Music biopics have become one of the most loved film genres in the 21st century. So much so that in recent years, critically acclaimed films like Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, and Elvis have dominated the box office and award shows, proving that audiences can’t get enough of true musical stories.
And now, the excitement is growing again with Scott Cooper’s much-anticipated Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, the upcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic starring The Bear’s breakout star Jeremy Allen White. So far, the film has already gained Oscar buzz and could be one of the most powerful music stories yet.
So now, as we wait for White’s movie to be released, let’s look back and rank the 10 best music biopics of the 21st century that set the stage for this masterpiece. After all, these movies let us relive the lives of our favorite artists, their struggles, fame, and unforgettable songs.
10. Elvis (2022)
Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 biopic Elvis, about the rock ‘n’ roll king, Elvis Presley’s life, has been one of the most glitzy, high-energy movies of recent years, which takes us through the legend’s rise and fall. With his signature flair for spectacle, Luhrmann literally painted Presley’s story in glitter and heartbreak.
Additionally, Austin Butler delivered a career-defining performance that made audiences believe the rock ‘n’ roll star had come alive again. His dedication, voice, and movements were so convincing that they earned him an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe win for Best Actor in 2023. The film also received multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
Yet, despite its dazzling visuals and emotional beats, Elvis lands lower on our list because it often feels more like a Luhrmann fever dream than a deep dive into Presley’s life. The style sometimes overshadows substance, and Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Presley’s manager, Colonel Parker, divides fans.
Still, Butler’s magnetic transformation ensures Elvis remains one of the most memorable biopics of the decade.
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9. Back to Black (2024)
Next in line we’ve the lesser-known 2022 biopic, Back to Black, that took on the heartbreaking task of telling Amy Winehouse’s story, from her early London gigs in the sticky-floored pubs of Camden Town to her Grammy-winning stardom and tragic downfall. Yep, this is the film that brought back Winehouse’s iconic song, Back to Black, for a social media trend.
Overall, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, the film captured the smoky atmosphere of Camden’s music scene and the raw emotion that fueled Winehouse’s timeless hits. Meanwhile, breakout star Marisa Abela also delivered a deeply emotional performance, transforming into the singer with striking accuracy and tenderness.
But then, while the film was praised for its music recreations and Abela’s performance, it faced criticism for treading too familiar a path, focusing more on Amy Winehouse’s pain than her creative brilliance. Despite mixed reviews, the actress earned nominations at major award shows for her powerful portrayal, proving she was the perfect choice for the role.
Still, Back to Black ranks lower on our list because it played it safe. The film was definitely heartfelt and nostalgic, but it lacked the bold storytelling that made other biopics truly unforgettable.
8. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Despite being one of the most popular and critically acclaimed music biopics of the 21st century, we’re sorry to say that Bohemian Rhapsody failed to capture the true essence of Queen. Focusing mainly on Freddie Mercury’s personal life, instead of his professional journey, the 2018 movie failed to hit the mark.
But overall, Bohemian Rhapsody did bring the brand’s electrifying story to the big screen with all the glamour, chaos, and power of their legendary music. Offering a glimpse of Freddie Mercury’s journey from a shy Heathrow baggage handler to one of rock’s most iconic voices, the movie showed the jaw-dropping recreation of Queen’s 1985 Live Aid performance.
So much so that Rami Malek’s mesmerizing portrayal of Mercury became the film’s heart, earning him an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA for Best Actor. But like we said, while audiences adored the movie, turning it into one of the highest-grossing biopics ever, critics felt it played too safe, polishing away some of Mercury’s complexities and bending facts for dramatic flair.
Naturally, it ranks lower on our list not because it lacks impact, but because its storytelling often feels more like a glossy tribute than a truly daring deep dive. However, despite those flaws, Bohemian Rhapsody remains an unforgettable celebration of music, legacy, and individuality.
7. Bob Marley: One Love (2024)
This lesser-known 2024 movie, Bob Marley: One Love, simply captured the spirit of reggae and the man who turned Jamaican culture into a global moment in the mid-’70s. Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, the film followed Marley’s rise from Kingston’s streets to worldwide fame, weaving his music with the political tension that shaped his life.
As for onscreen performance, British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir took on the lead role of Bob Marley, bringing a soulful, magnetic energy to the role and perfectly capturing his charm and quiet strength. Meanwhile, Lashana Lynch delivered an equally moving performance as his wife, Rita. Together, their performance during the film’s standout moment was phenomenal.
You know the moment when the attempted assassination at Marley’s home takes place, turning into a chilling reminder of how his art was rooted in resistance and hope. Yet, despite the performance and the praiseworthy warmth and soundtrack of the film, critics felt it played too safe, skimming over the deeper struggles that made Marley’s story truly extraordinary.
So, despite strong box office returns and award buzz for Ben-Adir’s performance, Bob Marley: One Love ranks lower for choosing comfort over the complexity of the singer’s revolutionary life.
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6. Ray (2004)
From here onwards on the list, we’ve all the greatest music biopics of this century. And Ray, despite ranking slightly low, set the gold standard for music biopics long before the current boom. Directed by Taylor Hackford, it charted the extraordinary life of Ray Charles, from his childhood blindness and poverty to his trailblazing fusion of gospel, blues, and jazz.
Meanwhile, the lead character was brought to life by Jamie Foxx, who didn’t just play Ray Charles; he became him. His physicality, voice, and emotional depth made it one of the most authentic transformations in cinema history. Plus, the film didn’t shy away from Charles’ darker moments, especially his battle with heroin addiction, which Foxx portrayed with gut-wrenching honesty.
