Movie titles are often too revealing. Before you even decide to watch a movie, you are thrown in a puzzle of curiosity by the title alone. It influences public reception, bundles up the storyline of the movie, and makes promises. That fact is, filmmakers draw inspiration for movie titles from everywhere – short stories, popular figures, novels, and even songs.
Music has a universal appeal and certain songs have the most beautiful titles, like they could fit in an entire plot in a couple of words. The trend of naming movies after song namesreally blew up in the ‘60sand ’70s with so many brilliant songwriters releasing timeless tracks and titles like “American Pie,” “Blue Velvet,” and “All That Jazz.” You would be surprised by seeing just how dominant The Beatles remain in this trend.
While some song names hit at the tone, setting, and overall aesthetic of the movie, others choose to remain somewhat ambiguous. Of course, many of these movies have nothing to do with the original songs or the artists themselves. The movies simply adopt the titles. This list covers many popular movies that took their name from a song, taking the power and influence of the song itself to build a wider cultural following beyond the music.
20Stand By Me
Named After– “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
Stand By Meis a classic coming-of-age tale that is definitive of the 1980snot only because of its authentic cinematographyaround the woods but also because of the nostalgia it evokes with themes of friendship, loyalty, and growing up alongside those who understand and support you. The film, directed by Rob Reiner, follows four Oregon boys who, like others in town, have heard about the disappearance of a local teen. Curious about the incident, Gordie Lachance, Chris Chambers, Teddy Duchamp, and Vern Tessio embark on an adventure of their own to see the dead corpse of the boy. Along the way, they encounter a crazy junk man and a march full of deadly leeches. In their conversations, the boys learn of each other’s home lives, their weird stories, and lark about dreams.
19Boys Don’t Cry
Named After– “Boys Don’t Cry” by The Cure
Set in the small town of Falls City, Nebraska,Boys Don’t Cryunfolds as a subtle exploration of love, loss, and identity. Teena Brandon is a young transgender who has recently transitioned from male to female and wants to start life anew. Lana Tisdel is an aspiring singer and a single mother. When they meet, there is an instant chemistry and Teena develops true feelings for Lana.
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However, he is not entirely transparent with her about the past and being biologically female, and the real reason why he had to move into town. Hilary Swank gives an outstanding performance as Teena Brandon, while the movie sheds light upon being biased by gender and the societal views on one’s little attempts at finding happiness and a place to belong.
18Lean On Me
Named After– “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers
Directed by John G. Avildsen, this biographical drama is set within the premise of Eastside High in New Jersey. When the superintendent finds that the school has been placed at the very bottom rank in the state, he turns to maverick ex-teacher Joe Clark and offers him to take over as principal. Although reluctant at first, Clark then feels determined to improve the situation of the school. But first, he must deal with the gangs and the drug problem which are quite prevalent at campus. Like every radical act, Clark’s attempts raise conflicts but they also show a positive impact on the students. With Morgan Freeman helming this emotionally moving story,Lean On Meteaches us how the youth needs to believe that they are cared for.
17Mamma Mia!
Named After– “Mamma Mia” by ABBA
The quintessential jukebox musical romantic comedy that will get you tapping your feet and sinning alone to ABBA’s lively numbers,Mamma Mia!Is loosely inspired by the 1968 Gina Lollobrigida movie. The 2008 film sees Sophie and her family preparing for an exhilarating wedding. Donna, Sophie’s mother, is an independent hotelier living her best life in the Greek islands and planning the dream she’s always had for her little girl. However, Sophie secretly invites three men from her mother’s past in the hope that one of them will turn out to be her father and will walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. The plot of the movie is quite silly and so are the dialogues. But at its heart,the message is about womanhood and finding the freedomand happiness one deserves.
