Movies About (Real) Bands

'Jersey Boys' recounts the rise of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. They're not the first real-life pop sensations to get the big-screen treatment. From biopics to documentaries, here are some of our favorite movies about bands.
'Backbeat' (1994)

This dramatization of the early days of the Beatles – when they were a quintet gigging around Liverpool and Hamburg – has recently been adapted for the stage.
'A Hard Day's Night' (1964)

Along with 'Backbeat,' there have been several movies made about and/or with the Beatles. But none holds a candle to 'A Hard Day's Night,' the wacky comedy/musical hybrid that showcases the Fab Four at their most charming.
'The Doors' (1991)

The darker side of '60s rock is explored by Oliver Stone in his epic, hallucinogenic study of Jim Morrison (a spot-on Val Kilmer) and the Doors. Critics and audiences were divided, but the film still lights our fire.
'The Runaways' (2010)

Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart are boldly cast against type as Cherie Currie and Joan Jett in this look at the Runaways, the girl rockers who took the world (especially Japan) by storm in the late '70s.
'Control' (2007)

The tragic life of Ian Curtis (Sam Riley) and Joy Division, the band he founded (and which would later become New Order), is re-created in moody black and white by Anton Corbijn, who photographed the real Joy Division in the late '70s.
'24 Hour Party People' (2002)

The rise and fall of Joy Division is once again dramatized, although here the focus is on impresario Tony Wilson (Steve Coogan) and the Manchester music scene that also gave birth to the troublemaking Happy Mondays.
'Stoned' (2005)

The Rolling Stones are no strangers to concert films, from the harrowing 'Gimme Shelter' (1970) to Scorsese's 'Shine a Light' (2008). But Mick and Keith are mere supporting players in this drama about the Stones' late guitarist Brian Jones.
'Anvil! The Story of Anvil' (2008)

Though it seems at first to be a real-life version of 'This Is Spinal Tap,' this documentary about the long-struggling Canadian metal band Anvil is a surprisingly touching depiction of the friendship between its two core members.
'Metallica: Some Kind of Monster' (2004)

Metallica may be more successful than Anvil, but that doesn't mean they're happier: 'Some Kind of Monster' details the band's group therapy sessions(!) as they try to overcome their many differences and record a new album.
'Dig!' (2004)

We round out our trio of behind-the-scenes rock docs with this blistering look at rival indie outfits the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre. Their two front men truly define the term "frenemies."
'Stop Making Sense' (1984)

Long before he directed 'The Silence of the Lambs,' Jonathan Demme shot the legendary Talking Heads – and David Byrne's very big suit. The result: an infectious, creatively filmed concert movie classic.
'The Last Waltz' (1978)

Martin Scorsese, who cut his teeth as an editor on 'Woodstock,' made this celebrated document of The Band's (supposedly) final live shows. Guest stars include Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell...the list goes on and on.
'Rock 'n' Roll High School' (1979)

The Ramones revive the silly fun of 'A Hard Day's Night' and similar '60s pop vehicles with this low-budget musical comedy about a high school girl (P.J. Soles) obsessed with Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee and Marky.
'Head' (1968)

The Monkees fought against their squeaky-clean TV image by making a bizarre quasi-musical co-written by Jack Nicholson! Upon its release, 'Head' left teenybopper fans confused and hippies unimpressed. In short, it flopped.
'Rock Around the Clock' (1956)

This highly fictionalized account of rock and roll's early days stars Bill Haley and the Comets, with a cameo by the Platters. These groups may be mere pawns in a hokey love triangle, but the musical numbers still sizzle.
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Offers

'Backbeat' (1994)

'A Hard Day's Night' (1964)

'The Doors' (1991)

'The Runaways' (2010)

'Control' (2007)

'24 Hour Party People' (2002)

'Stoned' (2005)

'Anvil! The Story of Anvil' (2008)

'Metallica: Some Kind of Monster' (2004)

'Dig!' (2004)

'Stop Making Sense' (1984)

'The Last Waltz' (1978)

'Rock 'n' Roll High School' (1979)

'Head' (1968)

'Rock Around the Clock' (1956)

Check out these popular galleries: