There’s something magical about watching the journey of our favorite artists unfold on screen, complete with their triumphs, struggles, and the creation of songs we’ve all come to love.
Among the top must-watch music biopics, What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993) stands out, portraying Tina Turner’s inspiring journey from adversity to global stardom.
In this article, I will guide you through 30 incredible music biopics that are worth your attention. So, without further ado, let us get started!
Top 10 Must-Watch Music Biopics of All Time
These 10 musicians’ biography movies are most loved by people for their musical storytelling on screen, combining exceptional performances with compelling narratives.
Rank | Movie Name | Based On | Run Time |
---|---|---|---|
1 | What’s Love Got to Do with It | Tina Turner | 118 minutes |
2 | Amadeus | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | 161 minutes |
3 | La Bamba | Ritchie Valens | 108 minutes |
4 | Straight Outta Compton | Niggaz Wit Attitudes (N.W.A) | 147 minutes |
5 | Love & Mercy | Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys | 121 minutes |
6 | Rocketman | Elton John | 121 minutes |
7 | Control | Ian Curtis of Joy Division | 122 minutes |
8 | Coal Miner’s Daughter | Loretta Lynn | 124 minutes |
9 | Shirley | Shirley Chisholm | 107 minutes |
10 | Walk the Line | Johnny Cash | 136 minutes |
Here are 30 of my favorite music biopics, ranked and supported by my opinions along with their Rotten Tomatoes scores.
1. What’s Love Got to Do with It
Biopic Of | Tina Turner |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 97% |
Actors | Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Jenifer Lewis |
Director | Brian Gibson |
One Line Plot | The story of Tina Turner’s rise to stardom and her abusive relationship with husband Ike Turner. |
Watch It Here | Prime Video |
Angela Bassett delivers one of the most physically demanding and emotionally powerful performances. Her portrayal of Tina Turner’s journey from abuse victim to empowered solo artist is stunning.

Feel every blow and triumph as she escapes her violent marriage to Ike (portrayed by Laurence Fishburne) and reclaims her career. The electrifying performance scenes reflect Bassett’s months of studying Turner’s movements. This biopic balances Turner’s dark past with her victory and resilience.
2. Amadeus
The story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is told through the eyes of his rival composer, Antonio Salieri. | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 93% |
Actors | F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge |
Director | Miloš Forman |
One Line Plot | The story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart told through the eyes of his rival composer, Antonio Salieri. |
Watch It Here | Amazon Prime Video |
This Oscar-winning biopic is more than a mere biography. F. Murray Abraham’s performance as the jealous Salieri provides the perfect counterpoint to Tom Hulce’s childish, giggling Mozart.

This film demonstrates a profound understanding of Mozart’s music, utilizing it effectively to underscore dramatic moments. The scene where Mozart dictates his Requiem from his deathbed to Salieri remains one of cinema’s most powerful depictions. Even though it’s nearly 40 years old, this film’s exploration of artistic jealousy feels timeless.
3. La Bamba
Biopic Of | Ritchie Valens |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 91% |
Actors | Lou Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales, Rosanna DeSoto |
Director | Luis Valdez |
One Line Plot | The brief life and career of rock and roll pioneer Ritchie Valens before his tragic death in a plane crash at age 17. |
Watch It Here | Amazon Prime Video |
Lou Diamond Phillips shows a charismatic performance as the young Chicano rock star who helped bring Latin influences into American rock and roll. You’ll see Valens’ Mexican-American identity in his music and life, particularly through his relationship with his brother Bob.

The recreation of Valens’ hit “La Bamba” performed by Los Lobos feels authentic. The film builds to the fateful “Day the Music Died” plane crash. This musician’s biography movie captures the bittersweetness of lost potential so effectively.
4. Straight Outta Compton
Biopic Of | Hip hop group N.W.A |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 89% |
Actors | O’Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell |
Director | F. Gary Gray |
One Line Plot | The rise and fall of pioneering hip-hop group N.W.A. amid social tensions in 1980s Los Angeles. |
Watch It Here | Hotstar |
This film brings the revolutionary impact of N.W.A. to life with incredible authenticity. Having O’Shea Jackson Jr. play his father, Ice Cube, adds a dash of realism to the film.

