My Favorite Rock and Pop Music Movies
These are my favorite movies featuring popular music and/or musicians whether they're musicals, documentaries or concert films.
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- DirectorRichard LesterStarsJohn LennonPaul McCartneyGeorge HarrisonOver two "typical" days in the life of The Beatles, the boys struggle to keep themselves and Sir Paul McCartney's mischievous grandfather in check while preparing for a live TV performance.This was made at the height of the Beatles' popularity. A funny and fast paced and slightly fictionalized glimpse in the life of the Beatles at that time. Classic! :D
- DirectorAlbert MagnoliStarsPrinceApollonia KoteroMorris DayA young musician, tormented by an abusive situation at home, must contend with a rival singer, a burgeoning romance, and his own dissatisfied band, as his star begins to rise.Prince making his film debut in a semi-autobiographical film about his life in Minneapolis trying to make it to the big time. A lot of people complain about the acting in this movie, but what did they expect... Citizen Kane? It features a group of professional musicians playing caricatures of themselves. Nonetheless, this movie is a historic piece of pop culture and Prince made it that way. I'm still struggling with the fact that he's gone. He was a musical genius and a legend that had no equal. RIP Prince :'(
- DirectorJerry KramerJim BlashfieldColin ChilversStarsMichael JacksonJoe PesciSean LennonAnthology movie by, and starring, Michael Jackson in his prime, combining a number of music videos from his bestselling "Bad" album with a fantasy tale of Michael's confrontation with a ruthless drug dealer known as Mr. Big.I cannot tell you how many times me and my siblings have watched this movie. This was Michael Jackson at his peak and at his best! Rather than featuring one continuous narrative, the film is a collection of short films about Michael, several of which are long-form music videos from the "Bad" album. Every time I watch this film, it makes me miss Michael more and more. :`( RIP Michael.
- DirectorJim SharmanStarsTim CurrySusan SarandonBarry BostwickA newly-engaged couple have a breakdown in an isolated area and must seek shelter at the bizarre residence of Dr. Frank-n-Furter.The ultimate cult classic written by Richard O'Brien who also played "Riff Raff", featuring great rock music, a parody of B-movie, science fiction and horror films of the late 1940s through early 1970s and best of all... Tim Curry as Dr. Frank N' Furter! Awesome!
- DirectorGregory NavaStarsJennifer LopezEdward James OlmosJon SedaThe true story of Selena, a Texas-born Tejano singer who rose from cult status to performing at the Astrodome, as well as having chart-topping albums on the Latin music charts.This 1997 bio is about the life and career of Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, a recording artist well known in the Latino communities in the United States and Mexico before she was murdered by Yolanda Saldívar, the president of her fan club, at the age of 23. Love the movie and the soundtrack and I wish I knew about her way sooner. RIP Selena. :(
- DirectorLuis ValdezStarsLou Diamond PhillipsEsai MoralesRosanna DeSotoBiographical story of the rise from nowhere of early rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens who died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.Lou Diamond Phillips' film debut playing the 17 year old rock legend who died way before his time.
- DirectorAllan ArkushJoe DanteStarsP.J. SolesVincent Van PattenClint HowardRamones fanatic and delinquent Riff Randell battles it out with the strict new principal of Vince Lombardi High School, Miss Togar, with help from the Ramones.This was the movie that introduced me to the Ramones. I never saw a group quite like them and they hooked me instantly! Plus, the movie is really a lot of fun! :D
- DirectorTom HanksStarsTom HanksLiv TylerCharlize TheronA local Pennsylvania band scores a one-hit wonder in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as they can, with lots of help from their manager.There's one thing I've always been a sucker for and that's movies about fictional bands/singers with original music. This movie was full of them from the Wonders to the Chantrellines and Diane Dane. Tom Hanks was the genius who came up with groups and the music for this film.
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsNancy AllenBobby Di CiccoMarc McClureIn 1964, six teenagers from New Jersey run off to see The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) in the hope of meeting their idols. However, they don't have tickets. Along the way, they learn new things about friendship and growing up.This is a guilty pleasure of mine that my sister introduced me to. This movie is somewhat of a love letter to the Beatles. Six teenagers from Jersey take a trip to New York to see the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan show and is desperate for tickets. The movie is about how far they will go to get them. :D
- DirectorBryan SingerStarsRami MalekLucy BoyntonGwilym LeeThe story of the legendary British rock band Queen and lead singer Freddie Mercury, leading up to their famous performance at Live Aid (1985).This movie had me missing Freddie Mercury more than I already do. Queen's music is virtually flawless and Freddie was a talent that had no equal. This movie made me appreciate both more than ever before. The movie's pacing was a little problematic, but the epic end scene at Wimbley Stadium more than made up for that. Freddie will forever be missed!
