There is no shortage of upcoming music biopics that will soon join the ranks of unforgettable Best Picture winners about beloved and tormented musicians. Movies like Walk the Line, What’s Love Got to Do with It, and, more recently, A Complete Unknown and Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, have turned the lives, legacies, and chart-topping tracks from some of history’s greatest musicians and singers into massive productions.
In the coming weeks, months, and years the stories and legacies of iconic artists like Michael Jackson, the Beatles, and Madonna will be explored on the big screen and bring these transformative artists’ music and legacies to new generations of moviegoers That said, here are some of the music-centric biographical dramas on the 2026 release calendar, and others a little further off, that we’re excited to see.
Michael - April 24, 2026
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the highly anticipated Michael will focus on the pop culture icon that was Michael Jackson, with the late King of Pop’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, taking on the lead role.
We know quite a bit about the project at this point, including the fact that Colman Domingo and Nia Long will be playing his parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, respectively. Miles Teller is also set to appear in the movie as John Branca, Jackson’s longtime manager and the co-executor of his estate. While the first Michael trailer didn’t reveal how much time we’ll spend in each era of Jackson’s career (or if it will be split into two), that early footage has us even more stoked for what’s to come.
The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event - April 2028
Sam Mendes, a director who doesn’t get talked about enough, is preparing to take on what could be his most ambitious project yet, The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event. If all things go according to plan, the 1917 filmmaker will release a series of biopics, with each film centering on a specific member of the iconic rock outfit in April 2028.
As for who’ll be playing the “Fab Four?” Well, Paul Mescal is playing Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan is being tapped to portray Ringo Starr, Harris Dickinson is taking on the role of John Lennon, and Joseph Quinn is playing George Harrison, per Variety. In November 2025, Deadline reported Saoirse Ronan, Mia McKenna-Bruce, Anna Sawai, and Aimee Lou Wood had all joined the cast. Details are scarce at this early stage in this project, but there are plenty of key events that would make for great scenes in whatever this ends up being.
Heart Biopic - TBD
Heart, the iconic rock outfit led by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, has been one of the most prolific and popular bands on the planet for well over half a century, and it sounds like they’ll soon be getting a biopic of their own. When speaking with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel back in March 2025, Nancy revealed that the ending was still being worked out and that they would soon start casting the various roles.
The movie, which is still untitled, is being written and directed by Carrie Brownstein of Olympia, Washington’s Sleater-Kinney (she also co-created and co-starred in Portlandia). The project is being produced by Lynda Obst for Amazon, but it’s not yet known if it’ll get a theatrical release or end up streaming.
Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd) Biopic - TBD
Though you could argue that Pink Floyd’s The Wall was a biopic about Roger Waters and how the death of his father led to his artistic expression and sense of detachment from the world, there’s never been a proper biographical drama about the influential prog rock outfit. That could soon change with an untitled movie about founding member Syd Barrett, who left the band following a mental breakdown shortly before they reached superstardom in the late ‘60s.
When speaking with Matthew Belloni’s The Town podcast back in 2024, Peter Jaysen, who produced A Complete Unknown, revealed that he was in the process of turning Barrett’s story into a movie with writer/director Wash Westmoreland. He didn’t share a lot of details about the project, but considering Barrett’s story, this could be a wild, psychedelic, and ultimately tragic movie to see.
Cass Elliot (The Mamas & The Papas) Biopic - TBD
Cass Elliot, the singer and songwriter best remembered for her time with The Mamas & the Papas, has gone down as one of the most influential artists as well as one of the saddest stories in rock ‘n roll history. Well, producer Peter Jaysen is also trying to tell that story to audiences around the world, as he revealed in a 2024 appearance on Matthew Belloni’s The Town (the same interview as the Syd Barrett discussion).
In the chat, Jaysen revealed that he has been in contact with the family and estate of the late singer in hopes of securing the rights to the biography My Mama Cass, which detailed the life and legacy of the late musician and actress.
