Music & musicians movies
by cinematicus | created - 10 Jan 2011 | updated - 20 Sep 2015 | Publicsee Beatlemania list for beatles movies.
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1. 200 Motels (1971)
R | 98 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Music
"Touring makes you crazy," Frank Zappa says, explaining that the idea for this film came to him while the Mothers of Invention were touring. The story, interspersed with performances by the... See full summary »
Directors: Tony Palmer, Frank Zappa | Stars: Mark Volman, Howard Kaylan, Ian Underwood, Aynsley Dunbar
Votes: 1,696
2. The Great Waltz (1938)
Passed | 104 min | Biography, Drama, Music
In 1845 Vienna, Johann Strauss II - Schani to his friends - would rather write and perform waltzes than anything else, this at a time when a waltz is not considered proper society music. ... See full summary »
Directors: Julien Duvivier, Victor Fleming, Josef von Sternberg | Stars: Luise Rainer, Fernand Gravey, Miliza Korjus, Hugh Herbert
Votes: 895
3. Prélude à la gloire (1950)
95 min | Drama
Director: Georges Lacombe | Stars: Roberto Benzi, Paul Bernard, Jean Debucourt, Louise Conte
Votes: 12
Prelude a la gloire
4. Magical Mystery Tour (1967 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 55 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Musical
The Beatles charter a special bus for a surreal mystery tour.
Directors: George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Bernard Knowles | Stars: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
Votes: 5,732
5. Sympathy for the Devil (1968)
Not Rated | 100 min | Documentary, Music
Godard's documentation of late 1960s Western counter-culture, examining the Black Panthers, referring to works by LeRoi Jones and Eldridge Cleaver. Other notable subjects are the role of ... See full summary »
Director: Jean-Luc Godard | Stars: Sean Lynch, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Keith Richards
Votes: 2,426
6.
Omnibus (1967–2003)
Episode:
All My Loving
(1968)
Not Rated | 52 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Director: Tony Palmer | Stars: Patrick Allen, Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, Eric Burdon
Votes: 51
7. Let It Be (1970)
G | 81 min | Documentary, Music
The filmed account of the Beatles's attempt to recapture their old group spirit by making a back to basics album, which instead drove them further apart.
Director: Michael Lindsay-Hogg | Stars: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
Votes: 4,580
8. Woodstock (1970)
R | 184 min | Documentary, History, Music
The film chronicle of the legendary 1969 music festival.
Director: Michael Wadleigh | Stars: Joan Baez, Richie Havens, Roger Daltrey, Joe Cocker
Votes: 13,967 | Gross: $50.00M
9. Gimme Shelter (1970)
GP | 91 min | Documentary, Music, Thriller
A harrowing documentary of the Stones' 1969 tour, with much of the focus on the tragic concert at Altamont.
Directors: Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Charlotte Zwerin | Stars: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, Charlie Watts
Votes: 9,240 | Gross: $0.25M
10. The Concert for Bangladesh (1972)
G | 103 min | Documentary, Music
The first benefit rock concert when major musicians performed to raise humanitarian relief funds for the refugees of Bangladesh of 1971 war.
Director: Saul Swimmer | Stars: George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Ravi Shankar, Ringo Starr
Votes: 1,301
11. Pink Floyd at Pompeii (1972)
G | 92 min | Documentary, Music
Live versions of the songs, filmed in an old Pompeii amphitheater. Songs included are Echoes (split into 2 parts), Careful with that axe, Eugene, A saucerful of secrets, One of those days, ... See full summary »
Director: Adrian Maben | Stars: David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Nick Mason
Votes: 7,522
12. Duke Ellington... We Love You Madly (1973 TV Special)
90 min | Music
An all-star tribute to Duke Ellington.
Director: Stan Harris | Stars: Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Peter Cetera, Ray Charles
Votes: 12
13. Stardust (1974)
R | 111 min | Drama, Music
The rise and fall of the rock singer Jim Maclaine, in the mid 60s, with his manager, Mike, and his group, "The Stray Cats."
