30 Best Music Biopics of All Time

By Vlad Zakh · January 19, 2026

United States Drama thought provoking

Walk the Line and Ray both won their leads Oscars for full musical transformations, and Bohemian Rhapsody showed the genre could still be a huge commercial hit decades on. I’m Not There splits Bob Dylan across six actors, a strange approach that works. Angela Bassett’s Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do with It is as physical as it is emotional, Sissy Spacek’s Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner’s Daughter is a genre high point, and Love & Mercy tells Brian Wilson’s story across two timelines. Elvis, Amadeus, A Star Is Born, Straight Outta Compton and Rocketman round out the list.

I'm Not There (2007)

01

I'm Not There (2007)

TMDB ★ 7.1

Six different actors playing facets of Bob Dylan, a genuinely strange approach.

Directed by Todd Haynes · 2h 15m · Rated R

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

What's Love Got to Do with It (1993)

02

What's Love Got to Do with It (1993)

TMDB ★ 7.2

Angela Bassett earned an Oscar nomination as Tina Turner, charting the singer's rise through an abusive marriage.

Directed by Brian Gibson · 1h 58m · Rated R

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)

03

Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)

TMDB ★ 7.5

A poor Kentucky coal miner's daughter rises from poverty to become a beloved country music legend.

Directed by Michael Apted · 2h 05m · Rated PG

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Love & Mercy (2014)

04

Love & Mercy (2014)

TMDB ★ 7.4

A Brian Wilson story told across two different timelines and two actors.

Directed by Bill Pohlad · 2h 00m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Howdy Amazon Channel · 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

Elvis (2022)

05

Elvis (2022)

TMDB ★ 7.3

The rise of rock and roll's biggest star, seen through the lens of his controlling manager.

Directed by Baz Luhrmann · 2h 39m · Rated PG-13

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

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Amadeus (1984)

06

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

A Star Is Born (2018)

07

A Star Is Born (2018)

TMDB ★ 7.6

The fourth go at this story, and it still works completely.

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

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Straight Outta Compton (2015)

08

Straight Outta Compton (2015)

IMDb ★ 7.8 RT 89% Metacritic 72

N.W.A's rise from Compton to hip-hop's biggest controversy and its most influential group.

Directed by F. Gary Gray · 2h 27m · Rated R

Nominated for 1 Oscar28 wins & 40 nominations

Where to watch

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

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Rocketman (2019)

09

Rocketman (2019)

TMDB ★ 7.3

Elton John's rise is told as a full-blown fantasy musical instead of a straight biopic.

Directed by Dexter Fletcher · 2h 01m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

10

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

IMDb ★ 7.9 RT 60% Metacritic 49

Queen's rise builds to a note-for-note recreation of their legendary Live Aid set.

Directed by Bryan Singer · 2h 15m · Rated PG-13

Won 4 Oscars50 wins & 81 nominations

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Ray (2004)

11

Ray (2004)

TMDB ★ 7.7

A note-perfect Ray Charles biopic anchored entirely by Jamie Foxx's performance.

Directed by Taylor Hackford · 2h 32m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Walk the Line (2005)

12

Walk the Line (2005)

IMDb ★ 7.8 RT 83% Metacritic 72

Johnny Cash's troubled rise and his decades-long pursuit of June Carter.

Directed by James Mangold · 2h 16m · Rated PG-13

Won 1 Oscar45 wins & 48 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

A Complete Unknown (2024)

13

A Complete Unknown (2024)

TMDB ★ 7.4

A young Bob Dylan rises through the Greenwich Village folk scene while restlessly reinventing himself.

Directed by James Mangold · 2h 21m · Rated R

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Nowhere Boy (2009)

14

Nowhere Boy (2009)

TMDB ★ 6.7

A teenage John Lennon's troubled relationship with his mother and aunt shapes the man who'll form The Beatles.

Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson · 1h 38m

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Miles Ahead (2015)

15

Miles Ahead (2015)

TMDB ★ 6.3

A fictionalised Miles Davis story set during his reclusive, silent years.

Directed by Don Cheadle · 1h 40m · Rated R

Where to watch

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

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Jersey Boys (2014)

16

Jersey Boys (2014)

TMDB ★ 6.7

Four working-class friends form Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and rise to pop stardom.

Directed by Clint Eastwood · 2h 14m · 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

Respect (2021)

17

Respect (2021)

TMDB ★ 6.5

Aretha Franklin's rise from her father's church choir to becoming the Queen of Soul.

Directed by Liesl Tommy · 2h 25m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

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

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Judy (2019)

18

Judy (2019)

TMDB ★ 6.9

An ageing Judy Garland struggles with exhaustion, addiction and fading fame during a series of London concerts.

Directed by Rupert Goold · 1h 58m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Yesterday (2019)

19

Yesterday (2019)

TMDB ★ 6.8

A struggling musician wakes up in a world where he is the only person who remembers The Beatles.

Directed by Danny Boyle · 1h 56m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Great Balls of Fire! (1989)

20

Great Balls of Fire! (1989)

TMDB ★ 5.9

Jerry Lee Lewis's rock and roll stardom is derailed by his marriage to his own teenage cousin.

Directed by Jim McBride · 1h 48m · Rated PG-13

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Bird (1988)

21

Bird (1988)

TMDB ★ 7.0

A biopic of jazz great Charlie Parker, told through fractured, nonlinear memory.

Directed by Clint Eastwood · 2h 41m · Rated R

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

24 Hour Party People (2002)

22

24 Hour Party People (2002)

TMDB ★ 7.2

An eccentric Manchester promoter charts the rise and chaotic fall of the city's legendary music scene.

Directed by Michael Winterbottom · 1h 57m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, Criterion Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Sid and Nancy (1986)

23

Sid and Nancy (1986)

TMDB ★ 7.0

The Sex Pistols' bassist and his girlfriend's toxic, doomed relationship ends in her death and his own.

Directed by Alex Cox · 1h 54m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

CBGB (2013)

24

CBGB (2013)

TMDB ★ 5.1

A struggling club owner unwittingly launches the American punk movement from his grimy New York bar.

Directed by Randall Miller · 1h 41m · Rated R

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Notorious (2009)

25

Notorious (2009)

TMDB ★ 6.7

The Notorious B.I.G.'s rise from Brooklyn dealer to hip-hop icon, cut short by his 1997 murder.

Directed by George Tillman Jr. · 2h 02m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Starz Apple TV channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Get On Up (2014)

26

Get On Up (2014)

TMDB ★ 6.6

A dramatisation of James Brown's rise from poverty to become the Godfather of Soul.

Directed by Tate Taylor · 2h 19m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Selena (1997)

27

Selena (1997)

TMDB ★ 7.1

The rise of a beloved Tejano music star is cut tragically short by an act of betrayal.

Directed by Gregory Nava · 2h 07m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max · 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

The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

28

The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

TMDB ★ 7.1

A dramatisation of the rock and roll pioneer's meteoric rise before his early death.

Directed by Steve Rash · 1h 54m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Criterion Channel, Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, MovieMe · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

La Bamba (1987)

29

La Bamba (1987)

TMDB ★ 6.9

Ritchie Valens's meteoric rise ends the same night as two other rock pioneers, in a single plane crash.

Directed by Luis Valdez · 1h 48m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

8 Mile (2002)

30

8 Mile (2002)

TMDB ★ 7.0

An aspiring rapper from a Detroit trailer park fights to make a name in the local battle scene.

Directed by Curtis Hanson · 1h 51m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, YouTube TV, Netflix Standard with Ads, Starz Roku Premium Channel · 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. 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.