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Top 20 Movies About Rock and Roll

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - June 1st 2025, 15:00 GMT+2

Cropped tenacious d in the pick of destiny 2006 — 20. Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006)

If rock and roll ever had a love child with absurd comedy, it would be *Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny*. Jack Black and Kyle Gass – aka the dynamic duo of Tenacious D – set out on a totally epic, totally ridiculous quest to steal a magical guitar pick that turns them into the world’s greatest rock band. Think *Lord of the Rings*, but with more weed, Satan, and shredding. And yes, there’s a literal rock-off with the Devil (played deliciously by Dave Grohl, because who else?). The film didn’t exactly blow up the box office, but it earned its place as a cult classic for fans who know every lyric to "Tribute" and aren’t afraid to air-guitar in public. This one’s loud, weird, and deeply unserious – in all the best ways. | © New Line Cinema

Cropped the runaways 2010 — 19. The Runaways (2010)

Before Joan Jett hated herself for loving you, she was a teenage punk tearing through the male-dominated rock scene in *The Runaways*. This gritty biopic follows the rise and fall of the all-girl band that kickstarted the careers of rock legends Joan Jett and Cherie Currie. Kristen Stewart ditches her Twilight brooding for some serious leather-jacket swagger as Jett, while Dakota Fanning stuns as the vulnerable but fiery Currie. Directed by Floria Sigismondi, this movie doesn’t sugarcoat the chaos – there’s glitter, angst, and a whole lot of eyeliner. Whether you're here for the rebellion, the riffs, or the retro glam, *The Runaways* delivers a stylish, snarling punch of rock history. | © Apparition

Cropped rock star 2001 — 18. Rock Star (2001)

Ever dreamed of going from karaoke night to fronting your favorite band? *Rock Star* is that fantasy come true, with a lot more hairspray and leather pants. Mark Wahlberg stars as Chris "Izzy" Cole, a tribute band singer who gets plucked from obscurity to replace the lead vocalist of Steel Dragon – a fictional band that feels oh-so-real. Inspired by the true-ish story of Judas Priest’s lead singer switcheroo, the movie is both a love letter and a cheeky wink to the excesses of '80s rock. Jennifer Aniston brings heart (and some much-needed groundedness) as Chris’s girlfriend navigating the madness. It’s big, brash, and loaded with guitar solos that last longer than your attention span – but hey, that’s rock and roll, baby. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped purple rain 1984 — 17. Purple Rain (1984)

When Prince said he was going to star in a movie, write the soundtrack, and basically reinvent cool in one fell swoop, he meant *Purple Rain*. This isn't just a movie – it's a moment. Prince plays "The Kid," a brooding Minneapolis musician battling family trauma, romantic angst, and, of course, rival bands. But let's be real: we're all here for the music, and what a soundtrack it is. "When Doves Cry"? "Let's Go Crazy"? "I Would Die 4 U"? Every track is iconic, and Prince delivers each performance with hypnotic, glittery genius. Sure, the acting is a bit... raw. But who cares when you've got that kind of swagger and a purple motorcycle? Long live The Kid. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped la bamba 1987 — 16. La Bamba (1987)

Before you could Shazam your favorite song, there was Ritchie Valens – a teenage rock star whose meteoric rise was as awe-inspiring as it was tragic. *La Bamba* tells his story with heart, soul, and a killer soundtrack. Lou Diamond Phillips steps into Ritchie’s shoes and doesn’t miss a beat, capturing both the joy of his musical breakthrough and the weight of his family struggles. Esai Morales, as his troubled older brother Bob, brings an emotional depth that elevates the whole film. And let's not forget Los Lobos, who re-recorded Valens’s hits and made "La Bamba" a chart-topper again decades later. This one’s a tearjerker wrapped in a jukebox, reminding us that legends never really die. | © Columbia Pictures

Cropped sid and nancy 1986 — 15. Sid and Nancy (1986)

Ah, punk love – messy, loud, and tragically doomed. *Sid and Nancy* dives headfirst into the infamous, self-destructive romance between Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and his American girlfriend Nancy Spungen. Gary Oldman is electric (and eerily convincing) as Sid, proving that long before he became Commissioner Gordon or Winston Churchill, he was already mastering transformation. Chloe Webb brings a raw, chaotic charm to Nancy, making their spiral into punk rock infamy impossible to look away from. This film doesn’t glamorize the scene – it’s gritty, jagged, and soaked in nihilism, much like the punk era itself. It’s a car crash in slow motion… soundtracked by anarchy. | © Palace Pictures

Cropped school of rock 2003 — 14. School of Rock (2003)

Let’s face it – *School of Rock* might be the only movie where getting kicked out of your band leads to becoming the best fake substitute teacher ever. Jack Black delivers a masterclass in lovable chaos as Dewey Finn, a washed-up rocker who turns a bunch of straight-A prep school kids into a face-melting band of mini-legends. Director Richard Linklater brings his signature indie charm, and Mike White’s script is packed with heart and hilarity. Joan Cusack as the uptight principal? Iconic. Miranda Cosgrove before iCarly fame? Yes, that’s her. It’s funny, it’s full of real-deal rock references, and it somehow makes “Stick it to the man” feel like an educational philosophy. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped cbgb 2013 — 13. CBGB (2013)

