Have you always liked the idea of starting a band, but need an extra push to actually do so? Perhaps you have an instrument sitting in your house that you want to start learning and need some inspiration to start picking it up regularly. Fortunately, with the help of a Netflix subscription, you could find just what you are looking for.

Netflix Movies That Will Inspire You to Practice and Form a Band

In this article, you will find a list of Netflix movies that may just give you that last little incentive you need to finally practice with your instrument of choice, form a band and conquer the music world – or at least your local scene!

This is a contribution of our friends at Drum Helper and Strong Sounds. Please note that not all films may be available (yet) in every country. 

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Released in 2010, “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” was billed as an “epic of epic epicness” and it managed to live up to that hype. The comedy film is based on a graphic novel and tells the story of 22-year-old Scott Pilgrim, played superbly by Michael Cera, who serves as the bass guitarist for a struggling band called Sex Bob-Omb.

Sex Bob-Omb enter a ‘Battle of the Bands’ to earn a record deal, but the stakes are raised as he meets Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and attracts the attention of her seven evil exes, who he must defeat. The innovative film uses video game imagery and features a star-studded supporting cast, including Anna Kendrick and Brie Larson.

Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese

Perhaps the most unique entry in our list, “Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story” is part documentary and part fictional story. It is focused on the singer’s 1975 concert tour, Rolling Thunder Revue, and is directed by the acclaimed director Martin Scorsese. It makes use of restored footage, outtakes from the Dylan-made movie Renaldo and Clara and new interviews.

Aside from helping to capture a moment in time from one of the world’s greatest ever singer-songwriters, the truly fascinating aspect of the film is the blend between the real and the fictional. For example, actors Martin Von Haselberg and Sharon Stone both appear in the film and their accounts are presented in the same way as the real accounts of people who were present on the tour, leaving the audience to guess what they should and should not believe.

School of Rock

Another ‘Battle of the Bands’ style film, “School of Rock” stars an energetic Jack Black as struggling musician, Dewey Finn. In an effort to pay his overdue rent, he disguises himself as a substitute teacher and lands a job at a prep school. While teaching the class of fifth graders, he uncovers their musical talent and decides to create a rock band.

Each of the children are given a role in the band, or in assisting the band with their performance. The film also features an array of classic rock songs from the likes of AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. The band, dubbed the School of Rock, sneak out of school to audition for the ‘Battle of the Bands’ and ultimately compete against grown up rivals in an awesome showdown!

Back to the Future

Music is not quite as central to “Back to the Future” as the other films on this list, although it is a key part of the protagonist’s character. However, one of the most memorable and iconic scenes in the film sees Marty McFly travel back in time and perform ‘Johnny B. Goode’ by Chuck Berry at his parents’ high school prom.

There are other musical performances in the film too and Marty McFly is sure to get you wanting to form a band and practice your guitar skills. Of course, one of the other important things to stress here is “Back to the Future” is also one of the best films of the 1980s and arguably one of the greatest movies of all-time.

The Dirt

If you are looking for more of a wild ride, “The Dirt” is a biographical film with comedy elements, focused on the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. The film covers the period from the band’s formation in the 1970s, all the way to the modern day, with some of their key incidents and most notorious antics being portrayed on screen.

“The Dirt” is based on the band’s collaborative autobiography, “The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band”. Although the film does shy away from some of the more controversial aspects of Mötley Crüe’s existence, it captures the sense of rock star excess that was common throughout the 1970s and 1980s, making it very watchable. 

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

Want something a little more lighthearted, with some laugh out loud moments? You may wish to try “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga”. The film has a solid cast, led by Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams, who play Icelandic singers Lars Erickssong and Sigrit Ericksdóttir – the members of a band called Fire Saga.

Events conspire to mean that Fire Saga emerge as their nation’s entrants into the Eurovision Song Contest. While it received mixed reviews, the movie pays tribute to the real-life contest’s eccentric performers and its kitsch appeal, without descending too far into parody. The supporting cast includes stars like Pierce Brosnan and Demi Lovato.

Oasis: Supersonic

Finally, if you are looking for a film that focuses on real-life drama, why not give “Oasis: Supersonic a try? Produced by the Oscar-award winning duo of Asif Kapadia and James Gay-Rees, it is a documentary film, centered around the peak years of the English rock band Oasis, with a particular focus on the ‘Britpop’ years of the 1990s.

The film makes use of both new and old interview footage, as well as never-before-seen concert footage. The soundtrack consists of some of the band’s biggest hits, but the real highlights of the documentary are the stories of the sibling rivalry between Noel and Liam Gallagher, which helped to define the band.

Final Thoughts

So now you have a list of Netflix movies to watch for inspiration. Once you are done, dust off that electric guitar in your home, get practicing and why not see if you can finally accomplish your dream of starting a band of your own?

About the author

Gideon Waxman is a London based drummer and music educator who holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Westminster. You can read more of his advice over at his popular online music resources Drum Helper and Strong Sounds.

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Teo creates content, which means he writes, a lot, about music, and all things interesting. When it comes to jamming, his weapon of choice is the bass guitar.