Best Movies about Musicians

With the new Justin Bieber movie set to be released Friday to all those loyal Beliebers, let's look back on some of the best movies around about real-life musicians and the fans who love them.

Ray

This 2004 film about the life of Ray Charles got a lot of buzz for the star in the title role, better known for his comedy skills. His performance struck a chord, earning him the Academy Award for Best Actor. He later added his vocal stylings to a Kanye West hit.

The Doors

Though rumors of his being alive persist, Jim Morrison was brought to life cinematically by a well-known actor in 1991, in a film by Oliver Stone. The keyboardist for the Doors had a strong opinion about how the movie came across, but it was a cult hit.

A Hard Day's Night

Made in 1964 during the height of Beatlemania, this film starred the Fab Four and was a mockumentary of sorts. It was critically praised and led to more popular films -- with one notable exception, which was widely panned.

La Vie en Rose

In 2007, the French star who portrays Edith Piaf won both the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Actress, the first time the award had been given for a French-speaking role. The film features another French star who has many awards of his own, including an Oscar nomination for this well-known role.

I'm Not There

In this film, which many consider groundbreaking, six different actors portray Bob Dylan. One of those received a Golden Globe for her performance, while for another actor, it was to be one of his last films.

La Bamba

This 1987 film about Ritchie Valens made its star a household name and told the story of his unlikely hit song and his untimely death, which became known as "the day the music died" and was referenced in another famous song.

Selena

This 1997 film was a breakthrough role for an actress little known at that time. Based on the life story of the popular Tejano music star, the film follows her rise to fame until her murder at just 23 years old.

What's Love Got to Do With It

This 1993 biopic tells the story of Tina Turner. The actress who took on the role, after the original actress cast had to take maternity leave, won a Golden Globe for her performance and was nominated for an Academy Award.

Coal Miner's Daughter

The actress who tackled the role of real-life country icon Loretta Lynn in this 1980 film also won the Academy Award for her performance. She also has a daughter who's becoming well known in the biz these days.

The Pianist

This 2002 film, based on the life of pianist Władysław Szpilman, won the actor who portrayed him an Oscar for Best Actor, at which point he famously showed affection for the award presenter. The film's director also won but was not present because of his legal troubles.

Bird

The director of this 1988 film would eventually win a Best Director Oscar for two later films, and the star who portrayed Charlie Parker would go on to earn an Academy Award of his own for a later dramatic role.

Great Balls of Fire

Jerry Lee Lewis took a lot of heat for who he chose to marry, while the actor who played him in this 1989 film was happily coupled with America's Sweetheart at the time. She's now part of a recent marriage breakup.

The Buddy Holly Story

This 1978 film starred an actor playing Buddy Holly who is better known for other things these days. All of the actors in the film played their own instruments and sang the songs. The film won an Oscar for Best Original Score.

The Temptations

A 1998 TV miniseries, this flick took a couple of liberties with the truth but won the 1998 Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or a Movie. A lawsuit forced the removal of some scenes, but the film gives you a good look at one of the most enduring R&B groups of all time.

Walk the Line

Who doesn't like the Man in Black? Forever an outlaw and a friend to the less fortunate, he received most of his fan mail from prisoners for a time. He battled addiction and won, he was a huge influence on 20th-century American music, and the film was nominated for five Oscars.

Beyond the Sea

The director of "Rain Man" was set to do this movie, but it was not to be. Kevin Spacey took vocal lessons from a man who collaborated with the movie's protagonist. Though it lost money at the box office, it's a compelling look at a singer whose life was cut tragically short.

Amadeus

When a film wins eight Oscars, it's probably worth watching. Another tragic story of a brilliant musician who died very young, the film's director is very well regarded and there were two nominations for the Best Actor Academy Award.

Lady Sings the Blues

The actress portraying the brilliant and tragic jazz singer was nominated for an Oscar though she's famously been snubbed by the Grammys. We all know how this one ends.