20 Best and Worst Music to Movie Crossovers (original) (raw)


When viewers head to theaters to see Chappie, the latest sci-fi adventure from Neill Blomkamp (District 9), a cute robot won't be the only striking character creating chatter. Who is that woman with the bizarre haircut? And that scary-looking dude with the tattoos? If you're current on the South African rap/rave scene, you'll recognize them. If not, meet Die Antwoord, hip hop performance artists and cult favorites that are making their acting debut in Chappie.
They're not the first musical artists to crossover to movies, and they won't be the last. Here is a look at how other artists have fared.


Will Smith began his career as The Fresh Prince with hits such as "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "Summertime" with pals DJ Jazzy Jeff and Ready Rock C. Catapulting to fame on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith parlayed his talents to the big screen in Six Degrees of Separation and Bad Boys. he went on to earn an Academy Award nomination for his work in 2006's The Pursuit of Happiness and is currently reprising his popular role in Men in Black III, out May 25, 2012. — Sophie Schillaci, THR


Rising to fame as the lead heart throb in Lou Pearlman's prized boy band, 'N Sync, Justin Timberlake broke out on his own in 2002 with his first solo effort, Justified. After establishing himself as a solo artist, and getting his feet wet with a few roles in minor film productions, Timberlake hit the big screen in his first major role for 2006's Alpha Dog. As his latest effort, In Time, hits theaters, Timberlake's resume is a mixed bag of box office successes and failures. Among the high — and low — lights are The Social Network, The Love Guru, Friends With Benefits, Black Snake Moan, Bad Teacher and Yogi Bear. — Sophie Schillaci, THR
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Contrary to popular opinion, Dolly Parton's two biggest assets have always been her voice and comedic timing. And while she's enjoyed a handful of acting opportunities that showcased the latter, none top her turn in 9 to 5. No other girl from Tennessee who could step into her first feature film, alongside heavyweights Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, and hold her own. — Michael O'Connell, THR


The rapper wowed critics in 2002 with his performance in the Curtis Hanson-directed 8 Mile, which marked his first starring role. In the semi-autobiographical movie, Eminem plays a young white rapper growing up in a poor area of Detroit who is struggling to earn respect among his mostly African-American peers. Eminem, who won the Oscar for best song in 2003, only recently picked his follow-up: the gritty boxing drama Southpaw, to be directed by Antoine Fuqua. — Kimberly Nordyke, THR
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After starring in the MTV movie Carmen: A Hip Hopera, Beyonce made her big-screen debut in Austin Powers in Goldmember. She later went on to co-star in such movies as Obsessed, The Pink Panther and Cadillac Records, but her most successful role to date is 2006's Dreamgirls, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for best actress. — Kimberly Nordyke, THR
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Cher was best known as one-half of married singing duo — and stars of their own variety show — Sonny & Cher. But the two divorced in the mid-'70s, their show was canceled, and she embarked on a successful acting career that included Silkwood (which earned her a Golden Globe Award), Mask (best actress prize at the Festival de Cannes), Moonstruck (Oscar and Golden Globe Awards), The Witches of Eastwick and Suspect. However, most recent film, Burlesque, failed to gather steam at the box office. — Kimberly Nordyke, THR
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It’s been a couple decades since Mark Wahlberg was last considered a music star (his Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch had a No. 1 hit in 1991), but that’s mainly because he’s such a formidable actor. The Boston native's breakthrough role: many would say 1997’s Boogie Nights, in which Wahlberg played superiorly-proportioned porn star Dirk Diggler. — Shirley Halperin, THR


The rapper-singer co-starred in the TV series Living Single and appeared in such movies as The Bone Collector and Living Out Loud before turning heads in 2002's Chicago. Her role as Matron "Mama" Morton earned her Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. She's since gone to co-star in such movies as Hairspray and Valentine's Day. — Kimberly Nordyke, THR
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There is a clear 'chicken or the egg?' conundrum with Barbra Streisand. The singer/actress has been so defined by her slash, it's hard to lump her into one category. Yet she was a singer first, so consider Oscar for Funny Girl just delicious, golden gravy. — Michael O'Connell, THR


