Music backdrop

Music movies

Stories where rhythm and melody take center stage, including biographies of legends and dance-filled spectacles.

Subgenres include: Narrative Musical, Jukebox Musical, Concert Film.

Sister Act

601. Sister Act

Music Comedy Narrative Musical Ensemble Comedy
6.5

19921h 40min

United States

Director: Emile Ardolino

A Reno singer witnesses a mob murder and the cops stash her in a nunnery to protect her from the mob's hitmen. The mother superior does not trust her, and takes steps to limit her influence on the other nuns. Eventually the singer rescues the failing choir and begins helping with community projects, which gets her an interview on TV—and identification by the mob.

Themes

Identity vs role, Outsider integration into community, Music as social catalyst, Institutional renewal through art, Leadership through unconventional talent, Media-driven parish revival

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Mambo Kings

602. The Mambo Kings

Drama Music
6.4

19921h 44min

France, United States

Director: Arne Glimcher

The Mambo Kings tells the story of César and Nestor Castillo, brothers and aspiring musicians who flee from Cuba to America in search of the American Dream.


Wayne's World

603. Wayne's World

Comedy Music
7.0

19921h 34min

United States

Director: Penelope Spheeris

The adventures of two amiably aimless metal-head friends, Wayne and Garth. From Wayne's basement, the pair broadcast a talk-show called "Wayne's World" on local public access television. The show comes to the attention of a sleazy network executive who wants to produce a big-budget version of "Wayne's World"—and he also wants Wayne's girlfriend, a rock singer named Cassandra. Wayne and Garth have to battle the executive not only to save their show, but also Cassandra.


All the Mornings of the World

604. All the Mornings of the World

Drama History Music Romance
7.5

19911h 55min

France

Director: Alain Corneau

Following the death of his wife, a renowned musician ostracises himself from the outer world and dedicates his life to music. However, his life changes when a young man approaches him to learn music.


The Commitments

605. The Commitments

Comedy Drama Music
7.6

19911h 58min

United States, United Kingdom

Director: Alan Parker

Jimmy Rabbitte, just a thick-ya out of school, gets a brilliant idea: to put a soul band together in Barrytown, his slum home in north Dublin. First he needs musicians and singers: things slowly start to click when he finds three fine-voiced females virtually in his back yard, a lead singer (Deco) at a wedding, and, responding to his ad, an aging trumpet player, Joey "The Lips" Fagan.


Rock-A-Doodle

606. Rock-A-Doodle

Comedy Family Animation Fantasy Music
6.0

19911h 17min

Ireland, United Kingdom

Director: Don Bluth

Chanticleer is a foolhardy farm rooster who believes his crows can actually make the sun come up and shine. When the sun rises one morning without Chanticleer's crow, he leaves the farm in disgrace and runs off to become a rock 'n' roll singer. But in his absence, a sinister, sunshine-hating owl prepares to take over.


Madonna: Truth or Dare

607. Madonna: Truth or Dare

Music Documentary
6.4

19912h

United States

Director: Alek Keshishian

From the rains of Japan, through threats of arrest for 'public indecency' in Canada, and a birthday tribute to her father in Detroit, this documentary follows Madonna on her 1990 'Blond Ambition' concert tour. Filmed in black and white, with the concert pieces in glittering MTV color, it is an intimate look at the work of the icon, from a prayer circle before each performance to bed games with the dance troupe afterwards.


The Doors

608. The Doors

Music Drama History
7.2

19912h 20min

United States

Director: Oliver Stone

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


Pump Up the Volume

609. Pump Up the Volume

Music Drama
7.2

19901h 42min

Canada, United States

Director: Allan Moyle

Mark Hunter, a lonely high school student, uses his shortwave radio to moonlight as the popular pirate DJ "Hard Harry." When his show gets blamed for a teen committing suicide, the students clash with high school faculty and the authorities.


Mo' Better Blues

610. Mo' Better Blues

Drama Music
6.7

19902h 9min

United States

Director: Spike Lee

Talented but self-centered trumpeter Bleek Gilliam is obsessed with his music and indecisiveness about his girlfriends Indigo and Clarke. But when he is forced to come to the aid of his manager and childhood friend, Bleek finds his world more fragile than he ever imagined.