You’ll get a complete look at how their music emerged from the streets of Compton and changed American culture forever. You can know about the context behind controversial songs like “F*** tha Police”. Among recent music biopic movies, few captured cultural context so effectively.
5. Love & Mercy
Biopic Of | Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 89% |
Actors | John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks |
Director | Bill Pohlad |
One Line Plot | The story of Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, shifting between his innovative young years and his later struggles with mental illness. |
Watch It Here | Amazon Prime Video |
This unique music biography movie presents two actors portraying Brian Wilson at different stages. Paul Dano as the young musical innovator creating “Pet Sounds,” and John Cusack as the older Wilson, under the controlling care of therapist Eugene Landy.

Wilson’s creative process, combined with exceptional sound design, lets you experience music the way he did. His experimentation in the studio gives you a genuine appreciation for his musical genius. The film handles mental illness with rare sensitivity and insight, avoiding typical biopics.
6. Rocketman
Biopic Of | Elton John |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 89% |
Actors | Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden |
Director | Dexter Fletcher |
One Line Plot | A musical fantasy about the uncensored human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years. |
Watch It Here | Netflix |
Unlike other music biopics, “Rocketman” embraces fantasy elements to reflect Elton John’s larger-than-life personality. Taron Egerton doesn’t just imitate John. He embodies his spirit while performing his impressive vocals.

The film uses Elton’s songs as emotional expressions rather than chronological performances. The “Crocodile Rock” sequence at the Troubadour, where Elton and the audience begin floating, captures that magical feeling of a musical moment. The film also reveals John’s sexuality and substance abuse issues.
7. Control
Biopic Of | Ian Curtis of Joy Division |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 89% |
Actors | Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, Alexandra Maria Lara |
Director | Anton Corbijn |
One Line Plot | The brief life of Ian Curtis, lead singer of post-punk band Joy Division, and his struggles with epilepsy, depression, and fame. |
Watch It Here | Amazon Prime Video |
Photographer Anton Corbijn, who knew and photographed Joy Division, brings an authentic visual sensibility. Sam Riley’s portrayal of Ian Curtis is mesmerizing, as he captures the singer’s distinctive performance style and internal turmoil with great sensitivity.

The film portrays Curtis’s depression or epilepsy. It also depicts Curtis caught between his wife, lover, band responsibilities, and his deteriorating health. The concert scenes feel real, with the actors playing their instruments and Riley performing the vocals live.
8. Coal Miner’s Daughter
Biopic Of | Loretta Lynn |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 86% |
Actors | Sissy Spacek, Tommy Lee Jones, Beverly D’Angelo |
Director | Michael Apted |
One Line Plot | The inspiring journey of country music legend Loretta Lynn from her impoverished Kentucky childhood to country music stardom. |
Watch It Here | Amazon Prime Video |
Sissy Spacek’s Oscar-winning performance captures every nuance of Loretta Lynn’s character and voice. It will take you to rural Kentucky and witness Lynn’s incredible journey from coal miner’s wife to country music royalty.

The film depicts the struggles of balancing fame and family alongside the physical toll of touring. This biopic stands out due to Lynn’s endorsement of Spacek’s portrayal. The honest depiction of her marriage highlights both supportive and challenging aspects.
9. Shirley
Biopic Of | Shirley Chisholm |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 86% |
Actors | Regina King, Lance Reddick, Lucas Hedges |
Director | John Ridley |
One Line Plot | The groundbreaking 1972 presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for president for a major party. |
Watch It Here | Netflix |
This engaging biopic focuses on the role of music in Chisholm’s political journey. Regina King imbues her portrayal of Chisholm with great dignity and passion. The film illustrates how her campaign effectively utilized soul and funk music to connect with younger voters.

It shows how campaign events transformed into celebrations of Black culture through music. The soundtrack became an anthem of change, demonstrating how politics and music were intertwined during this pivotal moment in American history.
10. Walk the Line
Biopic Of | Johnny Cash |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 82% |
Actors | Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin |
Director | James Mangold |
One Line Plot | The turbulent journey of country music legend Johnny Cash and his romance with June Carter. |
Watch It Here | Amazon Prime Video |
Joaquin Phoenix captured Johnny Cash’s deep and troubled soul perfectly, while Reese Witherspoon’s Oscar-winning performance as June Carter adds tremendous heart to this film. It focuses on Cash’s redemption through love and music.

What makes this biopic musical special is how skillfully it balances his darker periods with moments of pure musical joy. Both actors performed their vocals. Especially, you’ll be impressed by Phoenix’s authenticity in recreating those iconic Folsom Prison performances.
11. Maestro
Biopic Of | Leonard Bernstein |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 81% |
Actors | Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer |
Director | Bradley Cooper |
One Line Plot | The complex relationship between legendary composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife Felicia Montealegre Bernstein. |
Watch It Here | Netflix |
Bradley Cooper showcases his transformation into Bernstein across decades of the composer’s life. This music biography movie centers on his marriage to Felicia (Carey Mulligan) and his struggles with his sexuality.

The most breathtaking sequence was when Cooper conducted Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 in a single shot, conveying Bernstein’s complete immersion in music. The shift from black and white to color cinematography mirrors the evolution of their relationship. Cooper captured Bernstein’s style and passionate approach to music education.
12. Ray
Biopic Of | Ray Charles |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 80% |
Actors | Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Regina King |
Director | Taylor Hackford |
One Line Plot | Chronicles the life of Ray Charles from his impoverished childhood to international stardom while battling personal demons. |
Watch It Here | Netflix |
Among movies about music artists, this one stands out for its emotional depth and authenticity. Jamie Foxx’s portrayal of Ray Charles is nothing short of remarkable. It earned him a well-deserved Academy Award.

The film doesn’t shy away from his struggles with drug addiction and relationships, giving you an honest look at his complex life.
It portrayed his blindness not as a limitation but as part of what made his musical perception so unique.
13. Get On Up
Biopic Of | James Brown |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 80% |
Actors | Chadwick Boseman, Nelsan Ellis, Dan Aykroyd |
Director | Tate Taylor |
One Line Plot | A chronicle of James Brown’s rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history. |
Watch It Here | Netflix |
Chadwick Boseman’s electric performance as James Brown is a masterclass in physical acting. He captures Brown’s unique dance moves, stage presence, and vocal style with great precision. The film effectively mirrors Brown’s innovative approach to music.

The film explores Brown’s complicated personality, his musical genius, alongside his controlling and abusive behavior—the recreation of the T.A.M.I. show performance where Brown upstaged the Rolling Stones is a highlight among movies about music artists of this caliber.
14. Nowhere Boy
Biopic Of | John Lennon (early years) |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 80% |
Actors | Sam Taylor-Johnson |
Director | Sam Taylor-Johnson |
One Line Plot | The turbulent teenage years of John Lennon as he forms his first band and discovers the truth about his family. |
Watch It Here | Prime Video |
This intimate music biography movie explores Lennon’s relationships with his absent mother, Julia, and his strict aunt Mimi, who raised him. Aaron Taylor-Johnson captures Lennon’s rebellious spirit and vulnerability with great beauty.

The film highlights Lennon’s rock and roll discovery as an artistic awakening and emotional outlet for family trauma. It depicts his first band, The Quarrymen, and his initial meeting with Paul McCartney, with historical significance. The relationship between Taylor-Johnson and director Sam Taylor-Wood adds an intriguing layer to their chemistry.
15. Bird
Biopic Of | Charlie “Bird” Parker |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 80% |
Actors | Forest Whitaker, Diane Venora, Michael Zelniker |
Director | Clint Eastwood |
One Line Plot | The troubled life and career of jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker, focusing on his revolutionary music and self-destructive tendencies. |
Watch It Here | Amazon Prime Video |
Clint Eastwood’s lifelong love of jazz is evident in this atmospheric music biopic, which prioritizes mood and music over conventional narrative. Forest Whitaker’s immersive performance captures Parker’s genius and demons equally.

The film examines how it undermined his relationships and career. Eastwood innovatively paired contemporary musicians with Parker’s isolated saxophone tracks, creating a dialogue across time. The film mirrors jazz improvisation to form emotional connections.
16. La Vie en Rose
Biopic Of | Édith Piaf |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 74% |
Actors | Marion Cotillard, Sylvie Testud, Pascal Greggory |
Director | Olivier Dahan |
One Line Plot | The tragic life of French chanteuse Édith Piaf, from her impoverished childhood to international stardom. |
Watch It Here | Amazon Prime Video |
Marion Cotillard’s tremendous performance as Édith Piaf will leave you breathless. It’s one of the most deserving Oscar wins. The storytelling may initially challenge you, but it effectively captures Piaf’s fragmented and chaotic lifestyle.