16Across the Universe
Named After– “Across The Universe” by The Beatles
Effortlessly blending elements of war, romance, and eventually peace, and anchored brilliantly by songs of The Beatles,Across the Universetells a remarkable tale of time. Jim Sturgess stars as Jude, an impoverished Liverpudlian worker who travels across the seas to the United States to look for his father. But instead he meets Max and his free-thinking, upper-class sister Lucy, played by Evna Rachel Wood. They fall in love, and the world finds itself being flipped over amidst the rising popularity of a rock band and the looming threat of the Vietnam War. plotted exquisitely, the movie unfolds at an earnest pace, allowing the audience to fully become one with the characters, to feel the music in their bones, and immerse themselves in the colorful outfits and the aesthetic of the ‘80s.
15Dazed and Confused
Named After– “Dazed and Confused” by Led Zeppelin
Richard Linklater’s underrated coming-of-age comedyfeatures an impressive ensemble cast of actors like Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck, Parker Posey, and Jason Landon.Dazed and Confusedis set in 1976 Texas, where a group of teenagers find themselves wanting to make the most of their last day at school before going off to college. They chase freshmen, make fun of them, party at a local pool, and throw a large keg party. On the other hand, star football player Randall “Pink” Floyd has vowed to stay away from drinking in light of an upcoming championship. But, can he really? The movie is nothing short of incredible for finding art in mundanity and taking something so relatable as a graduation and turning it into a comforting and nostalgic feeling.
14Beautiful Boy
Named After– “Beautiful Boy” by John Lennon
Adapted beautifully from a bunch of best-selling memoirs, this heart rendering story revolves around the difficult yet loving relationship between father and son David and Nic Sheff. The movie retells inspiring experiences of the pair through extraordinary performances of Steve Carell and Timothee Chalamet. Nicolas is an ace student, a good athlete and the editor of the school newspaper. But he is also addicted to meth and has a storm of emotions bursting out of his tender heart.
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When his fixation threatens to drag him down the hill, David would do anything to save his son.Beautiful Boyis a sincere examination of the struggles of addiction and the toll it takes on everyone associated with it. The movie never glorifies its cause, but instead gets ugly in the portrayal and also evokes a lot of sobs for the audience.
13Pretty in Pink
Named After– “Pretty in Pink” by The Psychedelic Furs
Molly Ringwald stars alongside Jon Cryer and Andrew McCarthy in this hilarious and heartwarming teenage comedy. Andie isn’t your cookie-cut popular girl. At Chicago high school, she’s a social pariah and she only hangs out with her record store boss, Iona, andthe childhood best friend, Duckie, who secretly harbors feelings for her. Andie’s life is devoid of any drama until the school jock, Blane, who is actually decent and does not have some ulterior motive, shows interest in her and asks her out. Despite being sweet and sensitive, Blane’s rich-guy life isn’t what Andie sees herself fitting into, which she realizes after dating him.Pretty in Pinkhas everything that makes a classic teen rom-com work – relationships, love triangles, melodrama, heartbreak, class hierarchies, and lots of fashion moments.
12Sweet Home Alabama
Named After– “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Directed by Andy Tennant,Sweet Home Alabamafollows the story of Melanie, an accomplished New York fashion designer who is engaged to the city’s most charming and eligible bachelor. But before tying the knot, Melanie has to untie another. Jake is the redneck husband Melanie married on a whim when she was in high school, but the man refuses to divorce her. So, she drives up South to confront Jake and end their relationship for good. While the movie has a lot of significance in Hollywood for entirely different reasons, it is theearnest performances by Reese Witherspoon and Josh Lucasthat elevate the narrative and touch upon themes of belonging and reinvention.
11Bohemian Rhapsody
Named After– “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
Queen was a famous rock band that gained prominence in the 1970s.Bohemian Rhapsodyis a biographical drama that centers around the life of its lead singer, Freddie Mercury, who, with his flawless talent pushed the band to superstardom. However, with great success came burden and downfall because amidst the glamor, he was battling with his own arrogance, questions about sexuality, and a terminal illness. Despite being a revolutionary himself, it was when Freddie reunited with his band for Live Aid that the group really delivered their greatest performance ever. Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, and Ben Hardy breathe new life into Queen with their dynamics. Moreover, the movie is tremendously affectionate towards the music and the legend himself, which makes it worth the watch.
