Best music biopics of all time

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Now that the Bruce Springsteen film, Deliver Me From Nowhere, is out in theaters, we decided it was a great time to share our picks for the greatest music biopics of all time.

Musical biopics have become incredibly popular recently. Following the huge success of the Queen movie Bohemian Rhapsody, which earned over $900 million globally, many similar films have been released.

Many iconic musicians – including Elvis Presley, Bob Marley, Elton John, Whitney Houston, Bob Dylan, and Amy Winehouse – have been the subject of biopics. While some of these films have been successful and honored the artists’ legacies, others haven’t quite lived up to their standards.

To help you find the best music biopics, we’ve ranked our top picks, counting down from number 15 to the very best at number 1.

15. Love & Mercy

Director: Bill Pohlad
Cast: Paul Dano, John Cusack, Elizabeth Banks
Release date: June 5, 2015

Love & Mercy is a film that tells the story of Brian Wilson, the musical genius behind The Beach Boys. It shows two different periods of his life: his incredibly creative time in the 1960s when he made the album Pet Sounds, and his later life as he battled with mental illness.

Love & Mercy is a compelling biopic of Brian Wilson that cleverly shifts between two time periods. It beautifully shows both the creative spark of making music and the internal struggles of a gifted, yet troubled, artist. Paul Dano and John Cusack both deliver touching and powerful performances, portraying Wilson’s artistic brilliance and personal pain with sensitivity.

14. What’s Love Got to Do With It

Directed by Brian Gibson and starring Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, and Vanessa Bell Calloway, What’s Love Got to Do With It was released on June 25, 1993. The film tells the story of Tina Turner’s journey from singing in church to becoming a worldwide superstar, and honestly portrays the abuse and hardship she faced along the way. A major highlight is Angela Bassett’s powerful performance; she truly embodies Tina Turner, capturing both the difficulties of her abusive marriage and her eventual success.

13. I’m Not There

Directed by Todd Haynes and starring Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, and Heath Ledger, this film was released on October 31, 2007. It’s a unique take on the life and legend of Bob Dylan, portrayed through six characters who each represent a different side of the musician and his work. Todd Haynes delivers a surreal and unconventional movie that intentionally blends reality and imagination, reflecting Dylan’s ever-changing public image. The performances are captivating, particularly from Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, and Cate Blanchett, who received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Dylan.

12. Rocketman

Directed by Dexter Fletcher and starring Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, and Richard Madden, Rocketman premiered on May 31, 2019. The film is a vibrant and imaginative take on Elton John’s life, showing his journey from a young, hesitant musician to a global superstar. It explores his difficult upbringing, his important creative partnership with Bernie Taupin, and the challenges that came with fame. Rocketman isn’t a typical biopic; director Fletcher blends reality with fantastical elements inspired by Elton John’s energetic performances and personal struggles. Taron Egerton delivers a strong performance, both as an actor portraying the rock legend and as a singer performing his iconic songs.

11. Elvis

Directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, and Olivia DeJonge, this film was released on June 24, 2022. It’s a dramatic look at the life of Elvis Presley, from his beginnings as a young musician in Memphis to his rise as a global icon. The movie also explores the complex relationship between Elvis and his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, and how that relationship both helped and hindered his career. Critics praise the film’s over-the-top style, perfectly suited to Elvis’s story, as well as standout performances from Butler, who embodies Elvis, and Hanks, who portrays the manipulative side of a powerful manager.

10. Nowhere Boy

Directed by Sam Taylor-Wood and starring Aaron Johnson, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Anne Marie Duff, Nowhere Boy was released on December 25, 2009. The film tells the story of John Lennon’s teenage years growing up in post-war Liverpool, focusing on his relationship with his Aunt Mimi and the development of his unique musical style. What makes this film special is Aaron Johnson’s compelling portrayal of Lennon and the director’s avoidance of typical biopic tropes, instead offering a subtle, personal, and realistic look at Lennon’s life before fame changed him.

9. Sid & Nancy

Directed by Alex Cox and starring Gary Oldman, Chloe Webb, and David Hayman, Sid & Nancy (released May 16, 1986) tells the story of the turbulent relationship between Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, set against the backdrop of the punk rock scene. The film is compelling thanks to Gary Oldman’s powerful performance as Sid Vicious and Alex Cox’s ability to capture the energy and disillusionment of the punk era, ultimately leading to a tragic outcome.

