Movies like Mary Lou (1948)
The best movies like Mary Lou (1948) are The Buddy Holly Story (1978), Press Play (2022) and Soul Men (2008). If Mary Lou hooked you with its music, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedElvis (2022)7.4/10 from 4,100 votes
- NewestBODYCOUNT (2026)Released 2026
The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
A chronicle of the rise and brief career of rock 'n' roll star Buddy Holly, who aspires to play music the way he wants it to sound. Holly and his band, the Crickets, are first invited to record in Nashville, where they encounter creative differences with the producing staff. Later they play a major booking at the Apollo Theater, scheduled there under the mistaken assumption that they're a black band. Holly's career eventually goes solo -- until the tragic day the music dies.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPress Play (2022)
Laura and Harrison have the picture-perfect romance built on the foundation of a shared love of music. After a deadly accident, Laura gets the chance to save the love of her life when she discovers that their mixtape can transport her back in time.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSoul Men (2008)
Two former backup soul singers, Louis and Floyd, have not spoken to each other in 20 years, and reluctantly agree to travel across the country together to a reunion concert to honor their recently-deceased lead singer. Cleo, a beautiful young woman who is believed to be Floyd's daughter, accompanies them as a new singer.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCover Girl (1944)
A nightclub dancer makes it big in modeling, leaving her dancer boyfriend behind.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFind Me Falling (2024)
After a failed comeback album, a rock star retreats to a cliffside home on Cyprus, only to find his new life complicated by visitors — and an old flame.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLes Girls (1957)
After writing a tell-all book about her days in the dance troupe "Barry Nichols and Les Girls", Sybil Wren is sued for libeling her fellow dancer Angele. A Rashômon style narrative presents the story from three points of view where Sybil accuses Angele of having an affair with Barry, while Angele insists that it was actually Sybil who was having the affair. Finally, Barry gives his side of the story.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisModern Life Is Rubbish (2018)
Brought together by their shared love of music, Liam and Natalie reach a breaking point after ten years together, but as they attempt to separate and divide their prized record collection, the very soundtrack of their relationship continually draws them back to one another.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Pirate (1948)
A girl is engaged to the local richman, but meanwhile she has dreams about the legendary pirate Macoco. A traveling singer falls in love with her and to impress her he poses as the pirate.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisElvis (2022)
The life story of Elvis Presley as seen through the complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTeen Spirit (2019)
A shy teenager living on the Isle of Wight dreams of pop stardom. With the help of an unlikely mentor, she enters a singing competition that will test her integrity, talent, and ambition.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGrace of My Heart (1996)
Philadelphia teenager Edna Buxton wins a talent contest during the early rock 'n' roll era, changes her name to Denise Waverly and moves to New York City to make it big. Though she flops as a recording artist, fast-talking record producer Joel Millner recognizes her songwriting talent and teams her with struggling songsmith Howard Caszatt.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBrigadoon (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 thisLa Bamba (1987)
Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called "Donna" that he wrote for his girlfriend. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob, and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBeyond the Sea (2004)
Based on the life and career of legendary entertainer, Bobby Darin, the biopic moves back and forth between his childhood and adulthood, to tell the tale of his life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Star Is Born (1976)
Has-been singing idol John Norman Howard falls in love with young, up-and-coming songstress Esther Hoffman in Frank Pierson's version of the classic love story updated to the rock and roll era.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHollywood Stargirl (2022)
When Stargirl's mother is hired as the costume designer on a movie, they relocate to L.A., where Stargirl quickly becomes involved with an eclectic assortment of characters.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRuth & Boaz (2025)
A talented singer leaves the Atlanta music scene and starts over in small-town Tennessee, where she finds love and new purpose but can't escape the past.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCoyote Ugly (2000)
Graced with a velvet voice, 21-year-old Violet Sanford heads to New York to pursue her dream of becoming a songwriter only to find her aspirations sidelined by the accolades and notoriety she receives at her "day" job as a barmaid at Coyote Ugly. The "Coyotes" as they are affectionately called tantalize customers and the media alike with their outrageous antics, making Coyote Ugly the watering hole for guys on the prowl.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPal Joey (1957)
An opportunistic singer woos a wealthy widow to boost his career.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDanny Collins (2015)
An ageing hard-living 1970s rock star decides to change his life when he discovers a 40-year-old undelivered letter written to him by John Lennon.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKismet (1955)
A silver-tongued poet and self-proclaimed "King of the Beggars" searches old Baghdad for a rich bachelor to marry his dreamy daughter, Marsinah. Along the way, he poses as the renowned sorcerer Hajj and gets in and out of scrapes with an elderly thief, a dim-witted wazir, and his wife. Meanwhile, his daughter develops feelings for a handsome caliph.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
My secretary is mad... mad... mad... (1967)
The aviation company for which Ricardo works gives a secretary a trip to Peru.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Palm Springs (1936)
A gambler in need of cash plots a romance between his daughter and a wealthy Englishman. The daughter, however, has plans of her own.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Tu Meri Zindagi Hai (2027)
A self-destructive, tormented rockstar finds his life and love transformed through an intense romantic journey shaped by music and emotion.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Coming SoonMovies like thisFlora and Son (2023)
Single mom Flora is at a loss about what to do with her rebellious teenage son, Max. Her efforts to keep him out of trouble lead to a beat-up acoustic guitar, a washed-up LA musician, and harmony for this frayed Dublin family.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBODYCOUNT (2026)
During a quiet moment of closeness, a young couple’s playful banter takes a profound and sobering turn when a simple question about the past redefines the meaning of "counting" one's life experiences.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
One Hour Late (1934)
A secretary catches the eye of her amorous boss while her regular boyfriend keeps trying to propose marriage to her.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
A Student's Song of Heidelberg (1930)
A long time ago, John Miller emigrated from Germany to America. Now he wants his daughter Elinor to get to know his old homeland and sends her off to Heidelberg, where she is to study for a year. Pretty soon, the pretty young girl is in demand among the young men in town. Especially the students Dahlberg and Bornemann try to win Elinor's heart.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Sweet Rosie O'Grady (1943)
An American singer becomes engaged to an English duke, but is continuously pestered over her past as a burlesque dancer by a reporter from her hometown.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
School for Romance (1934)
Count Romansky is a newspaper columnist who specializes in romance issues. When he loses his job, he opens up a school where he instructs his pretty pupils on affairs of the heart.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Like Mary Lou and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Mary Lou?
The closest matches to Mary Lou are The Buddy Holly Story (1978), Press Play (2022) and Soul Men (2008). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Mary Lou?
Start with The Buddy Holly Story (1978), the closest match to Mary Lou.
What is the highest-rated movie like Mary Lou?
Elvis (2022), rated 7.4/10 by 4,100 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Mary Lou?
BODYCOUNT (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Mary Lou?
Yes: The Buddy Holly Story (1978), Press Play (2022) and Soul Men (2008).
How are movies similar to Mary Lou chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Mary Lou, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.