Without music, movies would be a little boring. But what about classic films about music? Here we list our pick of 10 music movies. Search for them on your favourite streaming service or pick up a physical copy next time you’re in town.
1) Shut Up and Sing (2006)
Yes, this is a terrific little window into a highly successful country music group and the way these women tackle the art of song writing. But it gives us much more than that as this film is a stirring trip into a truly combustible period in US politics. Standing in the eye of a storm that began encircling them after on-stage comments about a certain Texan President, the Dixie Chicks went through a pivotal point in their careers over this tense time. And it's all captured here, along with any other developments that took place in their personal lives away from the spotlight.
2) End of the Century (2003)
Having a strong musical vision is one thing but succeeding in the music industry is quite another. This is the definitive look at The Ramones, a band whose music forged the blueprint for punk and influenced countless other acts. Yet despite all of the boppin', hoppin' and punk rocking that The Ramones immortalised during their existence, End of the Century sheds light on the punishing struggle for success on a more mainstream level that seemed to elude the quartet for the entirety of their career. Detailing the infighting and personal problems that beleaguered the group, this documentary is a sobering story that culminates sadly in an untimely death. A sobering yet intriguing watch.
3) Beware of Mr Baker (2012)
Ever seen a documentary that starts with the director getting hit in the nose with a cane? This may sound like a strange way for a documentary to begin, but then this is not exactly an ordinary documentary. Giving us a juicy glimpse into the world of jazz, rock and more, this is a striking portrait of the legendary Cream drummer Ginger Baker. Filled with shocking recollections and volatile interviews, this is an imaginative and intense exploration of an explosive tussle between musical brilliance, outrageous living and the realities of life.
4) Amadeus (1984)
One of the most admired names in all of classical music, Mozart's blossoming as a superlative composer of magnificent music is given appropriately grand treatment here in the Oscar-winning hands of director Milos Forman. While this powerful movie gives a potent platform for Mozart's stunning work, it simultaneously presents a hugely absorbing tale of his rivalry with fellow composer Antonio Salieri. Amadeus leaves you with a poignant study of monumental musical accomplishments and, on the other side of the coin, the spectre of mediocrity and plain old jealousy.
5) Supersonic (2016)
Underrated by some, Supersonic dives right beneath the surface to go beyond perhaps the more simplistic and obvious discussions about 90s Britpop and sibling rivalries. It presents a much more nuanced and personal picture of what it was really like to exist in a band as big as Oasis in what was a tempestuous time for the group, as well as the true nature of the relationships between the Gallaghers and the other band members. Skilfully pieced together, Supersonic is thought-provoking and celebratory and perfect for an afternoon in.
6) A Mighty Wind (2003)
A charming comedy gem, A Mighty Wind also captures all of the tension, conflict and passion that we generally associate with the careers of popular musicians and artists. Created largely by the same team that gave us the oft-mentioned heavy metal mockumentary masterpiece This Is Spinal Tap, this story of folk groups re-uniting for a televised concert is delicately laced with plenty of hearty laughs. It's actually very moving, too.
7) Walk The Line (2005)
Perhaps one of the most significant music artists of all-time, country music legend Johnny Cash was deserving of an actor and performance that could adequately portray The Man in Black. That actor was Joaquin Phoenix, and his performance was rewarded with the Best Actor Oscar at the 2006 Academy Awards. An impressively realised music biopic that also takes a direct look at the darker aspects of Cash's life, Walk The Line is peppered with enough great tunes and drama to make it live on in the memory long after the credits have rolled.
8) The Filth and the Fury (2000)
Artistic, thorough and consistently hard-hitting, The Filth and the Fury is a compulsive watch about the massively seminal emergence of punk in the UK and the searing rise of the Sex Pistols. Plunging us into a bleak picture of strikes, riots and despondency, this is a story about Britain, its society and four lads with something to say about it all, told from the point-of-view of the four band members themselves. A truly unmissable music documentary.
9) Control (2007)
If you're familiar with the iconic photographs of post-punk band Joy Division you'll surely gasp at the way this film looks, as it feels as though you're stepping right into one of those haunting pictures that were taken decades ago. Although this is an important depiction of a band that were hugely influential in shaping a sound that has inspired so many, this is mainly a portrait of troubled frontman Ian Curtis. Visually and sonically brilliant as well as a realistic drama about life in 1970s Britain, Control has a subtle poetry that quietly pulls you in and keeps you there, much like the work of Curtis and his three bandmates.
10) Whiplash (2014)
A film about jazz music that is almost musical in its structure, Whiplash is a well-orchestrated piece that is held-together by its pulsating rhythms and shifting tempo, ending only when it reaches its breath-taking crescendo. A true modern-day classic, this movie will surely please music-lovers from all corners. And for a dose of inspiration when things get tough, this story of self-reliance and dedication should perk you up a little.
But, before you settle down on the sofa to start watching…
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