30 Movies That Capture Music, Performance, and Passion

Sunshine on Leith

2013 • 100 min • Box office $8M

Music, Comedy, Drama

After returning from Afghanistan, Davy and Ally find it difficult to adjust to civilian life in Edinburgh. They both struggle with the challenges of transitioning out of the army and navigating everyday issues like family, work, and relationships. Sunshine on…

6.6

Amen

2013 • 165 min • Budget $110K • Box office $270K

Fantasy, Music, Romance

Solomon, a musician, falls for Soshanna, a woman from a wealthy family. The film follows Solomon's efforts to overcome the challenges and secure Soshanna's hand in marriage.

7.5

7.9

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Shed No Tears

2013 • 119 min

Drama, Music, Romance

Pål aspires to a successful music career, but his own flaws stand in the way. A talented musician, he's also deeply preoccupied with obsessions that frequently lead him astray. The film follows Pål during a summer in Gothenburg as he…

6.7

6.9

The Stone Roses: Made of Stone

2013 • 96 min • Box office $729K

Documentary, Music

This documentary chronicles the story of The Stone Roses, the influential English alternative rock band. Director Meadows combines archival footage, personal behind-the-scenes glimpses, and previously unseen material to present a comprehensive look at the group and their music. He also…

6.9

7.2

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+11

Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer

2013 • 90 min • Budget $25K

Music, Documentary

Following a disputed election in the winter of 2011, Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency of Russia. This sparked widespread protests across the country, with hundreds of thousands challenging his authority. A group of young, radical-feminist punk rockers, known as…

6.7

7.0

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David Bowie: Five Years

2013 • 90 min

Documentary, Music, TV Movie

This film uses extensive new archival material to examine David Bowie's constant reinvention. It traces his transformation from Ziggy Stardust through his "Young Americans" soul phase and the "Thin White Duke" persona. The film explores his creative resurgence in Berlin…

7.5

7.7

14+

Dear Dumb Diary

2013 • 84 min

Family, TV Movie, Music

A movie based on Jim Benton's bestselling "Dear Dumb Diary" series. It follows Jamie Kelly through the challenges of middle school, with support from her best friend Isabella, conflict with her rival Angeline, and a crush on Hudson.

6.5

5.4

Beauty and the Bastard

2005 • 102 min • Budget $1M

Music, Romance, Drama

Nelli's parents have carefully mapped out a successful future for her, but she yearns to be a singer. She seeks out a young hip hop artist named Sune in a studio, asking for his help in creating a demo tape.

6.2

6.5

Song'e Napule

2013 • 114 min

Comedy, Crime, Music

To eliminate a powerful Camorra boss, the police recruit a jobless, classically trained musician to join a wedding band and get close to him.

6.6

6.8

14+

We're So Young

2013 • 104 min

Drama, Music

This film chronicles the life of Renato Russo, starting with his early passion for music. It follows his time with the punk rock band Aborto Alétrico, and then details the creation of Legião Urbana, a key band in the Brasília…

6.8

6.5

Mistaken for Strangers

2013 • 75 min • Box office $137K

Documentary, Music, Comedy

"Mistaken for Strangers" provides a compelling and often funny look at indie rock band The National during their most ambitious tour. The film explores the unusual relationship between lead singer Matt Berninger and his younger brother Tom, who joins the…

7.1

7.3

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Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem - A Klok Opera

2013 • 60 min

Animation, Music, Comedy

Toki and Abigail are being held by Magnus Hammersmith and the Metal Masked Assassin. The other members of Dethklok try to move on, acting like they don't care. However, as their guilt grows and fans become worried about Toki, they…

7.9

17+

Muscle Shoals

2013 • 111 min

Documentary, History, Music

In Muscle Shoals, Alabama, a remarkable musical phenomenon emerged from the Tennessee River. A collection of talented local musicians collaborated to create iconic songs like "Mustang Sally," "I Never Loved a Man," and "Wild Horses," among others. Amidst a time…

7.2

7.8

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When Inge Is Dancing

2013 • 98 min

Music, Comedy

Punk rocker Max and eco-activist Inge have a bitter rivalry, stemming from Max's public embarrassment of her with a song. However, Max, along with his bandmates Fabio, Joscha, and Lukas, has found unexpected success with that very song, propelling their…

6.7

6.4

Marina

2013 • 118 min

Romance, Drama, Music

This is the story of Rocco Granata, the son of an Italian coal miner, who pursued his love of music despite his father's disapproval and societal obstacles.

