6 Best Nightclub Singer Movies of All Time

By Vlad Zakh · September 2, 2026

From smoky postwar supper clubs to glittering Shanghai stages, these are the best movies built around the singers who owned the spotlight after midnight. In Shanghai Triad (1995): A teenage boy from the countryside is put to work serving a glamorous gangster’s mistress and star nightclub singer in 1930s Shanghai. Equally memorable is I Walk Alone (1947): A newly released ex-bootlegger returns to collect his share of a posh nightclub from his old double-crossing partner.

Quién te cantará (2018)

TMDB ★ 6.4

A famous retired singer who loses her memory in an accident must relearn her own legendary stage persona.

Directed by Carlos Vermut · 2h 05m

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

In the Family (2017)

TMDB ★ 6.2

A neurotic man poses as the father of an eccentric lounge singer's daughter to help her marry into a conservative family.

Directed by Ozan Açıktan · 2h 04m

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Shanghai Triad (1995)

TMDB ★ 6.8

A teenage boy from the countryside is put to work serving a glamorous gangster's mistress and star nightclub singer in 1930s Shanghai.

Directed by Zhang Yimou · 1h 48m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

New York, New York (1977)

TMDB ★ 6.5

An egotistical saxophonist and a rising singer fall into a strained romance as their music careers take off after the war.

Directed by Martin Scorsese · 2h 43m · Rated PG

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Pal Joey (1957)

TMDB ★ 6.3

An opportunistic nightclub singer woos a wealthy widow to fund his dream of owning his own club.

Directed by George Sidney · 1h 51m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Stream: YouTube TV · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

I Walk Alone (1947)

TMDB ★ 6.6

A newly released ex-bootlegger returns to collect his share of a posh nightclub from his old double-crossing partner.

Directed by Byron Haskin · 1h 37m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Nightclub Singer Movies of All Time

Quién te cantará (2018)

In the Family (2017)

Shanghai Triad (1995)

New York, New York (1977)

Pal Joey (1957)

I Walk Alone (1947)

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