Before punk was a brand, it was a grimy, graffitied dive bar called CBGB. This film tells the origin story of that hallowed New York hole-in-the-wall where legends were born, including The Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, and more. Alan Rickman – yes, *Snape* himself – plays Hilly Kristal, the club’s scruffy, stubborn founder with a dream and a high tolerance for chaos. With a cast that includes Malin Akerman as Debbie Harry and Rupert Grint as a punk drummer (yes, Ron Weasley with a mohawk), it’s a wild, colorful romp through the '70s downtown scene. It's not historically perfect, but it’s got heart, sweat, and beer-sticky floors. | © XLrator Media

Cropped The Boat That Rocked 2009 — 12. The Boat That Rocked (2009)

Known in the U.S. as *Pirate Radio*, this cheeky British comedy sails straight into rock and roll rebellion – on a boat, no less. Set in the 1960s, it follows a group of rogue DJs broadcasting banned rock music to the UK from international waters. The ensemble cast is stacked: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Nick Frost, and even a young Tom Brooke as the socially awkward but lovable “Thick Kevin.” The vibes? Pure mischief and good music. The stakes? Government censorship vs. the power of a killer playlist. It’s got heart, humor, and a whole lot of records spinning in defiance. Long live rock (and pirate radio)! | © Universal Pictures

Cropped hedwig and the angry inch 2001 — 11. Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

*Hedwig and the Angry Inch* is glam rock theater turned film, filtered through heartbreak, glitter, and a whole lot of eyeliner. John Cameron Mitchell writes, directs, and stars as Hedwig, an East German genderqueer rock singer with a botched operation, a broken heart, and a band that plays wherever they’ll have them – even seafood restaurants. The music? Absolute fire – angsty, anthemic, and deeply personal. Think David Bowie meets confessional poetry. It’s part musical, part identity quest, and all-out fabulous. Bonus: If “Origin of Love” doesn’t stir something in you, check your pulse. Hedwig might be angry, but she sings like a star. | © New Line Cinema

Cropped Im Not There 2007 — 10. I’m Not There (2007)

Only one artist is cryptic and chameleonic enough to warrant being played by six different people in one film: Bob Dylan. *I’m Not There* is not your average biopic – it’s a dreamy, kaleidoscopic exploration of Dylan’s many personas, from protest poet to electric rebel to outlaw loner. Cate Blanchett steals the show (and a Golden Globe) as Jude Quinn, a thinly-veiled Dylan during his amp-shocking Newport Folk Fest phase. You’ll also catch Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, and even Richard Gere donning Dylan’s metaphorical hat. It’s weird, it’s artsy, and honestly, Dylan wouldn’t have it any other way. | © The Weinstein Company

Cropped tommy 1975 — 9. Tommy (1975)

*Tommy* isn’t just a rock opera – it’s *the* rock opera, an eye-popping, head-tripping journey into the mind of a deaf, dumb, and blind kid who sure plays a mean pinball. Based on The Who’s iconic album, this film turns musical storytelling into full-blown cinematic delirium. Roger Daltrey stars as the titular pinball wizard-turned-messiah, with appearances from Ann-Margret (in a very messy scene involving baked beans) and Elton John in massive platform boots. Directed by Ken Russell, *Tommy* doesn’t do subtle – it throws glitter, trauma, and psychedelia at you with unapologetic flair. It’s gloriously bizarre, and frankly, that’s the point. | © Columbia Pictures

Cropped Pink Floyds The Wall 1982 — 8. Pink Floyd's The Wall (1982)

Part fever dream, part existential meltdown, *Pink Floyd's The Wall* is what happens when you mix rock star burnout with animated fascism, childhood trauma, and some seriously haunting visuals. Based on the band’s seminal concept album, the film stars Bob Geldof as a rock star spiraling into madness behind – you guessed it – a metaphorical (and sometimes literal) wall. There’s very little dialogue and a whole lot of disturbing imagery, but if you’re here for the vibes and legendary music (“Comfortably Numb,” anyone?), you’re in the right place. It’s not light viewing, but it’s unforgettable – and very, very Floyd. | © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Cropped walk the line 2005 — 7. Walk the Line (2005)

Johnny Cash walked the line, strummed the truth, and wore black like a boss. *Walk the Line* follows the rise, fall, and redemption of the Man in Black, with Joaquin Phoenix turning in a powerhouse performance that captures Cash’s gravel-voiced charm and personal demons. Reese Witherspoon is pitch-perfect as June Carter, earning herself an Oscar and our eternal admiration. From the legendary Folsom Prison concert to heart-wrenching backstage moments, the film balances musical moments with raw emotion. Plus, those songs? All performed live by the cast. Real talk: Phoenix and Witherspoon should’ve gone on tour. | © 20th Century Fox

Cropped a hard days night 1964 — 6. A Hard Day’s Night (1964)

