If you are a fan of Blues music and a blues lover in general, you may appreciate this list of the best blues movies to watch in 2024. The big screen can easily bring to life talented artists and blues and jazz music that get into your soul. To celebrate the music and those legendary musicians, I have collected this list for all to enjoy. Check out this collection of the best Blues movies to watch in 2024.
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Best Blues Movies 2024
The Blues Brothers (1980)
Plot: After his release from prison, Jake Blues reunites with his brother, Elwood — collectively known as the “Blues Brothers.” Jake’s first task is to save the orphanage the brothers grew up in from closing, by raising $5,000 to pay back taxes. The two are convinced they can earn the money by getting their old band back together. However, after playing several gigs and making a few enemies, including the police, the brothers face daunting odds to deliver the money on time. The film came from their Saturday Night Live skit and features tunes from Aretha Franklin, and James Brown.
Star Cast: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, John Landis
Cadillac Records (2008)
Plot: In 1947 Chicago, Polish emigrant and bar owner Leonard Chess hires a blues combo that includes guitarist Muddy Waters and harmonica player Little Walter. Waters’ and Walter’s success leads to Chess’ management of stars Etta James, Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and others. Inevitably, business and personal lines blur as the sometimes-turbulent lives of the musicians play out.
Star Cast: Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Columbus Short, Beyoncé Knowles, Eamonn Walker, Mos Def
Who Do You Love (2008)
Plot: Leonard Chess founds Chess Records in 1950s Chicago and helps launch the careers of such artists as Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry.
Star Cast: Alessandro Nivola, David Oyelowo, Chi McBride
The Blues (2003)
Plot: This documentary film follows a Blues Guitarist called Corey Harris who goes on a pilgrimage to find out more about his ancestors who first started playing the Blues and Scorsese’s own knowledge of the music.
Star Cast: B. B. King, Charles Brown, Dick Waterman
Black Snake Moan (2006)
Plot: After her lover leaves to serve in the military, Rae gives in to her raging libido and leaps into a life of wild abandon. Lazarus, a troubled bluesman, finds Rae beaten and left for dead. He takes her in and holds her captive in an attempt to help her find a cure for her affliction. The film contains amazing music by Composer Jessie Mae Hemphill and Junior Kimbrough.
Star Cast: Justin Timberlake, Christina Ricci, Samuel L. Jackson
Leadbelly (1976)
Plot: A biography of Huddie Ledbetter, this drama follows the life of the highly influential African-American blues singer and guitarist, who was better known as “Leadbelly.” The trouble-prone musician frequently ended up working on chain gangs, and, when not incarcerated, he sometimes traveled around with fellow renowned blues man Blind Lemon Jefferson. The film shows how Leadbelly dealt with the racism of his era and found some degree of peace in his music.
Star Cast: Roger E. Mosley, Art Evans, Rhetta Greene
More Best Blues Movies
Last of the Blue Devils (1980)
Plot: During Prohibition, Kansas City was wide open, and jazz was its music. Late in the 1970s, musicians of the Pendergast era gather at the union hall to play, sing, and talk. Some were part of Walter Page’s Blue Devils, joined Bennie Moten’s band, and stayed with Count Basie’s Orchestra. Basie is on hand, as are Big Joe Turner, Jay McShann, and some of his big band. Highlights include Turner’s vocals, McShann’s sly piano playing, a drum clinic from Jo Jones and Baby Lovett, Jimmy Forrest solos, and remembrances of Lester Young and of how Charlie Parker got his nickname. Throughout is the Kansas City sound: cool and relaxed, blues meeting swing, an afterbeat that calls for dancing.
Star Cast: Buddy Anderson, Count Basie, Eddie Durham
Honeydripper (2007)
Plot: Faced with mounting debts and stiff competition from a rival nightclub and its newfangled jukebox, a 1950s Alabama club owner Tyrone Purvis, owner of the Honeydripper Juke Joint, and his partner Maceo book rhythm-and-blues young electric guitarist, Guitar Sam to save their failing venue, the Honeydripper. But when Sam doesn’t show up on the appointed day, Tyrone must resort to increasingly desperate measures against his better judgement in his struggle to secure a last-minute replacement and keep the Honeydripper from closing its doors.