The King of Rock 'n' Roll starred in 31 feature films throughout his career. After starting out in well-received movies like Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock and King Creole, Presley took a break to serve in the Army, then later resumed his acting career to less critical acclaim, in such movies as G.I. Blues, Viva Las Vegas and The Trouble With Girls, but the fans still embraced him nonetheless. — Kimberly Nordyke, THR
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Old Blue Eyes had the kind of charm that could not be contained by one medium, so his quick segue into film made perfect sense. His roles — in films like From Here to Eternity, Guys and Dolls, Ocean's Eleven and The Manchurian Candidate — might even have overshadowed his music career… had he not sang in most of his movies. — Michael O'Connell, THR


Playing salsa icon Hector Lavoe was the role of a lifetime for Latin heartthrob Marc Anthony, whose wife Jennifer Lopez co-starred in the 2007 film El Cantante and whose company Nuyorican Productions helped finance it. But with a total gross of under $8 million (it made twice that on DVD), the musical biopic lacked the very thing that made the late Lavoe a legend: a deep connection to an audience. Still, Anthony didn’t go unrewarded – he won a Latin Grammy for the movie's soundtrack. — Shirley Halperin, THR


When 50 Cent starred in the 2005 film loosely based on his own life, he may have expected to see the same success that Eminem saw with 8 Mile. He would be disappointed because Get Rich or Die Tryin’ left audiences and critics feeling that they were shortchanged by 50’s less-than-impressive acting abilities. — Rebecca Ford, THR
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Christina Aguilera’s musical performances in Burlesque captivated the audience, but the world already knew that she can out-sing the best of ‘em. Her acting in the 2010 musical film, however, left something to be desired. The film was criticized for being clichéd and full of ridiculous dialogue. — Rebecca Ford, THR
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Jessica Simpson made her film debut in 2005's The Dukes of Hazzard opposite Seann William Scott and Johnny Knoxville, for which she earned a Razzie nomination. The following year, Simpson joined Dane Cook and Dax Shepard for Employee of the Month, and while it received slightly better reviews — earning a 20% on Rotten Tomatoes rather than 13% — it marked the peak of her acting career. The songstress went on to Blonde Ambition and Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous in 2007 and 2008 respectively, and has since called it quits on the acting game. With seven studio albums, Simpson's music career has been far more successful. Her 2003 album, In This Skin, was certified 3x Platinum in the U.S. — Sophie Schillaci, THR


The pop sensation's musical success didn't translate to the box office, as her leading role in 2002's Crossroads managed to earn just $61 million worldwide and scored 14% on Rotten Tomatoes. Spears went on to minor guest appearances on Will & Grace and How I Met Your Mother, in addition to a cameo as herself in Glee and her own short lived reality series with ex-husband Kevin Federline titled Britney & Kevin: Chaotic. — Sophie Schillaci, THR
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The pop star made her screen debut in the 2001 film Glitter, playing a singer still coming to grips with her rough past and issues of abandonment. It was a colossal flop at the box office (partly due to its release date, which was 10 days after 9/11), grossing just over $5 million and would haunt Mariah Carey as a perma-punchline. But Carey redeemed herself eight years later when she scored an impactful supporting role in the Oscar-nominated movie Precious. –– Shirley Halperin, THR


Back in 2002, American Idol was still in the experimentation phase as it wrapped its inaugural season. The show had a winner, Texas cocktail waitress Kelly Clarkson, a hit single in coronation song “A Moment Like This,” and an opportunity: to make a movie starring Clarkson and runner-up Justin Guarini. Both gave it all they had, but alas, neither would add actor to their resumes permanently, unless it involves emoting during a music video shoot. — Shirley Halperin, THR


How does one define success? Is it being man enough to wear a not-so-flattering leotard, attempting a hairstyle only Tina Turner could pull off or providing vocals on one of the most gloriously campy soundtracks of all time? If the answer to any of these is "yes," then David Bowie is the biggest winner of them all. — Michael O'Connell, THR


The notion of an urban, musical twist on The Wizard of Oz may have sounded crazy in 1970s America, but the end result hit home big time. Starring as Dorothy in the 1978 film, produced by Motown and Universal Pictures, was diva Diana Ross. At her side, soon-to-be-superstar Michael Jackson, who played the scarecrow. Quincy Jones produced the music to The Wiz, which would include the hit song “Ease On Down the Road.” Jackson’s next role would be in 1986’s Captain EO, direct by Francis Ford Coppola. — Shirley Halperin, THR