Narrative Musical backdrop

Narrative Musical movies

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

Camp Rock

1. Camp Rock

Music Comedy Drama Romance Family
5.2
20081h 39min

Overview

When Mitchie gets a chance to attend Camp Rock, her life takes an unpredictable twist, and she learns just how important it is to be true to yourself.

Themes

Deception and reputation, Social exclusion dynamics, Peer pressure in adolescence, Image management under privilege, Camp competition tensions, Belonging through performance

Available on

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

The Visitor

2. The Visitor

Crime Drama Music Relationship Drama Narrative Musical
7.6
20081h 44min

Overview

A college professor travels to New York City to attend a conference and finds a young couple living in his apartment.

Themes

Meaning of life, Meaningless existence, Existential crisis, Hospitality under pressure, Violence in the family, Family isolation, Presence of a stranger

Available on

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

August Rush

3. August Rush

Family Drama Music Family Drama Narrative Musical
7.4
20071h 54min

Overview

Lyla and Louis, a singer and a musician, fall in love, but are soon compelled to separate. Lyla is forced to give up her newborn but unknown to her, he grows up to become a musical genius.

Themes

Adoption and reunion, Mentorship and exploitation, Motherly love, Pursuit of family, Music as destiny, Deception and lies

Available on

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

You, the Living

4. You, the Living

Drama Comedy Music Satire Narrative Musical
7.4
20071h 29min

Overview

In the Swedish city of Lethe, people from different walks of life take part in a series of short, deadpan vignettes that rush past. Some are just seconds long, none longer than a couple of minutes. A young woman remembers a fantasy honeymoon with a rock guitarist. A man awakes from a dream about bomber planes. A businessman boasts about success while being robbed by a pickpocket, and so on. The absurdist collection is accompanied by Dixieland jazz and similar music.

Themes

Absurdity through vignettes, Humor through deadpan, Existence through dreams, Fragile happiness, Desire through misdirection, Alienation in routine

Available on

Amazon Video
Filmin
Curzon Home Cinema
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

High School Musical 2

5. High School Musical 2

Comedy Drama Family Music Romance
5.3
20071h 51min

Overview

The East High Wildcats are gearing up for big fun as they land the coolest summer jobs imaginable. Troy, Gabriella, Chad, and Taylor have scored sweet gigs at the Lava Springs Country Club owned by Sharpay and Ryan's family. Sharpay's first rule of business: Get Troy. As Troy experiences a life of privilege he's never known, will he give up the Wildcats and Gabriella to rise to the top?

Themes

Class inequality, Social climbing, Authority vs independence, Privilege vs loyalty, Manipulation and scheming, Competition and teamwork

Available on

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

Once

6. Once

Drama Music Romance Narrative Musical Passionate Romance
7.8
20071h 25min

Overview

A vacuum repairman moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech immigrant, who earns a living selling flowers, approaches him with the news that she is also an aspiring singer-songwriter. The pair decide to collaborate, and the songs that they compose reflect the story of their blossoming love.

Themes

Romantic collaboration under pressure, Busker life and aspiration, Lovesickness and artistic longing, Creative collaboration dynamics, Bank loan as turning point, Identity through music

Available on

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

Dreamgirls

7. Dreamgirls

Drama Music Entertainment Industry Drama Narrative Musical
6.6
20062h 10min

Overview

A trio of female soul singers cross over to the pop charts in the early 1960s, facing their own personal struggles along the way.

Themes

Class inequality, Labor and exploitation, Market-driven image, Artistic merit vs commercial appeal, Fame costs and resilience, Payola and manipulation

Available on

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

Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny

8. Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny

Comedy Music Fantasy Adventure Parody
6.8
20061h 33min

Overview

In Venice Beach, naive Midwesterner JB bonds with local slacker KG and they form the rock band Tenacious D. Setting out to become the world's greatest band is no easy feat, so they set out to steal what could be the answer to their prayers... a magical guitar pick housed in a rock-and-roll museum some 300 miles away.

Themes

Ambition and loyalty, Temptation vs mission, Creative collaboration, Economic insecurity, Pursuit of fame, Band dynamics under pressure

Available on

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

High School Musical

9. High School Musical

Comedy Drama Family Music Romance
5.6
20061h 38min

Overview

A popular high school athlete and an academically gifted girl get roles in the school musical and develop a friendship that threatens East High's social order.

Themes

Deception and trust, Belonging and identity, Peer pressure and conformity, Competition and collaboration, Social hierarchy in school, Talent vs image

Available on

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

Romance & Cigarettes

10. Romance & Cigarettes

Comedy Music Romance Romantic Comedy Narrative Musical
6.2
20051h 45min

Overview

Ironworker Nick lives with his wife, Kitty, and three daughters. When he meets a significantly younger woman, Tula, he starts an affair with her, much to the chagrin of his wife, and his life is thrown into upheaval. Kitty kicks Nick out of the house, and he is forced to make some difficult decisions.

Themes

Infidelity and betrayal, Loyalty vs desire, Working-class pressures, Family strain under scandal, Public judgment and rumor, Deception and confrontation

Available on

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