Roy Orbison Biopic - TBD
It is impossible to tell the story of American rock ‘n roll without turning your attention to the impact of Roy Orbison, the man behind the powerful and operatic voice heard in classics like “Oh, Pretty Woman” and “Only the Lonely.” Well, there’s a good chance that the story gets told, as Variety reported in early 2025 that Compelling Pictures, the group behind Bohemian Rhapsody, was working on adapting the late musician’s life into a movie.
The biopic, which has a working title of You Got It, is said to be less of a traditional biographical drama and more of a romance story about Roy and his wife, Barbara Orbison, and the impact she had on his career.
Lucille (B.B. King Biopic) - TBD
The late and great B.B. King was one of the most influential and transformative blues guitarists of the 20th century, and his impact can still be felt a decade after his 2015 passing. Well, his story will be told at some point in the future, as there’s currently a biopic in the works about his life and career called Lucille, per Deadline.
Anyone who knows anything about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer is fully aware of the significance of the title for the upcoming biopic. For those who don’t know, Lucille was the name of King’s legendary Gibson ES that the guitarist played for years. And like any iconic instrument, it has quite a story. How that story is told in King’s biopic is anyone’s guess at this point.
That’ll Be The Day (Buddy Holly Biopic) - TBD
Before you get going, this is not about the 1978 biopic, The Buddy Holly Story, starring Gary Busey as the trailblazing musician whose life was cut short in a 1959 plane crash. Instead, this is a new movie about the “Peggy Sue” singer that’s been in the works since 2024, with Mario Van Peebles sitting in the director’s chair.
According to Variety, That’ll Be the Day will tell the story of Holly and the early days of the Rock ‘n’ Roll movement. Nothing has been said about the cast or how much of Holly’s story will be told in the new drama, but we should hopefully know more soon.
Otis & Zelma (Otis Redding Biopic) - TBD
Otis Redding, commonly known as the “King of Soul” and “The Big O,” was one of the most powerful R&B singers of the ‘60s and someone who transformed the face of music in a short amount of time. Well, now it appears that the story of Redding’s life and career, both of which were cut tragically short in a 1967 plane crash, will get the biopic treatment with Otis & Zelma.
According to Variety, John Boyega and Danielle Deadwyler are set to portray the late “These Arms of Mine” singer and his widow, Zelma Redding, respectively, in a new drama directed by Channing Godfrey Peoples. Details are still being kept to a minimum at this time, but this could be one of the more powerful biopics in recent memory when it’s all said and done.
Sinéad O'Connor Biopic - TBD
The world lost one of its great voices and supporters of personal expression in July 2023 when Sinéad O'Connor passed away at the age of 56. Known for her iconic 1990 megahit, “Nothing Compares 2 U,” and one of the most shocking SNL moments when she ripped up a picture of Pope John Paul II a couple of years later, O’Connor was one of the most consequential and misunderstood Irish singer-songwriters of all time.
In August 2025, Variety reported that several production companies, including See-Saw Films (the team behind Slow Horses and Power of the Dog), were working on a retelling of the late singer’s story. According to the outlet, Josephine Decker will be directing the upcoming music biopic, which is based on a screenplay by Stacey Gregg.
Gloria Estefan Biopic - TBD
Known for hit tracks like “Anything for You,” “Bad Boy,” and “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” Gloria Estefan has been a force in the music industry for the past 50 years. Well, now it appears the Cuban-American singer is getting her due in the form of an upcoming music biopic.
When speaking with The Sun in October 2025, Esfefan told the British publication that not only was there a movie in the works about her life and career, but that Rachel Zegler was set to portray her in the yet-to-be-titled film. Zegler, who has shown her singing chops in movies like West Side Story and Snow White, has the potential to knock this out of the park.
George Clinton Biopic - TBD
When it comes to the world of funk, few names carry as much weight (or groove) as George Clinton. The frontman and band leader of the iconic Parliament-Funkadelic is known throughout the music industry and pop culture as one of the most colorful, prolific, and influential figures of all time. That said, it shouldn’t be any surprise that some folks want to make a biopic about the legendary figure and his over-the-top outfits (and wigs).
After years of talk about some kind of project about the P-Funk leader’s history and legacy, Variety reported in 2024 that Eddie Murphy was in talks to play Clinton in a big-screen biopic directed by Bill Condon.
