15 Finest Music Biopics of All Time, Ranked

musical biopics have been a staple of the movie trade for a few years, with Higher man arriving in 2024 as one of many strangest. The success of earlier musicals and the most effective musicals in fashionable cinema is considerably divisive, as musicals don't join with all audiences. Nonetheless, musical biopics are grouped into a category of their very own as a result of they've a sensible narrative as they're based mostly on the actual lifetime of a public determine. This additionally implies that biopics have quite a lot of drama, because the music trade is usually a powerful enterprise.

Many thrilling upcoming musical biopics will seemingly develop the style in new and sudden methods. Nonetheless, musical biopics are a fragile style, as you will need to seize an individual's life and legacy with respect and dedication to the reality. Concurrently, a movie has a duty to its viewers to dramatize and fictionalize sure occasions and conditions to align with the cinematic expertise. These pressures make it tougher than you may suppose to make the absolute best biopic that lives as much as expectations and is as truthful as potential. Nonetheless, When carried out properly, biopics may be not like another style.

15

Piece by Piece (2024)

Pharrell Williams

In 2024, Pharrell Williams bought his musical biopic, and it was not like something that had been seen earlier than, though Robbie Williams one-upped it through the use of a CGI chimp in his biopic a number of months later. It is because, in Piece by piece, Pharrell's story was informed in a LEGO Film. The movie explains early on that Pharrell wished to inform his story with LEGOs as a result of he sees the world as a LEGO set and is constructing one thing from pre-existing supplies. It was distinctive and caught the eye of critics.

Sadly, it didn't be a focus for viewers at residence. Though it had a smaller funds due to the LEGO format, it did not return to the field workplace, grossing simply $10.5 million on a $16 million funds. Pharrell had lots of his associates lend their voices to the movie, with Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, Kendrick Lamar and others on board. The movie acquired a excessive rating of 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and ended up competing for a number of animation awards on the finish of the 12 months.

14

Lightning (2004)

Ray Charles

The 2004 musical drama Ray had Jamie Foxx starring as the enduring Ray Charles. This biopic follows a lot of Charles' life, overlaying 30 years from rising up in poverty and the trauma of his youthful brother's loss of life to dropping his sight when he was seven after which turning into one of the profitable soul singers in music historical past. It additionally offers along with his addictions and drug dependancy, which he suffered all through his life earlier than lastly kicking the behavior and having a profitable drug-free profession till his loss of life on the age of 73.

Jamie Foxx acquired widespread reward for his efficiency as Ray Charles successful an Oscar for Finest Actor and likewise successful the Golden Globe. It was additionally nominated for Finest Movie. Critics praised the movie, and it sits at 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, with many of the reward going to Foxx's efficiency as Charles, proving that he was greater than an motion film star comic.

13

A Full Stranger (2024)

Bob Dylan

A number of movies have been made about rock icon Bob Dylan, each documentaries and musical biopics. Tthe latest got here in 2024 and was directed by James Mangold, who additionally directed the Oscar-winning movie Stroll the road in 2005 about Johnny Money. This movie takes a barely completely different strategy to telling the story as it's based mostly on the e book by Elijah Wald Dylan goes electrical! (2015) and is proscribed to a selected interval in Dylan's life, his early musical success and the controversy over using electrical devices on the 1965 Newport People Competition.

Timothée Chalamet stars as a younger Bob Dylan, and the movie begins with him shifting to New York in 1961, assembly his idol Woody Guthrie after which seeing his profession take off. Edward Norton stars as Pete Seeger and acquired a lot reward because the antagonistic power reverse Dylan within the movie. Evaluations had been largely optimistic however slightly combined, with individuals who praised it saying it was like spending slightly time with Bob Dylan and never being overwhelmed by making an attempt to do an excessive amount of. It ended up on many critics' greatest lists.