His performance earned him the 2005 Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA for Best Actor, cementing his place in Hollywood history. Yet, like we said, Ray ranks slightly lower on our list because, while Foxx’s portrayal is flawless, the film itself somewhat follows a familiar, formulaic structure. So, while it’s a beautifully made classic, it’s also one that feels more traditional compared to today’s more daring biopics.
5. Walk the Line (2005)
Walk the Line is basically that post-millennial film that reignited Hollywood’s love affair with the genre of music biopics. Directed by James Mangold, it captured the turbulent, soulful journey of Johnny Cash, from his early days at Sun Records to his stormy romance with June Carter.
Joaquin Phoenix, who might now be known for his role as Joker, previously delivered a haunting, deeply human portrayal of Cash, perfectly embodying his gravelly voice, stage presence, and inner chaos. But it’s Reese Witherspoon who truly sparkled as June.
So much so that by balancing charm, strength, and vulnerability in her performance, she earned an Academy Award for Best Actress. The film also scored five Oscar nominations, including Best Actor for Phoenix. But overall, what makes Walk the Line rank significantly high on our list is its emotional honesty.
The film is not just about fame and music, but about redemption, love, and the fight to find one’s voice again. It raised the bar for music storytelling with unforgettable performances and raw emotion.
4. Control (2007)
Now that we’ve already entered the best biopic of the 21st century territory, Control has to be in it. This 2007 biopic is one of the most haunting and beautifully crafted music biopics ever made. Directed by Anton Corbijn, it tells the heartbreaking story of Ian Curtis, the Joy Division frontman whose genius and inner turmoil shaped post-punk music forever.
Plus, what makes this film even more stunning is that it was shot in monochrome, which flawlessly captured the cold beauty of late-1970s Manchester, a perfect mirror of Curtis’s fragile mental state. Additionally, Sam Riley delivered a mesmerizing performance, portraying Curtis with quiet pain and authenticity.
Meanwhile, Samantha Morton’s portrayal of Debbie Curtis brings emotional depth to their fractured marriage. Overall, what made this biopic one of the best on this list is Corbijn’s refusal to glamorize tragedy and instead taps into honesty and minimalism to make it feel almost documentary-like.
Control further received widespread acclaim, winning five British Independent Film Awards and the Director’s Fortnight Award at Cannes. Naturally, it ranks high at #4 on this list, as it stands out for its raw realism, appearing as a deeply human story about art, pressure, and the unbearable weight of brilliance.
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3. Straight Outta Compton (2015)
Ranking high on 3rd is Straight Outta Compton, which serves more than just a music biopic; it’s basically a cultural explosion. Directed by F. Gary Gray, the film chronicles how N.W.A. rose from the streets of Compton to revolutionize hip-hop, confronting racism, police brutality, and censorship along the way.
What makes it powerful is its raw authenticity. In fact, the director refused to sugarcoat the hip-hop pioneers’ story for Hollywood and focused on the violence, struggle, and ambition that fueled their music. Gray delivered a masterpiece, never flinching from the hard, short lives of those who lived by the gun.
In terms of performance, O’Shea Jackson Jr. played the role of Ice Cube, channeling his real-life father’s defiance with uncanny precision, while Corey Hawkins and Jason Mitchell delivered unforgettable turns as Dr. Dre and Eazy-E. Overall, the film’s energy, emotion, and honesty resonated deeply with audiences, turning it into both a critical and box office hit.
Straight Outta Compton earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay and several Critics’ Choice and SAG nominations. Therefore, ranking at #3, it stands tall as a groundbreaking story that proved hip-hop’s voice deserved and demanded the world’s attention.
2. A Complete Unknown (2025)
We’ll crown A Complete Unknown as the second-best music biopic of the 21st century, because of how it feels more like an experience of stepping straight into the smoky cafés and electric chaos of 1960s New York. Once again, directed by James Mangold, the film flawlessly captured Bob Dylan’s transformation from a simple folk singer to a generational voice who redefined American music and culture.
Meanwhile, Timothée Chalamet delivered a jaw-dropping performance, singing over forty songs himself in Dylan’s unmistakable sand-and-glue voice. This artistic feat has already been hailed by critics as one of the greatest musical portrayals ever filmed. Chalamet’s attention to detail, from mannerisms to phrasing, made Dylan feel vividly alive.
So much so that when the film premiered, it opened to thunderous applause and early Oscar buzz, with Chalamet being tipped for Best Actor and Mangold for Best Director. Therefore, ranking at #2, A Complete Unknown stands out for blending fact, poetry, and performance so seamlessly that it almost becomes an epitome of music biopics.
1. Rocketman (2019)
Hands down, Rocketman soars higher than any other music biopic on this list, capturing the heart, pain, and dazzling brilliance of Britain’s most flamboyant living pop star, Elton John’s extraordinary life. Directed by Dexter Fletcher, the film took a bold, dreamlike approach, instead of glossing over the bumps in the road of the self-described “fat boy from nowhere”.
Overall, the film blended fantasy, music, and raw emotion to tell the story of a man who turned his struggles into art. Performance-wise, Taron Egerton didn’t just imitate Elton; he embodied him, from the glittering costumes to the fragile vulnerability beneath the fame, so much so that his powerful vocals and magnetic screen presence earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor.
Meanwhile, the film’s original song (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again won both the Oscar and Golden Globe. Now, if you ask, what’s in Rocketman that made it top our list, then we’ll simply point at its honesty. Like, the biopic celebrated Elton John’s triumphs but never hid his pain. Basically, with its vibrant, heartbreaking, and deeply human story, it reminded audiences that behind every superstar is someone still searching for love and acceptance.
Let us know in the comments below your favorite music biopic of all time.
