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.

201. Sound City

Sound City
Music Documentary Music Documentary Backstage & Showbiz Music
7.8
20131h 46minUnited States
Director: Dave Grohl

Overview

The history of Sound City and their huge recording device; exploring how digital change has allowed 'people that have no place' in music to become stars. It follows former Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighter David Grohl as he attempts to resurrect the studio back to former glories.

Themes

Heritage vs modernization, Recording studio identity, Studio system constraints, Economic and creative tensions, Collaborative craft under pressure, Technological disruption and adaptation

Available on

Apple TV
Qello Concerts by Stingray Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

202. Bad 25

Bad 25
Documentary Music
7.9
20122h 11min
Director: Spike Lee

Overview

Spike Lee pays tribute to Michael Jackson's Bad on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the epochal album, offering behind-the-scenes footage of Jackson recording the album and interviews with confidants, musicians, choreographers, and such music-world superstars as Kanye West, Sheryl Crow, Cee Lo Green and Mariah Carey.


203. Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away

Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away
Fantasy Family Music Drama Romance
6.7
20121h 31min
Director: Andrew Adamson

Overview

An original story featuring performances by Cirque du Soleil. A young woman is entranced by an Aerialist. When they fall into the dreamlike world of Cirque du Soleil and are separated, they travel through the different tent worlds trying to find each other.


204. A Late Quartet

A Late Quartet
Music Drama Narrative Musical Relationship Drama
7.1
20121h 46minUnited States
Director: Yaron Zilberman

Overview

When the beloved cellist of a world-renowned string quartet is diagnosed with a life threatening illness, the group's future suddenly hangs in the balance as suppressed emotions, competing egos and uncontrollable passions threaten to derail years of friendship and collaboration. As they are about to play their 25th anniversary concert — quite possibly their last — only their intimate bond and the power of music can preserve their legacy.

Themes

Intergenerational conflict, Creative collaboration under strain, Role renegotiation, Illness as pressure, Ego vs loyalty, Deception and boundaries

Available on

Apple TV
Starz Apple TV Channel
Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

205. Crossfire Hurricane

Crossfire Hurricane
Documentary Music
7.4
20121h 51min
Director: Brett Morgen

Overview

This film is released as part of the ongoing 50th anniversary celebration of the Rolling Stones. It tells the story of the Stones' unparalleled journey from blues obsessed teens in the early 60s to their undisputed status as rock royalty. All of the Stones have been newly interviewed and their words form the narrative arc that links together archive footage of performances, news coverage, and interviews, much of it previously unseen. Taking its title from a lyric in "Jumpin' Jack Flash," this film gives the viewer an intimate insight into exactly what it's like to be part of the Rolling Stones as they overcome denunciation, drugs, dissensions, and death to become the definitive survivors. Over a year in the making and produced with the full cooperation and involvement of the Stones, this film is and will remain the definitive story of the world's greatest rock 'n' roll band


206. Pitch Perfect

Pitch Perfect
Comedy Music Romance Narrative Musical Romantic Comedy
7.1
20121h 52minUnited States
Director: Jason Moore

Overview

College student Beca knows she does not want to be part of a clique, but that's exactly where she finds herself after arriving at her new school. Thrust in among mean gals, nice gals and just plain weird gals, Beca finds that the only thing they have in common is how well they sing together. She takes the women of the group out of their comfort zone of traditional arrangements and into a world of amazing harmonic combinations in a fight to the top of college music competitions.

Themes

Peer group dynamics, Competition pressure, Creative disruption, Dorm room friction, Leadership conflict

Available on

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

207. The Suicide Shop

The Suicide Shop
Comedy Animation Music Dark Comedy Narrative Musical
6.2
20121h 19minBelgium, France
Director: Patrice Leconte

Overview

In a cold French city where suicide is a common urge, there is a colorful shop, managed for many years by the Tuvache family, where it is very easy to obtain the necessary tools to satisfy the sinister desires of so many depressed citizens.

Themes

Despair as commerce, Family complicity in death, Economic crisis pressure, Innocence contradicting business, Hope disrupting doom, Generational tension in business

Available on

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

208. Artifact

Artifact
Documentary Music
7.9
20121h 45min
Director: Jared Leto

Overview

Follow 30 Seconds to Mars as they record their latest album, This Is War, and their battle against record label EMI.


209. Step Up Revolution

Step Up Revolution
Music Drama Romance Dance-Centered Music Film Passionate Romance
6.4
20121h 39minUnited States
Director: Scott Speer

Overview

Emily arrives in Miami with aspirations to become a professional dancer. She sparks with Sean, the leader of a dance crew whose neighborhood is threatened by Emily's father's development plans.

Themes

Community resilience under pressure, Urban redevelopment conflict, Artistic protest leverage, Ambition vs loyalty, Spectacle-driven negotiation, Betrayal and loyalty tensions

Available on

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

210. Let It Shine

Let It Shine
Family Music TV Movie Narrative Musical Family TV Movie
6.4
20121h 44minUnited States
Director: Paul Hoen

Overview

A young teenage rapper must use his musical talent to help his friend out and win the girl of his dreams by going through several events of betrayal, trust and agreement while his religious parents have strictly dislike his interests.

Themes

Faith vs art in youth, Deception and credit misattribution, Friendship tested by rivalry, Parental disapproval of music, Authenticity vs role expectations, Fame pressures in performance

Available on

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