My Favourite Music Movies of All-Time

Not many film genres have built a legacy as iconic as music. Since the 1970’s, the music genre has produced unforgettable movies. Whether it’s jazz drummers, bold singers or musical figures, the genre has created several strong characters. Given the sheer number of moves in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best music movies ever made that deserve to be celebrated.

1. Whiplash

Teachers are inspiring figures that impacted my identity. In high school, I formed a strong bond with a math teacher that treated students in ways which were cruel. Willing to yell, he rarely got along well with scared pupils whose lives he made a living hell. Despite his short temper, my teacher motivated me to achieve academic success. Through his words of wisdom, I achieved my goal of graduation in the education system. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how teachers can change the lives of students in a flash as powerfully as “Whiplash”. Ever since its release in 2014, Damien Chazelle’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest movie ever made about music. With the greatest film of his career, Chazelle used innovative cinematic techniques to capture the heavy burden that jazz musicians bear. Chazelle is one of those filmmakers that has always had an aptitude for capturing the lives of musicians, and “Whiplash” showcased his strengths as a director. Chazelle effectively used montages to capture the tension faced by a jazz drummer seeking to earn his teacher’s appreciation. For instance, the scene in which Fletcher throws a temper tantrum humiliating Andrew in front of the band class when he misses a musical tempo causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the musical genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by J.K. Simmons, who embodied a strict jazz band teacher. Ultimately, what makes “Whiplash” the greatest musical movie ever made is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about importance of teachers which would resonate with everyone. Nearly a decade following the release of an iconic film about scary band teachers guiding students to excel in jazz music classes by bullying, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made unforgettable movies which are worth celebrating.

2. The Pianist

The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught about the Holocaust by a professor with immense knowledge. Several years ago, I was taught about the genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. He would always take great pride in teaching students about mass genocide. As someone cherishing heartwarming memories of a teacher that loved to list facts about the Holocaust, I adored “The Pianist”. Released in 2002, Roman Polanski’s movie demonstrated hardships that a Jewish pianist in WWII went through. Polanski uses breathtaking montages to capture a Jewish pianist using music to escape the harsh realities of warfare. For instance, the scene in which Spzilman plays the piano for a German solider in a broken down house causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the musical genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Adrien Brody, who embodied a real-life Jewish pianist. Ultimately, what makes “The Pianist” a commemorated masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message regarding survival which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a Jewish pianist miraculously managed to survive destruction in WWII, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a great genre that hasn’t lost its ability to make movies audiences value.

3. A Star is Born

Alcohol addiction is a painful process causing people to face stress.  Several years ago, I witnessed a close companion endure alcohol addiction causing sorrow. An alcoholic, he loved excessive drinking without concern for consequences that could be tragic. Our friendship ended when I decided I could no longer bear seeing him getting wasted. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how alcoholism leaves the lives of musicians torn as powerfully as “A Star is Born”. Released in 2018, Bradley Cooper’s movie captured musicians with alcohol addiction. Cooper uses montages to capture hardships alcoholic singers are facing. For instance, the scene in which Jackson Maine humiliates Ally on stage as she accepts her award in front of the media is one of the best moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an outstanding performance by Bradley Cooper, who embodied an alcoholic singer. Ultimately, what makes “A Star is Born” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of alcoholism faced by musicians whose lives are far from shallow, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre producing timeless movies giving audiences dreams to follow.

4. Sound of Metal

Hearing impairment is a painful condition that causes stress. I remember witnessing my grandmother suffering hearing loss that affected her love of music she used to treasure. Facing a burden to bear, she no longer had an interest in listening to songs that she once loved to hear. It was heartbreaking seeing a mother losing her interest in music she once found engaging. As someone that has seen hearing impairment which is painful, I adored “Sound of Metal”. Released in 2020, Darius Marder’s movie captured a deaf musician struggling to cope with hearing loss. Marder effectively uses diegetic sounds to capture deaf musicians facing hardships that are tragic. For instance, the scene in which Ruben loses his abilities to hear music causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the musical genre. The film is elevated by an extraordinary performance from Riz Ahmed, who beautifully embodied a deaf musician. Ultimately, what makes “Sound of Metal” a great music movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about hearing impairment that would resonate with everyone. A profound portrait of deaf musicians that lose their abilities to hear, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made movies about which audiences care.

