20 best movies like The Mambo Kings (1992)

List of the best movies like The Mambo Kings (1992): Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, The Song, The Great Caruso, CBGB, The Great Gatsby, The Choice, Rudderless, Straight Outta Compton, Saving Mr. Banks, Begin Again.

Tags: movies similar to The Mambo Kings (1992) - full list

Markimdb: 6
Genremelodrama, drama, music
CountryUSA
Duration01:26

In pre-revolution Cuba, Katey Miller is about to defy everyone's expectations. Instead of a parent-approved suitor, Katey is drawn to the sexy waiter, Javier, who spends his nights dancing in Havana's nightclubs. As she secretly learns to dance with Javier, she learns the meanings of love, sensuality and independence.

Markimdb: 5.9
Genremelodrama, drama, music
CountryUSA
Duration01:56

The film follows aspiring singer-songwriter Jed King (Alan Powell) as he struggles to catch a break and escape the long shadow of his father, a country music legend. After reluctantly accepting a gig at a local vineyard harvest festival, Jed is love-struck by the vineyard owner’s daughter, Rose (Ali Faulkner), and a romance quickly blooms. Soon after their wedding, Jed writes Rose “The Song,” which becomes a breakout hit. Thrust into a life of stardom and a world of temptation in the form of fellow performer Shelby Bale (Caitlin Nicol-Thomas), Jed’s life and marriage begin to fall apart.

Markimdb: 6.5
Genredrama, music, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:49

Loosely traces the life of tenor Enrico Caruso (1873-1921). He loves Musetta, in his home town of Naples, and then Dorothy, the daughter of one of the Metropolitan Opera's patrons. Caruso is unacceptable to both women's fathers: to one, because he sings; to Dorothy's, because he is a peasant. To New York patricians, Caruso is short, barrel chested, loud, emotional, unrefined. Their appreciation comes slowly. The film depicts Caruso's lament that "the man does not have the voice, the voice has the man": he cannot be places he wants to be, because he must be elsewhere singing, including the day his mother dies. Throughout, Mario Lanza and stars from the Met sing.

Markimdb: 6.6
Genremelodrama, drama, crime, music
CountryUSA
Duration01:41

CBGB looks at New York's dynamic punk rock scene through the lens of the ground-breaking Lower East Side club started by eccentric Hilly Kristal (Alan Rickman) in 1973 which launched thousands of bands.

Markimdb: 7.2
Genremelodrama, drama
CountryAustralia, USA
Duration02:23

An adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Long Island-set novel, where Midwesterner Nick Carraway is lured into the lavish world of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Soon enough, however, Carraway will see through the cracks of Gatsby's nouveau riche existence, where obsession, madness, and tragedy await.

Markimdb: 6.6
Genremelodrama, drama
CountryUSA
Duration02:34

Travis and Gabby first meet as neighbors in a small coastal town and wind up in a relationship that is tested by life's most defining events.

Markimdb: 7.4
Genredrama, music
CountryUSA
Duration01:45

A grieving father in a downward spiral stumbles across a box of his recently deceased son's demo tapes and lyrics. Shocked by the discovery of this unknown talent, he forms a band in the hope of finding some catharsis.

Markimdb: 7.8
Genredrama, music, biography, history
CountryUSA
Duration01:35

    In 1987, five young men, using brutally honest rhymes and hardcore beats, put their frustration and anger about life in the most dangerous place in America into the most powerful weapon they had: their music. Taking us back to where it all began, Straight Outta Compton tells the true story of how these cultural rebels—armed only with their lyrics, swagger, bravado and raw talent—stood up to the authorities that meant to keep them down and formed the world’s most dangerous group, N.W.A. And as they spoke the truth that no one had before and exposed life in the hood, their voice ignited a social revolution that is still reverberating today.

    Markimdb: 7.5
    Genredrama, music, biography, history
    CountryUSA, United Kingdom, Australia
    Duration02:05

    Author P.L. Travers travels from London to Hollywood as Walt Disney Pictures adapts her novel Mary Poppins for the big screen.

    Markimdb: 7.4
    Genrecomedy, melodrama, drama, music
    CountryUSA
    Duration01:41

      A long lost music producer finds a singer-songwriter right about the moment he has given up all hope on life.

      Markimdb: 6.8
      Genrecomedy, drama, music, biography
      CountryUnited Kingdom, France
      Duration02:24

      The story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress, who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice.

      Markimdb: 6.2
      Genremelodrama, drama
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:55

      A rich, young beauty, Louise Durant, follows the man she loves and hopes to marry to Zurich where he studies violin at the conservatory. A piano student at the conservatory falls madly in love with Louise. The violinist loves his music first and Louise second. The pianist loves Louise first and his music second. Louise must ultimately choose which man she wants.

      Markimdb: 6.8
      Genredrama, music
      CountryUSA
      Duration02:04

      Story of a schoolteacher's struggle to teach violin to inner-city Harlem kids.

      Markimdb: 6.6
      Genremelodrama, drama, music
      CountryUSA
      Duration02:10

      Opens with Bleek as a child learning to play the trumpet, his friends want him to come out and play but mother insists he finish his lessons. Bleek grows into adulthood and forms his own band - The Bleek Gilliam Quartet. The story of Bleek's and Shadow's friendly rivalry on stage which spills into their professional relationship and threatens to tear apart the quartet.

      Markimdb: 7.1
      Genredrama, music, biography
      CountryUSA
      Duration02:41

      Saxophone player Charlie Parker comes to New York in 1940. He is quickly noticed for his remarkable way of playing. He becomes a drug addict but his loving wife Chan tries to help him.

      Markimdb: 5.2
      Genremelodrama, drama, music
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:29

      A new music teacher in a 1955 West Texas home for wayward boys brings new vision and hope for many of the interned boys.

      Markimdb: 6.7
      Genredrama, music, biography
      CountryUnited Kingdom, France, USA
      Duration01:57

        A Los Angeles journalist befriends a homeless Juilliard-trained musician, while looking for a new article for the paper.

        Markimdb: 6.7
        Genredrama, crime, music, biography
        CountryUSA
        Duration02:02

        NOTORIOUS is the story of Christopher Wallace. Through raw talent and sheer determination, Wallace transforms himself from Brooklyn street hustler (once selling crack to pregnant women) to one of the greatest rappers of all time; THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. Follow his meteoric rise to fame and his refusal to succumb to expectations - redefining our notion of "The American Dream."

        Markimdb: 7.7
        Genremelodrama, drama
        CountryFrance
        Duration02:42

        Algeria, the 1930s. Younes is nine years old when he is put in his uncle's care in Oran. Rebaptized Jonas, he grows up among the Rio Salado youths, with whom he becomes friends. Emilie is one of the gang; everyone is in love with her. A great love story develops between Jonas and Emilie, which is soon unsettled by the conflicts troubling the country.

        Markimdb: 5.7
        Genredrama, music, biography
        CountryUnited Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, USA
        Duration01:56

        A drama based on Jimi Hendrix's life as he left New York City for London, where his career took off.

        Markimdb: 6.2
        Genrefantasy, melodrama, drama, detective
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:58

        A burglar falls for an heiress as she dies in his arms. When he learns that he has the gift of reincarnation, he sets out to save her.

        Markimdb: 7.3
        Genredrama, documentary, music
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:51

        A compilation of interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London.

        Markimdb: 6.5
        Genredrama, music
        CountryFrance, USA

        Sadie looks up to her older sister Georgia, a successful folk singer who's happily married with children, but can't break out of the bar-band circuit and hit the big time she desperately covets. It's in part due to her attraction to drugs and booze, and also to her own unwise choice in men. Finally, though, Sadie's Achilles heel is a rough, unlovely voice very different than her sister's crowd-pleasing singing.

        Markimdb: 6.4
        Genrecomedy, melodrama, drama, music
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:56

        Miranda Presley moves from New York to Nashville to become a songwriter. At an unsuccessful audition she meets James Wright, a promising newcomer. After only a few days they marry but start to quickly regret it.

        Markimdb: 7.6
        Genrefantasy, melodrama, drama, detective
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:26

        A mysterious girl inspires a struggling artist.

        Markimdb: 7.2
        Genremelodrama, drama, music, biography
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:52

        Legendary trumpeter Art Hazzard teaches young Rick Martin everything he knows about playing, so Rick becomes a star musician, but a troubled marriage and the desire to play pure jazz instead of commercial swing songs cause him problems.

        Markimdb: 7.6
        Genremelodrama, drama
        CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
        Duration02:37

        Stingo, a young writer, moves to Brooklyn in 1947 to begin work on his first novel. As he becomes friendly with Sophie and her lover Nathan, he learns that she is a Holocaust survivor. Flashbacks reveal her harrowing story, from pre-war prosperity to Auschwitz. In the present, Sophie and Nathan's relationship increasingly unravels as Stingo grows closer to Sophie and Nathan's fragile mental state becomes ever more apparent.

