There have been some bad movies about those in the music industry (Glitter suddenly comes to mind). But, there have also been some worth not only watching, but listening to, over and over again. The following is our list of best band-related movies. Sit back, relax, and, for goodness sake, turn up the volume.
Eddie and the Cruisers (1983): This early 1980s film told the tale of a 1960s rock band that becomes famous after playing gigs throughout New Jersey. After this band, aptly named Eddie and the Cruisers, makes an album that is everything Eddie hoped it would be, the album is rejected by the head of the record company. Devastated, Eddie drives his car off a bridge and Eddie, as well as his reject album, disappears. Twenty years later, a television producer decides to do a documentary on Eddie and the Cruisers and reconnects with many of the band mates, all of whom have moved on. It is during this time that an older looking Eddie resurfaces, thus setting up the sequel: Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives.
Not only did this movie touch on the frustration and sacrifices of the music industry, but it also put an unknown band on the map: John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. Performing the soundtrack to the original and the sequel, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown band released the theme song of the movie, “On the Dark Side;” it was a hit single and can still be heard on present-day radio stations.
This is Spinal Tap (1984): A Rob Reiner directed mockumentary, This is Spinal Tap features a heavy metal rock band and its wild behavior. A film that pokes fun at the music industry, certain scenes offended some musicians, at least initially, hitting rather close to home. However, once people realized they shouldn't take themselves so seriously, the intention of the movie - to be satirical and make fun of pretentiousness - was made more obvious.
Many of the scenes were improvised and ad-libbed, leaving the outcome very funny to many viewers. This is Spinal Tap was listed as 64 on Bravo's 100 Funniest Movies and climbed to 29 on AFI's 100 Years…100 Laughs. It quickly became a cult classic and was deemed, in 2002, as culturally significant by the Library of Congress. From here, it was chosen for preservation in the National Film Registry.
That Thing You Do (1996): Any film that is written by, directed by, and stars Tom Hanks has got to be good: this film was just that. Taking place in the 1960s, this film features Hanks as a manager of the Wonders, a one-hit wonder with Beatles-like undertones. As the Wonders climb their way to fame, getting on the radio and eventually gaining a record contract and touring nationally, the foundations within the band begin to unravel. The band soon follows.
.jpg?t=20130517094513)
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Gladys Day
What? No Purple Rain? Shame on you.
2 - Kaonashi
No Commitments? That was a great movie.
3 - DukeDeMondo
Finally! Some love for Eddie & The Cruisers! Brilliant!
4 - DukeDeMondo
and also, as a great fan of Fountains Of Wayne, i am utterly ashamed that i had no idea of the connection to that flick. so that was them? doin the tune played nigh-on three thousand times during that particular picture, as i recall?
also, it's just got a funky upgrade DVD, a Tom Hanks directors cut with a buncha extra scenes paddin out the run time. so probably four thousand times, the song plays now.
5 - aikijeet
where is the movie "Rock Star"
this is a real kick-ass movie.
and "The school of rock"
6 - zingzing
24 party people? (ok, so it's not perfect.)
but no purple rain... my god... that's just sad.
7 - Aidil Fitri
what about the korean movie called 'The Happy Life'! 2007 ..that will inspire you...
8 - fre
right off the bat, "still crazy" and "backbeat" and let me chime in.... what, no "rock star" or "purple rain"??? for shame
9 - Mrinal
THE DOORS was the best band movie ever
10 - meh
CONTROL
11 - Milos
Does anybody know what was the name of the film where the bass player leaves the band, some chick comes to play, they are going somewhere in Britain, practicing their music, some reporter (who' s pretending to be their friend) is trying to steal their music.... They are living in big house with some rich mr and mrs, who are pretending to be butlers.... ????? Please help
12 - Keith
Almost Famous wasn't based on Crowe touring with Zeppelin, it was based on Crowe touring with The Allman Brothers.
13 - mario
Worst list ever.
14 - Dr Dreadful
Mario, you should submit an article entitled, 'The Top 10 Worst Lists Ever'.
;-p
15 - Rock_Music
Guys ,Also a goog movie is "it might get loud'...Its more of a documentry than a movie..
16 - bob the builder
commitments, still crazy..that list is very american based...BTW "almost famous" was sh1te
17 - Robby Lane
In response to Milos...I have your answer. The movie you seek is called "Rock My World" starring Peter O'Toole, Joan Plowright, and the rock chick bass player is Alicia Silverstone. I have this movie on DVD. Decent story with some real good soundtrack music.
18 - casper
does anyone know the name of the movie when a band is wearing masks and no one knows who they are? and at the end the singer off the band brings his son up on the stage? plz answer
19 - Will Cardinal
I can't remember the title of the English movie about reforming the old band, the singer looks like death walking, but his performance is incredible! All I remember is it was more fun than the Commitments and less silly than Spinal Tap
20 - LouiseP
Will, that Brit movie you're referring to is "Still Crazy". It is hilarious and the casting is brilliant. Haven't seen the Commitments yet, but we love Spinal Tap in a different way to Still Crazy. Yes, it's silly, but we have a lot of musician friends who totally fit the descriptions!
21 - LouiseP
A question of my own - I have been trying to track a movie about a rock band from some unlikely part of the world - maybe mongolia or Siberia - the poster showed a group of really hairy looking characters (big mustaches and stuff), sort of looking a bit like warriors but supposedly a comedy about these guys trying to make it big.
It would have been made between late nineties to mid 2000 - we missed it for some reason.
I've searched using every possibly key word I could think of with no success - any help would be appreciated
22 - Erol
HYSTERIA: THE DEF LEPPARD STORY
23 - Roforone
Where's The Blues Brothers? In my book it's better then Spinal Tap.
LouiseP - maybe Leningrad Cowboys Go America?
24 - nat bite
anyone know the movie were this guy makes a computer generated girl and he makes her the lead singer for their band? and he ends up falling in love with one of the guitar players? i really want to find it! such an awesome movie
25 - Dusty
I'd have to add Electric Apricot. Les Claypool of Primus Plays in a struggling Jam Band Mockumentory, Hilarious.