12

8 Miles (2002)

Eminem

The 2002 musical biopic about Eminem shocked the world when 8 miles turned a monstrous success. Not solely was it a extremely praised movie with big field workplace returns, however it additionally earned Eminem an Oscar for Finest Track, a rarity for rap musicians at the moment in historical past. It's additionally a uncommon biopic, as Eminem stars himself because the fictional Jimmy "B-Rabbit" Smith Jr. Though the character was fictional, it was based mostly on Eminem's real-life story. and his rise from the trailer park to the Detroit rap scene.

The movie grossed $242.9 million on a $41 million funds, and Eminem received an Oscar for the unique track “Lose Your self.” The casting was extremely praised, with Kim Basinger taking part in his mom, Brittany Murphy as his love curiosity, and Mekhi Pheifer as his greatest good friend and the person who organizes the rap battles. There have been additionally a number of cameos from real-life rappers, together with Proof, Obie Trice and Xzibit. The movie has since change into a cult favourite, and though it differs from each biopics in altering the principle character's title, it's a good take a look at Eminem's youth.

11

Bamba (1987)

Ritchie Valens

La Bamba follows the story of Ritchie Valens, the singer-songwriter who rose to prominence within the late Nineteen Fifties and died in a airplane crash on the top of his profession. He's performed by Lou Diamond Phillips, who brings coronary heart and life to the younger musician and endures the challenges Valens faces in addition to the successes. The movie takes its title from the enduring track “La Bamba,” which Valens popularized along with his iteration that paid homage to his Latin roots whereas incorporating his love of rock and roll and modern music.

The dichotomy between Valens' household life and his profession as a musician is an enormous a part of the movie's battle, as is the racial discrimination he confronted in his personal and public life. Nonetheless, La Bamba isn't particular only for its willingness to speak in regards to the social and political problems with the Nineteen Fifties. La Bamba stands out as a musical biopic as a result of it makes use of Valens' music to its full potential, utilizing it as a metaphor for Valente as an individual. Moreover, the movie doesn't lean into melodrama in its portrayal of Valens' loss of life, which is diplomatic.

10

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Freddy Mercury

Though the band Queen is central to the narrative in Bohemian Rhapsodythe story focuses on the lifetime of the band's lead singer and lead singer, Freddy Mercury. The movie takes its title from one of many band's most well-known songs, however it's hardly their most acknowledged quantity in Bohemian Rhapsody. Over time, Queen maintained their reputation, and the movie follows their rise to stardom properly. Audiences witness Mercury at each stage of his life and see him acclimatize to fame whereas coming to phrases along with his sexuality and pushing inventive limits.

Rami Malek received Finest Actor on the Oscars for enjoying Quicksilver, and that wasn't the one award the movie received, because it was nominated for Finest Movie and received for Sound Mixing and Modifying. Nonetheless, the true testimony Bohemian Rhapsody it's how a lot it connects with the viewers, because it was an enormous field workplace success. Bohemian Rhapsody it was not fashionable simply because it contained so many well-known and beloved songs, however as a result of it humanized an icon and overtly mentioned points of Mercury's life that weren't at all times addressed throughout his lifetime.

9

Elvis (2022)

Elvis Presley

Baz Luhrmann is understood for guiding blockbusters, and his adaptation of the lifetime of rock star Elvis was no exception. Austin Butler gave a career-defining efficiency because the king of rock and roll, and whereas there are campy points of the movie that viewers and critics have scoffed at, the spectacle of the mission can't be denied. With big units and recreations of Elvis' best musical moments Elvis is a contemporary epic that follows within the footsteps of the person's personal over-the-top type.

Sofia Coppola's biopic in regards to the lifetime of Priscilla Presley has sparked debate over whether or not Elvis or Priscilla it was a greater movie. Nonetheless, the tasks are so completely different that it's troublesome to match them. Elvis was meant to be as explosive and creatively experimental because the artist's profession, along with his music intertwined all through the movie. Then again, Priscilla contrasts this evocative type in each approach, permitting them to occupy completely different niches. Elvis needs to be praised for its manufacturing worth, Butler's dedication to the position, and cohesive, stylized strategy that engages the viewer.

