Sex, drugs & rock'n'roll
by preilimaris | created - 25 Mar 2015 | updated - 28 Jun 2019 | PublicI'm a rock artist/photographer and here are some of the movies/series I didn't regret watching. Most of them are about music, others just give you the right kind of vibe to get going. Not in any particular order.
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1. The Doors (1991)
R | 140 min | Biography, Drama, Music
The story of the famous and influential 1960s rock band The Doors and its lead singer and composer, Jim Morrison, from his days as a UCLA film student in Los Angeles, to his untimely death in Paris, France at age 27 in 1971.
Director: Oliver Stone | Stars: Val Kilmer, Meg Ryan, Kyle MacLachlan, Frank Whaley
Votes: 99,139 | Gross: $35.18M
This is so far the best biographical movie I've seen about musicians, capturing the very essence of The Doors. True, inspiring and wild story about music, art, poetry and love. Oh, and did I mention it's psychedelic-as-fck?
2. Almost Famous (2000)
R | 122 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
A high-school boy in the early 1970s is given the chance to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine about an up-and-coming rock band as he accompanies them on their concert tour.
Director: Cameron Crowe | Stars: Billy Crudup, Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson, Frances McDormand
Votes: 293,588 | Gross: $32.53M
If you liked "I'm with the band" by Pamela des Barres, you're going to love this one. No doubt, one of my favourite movies of all times.
3. CBGB (2013)
R | 102 min | Crime, Drama, Music
A look at the New York City punk-rock scene and the venerable nightclub, CBGB.
Director: Randall Miller | Stars: Alan Rickman, Malin Akerman, Justin Bartha, Richard de Klerk
Votes: 11,229 | Gross: $0.04M
Beautifully shot and edited, a movie that blends music, art and rock'n'roll lifestyle. Honest and inspiring story about the birth of punk scene in New York City.
4. Easy Rider (1969)
R | 95 min | Adventure, Drama
Two bikers head from L.A. to New Orleans through the open country and desert lands, and along the way they meet a man who bridges a counter-culture gap of which they had been unaware.
Director: Dennis Hopper | Stars: Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, Antonio Mendoza
Votes: 117,006 | Gross: $41.73M
Billy: Hey, man. All we represent to them, man, is somebody who needs a haircut. George Hanson: Oh, no. What you represent to them is freedom. Billy: What the hell is wrong with freedom? That's what it's all about. George Hanson: Oh, yeah, that's right. That's what's it's all about, all right. But talkin' about it and bein' it, that's two different things. I mean, it's real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace. Of course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free, 'cause then they're gonna get real busy killin' and maimin' to prove to you that they are. Oh, yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom. But they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em. Billy: Well, it don't make 'em runnin' scared. George Hanson: No, it makes 'em dangerous.
5. Sid and Nancy (1986)
R | 112 min | Biography, Drama, Music
The relationship between Sid Vicious, bassist for British punk group Sex Pistols, and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen is portrayed.
Director: Alex Cox | Stars: Gary Oldman, Chloe Webb, David Hayman, Debby Bishop
Votes: 34,704 | Gross: $2.83M
If you're into psycho love stories, this one is for you. The Sex Pistols is just a bonus.
6. The Runaways (2010)
R | 106 min | Biography, Drama, Music
A coming-of-age biographical film about the 1970s teenage all-girl rock band The Runaways. The relationship between band members Cherie Currie and Joan Jett is also explored.
Director: Floria Sigismondi | Stars: Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Michael Shannon, Stella Maeve
Votes: 50,960 | Gross: $3.57M
A band that has given us Joan Jett and Lita Ford. So young and wild, even Kristen Stewart had to show a beautiful variety of facial expressions. This one's a true Cherry Bomb!
7. Whiplash (2014)
R | 106 min | Drama, Music
A promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential.
Director: Damien Chazelle | Stars: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist, Paul Reiser
Votes: 990,651 | Gross: $13.09M
A true inspiration to everyone making music. (Or anyone-doing-anything, really...) Best from 2014.