8. Walk the Line

Directed by James Mangold and starring Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, and Ginnifer Goodwin, Walk the Line was released on November 18, 2005. The film tells the story of Johnny Cash’s life, from his humble beginnings to becoming a country music icon. It explores his passionate, yet tumultuous, relationship with June Carter and his battles with addiction. We appreciate the film because Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon deliver outstanding performances as Johnny Cash and June Carter, truly capturing the spirit of the musician. The movie doesn’t avoid his flaws, and ultimately offers a moving story about love and overcoming adversity.

7. Amadeus

Directed by Miloš Forman and starring F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, and Elizabeth Beryl, Amadeus was released on September 19, 1984. The film tells a dramatic story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s life, as told through the perspective of his jealous competitor, Antonio Salieri. It’s a visually stunning movie set in 18th-century Vienna, blending historical biography with the grandeur of opera. While Tom Hulce portrays Mozart with a rebellious energy, the film is truly defined by F. Murray Abraham’s Oscar-winning performance as the bitter and resentful Salieri.

6. Better Man

Directed by Michael Gracey and starring Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, and Steve Pemberton, Better Man will be released on December 25, 2024. This unique biopic tells the story of Robbie Williams’ life, from his time with Take That to his successful solo career and his struggles with personal issues. What makes this film stand out is its creative approach: Robbie Williams is portrayed as a chimpanzee. This unusual choice allows the director to explore familiar themes in biopics – such as fame, addiction, and personal growth – in a fresh and captivating way.

5. 8 Mile

Directed by Curtis Hanson and starring Eminem, Brittany Murphy, and Kim Basinger, 8 Mile premiered on November 8, 2002. The film loosely tells the story of Eminem’s rise from a difficult upbringing in Detroit, using his rapping skills to overcome hardship. It’s less a traditional biography and more of a compelling sports drama, showcasing Eminem as a character battling other rappers to escape poverty and achieve success. Director Hanson brilliantly captures the excitement of these rap battles, culminating in a truly unforgettable final performance.

4. 24 Hour Party People

Directed by Michael Winterbottom and starring Steve Coogan, Shirley Henderson, and John Simm, 24 Hour Party People (released November 22, 2002) is a lively story about Manchester’s vibrant music scene in the Factory Records era. The film follows Tony Wilson, a TV presenter who becomes a key figure in the rise of bands like Joy Division, New Order, and Happy Mondays. It’s a fun and energetic movie, and both the director and Steve Coogan clearly enjoyed making it. The film captures the excitement of the club scene and the unique spirit of the artists it portrays with wit and a touch of chaos.

3. Straight Outta Compton

Directed by F. Gary Gray and starring O’Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, and Jason Mitchell, Straight Outta Compton (released August 14, 2015) tells the story of the groundbreaking hip-hop group N.W.A. and their impact on music and society. The film is praised for its energetic style, cultural importance, and portrayal of the group’s talent, as well as the challenges they faced while challenging the status quo.

2. A Complete Unknown

Directed by James Mangold and starring Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, and Elle Fanning, “Complete Unknown” is a biopic about Bob Dylan, set to release on December 25, 2024. The film focuses on a pivotal time in Dylan’s early career – his emergence onto the New York folk scene and the controversial electric performance that shook up the music world. What makes this film stand out is its focus on a specific, formative period, capturing Dylan’s artistic discovery and the sudden impact of fame. It’s a complex and insightful look at a young, exceptionally gifted musician, with Timothée Chalamet delivering a memorable performance, especially through his renditions of Dylan’s iconic songs.

1. Control

Directed by Anton Corbijn and starring Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, and Alexandra Maria Lara, Control was released on August 19, 2008. The film tells the story of Ian Curtis and the band Joy Division’s beginnings in the 1970s, based on the memoir by his wife, Deborah Curtis. It portrays Curtis’s battles with personal issues and epilepsy, leading up to his tragic suicide in 1980. Control is a captivating and moving film that honestly depicts Ian Curtis’ life, both his strengths and weaknesses. It powerfully captures the energy of Joy Division’s quick rise to fame in the UK, using a striking black and white aesthetic. Sam Riley gives an exceptional performance as the singer, convincingly portraying his inner turmoil and captivating both new viewers and longtime fans.

Head here for our list of the best movies ever, or here for our best movies of 2025.

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2025-10-23 17:51