Movies and music have always gone hand in hand. Some films manage to capture that magical spark of wanting to be someone on stage, while others show the darker side of fame. The truth is that they all have something in common: they inspire those who dream of a life marked by songs, guitars and neon lights.
This cinematic journey does not intend to list only biopics, but films that portray what it means to live, suffer and, above all, desire music. If you are looking for motivation to keep playing, compose your next hit or simply remember why a chord can change everything, here is the definitive list.
Better Man
Robbie Williams turned into a digital ape may sound crazy, but that resource is the way Better Man portrays the way the British singer saw himself: an animal trapped by fame. The film shows both the meteoric rise and the hardest falls of his career, with a clear message: being a star has a price, but also the possibility of reinventing oneself.
Sing Street
Set in 1980s Dublin, Sing Street is pure youthful energy. A group of boys put together a band to impress a girl, and along the way discover that music is much more than a romantic gimmick. With nods to the MTV era, it’s a film that celebrates teenage creativity and the power of self-belief.
This is not Berlin
Hari Sama draws the Mexico of the 1980s with neon lights and subway shadows in this autobiographical film. It is not a tribute to the decade: it is the very experience of growing up in the midst of counterculture, sexual awakening and alternative music that gave identity to an entire generation. Here, the motivation is not to be famous, but to belong to a scene that dared to break the mold.
Shoplifters of the World
When The Smiths announce their split in 1987, a group of fans decide to hijack a radio station to play their anthems non-stop. Shoplifters of the World is a tribute to musical fanaticism taken to the extreme, a love letter to those bands that change our lives. Morrissey gave it his approval, and that’s enough.
Velvet Goldmine
Todd Haynes imagined a parallel universe where Bowie and Iggy Pop intersect in a glam plot as exaggerated as it is fascinating. With Ewan McGregor and Christian Bale, Velvet Goldmine is not a biopic, but an explosion of identity and reinvention. It is cinema that tells you: be who you want to be, even if you make everyone uncomfortable.
This Must Be the Place
Sean Penn transforms himself into Cheyenne, a former rockstar inspired by The Cure’s Robert Smith, who lives between melancholy and disenchantment. His journey from Ireland to the United States to settle family scores is both a road trip and a reminder that being an artist also means getting lost. Paolo Sorrentino writes this strange and endearing story.
I Want to Hold Your Hand
Before Yesterday, this 1978 film portrayed Beatlemania with humor and freshness. A group of fans try to sneak into the hotel where the band is staying during their first visit to the U.S. and what follows is a vibrant portrait of the pop craze that The Beatles unleashed.
Crossroads
Ralph Macchio swaps karate for the guitar and faces the devil himself in a musical duel against Steve Vai. Crossroads is a tribute to the myth of Robert Johnson and his pact at the crossroads. A story that blends blues, legend and unbridled passion for music.
London Town
Released in 2016, it tells the story of a teenager who, by accident, meets Joe Strummer, leader of The Clash. More than a family drama with social overtones, London Town is a tribute to punk as a philosophy of life and how music can be a refuge in the midst of chaos.
24 Hour Party People
Manchester, 1976. Tony Wilson attends a Sex Pistols concert and decides to change his life. 24 Hour Party People chronicles the rise of Joy Division, New Order and Factory Records, as well as the boom of raves and electronic culture. A cult film that celebrates how a local scene can infect the whole world.
Blinded by the Light
In the midst of the Thatcher era, a young British man of Pakistani origin discovers that Bruce Springsteen’s lyrics are a lifeline against racism and intolerance. Based on true events, Blinded by the Light is so moving that even “The Boss” considers it one of his favorites.
Bohemian Rhapsody
The biopic of Freddie Mercury and Queen thrilled millions, with a climactic climax at Live Aid. Although it took narrative licenses, Bohemian Rhapsody achieved the impossible: to bring an entire generation to sing “We Will Rock You” in the movie theater. A lesson in greatness and vulnerability that continues to inspire musicians and dreamers alike.
Rocketman
Elton John as never before: to the rhythm of choreography, impossible colors and confessions in song form. Rocketman does not hide excesses or pain, but turns the artist’s life into a musical as honest as it is inspiring. More than a biopic, it is a reminder that music can save you, even from yourself.
Epilogue: From the cinema to the stage
These films show us that the road to music is full of stumbles, risks, loves and resignations. But they also remind us that every rehearsal, every concert and every song can be the beginning of something great. If you’ve ever dreamed of making a living from music, these tapes are the perfect motivation to keep trying.
