6 Best Washed-Up Musician Comeback Movies

By Vlad Zakh · June 25, 2026

A faded star chasing one last shot at redemption has fueled some of music cinema’s most raw and heartbreaking performances. In Once (2007): A struggling street musician and a Czech immigrant form a creative bond while recording an album together. Just as strong is Sound of Metal (2020): A heavy-metal drummer’s career and identity are upended when he suddenly begins losing his hearing.

Sound of Metal (2020)

TMDB ★ 7.7

A heavy-metal drummer's career and identity are upended when he suddenly begins losing his hearing.

Directed by Darius Marder · 2h 01m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

A Star Is Born (2018)

TMDB ★ 7.6

A fading rock star discovers and falls for a rising singer, even as his own career and life spiral downward.

Directed by Bradley Cooper · 2h 16m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

TMDB ★ 7.3

A struggling folk musician navigates a bleak, cyclical week in the 1961 Greenwich Village music scene.

Directed by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen · 1h 45m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent: JustWatch TV, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Crazy Heart (2009)

TMDB ★ 7.1

A washed-up, alcoholic country singer finds a shot at redemption through a young journalist's love.

Directed by Scott Cooper · 1h 52m · Rated R

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Once (2007)

IMDb ★ 7.8 RT 97% Metacritic 90

A struggling street musician and a Czech immigrant form a creative bond while recording an album together.

Directed by John Carney · 1h 25m · Rated R

Won 1 Oscar25 wins & 31 nominations

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Rose (1979)

TMDB ★ 6.9

A self-destructive rock star burns out under the pressures of fame, addiction, and a grueling tour schedule.

Directed by Mark Rydell · 2h 05m · Rated R

▶ 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 Washed-Up Musician Comeback Movies

Sound of Metal (2020)

A Star Is Born (2018)

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

Crazy Heart (2009)

Once (2007)

The Rose (1979)

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