Many movies about the country music business, country stars, and stories of budding country singers have been made over the years, but only a handful of those movies really get it right and capture the essence of country music and its people.
We take a look at five of what we believe are the best country music movies ever made.
5 - Country Strong (2010)
Tim McGraw played a manager husband of a country singer fighting her way back to stardom after a battle with drugs and alcohol played by Gwyneth Paltrow. It’s a powerful performance from Paltrow and McGraw.4 - Urban Cowboy (1980)
The ultimate country music-loving honky tonk movie that started a revolution in country music in 1980. Starring John Travolta, the movie plot is described as “Bud (Travolta) is a young man from the country who learns about life and love in a Houston bar.” Big songs and a country dance craze came out of this movie.3 - Pure Country (1992)
George Strait plays country star Dusty Chandler, who wants to ditch all the lights and effects for the plain and straightforward country music that made him a star. The King of Country Music proved himself to be a worthy actor.2 - Walk The Line (2005)
Handpicked by Johnny Cash himself to play him, Joaquin Phoenix was nominated for an Oscar for his role as Cash. Native Nashvillian Reese Witherspoon won an Oscar for Best Actress for her portrayal of Cash’s wife, June Carter Cash.1 - Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)
Dolly Parton said after seeing this movie (which won Sissy Spacek an Oscar for her portrayal of Loretta Lynn) that she had never seen anyone portray someone any closer to the real thing. Lynn said that Spacek followed her around on the road for months to prepare for the role.