Boyz II Men Biopic - TBD
Is Motownphilly about to be back again, or at least on the big screen? Well, it certainly looks that way now that the’re a biopic about Boyz II Men in the works. Back in November 2024, Variety reported that a biopic was in the works charting the story of the four-time Grammy-winning group known for soulful hits like “End of the Road,” “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday,” and “On Bended Knee.”
There’s no word on a cast, or director, or even a writer at this point, but this is one of those biopics that just has to happen. Considering Boyz II Men was one of the hottest groups of the ‘90s, this one just feels like a winner waiting to happen.
The Replacements Biopic - TBD
We can’t hardly wait for this one. With his time in Hawkins, Indiana having come to an end, Finn Wolfhard is already gearing up for his next project. In October 2025, Variety reported that the actor and musician was in the process of adapting Bob Mehr’s acclaimed biography Trouble Boys: The True Story of the Replacements along with his dad, Eric Wolfhard.
While it hasn’t been revealed if the younger Wolfhard will be acting in the upcoming biopic, he certainly has the musical chops to handle the duties that’d come with playing one of the most iconic American rock bands of the late 20th century.
Ozzy And Sharon Osbourne Biopic - TBD
There’s a long list of music biopics we’d love to see, and that includes one about the “Prince of Darkness” himself, Ozzy Osbourne. Well, it sounds like that’s going to be happening at some point in the near future. In August 2025, not long after the Black Sabbath singer died at the age of 76, just weeks after playing his final gig, Variety reported that Sony Pictures was still in the process of producing a movie about his and longtime wife/manager Sharon Osbourne’s life that had been in the works since 2021.
Anthony Kiedis Biopic - TBD
Anthony Kiedis has a long history of appearing on the big screen, as he showed up in various ‘90s movies like Point Break and The Chase (an underrated Charlie Sheen movie). Now it sounds like the Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman is getting a movie of his own. Back in January 2024, Deadline reported that Brian Grazer, known for movies like Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind, was producing a biopic about Kiedis over at Universal.
The film is said to be based on the RHCP singer’s memoir titled Scar Tissue, which documents Kiedis’ upbringing in Southern California and how those experiences shaped his life, the band, and the face of American rock music in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Winds Of Change (Scorpions Biopic) - TBD
With hits like “Winds of Change” and “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” Scorpions quickly became one of the biggest rock bands of the 1980s, both in their native Germany and around the world. Now it appears as if the legendary outfit will be getting its own biopic. In June 2025, Deadline reported that Winds of Change, a biographical drama based on the European rockers, is in the works and will focus on their start in post-WWII Germany and eventual rise to become a massively successful and prolific group, selling millions of records.
Alex Ranarivelo, best known for American Wrestler: The Wizard, is sitting in the director's chair for the upcoming biopic, with Dominic West, Alexander Dreymon, Ludwig Trepte, Ed Speleers stepping in front of the camera.
Britney Spears Biopic - TBD
It’s hard to talk about ‘90s and early 2000s pop culture without the conversation eventually turning to Britney Spears. One of the biggest pop stars of all time, Spears is known around the world for hits like “Baby One More Time,” “Oops! I Did It Again,” and “Toxic,” as well as a number of various controversies and unforgettable moments. Now, all of that will be explored in a new biopic.
In 2024, Variety reported that Wicked director Jon M. Chu would be helming a biographical drama about the “Princess of Pop” based on Spears’ memoir The Woman in Me. There has been a great deal of speculation about who’ll play the star, with names like Millie Bobby Brown and Sabrina Carpenter coming up quite often.
Robert Johnson Biopic - TBD
When it comes to early American blues musicians, few have been as influential or mysterious as Robert Johnson, the King of the Delta Blues. Johnson, who would go on to inspire the likes of the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, and countless other musicians over the years, will soon be the subject of a new biopic, Deadline reported in February 2025.
Not a lot is known about the movie at this point, but the biopic will reportedly focus on one of the biggest myths surrounding Johnson’s life and legacy: the tale that he sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his unmatched musicianship. With the Oscar-nominated Sinners paying homage to Johnson in numerous ways, now would be the perfect time for this to finally happen.
