12 Best Movies To Watch After Elvis

Few figures in American history are more instantly recognizable than Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll. Born into poverty in Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1935, Elvis changed the world with his music, an electrifying mix of rhythm and blues, country, and gospel influences. Elvis' music made him a superstar and turned rock and roll into the dominant musical trend of the 20th century. His influence on modern culture cannot be overstated and persists to this day.

Director Baz Luhrmann brings Elvis' life to the screen with a new biopic, simply titled "Elvis," that focuses on the turbulent relationship between the singer, played by Austin Butler, and his manipulative, greedy manager, Tom Parker, played by Tom Hanks. The film tells the rags-to-riches story of Elvis Presley, from his humble roots to the personal demons that haunted him until his death in 1977 at the age of 42. Luhrmann's larger-than-life directing style pairs nicely with the equally extravagant exploits of Presley, a man who defied racial boundaries, upset the status quo of segregated "race music," and united the whole country under the banner of rock and roll.

After watching "Elvis," new fans will surely want to learn more about Presley and the cultural shift he inspired. Here are 12 movies about Elvis and the rebellious, irrepressible spirit of rock and roll he represented.

Johnny Cash, "The Man in Black," was a contemporary of Elvis, and they were even labelmates at the legendary Sun Records early on in their respective careers. Cash got his own biopic in 2005 in the form of "Walk the Line," starring Joaquin Phoenix as the iconic country singer and Reese Witherspoon as his wife and fellow country superstar, June Carter Cash. The film goes through most of the requisite "Oscar bait biopic" points, much as "Ray" did the year before, but it's a formula that works; Phoenix was Oscar-nominated for his performance, while Witherspoon won the best actress Oscar for her performance as June.

"Walk the Line" deals in part with Cash's daddy issues due to the untimely and violent death of his brother, Jack, his favorite son. Cash's father is played by Robert Patrick, who also played Elvis' father, Vernon, in "Elvis: The Miniseries," a two-part CBS television event that aired in May 2005, just a few months before "Walk the Line" made its theatrical debut. Notably, Elvis plays a minor role as a character in "Walk the Line," appearing on the same Sun Records tour as Johnny Cash and another 1950s rock and roll legend, Jerry Lee Lewis.

Directed by Walter Hill, 1984's "Streets of Fire" is an audiovisual delight that would impress even Baz Luhrmann. Ambiguously set in "another time, another place," "Streets of Fire" draws inspiration from 1950s rock and roll, film noir, and swashbuckling adventure to create a tapestry that feels wholly unique, even four decades later. The soundtrack contains numerous songs written specifically for the film by artists like Tom Petty, Stevie Knicks, and the legendary Jim Steinman. Popular neo-rockabilly act the Blasters also appear in the film, presumably as themselves, showcasing their musical talents at the villains' hideout.

Diane Lane plays Ellen Aim, a rock star who returns to her home city, only to get kidnapped by a gang led by a young and borderline vampiric Willem Dafoe. Thus, it's up to Ellen's ex-boyfriend, played by Michael Paré, to lead a team into the seedy side of town to beat up the bad guys and get her back. The supporting cast includes Rick Moranis, Amy Madigan, Bill Paxton, and Lee Ving of the rock band Fear. A wonderful blend of adventure and musical, "Streets of Fire" remains one of the most endearing cult classics of the 1980s.

Youth culture became more relevant than ever in the mid 1950s, as new sensations like rock and roll and drive-in movies catered to the booming demographic of teenagers. "Blackboard Jungle," released in 1955, addressed the issues plaguing inner-city teenagers while simultaneously catering to them with a rollicking rock and roll soundtrack. The film famously opens with a complete recording of "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets. Between its use of the blistering rock song and its themes of racial tensions and youth violence, "Blackboard Jungle" was seen as immoral and banned in segregated parts of the American South.

