The Complete Music Biopics List

Lou Diamond Philips As Ritchie Valens

The drama is based on the real life events that affected the lives of rock star Ritchie Valens, his half-brother Bob Morales, his girlfriend Donna Ludwig and the rest of their families.

Gary Oldman & Chloe Webb As Sid & Nancy

Morbid biographical story of Sid Vicious, bassist with British punk group the Sex Pistols, and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen. When the Sex Pistols break up after their fateful US tour, Vicious attempts a solo career while in the grip of heroin addiction. One morning, Nancy is found stabbed to death and Sid is arrested for her murder.

Kevin Spacey As Bobby Darin

A swooning study of "Mack the Knife" singer Bobby Darin specifically, and his relationship with his wife Sandra Dee.

Val Kilmer As Iconic Frontman Jim Morrison

The story of the famous and influential 1960's rock band and its lead singer and composer, Jim Morrison.

Jamie Foxx Received An Academy Award For His Performance As Ray Charles

The life and career of the legendary popular music pianist, Ray Charles.

Johnny Cash Played By Joaquin Phoenix

A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.

Joy Division's Ian Curtis Portrayed By Sam Riley

A profile of Ian Curtis, the enigmatic singer of Joy Division whose personal, professional, and romantic troubles led him to commit suicide at the age of 23.

The Late Heath Ledger As Robbie Clark (Bob Dylan)

Ruminations on the life of Bob Dylan, where six characters embody a different aspect of the musician's life and work.

A Young John Lennon Played By Aaron Johnson

The story of John Lennon's childhood and teenage years from 1944 to 1960, his relationship with his aunt Mimi and his mother Julia -the two dominant women in the first part of his life-, his first meeting with Paul McCartney and George Harrison, their friendship, their love for music and the birth of The Beatles.

Fanning & Stewart As Cherie Currie & Joan Jett

A coming-of-age biopic about '70s teenage band The Runaways.

The troubled life and career of the jazz musician, Charlie "Bird" Parker.

A pre-fame Beatles head for the seedy clubs of Hamburg in search of success. The band meet up with a group of trendy German beatniks, one of whom bass guitarist Stuart Sutcliffe falls in love with. Whilst best friend John Lennon can only watch, Sutcliffe has to choose between rock 'n roll and a new life in Germany...

In this tale of sex, violence, race, and rock and roll in 1950s Chicago, "Cadillac Records" follows the exciting but turbulent lives of some of America's musical legends, including Muddy Waters, Leonard Chess, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James and Chuck Berry.

A chronicle of the life of Elvis Presley, from his humble beginnings to his rise to international stardom.(TV Miniseries).

A biography of Ian Dury who was stricken with polio at a young age and defied expectations by becoming one of the founder of the punk-rock scene in Britain in the 1970s.

The life story of singer Édith Piaf.

The life and death story of Notorious B.I.G. (a.k.a. Christopher Wallace), who came straight out of Brooklyn to take the world of rap music by storm.

A biopic of punk legend Darby Crash and his band, the Germs.

The story of Jerry Lee Lewis, arguably the greatest and certainly one of the wildest musicians of the 1950s. His arrogance, remarkable talent, and unconventional lifestyle often brought him into conflict with others in the industry, and even earned him the scorn and condemnation of the public.

A film about the life and career of the early rock and roll star.

This film is an excellent biography of Woody Guthrie, one of America's greatest folk singers. He left his dust-devastated Texas home in the 1930s to find work, and discovered the suffering and strength of America's working class.

The incredible story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, told in flashback mode by Antonio Salieri - now confined to an insane asylum.

The life and death of the legendary Ludwig van Beethoven.

Biographical movie about the famous rock singer Elvis Presley.(TV Movie).

In 1976, Tony Wilson sets up Factory Records and brings Manchester's music to the world.

Chronicles the rise and fall of pop king Michael Jackson.(TV Movie).

The film focuses on the early history of 1960s rock band The Beatles.

The motion picture is a biographical film of the brief but intense life of R&B/Rock & Roll singer Frankie Lymon, who was part of the R&B group Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers for one year. Moreover, the film highlights the three women in his life.

A dramatization of the early years of the hard rock band, Def Leppard, the group faces both success and personal tragedies such as drummer, Rick Allen losing his arm in a car accident and guitarist Steve Clark's alcohol addiction.(TV Movie).

John Denver started his career in music as a guitar strumming folkie who got his first big break as a member of The Chad Mitchell Trio in the early 1960s; with the dawn of the 1970s, as John Denver he became one of the biggest and most recognizable figures in popular music, and this made-for-TV drama examines his life and career both on and off-stage.(TV Movie).

Lange stunningly portrays Patsy Cline, the velvet-voiced country singer who died in a tragic plane crash.

The tragic story of world renowned classic cellist Jacqueline du Pré, as told from the point of view of her sister, flautist Hilary du Pré-Finzi.

The story of the troubled life and career of the legendary Jazz singer, Billie Holiday.

The biography of the Bandleader Glenn Miller from his beginnings to his death over the English Channel in December 1944, with a lot of his arangements, partly in an authentic cast.

The life story of Hector Lavoe who started the salsa movement in 1975 and brought it to the United States.

The true story of Selena Quintanilla-Perez, a Texas born tejano singer who rose from cult status to performing at the Astrodome, as well as having chart topping albums on the Latin music charts.

The Judy Garland story from the 1930s until her death.(TV Movie).

Biography of Loretta Lynn, a country and western singer that came from poverty to fame

The Jacksons are your average working-class family in Gary, Indiana; but when their father discovers the kids have an extraordinary musical talent they form a band. Winning talent show after talent show they soon hit it big when Motown calls. From there they become the now famous Jackson 5. But along the way their success brings trouble and turmoil.(TV Miniseries).

A film about the singer Tina Turner and how she rose to stardom with her abusive husband Ike Turner and how she gained the courage to break free.

A collection of vignettes highlighting different aspects of the life, work, and character of the acclaimed Canadian classical pianist.

The story of legendary jazz drummer, Gene Krupa.

Pianist David Helfgott, driven by his father and teachers, has a breakdown. Years later he returns to the piano, to popular if not critical acclaim.

Light bio-pic of American Broadway pioneer Jerome Kern, featuring renditions of the famous songs from his musical plays by contemporary stage artists.

The story of the country and western singer Hank Williams.

The life of Blues and folk singer Huddie Leadbetter, nicknamed Leadbelly is recounted.

"Meat Loaf" Aday is an overgrown Texas youngster, the son of a gentle woman dying of cancer and an alcoholic, abusive father. Tormented by his father and schoolmates over his size, he strikes out on his own after his mother's death, in an impossible task to prove himself to the world and to himself.(TV Movie).

The early years of the entertainer's career are chronicled.(TV Movie).

The film is a biopic which chronicles the meteoric rise and precipitous fall of the rap singer.(TV Movie).

Story of the meteoric rise and sudden fall of Karen Carpenter, who became a famous singer before battling anorexia and bulemia.