Movies About Punk Rock

From David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Meat Loaf, Zach Grenier
Rated R

Fight Club is a 1999 film directed by David Fincher, starring Edward Norton and Brad Pitt. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. The film follows an unnamed protagonist, played by Norton, as he struggles with the monotony of his white-collar life. He meets Tyler Durden, played by Pitt, and together they form an underground fight club. Soon, their efforts to challenge the status quo become more extreme and the fight club escalates into a nationwide movement of anarchy and chaos. As the fight club spirals out of control, the protagonist must confront his own inner demons to ultimately find peace and freedom.

From Tony Kaye, starring Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo, Jennifer Lien
Rated R

American History X is an American drama film directed by Tony Kaye and released in 1998. It tells the story of Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton), a young man who is transformed from a white supremacist skinhead to a reformed individual after serving time in prison for murder. The story follows Derek as he struggles to maintain a positive life while dealing with his troubled past. The film also focuses on Derek's younger brother, Danny (Edward Furlong), who is being heavily influenced by Derek and his beliefs. Through the course of the film, Derek learns that violence is not the answer and that tolerance is the key to progress. American History X is a powerful and hard-hitting film that serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of racism, bigotry, and hate.

From Danny Boyle, starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd
Rated R

Trainspotting is a 1996 British black comedy film directed by Danny Boyle and starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle, and Kelly Macdonald. The film follows the lives of a group of heroin addicts in a deprived area of Edinburgh, Scotland and their passage through life. The film follows their adventures and misadventures as they attempt to find meaning and purpose in their lives. Despite its dark subject matter, the film is a darkly funny and often sympathetic look at the lives of these characters.

From Directors: Jim Fields, Michael Gramaglia, starring Rick Rubin, Tommy Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, Johnny Ramone
Rated Unrated

End of the Century is a 2003 documentary about the punk rock band the Ramones. The film follows the band from their beginnings in Queens, New York, through their meteoric rise to fame in the 70s and 80s. Through interviews and archival footage, the film examines the rise and fall of the band, as well as their influence on punk rock and beyond. It also looks at the personal struggles of the members, and their complicated relationships, as well as their lasting influence. The film features interviews with all four original members of the band, as well as their friends and colleagues. It also features rare and previously unseen footage of the band, including live performances and rehearsals.

From Tim Irwin, starring Milo Aukerman, Joe Baiza, Kevin Barrett, Scott Becker
Rated Not Rated

We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen is a documentary film about the influential American punk rock band The Minutemen. Directed by Tim Irwin, the film chronicles the band's career, from their origins in the early 1980s to their break-up in 1985 after bassist/vocalist Mike Watt's illness. Through archival footage and interviews with the band members, their friends, and their fans, the film explores the band's unique combination of punk, folk, and funk that made them a beloved cult band. It also examines the band's political and social messages, which were often at odds with the prevailing punk ideology. The film also examines the band's influence on the punk scene and music culture in general.

From Shane Meadows, starring Thomas Turgoose, Stephen Graham, Jo Hartley, Andrew Shim
Rated Not Rated

This Is England is a 2006 British drama film written and directed by Shane Meadows. Set in 1983, the film follows a group of young skinheads in England who, after the death of their father, become involved with an older, more violent skinhead gang. The film focuses on the main character, Shaun, and his experiences growing up in a difficult and often violent environment, and his struggle to find his identity and place among his peers. Along the way, Shaun learns about racism and prejudice, the power of friendship and loyalty, and the need for understanding and self-acceptance.

From Anton Corbijn, starring Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, Craig Parkinson, Alexandra Maria Lara
Rated R

Control is a 2007 British biographical drama film directed by Anton Corbijn and written by Matt Greenhalgh, based on the life of Ian Curtis, the lead singer of the 1970s post-punk band Joy Division. The film is about Curtis's personal struggles with mental illness and his struggles to make it big in the music industry. It follows Ian's life from his teenage years in Manchester, England, through his rise to fame and success, leading to his eventual suicide at the age of 23. Featuring performances from actors Samantha Morton, Alexandra Maria Lara and Joe Anderson, the film explores the complex relationship between Ian and his wife Deborah (played by Morton) and the pressures that come with being a successful musician. Control also features archival footage of Joy Division performing, as well as contemporary reinterpretations of some of the band's songs, performed by the actors.

