In a sea of musical biopics, directorJames Mangold’sA Complete Unknownlooks to stand apart from the pack in its telling of how an up-and-coming Bob Dylan (played byAcademy Award nominee Timothée Chalamet) changed the folk music scene forever. Filling out the parts of Bob Dylan’s friends, family, and associates is an eclectic cast of incredible actors, including the likes ofElle Fanning,Monica Barbaro,Scoot McNairy, andEdward Norton. With a cast and director of this caliber, it’s no wonderA Complete Unknownis being poised as a major awards contender.
Biopics following the rise of our most iconic musicians have been a dime a dozen in recent years. Films like 2018’sBohemian Rhapsodyand 2019’sRocketmanhave found creative approaches to studying their subjects and the mark they’ve made on both their industry and the world at large, garnering praise and even Oscar wins as a result. AlongsideA Complete Unknown,Robbie Williams' biopic,Better Man, is also aiming to dazzle audiences and Academy members alike with its uniquely stylistic way of examining, making the music biopic genre a bit more crowded during an already heated awards season.Continue reading to find out where you can watch James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic upon its release.
Is ‘A Complete Unknown’ Streaming?
Bad news for Timmy C and Bob Dylan fans alike:A Complete Unknownwill not be on streaming when it releases later this month. But don’t fret,the music biopic will eventually make its way to Hulu, seeing as the film comes from Searchlight Pictures, one of the studios under the Disney umbrella, as a direct result of their acquisition of 20th Century Fox back in 2019.Searchlight’sNightbitchstarring Amy Adamsis another awards hopeful from the studio that will be receiving similar treatment with its eventual streaming debut.
Is ‘A Complete Unknown’ in Theaters?
However, those wishing to experienceA Complete Unknownon the big screen are in luck, asthe film will be playing exclusively in theaters as of Christmas Day, August 24, 2025. ButA Complete Unknownwon’t be the only film pining for that number one box office spot on Christmas Day. The film will go up against holdoversMufasa: The Lion KingandSonic the Hedgehog 3, as well as a slew of newcomers includingUniversal andRobert Eggers’Nosferatu, A24’sBabygirlstarringNicole Kidman, and sports dramaThe Fire Insidefrom MGM.
Find Showtimes for ‘A Complete Unknown’
For those trying to fitA Complete Unknowninto their holiday plans, here are some resourceful links you’re able to use to acquire your tickets:
Official Website
AMC Theatres
Watch the Trailer for ‘A Complete Unknown’
The official trailer forA Complete Unknown(which can be viewed above) does what a great biopic trailer should do. Showing glimpses of Chalamet’s singing voice and all the important faces he’ll meet on his rise to fame, the trailer gives the audience much to get excited about.
The official synopsis forA Complete Unknownreads as follows:
“New York, 1961. Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota arrives with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. He forges intimate relationships with music icons of Greenwich Village on his meteoric rise, culminating in a groundbreaking and controversial performance that reverberates worldwide. Timothée Chalamet stars and sings as Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, the electric true story behind the rise of one of the most iconic singer-songwriters in history.”
Other Music Biopics to Watch
IfA Complete Unknownhas you eager to check out other music biopics, here are some great picks to consider for your next movie night.
‘Walk the Line’ (2005)
Walk The Line
Also by filmmaker James Mangold,Walk the Lineis a compelling drama depicting the beginnings of the career of country legendJohnny Cash(Joaquin Phoenix). Whether one is a fan of country or not, Mangold’s biopic has something to offer for everyone, from its terrific performances to its emotionally compelling narrative. Co-starringReese Witherspoon in her Oscar-winning role,Walk the Lineremains one of the more memorable and well-executed music biopics out there, nearly 20 years later.
‘tick, tick… BOOM!’ (2021)
tick, tick… BOOM!
It can be argued thatLin-Manuel Miranda’stick, tick… BOOM!doesn’t count as a biopic, seeing as it’s adapted fromJonathan Larson’s autobiographical musical of the same name. However, the film plays out largely like a biopic despite its numerous musical numbers, akin to the previously mentionedEltonJohnbiopic,Rocketman.
But all that being said, regardless of what one would classifytick, tick… BOOM!, it’s a one-of-a-kind musical experience chronicling Jonathan Larson’s personal struggles that led to him creating his most iconic work,Rent.Andrew Garfield’s Oscar-nominated performance is an incredible showcase for the actor’s musical talents as well as his dramatic prowess. This is some of Garfield’s best work, in a career already stacked with remarkable performances.
‘The Doors’ (1991)
Director Oliver Stonehas been behind several biographical films in his career, whether it be the 2004 historical epicAlexanderor 2016’sSnowden. But despite the iconic Oscar-winning filmmaker’s numerous depictions of real-life figures, only one of his films follows a real-life musician, that being theJim Morrisonbiopic,The Doors. StarringVal Kilmerin one of his best performances,The Doorshas a distinctly dreamlike quality to its presentation of Morrison’s story, giving it a unique quality that many rudimentary biopics don’t possess. The film can feel a bit bloated with its 140-minute runtime, but it’s a trip worth taking for any fan of Morrison and The Doors.
A Complete Unknown
A Complete Unknown: Set in the vibrant New York music scene of the early 1960s, the film follows the journey of 19-year-old Minnesota musician Bob Dylan. It captures his rapid ascent from a budding folk singer to a prominent figure in concert halls and on the charts, highlighting his impact on the music world.
