Best movies like Velvet Goldmine
Last updated March 2024
Looking for movies like Velvet Goldmine? Provide your expertise to navigate others towards films and tv series you've viewed previously that they may enjoy as well. Assist in enlarging the group of people introducing videos to each other. We value your input!
Plot Summary:
Almost a decade has elapsed since Bowiesque glam-rock superstar Brian Slade escaped the spotlight of the London scene. Now, investigative journalist Arthur Stuart is on assignment to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic Slade. Stuart, himself forged by the music of the 1970s, explores the larger-than-life stars who were once his idols and what has become of them since the turn of the new decade.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 38000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: surreal, stylized, erotic, lgbt cinema, independent film, cult classic, sexual, funny, retro, underground film
Best tv shows and movies like Velvet Goldmine (1998):
Similar in 89%
Vinyl (2016)
Plot Summary:
Set in 1970s New York, Vinyl is a ride through the sex- and drug-addled music business at the dawn of punk, disco, and hip-hop. The show is seen through the eyes of a record label president, Richie Finestra, who is trying to save his company and his soul without destroying everyone in his path.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 25000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: stylized, captivating, tense, realistic, erotic, sensual, dark drama, independent film, serious, rockumentary
Similar in 82%
Blank Generation (1980)
Plot Summary:
Nada, a beautiful French journalist on assignment in New York, records the life and work of an up and coming punk rock star, Billy. Soon she enters into a volatile relationship with him and must decide whether to continue with it, or return to her lover, a fellow journalist trying to track down the elusive Andy Warhol.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 432
Genere: Music, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 79 min
Plot tags: independent film, bleak, serious, realistic, cynical
Similar in 81%
London Town (2016)
Plot Summary:
A 14-year old boy’s life changes forever when his estranged mother introduces him to the music of The Clash in 1979 London.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: UK, Germany, USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: psychological, tense, unusual plot structure, captivating, suspense, contemplative, independent film, rockumentary
Similar in 79%
Querelle (1982)
Plot Summary:
Here is the story of a beautiful, proud and tough loner, a sailor named Querelle, whose commanding officer Seblon worships and desires him from afar. Querelle turns on his drugs-smuggling partner and murders him. He then goes to a notorious brothel run by the rapacious Lysiane, who leads Querelle into his first homosexual encounter. Then, Querelle has become vulnerable and soft, and soon the once powerful object of passion comes to belong to Seblon.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama
Country: West Germany, France
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: sexual, controversial, erotic, sexy, art house, stylized, emotional, twist ending, sensual, erotic drama
Similar in 88%
Protecting the King (2007)
Plot Summary:
Sex, drugs and violence--they're all part of the job when you're protecting The King of Rock & Roll. And when you're only 16, the on-the-job training comes in ways that can't be taught in school. The story of David Stanley, stepbrother and bodyguard of The King. Through the dizzying highs and lows of life on the road with unlimited excess, he experienced it all...and barely survived.
IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 350
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 78%
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
Plot Summary:
Hansel Schmidt, is a young East German boy, born and raised during the Cold War in communist East Berlin. In his 20s, he meets Luther Robinson, an older American soldier, who falls in love with Hansel and the two decide to marry, which will allow Hansel to leave communist East Germany for the West. But, in order to marry, Hansel must undergo a sex-change. However, the procedure does not go perfectly and Hansel becomes not a trans woman, but a 'genderqueer', Hedwig. Back in the USA, on their first wedding anniversary, Luther leaves Hedwig for another man. On that same day the news headlines were of the fall of the Berlin Wall and freedom. Hedwig tours the US with her rock band and relates her life story while following her ex-boyfriend/band-mate Tommy Speck (to whom she gives the stage name "Tommy Gnosis"), who stole her songs and rose to fame.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 37000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music, Musical
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: emotional, cult classic, enigmatic, melancholic, lyrical, sentimental, semi serious, dark comedy, offbeat, stylized
Similar in 81%
Worried About the Boy (2010)
Plot Summary:
In 1980 young George O'Dowd baffles his parents with his love of frocks and make-up and moves into a squat with kindred spirit Peter, who dresses as Marilyn Monroe and calls himself Marilyn. They make a splash at Steve Strange's trendy Blitz Club where George gets a job in the cloakroom but George is unlucky in his relationships with men until he meets wannabe musician Kirk. Through Kirk George meets the handsome drummer Jon Moss, on whom he develops a crush, but sacked by the Blitz and spurned by Kirk, George turns to Sex Pistols' manager Malcolm McLaren to further his music career. George's spell with McLaren's group Bow Wow Wow is short but fan Mikey North is impressed and asks George to sing in a group he is forming, where George again meets Jon. They will have an affair and the group will become the very successful Culture Club. Four years later, however, hounded by the tabloid press amid stories of his drug addiction, an unhappy George turns to Jon for advice on his future.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: sentimental, serious, realistic, captivating, period piece, queer cinema, flamboyance
