1. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
This cult classic follows the story of Scott Pilgrim, the awkward bassist for the fictional band Sex Bob-omb. Originally based on the comic by Bryan Lee O’Malley, the movie stays faithful to its source material with comic-inspired effects like panel transitions and on-screen sound effects (‘BOOM’ or ‘POW’). It has an excellent soundtrack, featuring music written by Beck, Broken Social Scene, and Metric, including the standout song ‘Black Sheep’, performed by Brie Larson.
2. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
You can’t make a list about fictional bands without mentioning Spinal Tap. This is Spinal Tap is a mockumentary about the struggles of a heavy metal band on their American tour. Its satirical portrayal of the rockstar lifestyle struck a chord with musicians and music listeners alike. In fact, its impact has been so profound that in 2002, just 18 years after its release, it was selected for the National Film Registry in the Library of Congress.
3. Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
Based on the stage musical of the same name, Hedwig and the Angry Inch tells the story of a transgender glam-rock singer from East Germany grappling with the effects of a botched sex-change surgery and a vengeful ex-boyfriend stealing her music. The journey towards the titular character, Hedwig’s self acceptance is reflected in the songs, which expertly blend ballads and rock anthems.
4. Almost Famous (2000)
For fans of Classic Rock, Almost Famous is the semi-autobiographical tale of Director Cameron Crowe’s own years as a writer. Embarking on a cross-country tour, the fictional band Stillwater is followed by William, a young journalist, as he writes his first cover story for Rolling Stone. The soundtrack features not only original music from Stillwater, but other 1970s rock classics such as “Tiny Dancer”.
5. Sing Street (2016)
In Sing Street, Conor, a teenage boy in 1980s Dublin, forms a band to impress a girl and distract himself from his troubled home life. The music performed by Conor’s band is heavily influenced by 80s new-wave and post-punk bands like The Cure, Duran Duran, and The Clash. Though it has a bittersweet ending, Sing Street is still an uplifting movie with the perfect balance of fun and emotion.