5 Most Underrated Biopics Music Lovers Should See!

Cinema has a way of peeling back the curtain and giving us a look into a world that, while real, is far removed from our reality. Biopics have always been a great tool for doing just that, and one world that keeps us coming back for more is music. While long-lasting greats like Ray and Walk The Line have cemented themselves a musical biopic greats, there are plenty that have gone well under the radar that might be worth a closer look, too.

Pic – CC0 License

Rocketman (2019)

Although it certainly got decent praise on release, Rocketman is at risk of falling under the radar with other high-profile releases like Elvis and Bohemian Rhapsody stealing some of its limelight. This Elton John biopic takes things to the weird in fantastical fashion, with bold visuals and surreal musical numbers that do a great job of capturing the larger-than-life nature of the man himself.

Get On Up (2014)

Starring the late great Chadwick Boseman as James Brown in a role that showcases his shapeshifting chops much better than his more famous Marvel work, this film takes a scattershot approach ot its narrative, using nonlinear flashbacks. This creates a chaotic retelling of events that focuses not just on his fierce energy when performing, but both sides of the coin of ambition, delving into ambition, obsession, and the importance of the funk and soul scene of the time.

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody (2022)

One of music’s most complicated icons, Whitney Houston, is treated with the respect and complexity that she deserves in this sweeping look at her life. This is in no small part thanks to the involvement of her mentor and producer Clive Davis. His behind-the-scenes help lends a certain degree of industry-side realism that gives a much more complex look at the difficulties faced by musicians, rather than chalking it all up to personal struggles.

Straight Outta Compton (2015)

One of the most explosive acts to arrive in mainstream music, the first signal of hip-hop as a dominant cultural force, the music group NWA is the lens of this movie, though it takes a much greater look at the socio-poltiical climate beyond their music, as well as themes of industry exploitation and the changing nature of friendship when both stardom and life-changing money are on the line.

Almost Famous (2000)

Okay, so this one only half-counts. Although not exactly a biopic, with a fully fictional story, this cult classic film is still largely based on the real-life experiences of director Cameron Crowe as a teenage rock journalist, and captures the messy world of 1970s rock. The lack of a real factual focus perhaps allows this movie to focus on one of the lesser-touched-on aspects of musicians and their relationships with fans, that it’s based on illusions that can often lead to obsession and heartbreak.

When watching a biopic, it’s always important to remember that how they tell events isn’t always necessarily one-to-one with the truth, but they can be a fascinating look into some of the personalities we’ve only gotten to know through their music.