Similar in 85%
Rocketman (2019)
Plot Summary:
The story of Elton John's life, from his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his influential and enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 190000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Musical
Country: UK, USA, Canada
Duration: 121 min
Plot tags: inspirational, uplifting, touching, stylized, compassionate, retro, atmospheric, sad, visual, historical drama
Similar in 79%
Sebastian (1995)
Plot Summary:
In this thoughtful Scandinavian drama, a teenage boy wrestles with his sexuality and learns that most of his deepest fears were unfounded. Sebastian is almost 17 when he figures out that he is a homosexual. Though he lives with wonderful, stable parents and has a good-hearted sister, he finds himself wracked with turmoil and suddenly withdraws from them all. The more they try to understand why, the more distant Sebastian becomes. Things get worse when he falls in love with the handsome Ulf, who comes from an unstable, tempestuous home. Sebastian realizes he is lucky, but still can't help but become irritated when he brings Ulf home for dinner. His parents are too nice and this quietly infuriates their son. Eventually they leave the two boys alone in the house. Sebastian have great fun doing teenage guy stuff, but then they take a bath together and it is then that Sebastian tries to kiss Ulf.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 595
Genere: Drama
Country: Norway, Sweden
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, sexual, sexy, gay cinema, queer cinema
Similar in 84%
Tommy (1975)
Plot Summary:
A psychosomatically deaf, dumb and blind boy becomes a master pinball player and the object of a religious cult.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Drama, Musical
Country: UK
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: surreal, cult classic, stylized, visual, clever, mind bending, art house, psychotronic, cerebral, twisted
Similar in 80%
Stardust (1974)
Plot Summary:
Sequel to 1973's That'll Be The Day. Jim McLain is now enjoying the nomadic 'gigs and groupies' life on tour with his band. When he achieves all his wildest dreams of international stardom, the sweet taste of success begins to turn sour.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: independent film, serious, realistic, stylized, cult film
Similar in 75%
Eddie and the Cruisers (1983)
Plot Summary:
Michael Paré stars as Eddie Wilson of the rock band Eddie and Cruisers. The band is at the height of their career in the 1960s when front man Eddie drives his car off a bridge in an apparent suicide -- but the body was never found.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Drama, Music, Mystery
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: cult classic, sentimental, serious, captivating, realistic, stylized, gloomy, independent film, light, inspirational
Similar in 90%
Brothers of the Head (2005)
Plot Summary:
In the 1970s a music promoter plucks Siamese twins from obscurity and grooms them into a freakish rock'n'roll act. A dark tale of sex, strangeness and rock music.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: touching, semi serious, humorous, realistic, witty, period piece, clever, offbeat, mockumentary, gothic
Similar in 84%
The Runaways (2010)
Plot Summary:
Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, two rebellious teenagers from Southern California, become the frontwomen for the Runaways -- the now-legendary group that paved the way for future generations of female rockers. Under the Svengalilike influence of impresario Kim Fowley, the band becomes a huge success.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 51000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: stylized, sexy, teen, emotional, captivating, independent film, aesthetic, erotic, scary, lgbt cinema
Similar in 75%
Quadrophenia (1979)
Plot Summary:
Based on the 1973 rock opera album of the same name by The Who, this is the story of 60s teenager Jimmy. At work he slaves in a dead-end job. While after, he shops for tailored suits and rides his scooter as part of the London Mod scene.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: surreal, cult classic, stylized, depressing, melancholic, lyrical, atmospheric, captivating, rough, serious
Similar in 87%
Behind the Candelabra (2013)
Plot Summary:
Based on the autobiographical novel, the tempestuous 6-year relationship between Liberace and his (much younger) lover, Scott Thorson, is recounted.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 45000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: stylized, realistic, factual, cult classic, entertaining, epic, lgbt cinema, period piece, romantic drama, historical drama
Similar in 82%
Last Days (2005)
Plot Summary:
The life and struggles of a notorious rock musician seeping into a pit of loneliness whose everyday life involves friends and family seeking financial aid and favors, inspired by rock music legend Kurt Cobain and his final hours.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: psychedelic, art house, atmospheric, bleak, intense, lyrical, serious, psychological, realistic, stylized
Similar in 75%
Rock Star (2001)
Plot Summary:
Rock Star tells the story of Chris Cole and a rock band called Steel Dragon. Cole is a photocopier technician by day, and the lead singer of a Steel Dragon tribute band called "Blood Pollution" by night.Internal struggles between the Steel Dragon band members culminate with the firing of the lead singer, Bobby Beers and the starting of recruitment sessions to find a new vocalist. Loosely inspired by the true story of the heavy metal band Judas Priest.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 45000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: light, entertaining, melancholic, stylized, intense, serious, realistic, period piece, cult classic, inspirational
Similar in 82%
What We Do Is Secret (2007)
Plot Summary:
