Over the past 20 years, the musical biopic genre has remained constant, often elevating new actors to Oscar-winning fame and reviving musical legends as cinematic gods. Since 2004 Ray in 2024 Behind the Blackmusic biopics saw very different results at the box office, with half of the list surpassing the $100 million mark. Creating a perfect interpretation of this genre means marrying a star actor with a musical personality, but reaching box office success requires a little luck and cosmic intervention.
Music biopics are a different type of movie because they highlight the stories of contemporary cultural legends. Stars like Freddy Mercury, Tupac, and Elvis sit atop the Pantheon of music legends, and today’s biopic-style blockbusters aim to capture their larger-than-life hero journeys. These latest articles show the evolution of musical biopics from star vehicles to bona fide mega-blockbuster hits with high budgets flourishing next to head office returns. Using grosses around the world with Box Office MojoHere are 15 music biopics that have been successful at the box office.
Movie Name |
A year |
Budget |
Box Office (Worldwide) |
---|---|---|---|
The Maestro |
2023 |
$80,000,000 |
$383,532 |
I’m Not There |
2007 |
$20,000,000 |
$11,792,542 |
Respect |
2021 |
$55,000,000 |
$32,882,823 |
Go up |
2014 |
$30,000,000 |
$33,448,971 |
Notorious |
2009 |
$20,000,000 |
$44,420,671 |
Behind the Black |
2024 |
$30,000,000 |
$50,875,195 |
Everything About Me |
2017 |
$40,000,000 |
$55,668,698 |
The Jersey Boys |
2014 |
$40,000,000 |
$67,647,013 |
Ray |
2004 |
$40,000,000 |
$123,971,376 |
Bob Marley: One Love |
2024 |
$70,000,000 |
$180,828,556 |
Go Line |
2005 |
$28,000,000 |
$186,797,986 |
Rocketman |
2019 |
$40,000,000 |
$195,320,400 |
Straight Outta Compton |
2015 |
$28,000,000 |
$201,634,991 |
Elvis |
2022 |
$85,000,000 |
$288,670,284 |
Bohemian Rhapsody |
2018 |
$52,000,000 |
$910,813,521 |
15
The Maestro (2023)
$383,532
By far the lowest number by a wide margin, Bradley Cooper’s The Maestro it earned just under $500,000 just because of the film’s distributor. With Netflix handling the theatrical release, the Leonard Bernstein biopic was only available in theaters for a few weeks.
The popular broadcaster is known to ignore box office performance when determining a film’s success, instead enjoying it. The Maestroseven Oscars, including a nod to Cooper and Carey Mulligan’s acting.
14
I’m Not There (2007)
$11,792,542
While many music biopics are derided as big studio rip-offs, in 2007 I’m Not There aims to take an ambitious artistic approach and its equally ambitious music star. It also features six versions of Bob Dylan portrayed by six different actors, including an Oscar-nominated performance from Cate Blanchett.
This biopic directed by Todd Haynes is best remembered by fans of the folk singer-turned-rock-star. While The film’s $11 million worldwide gross is no indication of its artistic success, I’m Not There it’s still the quintessential musical biopic from two decades ago.
13
Respect (2021)
$32,882,823
Same with Netflix The Maestrostarring Jennifer Hudson Respect received predictably low box office numbers due to heavy industry pressure. Released in 2021, The Aretha Franklin biopic was hampered by the pandemic, including numerous delays and release date push-backs.
situation it probably does much better under normal circumstances, especially given its relatively large budget, favorable critical response, and strong acting performance from Hudson. In addition to receiving an Oscar nomination, Franklin’s film remains one of the better entries from the recent musical biopic boom.
12
Wake Up (2014)
$33,448,971
Before his breakthrough in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, actor Chadwick Boseman made a name for himself with a series of successful biopics. After debuting as Floyd Little in The Express: The Ernie Davis Story, Boseman will star as Jackie Robinson in the 42 and James Brown in 2014 Go up.
The King of Soul biopic got an understandably low numbers, as it was released on the same day as the hit MCU film Guardians of the Galaxy.
11
Notorious (2009)
$44,420,671
Following Eminem’s success 8 miles and 50 Cent Ask or Die Tryin’in 2009 Notorious presented the history of hip hop through the life story of The Notorious BIG
Making back twice its $20 million budget, the film was a limited success against itself Paul Blart: Mall Cop again Gran Torino. Despite Lil Kim’s criticism and overall mixed reviews, Notorious helped pave the way for other hip hop biopics over the next decade.
