10 Best Rock Musician Biopics Of All Time (According To Metacritic)

Currently, rock musician biopics are on the rise with recent releases like The Dirt and Bohemian Rhapsody, neither of which made the cut according to Metacritic scorings. However, there was a scarcity of quality theatrical works while scrolling through Metacritic’s highest-rated ‘music’ films, as most of the list consisted of documentaries.  

One high-scoring film was cut because of a complicated technicality. 24 Hour Party People would have been ranked as the #1 film except it was a biopic based on the TV reporter who worked with the Sex Pistols and other English punk rock bands, but he wasn’t a musician so it was cut.

10 The Doors (1991) – 62

Stone’s recreation of lead singer and songwriter of The Doors, Jim Morrison’s complex life story was given only a 62 by Metacritic despite being a favorite for many classic rock fanatics’. Morrison’s substance abuse and experimentation with hallucinogens is a focal point in the film, making for bizarre, dream-like sequences.

Stone’s portrait of Morrison’s talents and personal demons is certainly a fascinating watch despite shortcomings pointed to by critics. Also, Val Kilmer does a pretty killer job of portraying Morrison.

9 The Runaways (2010) – 65

Starring Kirsten Stewart and Dakota Fanning, Runaways tells the story of a group of teenage girls as they infiltrate the 70s rock music scene. The film is based on the all-female teenage rock band of the same name, who released four studio albums.

The band’s most notable song is Cherry Bomb. The film also includes Michael Shannon and Alia Shawkat. Critical reception for Runaways is rather diverse according to other sites, but the scarcity of rock musician biopics questionably pushes this film onto a G.O.A.T. list.

8 Cadillac Records (2008) – 65

This 2008 musical/drama takes place in a bar in Chicago in the late 40s. The biopic spans the perspectives of several historical music stars, including Muddy Waters and Little Walter, Etta James, and several others.

The cast includes Beyonce and Mos Def and is led by Academy Award winner Adrien Brody. The film unravels many of the personal controversy going on ‘behind-the-notes’ of the music.

7 La Bamba (1987) – 65

La Bamba tells the true story of how a talented 17-year-old’s rise to fame was cut short by a tragic plane crash. Based on the life of Los Angeles born Ritchie Valens, the film depicts the singer’s struggles with balancing fame and family.

Before Valens’ death, he was beginning a national tour with Buddy Holly. Fans of 50s rock and roll music will surely get a kick out of this film if they haven’t already, despite the heart-wrenching ending.

6 Nowhere Boy (2009) – 67

Director Sam Taylor-Johnson traces the early life of Beatles member John Lennon as he lives with his Aunt Mimi in Liverpool, England. The British independent biopic doesn’t go too far into Lenon’s music career, but instead, illustrates the evolution of the Imagine artist.

Although the film focuses on a greatly negative phase of Lenon’s life, it celebrates his journey to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in music history. There needs to be more biopics centered around members of The Beatles. However, filmmakers may be too nervous to take on a project with such insurmountable expectations.

5 Leto (2018) – 69

This 2018 black-and-white film is set in 1980s Russia and follows the emergence of the Leningrad underground rock movement through the perspectives of Viktor Tsoi and Mike Naumenko. Tsoi was the singer for the band Kino while Naumenko sang for Zoopark.

Both Soviet bands were active throughout the 80s although their buzz may not have translated to the states all that much. Critics were especially impressed with the film’s ‘impromptu’ musical numbers.

4 Rocketman (2019) – 69

The 2019 Elton John biopic/musical Rocketman is the only American entry on this list to come out in the last five years despite several notable releases. Director Dexter Fletcher follows the musician’s rise from a young, introverted pianist to the global sensation music fans recognize him as today.

The film’s cast glistens with names like Richard Madden and Bryce Dallas Howard. Taron Egerton was praised by most critics for his portrayal of the musical legend, which was not a ‘sure-thing,’ as the Welsh actor had mostly done action films like Kingsman and Robin Hood prior to his ‘defining’ role.

3 Sid And Nancy (1986) – 76

Sid and Nancy is a 1986 musical/drama based on the complicated relationship between Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, during the punk band’s first U.S. tour.

Not only does Sid and Nancy’s instability affect the rest of the band,  it also causes them to succumb to a tortuous cycle of substance abuse. Starring Gary Oldman, Sid and Nancy is a dark-humored, emotional rollercoaster. Speaking of tumultuous relationships with musicians, Courtney Love is another notable member of the cast.

2 Control (2007) – 78

Set in 1970s England, Control recreates the rise to fame of Ian Curtis, lead singer for the post-punk band Joy Division, and all the difficulties that come along: marriage troubles and worsening epilepsy. Lead actor Sam Riley was fairly early on in his career when he portrayed Curtis. Since then, he’s been cast in a considerable amount of films, including the two chapters of Maleficent.

The black-and-white film was quoted to be “the coolest British movie of 2007,” and won several awards overseas. Most likely, many American music fans have missed out on this one and should give the musical/drama a try.

1 The Buddy Holly Story (1978) – 78

Buddy Holly was another person lost in the airplane crash that took Valens’ life. This 1978 musical/drama is a celebration of the musician’s life and his innovative approach to the art form. Audiences across the country were moved by Steve Rash’s film, and it continues to stand as the best rock musician biopic of all time.

Gary Busey plays Buddy Holly as he transitions from his time with the band Crickets to going solo. Busey won the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor for his performance.