8. Dazed and Confused (1993)
R | 103 min | Comedy
The adventures of high school and junior high students on the last day of school in May 1976.
Director: Richard Linklater | Stars: Jason London, Wiley Wiggins, Matthew McConaughey, Rory Cochrane
Votes: 199,787 | Gross: $7.99M
Dazed and Confused makes me sad not being in high school in the 70s. Easy watching that can bring out the sun on a rainy day.
9. Rock Star (2001)
R | 105 min | Drama, Music
Lead singer of a tribute band becomes lead singer of the real band he idolizes.
Director: Stephen Herek | Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Jennifer Aniston, Dominic West, Jason Bonham
Votes: 45,314 | Gross: $17.01M
Mark Wahlberg does a really great role playing a guy who gets to live THE dream by joining the band he grew up praising. The ficional band Steel Dragon has Zakk Wylde on guitar, Jason Bonham on drums and the soundtrack is awesome!
10. Walk the Line (2005)
PG-13 | 136 min | Biography, Drama, Music
A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins.
Director: James Mangold | Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick
Votes: 265,953 | Gross: $119.52M
Never been a true fan of Johnny Cash, but it's a music biography gone absolutely right.
11. Get Him to the Greek (2010)
R | 109 min | Comedy, Music
A record company intern is hired to accompany out-of-control British rock star Aldous Snow to a concert at L.A.'s Greek Theater.
Director: Nicholas Stoller | Stars: Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Elisabeth Moss, Rose Byrne
Votes: 185,688 | Gross: $60.97M
Some of us remember Russel Brand's rock character Aldous Snow from "Forgetting Sarah Marshall". Mr Snow is back and he's ready to mess things up. Funny and brilliant movie that gives us a new hit song "Inside of you".
12. Taking Woodstock (2009)
R | 120 min | Biography, Comedy, Drama
A man working at his parents' motel in the Catskills inadvertently sets in motion the generation-defining concert in the summer of 1969.
Director: Ang Lee | Stars: Demetri Martin, Henry Goodman, Edward Hibbert, Imelda Staunton
Votes: 30,016 | Gross: $7.44M
The most legendary festival of all times from the perspective of a teenage boy. Awesome movie that's worth seeing merely for the acid-trip scene.
13. The Boat That Rocked (2009)
R | 117 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
A band of rogue DJs that captivated Britain, playing the music that defined a generation and standing up to a government that wanted classical music, and nothing else, on the airwaves.
Director: Richard Curtis | Stars: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Nick Frost, Michael Hadley
Votes: 116,094 | Gross: $7.99M
Rebel-rebel. Great comedy for everyone who loves music!
14. Detroit Rock City (1999)
R | 95 min | Adventure, Comedy, Music
In 1978, four rebellious teenagers try to scam their way into a KISS concert.
Director: Adam Rifkin | Stars: Edward Furlong, Giuseppe Andrews, James DeBello, Sam Huntington
Votes: 41,366 | Gross: $4.22M
Angry mothers protesting against "devil's music"- check. Fooling around with friends, growing weed and hoping to score- check. There's KISS. And there's more. A funny one.
15. Get on Up (2014)
PG-13 | 139 min | Biography, Drama, Music
A chronicle of James Brown's rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.
Director: Tate Taylor | Stars: Chadwick Boseman, Nelsan Ellis, Dan Aykroyd, Viola Davis
Votes: 26,149 | Gross: $30.51M
Another really great music biography even if you're not into James Brown.
16. Wayne's World (1992)
PG-13 | 94 min | Comedy, Music
Two slacker friends try to promote their public-access cable show.
Director: Penelope Spheeris | Stars: Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Rob Lowe, Tia Carrere
Votes: 171,007 | Gross: $121.70M
Mike Myers is a true genius when it comes to writing and it all shows in this classic comedy. Loads of stupid jokes and self-humor plus you get to see Tia Carrere playing bass and singing, what a babe.
17. Wayne's World 2 (1993)
PG-13 | 95 min | Comedy, Music
The inseparable duo try to organize a rock concert while Wayne must fend off a record producer who has an eye for his girlfriend.
