10 Must-See Movies About Music
- Shelbi Baker
- 28 minutes ago
- 5 min read
We all love a good movie sometimes, and if you're reading our blog, odds are you like good music too! So, what if we told you we could give you a list of some of the best music themed movies to watch? Well, it turns out we can! Whether it's a reminiscent biopic or a family-friendly comedy, strap in because we've got you covered with 10 must-see movies about music. In no particular order, let's get into it!
10. This is It (2009)
If you're a Michael Jackson fan, "This is It" is an absolute must-see for you. This film is comprised of real rehearsal footage of the King of Pop as he prepared for his London residency, intended to be his final series of performances before retirement. "This is It" offers a unique behind-the-scenes look into Jackson's performance style and creativity, showing every triumph and struggle along the way. Released shortly after his tragic passing in 2009, "This Is It" pays tribute to Jackson's impact on pop music throughout his iconic career. It's certainly worth a watch!
9. La La Land (2016)
"La La Land" is a charming, romantic musical starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. The pair play Mia and Sebastian, an aspiring actress and jazz pianist respectively. The story follows the couple's journey as they chase their dreams in the hustle and bustle of the entertainment industry. While charming, the film pulls at our heartstrings, showcasing in vivid color the struggles of balancing our own dreams with those of our partner. "La La Land" is a beautiful little tale with a gorgeous score and we absolutely recommend checking it out.
8. Soul (2020)
Pixar's "Soul" is an incredibly imaginative animated film that explores the concept of the afterlife. You may be wondering what this has to do with music. Well, "Soul"'s protagonist, Joe Gardner (played by Jamie Foxx), is a middle school music teacher and jazz musician himself. Before his untimely death, Joe is offered the music gig of a lifetime and wants nothing more than to get back to Earth and play that show! Along the way, he encounters some quirky characters and completely creative obstacles. While a beautiful journey, "Soul" is also comical and family-friendly, making it a great film to watch with just about anyone.
7. Walk the Line (2005)
Music historians will love this next one. 2005's "Walk the Line" covers the life and legacy of country music icon, Johnny Cash, played here by Joaquin Phoenix. From childhood to stardom, this film paints a picture of Cash's life with all the gritty details. By the end, you'll feel deeply connected to the music, fully understanding why and how Johnny Cash wrote the way he did. While raw and truthful, "Walk the Line" is a fascinating tale and definitely worth your time. We recommend letting your curiosity get the best of you with this one.
6. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Speaking of music history, let's talk about one of the most iconic bands of all time, Queen. "Bohemian Rhapsody" follows the lifetime of the one and only Freddie Mercury, played here by Rami Malek, as well as the band's formation in 1970 leading up to their legendary Live Aid performance. Along the way, we learn the origins behind timeless tracks like "We Will Rock You" and of course, "Bohemian Rhapsody" itself. Similarly to "Walk the Line" we get an insider look at Queen's struggles as they grapple with stardom and pave their unique path through the music industry. If you're a Queen fan, or you want to become one, this is the film for you!
5. Pitch Perfect (2012)
Back to another fun, comedic entry, this time featuring the exaggerated ins and outs of college acapella. "Pitch Perfect" is an absolutely hilarious film starring Anna Kendrick as Beca Mitchell, who becomes an unsuspecting part of her new university's female acapella group. This film keeps us laughing all the way through the Barden Bellas' journey to beat the all male group, the Treblemakers, in a fierce singing competition. While not wholly accurate to the real acapella world, "Pitch Perfect" is an absolute joy to watch and will keep a smile on your face the whole way through.
4. Drumline (2002)
Next up is another fun one. This is 2002's "Drumline", a film about one very underappreciated art, marching band. A young Nick Cannon plays our protagonist here, Devon Miles, a talented but overly confident street drummer trying out for his college's drumline. Unfortunately, the current band is stuck in the past, in need of a little flair. However, Devon's arrogance proves to be his own downfall, as he could use a lesson in teamwork as well. "Drumline" is a comedic story about the give and take of what it means to be a team, and the challenges of accepting each other's differences, plus it makes marching band look really cool!
3. School of Rock (2003)
Now, this one is peak 2000s kid energy, and peak Jack Black. "School of Rock" is a 2003 family-friendly comedy about a struggling rock guitarist turned unexpected teacher who has ... his own methods of education. While hilarious, the film is also heartwarming, showcasing our protagonist, Dewey Finn's true understanding of his students along the way. "School of Rock" is often regarded as the film where Miranda Cosgrove rose to stardom as well, as she plays the 'band manager', Summer Hathaway. This is a beloved film from many of our childhoods and still feels pretty timeless today. Definitely give it shot!
2. Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021)
Next up is "Tick, Tick... Boom!" Now, this one is a bit confusing without the backstory, but we promise it's worth it. This Netflix film is actually a biography for the man who wrote the 1990 musical of the same name, Johnathan Larson (played here by Andrew Garfield). The story covers Larson's deep desire and self-pressure to be successful before he turns 30 in just a few days. To do this, he hopes to write a musical in order to enter the world of musical theatre. The theme of that musical is his own life. Essentially, this film features an auto-biographical musical within a biographical musical, which is extremely meta, but absolutely fascinating. Larson's original score is used within the film alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda's directing, leading to some outrageously beautiful performances. This one is high on our list. Give it a watch!
1. Whiplash (2014)
Our last film on this list is 2014's "Whiplash". While certainly about music, this one gets inside our heads as more of a psychological drama starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons. Teller's character, Andrew, is an aspiring jazz drummer with extreme ambition. Meanwhile, Simmons plays his headstrong and incredibly strict instructor, Terrance. While learning and chasing his dreams, Andrew is pushed to the brink of insanity by Terrance's borderline unethical teaching practices. "Whiplash" is a film about being pushed to your limits and even figuring out what those limits are. It truly showcases the whiplash between obtaining your goals and how far you'd go to reach them. While this movie can be a little hard to watch, it's certainly one that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
So, there you have it, 10 must-see movies about music! What did you think? Are there any we missed? Which one is your favorite? Feel free to let us know all this and more at any of our socials below.
Written By Shelbi Baker
*copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.
