Films about the music industry are an intriguing genre that offers a glimpse into the captivating and often tumultuous world of music, showcasing the struggles, triumphs, and behind-the-scenes drama of musicians, producers, and the entire industry. These films explore various aspects of the music industry, including the rise to fame, the challenges faced by artists, and the power dynamics that shape the industry.
Here is a list of existing films about the music industry, along with a brief description of each:
“Almost Famous”, 2000
Director: Cameron Crowe
Set in the 1970s, this coming-of-age film follows a young journalist who goes on tour with a fictional rock band, experiencing the highs and lows of the music industry firsthand.
Starring: Patrick Fugit, Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Jason Lee, Zooey Deschanel, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Anna Paquin, Fairuza Balk, Noah Taylor, Michael Angarano, John Fedevich, Mark Kozelek, Liz Stauber, Jimmy Fallon, Olivia Rosewood, Bijou Phillips, Alice Marie Crowe, J.J. Cohen, Gary Kohn, Ray Porter, Mark Pellington, Eion Bailey, Terry Chen, Rainn Wilson, Erin Foley, Jesse Caron, Charles Walker, Jay Baruchel, Pauley Perrette, Peter Frampton, Zack Ward, Mitch Hedberg, Devin Corey, Pete Droge, Elaine Summers, Eric Stonestreet, Marc Maron, Shane Willard, Chris McElprang, John Patrick Amedori, Kate Peckham, Julia Decker, Brian Vaughan, Anthony Martelli, Zach Clairville, Ian Ridgeway, Isaac Curtiss, Chris Lennon Davis, Scott N. Stevens;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, comedy, adventure, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 123 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “Almost Famous” on the website imdb.com
“Ray”, 2004
Director: Taylor Hackford
This biographical film tells the story of Ray Charles, a legendary musician who overcame personal struggles and racial barriers to become a groundbreaking figure in the music industry.
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Regina King, Clifton Powell, Harry J. Lennix, Bokeem Woodbine, Aunjanue Ellis, Sharon Warren, C.J. Sanders, Curtis Armstrong, Richard Schiff, Larenz Tate, Terrence Howard, David Krumholtz, Wendell Pierce, Chris Thomas King, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, Rick Gomez, Denise Dowse, Warwick Davis, Patrick Bauchau, Robert Wisdom, Kurt Fuller, Julian Bond, Kimberly J. Ardison, Renee Wilson, Willie Metcalf, Mike Pniewski, Terrone Bell, Richard A. Smith, Gary Grubbs, Carol Sutton, Bill Breaux, Alex Van, Roland Bob Harris, Tom Clark, Afemo Omilami, Elizabeth Omilami, Vernel Bagneris, Fahnlohnee R. Harris, Michael Travis Stone, Eric O'Neal Jr., Tequan Richmond, Matthew Benjamin, John Swasey, James Huston, Marc Lynn, Kyle Scott Jackson, J. Todd Smith, Rutherford Cravens;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: drama, biography, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 152 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Ray” on the website imdb.com
“Whiplash”, 2013
Director: Damien Chazelle
This intense drama centers around a young jazz drummer who is pushed to his limits by a demanding music teacher, highlighting the sacrifices and dedication required to succeed in the competitive world of music.
Starring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist, Austin Stowell, Nate Lang, Chris Mulkey, Damon Gupton, Suanne Spoke, Max Kasch, Charlie Ian, Jayson Blair, Kofi Siriboe, Kavita Patil, C.J. Vana, Tarik Lowe, Tyler Kimball, Rogelio Douglas Jr., Adrian Burks, Calvin C. Winbush, Joseph Bruno, Michael Cohen, Jocelyn Ayanna, Keenan Henson, Janet Hoskins, April Grace, Clifton «Fou Fou» Eddie, Marcus Henderson, Tony Baker, Henry G. Sanders, Sam Campisi, Jimmie Kirkpatrick, Keenan Allen, Ayinde Vaughan, Shai Golan, Yancey Wells, Candace Roberge, Krista Kilber, Shannon Adawn, Cici Leah Campbell, Damien Coates, Ellee Jane Hounsell, Stephen Hsu, Herman Johansen, Brittany Paige, Wendee Lee, Dakota Lupo, Jesse Mitchell, Arnold Montey, Amanda Noriko Newman;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: drama, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 106 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,5;
“La La Land”, 2016
Director: Damien Chazelle
A modern-day musical, this film follows the journey of a struggling actress and a jazz pianist as they navigate their careers and relationship in the vibrant city of Los Angeles.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, J.K. Simmons, Rosemarie DeWitt, Finn Wittrock, Callie Hernandez, Sonoya Mizuno, Jessica Rothe, Tom Everett Scott, Joshua Pence, Amiee Conn, Terry Walters, Thomas Jefferson Shelton, Cinda Adams, Claudine Claudio, Jason Fuchs, D.A. Wallach, Mike Fallin, Trevor Lissauer, Olivia Hamilton, Anna Chazelle, Marius De Vries, Nicole Coulon, Damon Gupton, Christopher Michael Stevens, Keith Harris, Kaveh Rastegar, Shaylah J. Stevens, Natalie Imani, Briana Lee, David Douglas, Miles Anderson, Bobo Chang, Meagen Fay, Robert Haynes, John Hindman, Valarie Rae Miller, Nicole Wolf, Corrin Evans, Kiff VandenHeuvel, Camryn Ray Cavaliero, Zoë Hall, Dempsey Pappion, Clifton «Fou Fou» Eddie, Cal Bennett, Nedra Wheeler, Javier Gonzalez, Khirye Tyler, Arthur Horowitz;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: musical, drama, melodrama, comedy, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 128 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
“8 Mile”, 2002
Director: Curtis Hanson
Starring Eminem, this film explores the world of rap battles and the challenges faced by aspiring rappers in a gritty and unforgiving industry.
