The ukulele, a small and versatile instrument, has become a favorite of musicians and music enthusiasts around the world. It is not only an instrument of choice for musicians, but has also been featured in a number of movies throughout the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and right up until now.
In this list, we explore 10 movies where the ukulele has played a significant role, from classic comedies to modern animated films.
10 Movies that featured the Ukulele
- The Jerk (1979) – The ukulele plays a central role in this classic comedy, as Steve Martin’s character Navin R. Johnson learns to play the instrument while living on the streets.
- Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) – Jason Segel’s character Peter Bretter takes up the ukulele after being dumped by his girlfriend, and uses it to perform a humorous and heartwarming song.
- Blue Hawaii (1961) – Elvis Presley’s character Chadwick Gates sings and strums a ukulele in this musical comedy set in Hawaii.
- The Descendants (2011) – George Clooney’s character Matt King plays a ukulele while singing a Hawaiian song in this drama-comedy film.
- The Muppets (2011) – Kermit the Frog plays a ukulele in this musical comedy film, which features several musical numbers and performances.
- Million Dollar Arm (2014) – Jon Hamm’s character JB Bernstein plays a ukulele in this sports drama film, as he travels to India to find cricket players who can pitch in Major League Baseball.
- Aloha (2015) – Bradley Cooper’s character Brian Gilcrest plays a ukulele while singing a song in this romantic-comedy film set in Hawaii.
- Lilo & Stitch (2002) – The character Lilo plays a ukulele in this animated film, as she and Stitch sing “Aloha Oe” in a touching scene.
- 50 First Dates (2004) – Adam Sandler’s character Henry Roth plays a ukulele in this romantic comedy, as he sings a song to Drew Barrymore’s character Lucy.
- Trolls (2016) – The character Branch, voiced by Justin Timberlake, plays a ukulele and sings in this animated musical film about a group of trolls.
The ukulele is a charming and versatile instrument that has captured the hearts of musicians and non-musicians alike. Its cheerful sound and compact size have made it a popular choice for musical performances and have also made it a sought-after prop in movies. These 10 films have used the ukulele to create heartwarming and memorable scenes, showcasing the versatility of this tiny instrument. Whether in a romantic comedy or a sports drama, the ukulele has managed to bring joy and musical flair to the big screen.
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