1. August Rush – 2007

Yes, we know it’s not about a rock band but isn’t it a good movie? The story is very unique as the mother – which is a classical musician – is searching for her child – who is a very gifted musician – while his father – a rock musician – is searching for his mom. At the end, the parents met in their own child’s concert, where the mum was the opening act for her child’s concert. Isn’t this inspiring?
Away from the mixed critical reviews, the film achieved $65,278,569 in the box office succeeding their budget which was $25 million.

2. Hairspray – 2007

One of the most famous musicals ever that was actually based on the 1988 movie of the same name. It stars the unexpected role of the Hollywood star John Travolta and the leading role for Nikki Blonsky – after auditioning over eleven hundred candidates! The movie was on a budget of $75 million, however, gained worldwide gross $202,548,575. The movie is a musical insanity, if you haven’t seen it, go watch it now!

3. Once – 2006

It’s not only about the money! This is what I learned through the film and which what the filmmakers Martina Niland – the producer – and John Carney – the director – proved. The film starred the Irish folk rock musician Glen Hansard and the Czech singer Markéta Irglová. A budget of $150,000 made a profit of $20,710,513.

4. High Fidelity – 2000

John Cusack is one of the talented, but underrated actors in Hollywood. The movie was based on Nick Honrby’s novel of the same name, where Hornby was happy about Cusack’s performance and said “It appears that John Cusack has been reading my books.” The movie contains a wide range of music performed by artists from mid 70s and up. It received positive reviews from different movie critiques. However, only gained a little above $47 million on a budget that was $30 million, not a hit success, sadly.

5. The Phantom of the Opera – 2004
You have either seen this movie, read the book, or have seen the musical – if you were lucky enough. The classical novel by the French novelist Gaston Leroux was adapted to – literally – hundreds of movies and television movies. The 2004 is one of the – if not the only – that stood out. It stars the amazingly talented Gerard Butler, not only talented if you know what I mean, right ladies? And he was praised upon his acting and mastering of this role. The movie was financially successful since it gained $154,648,887 over a budget of $70 million.

6. The Runaways – 2010

Does the names Joan Jett, Lita Ford and Cherie Currie reminds you of anything? Yes, the lovely awesome 70s all-girl-rock band, The Runaways. It was actually based on a book that was written by Cherie Currie herself, did you know that? This film tells the story about the band beginning, and the relationship between the girls, especially Currie and Jett. The film budget was a 10 million dollar but gained less than 5 in the box office. I mean, Jett was portrayed by Kristen Stewart… I’m gonna leave this here.

7. The Boat That Rocked – 2009

It was renamed to thousands of names all around Europe. “Pirate Radio”, “Good morning, England” and “I love Radio Rock” are some of the names that were given to the movie. The movie literally talks about an illegal radio station in the 1960s. It received mixed reviews all towards the story that took over 2 hours in the movie. It also didn’t gross that much since it only gained a little over $36 millions over a $50 million budget.

8. Mamma Mia! – 2008

Is a musical romantic comedy film based on the songs of the Swedish pop rock group ABBA. The film passed all expectations with a worldwide gross $609,841,637 for a budget that was only $52 million. And come on, it’s a Meryl Streep movie, I don’t need to start explaining why it did well.

9. Get Him To The Greek – 2010

A witty, light movie about a talent, Aaron Green – portrayed by Jonah Hill – who’s trying to convince the rock singer Aldous Snow – portrayed by Russell Brand – to play at the Greek Theatre, where he had his legendary performance back in 1999. The movie started with a budget of $40 millions and grossed over $91.3 millions. Have you seen our review? Check it out here.

10. Not Fade Away – 2012

A story about a group friends in the 1960s trying to form a rock band and walk The Beatles and The Rolling Stone’s line . There’s a lot of struggles, heartbreaks, pain and future thinking in the movie. It’ has a lot of nice lines, and ideologies, however, it was a financial failure since it only gained $610,792 over a $20 million budget.