Ronnie Milsap Biopic - TBD
Though Ronnie Milsap doesn’t have the name recognition of other famous country singers like Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, or George Strait, the blind music legend has had a major impact on the genre over the years. That said, it’s not all that surprising that there is currently a biopic about the transformative star in the works.
In late 2024, Variety reported that Spencer Boldman, who most recently appeared in Welcome to Chippendales, would be leading the film that is based on Milsap’s autobiography, Almost Like a Song.
Snoop Dogg Biopic - TBD
It has been 10 years since legendary West Coast rapper Snoop Dogg was portrayed by LaKeith Stanfield’s scene-stealing portrayal in the NWA biopic, Straight Outta Compton. Now, the “Gin & Juice” hip hop star is about to get a full-fledged biographical drama about his life, career, and legacy in the rap game, Hollywood, and pop culture in general. Though the title has yet to be announced, Deadline reported in early 2025 that the drama will center on Calvin Broadus Jr. and his journey to becoming Snoop Doggy Dogg, one of the most successful performers of all time.
The outlet has also reported that Outer Banks star Jonathan Daviss is set to play Snoop in the upcoming picture and that Craig Brewer, the man behind movies like Hustle & Flow, Dolemite Is My Name, Coming 2 America, and most recently, Song Sung Blue, is set to direct.
Forever And Ever, Amen (Randy Travis Biopic) - TBD
We’ve been treated to so many great country music movies over the years, and that includes a few biopics like the all-time great Walk the Line. Well, one of the biggest names in the country music renaissance of the late 1980s will soon get the biopic treatment when Forever and Ever, Amen explores the life and legacy of Randy Travis. Named after the singer-songwriter’s 1987 hit “Forever and Ever, Amen,” the movie was announced at the Grand Ole Opry in March 2025, according to Deadline.
There haven’t been any details about the movie’s plot, but we do know that country singer Clay Walker will play the iconic country star and that Andrew Hyatt is writing and directing.
Queen Latifah Biopic - TBD
Queen Latifah's run with The Equalizer may be finished now that the CBS series has been cancelled after five seasons, but it’s not all bad for the rapper-turned-actress. In September 2024, Deadline reported that the “Ladies First” and “U.N.I.T.Y.” hip-hop artist would be the subject of a new biographical drama. The untitled biopic, which will focus on Latifah’s rise in the rap game in the latter part of the 20th century, is to be the first of a series of hip-hop dramas about iconic artists.
Though she didn’t share any details about the movie when speaking with Today back in May 2025, the rapper-turned-actor said whoever is cast to portray her needs to be brave and that it’s going to be hard to cast the part.
All Out Of Love: The Air Supply Story - TBD
An Air Supply biopic is something we never thought we’d get to see, but there’s one in the works. The Australian soft rock duo consisting of Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell will be at the center of All Out of Love: The Air Supply Story, a biographical drama first announced by Variety back in 2024.
There’s not a lot of information about the movie chronicling the life and times of the successful outfit known for hits like “All Out of Love” and “Lost in Love,” but we should know more in due time.
Be My Baby (Ronnie Spector Biopic) - TBD
Zendaya has become one of the biggest stars on the planet in the years since showing off her vocal skills in The Greatest Showman, and soon, she’ll get to exhibit that range once again when she plays one of the most iconic singers of the 20th century. In March 2025, Deadline announced that the Spider-Man: No Way Home and Challengers star will be playing the late Ronnie Spector in Be My Baby, the upcoming A24 movie directed by Barry Jenkins.
The actress, who has wrapped filming Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, has been attached to the role for some years, and even penned a moving tribute to the “Be My Baby” singer upon her death in 2022.
Rosetta (Sister Rosetta Tharpe Biopic) - TBD
After spending the past few years tearing it up on the pop charts, the multi-talented Lizzo will soon turn her attention to the big screen when she leads an upcoming biopic about one of the most influential figures in American music history: Sister Rosetta Tharpe. In March 2025, Deadline reported that the Grammy Award-winning singer and rapper has been tasked with playing Tharpe in Amazon MGM Studios’ Rosetta, a long-overdue drama about the gospel singer who helped craft rock n’ roll and R&B nearly 100 years ago.