Watch Piaf rise from Paris’s gritty streets to glamorous concert halls, battling addiction and loss. The performance of “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien,” after her lover’s death, feels devastating. It’s one of the finest biographical music movies ever made.
17. Wicked Little Letters
Biopic Of | Edith Swan and Rose Gooding |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 78% |
Actors | Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Timothy Spall |
Director | Thea Sharrock |
One Line Plot | Based on the true story of a 1920s English town scandalized by anonymous poison pen letters. |
Watch It Here | Netflix |
This film shows how music reflected social divisions in 1920s England. The scandal at the center of the film serves as a lens through which to examine class tensions, with the contrasting musical preferences of conservative Edith Swan (Colman) and the free-spirited Rose Gooding (Buckley).

The film’s exceptional soundtrack transports you to Jazz Age England. Early jazz and blues music was considered threatening to the established order, with characters’ musical tastes serving as shorthand for their politics and values.
18. Elvis
The life of Elvis Presley from childhood to superstardom, with focus on his complex relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. | Elvis Presley |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 77% |
Actors | Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge |
Director | Baz Luhrmann |
One Line Plot | The life of Elvis Presley from childhood to superstardom, with a focus on his complex relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. |
Watch It Here | Netflix |
Baz Luhrmann’s extravaganza brings Elvis to life through Austin Butler’s extraordinary two-year performance, perfecting Presley’s movements and voice. The film situates Elvis in American culture, highlighting his ties to Black music and political tensions.

Tom Hanks as Colonel Parker serves as a complex, multifaceted villain and narrator figure. The concert recreations are electric, particularly the ’68 Comeback Special. It perfectly captured the whirlwind nature of Presley’s rise and tragic decline.
Check out more information on the most famous pop music artists here.
19. I’m Not There
Biopic Of | Bob Dylan |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 77% |
Actors | Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Richard Gere |
Director | Todd Haynes |
One Line Plot | Six different characters embody aspects of Bob Dylan’s life, music, and public personas. |
Watch It Here | Amazon Prime Video |
This music biopic has six different actors portraying different aspects of Dylan’s persona. Cate Blanchett’s portrayal of mid-60s Dylan is particularly mesmerizing, as she captures his mannerisms and energy so perfectly that we forget we’re watching a woman playing a man.

The film’s fragmented narrative style mirrors Dylan’s ever-evolving artistic identity. The film explores not just Dylan’s life but the very concept of identity itself. It’s challenging to view, which requires multiple watches.
20. 8 Mile
Biopic Of | Eminem (semi-autobiographical) |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 76% |
Actors | Eminem, Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi Phifer |
Director | Curtis Hanson |
One Line Plot | A young white rapper struggles to find his voice and escape poverty in Detroit’s predominantly Black hip-hop scene. |
Watch It Here | Netflix |
This film stars Eminem, essentially playing himself (as “B-Rabbit”), and delivers a compelling story about class struggle and artistic expression. Director Curtis Hanson’s portrayal of Detroit’s economic devastation creates a stark backdrop for the battle rap scenes.

Eminem’s surprisingly nuanced acting debut brings vulnerability to what could have been a one-dimensional role. The final rap battle remains one of cinema’s most satisfying victories, and “Lose Yourself” rightfully earned its Oscar for Best Original Song.
If you love rap music, check out my list of the best rap albums of all time right here to find out if Eminem makes it on my list.
21. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Biopic Of | Dewey Cox |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 74% |
Actors | John C. Reilly, Jenna Fischer, Tim Meadows |
Director | Jake Kasdan |
One Line Plot | The life and music career of fictional singer Dewey Cox parodies music biopics by incorporating elements from numerous musicians’ lives. |
Watch It Here | Netflix |
This music biopic deserves recognition for John C. Reilly’s committed performance. Reilly performs all the songs himself, shifting musical styles from 50s rock to 60s Dylan-esque folk to 70s disco as Dewey’s career evolves.

The film shows childhood trauma, drug experimentation scenes, and the “dark period” every musician seems to experience. The quality of the original songs, “Walk Hard” and “Let’s Duet” is legitimately catchy. This biopic feels like a refreshing palate cleanser.
22. The Runaways
Biopic Of | The Runaways |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 69% |
Actors | Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Michael Shannon |
Director | Floria Sigismondi |
One Line Plot | The formation, rise, and dissolution of the first successful all-girl hard rock band. |
Watch It Here | Amazon Prime Video |
This music biopic focuses on the relationship between Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) and Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning) as they navigate the male-dominated rock scene of the 1970s. Stewart’s performance captures Jett’s swagger and determination perfectly.

