La Bamba (1987)

Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called "Donna" that he wrote for his girlfriend. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob, and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly.

Genres: Drama, Music

What to watch after La Bamba

• Selena (1997) — Same feel: emotional, dramatic
• Elvis (1979) — Same subject: rock 'n' roll
• Lady Sings the Blues (1972) — Same subject: dying young
• Sweet Dreams (1985) — Same subject: 1950s
• Jersey Boys (2014) — Same feel: emotional, dramatic
• Stand and Deliver (1988) — Lou Diamond Phillips and Rosanna DeSoto appear in both