Favorite Music Films!
Hello Everyone! I thought I would put together a compilation of some of my all-time favorite Music themed films I’ve watched over the years. Instead of musicals, this list is focused on films where music is central to the plot. This is only a small selection of my favorites, but I hope you enjoy these picks!
Synopsis: Only three days before their high school festival, guitarist Kei , drummer Kyoko, and bassist Nozumi are forced to recruit a new lead vocalist for their band. They choose Korean exchange student Son, though her comprehension of Japanese is a bit rough! It’s a race against time as the group struggles to learn three tunes for the festival’s rock concert—including a classic ’80s punk-pop song by the Japanese group The Blue Hearts called “Linda Linda”…
This film is about a group of girls who get together to perform for their school’s festival. It’s as much a film about music as it is about the power of friendship. The lead characters are under a lot duress to get the songs just right. Due to all the time they spend together they put their differences asides to put on a amazing show. It’s a film that is heartfelt, full of laughs, and lots of good music!
Synopsis: struggling rock guitarist Dewey Finn, who is kicked out of his band and subsequently disguises himself as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. After witnessing the musical talent of his students, Dewey forms a band of fifth-graders to attempt to win the upcoming Battle of the Bands and pay off his rent.
This is a movie I can never get tired of watching. I love the high energy of the music showcase at the end of the film and seeing the group of students work hard to make good music. Each of them struggles with things in their life (especially the stereotypes that placed on them) and they also go on journey of self-discovery while learning how to be in a band. It’s fun, touching, and full of laughs.
Synopsis: The documentary chronicles the life of American singer Nina Simone, who became a civil rights activist and moved to Liberia following the turbulence of the 1960s.The documentary combines previously unreleased archival footage and interviews with Simone’s daughter and friends.
This is such a beautiful and heartbreaking documentary about one of my favorite singers Nina Simone. I was introduced to her music at a young age and have been a fan ever since. Watching this documentary gave me a greater sense of understanding about her music, legacy, and activism work. I gained even more respect about her. It’s music documentary I highly recommend!
Synopsis: Best-selling pop diva Rachel Marron has a stalker whose obsession has risen to the level of disturbing threats. At the urging of her manager, Rachel hires former secret service agent Frank Farmer as her bodyguard. Initially resented and treated with disdain for his hard-nosed security procedures, Farmer soon becomes an integral part of Rachel’s inner circle. As they spend more time together, client and protector become closer still.
The Bodyguard is a classic film for me. It’s got a killer original soundtrack, the legendary Whitney Houston, romance, and drama. With all these things combined, it’s a movie I never get tired of watching over and over again. There’s something about the romance that pulls me in from the very start of the film. And with tracks like “I’m Every Woman” it has me dancing and swept away by the music all throughout the movie.
Synopsis: Beca, a freshman at Barden University, is cajoled into joining The Bellas, her school’s all-girls singing group. Injecting some much needed energy into their repertoire, The Bellas take on their male rivals in a campus competition.
Acapella and catchy songs? What a perfect mix! One of the reasons I love this film so much is the excellent casting. The girls featured in the main cast not only have great vocal skills and harmony, but the chemistry between the actresses is solid. The acting is good, the music will make you dance, and it’s full of comedy.
Synopsis: biographical musical drama film written and directed by Gregory Nava about the life and career of Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, a recording artist well known in Mexico and the Latino communities in the United States before she was murdered by Yolanda Saldívar, the president of her fan club, at the age of 23.
This a beautiful and heartbreaking film about the life of Selena, and her legendary music that is still enjoyed by listeners today. Her music is incredible! It’s probably one of my one of my more favorite roles for Jennifer Lopez where she shows a lot of depth (a more serious side) in her acting and I could tell the effort she put into portraying Selena and honoring her legacy. It’s incredibly sad, knowing how her life was cut so short.
What are some of your favorite music movies to watch and why? Share your top picks in the comment section below!
What a great list!! I love movies about music, and I haven’t seen some of these!
Thank you! I hope you found some new movies to watch.
Ooo, I have had the Miss Simone doc in my queue for ages…now I will definitely give it a watch. Thanks for the nudge!
One of my all-time-faves for music films (even a little older than The Bodyguard!) is La Bamba. I love the way that it shows his everyday life pre-stardom too. I must have watched it a dozen times the first summer it was out and I still listen to the soundtrack on occasion.
I haven’t seen La Bamba all the way through. Just some clips of it. It’s on my to-watch list. I think you’ll really enjoy the Miss Simone documentary.