Trailer

The Buddy Holly Story

1978Movie1 h 54 minPG

80
GreatGoodWatch score

A cathartic, nostalgic drama movie about a real life story and history.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for scares.

Movies with

Story

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.

Feels like

  • Feel-Good Biopic
  • Rock 'n' Roll History
  • Nostalgic Charm
  • Musical Journey
  • Classic Hollywood
  • Inspirational Story
  • American Dream
  • Detailed Period Piece

Cast

Crew

Directed by
Steve Rash
Music by
Joe Renzetti

Everyone

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

Facts

May 18, 1978 · 1 h 54 min · PG

Released
May 18, 1978
Runtime
1 h 54 min
Age rating
PG
Genres
Drama, Music
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$1 million
Box office
$14 million
Available in
51 countries

Tropes

Anachronism Stew, Artistic License – History, Captain Ersatz +6

  • Anachronism Stew
  • Artistic License – History
  • Captain Ersatz
  • Doomed Protagonist
  • Foregone Conclusion
  • No Celebrities Were Harmed
  • The Power of Rock
  • Reality Is Unrealistic
  • Stunned Silence

From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream The Buddy Holly Story?"

Questions about The Buddy Holly Story

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Buddy Holly Story?

In the United States, The Buddy Holly Story streams on Criterion and Sony Pictures Core, and it is free with ads on The Roku. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and MovieMe. It also streams in 6 other countries.

Is The Buddy Holly Story worth watching?

80
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 80 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 100%, and Metacritic 78). Critics rate it higher (89 out of 100) than audiences (73).

Is The Buddy Holly Story okay for kids?

PG

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

Can I half-watch The Buddy Holly Story?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes: it's easy to follow, with complexity at only 5 of 10, and the viewing guide calls it good for background watching.

Is The Buddy Holly Story good for date night?

and 6 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFamily Movie NightFriends Night

Yes: romance is 6 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

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.