- DirectorDaniel LindsayT.J. MartinStarsTina TurnerCarl ArringtonIke TurnerExclusive access to the Grammy Award-winning artist to celebrate her career.This 2021 film follows the life and career of musician Tina Turner, with Turner appearing in the film alongside Angela Bassett, Oprah Winfrey, Kurt Loder, Katori Hall, Erwin Bach, Carl Arrington, Jimmy Thomas, Le'Juene Fletcher, Rhonda Graam, Roger Davies and Terry Britten. We lost our Queen of Rock N' Roll and the musical world won't be the same without her. RIP Tina. :(
- DirectorRobert TownsendStarsRobert TownsendMichael WrightLeonThe story of the rise and fall of an African American vocal group.This film directed and starring Robert Townsend which chronicles the rise and fall of fictional 60s R&B group, the Five Heartbeats, due to in fighting, betrayal, changing line up and drug abuse. This was loosely based on real life Motown group, The Dells. Wonderful original music and a stellar cast! :D
- DirectorBryan BarberStarsAndré 3000Big BoiTerrence HowardAt a sexy, sizzling nightclub, pianist Percival lives life by the rules, while Rooster, the club's flashy lead performer, struts his stuff on the stage. But all changes when greed, fame and murder threaten to destroy them and the joint.This underrated film stars Andre 3000 and Big Boi from the hip hop group OutKast as Percival and Rooster, who have been good friends since childhood. However, as they grow up, they each begin to live separate lives. Percival works at his father Percy Senior's (Ben Vereen) funeral home preparing dead bodies during the day, and works at a local club called Church at night playing the piano. Rooster grows up and involves himself in gambling, partying and business deals; he also gets married to Zora (Melinda Williams) and has a family. He also works at the Church club as a performer. At the same time, a singer from St. Louis named Angel Davenport (Paula Patton) comes into the club and begins a relationship with Percival and sees his potential as a full time musician. Idlewild contrasts OutKast's hip-hop/funk/soul sound against a story based on a juke joint in the fictional Depression-era town of Idlewild, Georgia in 1935. Great musical fusion of old and new styles! :D
- DirectorBob RafelsonStarsPeter TorkDavy JonesMicky DolenzThe Monkees frolic their way through a series of musical set pieces and vignettes containing surreal humor and anti-establishment social commentary.This was the Monkees' trippy romp into psychedelia. The movie was critically and commercially panned, but I did love the music in it. Just don't try to figure of what the plot is, there isn't one.
- DirectorGeorge DunningStarsPaul McCartneyGeorge HarrisonRingo StarrThe Beatles agree to accompany Captain Fred in his yellow submarine and go to Pepperland to free it from the music-hating Blue Meanies.This is the Beatles trippy romp into psychedelia and THIS actually had a plot! The Beatles are recruited to come to Pepperland to rid the place of the Blue Meanies threatening to strip the land and it's people of music, color and life. Cool music and animation! ;D
- DirectorBeyoncéKahlil JosephDikayl RimmaschStarsBeyoncéBrittani AlexanderJasmine BadieA view of a woman's journey through life.Lemonade is a film and visual album executive produced by American singer Beyoncé. The film serves as a visual companion to the 2016 album of the same name. It premiered on HBO on April 23, 2016. The film is divided into eleven chapters, titled "Intuition", "Denial", "Anger", "Apathy", "Emptiness", "Accountability", "Reformation", "Forgiveness", "Resurrection", "Hope", and "Redemption".
- DirectorSteve BinderStarsDiana RossOn July 21;1983;the legendary Diana Ross took the stage in New York's Central Park before an audience of over 800,000. Soon after the entertainer began;pouring rain and heavy wind threatened to put an end to the show;but Diana pushed on for much of the set;urging the drenched crowd to remain calm and stay with her. Eventually the torrential storm put an end to the performance;but not before Diana promised her fans she would return the next day. True to her word;Diana performed the entire concert again on July 22nd for the people of New York.This TV special featured the July 21, 1983 concert in The Great Lawn of New York City's Central Park, which was cut short by a massive lightning storm. The concert was staged as a benefit to raise funds for a children's park, later known as the Diana Ross Playground, located inside the park at West 81st Street and Central Park West.
