La Bamba

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La Bamba

PG-13

1987

1h 48m

Biography

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

80 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

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 whose parents didn't want her to date a Latino boy. 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.

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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.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

01/27/2024

4/5

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

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Derek Smith

Slant Magazine

10/16/2023

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

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Kathy Huffhines

Detroit Free Press

08/10/2021

7/10

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

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

09/27/2023

3/4

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.

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Rudie Obias

Battleship Pretension

09/26/2023

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.

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

11/18/2022

Lively, enjoyable but superficial...

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Lincoln L

@Linkolnbio2 Aug 5

Boringly predictable

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Par H

@Parhwy Jul 31

La Bamba (1987) is a 108-minute-long US biographical musical I own on Prime and saw in July 2026. I have seen this film son many times since 1987. I love it. It is absolutely on my Top 10 / Desert Island list. It’s uplifting, heartbreaking, pretty to look at. Not flawless. The only thing which is a burp in this film is how old some of the silhouettes look (well, one guy in particular). Rewatch? LOL, definitely. Recommend? Yes. 10/10.

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Audriana H

@RT37502731 Jul 20

AMAZING MOVIE! watched with my boyfriend, it was fantastic but beware the ending will get you crying if you’re as sensitive as us! worth the watch, cute love story, though there are some rough moments it’s a FANTASTIC movie!

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David C

@davidjedi Jul 14

I watched it last night, I've not seen it since 1987 I think. Myself and wife really enjoyed it. We found out Donna his girfriend is still alive.

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Hotwheels T

@RT00311887 Jun 27

La Bamba is my absolute favorite of all time, my whole childhood is watching this movie

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Hector S

@HectUlrich Mar 10

Excelente de principio a fin. De mis favoritas.

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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

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La Bamba: Trailer 1

1:24

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Synopsis

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 whose parents didn't want her to date a Latino boy. 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.

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

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