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10 of the best music movies on Netflix that you can stream right now

10 of the best music movies on Netflix that you can stream right now
Andrew Garfield in "Tick, Tick... Boom!"Macall Polay/Netflix
  • Music lovers, pay attention.
  • Here are 10 of the best music-based movies you can watch on Netflix right now.

"Tick, Tick... Boom!" (2021)

"Tick, Tick... Boom!" (2021)
Andrew Garfield plays Jonathan Larson in "Tick, Tick... Boom!"      Netflix

Director: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesús, Vanessa Hudgens

Lin-Manuel Miranda's feature directorial debut "Tick, Tick... Boom!" stars Andrew Garfield as the late American composer, Jonathan Larson.

Based on Larson's semi-autobiographical stage musical of the same name, the movie shows the composer on the brink of turning 30, struggling creatively, and battling with himself over his choice of career.

Garfield's performance won him the Golden Globe for best actor in a musical or comedy.

"The Dirt" (2019)

"The Dirt" (2019)
Colson Baker, better known as Machine Gun Kelly, and Douglas Booth in "The Dirt."      10th Street Entertainment

Director: Jeff Tremaine

Starring: Douglas Booth, Colson Baker, Daniel Webber, Iwan Rheon, Pete Davidson

Adapted from Mötley Crüe's collective autobiography, "The Dirt" is a comedy-drama that details the legendary glam metal band's rise from the streets of California to international superstardom.

A roller-coaster tale of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll, Rafer Guzmán of Newsday called it "a funny, foul-mouthed, whirlwind ride through one of the last great eras in rock history."

"A Jazzman's Blues" (2022)

"A Jazzman
Solea Pfeiffer, Joshua Boone.      Tyler Perry Studios

Director: Tyler Perry

Starring: Joshua Boone, Amirah Vann, Solea Pfeiffer, Austin Scott, Ryan Eggold

"A Jazzman's Blues" centers on a forbidden romance between gifted Black singer Bayou and his white-passing love interest, Leanne, in 1947.

Movie critic Dwight Brown said that with the tragic tale, "Perry has accomplished tonally, artistically, and dramatically all he needed to do with this rich melodrama. No wrinkles. No mistakes."

"Beats" (2019)

"Beats" (2019)
Anthony Anderson plays the lead role in "Beats."      Global Road Entertainment

Director: Chris Robinson

Starring: Anthony Anderson, Khalil Everage, Uzo Aduba, Dave East

Not to be confused with the British film from 2019 of the same name, Chris Robinson's "Beats" is a coming-of-age drama set in Chicago in 1994.

It follows the story of two friends, who, united by their love for hip-hop music, try to break into the city's music scene.

Movie critic Jeffrey Lyles described the film as "like stumbling onto a new album and just being able to go along for the ride without ever needing to reach for the skip track button."

"Roxanne Roxanne" (2017)

"Roxanne Roxanne" (2017)
Chanté Adams as Roxanne Shanté.      I am OTHER

Director: Michael Larnell

Starring: Chanté Adams, Mahershala Ali, Nia Long, Elvis Nolasco

"Roxanne Roxanne" tells the story of rapper Roxanne Shanté, who in 1984, at the age of just 14, rose to fame following the release of her debut song, "Roxanne's Revenge."

The song kickstarted what is widely regarded as the first beef in rap history, as well as a series of further rivalries known as the Roxanne Wars, which remain an iconic chapter in the evolution of hip-hop.

"XOXO" (2016)

"XOXO" (2016)
"XOXO" stars Sarah Hyland of "Modern Family."      Netflix

Director: Christopher Louie

Starring: Sarah Hyland, Graham Phillips, Brett DelBuono, Hayley Kiyoko

"XOXO" begins with a group of six strangers making their way to the biggest electronic dance music festival in the United States.

What follows is a night of love, drugs, and friendship amid the backdrop of an impressive soundtrack featuring the likes of Diplo, Disclosure, and Skrillex.

We Got This Covered described the film as "an EDM version of Love Actually."

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" (2020)

"Ma Rainey
Chadwick Boseman.      Escape Artists

Director: George C. Wolfe

Starring: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, Michael Potts

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" is an American drama film based on the 1982 play of the same name by August Wilson.

The film stars Viola Davis as blues pioneer Ma Rainey and Chadwick Boseman in his final role before his death in August 2020. The story takes place in 1927 and centers around Ma Rainey and her band as they record the titular song.

Denzel Washington served as a producer on the movie, which was dedicated to Boseman's memory after his passing.

"I Used to Be Famous" (2022)

"I Used to Be Famous" (2022)
"I Used to Be Famous" was a hit upon its release.      Forty Foot Pictures

Director: Eddie Sternberg

Starring: Ed Skrein, Leo Long, Eleanor Matsuura

In "I Used to Be Famous," a former boy band member confronts life beyond the limelight, embarking on a quest for identity and purpose post-fame.

Ian Sandwell of Digital Spy wrote of the movie: "An uplifting and endearing watch. It's a movie that signposts its ultimate destination, yet it's done with such heart that you'll cry happy tears by the end all the same."

"The 40-Year-Old Version" (2020)

"The 40-Year-Old Version" (2020)
Radha Blank.      New Slate Ventures

Director: Radha Blank

Starring: Radha Blank, Peter Kim, Oswin Benjamin, Reed Birney

Directed, written, produced, and starring Radha Blank, "The 40-Year-Old Version" tells the story of a Black female playwright who is stuck in a creative rut and searching for new ways to express herself, and thus becomes a rapper.

The film, which explores the gentrification of Black art, premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, where it earned Blank a directing award.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie boasts an approval rating of 97%.

"Paradox" (2018)

"Paradox" (2018)
"Paradox" was directed by Daryl Hannah.      Netflix

Director: Daryl Hannah

Starring: Neil Young, Lukas Nelson, Micah Nelson

A surreal but oddly captivating musical adventure, "Paradox" follows a band of outlaws, portrayed by the legendary Neil Young and his bandmates, as they chase the musical magic of a full moon.

Young and rock group Promise of the Real also wrote the soundtrack album for the film, which Pitchfork's Stephen Thomas Erlewine praised for its "spooky guitar solos" and "sweet strums."


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