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.

321. Backbeat

Backbeat
Drama Music
6.6
19941h 40minGermany, United Kingdom
Director: Iain Softley

Overview

Chronicles the early days of The Beatles in Hamburg, Germany. The film focuses primarily on the relationship between Stuart Sutcliffe, John Lennon, and Sutcliffe's girlfriend Astrid Kirchherr.


322. Thumbelina

Thumbelina
Animation Fantasy Romance Music Family
6.3
19941h 26minUnited States, Ireland
Director: Don Bluth

Overview

Born of a flower and growing to only a couple of inches tall, poor Thumbelina is worried she'll never meet someone her own size, until she happens to catch the eye of Prince Cornelius of the Fairies. Just as soon as she finds love, however, it's torn away when she's kidnapped by Ms. Toad. Now Thumbelina has to escape Ms. Toad's grasp and search for Prince Cornelius. Luckily, there's a whole city of animals willing to help.


323. Wayne's World 2

Wayne's World 2
Comedy Music
6.2
19931h 35minUnited States
Director: Stephen Surjik

Overview

A message from Jim Morrison in a dream prompts cable access TV stars Wayne and Garth to put on a rock concert, "Waynestock," with Aerosmith as headliners. But amid the preparations, Wayne frets that a record producer is putting the moves on his girlfriend, Cassandra, while Garth handles the advances of mega-babe Honey Hornée.


324. The Thing Called Love

The Thing Called Love
Drama Romance Music
6.4
19931h 56minUnited States
Director: Peter Bogdanovich

Overview

A group of newcomers to the country music business seek love and stardom.


325. What's Love Got to Do with It

What's Love Got to Do with It
Drama Music History
7.4
19931h 58minUnited States
Director: Brian Gibson

Overview

Singer Tina Turner rises to stardom while mustering the courage to break free from her abusive husband Ike.


326. CB4

CB4
Comedy Music
6.2
19931h 28minUnited States
Director: Tamra Davis

Overview

A "rockumentary", covering the rise to fame of MC Gusto, Stab Master Arson, and Dead Mike: members of the rap group "CB4". We soon learn that these three are not what they seem and don't appear to know as much about rap music as they claim... but a lack of musical ability in an artist never hurts sales, does it? You've just got to play the part of a rap star...


327. Swing Kids

Swing Kids
Music Drama Historical Drama Narrative Musical
6.8
19931h 52minUnited States
Director: Thomas Carter

Overview

The story of a close-knit group of young kids in Nazi Germany who listen to banned swing music from the US. Soon dancing and fun leads to more difficult choices as the Nazis begin tightening the grip on Germany. Each member of the group is forced to face some tough choices about right, wrong, and survival.

Themes

Youth under authoritarian pressure, Music as resistance, Peer loyalty under surveillance, Cultural suppression and risk, Ideology vs personal loyalty, Group identity under pressure

Available on

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

328. The Muppet Christmas Carol

The Muppet Christmas Carol
Music Comedy Family Fantasy Drama
7.8
19921h 26minUnited States
Director: Brian Henson

Overview

A retelling of the classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, miser extraordinaire. He is held accountable for his dastardly ways during night-time visitations by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

Themes

Miser vs charity, Childhood memories shaping present, Holiday spirit vs miser, Past and future visions, Victorian era social norms, Puppet motif and puppetry

Available on

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

329. Sister Act

Sister Act
Music Comedy Narrative Musical Ensemble Comedy
6.5
19921h 40minUnited States
Director: Emile Ardolino

Overview

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.

330. The Mambo Kings

The Mambo Kings
Drama Music
6.4
19921h 44minFrance, United States
Director: Arne Glimcher

Overview

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.