A Guide to the Best Music Movies Ever Made

The connection between music and movies is a longstanding one. Music has been utilized to supplement films since the initial days of the silver screen, and music-related movies have become progressively mainstream. Whether it’s a biopic about a legendary musician or a film featuring a great soundtrack, moviegoers have plenty of options for music-related films. This guide explores some of the best music movies ever made.

Amadeus (1984)
Widely esteemed as one of the most notable films ever made, Amadeus narrates the narrative of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his enmity with Antonio Salieri. Directed by Milos Forman, this Academy Award-winning classic features some of Mozart’s most famous compositions and performances from Tom Hulce and F. Murray Abraham.

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Bohemian Rhapsody chronicles the ascension of Queen vocalist Freddie Mercury to renown in the 1970s and 80s. The biopic featuring Rami Malek as Mercury contains memorable Queen songs, such as “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Are the Champions.”

Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
This classic musical stars Gene Kelly as Don Lockwood, an actor who must adapt to sound films after being famous for his silent movie performances. Set in Hollywood during the transition from silent films to “talkies,” Singin’ in the Rain features some of Kelly’s most iconic dance numbers, along with memorable songs such as “Good Morning” and “Singin’ in the Rain.” Considered by many to be one of the greatest films ever made, Singin’ in the Rain is an essential watch for any fan of musicals or classic cinema.

8 Mile (2002)
8 Mile tells the story of Jimmy Smith Jr., a young man living in Detroit who dreams of becoming a successful rapper. Starring Eminem in his first major movie role, 8 Mile follows Smith as he battles other aspiring rappers at local rap battles and tries to overcome personal issues holding him back from achieving his dreams. Featuring original music by Eminem, 8 Mile was both a critical and commercial success when released in 2002.

La La Land (2016)
La La Land follows Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), two aspiring Los Angeles artists who fall in love while pursuing their dreams in Hollywood’s competitive entertainment industry. Nominated for 14 Academy Awards, La La Land won six Oscars, including Best Actress for Stone’s performance and Best Original Song for “City Of Stars.” Featuring memorable musical numbers like “Another Day Of Sun” and “Audition,” La La Land is one of the best modern musicals.

The Blues Brothers (1980)
The Blues Brothers follow Jake and Elwood Blues (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd) as they try to save an orphanage by reuniting their old band and putting on a benefit concert. Featuring classic blues songs such as “Gimme Some Lovin'” and “Sweet Home Chicago,” The Blues Brothers is an iconic comedy classic still beloved by fans of the genre today.

Walk the Line (2005)
Walk the Line traces the biography of celebrated singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, from his developing years in Arkansas to his ascension to renown in the 1950s. Starring Joaquin Phoenix as Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter, Walk the Line features some of Cash’s most famous songs, including “Ring of Fire” and “Man in Black.” The film was a critical and commercial success, winning numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Witherspoon’s performance.

High Fidelity (2000)
High Fidelity recounts the narrative of Rob Gordon (John Cusack), a record store proprietor whose life is overturned when his longtime partner abandons him for another man. Featuring an eclectic soundtrack of classic rock songs, High Fidelity is a funny, heartfelt look at relationships and music fandom that still resonates with viewers today.

A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
This classic Beatles movie follows John, Paul, George, and Ringo as they attempt to evade their hordes of screaming fans while preparing for a television performance. Chock full of classic Beatles songs such as “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “A Hard Day’s Night,” A Hard Day’s Night is considered one of the greatest musical films ever made and an essential watch for any fan of The Beatles or classic cinema.

That Thing You Do! (1996)
Tom Hanks wrote, directed, and starred in this charming comedy about a 1960s one-hit wonder band called The Wonders. Featuring original songs written by Adam Schlesinger for the film, That Thing You Do! is a fun look at music stardom that still holds up today.

These are just some of the best music movies ever made; there are plenty more for viewers to explore! Whether you’re looking for biopics about legendary musicians or films with great soundtracks, there’s something for everyone regarding music-related films.