5 Classic Bands Hollywood Should Film Before Bon Jovi

In early 2026, Universal Pictures approved development of a Bon Jovi biopic, reportedly beating out several competing studios to secure the project along with access to the band’s music catalog for the film’s soundtrack. Frontman Jon Bon Jovi is involved in the production, while the screenplay is being written by Cody Brotter, whose previous work has explored subjects like cryptocurrency, OxyContin, and the Drudge Report. As of March 2026, the movie’s official title has not yet been revealed—though there remains a slim chance it might avoid the obvious choice of “Livin’ on a Prayer.”

Rock biopics are notoriously difficult to execute well. The challenge becomes even greater when a band has multiple key personalities and a familiar narrative arc: struggling newcomers rise to global fame, only to face internal conflicts, burnout, and eventual nostalgia-driven tours. And, with all due respect to Bon Jovi, there may be other rock acts whose stories could translate even more dramatically to the big screen. Here are several bands whose histories might make compelling biographical films.

Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac would seem like a natural subject for a rock biopic. Casting alone would present challenges—finding someone capable of portraying Stevie Nicks without inviting endless comparisons might be nearly impossible—but the band still enjoys a massive and loyal fanbase. A film featuring new recordings of their classic songs could easily generate huge streaming numbers.

From a storytelling perspective, the band’s history is overflowing with emotional drama. Romantic entanglements, breakups, resentment, and creative clashes all unfolded while the group was making some of the most successful albums of the era.

One intriguing angle would center on the making of Tusk, the band’s ambitious and polarizing 1979 double album. Coming after the enormous success of Rumours, the record arrived during a time when both the music industry and the relationships within the band were rapidly shifting. By that point, years of personal tension had left many members barely able to tolerate one another, and solo careers soon began pulling them apart. A film focused on that turbulent creative period might capture the unraveling of one of rock’s most legendary groups.

Metallica

Both Metallica fans and the band members themselves have been skeptical about the idea of a traditional biopic. Drummer Lars Ulrich once remarked that telling the band’s story on film would be difficult because it would involve depicting many real-life figures who might not be comfortable being portrayed on screen. (He jokingly suggested actor James Spader as his ideal casting choice.)

Among fans, the concern is different: many worry that a movie would sanitize the band’s chaotic early years. Metallica’s rise involved four distinct personalities and a complicated history, and condensing that into a single feature-length film could feel incomplete.

Of course, there’s always the possibility of a comedic approach. Imagine a fictional metal band—perhaps called Aluminimayhem—abandoning its rebellious image to chase alternative rock success. A tongue-in-cheek movie titled “Something Else Matters” could poke fun at the genre’s tropes while celebrating the larger-than-life spirit of metal itself.

Judas Priest

Judas Priest has already been the focus of a well-received documentary, The Ballad of Judas Priest, directed by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello. But a scripted biopic would be a very different kind of project. Vocalist Rob Halford has previously said that the band’s history—including what he diplomatically describes as numerous “incidents on the road”—would easily lend itself to a dramatic film.

Any serious portrayal of the band would also need to explore Halford’s personal journey. For many years, he kept his sexuality private before eventually embracing it publicly, becoming one of the most prominent openly gay figures in heavy metal. During that time, he struggled with alcohol while grappling with his identity.

A compelling film might focus on the aftermath of Halford’s unexpected 1998 announcement that he was gay. Framing the story around the intense 48 hours following that moment could capture a turning point in his life while portraying the singer as both a powerful performer and a vulnerable human being.

No Doubt

As the first wave of millennial nostalgia continues to grow, the timing could be perfect for a No Doubt biopic. The band’s fans—who discovered them during the 1990s—are now reaching middle age, making their rise to fame ripe for cinematic reflection.

The group’s history contains all the elements of a compelling story. Early frontman John Spence died before the band found success, leaving the remaining members devastated but determined to continue. Gwen Stefani and bassist Tony Kanal’s romantic relationship ended, yet they continued performing together. Gwen’s brother, Eric Stefani, eventually left the band to pursue animation work on The Simpsons. Meanwhile, No Doubt struggled through years of label changes and industry setbacks.

Then came Tragic Kingdom, the breakthrough album that catapulted the Anaheim band into global stardom. To many listeners, it seemed like an overnight success—but in reality, it followed nearly a decade of persistence. A film could explore those nine difficult years leading up to their explosive breakthrough.

Nirvana

Few bands have been examined as thoroughly as Nirvana, yet the group has never received a full-fledged narrative biopic. Numerous documentaries have covered the band’s history, including the controversial Kurt & Courtney, which fueled conspiracy theories surrounding Kurt Cobain’s death and Courtney Love’s alleged involvement.

Those past experiences help explain why a biopic remains unlikely while key figures connected to the band are still alive. Love, who oversees Cobain’s estate, has little reason to support another dramatized portrayal, and her complicated relationship with former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl adds another layer of difficulty.

Still, it’s intriguing to imagine what such a film might look like. Casting a well-known actor as Cobain could feel distracting, so an unknown performer might be the better choice—someone capable of disappearing into the role of the grunge icon.

Cobain’s story is particularly powerful because of how young he was when everything happened. In a short life, he created influential art, achieved worldwide fame, married, became a father, and struggled with profound personal challenges. Today, many of Nirvana’s original fans are older than Cobain ever lived to be. A film that emphasizes the intensity and vulnerability of his youth could offer a deeply moving portrait of one of rock’s most enduring figures.