14 Awesome Music Movies (That Aren't Musicals)
©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection1/16These magical music movies will prepare you mentally and physically for the super sparkly Jem and the Holograms reboot (feel free to grab some glitter, too). They’re perfect preparation if your life goal is to one day work in the music industry, and equally useful if you’re perusing Spotify for a stellar soundtrack. Maybe you’re looking for a handsome heartthrob with serious boy band vibes — there’s William Miller in Almost Famous if you’re in search of a rock star shag that gives early Justin Bieber a run for his money, A.J. in Empire Records if you’re a sucker for tortured artist types, or “Shades” from That Thing You Do! if the good guy is more your speed. When you’re looking for a brand new Twitter bio, these throwback faves have you covered, whether your vibe is more “It’s all happening!” or “You’re tacky and I hate you.”
Prepare to to binge watch these cult classics until you can’t get them out of your head, just like your favorite song.
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection2/16Empire Records
If your greatest dream is to sing in a band, this is the music movie for you. This cult fave celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, and while that fun fact might make you feel ancient, stay confident knowing that star Johnny Whitworth (he played tortured artist AJ), is still as handsome as he was way back in 1995. Want to feel even older? Ethan Embry, who played lovable stoner/hardcore Gwar fan Marc (also memorable as a droopy teen dream in Can’t Hardly Wait) now has a chest piece.
In Empire Records, Liv Tyler plays a fresh-faced speed freak (spoiler alert) who wears an outfit that looks like your middle school uniform. Renée Zellweger stars as her more mature bestie, and encourages Liv to pursue the aging pop star of her childhood fantasies. If you’re not sold quite yet, the soundtrack will get you — classic tracks from The Gin Blossoms and The Cranberries will inspire you to break out your favorite fall flannel.
This gem of a movie dealt with promiscuity, drug use, and mental health in a way that was ahead of its time. Like Degrassi, it goes there — only it has an even better soundtrack (apologies, wheelchair Jimmy). If you don’t have the time to invest in Empire Records, you can always go the TV route with Empire.
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection3/16Josie and the Pussycats
If you were an Archie comics fan growing up because A) it was the 1950s or B) your parents introduced you, then you were familiar with Josie and her crew before the movie (so indie). In said feature film, record execs are secretly brainwashing teens with subliminal advertising. With the prevalence of #brands on social media today, it feels oddly familiar.
All 1D stans need to meet the OG boy band featured in Josie, Dujour. Seth Green, Breckin Meyer, and Donald Faison’s classic hit “Backdoor Lover” deserved to see way more airplay. If you’ve never experienced the contagious pop-punk of Josie and her gang, it’s best to watch when you’re going through a break-up with a middle school boyfriend. Songs like “I Wish You Well” and “Pretend To Be Nice” are as scream-worthy as any Taylor Swift record (but particularly Red when it comes to revenge). Josie and the Pussycats are aesthetically the closest to Jem and her holograms — but if you’re looking for the IRL version, check out indie singer Kate Nash and her girl gang.
©Fox Searchlight/Courtesy Everett Collection4/16Once
Not only is the soundtrack painfully gorgeous (the only duo that comes close to recreating their chemistry is the now defunct Civil Wars), the story will make you secret sob. When you occasionally feel like giving up on dating entirely, pop on Once for the opportunity to listen to one of the most romantic ballads of all time, “Falling Slowly.” This isn’t the movie to watch when you’re a sucker for a happy ending, but if you’re a fan of indie romances that make you think, Glen Hansard and his real-life girlfriend (at the time) Markéta Irglová will blow you away with their quiet chemistry as they play buskers in Ireland.
©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection5/16Spice World
Your life is incomplete without a little spice, courtesy of everyone’s favorite OG girl power contingent. After all, your personal Spice Girl spirit animal says everything about you. Watching Posh pick out the perfect little dress will give you the ultimate Gucci LBD inspo, Ginger’s hair is still goals, and it’s unfortunate but true that Scary is to the Spice Girls as Samantha is to Sex and the City. Let’s be honest — no matter how hip your current playlist is, the second a solid Spice Girls joint comes on you remember every single lyric and start screaming them. If you’re planning a watch party, you should invest in Spice Girls Chupa Chups to snack on.
©DreamWorks/Courtesy Everett Collection6/16Almost Famous
Almost Famous stars Patrick Fugit as a teenage journalist/the boyfriend of your dreams, who joins a rock and roll caravan when he convinces Rolling Stone to let him write for them. A pre-Fabletics Kate Hudson is the ultimate
super-groupieBand Aid Penny Lane, Zooey Deschanel is as big eyed and beautiful as ever, and Anna Paquin wears a pink bucket hat. The soundtrack is your parents' dream — it includes Simon & Garfunkel, The Who, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. It’s a guarantee that Almost Famous will make you want to become a rock journalist, or encourage you to hop on the nearest tour bus. Most importantly, the movie confirms that you’re your most authentic self when you’re on an airplane and there’s any kind of turbulence.