Director: Stephen Surjik | Stars: Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Christopher Walken, Tia Carrere
Votes: 88,169 | Gross: $48.20M
If you've just watched "The Doors" movie and feel a little strung-out or depressed, go straight to this one. (Yes, I'm talking about the naked Indian). Cast includes Steven Tyler, Heather Locklear and Tia Carrere. A great laugh, indeed!
18. SLC Punk! (1998)
R | 97 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
In the early 1980s Stevo, and Heroin Bob are the only two dedicated punks in conservative Salt Lake City.
Director: James Merendino | Stars: Matthew Lillard, Michael A. Goorjian, Annabeth Gish, Jennifer Lien
Votes: 32,835 | Gross: $0.30M
About punk scene in Australia. A comedy that's not just funny but also makes you think. Great camerawork and editing.
19. 24 Hour Party People (2002)
R | 117 min | Biography, Comedy, Drama
In 1976, Tony Wilson sets up Factory Records and brings Manchester's music to the world.
Director: Michael Winterbottom | Stars: Steve Coogan, Lennie James, John Thomson, Paul Popplewell
Votes: 39,717 | Gross: $1.13M
This movie is made of so many layers it may seem boring on the first view. But it's worth the effort to do a little research in the land of Joy Division, New Order and of course- Tony Wilson. Once you break the code and get "inside", it becomes a brilliant one.
20. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
R | 102 min | Drama
The drug-induced utopias of four Coney Island people are shattered when their addictions run deep..
Director: Darren Aronofsky | Stars: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans
Votes: 899,312 | Gross: $3.64M
Took me ages to finally find myself in the right mood to watch this. Not your regular "let's put something on before we go to sleep" movie. Requiem for a Dream sucks you in and gets you on a trip (camerawork and music help a lot). It's beautiful, honest and painful.
21. Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
R | 123 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
A depressed musician reunites with his lover. However, their romance, which has already endured several centuries, is disrupted by the arrival of her uncontrollable younger sister.
Director: Jim Jarmusch | Stars: Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska, John Hurt
Votes: 108,209 | Gross: $1.88M
If you're dazzled by the movie poster, you will love the film. If not, then you better move on 'cause it's all about the atmosphere. Beautiful to watch, but you kind of have to create the story in your own head.
22. Still Crazy (1998)
R | 95 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
Fame, fortune and fornication drove the British rock band in the '70s until a divine end. 20 years later, Strange Fruit reunites and goes on a tour with ups and downs on the continent.
Director: Brian Gibson | Stars: Stephen Rea, Billy Connolly, Jimmy Nail, Timothy Spall
Votes: 8,862 | Gross: $0.48M
23. Hesher (2010)
R | 106 min | Comedy, Drama
A young boy has lost his mother and is losing touch with his father and the world around him. Then he meets Hesher who manages to make his life even more chaotic.
Director: Spencer Susser | Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Devin Brochu, Natalie Portman, Rainn Wilson
Votes: 54,112 | Gross: $0.38M
24. That Thing You Do! (1996)
PG | 108 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
A local Pennsylvania band scores a one-hit wonder in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as they can, with lots of help from their manager.
Director: Tom Hanks | Stars: Tom Hanks, Liv Tyler, Charlize Theron, Tom Everett Scott
Votes: 73,623 | Gross: $25.81M
25. Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of INXS (2014)
TV-MA | 180 min | Drama
The story of INXS, their personal lives and their rise to fame from Australian pubs to stadiums all around the world.
Stars: Damon Herriman, Luke Arnold, Hugh Sheridan, Andrew Ryan
Votes: 1,447
26. Menolippu Mombasaan (2002)
88 min | Comedy, Drama
A cancer patient meets a new friend at the hospital, and together they escape on the adveture of their lives.
Director: Hannu Tuomainen | Stars: Antti Tarvainen, Joonas Saartamo, Johanna Rönnlöf, Timo Päiväsalo
Votes: 1,847
A young guitarist finds out he has cancer and meets another boy in hospital. They escape together to take a last trip to golden sands of Mombasa- via Lapland. A warm story about friendship, dreams and love.
27. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
R | 118 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
An oddball journalist and his psychopathic lawyer travel to Las Vegas for a series of psychedelic escapades.
Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Tobey Maguire, Michael Lee Gogin
Votes: 301,661 | Gross: $10.68M
28. 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: 147,422 | Gross: $4.74M
29. Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny (2006)
R | 94 min | Adventure, Comedy, Music
To become the greatest band of all time, two slacker, wannabe-rockers set out on a quest to steal a legendary guitar pick that gives its holders incredible guitar skills, from a maximum security Rock and Roll museum.
Director: Liam Lynch | Stars: Jack Black, Kyle Gass, JR Reed, Ronnie James Dio
Votes: 115,279 | Gross: $8.32M
Kind of stupid, but not in a bad way.
30. Rock of Ages (2012)
PG-13 | 123 min | Comedy, Drama, Musical
A small-town girl and a city boy meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams.
Director: Adam Shankman | Stars: Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin
Votes: 81,692 | Gross: $38.52M
ROA should be labeled as a parody. A great laugh to every true rocker who's not afraid of sticky sweet clichés and self-irony. Warning: Sucks, when taken too seriously!
31. Adventureland (2009)
R | 107 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
In the summer of 1987, a college graduate takes a 'nowhere' job at his local amusement park, only to find it's the perfect course to get him prepared for the real world.
Director: Greg Mottola | Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Martin Starr
Votes: 169,220 | Gross: $16.03M
Kind of makes you miss the summer!
32. Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014)
TV-MA | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
A biker struggles to balance being a father and being involved in an outlaw motorcycle club.
Stars: Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal, Mark Boone Junior, Kim Coates
Votes: 323,771
Great series but even better soundtrack!
33. Californication (2007–2014)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
A writer tries to juggle his career, his relationship with his daughter and his ex-girlfriend, as well as his appetite for beautiful women.
Stars: David Duchovny, Natascha McElhone, Evan Handler, Pamela Adlon
Votes: 188,478
The real X-file here is how Hank constantly manages to fck things up. Ode to sex, drugs and write'n'roll.
34. Lords of Dogtown (2005)
PG-13 | 107 min | Biography, Drama, Sport
The film follows the surf and skateboarding trends that originated in Venice, California during the 1970s.
Director: Catherine Hardwicke | Stars: Heath Ledger, Emile Hirsch, Victor Rasuk, Johnny Knoxville
Votes: 58,247 | Gross: $11.01M
35. Blow (2001)
R | 124 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
The story of how George Jung, along with the Medellín Cartel headed by Pablo Escobar, established the American cocaine market in the 1970s in the United States.
Director: Ted Demme | Stars: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Franka Potente, Rachel Griffiths
Votes: 275,173 | Gross: $52.99M
36. Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015)
TV-MA | 132 min | Documentary, Animation, Biography
An authorized documentary on the late musician Kurt Cobain, from his early days in Aberdeen, Washington to his success and downfall with the grunge band Nirvana.
Director: Brett Morgen | Stars: Kurt Cobain, Wendy O'Connor, Don Cobain, Jenny Cobain
Votes: 32,148
37. Boogie Nights (1997)
R | 155 min | Drama
Back when sex was safe, pleasure was a business and business was booming, an idealistic porn producer aspires to elevate his craft to an art when he discovers a hot young talent.
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson | Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, Luis Guzmán
Votes: 282,235 | Gross: $26.40M
38. Zombie ja Kummitusjuna (1991)
88 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
Antti "Zombie" Autiomaa does two things well: play the bass guitar and drink. After several months' sleeping on the streets of Istanbul, he returns to Helsinki where he's called into the ... See full summary »
Director: Mika Kaurismäki | Stars: Silu Seppälä, Marjo Leinonen, Matti Pellonpää, Vieno Saaristo
Votes: 1,125
Honest and (because of that) depressive.
