6 Best Opera and Classical Music Movies

By Vlad Zakh · February 25, 2026

Classical music’s discipline and passion fuel intense character studies. Tar watches a celebrated conductor’s career unravel, The Pianist follows a Jewish pianist surviving the ruins of Warsaw, and The Red Violin follows an instrument through owners across centuries. Hilary and Jackie, Farinelli and Amadeus round out the six.

Tár (2022)

TMDB ★ 6.9

A world-famous orchestra conductor's career unravels as allegations about her past mount.

Directed by Todd Field · 2h 38m · Rated R

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Pianist (2002)

IMDb ★ 8.5 RT 95% Metacritic 85

A Jewish pianist fights to survive the destruction of the Warsaw ghetto during the Second World War.

Directed by Roman Polanski · 2h 30m · Rated R

Won 3 Oscars57 wins & 74 nominations

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Red Violin (1998)

TMDB ★ 7.9

A masterfully crafted violin's journey across centuries and continents connects a series of owners touched by its legend.

Directed by François Girard · 2h 10m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Starz Apple TV channel, MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Hilary and Jackie (1998)

TMDB ★ 7.2

A world-renowned cellist's brilliant career is shadowed by a complicated, competitive relationship with her sister.

Directed by Anand Tucker · 2h 01m

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Farinelli (1994)

TMDB ★ 7.1

A legendary castrato opera singer's rise to fame is shadowed by his complicated bond with his composer brother.

Directed by Gérard Corbiau · 1h 51m

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Amadeus (1984)

IMDb ★ 8.4 RT 90% Metacritic 87

A rival composer's consuming jealousy of Mozart's genius drives him towards obsession and ruin.

Directed by Miloš Forman · 2h 40m · Rated PG

Won 8 Oscars43 wins & 15 nominations

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · 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. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

6 Best Opera and Classical Music Movies

Tár (2022)

The Pianist (2002)

The Red Violin (1998)

Hilary and Jackie (1998)

Farinelli (1994)

Amadeus (1984)

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