The Best 80s Rock Musicals

Looking for a little musical inspiration from the 1980s? Check out our list of the best 80s rock musicals! From classics like The Rocky Horror Picture Show to lesser-known gems like Streets of Fire, there’s something for everyone on this list.

The Best 80s Rock Musicals – An Introduction

The 1980s were a decade of musical diversity, with everything from synth-pop and hair metal to new wave and hardcore punk. But one genre that particularly thrived during this time was the rock musical.

There were a number of great rock musicals released during the 80s, many of which have gone on to become classics. Here are just a few of the best:

-The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) – This cult classic follows the exploits of an eccentric transvestite scientist and his gang of misfits as they travel to a remote castle in search of sexual adventures. The film includes iconic songs such as “Time Warp” and “Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me”.

-The Blues Brothers (1980) – After being released from prison, blues brothers Jake and Elwood embark on a mission to save the Catholic orphanage where they were raised. Along the way they encounter a host of wacky characters and perform some of the greatest blues/soul numbers ever committed to film, including “Rawhide” and “Everybody Needs Somebody”.

-Purple Rain (1984) – Prince stars in this tale of an aspiring musician who must overcome obstacles both professional and personal if he wants to make it big. The film features some of Prince’s greatest hits, including the title track, “When Doves Cry”, and “Let’s Go Crazy”.

These are just a few of the great rock musicals that were released during the 1980s. So if you’re in the mood for some good music and good fun, be sure to check out one (or all!) of these classics.

The Best 80s Rock Musicals – A Look at the Best

The 1980s were a great time for rock music. There were many great bands and artists that released some truly classic albums during this decade. But there were also some great rock musicals released during this time period. Here is a look at the best 80s rock musicals:

The Rocky Horror Picture Show – This classic film was released in 1975, but it became a cult classic in the 1980s. It is a story about a young couple who get stranded in the home of a mad scientist. The film has some great songs, including “The Time Warp” and “Sweet Transvestite.”

Hair – This 1979 film is based on the Broadway musical of the same name. It is set in the 1960s and follows a group of young hippies who are protesting the Vietnam War. The film features some great songs, including “Aquarius” and “Let the Sunshine In.”

The Blues Brothers – This 1980 film stars John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as Jake and Elwood Blues, two brothers who are on a mission to save an orphanage. The film features some great blues and soul music, including “Soul Man” and “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love.”

Purple Rain – This 1984 film stars Prince as The Kid, a musician who is trying to make it big in the Minneapolis music scene. The film features some great songs, including “When Doves Cry” and “Purple Rain.”

The Best 80s Rock Musicals – A Closer Look at the Best

The 1980s was a decade that saw a surge in popularity for rock music, and this is reflected in the number of great rock musicals that were produced during this time. Here is a closer look at some of the best 80s rock musicals:

-Hair: This Tony Award-winning musical tells the story of a group of young hippies who are fighting against the Vietnam War. The music is catchy and upbeat, and the lyrics are both thought-provoking and funny.

-Rent: This Pulitzer Prize-winning musical is set in New York City’s East Village and follows the lives of a group of Bohemian artists struggling to make ends meet. The music is full of emotion and energy, and the lyrics deal with topics like love, loss, and homelessness.

-The Phantom of the Opera: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical tells the story of a disfigured composer who haunts the Paris Opera House. The music is beautiful and haunting, and the lyrics are both poetic and dramatic.

The Best 80s Rock Musicals – The Top 10

Are you a fan of rock musicals? If so, you’re in luck, because the 1980s were definitely a golden age for this particular genre. From classics like “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Little Shop of Horrors” to more obscure fare like “Streets of Fire” and “Time Bandits,” there was something for everyone.

So, without further ado, here are the 10 best rock musicals of the 1980s:

1) “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” – A cult classic that has spawned numerous stage productions and inspired countless imitations, this is the ultimate rock musical.

2) “Little Shop of Horrors” – Another enduring classic, this film tells the story of a meek flower shop assistant who discovers a killer plant.

3) “Streets of Fire” – A cult classic among action movie fans, this film stars Diane Lane and Willem Dafoe in a post-apocalyptic tale of love and rock & roll.

4) “Body Rock” – A hip-hop musical starring Mario Van Peebles as a young rapper who must choose between success and love.

5) “Sugar Hill” – Another hip-hop musical, this one stars Wesley Snipes as a gang leader who turns to rap music to save his community.

6) “Beat Street” – Another hip-hop musical, this one follows two young friends as they try to make it in the New York City rap scene.

7) “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo” – The sequel to the 1984 breakdancing film “Breakin’,” this movie features some iconic dance sequences set to some great 80s music.

8) “Flashdance” – staring Jennifer Beals as a welder by day and exotic dancer by night who dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer. Featuring an Oscar-winning soundtrack with hits like “Maniac�� and “What a Feeling.”

9) purple rain – Prince stars in this semi-autobiographical story of a musician trying to make it big in Minneapolis. Features several great songs from Prince, including the title track which won an Oscar for Best Original Song.
10)Rocky IV – In perhaps the strangest entry on this list, Sylvester Stallone wrote, directed, and starred in this Cold War-era Rocky sequel which features a climactic boxing match set to an epic rock song by Survivor called “Eye of the Tiger.

