Best movies like American Hot Wax
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
This is the story loosely based on Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed, who introduced rock'n'roll to teenage American radio audiences in the 1950's. Freed was a source of great controversy: criticized by conservatives for corrupting youth with the "devil's music"; hated by racists for promoting African American music for white consumption; persecuted by law enforcement officials and finally brought down by the "payola" scandals.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, History, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: psychotronic, sentimental, atmospheric, humorous, realistic, semi serious
Best tv shows and movies like American Hot Wax (1978):
Similar in 84%
FM (1978)
Plot Summary:
Q-SKY is the #1 radio station in Los Angeles mainly because of the music they play; running the station the way they want to, it has made them a ratings success.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: political, offbeat, humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, biting, suspense, campy
Similar in 83%
Rude Boy (1980)
Plot Summary:
Rude Boy is a semi-documentary, part character study, part 'rockumentary', featuring a British punk band, The Clash. The script includes the story of a fictional fan juxtposed with actual public events of the day, including political demonstrations and Clash concerts.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 133 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, cynical, biting, suspense
Similar in 86%
The Idolmaker (1980)
Plot Summary:
Based on the life of rock promoter/producer Bob Marucci, who discovered, among others, Frankie Avalon and Fabian.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: humorous, captivating, realistic, semi serious, biting, light, sexy, clever, feel good, unusual plot structure
Similar in 76%
The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (1980)
Plot Summary:
A rather incoherent post-breakup Sex Pistols "documentary", told from the point of view of Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, whose (arguable) position is that the Sex Pistols in particular and punk rock in general were an elaborate scam perpetrated by him in order to make "a million pounds.".
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Music
Country: UK
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, mockumentary, erotic, independent film, exciting, offbeat, humorous, realistic, contemplative, cynical
Similar in 86%
That'll Be the Day (1973)
Plot Summary:
Britain, 1958. Restless at school and bored with his life, Jim leaves home to take a series of low-level jobs at a seaside amusement park, where he discovers a world of cheap sex and petty crime. But when that world comes to a shockingly brutal end, Jim returns home. As the local music scene explodes, Jim must decide between a life of adult responsibility or a new phenomenon called rock & roll.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: offbeat, sincere, serious, realistic, gloomy, independent film, cult film
Similar in 89%
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 85%
Daydream Believers: The Monkees' Story (2000)
Plot Summary:
In 2000, VH-1 produced the television biopic Daydream Believers: The Monkees' Story. In 2002, the movie was released on DVD, and featured both commentaries and interviews with Dolenz, Jones and Tork. The aired version did differ from the DVD release as the TV version had an extended scene with all four Monkees but with a shortened Cleveland concert segment. It was also available on VHS.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 982
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: sentimental, realistic, semi serious, captivating
Similar in 90%
A Man Called Adam (1966)
Plot Summary:
A famous jazz trumpeter finds himself unable to cope with the problems of everyday life.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 659
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: independent film, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 79%
Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984)
Plot Summary:
Having written the music and screenplay for this film, Paul McCartney also plays himself in the leading role. When the mastertape of McCartney's latest album is misplaced, he must discover its whereabouts in less than 24 hours or else risk losing his recording company to the lowlife Mr. Rath (John Bennett). McCartney performs three new songs, along with classic Beatles' tunes. Co-starring are former Beatles mate Ringo Starr as the drummer in Paul's band, Ringo's real-life wife Barbara Bach, McCartney's then wife Linda and Tracy Ullman.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: humorous, captivating, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 79%
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 88%
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 89%
My Dinner with Jimi (2003)
Plot Summary:
The story of the night The Turtles met The Beatles and Howard Kaylan had dinner with Jimi Hendrix.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 265
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sentimental, realistic, captivating, semi serious, sincere, touching, serious, contemplative, cult film
Similar in 88%
Know Thy Enemy (2009)
Plot Summary:
Nemesis is the hottest rapper in rap's hottest city; Miami, the 305. But he has a little secret...he's not really a rapper. A record label discovers Nate's talent, and offers to make him a star, as a rapper. They create Nemesis, a Hip Hop gangster designed to sell records and spit hate. Fame quickly follows, but at price.
