History vs. Hollywood

Music Movies Based on True Stories


Maestro movieMaestro: History vs. Hollywood
Music  |  Is this film about conductor Leonard Bernstein and his wife off-key when it comes to the truth?
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story movieWeird: The Al Yankovic Story - History vs. Hollywood
Music  |  Like how Weird Al parodied songs, this over-the-top music biopic parodies the genre.
Respect movieRespect: History vs. Hollywood
Music  |  We compare the Jennifer Hudson film to the Queen of Soul herself.
The United States vs. Billie Holiday movieThe United States vs. Billie Holiday: History vs. Hollywood
Music  |  Is the movie's implication that the government killed Billie Holiday accurate?
Hamilton MusicalHamilton: The Musical vs. History
Music  |  Is Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical in line with history?
I Still Believe movieI Still Believe: History vs. Hollywood
Music  |  Find out if Jeremy Camp's real-life story of love and loss is in sync with the movie.
Rocketman movieRocketman: History vs. Hollywood
Music  |  Does this Elton John biopic get drowned out by too much fiction?
Bohemian Rhapsody MovieBohemian Rhapsody: History vs. Hollywood
Music  |  Is it the real story, or is it just fantasy?
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody movieWhitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody - History vs. Hollywood
Music  |  Actress Naomi Ackie depicts one of the most iconic singers of our time, but is the movie's story in line with reality?
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Baz Luhrmann's Elvis movieElvis: History vs. Hollywood
Music  |  Does Baz Luhrmann's Elvis stay grounded in reality?
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom movieMa Rainey's Black Bottom: History vs. Hollywood
Music  |  Is this story that's centered around blues singer Ma Rainey based on actual events?
Clouds movieClouds: History vs. Hollywood
Music  |  Is Disney+'s version of Zach Sobiech's story in tune with the truth?
Military Wives movieMilitary Wives: History vs. Hollywood
Music  |  How much fiction invades this story of soldiers' wives who start a choir?
Judy movieJudy: History vs. Hollywood
Music  |  Is this Judy Garland biopic accurate, or does the truth get lost somewhere over the rainbow?
The Dirt movieThe Dirt: History vs. Hollywood
Music  |  We dig into The Dirt to reveal how much of the Netflix movie is factual.
Bob Marley movieBob Marley Biopic in the Works at Paramount
Music  |  Son Ziggy Marley is teaming with the studio to develop the movie.



ALL TRUE STORY Music Movies
Whether it's a sweeping true musical movie like The Sound of Music, or a singer biopic that asks us to Walk the Line, it's hard not to become emotionally engaged as we stomp our feet and feel the urge to sing along to music movies based on true stories. Whatever musical genre you prefer, Hollywood has offered its own interpretation. Many are off-key with the truth, but some hit almost every note. Pick up your guitar or put on your favorite soundtrack, as we examine band and singer biopics as well as musicals based on true stories.
Maestro
Is this movie about music conductor Leonard Bernstein and wife Felicia off-key when it comes to the truth?
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story
Daniel Radcliffe is parody musician Weird Al Yankovic in this satirical biopic.
Elvis
The film focuses on the life of Elvis Presley (Austin Butler) and the role of his manager, Tom Parker (Tom Hanks).
Respect
We compare the Jennifer Hudson movie to the real-life Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.
The United States vs. Billie Holiday
How much of this Billie Holiday biopic is in tune with the real-life jazz singer?
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
How much of this music-driven drama is based on the real blues singer Ma Rainey?
Clouds
Is this Disney+ movie about a teen musician battling cancer in tune with the truth?
Hamilton
How accurate is Broadway's biography of Alexander Hamilton?
Military Wives
Military spouses and girlfriends form a choir that becomes a global sensation, but does the film stay in harmony with the truth?
I Still Believe
The story of singer/songwriter Jeremy Camp and his experience with love and loss early in his career.
Judy
A look at the life of legendary performer Judy Garland (Renée Zellweger).
Rocketman
Does this Elton John biopic contain too much fantasy and not enough fact?
The Dirt
Did rock band Mötley Crüe really do all of the crazy things seen in the movie?
Bohemian Rhapsody
Does the movie stay in tune with the facts?
I Can Only Imagine
The movie tells the story behind MercyMe's hit song, but how much of it really happened?
The Greatest Showman
How accurate is The Greatest Showman when compared to the real P.T. Barnum?
All Eyez on Me
Chronicles the career of Tupac Shakur up until the 1996 drive-by shooting that took his life.
Florence Foster Jenkins
It's okay Meryl Streep hits the wrong notes, but is the truth out of tune as well?
I Saw the Light
Is this Tom Hiddleston movie in tune with the real-life of country-western singer Hank Williams?
Bessie
Queen Latifah portrays bisexual blues singer Bessie Smith, who rose to fame in the 1920s.
Danny Collins
Did fame and fortune corrupt the life of the real musician?
Jimi: All Is by My Side
Does this Jimi Hendrix movie miss a chord with regard to the truth?
Get on Up
Does the James Brown biopic get funky with the truth?
Jersey Boys
Is director Clint Eastwood's adaptation of the Jersey Boys musical in tune with regard to the truth?
Notorious
Does this Biggie Smalls movie drop an authentic beat?
Walk the Line
Find out if this Johnny Cash movie walks the line when it comes to the truth.
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