There are more than a few “best music biopic” lists plastered on the Web.

Rolling Stone Magazine has a 30 Best List (click here) that features Todd Haynes “I’m Not There” about Bob Dylan.

YouTube has the 15 Best list as rated by IMDB (click here) that touts “Amadeus” at the top.

Esquire magazine’s 25 Best (click here) also lists “Amadeus” at numero uno.

Here is my list… procured for you… readers of the Thunderbird Ranch Ramble.

Please don’t get your knickers in a bunch if you don’t agree.

I hope you enjoy!

Note: I excluded “8 Mile” since it featured Eminem as himself.

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#1 – The Doors (1991)

Directed by Oliver Stone and featuring Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison, “The Doors” tops my list. Hands down.

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#2 – Walk the Line (2005)

Joaquin Phoenix kills it as Johnny Cash. The good, the bad and the ugly.

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#3 – The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

The first music biopic I ever saw set the bar high. Years later seeing Gary Busey in “Point Break” was super cool.

BTW, do you want to see something weird and entertaining… follow Gary Busey on Instagram (click here).

Strange dude.

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#4 – Ray (2004)

Not knowing much about Ray Charles, Jamie Foxx depiction of this legend was powerful.

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#5 – Born to Be Blue (2015)

This could very well be number one on my list, but will settle for the “sleeper” that you probably haven’t seen yet.

A number of things stuck with me about this movie that you will enjoy when watching…

The idea that Chet Baker reinvented himself as the first real jazz musician to sing when his teeth were busted out on a curb (mob style) by a drug dealer.

The jealously and mean-spirited nature of Miles Davis towards fellow trumpet man, Baker.

Chet Baker’s devotion to his vice.

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# 6 – Get on Up (2014)

Chadwick Boseman (best know as the Black Panther) put forth an Oscar-worthy performance as James Brown.

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#7 – Elvis (2022)

Not everyone liked the artsy film starring Austin Butler, but I really did. Here is an article I published just after it was released… click here.

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# 8 – I’m Not There (2007)

It doesn’t get more avant-garde then Todd Haynes’ experimental film on Bob Dylan starring a slew of actors portraying the man, myth and legend.

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# 9 – Beyond the Sea (2004)

I really like the Bobby Darin story. He was a unique artist and a sign of the times. Kudos to the creepy Kevin Spacey.

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#10 – Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

I liked this movie over the Elton John flick. They could both share this last spot and worth watching! Actor Rami Malek is a talent as Freddie the Queen.

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