In recent years, it feels like music biopics just keep releasing at breakneck speed. In recent memory, we’ve seen the likes of Bob Dylan and Elvis fill theatres, and these movies aren’t going away. With the upcoming October release of Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, one has to ask: why are we getting so many of these movies?
The simple answer is they are lucrative more often than not, and as a result, studios will keep making them. This raises another question: what about these movies makes them consistent box office hits
A Built-in Audience
Another important reason these movies are successful is their association with music that people already have a connection with. When someone hears a familiar song in a movie trailer, it can immediately pique their interest—possibly even more so if the movie is about the person who created the song.
Similarly to how these movies benefit from beloved faces, people’s fondness for certain songs can be a driver for ticket sales. According to Harper’s Bazaar, movies based on popular artists are often seen as good investments because they already have a built-in audience of people who are fans of the music.
On the flip side, these movies offer the possibility of turning a new generation of fans onto an artist’s discography, which can boost streaming numbers for whoever owns the rights to the music, according to Vidya.
An Emotional Punch
While it is not uncommon to hear people criticize music biopics as being the same movie over and over again, these films tend to hit emotional beats that resonate with audiences. By putting the life of an individual under a magnifying glass, they’re able to tell stories of people at their highest, lowest, and everywhere in between.
The dramatic and often relatable portraits given in these movies resonate on a truly human level, as they often touch on very universal themes, according to Hollywood Insider.
Simply put, a story of an artist’s humble beginning, rise to fame, creative struggles, and comeback/redemption resonates with audiences in a way that can be recreated time and time again.
Star Power and Actor Showcases
One of the possible secrets to the success of music biopics is a successful fusion of star power. Many of these movies benefit from the audience’s familiarity and affection toward a famous musician, combined with people’s desire to see certain actors perform.
Let me explain: in many cases, biographies are considered “actor showcases,” as portraying a person at various stages of their life allows an actor to truly show their chops. This is evidenced by reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. For a film like A Complete Unknown, the majority of critics speak just as much about the lead actor’s performance as they do about the man he is playing.
In effect, these movies draw people who are interested either in the musician being portrayed or in the actor taking on the role.
In other words, a movie like A Complete Unknown owes its success in part to appealing both to people who want to see a movie about Bob Dylan, as well as to those who are fans of the actor in the role, Timothée Chalamet.
Upcoming Biopics To Inspire You To Sing in the Shower
Unsurprisingly, several upcoming music biopics have been announced for the next several years. The famous singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen’s story will be told in Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, where the songwriter will be portrayed by Jeremy Allen White.
In 2026, a biopic titled Michael will be released about Michael Jackson. The film will star Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the lead role. Meanwhile, Beatles fans will be ecstatic to learn that in 2028, they’ll be getting not one, but four individual movies—each one dedicated to exploring the life of a different core band member.
On top of the movies already mentioned, there are several announced music biopics without formal release dates attached yet. According to Cinemablend, there are potential projects in the works for artists including Snoop Dogg, Billy Joel, Britney Spears, and Frank Sinatra.
Now the question seems to be how the genre will evolve to maintain audience interest. One thing is certain: it doesn’t seem like these music-themed blockbusters are going away anytime soon.
Editorial Note: Portions of this article were reviewed and refined using AI-assisted editing tools to support grammar, clarity, and style. All content has been fact-checked and approved by our editorial team.
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