The concerts were aired worldwide on the Showtime cable network as For One and For All, and directed by Steve Binder. That concert lasted 45 minutes before the storm. Winds of nearly 50 mph were reported, and electrical power was disrupted for nearly 40,000 homes throughout the NYC metropolitan area during the storm. On July 22, 1983, the New York City Parks Department determined that the ground was dry enough for the crowd to stand on for a second concert, which began at 6pm that evening. - DirectorChris SmithStarsBananaramaBonoDavid BowieThrough archival interviews and footage, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley relive the arc of their Wham career, from '70s best buds to '80s pop icons.Wham! is a 2023 documentary film about the English pop duo Wham! consisting of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. The film marks the 40th anniversary of their 1983 debut album Fantastic. Directed by Chris Smith it relies primarily on rare archive footage and audio interviews by the duo, including television appearances, concert footage, private home video, behind-the-scenes outtakes, and family comments all linked together using scrapbooks created by Ridgeley's mother. This film just made me miss George Michael even more than I already do. :'(
- DirectorThomas KailStarsLin-Manuel MirandaPhillipa SooLeslie Odom Jr.The real life of one of America's foremost founding fathers and first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Captured live on Broadway from the Richard Rodgers Theater with the original Broadway cast.This is the movie version of the 2015 Broadway smash hit! Divided in two acts, the musical depicts the life and career of Alexander Hamilton portrayed by Lin-Manuel Miranda who also created the play and wrote the music. For all of us who will probably never see this play live on Broadway, this is the next best thing and doesn't disappoint!
- DirectorAllison AndersStarsIlleana DouglasJohn TurturroSissy BoydEdna wins a recording contract singing her own song at a competition in 1958. After trying to make it as a singer/songwriter for 11 months in NYC, she has success writing songs for others at the Brill Building.This falls under the fictional musician movies with original songs that I love, though the characters are based on real musicians. Denise Waverly(loosely based on singer/songwriter Carole King) is an aspiring singer who wants to break into the music world at a time when solo female singers weren't in demand. So, she decided to make a living writing songs for other artists.
- DirectorBrian GibsonStarsStephen ReaBilly ConnollyJimmy NailFame, fortune and fornication drove the British rock band in the '70s until a divine end. 20 years later, Strange Fruit reunites and goes on a tour with ups and downs on the continent.Another fictional musician/original music gem, this one focusing on the British invasion. The film is about a defunct British rock group called Strange Fruit(a kind of Led Zeppelin type band) who is trying to perform together after breaking up 20 years ago. A great film with a stellar cast and infectious music. :D
- DirectorTodd HaynesStarsEwan McGregorJonathan Rhys MeyersChristian BaleIn 1984, British journalist Arthur Stuart investigates the career of 1970s glam superstar Brian Slade, who was heavily influenced in his early years by hard-living and rebellious American singer Curt Wild.Fictional musician/original music movie(are you sensing a pattern with me?), focused on the glam rock era. This was originally suppose to be a biopic about David Bowie, but negotiations fell through and he backed out. I would have loved to see what it would have been like if it was about Bowie, but I still love this version too. ;)
- DirectorDavid MalletStarsTina TurnerBryan AdamsDavid BowieTina' tour of 1985 named after her big hit album of 1984. "private dancer." This concert has special appearances from David Bowie and Bryan Adams.Two shows at the UK's Birmingham NEC Arena in March 1985 were filmed and released as Tina Live: Private Dancer Tour. The VHS release featured special guests Bryan Adams and David Bowie.
- DirectorMartin DavidsonStarsTom BerengerMichael ParéJoe PantolianoA television newswoman picks up the story of a 1960s rock band whose long-lost leader Eddie Wilson may still be alive, while searching for the missing tapes of the band's never-released album.Based on the novel by P. F. Kluge, the film is about a television reporter named Maggie Foley (Ellen Barkin) investigating the mysterious death of musician Eddie Wilson (Michael Paré) and the search for his band's second album, which disappeared from the vaults of Satin Records the day after Eddie's alleged death. The music in the film was performed by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band. "On The Dark Side" became a #1 hit on the Billboard's Mainstream, Rock, and Heatseeker charts and #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Another single from the film, "Tender Years", peaked at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and both played in heavy rotation on MTV. Not bad for a movie about a fictional band. ;)
- DirectorTodd HaynesStarsChristian BaleCate BlanchettHeath LedgerRuminations on the life of Bob Dylan, where six characters embody a different aspect of the musician's life and work.If you aren't at least a little familiar with Bob Dylan, this movie will completely lose you. The film isn't your typical biopic like "Ray", "Walk The Line" or "The Buddy Holly Story". Let's face it, Bob would never approve of a straight biopic about him because he's too private a person. This movie is more of a tribute to the masks and incarnations of Dylan than to the man himself.