Starring: Eminem, Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi Phifer, Evan Jones, Omar Benson Miller, De'Angelo Wilson, Eugene Byrd, Taryn Manning, Larry Hudson, Proof, Mike Bell, DJ Head, Michael Shannon, Chloe Greenfield, Mary Hannigan, Anthony Mackie, Strike, Nashawn Breedlove, Na'Keya Snoddy, Malik Barnhardt, Day Golfin, Allen Adams, Hom, Obie Trice, Njeri Earth, Jennifer Kitchen, Kyla Womack, Melissa Zaglanikzny, Rockey Black, Craig Chandler, Paul Bates, Miz-Korona, Xzibit, Abdul Salaam El Razzac, Steven Monroe, John Smith Jr., Venicia Foreman, Waverly W. Alford II, Bushman, Adam Brook, Dave Daniels, Stephen Detherage, Karin Dicker, Brandon T. Jackson, Jason Jarchow, Tracey Kroll, Kei Leong, Juanita Moore, Russell Rabb;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: drama, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “8 Mile” on the website imdb.com
“Walk the Line”, 2005
Director: James Mangold
This biographical drama delves into the life of Johnny Cash, chronicling his rise to fame, struggles with addiction, and the enduring love story between him and June Carter Cash.
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick, Dallas Roberts, Dan John Miller, Larry Bagby, Shelby Lynne, Tyler Hilton, Waylon Payne, Shooter Jennings, Sandra Ellis Lafferty, Dan Beene, Clay Steakley, Johnathan Rice, John Holiday, Ridge Canipe, Lucas Till, Carly Nahon, McGhee Monteith, Wyatt Entrekin, Hailey Anne Nelson, Kerris Dorsey, Delaney Keefe, Victoria Hester, Deborah Rawlings, James DeForest Parker, Davielle Boyce, Glenn Alan Gardner, Danny Vinson, Dave McPhail, Bob King, Natalie Canerday, Rhoda Griffis, Jeff Bailey, Ross Harkins, JD Evermore, Helen Ingebritsen, J.W. Williams, Shane Bowen, Tim Ware, Dolan Wilson, J. Allen Scott, Clare Grant, Michael Ingersoll, Carter Thrower, J.P. McNeely, Brian Deas, Glenda Pannell;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: drama, melodrama, biography, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 136 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Walk the Line” on the website imdb.com
“The Sound of Music”, 1965
Director: Robert Wise
A beloved musical, this film follows the story of a young woman who becomes a governess for a widowed naval captain's seven children, using music to bring joy and unity to their lives.
Starring: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Charmian Carr, Nicholas Hammond, Heather Menzies, Duane Chase, Debbie Turner, Kym Karath, Angela Cartwright, Richard Haydn, Eleanor Parker, Peggy Wood, Ben Wright, Daniel Truhitte, Anna Lee, Portia Nelson, Norma Varden, Gilchrist Stuart, Marni Nixon, Evadne Baker, Doris Lloyd, Leon Alton, Gertrude Astor, Frank Baker, Herman Boden, Alan Callow, Steve Carruthers, James Gonzalez, Sam Harris, Irvin «Zabo» Koszewski, Ada Beth Lee, Bill Lee, Margery MacKay, William Meader, Monty O'Grady, Jean Ransome, Fred Rapport, Leoda Richards, Jeffrey Sayre, Bernard Sell, Norman Stevans, Bert Stevens, Doreen Tryden, Maria von Trapp;
Production year: 1965;
Genre: musical, drama, melodrama, family, biography;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 172 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “The Sound of Music” on the website imdb.com
“Dreamgirls”, 2006
Director: Bill Condon
Set in the 1960s and '70s, this musical drama traces the rise and fall of a girl group and the impact of the music industry on their personal and professional lives.