10
Back to Black (2024)
$50,875,195
As of the latest entry, 2024 Behind the Black released during musical biopic fatigue. With the overabundance of the genre in recent years, the film’s struggling box office performance may be due to audience fatigue.
The Amy Winehouse biopic also received the worst reviews compared to other films on the list. Like many biopics before it, Behind the Black kills the music star by leaving out and changing Winehouse’s true story.
9
All Eyez on Me (2017)
$55,668,698
Despite falling very low on the list, in 2017 Everything About Me performed better than expected during its opening weekend. Opening with $26.7 million, the film also set a record for the second weekend.
As a result, the Tupac biopic did not make back its $40 million budget, perhaps due to its less than favorable reviews. With Notorious‘ Jamal Woolard reprises his role as Biggie Smalls, Everything About Me fits firmly into the list of hip hop biopics.
8
Jersey Boys (2014)
$67,647,013
Like one of Clint Eastwood’s forgotten movies, 2014 The Jersey Boys I hope to go back to the success of the Tony-winning musical of the same name. With a cast composed of actors from the Broadway show, the musical biopic based on The Four Seasons leans more toward being a musical adaptation than an accurate biopic and, as a result, hampered the film’s box office success.
As many criticized the film’s historical accuracy and conventional production process, Places to stay in Eastwood The Jersey Boys grossed just over $67 million against a $40 million budget.
7
Ray (2004)
$123,971,376
This recent musical boom was arguably started by the box office and Oscar success of 2004. Ray. Following the life story of legendary singer Ray Charles, the Jamie Foxx-starring biopic created the formula for today’s star-studded music biopics by nailing the portrayal of the historical figure.
As Foxx won best actor for his performance, Ray he is the first on the list to surpass the $100 million mark and is the first to solidify this brand as a profitable investment..
6
Bob Marley: One Love (2024)
$180,828,556
To argue the point made by Behind the Blackin 2024 Bob Marley: One Love he argues that the history of music will not end soon. The Bob Marley movie had one of the best opening weekends for a musical biopic, far surpassing its projected box office total.
Kingsley Ben-Adir playing the title role, Bob Marley: One Love it has its critics as the film still relies on biopic conventions rather than breaking new ground in that genre.
5
Walk the Line (2005)
$186,797,986
As one of the most well-received films on the list, in 2005 Go Line accompanied Ray with $100+ million at the box office and Oscar attention for the film’s acting. Joaquin Phoenix received his first nomination for Best Actor, and Reese Witherspoon won Best Actress for her performance as June Carter.
Once Ray, The success of this Johnny Cash film helped establish the musical biopic as a horror genre within Hollywood.
4
Rocketman (2019)
$195,320,400
While competing with the likes of action blockbusters (Godzilla: King of the Monsters) and the Disney remake (Aladdin), in 2019 Rocketman it confirmed the musical biopic’s status as a definitive Hollywood film genre. Elton John’s story fits perfectly into the style of the over-the-top biopic genre that developed in the late 2010s.
The film’s box office gross of $195 million shows just how much this has resonated with audiences. As the only film on the list to win an Oscar for Best Original Song, Rocketman he stands tall as one of the highest earners.
3
Straight Outta Compton (2015)
$201,634,991
As the first film on the list to exceed $200 millionin 2015 Straight Outta Compton it feels like a distinguishable leap from the music biopics that came before it.
While other entries in the genre received criticism for sterilizing music stars, the NWA biopic was praised for its acting and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Straight Outta Compton has certainly set the bar high for the new era of music biopics.
2
Elvis (2022)
$288,670,284
As the musical biopic evolved into a more visual style, director Baz Luhrmann felt it was a necessary addition to the genre. In 2022 ElvisLuhrmann applies his iconic decadence to the glitz and glamor of the King of Rock and Roll.
This creative marriage between filmmaker and film came with fruitful results, boasted a gross of over $288 million and eight Oscar nominationsincluding Austin Butler’s best actor in the title role.
1
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
$910,813,521
The theme of the musical biopic genre begins and ends in 2018 Bohemian Rhapsody. The film’s $910 million worldwide gross is more than the next four films combined. Despite mixed reviews, the Queen biopic defied expectations by winning multiple Academy Awards that year, including Best Actor for Rami Malek’s performance as bandleader Freddie Mercury.
With its eye-catching special effects and the famous Live Aid concert, Bohemian Rhapsody described a mega-blockbuster music biopic with all the accolades to back it up.
Source: Box Office Mojo