The 20 Most Iconic Musician Cameos in Movies

About this gallery:

For this list, we're diving into all the times musicians and bands made quick but unforgettable appearances in movies – sometimes playing themselves, sometimes slipping into a whole new character. To keep things organized (and our movie-loving hearts happy), we’ve ranked them in order of the film's release date.

Did we miss an iconic musician cameo? Call us out in the comments!

The Clash - The King of Comedy (1982)

Before punk rockers were showing up in movies just to look cool, The Clash made an unexpected appearance in The King of Comedy. Martin Scorsese’s dark satire about fame and obsession features Joe Strummer and company not as rock gods, but as – you guessed it – street punks. They play a group of random bystanders, proving that even legendary musicians can start out with blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameos. Their presence adds a raw, rebellious touch to an already unsettling film, as if to remind us that the world of showbiz is just as chaotic as a mosh pit. It’s an early example of a rock band stepping into Hollywood without a guitar in sight – just a whole lot of attitude. | © 20th Century Fox

Twisted Sister - Pee Wee's Big Adventure (1985)

If you ever wondered what a heavy metal band would look like in Pee-wee Herman’s world, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure delivers a hilariously surreal answer. In a brief but unforgettable moment, Dee Snider and Twisted Sister pop up while filming a music video on the Warner Bros. lot. And, in true Pee-wee fashion, he accidentally causes absolute mayhem. It’s a blink-and-you-miss-it scene, but it perfectly captures the ‘80s excess – big hair, loud guitars, and pure chaos. Plus, if there’s any musician who belongs in Pee-wee’s offbeat universe, it’s Dee Snider, a man who could probably teach Pee-wee a thing or two about over-the-top outfits. | © Warner Bros.

Huey Lewis - Back to the Future (1985)

How do you make a perfect ‘80s movie even more perfect? Throw in Huey Lewis as a bored music judge, rejecting Marty McFly’s band for being “too darn loud.” The irony? They’re playing his song, The Power of Love! It’s a meta moment before meta was cool, and it cements Huey as a good sport with a sense of humor. Even though his role lasts about 10 seconds, it’s a legendary cameo – especially considering that Back to the Future wouldn’t be the same without his soundtrack blasting through time. In a way, Huey Lewis helped define the film’s sound, and in return, the movie gave him one of the greatest cameos of all time. | © Universal Pictures

Alice Cooper - Wayne’s World (1992)

Wayne and Garth may have been all about party time, excellent, but Alice Cooper? He was all about history lessons and cultural appreciation. In one of the funniest rockstar cameos ever, Alice plays himself – but instead of rocking out, he gives a detailed breakdown of Milwaukee’s name origins. The best part? Wayne and Garth, in awe, immediately drop to their knees and chant “We’re not worthy!” This moment cemented Alice as not just a shock rocker, but a guy with an unexpectedly intellectual side. Who knew the man behind School’s Out would end up teaching us geography? Party on, indeed. | © Paramount Pictures

Aerosmith - Wayne’s World 2 (1993)

The Wayne’s World sequel doubled down on the rockstar cameos, and who better to bring in than Aerosmith, the ultimate rock survivors? Unlike Alice Cooper’s educational moment in the first film, Aerosmith goes full rockstar mode – performing, partying, and basking in their legendary status. Wayne and Garth pull off the ultimate fanboy move by sneaking backstage and geeking out over Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, who, to their credit, handle it with hilarious deadpan reactions. It’s the perfect mix of actual rock history and pure comedy, proving that no matter how famous you are, you’re never too cool to appear in a Mike Myers movie. | © Paramount Pictures

Tom Jones - Mars Attacks! (1996)

If there’s one person who could keep his cool during an alien invasion, it’s Tom Jones. In Mars Attacks!, the legendary crooner plays himself, because why mess with perfection? As chaos unfolds and the Martians blast everything in sight, Jones somehow manages to escape with a ragtag group of survivors – proving that nothing, not even extraterrestrial warfare, can stop It’s Not Unusual from being a timeless bop. And just when you think his role couldn’t get any better, the film ends with him leading a flock of birds in a joyous, post-apocalyptic musical number. Because of course he does. It’s camp, it’s chaotic, and it’s classic Tom Jones. | © Warner Bros.

