The Buddy Holly Story (1978) movie poster

The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

"His story will have you singing, laughing, crying, cheering, and stomping your feet"
ThumbScore
👍 77%audience score Estimated from TMDB user ratings and critic scores, calibrated to Google's former audience score. Google stopped publishing it in 2026.
Critics Score
🎬 100%
DramaMusic

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Where to Watch

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Director
Runtime
1h 54m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
7.1/10 (137 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
100%

Cast

Gary Busey as Buddy Holly · 75% avg
Don Stroud as Jesse Charles · 74% avg
Charles Martin Smith as Ray Bob Simmons · 75% avg
Conrad Janis as Ross Turner
William Jordan as Riley
Maria Richwine as Maria Elena Holly
Amy Johnston as Cindy Lou
Dick O'Neill as Sol Gittler · 71% avg

Is The Buddy Holly Story good?

Most people think so. 77% audience score, estimated from 137 TMDB ratings. Critics rated it higher at 100%, but audiences were less impressed.

Overview

A chronicle of the rise and brief career of rock 'n' roll star Buddy Holly, who aspires to play music the way he wants it to sound. Holly and his band, the Crickets, are first invited to record in Nashville, where they encounter creative differences with the producing staff. Later they play a major booking at the Apollo Theater, scheduled there under the mistaken assumption that they're a black band. Holly's career eventually goes solo -- until the tragic day the music dies. Wikipedia ↗

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