Narrative Musical backdrop

Narrative Musical movies

A story where songs are part of the plot, expressing emotion and moving the narrative forward.

Strange Magic

1. Strange Magic

Music Animation Family Fantasy Narrative Musical
5.8
20151h 39min

Overview

A love potion works its devious charms on fairies, elves and the swamp-dwelling Bog King as they all try to possess the potion for themselves.

Themes

Elves loyalty under strain, Romance vs potion interference, Love potion tension, Elves and fairy tensions, Musical spectacle, Love potion dynamics

Available on

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

The Bélier Family

2. The Bélier Family

Comedy Music Drama Narrative Musical Family Drama
7.3
20141h 45min

Overview

The whole Bélier family is deaf, except for sixteen year old Paula who is the important translator in her parents' day to day life especially when it comes to matters concerning the family farm. When her music teacher discovers she has a fantastic singing voice and she gets an opportunity to enter a big Radio France contest the whole family's future is set up for big changes.

Themes

Coming of age tension, Family duty versus ambition, Talent as identity, Deaf family dynamics, Communication as lifeline, Artistic aspiration vs obligation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Last Five Years

3. The Last Five Years

Comedy Drama Music Romance Relationship Drama
5.9
20141h 34min

Overview

In New York, a struggling actress and a successful writer sing about their failed marriage from two perspectives.

Themes

Trust under strain, Marriage under pressure, Career versus relationship, Ambition shaping identity, Self-doubt under achievement, Public success private cost

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Rudderless

4. Rudderless

Music Drama Comedy Narrative Musical Family Drama
7.4
20141h 45min

Overview

A grieving father in a downward spiral stumbles across a box of his recently deceased son's demo tapes and lyrics. Shocked by the discovery of this unknown talent, he forms a band in the hope of finding some catharsis.

Themes

Parent child relationship, Memory and guilt, Authenticity in music, Mourning to catharsis, Rock band dynamics, Legacy within family

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

God Help the Girl

5. God Help the Girl

Comedy Drama Music Coming-of-Age Drama Narrative Musical
6.4
20141h 51min

Overview

Eve is a catastrophe—low on self-esteem but high on fantasy, especially when it comes to music. Over the course of one Glasgow summer, she meets two similarly rootless souls: posh Cass and fastidious James, and together they form a band.

Themes

Identity through music, Collaboration under pressure, Ambition and authenticity, Loneliness in temporary scenes, Mental health pressures, Self-esteem and fantasy

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Begin Again

6. Begin Again

Comedy Music Romance Drama Narrative Musical
7.4
20141h 44min

Overview

Gretta, a budding songwriter, finds herself alone after her boyfriend Dave ditches her. Her life gains purpose when Dan, a record label executive, notices her talent.

Themes

Artistic integrity vs commerce, Creative collaboration under pressure, Mentor protégé dynamics, Industry transformation tensions, Urban ambition authenticity, Relationship between art and market

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Inside Llewyn Davis

7. Inside Llewyn Davis

Drama Music Entertainment Industry Drama Narrative Musical
7.4
20131h 45min

Overview

In Greenwich Village in the early 1960s, gifted but volatile folk musician Llewyn Davis struggles with money, relationships, and his uncertain future.

Themes

Economic precarity shaping decisions, Hospitality dependency and isolation, Self-expression vs commercial demand, Artistic legitimacy under pressure, Melancholy as creative fuel, Interpersonal betrayals within scenes

Available on

Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Metalhead

8. Metalhead

Drama Music Coming-of-Age Drama Narrative Musical
7.0
20131h 37min

Overview

A young girl in 1990s Iceland is caught between the life that took her brother and her own inability to strike out on her own. In her grief, she finds solace in metal and dreams of making her own music.

Themes

Grief and creative drive, Family memory and resilience, Subculture stigma, Outsider identity in a small town, Obsession with music, Belonging and rejection

Available on

Kanopy
History Vault
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Teen Beach Movie

9. Teen Beach Movie

Family Music TV Movie Comedy Fantasy
6.0
20131h 35min

Overview

Life's a beach for surfers Brady and McKenzie – until a rogue wave magically transports them inside the classic '60s beach party flick, "Wet Side Story," where a full-blown rivalry between bikers and surfers threatens to erupt. There, amidst a sea of surfing, singing and dancing, Brady and Mack accidentally change the storyline, and the film’s dreamy hero and heroine fall for them instead of for each other!

Themes

Cultural clash across eras, Generation vs tradition, Romance vs social expectations, Identity through performance, Loyalty amid competition, Art versus commerce

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

My Little Pony: Equestria Girls

10. My Little Pony: Equestria Girls

Animation Comedy Family Fantasy Music
6.3
20131h 12min

Overview

Via a magic mirror, Twilight Sparkle travels into an alternate universe in order to recover a crown that was stolen from the Crystal Empire. Upon her arrival she is horrified to learn that she has turned into a human.

Themes

Friendship under pressure, Peer group dynamics, Deception and misperception, Identity through performance, Another dimension tension, Prom as social theater

Available on

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