Tom Petty - The Postman (1997)

Leave it to Tom Petty to be the chillest guy in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. In The Postman, Kevin Costner’s ambitious but divisive dystopian epic, Petty plays – well, Tom Petty, but as a future version of himself who somehow survived the fall of civilization. It’s never explicitly stated, but when Costner’s character recognizes him, Petty gives a sly, knowing grin, as if to say, Yeah, I’m still Tom Petty, even in the apocalypse. It’s a wonderfully bizarre cameo that makes you wonder: did Petty just casually build a new society while waiting for the world to rebuild itself? Rockstars, man. They’re unstoppable. | © Warner Bros.

Billy Idol - The Wedding Singer (1998)

Nothing screams ‘80s nostalgia quite like Billy Idol making a heroic cameo in The Wedding Singer. Just when you think Adam Sandler’s character has lost all hope in love, who comes to the rescue? None other than the sneering, spike-haired rocker himself – helping our lovesick protagonist get the girl (while also low-key bullying the film’s villain). It’s the perfect mix of comedy, romance, and rock ‘n’ roll, and Idol plays it flawlessly. Who knew the guy behind Rebel Yell would also be the world’s most charming airplane wingman? This cameo is pure gold, proving that Billy Idol is not just an ‘80s icon – he’s a romantic ‘80s icon. | © New Line Cinema

B.B. King & Friends - Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)

When a film is literally about the blues, you better believe B.B. King is going to show up. In Blues Brothers 2000, the legendary guitarist and his all-star band make a grand entrance as the Louisiana Gator Boys, a supergroup that includes Eric Clapton, Bo Diddley, and countless other music legends. If that lineup doesn’t make your jaw drop, check your pulse. The cameo is more than just a fun nod – it’s a full-blown jam session, where King and company remind the world why the blues will never die. The only downside? It makes you wish the whole movie was just two hours of them playing. | © Universal Pictures

Flea - The Big Lebowski (1998)

Of course Flea is in The Big Lebowski. The Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist has a track record of popping up in weird, wonderful places, and here he plays one of the nihilists – a crew of oddball criminals who, despite their tough talk, are hilariously incompetent. Sporting a thick German accent and an even thicker sense of delusion, Flea spends most of his screen time threatening The Dude (“Ve believe in nothing, Lebowski!”) and generally being a chaotic nuisance. He may not have many lines, but his manic energy fits perfectly in the Coen Brothers’ bizarre world. Turns out, you don’t need a bass to steal a scene – you just need Flea being Flea. | © PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

KISS - Detroit Rock City (1999)

If there’s one band that deserved a movie about their fans' chaotic quest to see them live, it’s KISS. Detroit Rock City is a love letter to the band’s over-the-top persona, and while Gene Simmons served as a producer, it wouldn’t be complete without the band making an actual appearance. When the film’s rock-obsessed teens finally reach their holy grail – the KISS concert – the legendary group emerges in full makeup and platform boots, delivering the face-melting performance that the entire movie has been building toward. It’s a moment of pure rock-and-roll catharsis, proving that no matter how many obstacles stand in your way, rock ‘n’ roll all night is always worth the struggle. | © New Line Cinema

Blink-182 - American Pie (1999)

What’s the best way to immortalize a pop-punk band in the late ‘90s? Stick them in one of the most infamously raunchy teen comedies of all time. In American Pie, Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, and Travis Barker pop up during the film’s most compromising moment – Jim’s unforgettable webcam disaster – where they’re seen watching the whole thing unfold with shock and amusement. The cameo is short but hilariously fitting: Blink-182 was all about juvenile humor and awkward teenage moments, so them being spectators to one of cinema’s most cringeworthy scenes feels almost poetic. Bonus points for including their pet monkey, because of course Blink-182 had a pet monkey. | © Universal Pictures

Bruce Springsteen - High Fidelity (2000)

There are cool cameos, and then there’s Bruce Springsteen showing up to give you relationship advice. In High Fidelity, John Cusack’s character is knee-deep in heartbreak and self-pity when suddenly – boom! – the Boss himself appears in a dreamlike fantasy sequence, guitar in hand, offering up his thoughts on love and regret. It’s casual, effortless, and honestly, exactly how we all want to get life advice – straight from Bruce, with a few guitar riffs thrown in for good measure. His presence elevates the movie’s already killer soundtrack, and let’s be real: if Springsteen gives you wisdom, you listen. | © Touchstone Pictures

David Bowie - Zoolander (2001)

