15 highest-grossing music biopics, ranked by box office success

For the past 20 years, the music biopic genre has remained a constant, often elevating young actors to Oscar-winning fame and reviving musical legends as cinematic gods. From 2004 Row to 2024 Back to blackMusic biopics have seen wildly different results at the box office, with half of the list eclipsing the $100 million mark. Creating the perfect representation of the genre means marrying a star actor with a musical personality, but achieving success at the box office requires a little luck and a pinch of cosmic intervention.

Music biopics are a unique movie genre in that they crystallize the mythological stories of contemporary culture. Superstars like Freddy Mercury, Tupac and Elvis sit atop the pantheon of musical legends, and today’s event-style biopic blockbusters aim to capture the journey of their larger-than-life hero. The latest titles showcase the evolution of music biopics from star vehicles to bona fide mega-blockbuster hits With high budgets blossoming along with big box office returns. Use worldwide grosses by Box Office MojoHere are 15 music biopics ranked by box office success.

15

Maestro (2023)

$383,532

With the lowest number by a large margin, Bradley Cooper’s Maestro Earned just under $500,000 simply due to the film’s distributor. With Netflix at the helm of theatrical release, the Leonard Bernstein biopic has only been available in theaters for a few weeks.

The popular streamer is known to disregard box office performance when determining a film’s success, instead relishing Maestros seven Oscar nominations, Including acting nods for Cooper and Carey Mulligan.

14

I’m Not There (2007)

$11,792,542

While most music biopics are derided as big studio money grabs, 2007’s I’m not there Aims to take a more ambitious artistic approach with his equally ambitious music star. Featuring six versions of Bob Dylan portrayed by six different actors, including an Oscar-nominated performance by Cate Blanchett.

This Todd Haynes-directed biopic is fondly remembered by fans of the folk singer-turned-rock-star. While The film’s $11 million worldwide box office gross does not reflect its artistic achievements, I’m not there Still remains an important music biopic of the last two decades.

13

respect (2021)

$32,882,823

Similar to Netflix MaestroThe Jennifer Hudson star Respect Received predictably lower box office numbers because of greater industry pressures. Released in 2021, The Aretha Franklin biopic has been hampered by the pandemic, including multiple delays and release date push-backs.

expect Probably performs reasonably better under normal circumstances, especially given its relatively larger budget, positive critical response, and Hudson’s strong acting performance. Despite not receiving any Oscar nominations, The Franklin film remains one of the better entries of the recent music biopic boom.

12

Get On Up (2014)

$33,448,971

Before his breakout 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 would star as Jackie Robinson in 42 and James Brown in 2014 Come up.

The King of Soul biopic received understandably lower numberss, because it was released on the same day as the MCU movie Guardians of the Galaxy.

11

Notorious (2009)

$44,420,671

After the success of Eminem 8 miles and 50 cents Get rich or die2009s Notorious Introducing the hip hop biopic with the life story of the Notorious Big

Earning back twice its $20 million budget, the film was a relative success against Paul Blart: Mall Cop And Gran Torina. Despite criticism from Lil Kim 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 the last entry, 2024s Back to black was released during a period of music biopic exhaustion. With an oversaturation of the genre in recent years, the film’s poor box office performance is likely due to audience fatigue.

The Amy Winehouse biopic also received far more negative reviews than other films on the list. Like many biopics before, Back to black Sterilizes his music star by omitting and changing Winehouse’s true story.

9

All Eyes On Me (2017)

$55,668,698

Despite falling quite low on the list, 2017s All eyes on me performed better than projected during its opening weekend run. Debuting at $26.7 million, the film also recorded a historic decline in its second week.

As a result, the Tupac biopic barely made back its $40 million budget, likely due to less than favorable reviews. with Notorious‘ Jamal Woolard reprising his role as Biggie Smalls, All eyes on me Fits firmly in the lineage of hip hop biopics.

8

Jersey Boys (2014)

$67,647,013

As one of Clint Eastwood’s forgotten movies, 2014’s Jersey Boys Hoping to piggyback on 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 towards being a musical adaptation rather than an accurate biopic and, as a result, derailed the film’s box office success.

With many criticizing the film’s historical accuracy and general production process, Eastwood Jersey Boys Earned just over $67 million against a budget of $40 million.

7

Ray (2004)

$123,971,376

The recent music biopic boom was arguably initiated by the box office and Oscar success of 2004’s Row. Following the life story of legendary musician Ray Charles, the biopic starring Jamie Foxx created the formula for today’s star-studded music biopics by perfectly nailing the casting of this historical figure.

With Foxx winning Best Actor for his performance, Row Is the first on the list to pass the $100 million mark and the first to compare the genre as a lucrative investment.

6

Bob Marley: One Love (2024)

$180,828,556

To contradict the point that was Back to black2024s Bob Marley: One Love Claims that the music biopic is not going away anytime soon. The Bob Marley movie had one of the best opening weekends for a music biopic, far surpassing its projected box office totals.

With Kingsley Ben-Adir in the title role, Bob Marley: One Love has its critics because the film still relies on music biopic conventions rather than saying something new with the genre.

5

walk the line (2005)

$186,797,986

As one of the best critically received films on the list, 2005’s walk the line accompanied Row With $100+ million at the box office and Oscar attention for the film’s acting performances. Joaquin Phoenix received his first nomination for Best Actor, and Reese Witherspoon won Best Actress for her performance as June Carter.

together with Row, The success of the Johnny Cash film helped establish the music biopic as a formidable genre in Hollywood.

4

Rocketman (2019)

$195,320,400

While competing against the likes of an action blockbuster (Godzilla: King of the Monsters) and a Disney remake (Aladdin), 2019s Rocketman confirmed the music biopic’s status as a definitive Hollywood movie genre. Elton John’s story is perfectly suited to the over-the-top biopic genre style developed in the late 2010s.

The film’s $195 million gross exemplifies how much this resonated with audiences. As the only film on the list to win an Oscar for Best Original Song, Rocketman Stand tall as one of the highest earners.

3

Straight Out Compton (2015)

$201,634,991

With the first film on the list to eclipse $ 200 million2015s Right outside Compton Feels like a distinguishable leap from the music biopics that came before it.

While other entries in the genre received criticism for its sterilization of music stars, the NWA biopic was praised for its acting performances and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Right outside Compton Certainly setting a high bar for the new era of music biopics.

2

Elvis (2022)

$288,670,284

As the music biopic developed into a more visually opulent style, director Baz Luhrmann definitely felt like a necessary addition to the genre. By 2022 ElvisLuhrmann applies his iconic frenetic decadence to the glitz and glamor synonymous with the King of Rock and Roll.

The creative marriage between filmmaker and film came with fruitful results, With over $288 million at the box office and eight Oscar nominationsIncluding Best Actor for Austin Butler in the title role.

1

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

$910,813,521

The peak of the music biopic genre begins and ends with 2018s Bohemian Rhapsody. The film’s $910 million worldwide gross is greater than the next four films combined. Despite relatively mixed reviews, the Queen biopic thwarted expectations by winning most Academy Awards that year, including Best Actor for Rami Malek’s performance as band leader Freddie Mercury.

With its eye-popping special effects and epic live-aid concert, Bohemian Rhapsody Defined the mega-blockbuster music biopic with all the accolades to back it up.

Source: Box Office Mojo