'90s Film With Glam Rock Soundtrack Ranked Among Best Classic Rock Movies of All Time
Todd Haynes' 1998 glam rock drama Velvet Goldmine has landed at No. 5 on Collider's list of the best classic rock movies ever made, bringing renewed attention to the cult favorite known for its dazzling soundtrack, bold fashion and tribute to the glam rock era of the 1970s.
The film stood alongside titles such as High Fidelity, The Doors, and Elvis in Collider's ranking of movies that captured the energy and legacy of classic rock music. Collider praised Velvet Goldmine for how it "captures the glam rock era of the 1970s incredibly well, in a rather unique way."
Released in 1998, Velvet Goldmine follows fictional glam rock icon Brian Slade, played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, whose career collapses after he stages a fake onstage death.
Years later, journalist Arthur Stuart, played by Christian Bale, investigates Slade's disappearance and uncovers the hidden truths behind the singer's rise and fall.
The movie also stars Ewan McGregor as wild American rocker Curt Wild and Toni Collette as Mandy Slade.
Directed and co-written by Todd Haynes, the film was heavily inspired by glam rock legends, including David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Marc Bolan and Bryan Ferry.
One of the biggest reasons Velvet Goldmine continues to attract fans decades later is its soundtrack.
Even though Bowie declined permission for his songs to appear in the movie, the soundtrack still featured glam rock classics and new recordings inspired by the era. Songs from Roxy Music, T. Rex, Brian Eno and Lou Reed appeared throughout the film.
The soundtrack also included performances by members of Radiohead, Placebo, Pulp and Sonic Youth.
Placebo's cover of "20th Century Boy," Thom Yorke's vocals on Roxy Music covers and Ewan McGregor's performances of songs linked to Iggy Pop became standout moments for viewers.
The soundtrack album was released in November 1998 and later earned praise for blending original glam rock tracks with modern reinterpretations.
While Velvet Goldmine had only modest box-office success during its original run, the movie slowly developed a loyal fan base after its home-video release.
The film earned generally positive reviews from critics and currently holds a 64% critic score and an 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Time Out described the movie as "a witty, evocative re-creation of the heady days of glam rock," while Rolling Stone called it an "impressionistic glam-rock fantasy" that captured an "energy and aesthetic vibrance that remains unparalleled."
The film also received major awards recognition. It was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival and won the award for Best Artistic Contribution. Costume designer Sandy Powell won a BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design and later reflected on how personal the project felt to her.
Today, Velvet Goldmine is widely considered one of the most distinctive films connected to rock music culture.
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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 9:59 AM.