Apparition/courtesy Everett Collection7/16The Runaways
Before the recent Jackie Fox controversy, the Runaways were most famous for bringing you karaoke classics like “I Love Rock & Roll” and “Cherry Bomb.” Their creepy crawler manager aside, expect a star-studded cast in this film, with performances from an all-grown-up Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart, who’s definitely not playing Bella Swan. The '70s resurgence might be gone with spring, but after watching this you’ll be inspired to bring it back singlehandedly — glitter and winged hair included.
©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection8/16That Thing You Do!
Not only does this feature an adorable Liv Tyler (with a dad in Aerosmith, it’s almost expected that she’d star in a wide variety of music-related movies), its title track is a ridiculously catchy one hit oneder. That Thing You Do! stars an insanely handsome Tom Everett Scott as the good guy that you’re mentally begging Liv to choose. It also has an appearance from Ethan Embry, proving that all cult classics are incomplete without him.
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection9/16Pitch Perfect
Anna Kendrick as a rebellious college girl wearing makeup that’s almost Taylor Momsen-level is aca-perfect. Even if this movie didn’t make you want to try out for your school’s acapella group, it definitely made you at least calendar their next performance (for the sole purpose of finding a Jesse Swanson of your own). Feel free to peruse Anna's musings on Twitter while you watch for extra entertainment — no one can reflect on Ryan Gosling and Dashboard Confessional quite like she does. Bonus: If you’re a hardcore Scream Queens fan you might recognize some of the same locations, since both were filmed in New Orleans.
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection10/16Pitch Perfect 2
The combination of Icona Pop, glittery bustiers, and the kind of choreography you’d practice during a slumber party make this movie perfect for a girls’-night-in marathon. But it’s the unexpectedly awesome cameos in this film (oh hey, Obamas) that make it rewind-worthy. Where else can you find Snoop Dogg singing Christmas carols alongside such serious squad goals?
Hailee Steinfeld’s appearance is perfect — not least of all since she’s the only Bella who looks like she currently belongs on a college campus. Songs from Miley Cyrus, Flo Rida, and Ariana Grande make for the perfect pregame playlist that you can sing along to, even if you don’t exactly sound like a musical theater professional like Brittany Snow. The Barden Bellas are a preppier and perkier version of Jem, but they’re nowhere near squeaky clean, and that’s what makes them always entertaining. Now, the countdown begins until movie number three...
Courtesy Everett Collection11/16Selena
Selena is based on Latina icon Selena Quintanilla — who is also Selena Gomez’s namesake, but that’s not the only reason you should watch. It’s an incredibly on point performance by a young Jennifer Lopez...and it’s completely heartbreaking. Not only is baby J.Lo beyond talented, her costumes are all spangly bustiers that will make you seriously consider investing in sparkly lingerie that doubles as outerwear. Selena was the queen of Tejano music. This will give a serious case of the feels, so prepare mentally and physically for all the tears before you dive into the singer’s way-too-short life. You’ll need a box of tissues handy, along with your phone to immediately listen to every song she sang.
©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection12/16Never Say Never
This is old school Bieber at his finest, hair swoop included. Before the drama of the backstage bucket, before he celebrated Halloween a little too early in his neighbor’s yard, he was your favorite Canadian dreamboat with the voice of a teeny, prepubescent angel. If you feel like celebrating #TBT early, pop this on and transport yourself to far simpler times. (If you aren’t a Belieber and feel like experiencing a super pure musical throwback with a handsome 2000s star, there’s always High School Musical. After all, like Justin, Zac Efron got his start with sick dance moves and choreography that was obviously perfected after years of channeling Michael Jackson — or of playing Dance, Dance Revolution.)
©Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection13/16Pirate Radio
Starring Tom Sturridge (an old-school Teen Vogue favorite), this movie is mostly about him being handsome. Of course, there’s also a classic soundtrack, but his cute face is reason enough to tune in. If you like British accents and rock rebellion, you’ll love this story about a pirate radio station that secretly broadcast from a ship. When winter break rolls around on and you’re looking for a film that’s fun for the family, this one has a soundtrack that’s parental unit approved, courtesy of The Beach Boys, Hendrix, and The Who.
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection14/16Music and Lyrics
Music and Lyrics stars a devilishly handsome Hugh Grant (when is he not?) alongside Drew Barrymore playing the role she’s perfected over the years — herself. Like most solid music movies, it’s a classic underdog story. Hugh Grant plays Alex Fletcher, who was way cool in the 80s. He teams up with the woman watering his plants to create a mega-hit for the latest PYT pop star. Obviously, hijinks (and romance) ensue, along with songs like “Way Back into Love” that will be stuck in your head until you watch the next major music movie.
©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection15/16School of Rock
This will make you want to enroll in the school of rock immediately, because your classes will suddenly pale in comparison. After all, pledging allegiance to the flag isn’t half as interesting as pledging yourself to both rock & roll and Jack Black. School of Rock introduced the world to a youthful Miranda Cosgrove, who was way wise beyond her years. The best part of this musical masterpiece is that it spawned one of the most quotable lines in recent years. If you’ve never thought, tweeted, or yelled, “You’re tacky and I hate you!” it can only be for one reason — you haven’t seen School of Rock yet.
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