8

Higher Man (2024)

Robbie Williams

In what ought to go down as one of many strangest musical biopics ever made, Higher man tells the story of Robbie Williams. Nonetheless, what makes this distinctive is that there isn't any actor taking part in Robbie within the movie. As an alternative of, a CG-animated anthropomorphic chimpanzee replaces the singer. In response to the movie, Williams selected to make use of this chimp as a result of he at all times felt "much less advanced" than different folks. It's additionally attention-grabbing to notice that nobody mentions that the character is a chimpanzee, and he simply performs the actual Robbie Williams.

It might have been an enormous catastrophe, however it acquired optimistic evaluations, though it was a field workplace failure. The movie additionally acquired some awards, receiving a nomination for Finest Authentic Track on the Golden Globes. Nonetheless, that track, "Forbidden Highway", was disqualified from Oscar competition for utilizing materials from one other track. The movie additionally broke the document for AACTA Award nominations, successful 16.

7

Rocket Man (2019)

Elton John

Though Elton John is a well known determine in music and movie, Rocket Man revealed lots about his early profession and his battle with dependancy. Like most musical biopics, Rocket Man doesn't comply with the rhythm of John's life with detailed precision, however prioritizes the emotional plot factors to inform a narratively correct story. As John, Taron Egerton confirmed a special aspect of himself, having already gained fame in motion movies similar to Kingsman: The Secret Service. Nonetheless, he proved to be greater than worthy of taking up the position of John, because the movie touches on a number of the most troublesome moments within the singer's life.

Rocket Man has been praised for the way in which it discusses John's dependancy and overtly accepts John's sexuality and relationships with males all through his life. Aesthetically, Rocket Man is simply as enjoyable and bombastic as John, and the way in which the movie seamlessly incorporates the musical numbers might be a part of the rationale it was such a success with audiences. Moreover, The large reputation and notoriety of John's music contributed to the movie's success. Nonetheless Rocket Man was launched throughout the musical biopic growth of the late 2010s, it is without doubt one of the most notable of that interval.

6

Straight from Compton (2015)

N.W.A.

There are points Straight from Compton That is true and it's fictional, however the entirety of the movie resulted in a memorable and fashionable mission. The movie follows the story of the rap group NWA, which included Dr. Dre, Ice Dice, Simple-E, MC Ren and DJ Yella. Straight from Compton It's a tremendous set piece, because the actors who took on the roles of revolutionary musicians O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Neil Brown Jr. and Aldis Hodge disappear into their roles and seize the nuances of the group's dynamics.

Since Straight from Compton offers with such latest historical past, its historical past and conflicts are nonetheless related at this time, particularly on the subject of racial prejudice and police brutality mentioned within the movie. Whereas Straight from Compton was a success when it was launched, its narrative and the way it expertly follows the lives of all the boys make sure that the movie might be a basic of the style for years to return. The movie additionally pays homage to the setting, taking root totally in South Los Angeles. Acknowledges the non-public experiences which might be basic in creating your modern type of rap.

5

Amadeus (1984)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Amadeus is without doubt one of the least traditionally correct musical biopics, because it invents a lot of the central battle between Mozart and Salieri for dramatic impact. Nonetheless, the result's an extremely entertaining movie in regards to the devastating quest for perfection that may destroy an artist. The movie is as a lot about Salieri's jealousy of Mozart's genius as it's about how recklessly Mozart exercised his energy. F. Murray Abraham performs Salieri and Tom Hulce is Mozart, and each actors had been praised for his or her work within the movie. Though their characters couldn't be extra completely different, the 2 males preserve an excellent dynamic.

Classical music isn't as fashionable at this time because it as soon as was, however Mozart's legacy has endured by the centuries, and movies like Amadeus they're a reminder of how the myths and truths of his life had been combined. Successful Finest Image, Finest Actor for Abraham and Finest Director on the Oscars, the response to Amadeus is simple and it's an instance of a biopic that shines due to its inaccuracies, not regardless of them. Amadeus is as fantastical and imaginative because the music that impressed it.

