La Bamba

Play trailer

1:24

La Bamba

PG-13

1987

1h 48m

Biography

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

80 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens (Lou Diamond Phillips) becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called Donna that he wrote for his girlfriend (Danielle von Zerneck) whose parents didn't want her to date a Latino boy. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob (Esai Morales), and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly (Marshall Crenshaw).

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Elevated by a perceptive performance by a perfectly cast Lou Diamond Phillips, La Bamba distills its subject's creative energy -- and reflects his music's enduring appeal.

Read Critics Reviews

Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

This rousing foot-tapper from the pioneering American film-maker Luis Valdez is the definitive Eighties music biopic.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 27, 2024

Full Review

Derek Smith

Slant Magazine

The film feels curiously devoid of passion and lacking in curiosity as it hits every predictable beat from start to finish.

Oct 16, 2023

Full Review

Kathy Huffhines

Detroit Free Press

Sweet and serious, a fine little movie that accomplishes just what it sets out to do.

Rated: 7/10

Aug 10, 2021

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The movie paints a respectful portrait of the clean-cut kid while providing much of the dramatic conflict through the character of his hot-headed brother.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 27, 2023

Full Review

Rudie Obias

Battleship Pretension

Valdez gives La Bamba a specificity that seems missing from today’s music biopic that feels more concerned with hitting the beats of a famous musician, rather than filling a life with family, shortcomings, and joy.

Sep 26, 2023

Full Review

Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Lively, enjoyable but superficial...

Nov 18, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Larry K

Great music and great acting by all!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/30/25

Full Review

Cecilia S

Valdez gives La Bamba a specificity that seems missing from today’s music biopic that feels more concerned with hitting the beats of a famous musician, rather than filling a life with family, shortcomings, and joy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/13/25

Full Review

Tyler S

Been a long time since I've seen this, and man it can still feel tough to watch. Ritchie Valens was a rising star taken from us way too soon, and this movie portrayed him very well.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/07/25

Full Review

Sawyer B

La Bamba is One Of Those Movies Where When You Watch It Once, You Watch it Multiple Times Again, A Absolute Must Watch for all fans of Biopics, Lou Phillips and Los Lobos Were Perfect in recreating Ritchie’s Hits, and the Cast is even better, Lou Phillips Portrayed Ritchie as a person who nobody knew, but gained popularity in the span of 7 months, absolutely perfection, And La Bamba isn’t One of the Movies That Feel like a Wikipedia, You Feel Emotional Towards The End and at Ritchie’s Struggles, Easy 5/5

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/26/25

Full Review

Michael W

This showbiz biopic was really good. Lou Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales, Danielle von Zerneck, Rosanna Desoto, Elizabeth Pena, Joe Pantoliano, and the rest of the cast did a fantastic job in this movie. This true story about Mexican-American rock singer Ritchie Valens was dramatic, entertaining, and tragic. It's about pursuing your dreams and never giving up no matter what. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's a definite must see.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/20/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme foda, o roteiro é legal pra caralho, as cenas são excelentes, o elenco é bacaninha, e alguns ajudam a melhorar o filme, a história é bacana, os personagens sao bons, o que melhorou o filme, foi o drama o filme colocou sobre o ritchie valens e no acidente trágico dele, com tudo isso, eu recomendo muito esse filme, vale a pena assistir.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Luis Valdez

Director

Lou Diamond Phillips

Ritchie Valens

Esai Morales

Bob Morales

Rosanna DeSoto

Connie Valenzuela

Elizabeth Peña

Rosie Morales

Danielle von Zerneck

Donna Ludwig

Mask

93%

83%

Mask

Watchlist

Lean on Me

71%

85%

Lean on Me

Watchlist

A Cry in the Dark

94%

74%

A Cry in the Dark

Watchlist

White Nights

46%

74%

White Nights

Watchlist

Without Limits

79%

91%

Without Limits

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

10 Rockin’ Music Biopics

Even More "Mission: Impossible III" Pics!

La Bamba: Trailer 1

1:24

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens (Lou Diamond Phillips) becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called Donna that he wrote for his girlfriend (Danielle von Zerneck) whose parents didn't want her to date a Latino boy. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob (Esai Morales), and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly (Marshall Crenshaw).

Director: Luis Valdez
Producer: Bill Borden, Taylor Hackford
Screenwriter: Luis Valdez
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation, New Visions Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 24, 1987, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 8, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $52.7M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

Most Popular at Home Now