Before *Spinal Tap* or *School of Rock*, there was *A Hard Day’s Night –* a black-and-white blast of Beatlemania that turned John, Paul, George, and Ringo into cinematic charmers. Directed by Richard Lester, the film follows “a day in the life” of the Fab Four as they dodge fans, quip with reporters, and prep for a big TV appearance. It’s equal parts comedy, concert, and cultural time capsule, with Lennon’s dry wit and Ringo’s unexpected acting chops stealing scenes. You don’t even have to be a Beatles superfan to enjoy the manic energy and classic tunes – though let’s be honest, it helps. | © United Artists

Cropped control 2007 — 5. Control (2007)

*Control* is moody, black-and-white, and devastating in the best kind of way. Directed by Anton Corbijn (famed rock photographer turned filmmaker), this intimate biopic tells the tragic story of Ian Curtis, the tortured frontman of Joy Division. Sam Riley gives a hauntingly magnetic performance as Curtis – awkward, shy, and brilliant – while Samantha Morton brings heartache and humanity as his wife, Deborah. It’s not flashy, it’s not loud, but it hits like a drumbeat to the soul. With its post-punk melancholy and brutal honesty, *Control* reminds us that even legends can burn out in silence. | © Momentum Pictures

Cropped This Is Spinal Tap 1984 — 4. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

Turn your amps to eleven, folks – *This Is Spinal Tap* is the mockumentary that defined (and lovingly skewered) every overblown rock band cliché in the book. Directed by Rob Reiner and starring Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer as the world’s most gloriously incompetent heavy metal band, this film is endlessly quotable and absurd in the best possible way. Whether it’s the iconic stonehenge mishap or Nigel’s tiny sandwich meltdown, this fake band feels frighteningly real. And honestly? Some of Spinal Tap’s songs kind of slap. Still the funniest rock film ever made. | © Embassy Pictures

Cropped Still Crazy 1998 — 3. Still Crazy (1998)

What happens when you get the band back together… 20 years after the magic fizzled? *Still Crazy* answers that question with British charm, vintage jackets, and more midlife crises than guitars. This rock reunion tale follows the fictional band Strange Fruit as they attempt a comeback despite old grudges, broken egos, and memory lapses. Bill Nighy absolutely owns the screen as the flamboyant lead singer trying to recapture his mojo, and the supporting cast – Stephen Rea, Billy Connolly, Timothy Spall – is delightfully offbeat. It’s got heart, it’s got laughs, and yes, it’s still kind of crazy. | © Sony Pictures Classics

Cropped 24 hour party people 2002 — 2. 24 Hour Party People (2002)

This isn’t just a movie – it’s a wild, fourth-wall-breaking tour through the rise and glorious mess of Manchester’s music scene. *24 Hour Party People* chronicles everything from punk to rave via the chaotic life of Tony Wilson, the Factory Records founder who helped launch Joy Division, New Order, and the Happy Mondays. Steve Coogan plays Wilson with smirking brilliance, often turning to the camera to clue us in like a rock 'n’ roll Ferris Bueller. It’s fast, irreverent, and absolutely loaded with real-life legends, fake egos, and soundtrack gold. Warning: may inspire you to start your own label (don’t). | © United Artists International

Cropped almost famous 2000 — 1. Almost Famous (2000)

If *Almost Famous* doesn’t make you want to hop on a tour bus, fall in love with music journalism, or sing “Tiny Dancer” in a crowded vehicle, check your pulse. Written and directed by Cameron Crowe – based on his real-life teenage experience writing for *Rolling Stone –* this is the gold standard of rock and roll cinema. Patrick Fugit plays the wide-eyed young writer tagging along with the fictional band Stillwater, while Kate Hudson shines as the mysterious, tragic muse Penny Lane. Frances McDormand as the overprotective mom? Iconic. Billy Crudup as the too-cool guitarist? Magnetic. It’s funny, heartfelt, nostalgic, and drenched in the bittersweet magic of chasing music and meaning. | © DreamWorks Pictures

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Rock and roll has always been more than just music — it's an attitude, a movement, and a way of life. Over the years, filmmakers have captured the spirit of rock in unforgettable ways, bringing legendary stories, iconic performances, and behind-the-scenes drama to the big screen. Whether you're a die-hard music fan or a casual viewer looking for powerful stories, this list of the Top 20 Movies About Rock and Roll will guide you through the most electrifying, emotional, and authentic rock films ever made. From biopics and fictional tales to documentaries and cult classics, these movies celebrate the raw energy and enduring legacy of rock music.

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Rock and roll has always been more than just music — it's an attitude, a movement, and a way of life. Over the years, filmmakers have captured the spirit of rock in unforgettable ways, bringing legendary stories, iconic performances, and behind-the-scenes drama to the big screen. Whether you're a die-hard music fan or a casual viewer looking for powerful stories, this list of the Top 20 Movies About Rock and Roll will guide you through the most electrifying, emotional, and authentic rock films ever made. From biopics and fictional tales to documentaries and cult classics, these movies celebrate the raw energy and enduring legacy of rock music.