4

Life in Pink (2007)

Directed by Olivier Dahan

La Vie en Rose forged Marion Cotillard as Édith Piaf, and by the top of the movie, it's clear that nobody however Cotillard might have captured each section of Piaf's life with such dignity and disappointment. Beginning along with his childhood and following his total life till the second of his loss of life, La Vie en Rose jumps between completely different cut-off dates, displaying Piaf on the top of her reputation, juxtaposing this together with her sluggish decline in well being. Cotillard received Finest Actress on the Oscars and likewise on the César Awards.

It stays one of the profitable French movies internationally. and it's a part of the rationale Cotillard bought movie roles in Hollywood. Nonetheless, aside from Cotillard's important efficiency, there's nonetheless a lot to advocate La Vie en Rose. The story takes Piaf and audiences all over the world, from Paris to New York and California, giving a glimpse into the glamor and ache of fame and artwork within the mid-Twentieth century. The recurring theme of one in all his most iconic songs, “Non, je ne regrette rien,” is a poignant line.

3

Humorous Lady (1968)

Fanny Brice

Barbra Streisand wouldn't be the stage and display icon she is at this time with out her movie debut in humorous woman, through which she reprized her position of Fanny Brice from the stage musical. Though Streisand starred in lots of unbelievable movies and performed many recognizable characters, she is going to at all times be linked to Brice and humorous woman for transcending the musical style and easily being a implausible work of cinema. The unique music from the theatrical model lends itself completely to movie variations that make the numbers much more expansive in scale.

Brice's distinctive place as a Vaudeville star and feminine comic makes her the proper topic for a musical biopic like humorous womanand though her life has change into synonymous with Streisand's rise to fame, Brice's legacy is properly remembered. The movie captures the period and temper of the early Twentieth century and gives perception into the strained relationship between Brice and her husband, Nicky Arnstien, performed by an equally enticing Omar Sharif. Extensively thought-about probably the greatest musicals of all time, humorous woman it can by no means disappear from cultural reminiscence.

2

I'm not there (2007)

Bob Dylan

There are quite a lot of attention-grabbing issues about Timothée Chalamet's upcoming Bob Dylan biopic, A whole stranger. Nonetheless, the movie already begins at a drawback when in comparison with the primary movie to deal with Dylan's legacy. The experimental I'm not theredirected by Todd Haynes, options a number of actors portraying figures representing the numerous sides of Dylan at completely different factors in his profession. Most notably, Cate Blanchett performs the archetypal Jude Quinn, who struggles to be the face of people music whereas being accused of being a false messiah and traitor.

I'm not there it's in dialog with artwork typically and with the expertise of a musician who achieves the celebrity and notoriety of Dylan. The expectations of who he's versus who he needs to be are central threads within the play's battle and vignettes. Addressing the occasions and modifications of the second half of the Twentieth century, particularly the people scene and the rise of the Beat technology, I'm not there analyzes the weather that got here collectively to create the elusive determine of Dylan.

1

Stroll the Line (2005)

Johnny Money

Johnny Money and the popularization of nation music in America go hand in hand, and Stroll the road portrays a person struggling within the midst of a groundbreaking profession. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon ship career-best performances as Money and his spouse, June Carter, throughout the interval in Money's life when he confronted the realities of fame and struggled with dependancy. Witherspoon received Finest Actress on the Oscars for her efficiency in June, and each actors contributed to creating Stroll the road an empathetic and shifting tribute to the couple.

Few musical genres or musicians are as synonymous with the US as nation or Money. This means why the movie was so profitable amongst critics and the general public. musical the biopics rely closely on utilizing the artist's work, however Phoenix manages to place his personal spin on the performances whereas sustaining a transparent connection to Money. Phoenix emulates the nuances of Money's life and star energy, however he doesn't try and completely imitate the only determine.