It tells the story of a teenage John Lennon (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his struggles with his family, as well as the very early days of The Beatles and his first band, The Quarrymen. These people were thought of, even by many of their closest associates, as a joke. All Rights Reserved.
Rock and Roll musicians always make interesting subjects for biopics, and often win Oscars like in the case of 'Ray' or Bohemian Rhapsody.'
Last year, we saw the release of biopics about Bob Marley ('Bob Marley: One Love'), Amy Winehouse ('Back to Black') and Bob Dylan ('A Complete Unknown'), and now we have 'Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere' opening in theaters on October 24th, which stars Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen.
In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down the top 20 Rock and Roll biopics of all time.
NOTE: Since the term "Rock and Roll" can cover several different genres of music, we are only including movies about musical artists who were known for performing popular music within the rock genre, including jazz, blues, country, rap, etc.
Without further ado, let's begin!
20.
'Rocketman' (2019)
Taron Egerton as Elton John in 'Rocketman'. A Complete Unknown, starring Timothee Chalamet as the enigmatic legend, might finally have come the closest to doing Dylan's story justice.
A Complete Unknown
The Buddy Holly Story
If you're only familiar with the Gary Busey of the last couple of decades, you may be amazed to learn he was once nominated for an Oscar.
In a timeless punk drama, the director Alex Cox did something indelible in its transgressive glee. Starring Douglas Booth, Iwan Rheon, Colson Baker, and Daniel Webber.
18.
It wasn't as well received as some of the other movies on this list, but any music fan will love it.
Beyond The Sea
Bobby Darin wasn't a typical rock n roller, he was more like a bridge between the jazz singers of an earlier era and the early rock stars. And that makes it the greatest rock biopic.
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Even if you don't like the band, there is so much going on in the movie, that you'll love it.
Love & Mercy
2014's Love & Mercy has a unique structure that features both Paul Dano and John Cusack playing The Beach Boys' musical genius and leader, Brian Wilson. Offstage, she shows us how Tina was trapped in a relationship of merciless fear.
He becomes a dynamo of unchecked ego, even as he forges a sound as large as America.
I’m Not There
When you hear about Todd Haynes’s visionary biopic-in-six-parts, with half a dozen actors playing Bob Dylan in different guises, it may sound like an overreaching academic stunt. Photo: The Weinstein Company.
The story of Joy Division’s lead singer Ian Curtis (Sam Riley), from his schoolboy days in 1973 to his suicide on the eve of the band's first American tour in 1980.
12.
Synopsis: In this bittersweet, classic musical drama, the vibrant and beautiful young Fanny Brice (Barbra Streisand) starts out as a bit [More]
Starring: Barbra Streisand, Omar Sharif, Walter Pidgeon, Kay Medford
Directed By: William Wyler
#4
Critics Consensus: As lyrical and bittersweet as the music its subject left behind, Blaze takes a decidedly unconventional -- yet richly rewarding -- approach to the musical biopic.
Synopsis: In the late 1960s, jazz trumpeter Chet Baker (Ethan Hawke) begins a romance with an actress (Carmen Ejogo) while trying [More]
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Carmen Ejogo, Callum Keith Rennie, Tony Nappo
Directed By: Robert Budreau
#19
Critics Consensus: Elevated by a perceptive performance by a perfectly cast Lou Diamond Phillips, La Bamba distills its subject's creative energy -- and reflects his music's enduring appeal.
Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) and Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning), two rebellious teenagers from Southern California, become the frontwomen for the Runaways -- the now-legendary group that paved the way for future generations of female rockers.
