Skip to content

Movies like B.B. King & Friends (1987)

The best movies like B.B. King & Friends (1987) are The Wrecking Crew (2008), Too Late Blues (1961) and Ghosts (1997). If B.B. King & Friends hooked you with its music, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks

  1. The Wrecking Crew (2008)

    A celebration of the musical work of a group of session musicians known as "The Wrecking Crew." a band that provided back-up instrumentals to such legendary recording artists as Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, and Bing Crosby.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  2. Too Late Blues (1961)

    Ghost is an ideological musician and leader of a jazz band who would rather play his blues in the park to the birds than compromise himself. His peripatetic performances lead him to cross paths with a singer, while his masculinity is thrown into question following a violent brawl.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  3. Ghosts (1997)

    In the town of Normal Valley, an eccentric magician named Maestro entertains the local children every day in his spooky mansion. One stormy night, the town's mayor leads a group of angry citizens to the mansion in an attempt to run Maestro out of town.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  4. Shawn Mendes: Live in Concert (2020)

    In his hometown of Toronto, Shawn Mendes pours his heart out on stage with a live performance in a stadium packed with adoring fans.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  5. Let It Shine (2012)

    A teenage rapper must use his musical talent to help a friend and win the girl of his dreams while overcoming self-doubt and the expectations of his strict religious parents.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  6. The Big Store (1941)

    A detective is hired to protect the life of a singer, who has recently inherited a department store, from the store's crooked manager.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  7. Love Me or Leave Me (1955)

    A fictionalized account of the career of jazz singer Ruth Etting and her tempestuous marriage to gangster Marty Snyder, who helped propel her to stardom.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  8. The Five Heartbeats (1991)

    In the early 1960s, 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.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  9. Star! (1968)

    Gertrude Lawrence rises to stage stardom at the cost of happiness.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  10. The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (2020)

    The story of the triumphs and hurdles of brothers Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb, otherwise known as the Bee Gees. The iconic trio, who found early fame in the 1960s, went on to write over 1,000 songs and have 20 No. 1 hits throughout their career, transcending more than five decades of changing tastes and styles.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  11. The Last Waltz (1978)

    Martin Scorsese's documentary intertwines footage from The Band's incredible farewell tour with probing backstage interviews and featured performances by Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, and other rock legends.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  12. Brigadoon (1954)

    Americans Jeff and Tommy, hunting in Scotland, stumble upon a village - Brigadoon. They soon learn that the town appears once every 100 years in order to preserve its peace and special beauty. The citizens go to bed at night and when they wake up, it's 100 years later. Tommy falls in love with a beautiful young woman, Fiona, and is torn between staying or going back to his hectic life in New York.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  13. A Song Is Born (1948)

    The story of seven scholars in search of an expert to teach them about swing music. They seem to have found the perfect candidate in winsome nightclub singer Honey Swanson. But Honey's gangster boyfriend doesn't want to give her up.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  14. Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006)

    In March 2005, Neil Young was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. Four days before he was scheduled for a lifesaving operation, he headed to Nashville, where he wrote and recorded the country folk album Prairie Wind with old friends and family members. After the successful operation and recovery period, he returned to Nashville that August to play at the famed Ryman Auditorium, once again gathering together friends and family for this special performance.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  15. End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones (2003)

    A years-in-the-making documentary on the legendary punk band the Ramones. Through a mixture of archival footage, archival and new interviews with all members of the band's various lineups, and new interviews with a number of their contemporaries, the film traces the peaks and valleys the band experienced over the course of its 20-plus year career before disbanding in 1995.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  16. StreetDance 3D (2010)

    In order to win the Street Dance Championships, a dance crew is forced to work with ballet dancers from the Royal Dance School in exchange for rehearsal space.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  17. Sneakerella (2022)

    When El, an aspiring sneaker designer from Queens, meets Kira King, the fiercely independent daughter of legendary basketball star and sneaker tycoon Darius King, sparks fly as the two bond over their mutual affinity for sneakers. With a little nudge from his best friend and a sprinkle of Fairy Godfather magic, El finds the courage to use his talent to pursue his dream of becoming a ‘legit’ sneaker designer in the industry.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

  18. The Beatles: Get Back - The Rooftop Concert (2022)

    On the 30th of January, 1969, the Beatles performed an unannounced concert from the rooftop of their Apple Corps headquarters at Savile Row, within central London's office and fashion district. Experience the final and unforgettable iconic performance of The Beatles in a special 60-minute presentation, digitally remastered into the image and sound quality of IMAX DMR technology.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  19. Taylor Swift: Reputation Stadium Tour (2018)