Director: Michael Apted | Stars: David Essex, Adam Faith, Larry Hagman, Ines Des Longchamps
Votes: 701
14. Tommy (1975)
PG | 111 min | Drama, Musical
A psychosomatically deaf, dumb and blind boy becomes a master pinball player and, subsequently, the object of a religious cult.
Director: Ken Russell | Stars: Roger Daltrey, Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed, Elton John
Votes: 16,863 | Gross: $34.25M
15. Austin City Limits (1975– )
60 min | Documentary, Music
Established singer-songwriters and acclaimed newcomers perform country, blues, rock, folk, bluegrass, and related styles of music from Studio 6A of public television station KLRU (formerly KLRN) at the University of Texas at Austin.
Stars: Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Rosanne Cash, John Prine
Votes: 190
16. Arena (1975– )
Documentary
Wide-ranging arts program.
Stars: Gavin Millar, Kenneth Tynan, Paul McCartney, Jonathan Miller
Votes: 137
17. Lisztomania (1975)
R | 103 min | Biography, Comedy, Music
Composer and pianist Franz Liszt attempts to overcome his hedonistic lifestyle while repeatedly being drawn back into it by the many women in his life and fellow composer Richard Wagner.
Director: Ken Russell | Stars: Roger Daltrey, Sara Kestelman, Paul Nicholas, Ringo Starr
Votes: 1,852
18. Nashville (1975)
R | 160 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
Over the course of a few hectic days, numerous interrelated people prepare for a political convention as secrets and lies are surfaced and revealed.
Director: Robert Altman | Stars: Keith Carradine, Karen Black, Ronee Blakley, Shelley Duvall
Votes: 19,818 | Gross: $9.98M
19. The Song Remains the Same (1976)
PG | 137 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary of a Led Zeppelin tour mixed with live concert footage, a unique fantasy, and interviews with those involved with the band.
Directors: Peter Clifton, Joe Massot | Stars: Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham
Votes: 6,717
20. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)
PG | 113 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Small town band hits it big, but they must battle a nefarious plot in the music industry.
Director: Michael Schultz | Stars: Peter Frampton, Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb
Votes: 5,327 | Gross: $12.90M
21. Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
PG | 93 min | Comedy, Music
A group of rock-music-loving students, with the help of the Ramones, take over their school to combat its newly installed oppressive administration.
Directors: Allan Arkush, Joe Dante | Stars: P.J. Soles, Vincent Van Patten, Clint Howard, Dey Young
Votes: 7,471
22. Quadrophenia (1979)
R | 120 min | Drama, Music
Jimmy loathes his job and parents. He seeks solace with his mod clique, scooter riding, and drugs only to be disappointed.
Director: Franc Roddam | Stars: Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Phil Davis, Mark Wingett
Votes: 14,626
23. Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)
PG | 124 min | Biography, Drama, Music
Biographical story of Loretta Lynn, a legendary country singer that came from poverty to worldwide fame. She rose from humble beginnings in Kentucky to superstardom and changing the sound and style of country music forever.
Director: Michael Apted | Stars: Sissy Spacek, Tommy Lee Jones, Levon Helm, Phyllis Boyens-Liptak
Votes: 14,330 | Gross: $67.18M
24. Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave (1980)
Not Rated | 86 min | Drama, Music
On the final night of his life, Dec. 31, 1952, country music legend Hank Williams imagines himself giving a New Year's Eve performance in a small bar, with his comments to the audience reflecting upon his life.
Director: David Acomba | Stars: Sneezy Waters, Dixie Seatle, Sean McCann, Sean Hewitt
Votes: 189
25. The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (1980)
103 min | Music
A rather incoherent post-breakup Sex Pistols "documentary", told from the point of view of Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, whose (arguable) position is that the Sex Pistols in particular ... See full summary »
Director: Julien Temple | Stars: Malcolm McLaren, Sid Vicious, Steve Jones, Paul Cook
Votes: 1,786
26. Fame (1980)
R | 134 min | Drama, Music, Musical
A chronicle of the lives of several teenagers who attend a New York high school for students gifted in the performing arts.
