The Best Music Biopics, Ranked

By Anita Tai. 3 Nov 2022 8:37 PM

Audiences seem to be fascinated with the lives of the rich and famous with the rise of music biopics like “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” and “Maestro”. In anticipation of their releases, we’re taking a look back at the very best music biopics of the last several decades.

Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures via AP/CP Images

Photo: Paramount / Courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images

Photo: Universal Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images

Photo: The Roku Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images

Photo: Buena Vista Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images

Photo: Universal/courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images

Photo: Picturehouse/courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images

Photo: Weinstein Company/Courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images

Photo: Everett Collection/CP Images

Photo: Universal/courtesy Everett Collection

START OVER

Next Gallery: Star Spotting: Zendaya & Priyanka Chopra Jonas Attend The Bulgari Hotel Roma Opening Night

More Galleries

1 of 12

12. Elvis (2022)
Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures via AP/CP Images
Director Baz Luhrmann electrified the Elvis biopic with a bombastic energy suited to the king of rock and roll.

Austin Butler’s take on the musician was also a standout performance as he played opposite Tom Hanks, in the role of his controversial manager Tom Parker. The film followed Elvis’ rise to fame, but also closely examined his contentious relationship with Parker.

“Elvis” grossed over $286 million worldwide.
11. Rocketman (2019)
Photo: Paramount / Courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images
In a rare move, “Rocketman” was overseen by the subject of its story, Elton John, in the role of producer.

The film featured a bevvy of the singer’s greatest hits performed by Taron Egerton in the role as it followed John’s breakthrough years of the 1970s as he became a sensational superstar.

While it competed against “Bohemian Rhapsody” which was released in the same year, it also landed numerous nominations when awards season came around.
10. Walk The Line (2005)
Photo: 20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved./CP Images
While Joaquin Phoenix had doubts about portraying the famous Johnny Cash, he turned in a towering performance as the country singer, which saw him nominated for his role across numerous award shows.

The film drew particular praise for Reese Witherspoon’s performance as June Carter, for which she earned the Best Actress Oscar.

“Walk the Line” didn’t shy away from showing the darker aspects of Cash’s life, including his struggle with substance abuse alongside the glory of his career.
9. Straight Outta Compton (2015)
Photo: Universal Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images
“Straight Outta Compton” followed the rise and fall of the legendary hip-hop group N.W.A., whose members included Easy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, and DJ Yella.

The remaining members of the group oversaw production of the film, with MC Ren and DJ Yella serving as creative consultants and Ice Cube and Dr. Dre as producers.

O’Shea Jackson gave a brilliant turn in the film playing his father Ice cube and the soundtrack saw Dr. Dre come out of retirement to produce it.
8. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022)
Photo: The Roku Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images
The Al Yankovic biopic releases this week, and has already drummed up tons of excitement for its casting of Daniel Radcliffe as the eponymous musician, along with Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna. Jack Black joins the cast as Wolfman Jack.

This lighthearted film follows Yankovic’s career with an aptly bizarre, tongue-in-cheek spoof of the biopic genre.
7. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Photo: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved. /Courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images
While the Freddy Mercury biopic’s road to release was rocky, the film itself was welcomed by fans and critics with praise for Rami Malek’s portrayal of the Queen frontman.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” won four Oscars during the 2019 Academy Awards including a Best Actor award for Malek.
6. What's Love Got to Do With It (1993)
Photo: Buena Vista Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images
With a 96 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the Tina Turner biopic has stood the test of time.

Angela Bassett was electrifying in the role of Turner, which saw her nominated for an Academy Award for the performance. Her co-star Laurence Fishburne also earned a Best Actor nod.

“What’s Love Got to Do with It” was based on Turner’s memoir, I, Tina, but it fictionalized a number of facts for dramatic purposes.
5. Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)
Photo: Universal/courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images
This classic biopic saw Sissy Spacek depicting a young Loretta Lynn as she came of age as a smalltown songwriter into the country music star of the 60s and 70s.

Spacek won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance, as well as the BAFTA. The film swept the awards season, gaining awards and nominations across the board.
4. La Vie en Rose (2007)
Photo: Picturehouse/courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images
“La Vie En Rose” followed the life of French icon Édith Piaf who rose from poverty in the Paris Slums to become an international superstar.

Marion Cotillard depicted the singer in the movie in a series of fractured scenes which leaned into the tragedy of her life.

Cotillard won the Oscar for Best Actress in the role and earned the BAFTA as well.
3. Control (2007)
Photo: Weinstein Company/Courtesy Everett Collection/CP Images
“Control” saw the feature film debut of photographer Anton Corbijn. The movie was naturally a visual delight, but also saw a stirring and haunting performance from Sam Riley in his big-screen debut in the tragic role of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis.
2. Funny Girl (1968)
Photo: Everett Collection/CP Images
Barbra Streisand made iconic the role of Fanny Brice in the movie musical, based on her meteoric rise from bit player to Broadway star.

The film landed eight Oscar nominations, with Streisand ultimately taking home the Best Actress award.
1. Ray (2004)
Photo: Universal/courtesy Everett Collection
"Ray" tells the story of Ray Charles' legendary career and earned Jamie Foxx an Oscar for his performance.

The film took director Taylor Hackford 15 years to secure funding for, but was luckily a box office success, raking in over $120 million.

The Best Music Biopics, Ranked

More Galleries

Latest Galleries