20 Best Movies With Musicians Playing Versions of Themselves
In honor of 'Hurry Up Tomorrow', which stars The Weeknd as a fictional version of himself, Moviefone counts down the 20 best films with musicians playing different versions of themselves.
(L to R) Barry Keoghan as Lee and Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye as Abel in 'Hurry Up Tomorrow'. Photo Credit: Andrew Cooper.
There is a long tradition of famous musicians playing fictional versions of themselves in movies.
Sometimes its just a cameo like Studio 666'.
The lasted example of this is the film 'Abel "The Weeknd' Tesfaye, who plays a version of himself in the movie.
Hurry Up Tomorrow
A musician plagued by insomnia is pulled into an odyssey with a stranger who begins to unravel the very core of his existence. Read the Plot
In honor of The Weeknd's new film, which was directed by Moviefone is counting down the 20 best movies of all time featuring musicians playing fictional versions of themselves.
Note: For this list we are only including feature films and not documentaries. We are also only including movies where musicians play fictional versions of themselves and not new characters.
Let's begin!
20. 'Studio 666' (2022)
Dave Grohl in 'Studio 666,' an Open Road Films release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Andrew Stuart/Open Road Films.
Legendary rock band Foo Fighters (who play themselves) move into an Encino mansion steeped in grisly rock and roll history to record their much anticipated 10th album. Once in the house, Dave Grohl finds himself grappling with supernatural forces that threaten both the completion of the album and the lives of the band.
Studio 666
19. 'Think Like a Man Too' (2014)
All the couples are back for a wedding in Las Vegas, but plans for a romantic weekend go awry when their various misadventures get them into some compromising situations that threaten to derail the big event. Drake appears as himself in the movie.
18. 'Detroit Rock City' (1999)
In 1978, a Kiss concert was an epoch-making event. For the four teen fans in Detroit Rock City getting tickets to the sold-out show becomes the focal point of their existence. They'll do anything for tickets -- compete in a strip club's amateur-night contest, take on religious protesters, even rob a convenience store! The four original of Kiss (Peter Criss) all play themselves in the film.
17. 'Hustlers' (2019)
A crew of savvy former strip club employees band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients. Usher appears as himself in the film.
16. 'The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash' (1983)
The story of the rise and fall of the Pre-Fab Four. Mick Jagger appears as himself in the film.
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
The story of the rise and fall of the Pre-Fab Four. Read the Plot
15. 'This Is the End' (2013)
Backstreet Boys in 'This Is the End'. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
While attending a party at Backstreet Boys appear as themselves in the movie.
This Is the End
14. 'Spice World' (1998)
World famous pop group the Spice Girls (Geri Halliwell) zip around London in their luxurious double decker tour bus having various adventures and performing for their fans.
Spice World
World famous pop group the Spice Girls zip around London in their luxurious double decker tour bus having various adventures and performing for their fans. Read the Plot
13. 'The Night Before' (2015)
In New York City for their annual tradition of Christmas Eve debauchery, three lifelong best friends (Miley Cyrus appears as herself in the movie.
12. 'Little Nicky' (2000)
After the lord of darkness decides he will not cede his throne to any of his three sons, the two most powerful of them escape to Earth to create a kingdom for themselves. This action closes the portal filtering sinful souls to Hell and causes Satan to wither away. He must send his most weak but beloved son, Little Nicky (Ozzy Osbourne appears as himself in the film.
Little Nicky
11. 'Yesterday' (2019)
A struggling musician (Ed Sheeran appears as himself in the film.
Yesterday
10. 'Mars Attacks!' (1996)
(L to R) Annette Bening and Tom Jones in 'Mars Attacks!' Photo: Warner Bros.
A fleet of Martian spacecraft surrounds the world's major cities and all of humanity waits to see if the extraterrestrial visitors have, as they claim, "come in peace." U.S. President James Dale (Tom Jones appears as himself in the film.
9. 'Old School' (2003)
Three friends (Snoop Dogg appears as himself in the film.
8. 'I ♥ Huckabees' (2004)
A husband-and-wife team play detective (Shania Twain appears as herself in the film.
7. 'High Fidelity' (2000)
After his long-time girlfriend dumps him, a thirty-year-old record store owner (Bruce Springsteen appears as himself in the film.
High Fidelity
6. 'Singles' (1992)
A group of young adults in their twenties, who share an apartment in the city of Seattle, ponder on love and face all the challenges of adulthood. Pearl Jam's Chris Cornell appear in the film.
5. 'Better Man' (2025)
Robbie Williams in 'Better Man' from Paramount Pictures.
Follow Robbie Williams' journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.
4. 'Wayne's World' (1992)
The adventures of two amiably aimless metal-head friends, Wayne (Alice Cooper appears as himself in the film.
Wayne's World
3. 'The Wedding Singer' (1998)
Robbie (Adam Sandler), a local rock star turned wedding singer, is dumped on the day of his wedding. Meanwhile, waitress Julia (Billy Idol appears as himself in the film.
2. 'Men in Black II' (2002)
Kay (Michael Jackson appears as himself in the film.
1. 'Zoolander' (2001)
(L to R) Ben Stiller, David Bowie, and Owen Wilson in 'Zoolander'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Clear the runway for Derek Zoolander (David Bowie appears as himself in the film.
'Hurry Up Tomorrow' fan event screenings to take place on May 14th.
Tickets for the 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' fan event screenings are on sale now. You can purchase them here.
Buy Tickets: 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' Movie Showtimes
