GoodWatchSign up

The Buddy Holly Story

1978·Movie
1h 54min·PG
80
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.2Metacritic787.1Rotten Tomatoes100%77%
IMDb7.2Metacritic787.1Rotten Tomatoes100%77%

The Buddy Holly Story fingerprint

Big heart, a touch of humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Fast Pace6
  • Adrenaline5
  • Tension4

Heart

Cathartic and nostalgic

  • Catharsis8
  • Nostalgia8
  • Wholesome7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Situational Comedy3
  • Physical Comedy2

World

A real life story, history, and show business

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Acting7
  • Character Depth7
  • Direction6

Style

Standout score

  • Music Centrality9
  • Music Composition8
  • Cinematography6

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism

Find more like it

Motivational moviesNostalgic movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

His story will have you singing, laughing, crying, cheering, and stomping your feet

A chronicle of the rise and brief career of rock 'n' roll star Buddy Holly, who aspires to play music the way he wants it to sound. Holly and his band, the Crickets, are first invited to record in Nashville, where they encounter creative differences with the producing staff. Later they play a major booking at the Apollo Theater, scheduled there under the mistaken assumption that they're a black band. Holly's career eventually goes solo -- until the tragic day the music dies.
Feel-Good BiopicRock 'n' Roll HistoryNostalgic CharmMusical JourneyClassic HollywoodInspirational StoryAmerican DreamDetailed Period Piece

Crew

Directed by:
Steve Rash, Carol Himes
Written by:
Alan Swyer, Robert Gittler
Composed by:
Joe Renzetti

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Buddy Holly Story

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Buddy Holly Story legally?

The RokuCriterionSony Pictures Core

You can watch it free with ads on YouTube Free. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Buddy Holly Story worth watching?

80
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 81/100 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 100%, and Metacritic 78). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Buddy Holly Story rated?

PG

It's rated PG in the United States.

How long is The Buddy Holly Story?

1 h 54 min

The Buddy Holly Story runs 1 h 54 min.

Is The Buddy Holly Story based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Buddy Holly Story?

Critics89
Audiences73

Not quite. Critics rate The Buddy Holly Story higher (89) than audiences (73). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was The Buddy Holly Story a box office hit?

Budget$1 million
Box office$14 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $1 million to make and earned $14 million worldwide, 12.0 times its budget.

What language is The Buddy Holly Story in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Buddy Holly Story?

51AEATAUBEBRCACHCLCOCZDEECEGES+37

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Buddy Holly Story in 51 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Buddy Holly Story use?

Anachronism StewArtistic License – HistoryCaptain ErsatzDoomed ProtagonistForegone ConclusionNo Celebrities Were HarmedThe Power of RockReality Is UnrealisticStunned Silence

TV Tropes lists 9 storytelling tropes for The Buddy Holly Story, including Anachronism Stew, Artistic License – History, Captain Ersatz.