Entertainment

19 Movies Just Like 'School Of Rock'

by KT Hawbaker

When I was a teenage snot, I used to sit at the coffee table with my dad and talk about film: the oldies, the war films, the cinema full of complicated men having to make complicated decisions about complicated political situations. I was going through puberty and he was going through a divorce, so why would we watch a feel-good movie when we could watch a feel-awful movie? This was precisely the moment when Jack Black swooped in and saved my young life. School Of Rock came out when I was 12 and totally blew my mind, reminding me that movies could be completely deranged, loud, and wonderful. Directed by Richard Linklater, this sweet comedy was all about good, sweet kids harboring secret musical rage. Yet while my love for the movie has made me thrilled about its Broadway adaptation, my 25-year-old self is in mourning, because School Of Rock is not on Netflix.

Sad, right? If you're looking for other movies that will satisfy your constant craving for this flick, however, Netflix does provide. While you and I both still have to wait for School Of Rock to show up on Netflix one day, there are streams and streams of movies out there that speak to the powerful relationship between film and music, such as:

1. Janis: Little Girl Blue

Every time I watch this moving documentary, it takes another little piece of my heart.

2. Bernie

Like School Of Rock, Linklater directs this dark Jack Black-fronted comedy about murder in small-town Texas. Get ready for some heavy gospel music, y'all.

3. The Art Of Organized Noize

Hey Ya! Watch this kickass doc about one of music's most important chapters, when OutKast took over the mainstream.

4. Grease 2

This movie is like an enormous bag of potato chips: greasy, instantly gratifying, but ultimately junk.

5. Lemmy

If you haven't paid tribute to the late Mötörhead frontman yet, this one will give you all sorts of messy metal feels.

6. Hecho En Mexico

Got some family members who've taken a shining to Trump's wall? Watch this killer documentary that unpacks the richness of Mexican culture with them.

7. Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

The high level of energy in this film matches that of School of Rock.

8. Warriors

I can dig this punky action movie from the '70s.

9. Orion: The Man Who Would Be King

Here's that one story about the masked man who might have been Elvis, which apparently was a thing.

10. Soul Boys Of The Western World

Bad hair, good tunes, solid synths? Yes, please.

11. Paul Williams: Still Alive

You might know Williams' work from Daft Punk's Random Access Memories. Or if you've ever watched a Muppets movie.

12. B.B. King: The Life Of Riley

Strum through this bio-doc about one of music's most influential guitarists when you're in need of inspiration.

13. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind

This movie isn't exactly fun, but it will wad your emotions into a ball and then smash them with one unforgettable soundtrack.

14. Trainspotting

Iggy Pop sneezed all over this iconic film, making it a tragic tribute to rock 'n roll's waste.

15. Muscle Shoals

More badass music history, please.

16. Moorise Kingdom

Let's all watch movies that actually respect the experiences and feelings of children, OK?

17. Keith Richards: Under The Influence

Proof that your grandparents probably lived harder than you do.

18. Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed

Obsessed with the Beatles? They made a movie about you.

19. Güeros

Obsessed with an obscure musician? They also made a movie about you.

Turn on one of these movies for a legendary night that's way hardcore.

Image: Paramount Pictures