Star Cast: Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton, John Sayles
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)
Plot: Tensions rise when trailblazing blues singer Ma Rainey and her band gather at a recording studio in Chicago in 1927.
Star Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis, Colman Domingo
Hounddog (2007)
Plot: Lewellen lives with her grandmother in the American South, Alabama. Though unable to care for her himself, Lewellen’s father tries to connect with his daughter through Elvis Presley’s music. After her father’s girlfriend — with whom Lewellen has a special bond — leaves, Lewellen suffers a horrible sexual assault and is traumatized. With some aid from Elvis’ music, Lewellen’s friend Charles helps her work through her pain.
Star Cast: Dakota Fanning, Piper Laurie, David Morse, Robin Wright Penn, Afemo Omilami
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
Plot: In early 1970s Harlem, daughter and wife-to-be Tish vividly recalls the passion, respect and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny. Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together, but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit.
Star Cast: Kiki Layne, Stephan James, Regina King
Crossroads (1986)
Plot: This cult classic tells the story of a guitar student who tours the Deep South with an old blues man, chasing a lost song written by legendary musician Robert Johnson.
Star Cast: Ralph Macchio, Joe Seneca, Steve Vai
More Best Blues Movies
John Lee Hooker: That’s My Story (2001)
Plot: A portrait of the legendary, recently passed away blues artist John Lee Hooker. His life, his closest friends and music colleagues, from his birthplace in Mississippi following the ups and downs of his career to the big successes.
Star Cast: Bernard Besman, Eric Clapton, Robert Clay
Deep Blues (1992)
Plot: While some successful blues acts sell out arenas and tour around the world, many of the best blues artists remain relatively unknown, playing in small clubs or, in some cases, just in their own yards. Filmmaker Robert Mugge and renowned music scholar Robert Palmer take an enthusiastic look at these lesser-known blues artists and the rich musical history of the region, showcasing incredible music from talented players who have never been signed to major labels and generally have not received the recognition they have deserved.
Star Cast: Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, R. L. Burnside, Booba Barnes
The Commitments (1991)
Plot: Jimmy Rabbitte, a self-proclaimed promoter, decides to organize an R&B group to fill the musical void in his hometown of Dublin, Ireland. The band comes together but ends up consisting entirely of white musicians who have little experience with the genre. Even though their raw talent and lofty aspirations gain the group notoriety, the pitfalls of fame began to tear at their newfound friendships as they prepare for their big show. Based on the novel by Roddy Doyle.
Star Cast: Robert Arkins, Angeline Ball, Andrew Strong
Jammin’ The Blues (1944)
Plot: A jam session with several prominent African-American great jazz players of the 1940s.
Star Cast: Lester Young, Marie Bryant, Knox Manning
Ray (2004)
Plot: Legendary soul musician Ray Charles is portrayed by Jamie Foxx in this Oscar-winning biopic about the career of the legendary rhythm musician. Young Ray watches his 7-year-old brother drown at age seven. When he loses his sight at the age of 9, his hardworking mother urges him not to feel sorry for himself. He rises through the ranks of the Seattle jazz scene, struggling with drug addiction and infidelity while on the road. Supported by his wife, Ray Charles redefines soul music and inspires a generation.
Star Cast: Jamie Foxx, Sharon Warren, Kerry Washington
Born to be Blue (2015)
Plot: In the late 1960s, jazz trumpeter Chet Baker begins a romance with an actress while trying to stage a musical comeback.
Star Cast: Ethan Hawke, Carmen Ejogo, Chet Baker
Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)
Plot: The now-brotherless Ellwood Blues is finally out of prison, attempting to reunite the old band and find a few new partners in crime. In this sequel to the original “Blues Brothers” comedy/musical, Ellwood battles the Chicago police, sings and dances his way out of numerous sticky situations, and manages to get the old band on the road for a hair-raising adventure.
Star Cast: Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman, J. Evan Bonifant
Delta Blues (1997)
Plot: Delta Blues is a one hour music/video documentary tracing the living history of the blues through the rich brown dirt of the Mississippi Delta, and through the lives of these traditional bluesmen.
Star Cast: Boog-a-Loo Aimes, Eddie Cusic, Willie Foster