If you're a fan of Jimi Hendrix The Uncut Story (2004) and want to dive deeper into the world of music documentaries or biopics that capture the essence of legendary artists, this article is for you. We've curated a list of 10 similar movies and shows that explore the lives, struggles, and triumphs of iconic musicians, offering a mix of raw authenticity and captivating storytelling.

The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
Description: This biopic captures the meteoric rise of a rock 'n' roll pioneer, his innovative music, and the cultural impact of his short but influential career.
Fact: Gary Busey, who played Buddy Holly, learned to play the guitar left-handed to match Holly's style and performed all the music live.


The Doors (1991)
Description: This film delves into the life of a legendary musician, capturing the essence of the 1960s rock scene, the artist's struggles with fame, and his innovative musical genius.
Fact: Val Kilmer learned to sing like Jim Morrison and performed live during filming, astonishing the real Doors members with his accuracy.


Backbeat (1994)
Description: This film focuses on the early days of a famous band, highlighting the raw energy of their music, the camaraderie among members, and the scene that shaped them.
Fact: The actors formed a real band to perform the music, and their versions of the songs were released as a soundtrack album.


What's Love Got to Do with It (1993)
Description: A powerful biopic that follows the life of a music icon, detailing her rise to fame, personal struggles, and the strength she found through her art.
Fact: Angela Bassett performed all the singing scenes herself, despite Tina Turner offering to dub the vocals, to fully embody the role.


Ray (2004)
Description: A biographical drama that chronicles the life of a musical prodigy, showcasing his innovative sound, personal struggles, and enduring legacy in music history.
Fact: Jamie Foxx wore prosthetic eyelids to accurately portray the musician's blindness, which he kept on even when not filming to stay in character.


Walk the Line (2005)
Description: This movie portrays the rise of a music icon, highlighting his groundbreaking contributions to his genre, battles with addiction, and a transformative love story.
Fact: Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon performed all the songs live during filming, without lip-syncing to pre-recorded tracks.


Control (2007)
Description: A black-and-white biopic that explores the turbulent life of a musician, focusing on his artistic brilliance, personal demons, and the impact of his music on a generation.
Fact: The film was shot in the actual locations where the events took place, including the house where the musician grew up.


Nowhere Boy (2009)
Description: A coming-of-age story about a young musician's formative years, exploring his early influences, family dynamics, and the beginnings of his legendary career.
Fact: The film's director, Sam Taylor-Johnson, later married Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who played the lead role in the movie.


Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Description: This film celebrates the life of a rock legend, emphasizing his unique artistry, flamboyant performances, and the band's revolutionary impact on music.
Fact: The Live Aid concert recreation was shot in one continuous take, matching the original performance's timing exactly.


Rocketman (2019)
Description: A musical fantasy that explores the life of a flamboyant artist, blending his hit songs with surreal sequences to depict his emotional and creative journey.
Fact: Taron Egerton performed all the songs himself, and Elton John approved of his renditions, calling them 'better than the originals.'
