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Trailer

La Bamba

1987Movie1 h 48 minPG-13

DramaMusic
73
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.0Letterboxd3.6/5Metacritic657.4Rotten Tomatoes83%79%

A deeply moving, nostalgic drama movie about a real life story and history, with standout score.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

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Not for scares, big ideas or brutality.

Movies with

Story

Born into poverty. Destined for stardom. He lived the American dream.

Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called "Donna" that he wrote for his girlfriend. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob, and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly.

Feels like

  • Biographical Drama
  • Music Legend Story
  • 1950s Rock & Roll
  • Triumphant & Tragic
  • Family Struggles
  • Coming-of-Age Tale
  • Nostalgic Period Piece
  • Cultural Impact
  • Emotional Journey

Cast

20 of 20

Crew

Directed by
Luis Valdez
Written by
Luis Valdez
Produced by
Taylor Hackford, Bill Borden
Music by
Carlos Santana, Miles Goodman

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

July 24, 1987 · 1 h 48 min · PG-13

Released
July 24, 1987
Runtime
1 h 48 min
Age rating
PG-13
Genres
Drama, Music
Original language
English
Also spoken
Spanish
Made in
United States
Budget
$7 million
Box office
$54 million
Available in
85 countries

Tropes

One-Steve Limit, Parting-Words Regret, Doomed Protagonist +9

  • One-Steve Limit
  • Parting-Words Regret
  • Doomed Protagonist
  • Intrafamilial Class Conflict
  • Artistic License – History
  • Recording Studio Scene
  • Primal Fear
  • Bookends
  • Big Brother Worship
  • Anti-Role Model
  • Adaptational Attractiveness
  • Dating What Daddy Hates

12 of 30 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream La Bamba?"

Questions about La Bamba

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream La Bamba?

Tubi TVSony Pictures Core

In the United States, La Bamba streams on Sony Pictures Core, and it is free with ads on Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 35 other countries.

Is La Bamba worth watching?

73
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 73 (IMDb 7, Letterboxd 3.6 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 83%, and Metacritic 65).

Is La Bamba okay for kids?

PG-13

Yes: it's rated PG-13 in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

Is La Bamba good for date night?

and 6 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFamily Movie NightFriends Night

Yes: romance is 7 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Is La Bamba plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on pathos (9 of 10) and character depth (8 of 10) more than on its plot.

Was La Bamba a box office hit?

Budget$7 million
Box office$54 million

Yes, a big one: it cost about $7 million to make and earned $54 million worldwide, 8.3 times its budget.

What tropes does La Bamba use?

One-Steve LimitParting-Words RegretDoomed ProtagonistIntrafamilial Class ConflictArtistic License – HistoryRecording Studio ScenePrimal FearBookendsBig Brother WorshipAnti-Role ModelAdaptational AttractivenessDating What Daddy Hatesand 18 more

TV Tropes lists 30 tropes for it, including One-Steve Limit, Parting-Words Regret, and Doomed Protagonist.