20 movies that music fanatics swear by

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was on the verge of being one of the biggest names in music when her life was cut short in 1995 at the age of only 23. A couple of years later, her life became ingrained in pop culture in a big way with a biopic starring Jennifer Lopez. The movie introduced Selena’s music to a whole new audience, making her even more of a presence after her passing.

For those who don’t make music but just love to be enthralled in the magic of it, most of those people wind up working in the industry in some capacity, and back in the day, that meant writing about music. Almost Famous captures every young music journalist’s dream come true as it follows a teen who lands the opportunity of a lifetime.

Straight Outta Compton could have been a disaster, given that movies about the late greats in rap music, The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac, weren’t the best movies ever made, both focusing more on the casting than the overall story and product. However, Straight Outta Compton nailed both on the head, with casting as picture-perfect as the performances, especially Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E.

When it comes to fictional bands that could tour right now and make big bucks off of millennials, The Wonders rank high on the list.

Ritchie Valens was only 17 when he lost his life in a tragic plane crash that also took The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly in 1959. Years later, Don McClean would sing about how it was the day music died in “American Pie.” Valens might have only lived on in song if it hadn’t been for the 1987 movie named after one of his hits, La Bamba, starring Lou Diamond Phillips.

Kids don’t often get a music-based movie that rocks, but Jack Black delivered a must-watch for young music makers with The School of Rock.

Taron Egerton made Elton John and his fans very proud with the jukebox musical biopic that helped celebrate the life and times of one of the world’s best all-around and groundbreaking musicians and performers.

La La Land is a cross-section of life where musical theater nerds, cinephiles, and music fanatics cross paths and enjoy each other's company.

Being one of the greats with quite the life story, everyone had high hopes when it came to a movie about him, and no one was left disappointed due to Jamie Foxx’s dedication to the role in which he truly transformed into the “What I’d Say” singer.

Sound of Metal is a gutwrenching watch for music fans because it’s about Riz Ahmed’s character, a drummer, who has to battle not only the reality of losing his hearing but also a history of addiction.

A movie about one of the most dynamic frontmen to ever be in a band? Yes, please.

Inspired by the band from the beloved and wholesome Archie Comics, Josie and the Pussŷcats not only told the story of a band's rise from local bowling alley headliners to worldwide phenomena but also explored the idea that everything fans are sold is influenced by subliminal messages.

Someone needs to go back in time and award Angela Bassett the Oscar for her portrayal of the rock and roll goddess herself, Miss Tina Turner, in the gutwrenching story of her highs and ultimate lows in What’s Love Got to Do With It.

Detroit Rock City is a love letter to metalheads of yesteryear.

A couple of years after the world lost the Man in Black, Johnny Cash, Hollywood took inspiration from some of the biographies penned about him to create Walk the Line . Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon captivated audiences as Cash and his wife, June Carter, in this Oscar-winning movie.

Long before he was the man with a dozen or so kids to his name, Nick Cannon was the star of Drumline. In it, he plays a drum major with a major secret; he can’t actually read music. It’s a harrowing tale for the millennial generation about believing in oneself to reach the highest peaks.

Robbie Williams might not be a name that is well-known in the United States, but in the UK, he’s basically the Justin Timberlake (before the whole world tour was ruined thing). A former boy band member turned solo superstar, Williams decided to approach the story of his life in the wildest of ways: as a monkey.

Rob Reiner set the bar high for himself with his directorial debut, This Is Spinal Tap, a mockumentary focused on a metal band. For headbangers around the world, This Is Spinal Tap is a beloved piece of pop culture they hold close to their hearts.

Much like how the city in Sex and the City is as much of a character in the HBO series, the music in Sinners is as well. Ludwig Göransson helped create a soundtrack that adds multiple layers to the movie, which would otherwise be lost, and casting an actual musician like Miles Caton elevated the whole film.

The Supremes have never had their story told, but people have come close to seeing it with Dreamgirls, a movie based on a fictional girl group with Beyoncé at the helm.