The Top 5 Movies Featuring Rock Music
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From “School of Rock” to “This is Spinal Tap,” rock music has been featured in some great films. Here are our top 5 picks.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Bohemian Rhapsody is a 2018 biographical drama film about Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the British rock band Queen. The film follows Mercury’s life from his time as a student at Ealing Art College in London, to his work with Queen, and finally to his solo career after leaving the band.
The film was directed by Bryan Singer from a screenplay by Anthony McCarten, and produced by Graham King and Jim Beach. Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor served as consultants. Rami Malek stars as Mercury, with Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joe Mazzello, Aidan Gillen, Tom Hollander, Allen Leech, and Mike Myers in supporting roles.
Bohemian Rhapsody was released in the United Kingdom on 24 October 2018 and in the United States on 2 November 2018. The film received mixed reviews from critics; while Malek’s performance was praised, the film was criticized for its editing, pacing, and failure to fully explore Mercury’s sexuality or his relationships outside of Queen. Nonetheless, it grossed more than $903 million worldwide on a production budget of around $52 million , becoming the ninth-highest-grossing film of 2018 .
School of Rock
School of Rock is a 2003 American musical comedy film directed by Richard Linklater and written by Mike White. The film stars Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Sarah Silverman and Miranda Cosgrove. School of Rock was produced by Scott Rudin and Robert Simpson. The film’s story follows Dewey Finn, a slacker Bahá’í who pretends to be a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school, and turns his class into a rock band.
Released on 3 October 2003 in the United States, School of Rock received positive reviews from critics and grossed $131 million worldwide on a $35 million budget. It was the highest-grossing music-themed live-action comedy film of all time until it was surpassed by Mamma Mia! in 2008. In 2015, it was ranked #37 on the 100 Greatest Movies since 2000 list by Empire magazine.
This is Spinal Tap
One of the most iconic mockumentaries of all time, This is Spinal Tap hilariously satirizes the world of rock music. The film follows the fictional British rock band Spinal Tap as they embark on a disastrous North American tour. Along the way, they endure a series of mishaps, including losing their drummer to a freak accident and having their stage show sabotaged by an incompetent roadie. Featuring an unforgettable performance by Christopher Guest as lead singer David St. Hubbins, This is Spinal Tap is a must-see for any fan of rock music.
Wayne’s World
Wayne’s World is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Penelope Spheeris, produced by Lorne Michaels and written by Mike Myers and Bonnie Turner. It stars Myers as Wayne Campbell and Dana Carvey as Garth Algar, hosts of the Aurora, Illinois-based cable television show Wayne’s World. The film features Tia Carrere, Rob Lowe, Lara Flynn Boyle, Alice Cooper, and Meat Loaf.
The film was adapted from a sketch of the same name on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. The sketch featured Myers as Wayne Campbell and Carvey as Garth Algar, hosts of a public-access television cable TV show in Aurora, Illinois called “Wayne’s World”. The movie waynes world soundtrack features songs from some of the biggest names in rock music including Queen, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Kiss and more.
The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years
The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years is a 1988 documentary film directed by Penelope Spheeris. The film chronicles the Los Angeles hard rock music scene of the late 1980s, with a focus on the fortunes of leading metal bands such as Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer.