        Markimdb: 6.5
        Genrecomedy, drama, music
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:37

        Russell Walker is a young, successful manager of rap performers, handling acts for the Krush Groove label, including Run-DMC and The Fat Boys. When Run-D.M.C. has a hit record and Russell needs more money to press more copies, he borrows it from a street hustler and soon regrets his decision.

        Markimdb: 6.7
        Genredrama, musical, crime, music, history
        CountryUSA

        In 1950s Alabama, the owner of the Honeydripper juke joint finds his business dropping off and against his better judgment, hires a young electric guitarist in a last ditch effort to draw crowds during harvest time.

        Markimdb: 6.8
        Genremelodrama, drama
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:51

        Loosely based on the Charles Dickens' classic novel, "Great Expectations" is a sensual tale of a young man's unforgettable passage into manhood, and the three individuals who will undeniably change his life forever. Through the surprising interactions of these vivid characters, "Great Expectations" takes a unique and contemporary look at life's great coincidences.

        Markimdb: 6.3
        Genredrama, music
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:57

        Soon after the rising young singer-songwriter Beau Williams gets involved with a fallen, emotionally unstable country star Kelly Canter, the pair embark on a career resurrection tour helmed by her husband/manager James and featuring a beauty queen-turned-singer Chiles Stanton. Between concerts, romantic entanglements and old demons threaten to derail them all.

        Markimdb: 6.9
        Genredrama, music, biography
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:48

        Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of singer Ritchie Valens whose life was cut short by a plane crash.

        Markimdb: 6.3
        Genredrama, music, biography
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:56

        In the mid-80s, three women (each with an attorney) arrive at the office of New York entertainment manager, Morris Levy. One is an L.A. singer, formerly of the Platters; one is a petty thief from Philly; one teaches school in a small Georgia town. Each claims to be the widow of long-dead doo-wop singer-songwriter Frankie Lyman, and each wants years of royalties due to his estate, money Levy has never shared. During an ensuing civil trial, flashbacks tell the story of each one's life with Lyman, a boyish, high-pitched, dynamic performer, lost to heroin. Slowly, the three wives establish their own bond.

        Markimdb: 7.1
        Genremelodrama, drama, detective, music
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:39

        Cult classic starring Ralph Macchio as a want-to-be blues guitar virtuoso who seeks a long-lost song by legendary musician Robert Johnson.

        Markimdb: 6
        Genremelodrama, drama, music
        CountryUSA
        Duration02:20

        Drunken, has-been rock star John Norman Howard falls in love with unknown singer, Esther Hoffman, after seeing her perform at a club. He lets her sing a few songs at one of his shows and she becomes the talk of the music industry. Esther's star begins to rise, while John's continues to fall. She tries desperately to get John to sober up and focus on his music, but it may be too late to save him.

        Markimdb: 6.8
        Genredrama, music, biography
        CountryUSA
        Duration02:07

        In this biographical drama, Selena Quintanilla is born into a musical Mexican-American family in Texas. Her father, Abraham, realizes that his young daughter is talented and begins performing with her at small venues. She finds success and falls for her guitarist, Chris Perez, who draws the ire of her father. Seeking mainstream stardom, Selena begins recording an English-language album which, tragically, she would never complete.

        Markimdb: 5.9
        Genremelodrama, drama, music
        CountryUSA
        Duration02:06

        Young Cuban Rafael just buried his mother, and comes to Houston to meet his father John for the first time. The difficult part is that John doesn't know he is Rafael's father. John runs a dance studio, and everyone prepares for the World Open Dance championship in Las Vegas. It soon becomes clear Rafael is a very good dancer, and Ruby is the biggest hope for the studio at the championship.

        Markimdb: 5.2
        Genredrama, music
        CountryUSA

        During the Great Depression, identical twins are separated at birth. One, Drexel Hemsley becomes a wildly successful '50s rock star, while the other, Ryan Wade, struggles to balance his passion for music and pleasing his parents, who want him to become a preacher. Finally, Ryan rebels against his parents' wishes and launches his own music career -- performing the hits of Drexel Hemsley. Ryan later learns the truth about Drexel when their fates tragically collide.

        Markimdb: 6.9
        Genremelodrama, drama, music
        CountryUSA

        Rock-and-roll singer Mary Rose Foster's romantic relationships and mental health are continuously imperilled by the demands of life on the road.

        Markimdb: 7.1
        Genredrama, music
        CountrySpain, Cuba, France

        When Spanish record producers express interest in Cuban musicians Ruy and Tito, the longtime friends are faced with the prospect of leaving their loved ones behind. After years of hoping and dreaming, they've finally earned the opportunity to bring their music to the rest of the world. But are the emotional trade-offs worth it in the end?

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