5. La La Land

Achieving dreams in life often comes with a sacrifice. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school with dreams of marriage. However, immigration brought bonds to a closure. When my family immigrated to Canada, I was forced to give up my romance with a girl that I appreciated. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the sacrifices involved in achieving dreams that are planned as powerfully as “La La Land”. Ever since its release in 2016, Damien Chazelle’s movie has stood the test of time as a musical masterpiece. Chazelle uses stunning musical montages to capture a pair of lovers sharing passion for jazz music in L.A. For instance, the scene in which Sebastian introduces Mia to his jazz club where they listen to music played by an orchestra is one of the greatest moments of the musical genre. At the centre of it all is a melodious performance by Emma Stone, who embodies an actress that seeks to become well-known. Ultimately, what makes “La La Land” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a realistic message about sacrifices which would resonate with everyone. As strong as bonds between lovers cherishing jazz music in L.A. it’s a melodious reminder of a genre that has made movies which deserve to be celebrated today.

6. Yesterday

The Beatles are a legendary rock band that I’ve always loved dearly. I grew up listening to the iconic melodies composed by a band that gave me a lifelong love of music. I loved the Beatles so much that it was impossible for me to imagine a world without their music. As someone treasuring melodies that the Beatles would play, I admired “Yesterday”. Released in 2019, Danny Boyle’s clever movie imagined a world without the Beatles’ music. Boyle staged breathtaking live singing scenes honouring the Beatles’ timeless melodies. Assisted by Himesh Patel who is extraordinary in the lead role, Boyle celebrated a band with heart and soul. A terrific tribute towards an iconic band that composed timeless music, its a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured fantastic movies which have captivated the public.

7. Soul

Everyone has faced an existential crisis in their lives. Several years ago, my life hit a low when I couldn’t find a job causing sorrow. Facing a dilemma that was frightening, I questioned whether I any longer had a purpose for living. As someone impacted by an existential crisis that caused my life to spiral out of control, I loved “Soul”. Released in 2020, Pixar’s movie captured jazz musicians facing an existential crisis. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Soul” stand out is its thoughtful storytelling. Pete Docter uses stunning animation to capture jazz musicians with a strong passion. Assisted by Jamie Foxx who is amazing in the lead role, Docter created an animated music film with soul. A soul-stirring achievement, it’s a strong reminder of the role that music movies play inciting people with aimless lives to achieve a goal.

8. Maestro

When it comes to the world’s greatest composers whose melodies shine, it’s worth discussing Leonard Bernstein. Achieving fame years ago, Bernstein composed melodies which were far from shallow. An awe-inspiring musician, Bernstein built a legacy that’s lasting. In 2023, Bradley Cooper honoured the legendary musical maestro in his movie “Maestro”. Cooper showcased extraordinary control behind the camera staging a stunning scene involving a real-life orchestra. Cooper used captivating flashbacks to capture the life of a legendary musician. Assisted by Carey Mulligan who is amazing in the lead role, Cooper honoured a legendary musician.  As memorable as melodies composed by Leonard Bernstein, it’s a magnificent reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost abilities to shine by producing timeless movies audiences consider divine.

9. Elvis

Elvis Presley is a celebrated musician my grandfather always appreciated. I remember my grandfather was obsessed with the iconic singer. He would often speak fondly about a musician that shaped his identity. My grandfather loved to tell fond stories of a singer in a heartbreak hotel. In 2022, Baz Luhrmann honoured the legendary musician in his movie “Elvis”. Unlike most movies in the music genre, what makes “Elvis” stand out is its energy. Luhrmann uses non-linear storytelling to capture Elvis Presley’s powerful stage presence as a singer. Assisted by Austin Butler who is extraordinary in the lead role, Luhrmann honoured Elvis Presley’s legacy. An extraordinary tribute towards Elvis Presley, it’s an engaging reminder of a commemorated genre that has produced memorable movies which audiences love dearly.

10. Bohemian Rhapsody

Freddie Mercury is a musician that shaped my mother’s identity. She spoke fondly about a musician seeking somebody to love that shaped her personality. As someone treasuring a mother that adored Freddie Mercury, I admired “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Released in 2018, Bryan Singer’s movie celebrated the band Queen. Singer used stunning montages to showcase Freddie Mercury’s stage presence. Assisted by Rami Malek who is amazing in the lead role, Singer honoured Freddie Mercury’s legacy. Although the movie’s legacy has been tarnished by historical inaccuracy, it showcased the appeal of the music genre. As strong as Freddie Mercury’s love for performing music, it’s a fantastic reminder of a genre that has made iconic movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to accomplish dreams of becoming a film critic.