Have you guys seen any of the movies from the list? Do you have some more to add? Why don’t you let us know in the comment section below?

NJ Bakr and Mena Ezzat.

– If you have missed RNR Films Box Office! – Part One, you can find it through here.

1. The School of Rock – 2003

It’s already 12 years-old and this film still ROCKS! Every time you find it on TV, you can’t help but sit on your couch, watch and laugh. I believe that this film is more than a rock comedy film; it delivers unique message to audience of younger ages. With a budget of $35 million dollars, they made it in the box office by getting a domestic income = $81,261,177 + Foreign: $50,021,772 to be total of $131,282,949.

2. Bandslam – 2009

A high school student becomes a manager of a successful rock/ska band. It’s kind of like many other stories, but the change of events within teenager is pretty cool and puts you directly in the mood. The film got mixed reviews but most of them were very supportive but they got only 12 million out of 20 million dollar budget.

3. Hedwig and the Angry Inch – 2001

Well, the idea of the film could be acceptable these days as a gay male musician getting married and then forming a band, stealing his tour, etc.. Frankly, the film received very positive reviews from Rotten Tomatoes, The Wall Street Journal and others but gained less than 4 million out of 6 million budget!

4. Walk the Line – 2005

One of my favourite films of all time! Joaquin Phoenix did a really nice job to portray the legendary Johnny Cash as much as he can. Even Reese Witherspoon took the time she needed to prepare June Carter as to get her singing style and stage performance. The film budget wasn’t that high, only on $28 million, but they nailed it! Guess what? On it’s opening weekend, they got $22.3 million gross and as a worldwide income, the film got $186,438,883.

5. The Rocker – 2008

Oh, I am in love with this movie. A story of betrayed band member which got the chance to the same band again after 20 years, and imagine with his nephew and other talented young musicians. Sadly, they didn’t make it at all, as the film produced almost with 15 million dollars and gained less than 9 million.

6. Rock of Ages – 2012

I do not know what to say, but I can’t deny that the trailer that showed Tom Cruise’s character attracted me to watch the movie. I liked the soundtracks and the characters performance so much, but regarding the story, I can’t see the difference clearly. Even with their high budget which was $75 million, they didn’t make it and just got $59,418,613 from the Box Office. Hey, have you seen our review for this movie? Read what we thought about it here.

7. Rock Star – 2001

One of the rare musical films that is based on a true story. It is about Chris “Izzy” Cole who was in a Judas Priest tribute band and has been chosen by the band members to replace Rob Halfrod. Do you know who that was? Any close?
Yes, it’s Tim “Ripper” Owens. Anyhow, based on Box Office Mojo the budget was $57 million in which other sources mentioned that it was only $38 million, as the film budget is still not clear, but the film didn’t make it anyway where it only got $19,334,145 worldwide.
Did you know that we interviewed the guy? Yes, we did. Read about it here.

8. I’m Not There – 2007

A biographical musical film about the legendary rock musician Bob Dylan. I actually think the movie was perfectly made, since they didn’t only depend on one actor to portray his life, they had 6 actors to play his different public personas, including Cate Blanchett! Insane, huh? It received positive reviews from movie critics, and Bob Dylan said “I thought it looked good, and those actors were incredible.” However, it only made a little over 11$ with a budget of 20$. Not only deep movies get recognized.

9. Almost Famous – 2000

Back to the 70s, a teenage journalist is trying to get his hit story about a rock band to be featured in the Rolling Stone cover. The film wasn’t that great and it received mixed reviews by audience. This movie of budget $60 million gained only $47,383,689 in the box office.

10. Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny – 2006

I don’t know even where to start with this movie. It’s entertaining, it’s hilarious, it has a witty story, and above that, an amazing soundtrack. It stars the Tenacious D members Jack Black and Kyle Gass and a bunch of amazing artists of both the music and acting field. Although, I could guarantee that the movie was widely seen, the box office revenue wasn’t as good, it only received $13,908,762 while in fact their budget was $20 million.

Edited by: NJ Bakr.