The Best 80s Rock Musicals – The Bottom 10

While there were many great rock musicals in the 1980s, there were also a bottom 10. Here is a list of the worst of the 80s rock musicals.

1. The Idol – This movie was about a rock band that was trying to make it big. The problem was that the band members were very untalented and the movie was just not very good.
2. Rockula – This movie was about a vampire who loved rock music. The problem was that the movie was not very good and it starred period piece actor Tony Danza in one of his first starring roles.
3. Can’t Stop the Music – This movie was about the disco group The Village People and starred Valerie Perrine as one of the group’s members. The problem was that it was not a very good movie and it has since been made fun of on Mystery Science Theater 3000.
4. Shock Treatment – This movie was a sequel to The Rocky Horror Picture Show and starred Jessica Harper as a woman who is committed to an insane asylum because she does not want to participate in her husband’s reality TV show. The problem was that it was not a very good movie and it has since been made fun of on Mystery Science Theater 3000.
5. A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge – This movie was a sequel to the classic horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street and starred Mark Patton as a teenager who is being terrorized by Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund). The problem was that it was not a very good movie and has since been made fun of on Mystery Science Theater 3000.
6. Howard the Duck – This movie was about a duck who is brought to Earth from another planet and has to deal with human beings. The problem was that it featured some really bad acting from Lea Thompson and Tim Robbins and it is generally considered one of the worst movies ever made.
7 . Sgt . Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – This movie featured cameos from some of the biggest stars of the 1970s and 1980s, but it did not feature any good music or acting . The problem was that it tried to cash in on the popularity of The Beatles without actually being any good .
8 . Xanadu – This movie starred Olivia Newton-John as a Muse who inspires an artist (played by Gene Kelly) to open up a roller disco , but it did not feature any good music or dancing . The problem was that it tried to cash in on Olivia Newton-John ‘s popularity without actually being any good .
9 . Grease 2 – This sequel to Grease starring Michelle Pfeiffer as Pink Lady Stephanie Zinone , but it did not feature any good music or acting . The problem was that it tried to cash in on Grease ‘ s popularity without actually being any good .
10 . Rock ‘ n ’ Roll High School Forever – This sequel to Rock ‘ n ’ Roll High School starring Corey Feldman as an undercover cop who goes undercover at a high school , but it did not feature any good music or acting . The problem I think you get the idea…

The Best 80s Rock Musicals – The Final Word

The 1980s was a decade of excess, and that included the amount of rock musicals that were released. While some were excellent, others were forgettable at best. Here is a look at the best rock musicals of the 1980s, in no particular order.

-The Blues Brothers
-Tommy
-Rocky Horror Picture Show
-Purple Rain
-HEAD
-Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
-Xanadu

The Best 80s Rock Musicals – Acknowledgements

The best 80s rock musicals would not have been possible without the talents of the people involved in their production. We would like to extend our gratitude to the following individuals:

The producers, for their vision and passion in bringing these stories to life;

The directors, for their creativity and skill in translating the script to the stage;

The cast, for their dedication and commitment to their craft;

And the crew, for their hard work and dedication in making sure everything ran smoothly.

The Best 80s Rock Musicals – References

There are many great rock musicals that were released in the 1980s. Here are some of our favorites.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975) – A cult classic, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a must-see for any fan of the genre.

“ Hedwig and the Angry Inch” (1998) – Another cult classic, “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” is a more modern take on the rock musical genre.

“Rock of Ages” (2012) – A more recent release, “Rock of Ages” is a fun-filled romp through the biggest hits of the 80s.

The Best 80s Rock Musicals – Further Reading

The 1980s were a decade of excess, and that was certainly true when it came to rock music. Big hair, big guitars, and big egos were the order of the day, and some of the best rock music of the era was created by bands who weren’t afraid to show their over-the-top side.

There were also a number of great rock musicals made during the 80s, many of which have gone on to become cult classics. Here are some of the best 80s rock musicals that are definitely worth checking out.

1. The Rocky Horror Picture Show
2. Purple Rain
3. This Is Spinal Tap
4. The Blues Brothers
5. Streets of Fire

The Best 80s Rock Musicals – Endnotes

As the 1980s came to a close, rock musicals were definitely in vogue. Films like “Rock of Ages” and “Footloose” moved audiences with their stories of teenage angst and rebellion, set to a soundtrack of some of the greatest hits of the decade.

Here are some of the best 80s rock musicals that are worth checking out:

-“Rock of Ages”: This film follows the story of a small-town girl who moves to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams of becoming a rock star. Featuring hits by Journey, Bon Jovi, REO Speedwagon, and more, “Rock of Ages” is a fun ride from start to finish.

-“Footloose”: This film follows the story of a city teenager who moves to a small town where dancing is banned. With an amazing soundtrack that includes hits like “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” and “Footloose,” “Footloose” is a classic 80s film that will get your heart pumping.

-“The Wedding Singer”: This film follows the story of a wedding singer who falls in love with a woman who is about to be married to someone else. Featuring hits by Billy Idol, Cyndi Lauper, and Poison, “The Wedding Singer” is a charming film that will fill you with nostalgia for the 80s.