Glenn Ford stars as Richard Dadier, a teacher transferred to an urban high school populated by violent and rebellious young people who openly challenge the authority of school staff and fight anyone who gets in their way. Vic Morrow (of "King Creole") and Sidney Poitier play high school students; it was a star-making role for the latter, who would become one of the most respected actors in the history of cinema. While dated in some respects, such as its melodramatic tendencies, modern audiences might be surprised at how uncompromising "Blackboard Jungle" is in its portrayal of race relations and the dividing line between generations.

Thanks to its authenticity to the youth culture of the day and fantastic performances from its lead actors, "Blackboard Jungle" remains a cultural touchstone that continues to resonate with each new generation.

Another 1956 rock and roll movie starring Alan Freed, "Rock! Rock! Rock!" has even less of a story than "Rock Around the Clock" and its successors, but that's not what people watch these movies to see; in an era before YouTube, young people would flock to theaters to see rock and roll bands play their signature songs on the largest screen possible. In that respect, "Rock! Rock! Rock!" delivers, with performances from such acts as Chuck Berry, The Flamingos, Teddy Randazzo, and Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers. With the exception of Lymon and Berry, the lineup of acts isn't quite as impressive as some of the other rock and roll movies, but there are plenty of hidden gems here that have been largely forgotten over the past 56 years.

For those unaware, Alan Freed was a radio DJ who helped proliferate rock and roll music during its formative years. He's credited with popularizing the phrase "rock and roll," and he is considered to be a hugely influential figure in the early days of rock music. Unfortunately, he was dogged by multiple scandals, including accusations of taking bribes from record companies in exchange for playing specific records, a process called payola. As a result, Freed was effectively blacklisted in his later years. He died in 1965 at the age of 43 as a result of complications from alcoholism; a tragic end for such an important figure in the history of rock and roll.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Many an Elvis fan skipped out on "Bubba Ho-Tep" when it was first released back in 2002. The idea of following an elderly Elvis secretly living in a nursing home doing battle with an undead mummy didn't sit well with many Elvis enthusiasts. However, those who gave it a chance were pleasantly surprised. "Bubba Ho-Tep," despite its outlandish fantasy premise, is actually an earnest tribute to Elvis Presley, a deep character study of a man who had it all before succumbing to his lifestyle of excess — or nearly succumbing, in this case.

In "Bubba Ho-Tep," based on the novella by Joe R. Lansdale, Elvis didn't die in 1977. Instead, he changed places with an exceptionally talented Elvis impersonator who died instead, while the real Elvis lost all the proof of his true identity in an unfortunate barbecue accident. In the present day, he lives anonymously in a nursing home. His best friend, played by Ozzie Davis, claims to be JFK, insisting the government dyed his skin to conceal his identity. While the film certainly has its wacky moments (it's still about a mummy attacking a nursing home, after all), it's always respectful to Elvis, even while criticizing the poor decisions that impacted his later years. Bruce Campbell deserves all the acclaim in the world for his performance, which takes itself seriously, even while having some silly fun.

By 1968, Elvis' career had stalled out. After starring in dozens of dreadful movies, he needed to shake off all the rust. While his manager, Tom Parker, wanted him to do a corny Christmas special, television producer Steve Binder wanted to bring Elvis back to his rock and roll roots. Elvis hadn't played for a television audience since 1960's "Welcome Home Elvis," hosted by Frank Sinatra, so it was unclear if Elvis could still rock the way he did in his 1950s heyday.

On December 3, 1968, all fears were completely discarded. The special begins with a close-up of Elvis' face as he stares into the camera and sings the first verse of "Trouble," from the soundtrack to "King Creole." By the time he segues into a cover of Jerry Reed's "Guitar Man," he had completely wiped away the past eight years of Hollywood purgatory and reclaimed his throne as the all-time King of Rock and Roll. And that's just the first forty-two seconds of the hourlong TV event, which came to be known as the "1968 Comeback Special."

Every second of the special is a reminder that nobody ever did it like Elvis. His talent was singular, and his music changed the world like nobody before or since. The special's closing number, "If I Can Dream," is a bittersweet encapsulation of 1968, a year of turmoil, hope, despair, and irreversible social change.