    Taylor Swift takes the stage in Dallas for the Reputation Stadium Tour and celebrates a monumental night of music, memories and visual magic.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  20. Scooby-Doo! and the Legend of the Vampire (2003)

    The Yowie Yahoo starts kidnapping musicians at a concert attended by Scooby and the gang in Vampire Rock, Australia.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  21. Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires - Crossroads Festival (2013)

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  22. Wild Women Don't Have the Blues (1989)

    Recaptures the lives and times of Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Ida Cox, Alberta Hunter, Ethel Waters, and the other legendary women who made blues music a vital part of American culture. The film brings together for the first time dozens of rare, classic renditions of the early blues.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  23. Earth, Wind & Fire (2004)

    One of the hottest R&B groups of all time, the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire in concert define excitement. Captured live on their remarkable 1994 sell-out tour of Japan, this performance showcases the band's distinctive style and raw energy and marks Maurice White's last taped appearance with the group in concert. Always dynamite on stage with their unmistakable sound and electrifying showmanship, Earth, Wind & Fire combine all the greatest elements of rock and soul! 1. September 2. Let Your Feelings Show 3. Let's Groove 4. Runnin' 5. Boogie Wonderland 6. Can't Hide Love 7. Fantasy 8. Kalimba Interlude 9. Evil 10. Shining Star 11. Keep Your Head To The Sky 12. Reasons 13. Sing A Song 14. That's The Way Of The World 15. Wouldn't Change A Thing About You 16. After The Love Is Gone 17. System Of Survival

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  24. Keep on Burning: The Story of Northern Soul (2012)

    Keep on Burning tells the fascinating story of the world's most enduring underground music movement: Northern Soul. Featuring key DJ's, journalists and promoters, including soul radio pioneer Tony Blackburn, Marc Almond and key DJ's, journalists and promoters.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  25. Little Richard: I Am Everything (2023)

    The story of the black, gay origins of rock n' roll. It explodes the whitewashed canon of American pop music to reveal the innovator – the originator – Richard Penniman. Through a wealth of archive and performance that brings us into Richard's complicated inner world, the film unspools the icon's life story with all its switchbacks and contradictions.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  26. Beyoncé: The Experience Live (2007)

    "The Beyoncé Experience Live" is a show by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles. It was shot in Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, on September 2, 2007, during her worldwide tour The Beyoncé Experience. The show features guest appearances from rapper Jay-Z on "Upgrade U" and former Destiny's Child mates Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland on "Survivor". For one night only on November 19, 2007, the show was shown in theaters across the U.S.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  27. The Wigan Casino (1977)

    Documentary covering the famous Wigan Casino northern soul venue and the working class kids who spend all their money not on alcohol but on records and dancing all night.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  28. Robert Plant & Sensational Space Shifters - Live at BBC Radio 6 (2017)

    Robert Plant is joined by his Sensational Space Shifters to perform songs from the album Carry Fire ahead of their UK tour, alongside some of his classic tracks.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  29. James Brown: Soul Survivor (2003)

    James Brown's legacy has influenced rap, soul, funk and R&B. But along with his huge talent, there's a dark side to Brown's success that includes stints in prison and unceasing tabloid speculation. This in-depth documentary takes a look at the meteoric highs and deep lows of Brown's career, offering some fascinating insights from the Godfather of Soul himself, as well as interview footage with Chuck D, Little Richard, Wyclef Jean and many others.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  30. Untitled Dinah Washington Biopic (TBA)

    Chronicles a pivotal two-week period in London at the height of Dinah Washington’s career, following the international success of her 1959 Grammy-winning crossover hit 'What a Difference a Day Made'.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

Like B.B. King & Friends and something else?

Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best movies like B.B. King & Friends?

The closest matches to B.B. King & Friends are The Wrecking Crew (2008), Too Late Blues (1961) and Ghosts (1997). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.

What should I watch after B.B. King & Friends?

Start with The Wrecking Crew (2008), the closest match to B.B. King & Friends.

What is the highest-rated movie like B.B. King & Friends?

Taylor Swift: Reputation Stadium Tour (2018), rated 8.2/10 by 442 TMDB users.

What is the newest movie like B.B. King & Friends?

Little Richard: I Am Everything (2023) is the most recent release on this list.

Are there English movies like B.B. King & Friends?

Yes: The Wrecking Crew (2008), Too Late Blues (1961) and Ghosts (1997).

How are movies similar to B.B. King & Friends chosen?

First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside B.B. King & Friends, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.

↑ ↓ to move · Enter to open · Full search page