The Magic of Music in The Ballad of Wallis Island—Plus Five Other Song-Filled Movies

In The Ballad of Wallis Island—directed by James Griffiths and co-written by Tom Basden and Tim Key—an eccentric lottery winner, Charles (Key), invites his musical idol, Herb McGwyer (Basden), to the remote island on which he lives to perform for a hefty sum of money. Unfortunately, McGwyer knows neither that he’ll be performing the concert for an audience of one, nor that he’ll be reuniting with his old musical partner and ex-flame, Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan). As the awkward scenario works itself out, Herb discovers how this strange situation has allowed him to accept the past and look toward the future in equal measure. It’s also allowed him to reconnect with the beauty of making music. The songs, all written by Basden, become more than just a score. “Much of the story rests on the framework that the music builds—the songs float in and out of the film,” Key explains in the production notes. Indeed, Slant writes, the movie provides “a moving tale about the power of music to heal.”

To celebrate the magic of music, we’re highlighting five other films whose musical content provides both their soundtrack and storyline.

The Ballad of Wallis Island is in theaters on March 28 — so get your tickets now!