Best movies like That'll Be the Day
Last updated March 2024
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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
Best tv shows and movies like That'll Be the Day (1973):
Similar in 80%
Solo Sunny (1980)
Plot Summary:
Sunny is the singer of band trying to establish itself in the music-scene of East-Berlin. They play regular gigs in small towns, but Sunny feels out of touch with the audience and her life as a whole. She begins a relationship with the amateur saxophonist and studied philosopher Ralph who writes her a very personal song - but his obsession with death and unfaithful lifestyle is not for her. After getting into a quarrel with a band member who harasses her and telling off a show-host she is thrown out of the band. Abandoned, she struggles to regain control over her life.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 808
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: East Germany
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, offbeat, serious, realistic, crying
Similar in 89%
No One Knows About Persian Cats (2009)
Plot Summary:
Iranian musicians Negar and Ashkan look for band members to play at a London concert ... and the visa that allows them to leave Tehran to do so.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: Iran
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, exciting, sentimental, sincere, humorous, captivating, melancholic, political, art house
Similar in 82%
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 87%
The Hours and Times (1991)
Plot Summary:
A fictionalized account of what may have happened when John Lennon and Brian Epstein went on holiday together to Spain in 1963.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 808
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 57 min
Plot tags: independent film, sincere, serious, realistic, talky, tension, suspense, queer cinema
Similar in 85%
Blame It on the Night (1984)
Plot Summary:
When his unmarried mother dies, custody of 13-year-old Job is assumed by his alleged father, Chris, whom he has never seen. Job is an enthusiastic cadet at a military academy, and Chris turns out to be a top-grossing rock star who removes Job from his beloved school to keep him company on tour. Getting acquainted is fraught with culture shock for both father and son. Written by Paul Emmons.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 223
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: independent film, serious, emotional, realistic, sexual, sexy
Similar in 77%
Tamla Rose (2013)
Plot Summary:
Three teen girls in a Motown band embark on an emotional ride to hell and back.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, serious, realistic, feel good
Similar in 86%
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 88%
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (2010)
Plot Summary:
A biography of Ian Dury, who was stricken with polio at a young age and defied expectations by becoming one of the founders of the punk-rock scene in Britain in the 1970s.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: touching, realistic, semi serious, cult classic, teen, offbeat, biting, uplifting, suspense
Similar in 88%
In His Life: The John Lennon Story (2000)
Plot Summary:
A film about the early life of the rock musician and his burgeoning career as a member of the Beatles.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 695
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, captivating, realistic, rockumentary
Similar in 85%
The Jazz Singer (1980)
Plot Summary:
Neil Diamond stars as Yussel in this tale of a young Jewish cantor who strives to make a career in music.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Music, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: touching, intense, sentimental, serious, emotional, realistic, independent film, inspirational, road movie, feel good
Similar in 77%
Killing Bono (2011)
Plot Summary:
Neil and Ivan McCormick, two Irish brothers who attempt to become rock stars but can only look on as their high school friends U2 become the biggest band in the world.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: UK, Ireland
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: feel good, semi serious, humorous, realistic, witty, freeze frame
Similar in 82%
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 82%
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 84%
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 78%
Flame (1975)
Plot Summary:
Light the Rock 'n Roll spark with a Flame in the guise of Dave, Noddy, Jim and Don and their showcase of the rise and demise of rock band Flame. Set in the hardships of North England's seventies working class society and music scene. This build-up from rags to riches is a parody of realism and grit, with double-dealings and harsh unforgiving dog eat dog mentalities, and the golden rule; if you play with matches then you're going to get burnt, in the flames of the music industry.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 653
Genere: Drama, Music, Musical
Country: UK
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: offbeat, independent film, sentimental, serious, captivating, realistic, cult film
Similar in 79%
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 83%
Hearts of Fire (1987)
Plot Summary:
A reclusive musician, once a huge rock star, takes a young female protegee. While on a tour she meets a younger, more popular rocker and switches her loyalties.
IMDB Rating: 4.3
IMDB Votes: 519
Genere: Drama, Music, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: independent film, realistic, stylized, semi serious
Similar in 85%
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%
A Time for Dancing (2002)
Plot Summary:
Their love of dance, and their friendship, is challenged for two high school girls when one is diagnosed with cancer.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 952
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: sincere, emotional, sentimental, touching, sad, serious, realistic
Similar in 83%
Northern Soul (2014)
Plot Summary:
Set in 1974, an authentic and uplifting tale of two friends whose horizons are opened up by the discovery of black American soul music.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: period piece, sentimental, humorous, semi serious, sincere, realistic, stylized
Similar in 78%
Nowhere Boy (2009)
Plot Summary:
The drama tells the story of Lennon's teenage years and the start of his journey to becoming a successful musician. The story also examines the impact on his early life and personality of the two dominant females in his childhood.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 38000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: sentimental, emotional, intense, sincere, touching, witty, feel good, realistic, semi serious, teen
Similar in 80%
Spike Island (2012)
Plot Summary:
Teenage musicians travel to England's Spike Island in the hope of attending an outdoor performance by their favorite band, the Stone Roses.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, captivating, realistic, sad
Similar in 76%
All That I Love (2009)
Plot Summary:
Follows four friends in their quest to form a punk band. As workers protests sweep across the country, Janek and Staszek, the sons of a navy man, the rebellious Kazik, and the affluent Diabel gel as a band, but their disparate lives are touched by social turmoil and outside perceptions.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: Poland
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: sincere, uplifting, touching, serious, captivating, realistic, contemplative
Similar in 90%
Rock On!! (2008)
Plot Summary:
Sakshi Shroff, the lonely and neglected wife of busy banking executive, Aditya, decides to give him a surprise on his birthday on July 22nd, but ends surprising him multiple times. While Aditya is thrilled to know that he is going to be a dad, he is unhappy when he notices that Sakshi had also invited some ghosts (Rob Nancy and Kedar Zaveri) from his past. This gives rise to unpleasant memories involving a failed music group 'Magik' ; why the music group broke up, the acrimony especially between Aditya and his former friend, Joseph Mascarenhas; Sakshi takes it on herself to bring Magik back together.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 23000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: India
Duration: 145 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, inspirational, sincere, captivating, entertaining, cult classic, non-linear, cult film, nostalgic
Similar in 77%
London Dreams (2009)
Plot Summary:
They were childhood friends. But they had little in common except their family's vague connection with music. While Arjun's life was consumed by a passionate drive to get on stage and realize his grandfather's unfulfilled dream, Mannu had little interest in his music tutor father's instruments and was content with remaining a child at heart with no higher ambition than enjoying the good things.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: India, UK
Duration: 146 min
Plot tags: captivating, stylized, semi serious, realistic, powerful
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 86%
Backbeat (1994)
Plot Summary:
Chronicles the early days of The Beatles in Hamburg, Germany. The film focuses primarily on the relationship between Stuart Sutcliffe (played by Stephen Dorff) and John Lennon (played by Ian Hart), and also with Sutcliffe's German girlfriend Astrid Kirchherr (played by Sheryl Lee).
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: UK, Germany
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: independent film, sentimental, sincere, rough, serious, realistic, inspirational, clever, enigmatic, melancholic
Similar in 81%
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 76%
Lennon Naked (2010)
Plot Summary:
A profile of John Lennon in the late 1960s as the Beatles are set to fall apart.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 82 min
Plot tags: realistic, sentimental, sincere, touching, serious, period piece, gloomy, iconic
Similar in 85%
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