Following twelve months of anticipation, the Eurovision The Grand Final is nearly here – 26 nations have secured their spots for the main event on Saturday, May 17.
The renowned singing competition is returning for yet another year, and this edition will be hosted by the champions from the previous year. Switzerland , who were represented by singer Nemo.
Taking place in Basel for 2025, the Eurovision party has already started with both semi-finals now done and dusted, with the final line-up settled.
Representing the UK are the three singers Remember Monday And their track "What the Hell Just Happened?" performed exceptionally well during a rehearsal at Thursday’s semi-finals.
To set the stage for all the spectacle and shows, consider watching these five Eurovision-inspired movies to kick off your weekend and prepare you for the Grand Finale.
If you begin watching them on Saturday morning, you ought to complete the final episode in the series right before the BBC’s coverage, presented by Graham Norton, starts.
Eurovision Song Contest: The Tale of Fire Saga (2020)
Launched on Netflix in June 2020, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga features Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams as Icelandic contenders for the Eurovision contest.
In the quaint fishing village of Husavik, located along Iceland's north coast, Will’s character Lars and Rachel’s character Sigrit embark on a trip to Edinburgh for their participation.
The movie is most recalled for Lars and Sigrit’s risqué gibberish song "Ja Ja Ding Dong," though this isn't actually the tune they present at the competition.
Although the movie garnered a rather indifferent response from critics – it holds a 63% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes – Eurovision enthusiasts revisit it annually.
The Story of Fire Saga also features cameos from major Eurovision stars from down the years, including Sweden’s double champion Loreen, 2018 Israeli winner Netta, and 2016 Ukraine winner Jamala.
Will came to love Eurovision after being introduced to the contest in 1999 by his Swedish wife Viveca Paulin, 25 years after Abba famously won the competition.
Watch Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga on Netflix.
Souvenir (2016)
Launched in 2016 and helmed by Bavo Defurne, the French movie "Souvenir" revolves around an imaginary obscure singer who previously represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest.
The movie features renowned French actress Isabelle Huppert, known for her roles in films such as The Piano Teacher, Amour, Elle, Greta, and Mrs Harris Goes to Paris.
After appearing in Paul Verhoeven’s 2016 movie Elle, she has received three Bafta awards, one Golden Globe, and was nominated for an Academy Award.
In "Souvenir," we follow the journey of Liliane, one of Isabelle’s characters, as she encounters an ambitious young boxer and they fall deeply in love. This leads Liliane to attempt making a return to the music business.
Strangely, the film was given a Christmas release in France, five months before the Eurovision Song Contest usually comes around each year.
Critics were similarly lukewarm on Souvenir as they were on The Story of Fire Saga, with the film’s Rotten Tomatoes rating currently sitting at 52%, however, the site’s top critics see its rating jump to 64%.
Watch Souvenir on Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video.
"A Tune Named Dislike" (2020)
The 2019 Eurovision Song Contest faced controversy leading up to the Grand Finale, prompting calls from some individuals to boycott the event that year.
Israel held the competition that year following Netta's victory in 2018 with her hit "Toy," and pro-Palestinian demonstrators organized protests throughout the preliminary stages.
In the middle of this controversy were Iceland band Hatari, who were known for their predominantly left-wing values and provocative stage displays.
A Song Called Hate follows the members of Hatari as they decide whether to boycott Eurovision altogether or use the opportunity to spread their beliefs across Europe.
On Letterboxd, user Oliver contrasted it with The Story of Fire Saga, stating: 'Among the films from 2020 that depict Iceland’s involvement in the Eurovision Song Contest, this one stood out as much better.'
spoiler alert: Hatari played their track "Hatrið mun sigra" (Hatred Will Prevail), ultimately securing the third place spot that year, impressing audiences with their powerful performance.
View A Song Called Hate on OutTV through Amazon Prime Video.
Monsterman (2014)
In 2006, the Nordic nations once again shone at Eurovision, with Finland’s hard rock group Lordi dominating Europe with their track Hard Rock Hallelujah.
Clad in bizarre outfits, Lordi gave an energetic performance and surged towards triumph, winning by nearly 50 points over the second-place Russians in the Grand Final, thus securing Finland's inaugural Eurovision crown.
Hard Rock Hallelujah guaranteed an 'apocalypse' and a 'rock-evening day,' which is precisely what Europe experienced, as the track climbed into the charts across 13 different European nations following the contest's end.
Eight years following Lordi’s victory, "Monsterman" recounted a distinct narrative regarding Lordi’s frontman, Tomi Putaansuu, who is widely recognized as Mr Lordi on stage.
The synopsis of the movie indicates that "Monsterman" is a film centered around Mr. Lordi, the creature from Lapland, who, following his victory at the Eurovision Song Contest, ends up losing nearly everything he has.
The film chronicles the journey of a band that has reached the pinnacle of success (at least on a continental scale) and now faces nowhere to go but down.
View Monsterman on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
sounds like teen spirit 2008
Sounds Like Teen Spirit – or to provide the movie its complete title, Sounds Like Teen Spirit: A Popumentary – is a documentary focusing on the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
Every year since 2003, Junior Eurovision has been held in either November or December – currently, the title of champion belongs to Georgia following their contestant Andria Putkaradze’s victory in 2024.
After four years since the inception of the competition, Emmy-winning director Jay Johnson chose to document the journeys of the aspiring singers participating in the 2007 edition.
Focusing particularly on the situations of Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Georgia, "Sounds Like TikeTeenSpirit" garnered praise from critics.
In 2007, the victor was Belarus, represented by singer Alexey Zhigalkovich who claimed first place with his track "S Druz'yami," meaning "With Friends."
The movie presently boasts an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which makes it the most critically acclaimed film in this collection. Additionally, it has received accolades in both France and Denmark.
View "Teen Spirit" on Apple TV.
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