6.8

7.2

Teen Beach Movie

2013 • 95 min • Budget $8M

Family, Music, TV Movie

Surfers Brady and McKenzie's carefree lives take a turn when a strange wave sends them into the world of the 1960s beach party movie, "Wet Side Story." They arrive just as a conflict between surfers and bikers is about to…

6.9

6.0

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Whiplash

2013 • 18 min

Drama, Music

A demanding music teacher relentlessly pushes a promising student to their limits.

7.8

14+

The Liar and His Lover

2013 • 117 min

Music, Romance

This film tells the story of a relationship between Aki, a 25-year-old sound engineer, and Riko, a gifted 16-year-old high school student with a remarkable voice. Aki, a member of the popular band "Crude Play," leaves the group right before…

7.6

6.8

Jimi: All Is by My Side

2013 • 118 min • Box office $340K

Drama, Music

This drama follows Jimi Hendrix's journey from New York City to London, the pivotal move that launched his music career.

5.6

5.7

17+

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We Are the Best!

2013 • 102 min • Box office $180K

Drama, Music

In 1980s Stockholm, three young women defy expectations by forming a punk band. Undeterred by a prevailing belief that the punk movement has faded, they embark on their musical journey with no instruments.

7.0

7.1

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+12

Lovestruck: The Musical

2013 • 83 min

Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

Harper was a celebrated dancer on Broadway, but an injury forced her to become a choreographer and raise her daughter, Mirabella. When Mirabella decides to leave her acting career for marriage, Harper is determined to prevent the wedding and convince…

6.5

6.2

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Grace Unplugged

2013 • 102 min

Drama, Music

GRACE UNPLUGGED is a moving film about a gifted young singer and songwriter who faces conflict between her Christian faith, her family, and her ambitions. She challenges her worship-pastor father by pursuing a career in pop music, forcing her to…

5.9

6.1

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+10

Shrek the Musical

2013 • 130 min

Music, Comedy, Fantasy

Forced from his peaceful swamp by an evil ruler, the curmudgeonly ogre Shrek reluctantly embarks on a quest. He's joined by a talkative donkey as they travel to rescue a princess from a tower, unaware that she harbors secrets of…

7.0

6.9

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Metalhead

2013 • 97 min

Drama, Music

In 1990s Iceland, a young woman struggles with the lingering pain of her brother's death and her own feeling of being trapped. She finds comfort in playing metal music and aspires to create her own sound.

7.3

7.0

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20 Feet from Stardom

2013 • 89 min • Budget $1M • Box office $5M

Documentary, Music

The backup singers of the music industry exist in the shadows of fame. They provide the harmonies for the biggest names in pop, but their lives have remained hidden. This film reveals the untold stories of these singers and the…

7.2

7.4

13+

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Metallica: Through the Never

2013 • 93 min • Budget $18M • Box office $7M

Music

During a Metallica concert, Trip, a young roadie, is tasked with an urgent mission. What begins as a straightforward assignment quickly transforms into an unexpected and bizarre experience.

6.8

7.1

17+

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My Little Pony: Equestria Girls

2013 • 72 min • Box office $485K

Animation, Comedy, Family

Using a magic mirror, Twilight Sparkle journeys to another world to retrieve a crown stolen from the Crystal Empire. She arrives to discover, to her shock, that she has transformed into a human.

7.4

6.4

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Inside Llewyn Davis

2013 • 105 min • Budget $11M • Box office $32M

Drama, Music

In early 1960s Greenwich Village, Llewyn Davis, a talented but troubled folk musician, faces difficulties with finances, his personal life, and his prospects for the future.

7.2

7.4

17+

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Battle of the Year

2013 • 110 min • Budget $20M • Box office $16M

Music, Drama

A struggling coach gets the job of preparing a team of America's top dancers for a major international competition. The tournament draws the world's best dance crews, but the U.S. Team hasn't secured a victory in fifteen years.

6.8

5.0

13+

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CBGB

2013 • 101 min • Budget $5M • Box office $40K

Drama, Music

This film explores the vibrant punk rock movement in 1970s New York City, focusing on the influential Lower East Side club founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973. The club became a launching pad for countless bands.

6.3

6.6

17+

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+12