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The Best Movies About Music
Outside of Drama, Horror, Comedy, Sci-Fi, and Action, one of my favorite subgenres of film is not a musical, but movies about music—not so much biopics, though those are great as well. I’m talking about fictional bands and their fictional stories, with some of the best songs that unfortunately will never be played live by these actors. To see Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter perform on stage as the Wyld Stallions would be a dream, or have Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, and Adam Sandler take over another radio station to play the new Lone Rangers‘ single on cassette. Fictional bands hold a very special place in my heart.
Here are the best movies about music that we recommend you check out, from fictional bands to biopics.
LORDS OF CHAOS (2018)
In 1987 Oslo, 17-year-old Euronymous becomes fixated on creating “true Norwegian black metal” with his band Mayhem; he mounts shocking publicity stunts to put the band’s name on the map, but the lines between show and reality begin to blur.
Where to watch:
AIRHEADS (1994)
Three band members, desperate for some much-needed attention, get more than they bargained for when they hold up a radio station with fake guns in order to get their song played over the airwaves.
Where to watch:
HEAVY TRIP (2018)
Turo is stuck in a small village and the best thing in his life is being the lead vocalist for the amateur metal band Impaled Rektum. He and his bandmates have practiced for 12 years without playing a single gig. The guys get a surprise visitor from Norway — the promoter for a huge heavy metal music festival — and decide it’s now or never. They steal a van, a corpse, and even a new drummer to make their dreams a reality.
Where to watch:
DEATHGASM (2015)
Two teenagers experiment with black magic because they feel bored with their tedious lives. All seems fine on the surface until they accidentally summon a sinister ancient being.
Where to watch:
METAL LORDS (2022)
For teenage misfits Hunter and Kevin, the path to glory is clear, and that is to devote themselves to metal, win Battle of the Bands and be worshipped like gods.
Where to watch:
BILL & TED’S BOGUS JOURNEY (1991)
Two robots, Evil Bill and Evil Ted, are sent by Chuck De Nomolos to the 20th century. While there, they try to stop their doppelgangers from winning a band competition.
Where to watch:
FRANK (2014)
Jon, an amateur musician, is elated when the enigmatic Frank, whose head is always masked, asks him to join his band. But Clara, another band member, hates him and is too possessive of Frank.
Where to watch:
TENACIOUS D: THE PICK OF DESTINY (2006)
JB and KG are two slackers who dream of becoming the greatest rock band of all time. To that end, they set out to steal a mythical guitar pick that gives its holders incredible guitar-playing skills.
Where to watch:
WAYNE’S WORLD 2 (1993)
Inspired by a dream about Jim Morrison, Wayne and Garth decide to host a rock concert. Additionally, Wayne must fend off a sleazy record producer from stealing his girlfriend.
Where to watch:
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (2018)
With his impeccable vocal abilities, Freddie Mercury and his rock band, Queen, achieve superstardom. However, amidst his skyrocketing success, he grapples with his ego, sexuality and a fatal illness.
Where to watch:
ALMOST FAMOUS (2000)
Fifteen-year-old William is presented with the opportunity to accompany Stillwater, a rock band, on their tour in order to write an article about them. Along the way, he discovers more about himself.
Where to watch:
ROCKSTAR (2001)
Chris, the lead singer of a tribute band, performs an exceptional imitation of the original singer’s voice and gets noticed. His life changes when he becomes the lead singer of the band he idolises.
Where to watch:
SCHOOL OF ROCK (2003)
Dewey Finn, an amateur rock enthusiast, slyly takes up his friend’s job by posing as a substitute teacher. Bearing no qualifications for it, he instead starts training the students to form a band.
Where to watch:
DETROIT ROCK CITY (1999)
Four teenagers desperately want to attend a KISS concert. They are required to break a lot of rules to be able to reach the venue and gain entry into the concert.
Where to watch:
DINNER IN AMERICA (2020)
An on-the-lam punk rocker and a young woman obsessed with his band unexpectedly fall in love and go on an epic journey together through America’s decaying Midwestern suburbs.
Where to watch:
HUSTLE & FLOW (2005)
DJay is tired of his life as a drug dealer and pimp on the streets of Memphis. An encounter with an old friend inspires him to attempt to become a successful hip-hop artist.
Where to watch:
BLACK CIRCLE BOYS (1997)
All-American Kyle is the newest initiate of the Black Circle Boys, an underworld society of gothic groupies whose primary interests are creating music and studying the Occult. By the time he realizes he’s in over his head, it may be too late!