It includes the predatory behavior of their manager, Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon). The concert scenes vibrate with rebellious energy, and how groundbreaking these teenage girls were in creating space for women in rock music. The film shows both the exhilaration and exploitation they experienced.
23. Respect
Biopic Of | Aretha Franklin |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 68% |
Actors | Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans |
Director | Liesl Tommy |
One Line Plot | The remarkable journey of Aretha Franklin from child gospel singer to international superstar. |
Watch It Here | Amazon Prime Video |
Jennifer Hudson’s portrayal of Aretha Franklin is nothing short of magnificent. Franklin herself selected Hudson for the role before her passing. The film excels in showing Franklin’s evolution from performing her father’s chosen gospel songs to finding her voice and style.

You’ll be particularly moved by the scenes showing the creation of her breakthrough album at Muscle Shoals. It portrayed her activism alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and her struggles with domestic abuse.
24. Bohemian Rhapsody
Biopic Of | Freddie Mercury and Queen |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 60% |
Actors | Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee |
Director | Bryan Singer |
One Line Plot | The story of Freddie Mercury and Queen’s meteoric rise to fame, internal struggles, and iconic performance at Live Aid 1985. |
Watch It Here | Disney Hotstar |
You’d be mesmerized entirely by Rami Malek’s Oscar-winning transformation into Freddie Mercury. The film magnificently captures Queen’s musical evolution and Mercury’s flamboyant stage presence. It gives you an insight into why Queen ranks among the best-selling singers of all time.

While some critics pointed out historical inaccuracies, the concert recreations are stunning. The Live Aid sequence alone is worth your time, meticulously recreated shot for shot from the original performance. Once you’re done watching it, you’ll be singing “We Will Rock You” by the end.
25. The Doors
Biopic Of | Jim Morrison and The Doors |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 57% |
Actors | Val Kilmer, Meg Ryan, Kyle MacLachlan |
Director | Oliver Stone |
One Line Plot | The rise and fall of 1960s rock-and-roll poet Jim Morrison and his band The Doors. |
Watch It Here | Prime Video |
Oliver Stone’s provocative music biopic showcases Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison, with The Doors’ members reportedly unable to tell the difference between Kilmer’s singing and Morrison’s in certain scenes. The film seeks to immerse viewers in Morrison’s mind, merging reality with illusion.

It captures the intensity of his performances and the spiritual quest beneath his self-destruction. The film portrayed the late 1960s counterculture, with Morrison serving as both its voice and its casualty in this musician’s biopic.
26. Jersey Boys
Biopic Of | Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 52% |
Actors | John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen, Michael Lomenda, Vincent Piazza |
Director | Clint Eastwood |
One Line Plot | The rise of four young men from New Jersey who formed the iconic 1960s rock group The Four Seasons. |
Watch It Here |
This biopic musical features John Lloyd Young reprising his Tony-winning role as Frankie Valli. Eastwood’s direction brings a realism focusing on the group’s mob connections and personal conflicts.

In this film, each band member narrates their perspective directly to the camera. While some critics found the approach stagey, it revealed contradictions in their shared history. The sequence showing their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame brings satisfying closure to their complicated journey.
27. The United States vs Billie Holiday
Biopic Of | Billie Holiday |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 55% |
Actors | Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, Garrett Hedlund |
Director | Lee Daniels |
One Line Plot | The federal government targets jazz vocalist Billie Holiday for her song “Strange Fruit,” viewing it as a call to action for the civil rights movement. |
Watch It Here | Amazon Prime Video |
Andra Day’s stunning performance (which earned her an Oscar nomination) elevates this biopic that specifically focuses on how Holiday’s rendition of the song “Strange Fruit” made her a target of government harassment. Unlike many music biopics, this film depicts drug addiction while contextualizing it within the systemic racism she faced.

Day captures not just Holiday’s vocal style but the emotional weight of singing such powerful content. The film connects Holiday’s artistic expression to broader political
movements.
28. Beyond the Sea
Biopic Of | Bobby Darin |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 42% |
Actors | Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, John Goodman |
Director | Kevin Spacey |
One Line Plot | Bobby Darin’s rise from sickly child to multi-talented entertainer, told as a fantasy musical through his own imagination. |
Watch It Here | Bobby Darin’s rise from sickly child to multi-talented entertainer, told as a fantasy musical through his imagination. |
This movie, directed by and starring Kevin Spacey, who also performed his vocals, takes a meta approach, with the older Darin directing a film about his own life while interacting with his younger self. Critics were divided, but you’ll appreciate its creative ambition.

