Music biographies have turned out to be one of the most lucrative genres in Hollywood where the life of legendary musicians is portrayed using brilliant acting skills, mesmerizing music, and effective storytelling techniques. These movies have not just received critical acclaim but have also grossed millions of dollars across the globe by telling the story of some of the biggest names from the field of rock and roll, pop music, and even hip hop music. Here are the top five grossing music biopics of all time according to their box office performance.
1. Michael
Michael, which is based on the story of Michael Jackson and stars his brother Jaafar Jackson, has officially broken the record for the highest grossing music biopic of all time, overtaking the previous record holder, Bohemian Rhapsody, and grossing over $900 million in box-office revenue around the world.
The success of this film is testament to Michael Jackson’s unprecedented reach and the enduring appeal of his music to people of all ages. This record setting performance has made it one of the biggest biopics ever produced.
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2. Bohemian Rhapsody
The movie, which was released in 2018, follows the life of Freddie Mercury and the legendary rock band Queen. Starring Rami Malek in his Oscar-winning role, the movie went on to become a global phenomenon and stayed the highest-grossing movie based on a musician for a long time.
With a blend of classic songs by Queen, dramatic narration, and amazing concert scenes, the movie was able to gross over $900 million around the world.
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3. Elvis
Elvis by Baz Luhrmann portrayed the unique journey and career of Elvis Presley from his early days, through all of his problems and his complex partnership with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
Elvis was one of the most financially successful music biopics of all time because of Austin Butler’s incredible portrayal of Elvis and its ability to connect with longtime fans and newer audiences alike, earning almost $300 million at the box office.
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4. Straight Outta Compton
The biographical movie “Straight Outta Compton” was the depiction of the creation of one of the most influential hip-hop groups – N.W.A. The movie featured characters like Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and Eazy-E, who transformed the industry and raised social issues by means of their revolutionary songs.
Despite some criticism, the movie managed to gain success not only by financial standards ($200 million in total box office), but also by getting positive reviews for its realism and performance.
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5. Rocketman
The movie Rocketman told the story of Elton John using a creatively visualized and musically narrated story. Starring Taron Egerton, the movie highlighted how Elton rose from being an artist to becoming one of the biggest musicians in the world.
Thanks to its emotional storyline, outstanding acting and famous songs, the film was able to earn almost $200 million worldwide.
OTT Platform: Prime Video