1950s Nostalgia: 5 Best Movies Set in the Rock'n'Roll Era

The 1950s was a controversial time. But the era of McCarthyism and stylish clothes and hairdos certainly had a profound impact on pop culture, inspiring many movies and TV shows. Here are five of the best films depicting the decade.

Cry-Baby (1990, 6.5 on IMDb)

Available on: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Set in Baltimore in the '50s, John Waters' musical rom com centers on Wade Walker, nicknamed Cry-Baby for his ability to shed a single tear, and Allison Vernon-Williams, who belong to two warring teenage clans – the drapes and the squares. Despite their differences and the unspoken taboo against inter-clan romance, Wade and Allison fall in love and their relationship affects the entire city and its culture.

Pleasantville (1998, 7.2 on IMDb)

Available on: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Gary Ross' fantasy comedy-drama tells the story of David and Jennifer, twin siblings from the late 1990s, who break their TV remote control during a fight. They call a repairman who, impressed by David's understanding of the 1950s TV show of the title, gives them a special remote that transports them to the world of Pleasantville. Initially ecstatic, David comes to realize that the world of the show is far from ideal. And his and Jennifer's arrival inevitably affects the town and its inhabitants, changing them forever.

This Boy's Life (1993, 7.3 on IMDb)

Available on: Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Adapted from Tobias Wolff's memoir, this biopic stars Leonardo DiCaprio as the author in his childhood with his single mother, Caroline. In the 1950s, Caroline, abandoned by Toby's father, travels around the US with the boy, trying to give him a better life. When she meets Dwight, a seemingly nice man, she marries him, hoping that he will bring stability to her and Toby's lives. But Dwight turns out to be violent and cruel, and Toby's life is overwhelmed with more trauma.

Quiz Show (1994, 7.5 on IMDb)

Available on: Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Inspired by the quiz show scandals of the 1950s, this adaptation of Richard N. Goodwin's memoir follows Charles Van Doren, a new contestant on Twenty-One who replaces fan favorite Herb Stempel. As it turns out, Stempel's loss on the game show was rigged, and Van Doren was brought in by the producers as a more cooperative contestant who agreed to their terms. But sooner or later, the plan became public knowledge and a scandal was inevitable.

L.A. Confidential (1997, 8.2 on IMDb)

Available on: Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Set in 1953, this neo-noir crime drama revolves around a trio of LAPD officers who find themselves on different sides of the case against several drunken cops who brutally beat up inmates. After decades of corruption and infamy, the Los Angeles Police Department is determined to see the case through, helping some characters build careers and making others rethink their moral convictions.