Best movies like The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle
Last updated March 2024
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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
Best tv shows and movies like The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (1980):
Similar in 80%
David Brent: Life on the Road (2016)
Plot Summary:
A camera crew catches up with David Brent, the former star of the fictional British series, "The Office" as he now fancies himself a rockstar on the road.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: mockumentary, realistic, humorous, witty, cynical, not serious, captivating, funny, talky, sentimental
Similar in 89%
Breaking Glass (1980)
Plot Summary:
Breaking Glass is the story of punk singer Kate and her meteoric rise to stardom. Starting out in the rock pubs of London, Kate, assisted by her manager Danny, becomes a huge star overnight. Once at the top the pressure is immense as Kate's band are squeezed out and she is left to cope alone in the spotlight.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Musical
Country: UK
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: psychotronic, thinking, atmospheric, offbeat, serious, realistic, stylized, independent film, cult film
Similar in 76%
200 Motels (1971)
Plot Summary:
"Touring makes you crazy," Frank Zappa says, explaining that the idea for this film came to him while the Mothers of Invention were touring. The story, interspersed with performances by the Mothers and the Royal Symphony Orchestra, is a tale of life on the road. The band members' main concerns are the search for groupies and the desire to get paid.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: psychedelic, surreal, mind bending, mondo, cult classic, independent film, atmospheric, offbeat, humorous, non-linear
Similar in 87%
Having a Wild Weekend (1965)
Plot Summary:
Dinah (Barbara Ferris) is a famous model and actress who is getting tired of life in the limelight and wants to take a break. While shooting a commercial spot for meat, she meets Steve (Dave Clark), a stuntman. Dinah and Steve hit it off and decide to head to an island to get away from it all (bringing along four of Steve's friends, Mike Smith, Lenny Davidson, Denis West Payton, and Rick Huxley, who -- surprise! -- play music with him). Before long, Dinah is reported missing and everyone is looking for her, making their getaway anything but tranquil.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 833
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: road movie, period piece, clever, offbeat, feel good, humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, psychotronic
Similar in 80%
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 84%
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 83%
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978)
Plot Summary:
The story of the rise and fall of the Pre-Fab Four.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 76 min
Plot tags: parody, mockumentary, spoof, humorous, light, absurd, not serious, cult classic, witty, offbeat
Similar in 82%
Fubar (2002)
Plot Summary:
Terry and Dean are lifelong friends who have grown-up together: shotgunning their first beers, forming their first garage band, and growing the great Canadian mullet known as "hockey hair". Now the lives of these Alberta everymen are brought to the big screen by documentarian Ferral Mitchener in an exploration of the depths of friendship, the fragility of life, growing up gracefully and the art and science of drinking beer like a man.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: Canada
Duration: 76 min
Plot tags: mockumentary, humorous, ironic, funny, witty, cult classic, independent film, controversial, offbeat, realistic
Similar in 89%
Tapeheads (1988)
Plot Summary:
The story of Ivan and Josh, two dim witted ex-security guards who love music videos. Out of work, with no job prospects, they form a music video production company. They soon learn the in's and out's of the business in LA and with some help from Mo Fuzz, they soon become hot property. But not all goes smoothly when they try to resurrect the career of their favorite R&B duo, the Swanky Modes.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: humorous, light, satirical, semi serious, cult classic, intense, offbeat, realistic, witty, independent film
Similar in 81%
Fear of a Black Hat (1993)
Plot Summary:
Chronicling the controversial career of bad boys N.W.H. (Niggaz With Hats), this uproarious 'mockumentary' lampoons all of hardcore rap's hot-button issues. This underground laugh riot recounts the rise, fall and resurrection of a clueless bunch of would-be rappers, Ice Cold, Tone-Def & Tasty Taste performing as N.W.H.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: mockumentary, spoof, parody, humorous, witty, hood, satirical, independent film, dark comedy, realistic
Similar in 84%
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 78%
Good Vibrations (2012)
Plot Summary:
The story of music legend Terri Hooley, a key figure in Belfast's punk rock scene. Hooley founded the Good Vibrations store from which a record label sprung, representing bands such as The Undertones, Rudi and The Outcasts.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: UK, Ireland
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: captivating, realistic, sincere, serious, thought provoking, touching, whimsical
Similar in 86%
