The Beatles influence on the film world has been carried on for more than fifty years since the group ended their career in 1970. They covered all genres.
In Slumdog Millionaire, as well as Trainspotting, Director Danny Boyle’s most recent film, Yesterday, the world might be as if The Beatles didn’t exist through the eyes of someone who reminisces about them.
Top 8 Films Inspired by the Beatles Ranked in 2022
1: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Memorable doesn’t necessarily mean excellent. This is undoubtedly the case in the 1978 Michael Schultz film, which features an all-star group of comedians, musicians and famous performers that ranged from The Bee Gees to Steve Martin. The film told the story of Billy Shears and the titular group and used Beatles songs to tell the story.
It’s a legendarily lousy film, but it’s charmed and includes some entertaining versions of The Beatles’ greatest hits. Steve Martin’s wacky rendition of Maxwell’s Silver Hammer was an especially memorable performance. Those fans who love his comedy won’t be disappointed by the unconventional performance.
2: Two of Us
Two of Us occurs after an episode from Saturday Night Live when Lorne Michaels said he’d make The Beatles $3,000 to reunite the group on his show. As per McCartney and Lennon as well as McCartney McCartney, the two were together when the show aired and did briefly (albeit in jokes) discuss accepting Michaels to his offer.
The film is primarily an untrue recollection of the band’s glory days and attempts to examine the inner workings of the two most well-known Beatles.
The most notable thing about the film is the Director, Mark Stanfield, who also directed the documentary Let It Be, a film which infamously documents what was to be the start of the band’s demise.
Two of Us takes place in the days following an episode from Saturday Night Live when Lorne Michaels announced that he’d make The Beatles $3,000 to reunite the group for his show.
McCartney and Lennon, as well as McCartney both, were in the same room when the show aired and did briefly (albeit in-jokes) speak about accepting Michaels to his offer.
The film is primarily a false memory of their glory days. It attempts to examine the thoughts of the two most well-known Beatles.
The most notable thing about the film is the director, Mark Stanfield, who also directed the documentary Let It Be, a film which infamously documents what was to be the start of the band’s demise.
The most challenging movie to locate on this list is All This and World War, an e-documentary that attempts to contrast horrific events of the calamity of war with the serene songs that were the soundtrack of The Beatles. It was a controversial topic for a nation still recovering from the effects of The Vietnam War.
While the film hasn’t been officially released since its infamous release in cinemas, bootleg copies of the film have been widely available since the time, as well as an odd mashup of 1960s culture and the atrocities of war as the attempt to create an art of cinematic irony. The film has been re-released and edited into a new movie called The Beatles and World War II.
3: Nowhere Boy
Nowhere Boy is among the films that aim to tell the tale of life before The Beatles, and it is said by focusing on an aspiring youthful John Lennon, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
Based on the novel written by Lennon’s half-sister, the film paints the picture of a young Lennon who is struggling with issues in his home, is eventually removed from school and finally starts his band.
He also meets a couple of other musicians who are young, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
Of all the Beatles-related movies, it’s the only one of the films which have attempted to tell The Beatles’ story. Taylor-Johnson portrays a convincing Lennon with a remarkable resemblance.
4: Across The Universe
Jukeboxes have been the most popular musicals of the past fifteen years; across the Universe was released with much less enthusiasm than you would think in the world of two Mamma Mia films.
The film was directed by the legendary Broadway director Julie Taymor; it is an attempt to present an account of the period of the Beatles through their music since the band probably is not a part of the world.
Although uninspired, the film offers some original versions of Beatles songs, fantastic performances by Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel Wood, and enough Easter eggs to satisfy any Beatles fan’s basket.
There are also special appearances from Bono, who is the role of a Southern cult leader, along with an old-school Beatles covers artist Joe Cocker.
4: Yesterday
Of course, we’ll have to speak about the movie which prompted this list. Danny Boyle often moves between dark dramas such as 28 Days Later and more complicated character-driven films like Academy Award winner Slumdog Millionaire.
Yesterday is more light-hearted than is more like his other films and offers a glimpse of a world with no The Beatles.
The film is heavily influenced by The Beatles and stars Himesh Patel and Lily James. As several critics have said, the film does not have a difficult time figuring out the exact way to handle its concept, and it could, at times, give a generic look at the development and decline of a musician.
But, amidst both the musical and performances, the film is an enjoyable romantic comedy filled with a variety of exciting ideas.
5: I want to Hold Your Hand
The film is about the excitement of the band’s debut trip to America. It focuses on teens who are determined to see the band live and decide to visit the hotel where the band is staying.
The result is a hilarious, heartwarming, touching, and uplifting comedy that is still helping younger generations comprehend the atmosphere at the beginning of Beatlemania.
The fact that director Zemeckis of Forrest Gump got his roots in a film based on the world of Beatlemania is no surprise to those who love movies. I Want to Take Your Hand Was an excellent introduction of Zemeckis to the public eye.
6: All You Need Is Cash
Everything You Want is Cash is a hilarious mockumentary made by the minds of Monty Python alums Neil Innes and Eric Idle. The film is a mix of tribute and parody and tells the narrative about Dirk McQuickly, Ron Nasty, Barry Wom, and Stig O’Hara, also known in the form of The Rutles.
The story is told through several short segments that are meant to evoke the changes and reversals of The Beatles, albeit with the trademark humor and wit of the creators.
7: I Am Sam
Although it isn’t directly linked with The Beatles in terms of the main plot, I Am Samis is a film with The Beatles built into its DNA.
It is the story of an academically disabled dad called Sam Dawson who is fighting for the care of his child Lucy named after the main character from the Beatles famous track “Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds.”
Because of Sam’s passion for the band and his extensive understanding of The Beatles, the film is brimming with references to The Beatles, their music, and even its history.
Sam often tells stories of the band when he’s not sure what to say. The entire soundtrack of the film is full of Beatles music.