Spacey convincingly performs Darin’s hits, such as “Mack the Knife” and “Beyond the Sea.” The film excels in depicting Darin’s romance with actress Sandra Dee, played by Kate Bosworth, and his relentless drive to reinvent himself.
29. The Dirt
Biopic Of | Mötley Crüe |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 39% |
Actors | Douglas Booth, Machine Gun Kelly, Iwan Rheon, Daniel Webber |
Director | Jeff Tremaine |
One Line Plot | The outrageous story of how Mötley Crüe became the most notorious rock band of the 1980s. |
Watch It Here | Netflix |
This music biopic doesn’t shy away from the band’s notorious behavior, addiction issues, and rock excess. Critics weren’t kind to the film, but appreciated its unflinching approach to showing both the glamour and grime of fame.

Douglas Booth portrays Nikki Sixx, and Machine Gun Kelly plays Tommy Lee, both delivering surprisingly subtle performances amid turmoil. Their legendary live performances convey the vibrant energy that established their iconic status, providing a compelling, sometimes unsettling, glimpse into rock star life.
30. I Saw the Light
A somber look at country music’s tragic poet.
Biopic Of | Hank Williams |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 21% |
Actors | Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Olsen, Cherry Jones |
Director | Marc Abraham |
One Line Plot | The tragic story of country music pioneer Hank Williams, whose brilliant career was cut short by alcoholism and heart failure at age 29. |
Watch It Here | Amazon Prime Video |
This biography music movie features Tom Hiddleston, who performed all Williams’ songs himself after intensive vocal training. The film shows Williams’ alcoholism, chronic pain from spina bifida, and tumultuous relationship with his wife Audrey (Elizabeth Olsen).

It showcases Williams’ simple, poetic songs about loneliness and heartbreak, as well as his chaotic personal life. The film effectively conveys the bleakness of Williams’ inner world. His Grand Ole Opry performances provide a window into a pivotal moment in American musical history.
New & Upcoming Music Biopic Movies in 2025
The success of recent music biopics has inspired a new wave of films about legendary artists. Here are 20 more remarkable music biopics to add to your watchlist:
- Back to Black (2025) – Marisa Abela transforms into Amy Winehouse in this intimate portrayal directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, focusing on her musical journey and personal struggles with fame and addiction.
- Bob Marley: One Love (2025) – Kingsley Ben-Adir brings the reggae legend to life, exploring Marley’s musical innovation and his message of peace during Jamaica’s political turmoil.
- A Complete Unknown (2025) – Timothée Chalamet portrays the young Bob Dylan during his controversial transition from folk to electric rock, directed by James Mangold.
Related Reads:
Conclusion: What’s Love Got To Do With It Is A Must-Watch With A 97% Rating!
In 2025, the top three music biopics, What’s Love Got to Do with It, deliver a powerful portrayal of Tina Turner’s journey, highlighted by Angela Bassett’s acclaimed performance.
Amadeus offers a dramatic exploration of Mozart’s life and genius, earning multiple Academy Awards. La Bamba captures Ritchie Valens’ rise and tragic end, resonating with audiences through its heartfelt narrative and musical legacy.
These films continue to captivate viewers, celebrating the lives and music of iconic artists. So what is your first pick going to be today?
FAQs
“Bohemian Rhapsody” takes the crown with over $900 million worldwide, making it not just the highest-grossing music biopic but one of the most successful biopics in any category.
It varies. Rami Malek lip-synced to Freddie Mercury recordings in “Bohemian Rhapsody,” while Taron Egerton performed his own vocals in “Rocketman” and Joaquin Phoenix sang as Johnny Cash.
Most take creative liberties with timelines and events for dramatic effect. They aim to capture the essence of the artist rather than document every detail with strict accuracy.
Nostalgia, streaming platforms’ demand for content, and the success of films like “Bohemian Rhapsody” have all contributed to the recent boom in musical biographical films.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” won four Oscars, including Best Actor for Rami Malek, while “Ray” earned Jamie Foxx a Best Actor win among its two Oscar victories.
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