The film is based on the real life of one of the world’s biggest musical stars
08:00, 30 Dec 2025
The film is based on the real life of one of the world’s biggest musical stars(Image: David Appleby/Paramount/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
He’s one of the greatest musical icons the UK has ever produced and is still winning over fans well into his fifth decade of topping the charts.
Rocketman, released in 2019, is a jukebox musical, telling the story of one of our most famous superstars – Elton John. Starring Taron Egerton as the man himself and Richard Madden as his manager, John Reid, the film charts Elton’s incredible rise to fame from his early days as a young Reginald Dwight, to changing his name and his long-standing creative collaboration with singer-songwriter, Bernie Taupin.
Rocketman is set to Elton’s most beloved songs and includes his incredible breakthrough years back in the 1970s where he transformed from a shy boy who loved to play the piano to the flamboyant international superstar we all know and love today. Egerton and Madden are supported by a stellar cast, including Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell as Taupin and Bryce Dallas Howard as his mother, Sheila.
Taron Egerton and Richard Madden star in the biopic(Image: Gavin Bond)
The film was a huge box office success, making a massive $195.2 million worldwide, against a $40million budget. Rocketman, directed by Dexter Fletcher, also went on to win huge critical acclaim, with both Egerton’s acting and musical performances widely praised. It won the Oscar for Best Original Song, (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again, which was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin specifically for the film, Rocketman also won the Golden Globe for Best Picture and Egerton picked up the Globe for Best Actor.
On movie review aggregator website, Rotten Tomatoes, Rocketman holds an impressive 89 percent approval rating. One review said: “The mere fact that the film can tell the story of an at times tortured artist like Elton John while still managing to have its audience tap their feet and sing-a-long to some of his most recognisable tunes is a feat upon itself.”
Taron Egerton plays Elton John(Image: David Appleby)
Another critic added: “Rocketman is a strong, triumphant look at the life and times of singer Elton John. Taron Egerton gives an astounding, emotional, and electric performance as the legendary pop star.” While a third wrote: “Taron Egerton’s performance, including pitch-perfect singing, is nothing short of miraculous. He’s energetic, egomaniacal, and yet somehow thoroughly worth empathizing with.”
Fans also loved the film, with one saying: “A truly amazing film exploring the life of Elton John Rocketman might be the best biopic i’ve ever seen period, if you really are an Elton John fan this is a must watch.” Another wrote: “Rocketman is a dazzling, energetic, and cleverly musically stylized biopic about Elton John that veers away from Hollywood’s unfortunate tendency to make bland and basic musical biopics. Taron Egerton’s portrayal of Elton John was perfect and really and me feeling that this is one of the most shining biopics I’ve ever seen.”
Taron Egerton with Elton John
While a third said: “Rocketman beautifully encapsulates the complex life of Elton John while utilising its fantastical visuals and musical sequences to engage the audience emotionally from start to finish. The film’s strength lies in its ability to merge reality with theatricality, using dream-like sequences to convey Elton’s inner turmoil and rise to fame. The film carries a star-studded cast that contributes not only their names but incredible performances that, in my opinion, drive the film to be considered one of the greatest.”
Rocketman will air on Channel 4 at 9pm on December 30.
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website