39. On the Road (2012)
R | 124 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance
Young writer Sal Paradise has his life shaken by the arrival of free-spirited Dean Moriarty and his girl, Marylou. As they travel across the country, they encounter a mix of people who each impact their journey indelibly.
Director: Walter Salles | Stars: Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Amy Adams
Votes: 43,305 | Gross: $0.72M
Jack Kerouac-rockstar of writers.
40. Love & Mercy (2014)
PG-13 | 121 min | Biography, Drama, Music
In the 60s, Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson struggles with emerging psychosis as he attempts to craft his avant-garde pop masterpiece. In the 80s, he's a broken, confused man under the 24-hour watch of shady therapist, Dr. Eugene Landy.
Director: Bill Pohlad | Stars: John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Giamatti
Votes: 42,628 | Gross: $12.55M
41. Sing Street (2016)
PG-13 | 106 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
A young lad notices a beautiful girl who begins to occupy his thoughts. While struggling with poverty, personal relationships and life's woes, he starts a band, hoping to catch her attention.
Director: John Carney | Stars: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Aidan Gillen, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Jack Reynor
Votes: 100,998 | Gross: $3.24M
42. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
PG-13 | 134 min | Biography, Drama, Music
The story of the legendary British rock band Queen and lead singer Freddie Mercury, leading up to their famous performance at Live Aid (1985).
Director: Bryan Singer | Stars: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy
Votes: 593,398 | Gross: $216.43M
Not so much about history and steady narrative but more about the music itself.
43. A Star Is Born (2018)
R | 136 min | Drama, Music, Romance
A musician helps a young singer find fame as age and alcoholism send his own career into a downward spiral.
Director: Bradley Cooper | Stars: Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott, Greg Grunberg
Votes: 419,695 | Gross: $215.29M
44. Straight Outta Compton (2015)
R | 147 min | Biography, Drama, History
The rap group NWA emerges from the mean streets of Compton in Los Angeles, California, in the mid-1980s and revolutionizes Hip Hop culture with their music and tales about life in the hood.
Director: F. Gary Gray | Stars: O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Neil Brown Jr.
Votes: 218,590 | Gross: $161.20M
45. School of Rock (2003)
PG-13 | 109 min | Comedy, Music
After being kicked out of his rock band, Dewey Finn becomes a substitute teacher of an uptight elementary private school, only to try and turn his class into a rock band.
Director: Richard Linklater | Stars: Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack, Adam Pascal
Votes: 331,044 | Gross: $81.26M
46. Heavy Trip (2018)
92 min | Comedy, Music
After years of playing songs by other artists, the opportunity of a concert in Norway encourages a metal band to compose their own material, but not before overcoming some unexpected difficulties.
Directors: Juuso Laatio, Jukka Vidgren | Stars: Johannes Holopainen, Samuli Jaskio, Antti Tuomas Heikkinen, Max Ovaska
Votes: 10,646 | Gross: $0.01M
47. Lords of Chaos (2018)
R | 118 min | Biography, Drama, Horror
A teenager's quest to launch Norwegian Black Metal in Oslo in the early 1990s results in a very violent outcome.
Director: Jonas Åkerlund | Stars: Rory Culkin, Emory Cohen, Jack Kilmer, Sky Ferreira
Votes: 19,400 | Gross: $0.25M
48. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
PG-13 | 134 min | Biography, Drama, Music
The story of the legendary British rock band Queen and lead singer Freddie Mercury, leading up to their famous performance at Live Aid (1985).
Director: Bryan Singer | Stars: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy
Votes: 593,398 | Gross: $216.43M
49. Rocketman (I) (2019)
R | 121 min | Biography, Drama, Music
A musical fantasy about the fantastical human story of Elton John's breakthrough years.
Director: Dexter Fletcher | Stars: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard
Votes: 194,930 | Gross: $96.37M
50. A Star Is Born (2018)
R | 136 min | Drama, Music, Romance
A musician helps a young singer find fame as age and alcoholism send his own career into a downward spiral.
Director: Bradley Cooper | Stars: Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott, Greg Grunberg
Votes: 419,695 | Gross: $215.29M
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