Who better to judge an absurdly dramatic runway walk-off than David Bowie? In Zoolander, the Thin White Duke himself materializes out of nowhere – looking impossibly cool, of course – to officiate one of the funniest (and most ridiculous) fashion battles in cinema. With a simple “Gentlemen, this is it”, he sets the stage for Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson’s hilariously over-the-top modeling duel, complete with Blue Steel intensity and, uh, unexpected underwear removals. Bowie’s cameo is the definition of effortlessly iconic – he doesn’t need to do much, because simply being David Bowie is enough to steal the scene. | © Paramount Pictures

Michael Jackson - Men in Black II (2002)

As if Men in Black wasn’t already loaded with secret extraterrestrial weirdness, Michael Jackson takes it to another level by casually appearing as Agent M, a frustrated alien who really, really wants a bigger role in the MIB organization. Dressed in his signature white suit, MJ plays his cameo completely straight – delivering his lines with the same precision he’d use in a perfectly timed moonwalk. It’s as bizarre as it is brilliant, because let’s be honest: if there were ever real aliens hiding among us, Michael Jackson would’ve been at the top of everyone’s suspect list. Will Smith may have been the star of the franchise, but for a brief, glorious moment, MJ reminded us that he could steal the show without even dancing. | © Columbia Pictures

Dave Grohl - Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny (2006)

There are rockstar cameos, and then there’s Dave Grohl playing Satan in a full-blown rock opera showdown. In Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny, Grohl steps into the role of the Devil himself, rocking out in red makeup, horns, and a voice dripping with heavy metal fury. Not only does he shred on the drums and belt out demonic vocals, but he also challenges Jack Black and Kyle Gass to a face-melting rock duel for their souls. And honestly? He absolutely kills it. It’s equal parts hilarious and genuinely badass – because if anyone was going to make the Devil a headbanging legend, it was always going to be rock’s nicest guy. | © New Line Cinema

Green Day - The Simpsons Movie (2007)

Most musicians get a cameo where they look cool. Green Day got a cameo where they immediately sink into a lake of toxic waste. In The Simpsons Movie, the punk rock trio kicks things off with an orchestral (!) version of American Idiot – because nothing screams "punk" like string arrangements. But just as they try to deliver an environmental message, Springfield’s pollution gets the best of them, and they drown in the most darkly comedic way possible. Their funeral? A Viking-style send-off with a biodegradable coffin. The lesson? Never expect a happy ending in Springfield, even if you're Green Day. | © 20th Century Fox

Keith Richards - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)

When Johnny Depp admitted that he based Jack Sparrow on Keith Richards, it was only a matter of time before the Rolling Stones legend appeared in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. And when he finally did? Oh, he delivered. Playing Captain Teague, Jack Sparrow’s father, Richards exudes effortless pirate swagger – because, let’s face it, he’s basically been a real-life pirate for decades. With a few raspy words of wisdom, a deadly glare, and a strumming of his guitar, he instantly becomes one of the coolest characters in the series. It’s the kind of cameo that makes perfect sense – because, really, who else could be Jack Sparrow’s dad? | © Walt Disney Pictures

Rush - I Love You, Man (2009)

Most movies with a band cameo feature the musicians as untouchable legends, but I Love You, Man does something way better – it lets them be just dudes. When Rush appears in the film, they’re not mystical rock gods or oversized egos; they’re just chill, humble guys who happen to be playing a concert while the main characters nerd out over them. Paul Rudd and Jason Segel’s over-the-top fanboying is 100% relatable, and watching Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson awkwardly interact with them makes the scene even funnier. It’s the kind of cameo that reminds us why Rush fans are so dedicated – because even the band themselves seem to get why people love them so much. | © DreamWorks Pictures

Donald Glover - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Some cameos are unexpected, and then there’s Donald Glover casually sitting in a Spider-Verse movie wearing a live-action Prowler suit. For years, fans have speculated about Glover’s connection to the Spider-Man universe (he voiced Miles Morales in Ultimate Spider-Man, campaigned to play him in live action, and even appeared as Miles' uncle in Spider-Man: Homecoming). Across the Spider-Verse finally paid off all those hints with a quick-but-mind-blowing scene where Glover’s Aaron Davis is revealed as a multiversal prisoner. It’s the kind of cameo that makes fans lose their minds, and the best part? Glover plays it so cool – because he knew we’d all be freaking out for him. | © Sony Pictures Animation