Director: Alan Parker | Stars: Eddie Barth, Irene Cara, Lee Curreri, Laura Dean
Votes: 17,864 | Gross: $0.00M
27. Xanadu (1980)
PG | 96 min | Fantasy, Musical, Romance
A struggling artist living in Los Angeles meets a girl who may hold the key to his happiness.
Director: Robert Greenwald | Stars: Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly, Michael Beck, James Sloyan
Votes: 10,249 | Gross: $22.76M
28. From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China (1979)
G | 84 min | Documentary, Music
Isaac Stern's cultural tour of China is seen, with the master violinist performing and mentoring young Chinese musicians. He visits rehearsals of the Peking Opera, meeting with their ... See full summary »
Director: Murray Lerner | Stars: Isaac Stern, David Golub, Delun Li, Ching-Ling Soong
Votes: 367
29. American Pop (1981)
R | 96 min | Animation, Drama, Music
The story of four generations of a Russian Jewish immigrant family of musicians whose careers parallel the history of American popular music in the 20th century.
Director: Ralph Bakshi | Stars: Mews Small, Ron Thompson, Jerry Holland, Lisa Jane Persky
Votes: 3,558 | Gross: $6.00M
30. Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982)
R | 95 min | Animation, Drama, Fantasy
A confined but troubled rock star descends into madness in the midst of his physical and social isolation from everyone.
Director: Alan Parker | Stars: Bob Geldof, Christine Hargreaves, James Laurenson, Eleanor David
Votes: 66,487 | Gross: $22.24M
31. Fame (1982–1987)
60 min | Drama, Music, Musical
The stories of the students and faculty of the New York City High School for the Performing Arts.
Stars: Debbie Allen, Carlo Imperato, Gene Anthony Ray, Albert Hague
Votes: 2,465
32. The Compleat Beatles (1982 Video)
119 min | Documentary, Music
The history of the great British rock band.
Director: Patrick Montgomery | Stars: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
Votes: 1,026
33. Michael Jackson: Thriller (1983 Video)
PG | 13 min | Short, Horror, Music
A night at the movies turns into a nightmare when Michael and his date are attacked by a hoard of bloodthirsty zombies - only a "Thriller" can save them now.
Director: John Landis | Stars: Michael Jackson, Ola Ray, Vincent Price, Cynthia Garris
Votes: 13,023
34. Rock & Rule (1983)
PG | 77 min | Animation, Fantasy, Music
A malevolent rock star kidnaps a female singer to force her to participate in the summoning of a demon and her band must help her stop him.
Director: Clive A. Smith | Stars: Don Francks, Gregory Salata, Susan Roman, Samantha Langevin
Votes: 2,610 | Gross: $0.03M
35. Purple Rain (1984)
R | 111 min | Drama, Music, Musical
A young musician, tormented by an abusive situation at home, must contend with a rival singer, a burgeoning romance, and his own dissatisfied band, as his star begins to rise.
Director: Albert Magnoli | Stars: Prince, Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day, Olga Karlatos
Votes: 16,654 | Gross: $68.39M
36. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
R | 82 min | Comedy, Music
Spinal Tap, one of England's loudest bands, is chronicled by film director Marty DiBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour.
Director: Rob Reiner | Stars: Rob Reiner, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Kimberly Stringer
Votes: 114,861 | Gross: $0.19M
37. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)
PG | 103 min | Adventure, Comedy, Romance
Adventurer, brain surgeon, rock musician Buckaroo Banzai and his crime-fighting team, the Hong Kong Cavaliers, must stop evil alien invaders from the eighth dimension who are planning to conquer Earth.
Director: W.D. Richter | Stars: Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin, Jeff Goldblum
Votes: 19,896 | Gross: $6.25M
38. 'Round Midnight (1986)
R | 133 min | Drama, Music
A troubled, but talented musician flees the US to escape his problems, finding refuge and support in Paris.
Director: Bertrand Tavernier | Stars: Dexter Gordon, François Cluzet, Gabrielle Haker, Sandra Reaves-Phillips
Votes: 4,110 | Gross: $3.27M
39. Candy Mountain (1987)
R | 91 min | Drama
A struggling musician sets out to find the legendary guitar maker Elmore Silk, with whom he hopes to strike a deal to make himself rich and famous.
