La Bamba poster
FilmDramaMusic

La Bamba (1987)

PG-13 · 1987-07-24 · 1h 48m · EN
72%
User score
640 votes
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Born into poverty. Destined for stardom. He lived the American dream.

Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called "Donna" that he wrote for his girlfriend. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob, and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly.

Read the La Bamba feature →
Luis ValdezDirector, Writer
Budget
$6.5M
Box office
$54.2M

Where to watch La Bamba

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Where to watch La Bamba in your country →

Showing US. Availability data by JustWatch.

Media

▶ Will Richie Ask Donna On A Date?▶ Richie's Garage Party Invite▶ Richie Is Mesmerized By Donna▶ First 10 Minutes▶ Official Trailer▶ 30th Anniversary Dual Format Trailer

Top billed cast

Full cast & crew →
Lou Diamond PhillipsLou Diamond PhillipsRitchie ValensDanielle von ZerneckDanielle von ZerneckDonna LudwigElizabeth PeñaElizabeth PeñaRosie MoralesRosanna DeSotoRosanna DeSotoConnie ValenzuelaEsai MoralesEsai MoralesBob MoralesJoe PantolianoJoe PantolianoBob KeaneMarshall CrenshawMarshall CrenshawBuddy HollyBrian SetzerBrian SetzerEddie CochranDaniel ValdezDaniel ValdezLeloHoward HuntsberryHoward HuntsberryJackie WilsonFelipe CantuFelipe CantuCuranderoEddie FriasEddie FriasChino

Keywords

BiographyDeathMusical1950sMexican americanRock 'n' rollNostalgicDying youngRising starMarital rape

Movie DNA

Genre affinityDrama · MusicTheme affinityBiography · Death · MusicalDialogue densityDramaDirector preference11012Actor preference177148 · 177149 · 73505Country preferenceUs

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Frequently asked questions about La Bamba

What is La Bamba about?

Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens becomes an overnight rock 'n' roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called "Donna" that he wrote for his girlfriend. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob, and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly.

How long is La Bamba?

La Bamba has a runtime of 108 minutes.

Where can I watch La Bamba?

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