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, Keith D. Robinson, Sharon Leal, Hinton Battle, Mariah Iman Wilson, Yvette Cason, Ken Page, Ralph Louis Harris, Michael-Leon Wooley, Loretta Devine, John Lithgow, John Krasinski, Alexander Folk, Esther Scott, Bobby Slayton, Jordan Wright, Dawnn Lewis, Jaleel White, JoNell Kennedy, Sybyl Walker, Lesley Nicole Lewis, Eboni Nichols, Arike Rice, Fatima Robinson, Aakomon Jones, Bernard Fowler, Anwar Burton, Tyrell Washington, Rory O'Malley, Laura Bell Bundy, Anne Elizabeth Warren, Ivar Brogger, Daren A. Herbert, Jocko Sims, Pam Trotter, Cleo King, Eddie Mekka, Alejandro Furth, Dilva Henry, Vince Grant, Robert Cicchini, Thomas Crawford, Charles Jones, Robert Curtis-Brown, Stephanie Owens;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: musical, drama, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 130 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “Dreamgirls” on the website imdb.com
“A Star Is Born”, 2018
Director: Bradley Cooper
This romantic drama depicts the passionate and tumultuous relationship between a seasoned musician battling addiction and a young aspiring singer on the brink of stardom.
Starring: Lady GaGa, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott, Dave Chappelle, Andrew Dice Clay, Anthony Ramos, Rafi Gavron, Greg Grunberg, Alec Baldwin, Marlon Williams, Brandi Carlile, Ron Rifkin, Barry Shabaka Henley, Michael D. Roberts, Michael Harney, Rebecca Field, Derek Kevin Jones, Willam Belli, Dennis Tong, Josh Wells, D.J. «Shangela» Pierce, Eddie Griffin, Drena De Niro, Sanaa Chappelle, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, Jacob Schick, Gabe Fazio, Benjamin Rice, Halsey, William H. Slattery III, Robert S. Wilhelm Jr., Luenell, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Lukas Nelson, Anthony LoGerfo, Alberto Bof, Corey McCormick, Jesse Berg, Tato Melgar, Don Was, Victor Indrizzo, George Doering, Michael Bearden, Lenny Castro, Chris Kelly, Don Roy King, Gena Rositano, Greg Scarnici, Michael Mancini;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: melodrama, music, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 136 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “A Star Is Born” on the website imdb.com
“Straight Outta Compton”, 2015
Director: F. Gary Gray
Based on the true story of the revolutionary rap group N.W.A, this film explores their journey from the mean streets of Compton to becoming cultural icons, while also shedding light on the social and racial issues they faced.
Starring: O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Neil Brown Jr., Aldis Hodge, Marlon Yates Jr., R. Marcus Taylor, Carra Patterson, Alexandra Shipp, Paul Giamatti, Elena Goode, Keith Powers, Joshua Brockington, Sheldon A. Smith, LaKeith Stanfield, Cleavon McClendon, Aeriél Miranda, Lisa Renee Pitts, Angela Elayne Gibbs, Bruce Beatty, Corey Reynolds, Tate Ellington, Rogelio Douglas Jr., Andrew Borba, Matt Corboy, Larry Sullivan, Deborah Lacey, Allen Maldonado, Demetrius Grosse, Og Blood, Ashton Sanders, Joshua Geter, Kofi Siriboe, Orlando Brown, Matthew Boylan, Chic Daniel, Tim Connolly, Cris D'Annunzio, Dan Wells, Justin Goslee, Alex Wexo, Marcus Callender, Vaughn Wilkinson, Dean Cameron, Mark Thomas Holguin, Sky Soleil, Inny Clemons, Jody Burke, Scott Endicott;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: biography, music, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 147 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Straight Outta Compton” on the website imdb.com
These films offer a variety of perspectives on the music industry, from feel-good musicals to gritty dramas, allowing viewers to experience the power, passion, and complexities that come with pursuing a career in music.
In the world of films about the music industry, we are treated to a kaleidoscope of stories that delve into the glamour, grit, and glory of the music business. From biopics that chronicle the rise and fall of legendary musicians to fictional narratives that capture the essence of creativity and passion, these films provide an intimate look into the lives of artists, producers, and industry insiders. Through their captivating storytelling, these films not only entertain but also offer a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of the music industry, leaving audiences with a symphony of emotions and insights that resonate long after the credits roll.