Directors: Robert Frank, Rudy Wurlitzer | Stars: Kevin J. O'Connor, Eric Mitchell, Mary Joy, Robert Joy
Votes: 298
40. Dead Kennedys: The Early Years (1987 Video)
30 min | Documentary, Short, Music
An overview of the early years--late 1970s, early 1980s--of San Francisco punk band Dead Kennedys, with clips from some of their live concerts and footage of landmark San Francisco locations of the punk music scene.
Director: Joe Reese | Stars: Jello Biafra, Klaus Flouride, Jed, DH Peligro
Votes: 67
41. Bird (1988)
R | 161 min | Biography, Drama, Music
The troubled life and career of the jazz musician, Charlie "Bird" Parker.
Director: Clint Eastwood | Stars: Forest Whitaker, Diane Venora, Michael Zelniker, Samuel E. Wright
Votes: 9,956 | Gross: $2.18M
42. The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988)
R | 93 min | Documentary, Music
Documentary showcase, what life was like for the music artists living during the Los Angeles Heavy Metal scene in the mid and late 1980s.
Director: Penelope Spheeris | Stars: Joe Perry, Steven Tyler, Gene Simmons, Alice Cooper
Votes: 2,670 | Gross: $0.37M
43. Ry Cooder & The Moula Banda Rhythm Aces: Let's Have a Ball (1988)
Documentary
Following a brief statement by Ry Cooder on his thoughts about performing - and improvising - on stage, this concert film depicts Cooder's 1987 live show in Santa Cruz, California, which ... See full summary »
Director: Les Blank | Stars: Ry Cooder, Terry Evans, Bobby A. King, Van Dyke Parks
Votes: 24
44. The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989)
R | 114 min | Drama, Music, Romance
The lives of two struggling musicians, who happen to be brothers, inevitably change when they team up with a beautiful, up-and-coming singer.
Director: Steve Kloves | Stars: Jeff Bridges, Michelle Pfeiffer, Beau Bridges, Ellie Raab
Votes: 19,279 | Gross: $16.82M
45. Leningrad Cowboys Go America (1989)
PG-13 | 78 min | Comedy, Music
Siberian rock band Leningrad Cowboys go to the USA in pursuit of fame.
Director: Aki Kaurismäki | Stars: Matti Pellonpää, Kari Väänänen, Sakke Järvenpää, Heikki Keskinen
Votes: 5,823
46. Great Balls of Fire! (1989)
PG-13 | 108 min | Biography, Drama, Music
The life and career of wildly controversial rock 'n' roll star Jerry Lee Lewis.
Director: Jim McBride | Stars: Dennis Quaid, Winona Ryder, John Doe, Stephen Tobolowsky
Votes: 13,794 | Gross: $13.74M
47. Ministry: In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up (1990 Video)
Music
A concert of the industrial band Ministry, filmed during the famous "The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste" tour with guest artists like Ogre (of Skinny Puppy) and Jello Biafra (of the Dead Kennedys).
Director: H-Gun | Stars: Al Jourgensen, Paul Barker, Bill Rieflin, Chris Connelly
Votes: 59
48. The Commitments (1991)
R | 118 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
When Jimmy Rabbitte wants to start a band, he has open auditions at his house.
Director: Alan Parker | Stars: Robert Arkins, Michael Aherne, Angeline Ball, Maria Doyle Kennedy
Votes: 28,530 | Gross: $14.92M
49. John Lee Hooker and Friends (1992 TV Movie)
Music
Director: Janet Fraser-Crook | Stars: Bowen Brown, Albert Collins, Ry Cooder, Robert Cray
50. Chaplin (1992)
PG-13 | 143 min | Biography, Comedy, Drama
A film about the troubled and controversial life of the master comedy filmmaker Charles Chaplin.
Director: Richard Attenborough | Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Geraldine Chaplin, Paul Rhys, John Thaw
Votes: 47,301 | Gross: $9.49M
51. The Mambo Kings (1992)
R | 104 min | Drama, Music