From Julien Temple, starring Paul Cook, Steve Jones, John Lydon, Glen Matlock
Rated R

"The Filth and the Fury" is a 2000 documentary film directed by Julien Temple that chronicles the rise and fall of the British punk rock band, The Sex Pistols. The film tells the story of the band's history through a series of interviews with the four original members, Johnny Rotten, Sid Vicious, Steve Jones and Paul Cook as well as archival footage, photographs and interviews with people who were associated with the band. The film also follows the life and death of Sid Vicious and the band's split in 1978. The film paints a vivid portrait of the band and the punk movement, telling their story from the beginning and examining how their music and attitude changed the face of the British music scene.

From Alan Clarke, starring Ray Winstone, Mick Ford, Julian Firth, John Blundell
Rated R

Scum is a 1979 British crime drama film directed by Alan Clarke and written by Roy Minton. The film follows the story of Carlin, a young and violent offender in a British Borstal juvenile prison system. Carlin is determined to survive and gain control in the prison, which is run by an oppressive and corrupt prison system. With the help of some of his fellow inmates, Carlin begins a violent struggle to gain power and respect. The film examines the harsh realities of the British prison system and its potentially devastating consequences. This powerful and thought-provoking film is a classic of British cinema and a significant work of social realism.

From Penelope Spheeris, starring Eugene Tatu, Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline
Rated Not Rated

The Decline of Western Civilization is a 1981 documentary film directed by Penelope Spheeris, chronicling the Los Angeles punk rock scene during 1979–1980. It features concert footage of bands such as Black Flag, Fear, X, and Circle Jerks, as well as interviews with their fans. The film also features interviews with musicians, record executives, and members of the Los Angeles punk scene, and offers insight into the lifestyle and attitudes of the scene's participants. The film's themes cover topics such as nihilism, anti-authoritarianism, violence, and drug use, as well as the struggles of the people involved in the burgeoning punk scene. The Decline of Western Civilization serves as an important document of a very specific cultural moment in time, and provides an unflinching and often bleak look at the harsh realities of life in late 1970s Los Angeles.

From Directors: Mark Christopher Covino, Jeff Howlett, starring Bobby Hackney, David Hackney, Dannis Hackney, Robbie Duncan
Rated Not Rated

A Band Called Death tells the story of three African-American brothers from Detroit, Michigan – David, Bobby, and Dannis Hackney – who formed a punk rock group in the early 1970s. The band's music was ahead of its time and went largely unnoticed during their brief career. Years later, when their long-lost demo tape was discovered and their story was revealed to the world, their music became a cult phenomenon and the brothers finally earned their place in music history. The documentary follows the Hackney brothers as they reflect on their lives and the unique bond they shared as they sought to pursue their dream of making music.

From Julien Temple, starring Joe Strummer, Steve Jones, Mick Jones, Brigitte Bardot
Rated Not Rated

Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten is a documentary about the life of legendary punk rock singer, songwriter, and political activist Joe Strummer. The film is told through interviews with friends, family, and colleagues of Strummer, and archival footage of many of his performances. It follows Strummer's life from his upbringing in England, his rise to fame with The Clash, his solo career, and his activism. It paints a picture of an icon of punk music and culture, and explores his legacy and the impact of his music on generations of fans around the world.

From James Merendino, starring Matthew Lillard, Michael A. Goorjian, Annabeth Gish, Jennifer Lien
Rated R

From Sini Anderson, starring Kathleen Hanna, Carrie Brownstein, Kim Gordon, Joan Jett
Rated Not Rated

From Paul Rachman, starring Greg Ginn, Ian MacKaye, James Drescher, Lucky Lehrer
Rated R

From Michael Winterbottom, starring Steve Coogan, Lennie James, John Thomson, Nigel Pivaro
Rated R

From Dan O'Bannon, starring Clu Gulager, James Karen, Don Calfa, Thom Mathews
Rated R

From Jonathan Kaplan, starring Matt Dillon, Michael Eric Kramer, Pamela Ludwig, Vincent Spano
Rated PG

From Andrea Blaugrund Nevins, starring Tony Adolescent, Art Alexakis, Tony Cadena, Rob Chaos
Rated Not Rated

From AJ Schnack, starring Kurt Cobain, Evan Fortin, Nathan Streifel, Michael Azerrad
Rated Not Rated

From Penelope Spheeris, starring Myke Chambers, Stephen Chambers, Eyeball, Flea
Rated R

From Allan Moyle, starring Christian Slater, Samantha Mathis, Anthony Lucero, Andy Romano
Rated R

From Lukas Moodysson, starring Mira Barkhammar, Mira Grosin, Liv LeMoyne, Johan Liljemark
Rated Not Rated

From Alex Cox, starring Gary Oldman, Chloe Webb, David Hayman, Debby Bishop
Rated R

From Scott Crawford, starring Fred Armisen, Brendan Canty, Dave Grohl, Andre 'Whiteboy' Johnson
Rated Not Rated