IMDB Rating: 3.3
IMDB Votes: 255
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: realistic, semi serious, inspirational, captivating, entertaining, disturbing
Similar in 89%
The Five Heartbeats (1991)
Plot Summary:
In the early 1960's, a quintet of hopeful, young African-American men form an amateur vocal group called The Five Heartbeats. After an initially rocky start, the group improves, turns pro, and rises to become a top flight music sensation. Along the way, however, the guys learn many hard lessons about the reality of the music industry.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 121 min
Plot tags: sentimental, hood, touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious, independent film, light, inspirational, road movie
Similar in 78%
That Thing You Do! (1996)
Plot Summary:
A Pennsylvania band scores a hit in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as it can, with lots of help from its manager.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 73000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: humorous, sentimental, feel good, light, sincere, period piece, touching, sexy, retro, emotional
Similar in 85%
The Boat That Rocked (2009)
Plot Summary:
The Boat that Rocked is an ensemble comedy, where the romance is between the young people of the 60s, and pop music. It's about a band of DJs that captivate Britain, playing the music that defines a generation and standing up to a government that wanted control of popular culture via the British Broadcasting Corporation. Loosely based on the events in Britain in the 60's when the Labour government of Harold Wilson, wanted to bring the pirate stations under control, enough to see the passage of the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act on 15 August 1967.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 115000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: UK, France, Germany, USA
Duration: 135 min
Plot tags: humorous, funny, sentimental, light, colorful, realistic, semi serious, melancholic, hilarious, indie film
Similar in 80%
The Identical (2014)
Plot Summary:
During the Great Depression, identical twins are separated at birth. One, Drexel Hemsley becomes a wildly successful '50s rock star, while the other, Ryan Wade, struggles to balance his passion for music and pleasing his parents, who want him to become a preacher. Finally, Ryan rebels against his parents' wishes and launches his own music career -- performing the hits of Drexel Hemsley. Ryan later learns the truth about Drexel when their fates tragically collide.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: captivating, serious, realistic, touching, exciting, sentimental, disgusting
Similar in 85%
Jersey Boys (2014)
Plot Summary:
From director Clint Eastwood comes the big-screen version of the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys. The film tells the story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who came together to form the iconic 1960s rock group The Four Seasons. The story of their trials and triumphs are accompanied by the songs that influenced a generation, including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Rag Doll,” and many more.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 36000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: stylized, intense, sentimental, realistic, serious, captivating, historical drama, neo noir, road movie, clever
Similar in 88%
Scott Joplin (1977)
Plot Summary:
Details the life story of Scott Joplin and how he became the greatest ragtime composer of all time.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 316
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, period piece
Similar in 87%
Great Balls of Fire! (1989)
Plot Summary:
The story of Jerry Lee Lewis, arguably the greatest and certainly one of the wildest musicians of the 1950s. His arrogance, remarkable talent, and unconventional lifestyle often brought him into conflict with others in the industry, and even earned him the scorn and condemnation of the public.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: retro, gothic, period piece, independent film, feel good, serious, realistic, scary, light, road movie
Similar in 75%
Your Cheatin' Heart (1964)
Plot Summary:
The story of the country and western singer Hank Williams.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 857
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: retro, sentimental, sincere, touching, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 78%
For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story (2000)
Plot Summary:
In the early 1970s, Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval (Andy Garcia) is torn between his own musical dreams and the dreams of his wife, Marianela (Mía Maestro), a fervent supporter of the ideals of the Castro revolution. Also starring Charles S. Dutton as Dizzy Gillespie and José Zúñiga as Paquito D'Rivera, this gripping jazz biopic is at once a detailed portrait of a musician and a stinging critique.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, realistic, sincere, serious, independent film
Similar in 79%
The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
Plot Summary:
A film about the life and career of the early rock and roll star.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, feel good, humorous, serious, captivating, realistic, entertaining, light, clever
Similar in 84%
Elvis (1979)
Plot Summary:
Biographical movie about the famous rock singer Elvis Presley.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 168 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, realistic, sentimental, serious, retro, captivating, psychotronic
Similar in 76%
Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story (2004)
Plot Summary:
Chronicles the rise and fall of pop king Michael Jackson.
IMDB Rating: 3.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: semi serious, touching, humorous, realistic
Similar in 77%
The Overture (2004)
Plot Summary:
Based on the life of Luang Pradit Pairoh (Sorn Silapabanleng) the most revered traditional Thai music master who lived during the reigns of Kings Rama V to VIII, the movie traces the life of Sorn, who picked up the ra-nad ek (Thai xylophone) mallets as a small child and played all his life. The backdrop to Sorn's life tale is the story of Thailand's classical music from its golden age during the reign of King Rama V to near extinction after the end of the absolute monarchy when the government banned it as uncivilised in the 1930s -- a time when Field Marshall Plaek Pibulsongkram tried to push the Kingdom into the modern era.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Music
Country: Thailand
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, captivating, emotional, serious, realistic, stylized
Similar in 78%
Honeydripper (2007)
Plot Summary:
In 1950s Alabama, the owner of the Honeydripper juke joint finds his business dropping off and against his better judgment, hires a young electric guitarist in a last ditch effort to draw crowds during harvest time.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Crime, Drama, History, Music, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: realistic, atmospheric, captivating, psychological, cult classic, sentimental, uplifting, touching, feel good, serious
Similar in 87%
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 80%
Bird (1988)
Plot Summary:
Saxophone player Charlie Parker comes to New York in 1940. He is quickly noticed for his remarkable way of playing. He becomes a drug addict but his loving wife Chan tries to help him.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 161 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, psychological, factual, stylized, sincere, touching, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic
Similar in 75%
Cadillac Records (2008)
Plot Summary:
The story of sex, violence, race and rock and roll in 1950s Chicago, and the exciting but turbulent lives of some of America's musical legends, including Muddy Waters, Leonard Chess, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James and Chuck Berry.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 23000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: realistic, inspirational, talky, stylized, intense, sincere, sentimental, serious, captivating, social