Inspired by Tharpe’s incredible life story, the movie will reportedly follow the trailblazing musician as she shatters boundaries and navigates societal restraints while concealing her relationship with the woman she loves.
Madonna Biographical Drama Series - TBD
Madonna is one of the most successful, influential, and prolific singers of all time, and it’s wild that the artist behind “Material Girl,” “Papa Don’t Preach,” and “Vogue” hasn’t gotten the biopic treatment at this point. Well, it’s not for a lack of trying, as she has been working on getting a drama about her life off the ground since 2020. Though there have been some hiccups and unforeseen obstacles along the way, it sounds like it’s in the works yet again.
Now it appears as if Madonna will be teaming up with Shawn Levy to bring her story to the small screen at some point in the future. In May 2025, Deadline reported that the two are teaming up with Netflix for a limited series about the transformative singer’s life and career.
Boy George Biopic - TBD
There are so many biopics about transformative ‘80s artists, both already released and in the works, and soon Boy George will be added to the mix. In 2024, Deadline reported that TriStar Pictures was moving forward with a biographical drama about the lead singer of Culture Club, known for hit songs like “Karma Chameleon” and “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me,” with J.C. Lee working on the script. The movie is said to be based on George’s autobiographies, Take It Like a Man, Straight, and Karma.
And, there’s no need to worry about the movie not featuring any of Boy George or Culture Club’s famous tracks, as Primary Wave Music, which owns the rights, is producing the biopic.
Keith Moon Biopic - TBD
There has been talk of a biographical drama about the late Who drummer Keith Moon for 20 years at this point, but it sounds like the long-in-the-works project is finally getting closer to becoming a reality. In 2023, Who frontman Roger Daltrey told NME that he had completed a script for the film and was waiting for replies from directors.
Later on, in 2024, Daltrey gave a similar update to Ultimate Classic Rock when he said the script was written and that he was trying to work with the best available director (“all the good ones are always working”).
The Nat King Cole Biopic - TBD
Colman Domingo, who’ll also play Joe Jackson in Michael, has been on a tear as of late, and that momentum will hopefully be enough to get his long-in-the-works Nat King Cole biopic into theaters sooner rather than later. In January 2024, the Michael and Euphoria star told Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast that the movie, which he is attached to lead and direct, is something he’s been working on quietly for several years and something he’s looking forward to putting together.
According to Variety, this isn’t the first time the multi-talented star has crafted a project based on the “Unforgettable” singer, as Domingo previously co-wrote the play Lights Out: Nat King Cole, which followed the singer during his 1957 Christmas special, the first of its kind hosted by an African American performer. When speaking with Deadline in late 2024, Domingo said that the project was “financed and put together.”
Shout It Out Loud (Kiss) - TBD
KISS, one of the biggest rock bands (and brands) of all time, will be getting the biopic treatment at some point in the future, as Deadline has reported that McG is slated to direct Shout It Out Loud, a film based on the life and career of the iconic outfit. Details about the movie are scarce at this point in its development, but considering the history and iconography that made the Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley-led rock group so legendary over the past 50 years, this could be a flashy, splashy, and over-the-top rock pic.
In June 2025, Deadline reported that Nick Jonas would be playing guitarist and vocalist Paul Stanley, but there’s no word on who’ll be playing the other members of KISS.
Janis Joplin Biopic - TBD
Despite being one of the most transformative and beloved singers of the ‘60s counter-culture movement, Janis Joplin has never been the subject of a biographical drama, though there have been numerous attempts. Well, that will soon change as Variety has reported that Big Little Lies star Shailene Woodley is set to play the “Piece of My Heart” singer in an untitled biopic.
The singer, who’s remembered for her electric performances and powerful voice, passed away in October 1970, joining the ranks of other famous musicians like Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix who passed away at the age of 27.
