The 2019 biographical musical film about Elton John starring Taron Egerton is Rocketman. Directed by Dexter Fletcher and written by Lee Hall, it follows Elton’s journey from Reginald Dwight’s childhood in England to international stardom, while dramatizing his songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin.
The title comes from John’s 1972 song “Rocket Man.” Unlike a conventional concert biography, the film uses stylized fantasy sequences and musical performances to express John’s memories and emotions. Egerton performs many of the songs himself, rather than simply lip-syncing to recordings by the real musician.
Rocketman also covers John’s relationships, sexuality, addiction, and recovery. Some events and timelines are compressed or dramatized, so the film is best understood as a musical interpretation of his life. It is commonly mixed up with Bohemian Rhapsody, another recent music biopic, and with The Greatest Showman, which shares some producers and creative connections but is not about John.