens’ early days in California and how he accomplished music success at a young age.
He faced racism up until his untimely death in a plane crash at the age of 17 alongside Buddy Holly.
27. THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY (1978)
The Buddy Holly Story exhibits musician Buddy Holly and how he garnered massive success from the 1950s hits “Peggy Sue” and “That’ll Be the Day”.
Beginning as a struggling musician in Lubbock, Texas, this movie also explores Holly’s relationships with his bandmates and his wife.
You’ll be able to watch his great influence on the music industry up until his tragic death in a plane crash at the age of 22.
28. STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON (2015)
Covering American hip-hop group N.W.A., Straight Outta Compton shows how they formed in the mid-1980s.
This film follows the group’s road to success and their impact on the music industry, as well as their involvement in the controversy surrounding their music and lyrics.
This biopic also shares their personal lives and struggles with racism and police brutality.
29. SID AND NANCY (1986)
Sid and Nancy conveys the story of the British punk rock musician Sid Vicious and his relationship with his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen.
The movie explores the punk rock scene in London in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
You’ll also observe Sid and Nancy’s tumultuous lives and how they were marked by drug addiction, violence, and tragedy.
30. BOUND FOR GLORY (1976)
Bound for Glory accounts folk singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie’s life, who is known for his songs about the struggles of the working class during the Great Depression.
Follow Guthrie’s early days in Oklahoma and his travels across the United States during the 1930s and 1940s.
His deep involvement in social and political activism is also examined.
31. CRAZYSEXYCOOL: THE TLC STORY (2013)
All girl group TLC is featured in the biographical television film CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story.
Formed in 1990, their band consisted of Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas.
They brought the iconic “Waterfalls” and “No Scrubs” to radios all over and made a lasting impact on the music industry.
32. BLAZE (2018)
Country singer-songwriter Blaze Foley’s life is depicted in the biopic Blaze.
Foley was active in the Texas music scene in the 1970s and 80s, and he became known for his unique blend of country, folk, and blues music.
He faced addiction through his life, and he sadly passed away from a gunshot at the young age of 39.
33. NOWHERE BOY (2009)
Nowhere Boy chronicles the life of legendary British musician John Lennon, who rose to fame as a member of The Beatles.
You’ll watch his teenage years in Liverpool to his early days as a musician with the Quarrymen — the band that would eventually become The Beatles.
This movie also explores Lennon’s personal life, including his relationships with his mother and his aunt, as well as his struggles with identity and his deepening interest in rock and roll music.
Movies about famous musicians
These 33 movies offer a glimpse into the lives and careers of some of the most famous singers in history and showcase their remarkable talent and impact on the music industry.
From hip hop and blues to rock and country, these famous musicians made a name for themselves throughout the years.
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