2gether (2000)
Plot Summary:
A movie that spoofs boy bands like N*Sync, New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys, etc. It's the boy band version of Spinal Tap!.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Comedy, Music
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 82 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, not serious, realistic, witty, mockumentary, parody, spoof
Similar in 85%
Sugar Town (1999)
Plot Summary:
Look at the lives of struggling L.A. scene rock stars follows main character, Gwen, on her quest for the top. Working as an assistant to a film production designer, she tries to steal her boy friend who is a music producer by offering sexual favors. The producer meanwhile is trying to orchestrate a comeback for a former glam band comprised of Michael Des Barres, John Taylor and Martin Kemp. Rosanna Arquette plays the former movie star wife of the lead singer, who is fretting because she has just been offered the role as the mother of one of the new ingenious. Beverly D'Angelo also shows up as a millionairess who agrees to bankroll the group, but only if she gets a roll in the hay with the lead singer. All of the career problems, including drug proclivity, are represented in this film.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 923
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: cult classic, humorous, witty, independent film, realistic, cynical, semi serious, light, sexy, feel good
Similar in 82%
Svengali (2013)
Plot Summary:
Svengali tells the story of Dixie, a postman from South Wales, and a music fanatic. All his life he’s dreamed of discovering a great band and then one day, trawling through YouTube, he finds them… ‘The Premature Congratulations’. He hunts them down and offers them his management services. They are young, arrogant, sexy and utterly magnificent. Putting their demo on a cassette tape, Dixie heads out onto the streets of London….
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, realistic, feel good, sincere
Similar in 78%
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 89%
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 89%
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 89%
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%
Down and Out with the Dolls (2001)
Plot Summary:
The raunchy, spunky tale of the rise and fall of an all-girl rock band from Portland, Oregon.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 215
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, suspense, erotic, offbeat, independent film, biting, campy
Similar in 77%
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 89%
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 75%
The Rocker (2008)
Plot Summary:
Rob "Fish" Fishman is the drummer in '80s hair metal band Vesuvius. He's unceremoniously booted as the group signs a big record deal, is out of the music world for 20 years - and then receives a second chance with his nephew's band.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 40000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, funny, teen, light, entertaining, not serious, hilarious, slang, cute
Similar in 75%
Electric Apricot (2007)
Plot Summary:
Electric Apricot is a spoof of jam bands centered around the band, Electric Apricot, in the style of "This Is Spinal Tap".
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 673
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, cynical, mockumentary, offbeat, semi serious, fake documentary
Similar in 82%
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains (1982)
Plot Summary:
Corrine Burns retreats far into plans for her band, The Fabulous Stains, after her mother's death.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: retro, psychotronic, thinking, cult classic, independent film, clever, offbeat, humorous, realistic, witty
Similar in 75%
Desperate Teenage Lovedolls (1984)
Plot Summary:
Two girls rediscover their love for playing rock, find a drummer and begin practicing. When one of their mothers intervenes, they run away from home and are forced to fend for themselves on the streets against gangs and rival bands. Soon they are discovered and taken under the wing of rock manager Johnny Tremaine (played by Steven McDonald) who uses them for sex and his own aspirations of wealth. The Love Dolls set out to get revenge on those who have wronged them, and rise to the top of the rock world.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 243
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: independent film, offbeat, humorous, realistic, not serious, campy
Similar in 79%
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 82%
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%
24 Hour Party People (2002)
Plot Summary:
In 1976, Tony Wilson sets up Factory Records and brings Manchester's music to the world.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 39000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: witty, psychedelic, atmospheric, sincere, humorous, absurd, cult classic, clever, stylized, educational
Similar in 83%
Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
Plot Summary:
A group of rock-music-loving students, with the help of the Ramones, take over their school to combat its newly installed oppressive administration.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, cult classic, teen, psychotronic, humorous, funny, surreal, exciting, offbeat, feel good