A biopic of punk legend Darby Crash and his band, the Germs.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, tense, suspense, informative, interesting, rockumentary, queer cinema
Similar in 83%
Telstar: The Joe Meek Story (2008)
Plot Summary:
Set against a backdrop of early 60's London, Telstar is the story of the world's first independent record producer, Joe Meek. A maverick genius who enjoyed phenomenal success with Telstar - the biggest selling record of it's time - before bad luck, depression, heartbreak and paranoia led to his downfall.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, captivating, realistic, spiritual, crying, independent film
Similar in 86%
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Plot Summary:
Singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and bass guitarist John Deacon take the music world by storm when they form the rock 'n' roll band Queen in 1970. Hit songs like "Killer Queen", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "We Are the Champions" and "We Will Rock You" become instant classics. When Mercury's increasingly wild lifestyle starts to spiral out of control, Queen soon faces its greatest challenge yet – finding a way to keep the band together amid the success and excess.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 576000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: inspirational, touching, rough, informative, sad, historical drama, tragic ending, sexy, motivational, retro
Similar in 75%
Control (2007)
Plot Summary:
Control is the biography of Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis, taking his story from schoolboy days of 1973 to his suicide on the eve of the band's first American tour in 1980.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 68000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: UK, USA, Australia, Japan, France
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: depressing, atmospheric, black and white, stylized, sad, touching, melancholic, harsh, lyrical, bleak
Similar in 84%
I'm Not There (2007)
Plot Summary:
Six actors portray six personas of music legend Bob Dylan in scenes depicting various stages of his life, chronicling his rise from unknown folksinger to international icon and revealing how Dylan constantly reinvented himself.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 61000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: Germany, Canada, USA, France, UK
Duration: 135 min
Plot tags: non-linear, meditative, stylized, talky, lyrical, serious, realistic, intellectual, cult classic, experimental
Similar in 86%
Jimi: All Is by My Side (2013)
Plot Summary:
A drama based on Jimi Hendrix's life as he left New York City for London, where his career took off.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA, Ireland, UK
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: realistic, sincere, atmospheric, captivating, retro, cult classic, serious, black cinema
Similar in 88%
The Doors (1991)
Plot Summary:
The story of the famous and influential 1960's rock band and its lead singer and composer, Jim Morrison.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 98000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: France, USA
Duration: 140 min
Plot tags: psychedelic, factual, realistic, serious, cult classic, surreal, sexy, informative, atmospheric, inspirational
Similar in 84%
Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982)
Plot Summary:
A troubled rock star descends into madness in the midst of his physical and social isolation from everyone.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 84000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: psychedelic, surreal, psychological, disturbing, experimental, adult animation, stylized, mindfuck, mind bending, scary
Similar in 80%
Prey for Rock & Roll (2003)
Plot Summary:
Prey for Rock & Roll is set in the Los Angeles club scene of the late 1980s and follows the story of Jacki (Gershon) and her all-girl punk rock band, Clam Dandy. On the verge of turning 40, Jacki decides that if the band's one last shot at the big time is unsuccessful, she will give up her dreams of stardom. Along the way, the women are rocked by personal tragedies that threaten to break up the band before they can get their last shot at success.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: realistic, serious, captivating, cynical, witty, gloomy, sexual, sexy
Similar in 76%
Almost Famous (2000)
Plot Summary:
In 1973, 15-year-old William Miller's unabashed love of music and aspiration to become a rock journalist lands him an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to interview and tour with the up-and-coming band Stillwater – fronted by lead guitar Russell Hammond and lead singer Jeff Bebe William.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 289000
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: sentimental, road movie, feel good, realistic, semi autobiographical, teen, emotional, independent film, cult classic, sweet
Similar in 76%
My Own Private Idaho (1991)
Plot Summary:
In this loose adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry IV," Mike Waters is a gay hustler afflicted with narcolepsy. Scott Favor is the rebellious son of a mayor. Together, the two travel from Portland, Oregon to Idaho and finally to the coast of Italy in a quest to find Mike's estranged mother. Along the way they turn tricks for money and drugs, eventually attracting the attention of a wealthy benefactor and sexual deviant.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 61000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: road movie, cult classic, surreal, art house, lgbt cinema, touching, serious, captivating, melancholic, independent film
Similar in 82%
Trainspotting (1996)
Plot Summary:
Renton, deeply immersed in the Edinburgh drug scene, tries to clean up and get out, despite the allure of the drugs and influence of friends.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 715000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: dark comedy, disturbing, psychedelic, black comedy, captivating, cult classic, stylized, controversial, depressing, clever