Frank Sinatra Biopic - TBD
One of the most exciting music biographical dramas in the works, Martin Scorsese’s Frank Sinatra biopic will focus on the life and career of the iconic crooner and actor who dominated American music and pop culture throughout the 20th century. Though details are limited at this point, Variety reported in April 2024 that the Killers of the Flower Moon director was looking to make the movie one of his next two projects and that longtime collaborator Leonardo DiCaprio was being eyed for the lead role alongside Jennifer Lawrence.
Though it seemed like production was going to get underway in 2024, Variety reported in September that filming had been postponed along with a couple of Scorsese’s other projects.
Linda Ronstadt Biopic - TBD
Linda Ronstadt, the 11-time Grammy winner behind iconic tracks like “You’re No Good,” “Somewhere Out There,” and “Blue Bayou,” will be getting the biopic treatment at some point in the future, and the actress tied to portraying her has us very excited. In January 2024, Rolling Stone confirmed that Only Murders in the Building star Selena Gomez was attached to star in the untitled movie after she shared an image of Ronstadt’s Simple Dreams memoir on her Instagram page.
Gomez told The Hollywood Reporter in 2024 that the movie was still happening, but she didn’t know when it would all go down.
Fred Astaire Biopic - TBD
Hollywood has seen few stars as talented as Fred Astaire, the legendary entertainer who could seemingly do it all, and better than anyone else. Well, at some point in the future, Tom Holland will play the legendary actor/singer/dancer/musician/choreographer in a biopic that has been long in the works. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie, which is being directed by Paddington and Wonka’s Paul King, will center on the relationship shared by Astaire and his sister, Adele.
There hasn’t been any word on who will be playing Adele Astaire, but considering her talent was only eclipsed by that of her brother, the ideal candidate will need to be able to sing and dance alongside the Spider-Man star. However, in November 2025, Astair’s widow sent Sony Pictures a threatening letter, per TMZ, putting the project in limbo.
Beautiful (Carole King Biopic) - TBD
We’ve seen several long-running Broadway musicals get turned into big-screen adaptations in recent years, with the likes of The Color Purple and Wicked. At some point soon, we’ll have another addition to that list with Beautiful, a movie based on the Tony Award-winning musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
In December 2022, Variety revealed a ton of information about the project, including that Twisters star Daisy Edgar-Jones would be playing the beloved musician in the biopic helmed by The Kids Are All Right director Lisa Cholodenko. However, in July 2024, Deadline reported that Egar-Jones had left the project.
The Grateful Dead Biopic - TBD
The Grateful Dead, one of the pioneers of the jam band movement in the 20th century, will be getting the biographical drama treatment at some point in the future. What makes this so exciting is the fact that Martin Scorsese is attached to direct, Variety reported in November 2021. This won’t be the filmmaker’s first time working on a project about the Dead, as he previously helmed the 2017 documentary, Long Strange Trip.
Deadline also reported that Jonah Hill, who worked with Scorsese in The Wolf of Wall Street, had been tapped to play Jerry Garcia in the biopic. There have been no updates in a while, but maybe this will finally get done in honor of the recently deceased Bob Weir.
Sublime Biopic - TBD
Sublime, the iconic ‘90s band that became a massive hit thanks to its blend of punk, reggae, rock, and late singer Bradley Nowell’s signature voice, will be getting the biopic treatment if everything goes to plan. In September 2022, Variety reported that Francis Lawrence, the director behind I Am Legend and the Hunger Games movies, was spearheading the untitled project for Sony’s 3000 Pictures.
When speaking with Collider in 2025, director Justin Chon said that the movie, which will see Riverdale actor KJ Apa play Nowell, will highlight the influential nature of the So Cal Ska/Rock band.
Bee Gees Biopic - TBD
There has been talk of a movie about the Bee Gees for years, but it looks like it may really be happening this time. In December 2022, Deadline reported that Hustlers director Lorene Scafaria would be helming the Paramount Pictures biographical drama after original director John Carney backed out. Scafaria eventually backed out as well, and in 2024, Deadline reported that Ridley Scott was stepping in to take over the project.
With so many great biopics in the works, we’re in for a real treat the next few years. Check back for updates for each of these projects as more information becomes available.
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