List Rules Movies about bands and musical groups, real or fictional. No documentaries.
There’s nothing better than the combination of music and a movie! This list features some of the best movies ever made about our favorite bands, whether based on a real group or a fictional band. Music impacts us in ways nothing else in the world can and the life of musicians intrigues many movie goers. So it makes sense that many films about bands are so popular! But what are the best movies about bands?
If you’ve ever wanted to unleash your inner rock star, the movies on this list are just what you're looking for. Most of us dream about being a rock star or a singer from the time we’re kids. We sing into hairbrushes imagining that we’re standing on a stage in front of hundreds of adoring fans, and we regularly shred on the air guitar. The movies on this list range from having a comedies, dramas, documentaries, and even the occasional romance.
This list has the best band movies, including: Rock Star, The Doors, School of Rock, and The Runaways. Vote up your favorite band movies, down vote the ones you wish you could boo, or add one you love that isn't already on the list.
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list ordered by
1
Almost Famous Zooey Deschanel, Kate Hudson, Anna Paquin
Released: 2000
Directed by: Cameron Crowe
Almost Famous is a 2000 comedy-drama film written and directed by Cameron Crowe and starring Billy Crudup, Kate Hudson, and Patrick Fugit. It tells the fictional story of a teenage journalist ...more
The Blues Brothers is a 1980 American musical comedy film directed by John Landis and starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as "Joliet" Jake and Elwood Blues, characters developed from ...more
This Is Spinal Tap is an American 1984 rock music mockumentary written, scored by, and starring Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer. The film portrays the fictional ...more
The Doors is a 1991 American biopic about the 1960-70s rock band of the same name which emphasizes the life of its lead singer, Jim Morrison. It was directed by Oliver Stone.
Walk the Line Reese Witherspoon, Joaquin Phoenix, Ginnifer Goodwin
Released: 2005
Directed by: James Mangold
Walk the Line is a 2005 American biographical drama film directed by James Mangold and based on the early life and career of country music artist Johnny Cash. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix, ...more
School of Rock Sarah Silverman, Jack Black, Miranda Cosgrove
Released: 2003
Directed by: Richard Linklater
School of Rock is a 2003 American comedy film directed by Richard Linklater, written by Mike White, and starring Jack Black. The main plot follows struggling rock singer and guitarist, Dewey ...more
but chickens double d added A Hard Day's Night Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison
Released: 1964
Directed by: Richard Lester
A Hard Day's Night is a 1964 British black-and-white comedy film directed by Richard Lester and starring the Beatles—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr—during the ...more
That Thing You Do! is a 1996 American musical comedy drama film written, directed by, and co-starring Tom Hanks. Set in the summer of 1964, the movie tells the story of the quick rise and fall ...more
GARDENOAKSCOC added Ray Kerry Washington, Jamie Foxx, Terrence Howard
Released: 2004
Directed by: Taylor Hackford
Ray is a biographical film focusing on 30 years in the life of rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles. The independently produced film was written, produced and directed by Taylor Hackford, and ...more
kingbee63 added The Commitments Andrea Corr, Colm Meaney, Maria Doyle Kennedy
Released: 1991
Directed by: Alan Parker
The Commitments is a 1991 comedy-drama film directed by Alan Parker. A film adaptation of Roddy Doyle's novel of the same name, the film tells a story of working class Dubliners who form a soul ...more
Help! Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison
Released: 1965
Directed by: Richard Lester
Help! is a 1965 film directed by Richard Lester, starring the Beatles–John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr—and featuring Leo McKern, Eleanor Bron, Victor Spinetti, John ...more
Eddie and the Cruisers is a 1983 American film directed by Martin Davidson with the screenplay written by the director and Arlene Davidson, based on the novel by P.F. Kluge. It was marketed with ...more
Sid and Nancy Courtney Love, Gary Oldman, Kathy Burke
Released: 1986
Directed by: Alex Cox
Sid and Nancy is a 1986 British biopic directed by Alex Cox. The film portrays the life of Sid Vicious, and his relationship with girlfriend Nancy Spungen. Despite failing to recoup its ...more
Yellow Submarine is a 1968 British animated musical fantasy comedy film inspired by the music of the Beatles. The film was directed by animation producer George Dunning, and produced by United ...more
Detroit Rock City is a 1999 American comedy film directed by Adam Rifkin and written by Carl V. Dupré. It tells of four teenage boys in a KISS cover band who try to see their idols in ...more
Bohemian Rhapsody is a 2018 American-British biographical drama film directed by Bryan Singer. A chronicle of the years from the formation of Queen and lead singer Freddie Mercury (Rami Malek) ...more
Rock 'n' Roll High School is a 1979 musical comedy film produced by Roger Corman, directed by Allan Arkush, and starring P. J. Soles, Vince Van Patten, and Clint Howard. The film featured the ...more
The Dirt Douglas Booth, Machine Gun Kelly, Daniel Webber
Released: 2019
Directed by: Jeff Tremaine
The Dirt is a 2019 American biographical-drama directed by Jeff Tremaine. The story of how Mötley Crüe came to be one of the most notorious rock 'n roll groups in history.
19
Rock Star Jennifer Aniston, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Hunter
Released: 2001
Rock Star is a 2001 American musical comedy-drama film directed by Stephen Herek and starring Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston. It tells the story of Chris "Izzy" Cole, a tribute ...more
The Runaways Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Tatum O'Neal
Released: 2010
Directed by: Floria Sigismondi
The Runaways is a 2010 American drama film about the 1970s all-girl rock band of the same name written and directed by Floria Sigismondi. It is based on the book Neon Angel: A Memoir of a ...more
Airheads Adam Sandler, Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi
Released: 1994
Directed by: Michael Lehmann
Airheads is a 1994 American comedy film written by Rich Wilkes and directed by Michael Lehmann. It stars Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi and Adam Sandler as a band of loser musicians who stage a ...more
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a 2010 comedy film co-written, produced and directed by Edgar Wright, based on the graphic novel series Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O'Malley. It stars Michael Cera ...more
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny is a 2006 American musical comedy film about comedy rock duo Tenacious D. Written, produced by and starring Tenacious D members Jack Black and Kyle Gass, it is ...more
24
Crazy Heart Colin Farrell, Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal
Released: 2009
Directed by: Scott Cooper
"Crazy Heart stars Jeff Bridges as an aging country music legend wrestling with his loss of fame at the hands of younger protégé. Struggling to make ends meet playing one ...more
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story is a 2007 American comedy film directed by Jake Kasdan. Singer Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly) overcomes adversity to become a musical legend.
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