Jessica Lynch
La Bamba is a 1987 American biographical musical drama film that brings the tragically short life of 1950s rock star Ritchie Valens to the screen in this 1987 biopic.
Charting his swift rise from Mexican-American farmworker to recording artist, the film celebrates Valens’ barrier-breaking legacy while acknowledging his struggle for identity along the way before his death in a plane crash at the age of 17.
Curious to watch this critically acclaimed musical-drama on Netflix? You have landed on the right page. Read this blog to the end and watch La Bamba on Netflix in the United States.
Is La Bamba on Netflix?
La Bamba is available on Netflix but only in South Korea. If you reside in the United States, then you’re not going to find this musical-drama film in your Netflix library, and that is due to frustrating copyright issues.
However, there’s still a way you can watch La Bamba in the United States on Netflix. This can be made possible thanks to a premium VPN service like ExpressVPN.
How to watch La Bamba on Netflix in 2023?
La Bamba is available on Netflix but only in a limited number of regions. You will not be able to find La Bamba on Netflix in the US, but by getting ExpressVPN and changing your IP address, you can watch La Bamba on Netflix from anywhere in the world, regardless of geographic restrictions.
Following are the steps that need to be followed in order to watch La Bamba on Netflix in the US:
1- Get ExpressVPN to unblock Netflix (12+3 month special deal with a 30-day money-back guarantee)
2- Download the VPN app on your preferred device (ExpressVPN works on Android, iOS, Linux, and Windows)
3- Select a South Korean IP address from the country list
4- Now open Netflix.com on your browser or in the app
5- Search for La Bamba on Netflix
6- Enjoy the movie
La Bamba – Netflix Countries
La Bamba is a well-made and entertaining biographical musical drama about Ritchie Valens. Movie enthusiasts have been eager to find this classic on Netflix, and that is why our team of experts has gone through a detailed analysis of Netflix libraries and found that La Bamba is only streaming on Netflix in South Korea.
La Bamba – Release Date
La Bamba was released in theaters on July 24, 1987, and earned a revenue of $54.2 million. With an IMDb rating of 6.9/10 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 83%, the movie also won several awards, including the
If you like watching movies and TV shows, watch Just Mercy, Focus, Constantine, Tenet, and Pretty Little Liars on Netflix.
La Bamba – Official Trailer
La Bamba – What to Expect from the Movie?
La Bamba depicts the life and musical rise of 1950s rock and roll artist Ritchie Valens. As a Mexican-American teenager growing up in California, Valens struggles to balance his father’s traditional expectations with his growing interest in rock music. When his talents on the guitar and singing voice become apparent, Valens begins performing at local venues with his band.
The Rapid Rise of Ritchie Valens
He catches the attention of famous DJ and music promoter Bob Keane, who helps Valens land a recording contract and rise to stardom at the age of 17. Valens pioneers a new rock sound incorporating elements from his Mexican heritage, recording hits like “La Bamba” and “Donna” that catapulted him onto the national stage.
Too Soon Gone
But as Valens’ star rises, he grapples with the pressures of fame and his conflicting identities as a Mexican and American. When he embarks on the “Winter Dance Party” tour across the Midwest alongside legends like Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper, Valens’ whirlwind career and life are cut tragically short.
The Day the Music Died
The plane carrying the musicians crashed in an Iowa field during a snowstorm on February 3, 1959. The 17-year-old Valens, at the dawn of superstardom, loses his life alongside his musical contemporaries in a disaster that rocks the music world.
Ritchie Valens: Pioneer of Chicano Rock
La Bamba celebrates the brief but influential career of Ritchie Valens, whose fusion of rock, R&B, and traditional Mexican styles impacted generations of Chicano musicians. It’s a bittersweet biopic about a talented young artist who perished before his contributions could be realized.
The Cast of La Bamba
The 1987 musical biopic La Bamba featured a talented cast of actors to portray rock pioneer Ritchie Valens. The main movie cast includes:
- In the breakout role of Ritchie Valens is Lou Diamond Phillips. La Bamba launched his career and followed it up with acclaimed performances in films like Stand and Deliver, Courage Under Fire, and Prodigal Son.
- Esai Morales stars as Ritchie’s half-brother Bob Morales, delivering a fiery performance as he struggles with substance abuse issues. Morales is known for his extensive film and TV work, including NYPD Blue, Jericho, and Ozark.
- As Donna Ludwig, the girl who was the inspiration for Valens’ hit song “Donna,” is Danielle von Zerneck. She also appeared in films like The Package and Ricochet River.
- Joe Pantoliano embraces a comedic role as Ritchie’s manager Bob Keane. Pantoliano is famous for his roles in The Matrix, Risky Business, Memento, and the TV series The Sopranos.
Can I Watch La Bamba with a Free VPN?
While free VPNs may seem appealing, experts caution against using them due to significant security and functionality limitations compared to paid services. Free VPNs lack the robust encryption of premium options, leaving personal data vulnerable to hackers.
Additionally, free VPNs impose strict data caps like 500MB monthly from TunnelBear – insufficient for most online activities. For reliable security, unlimited access, and peace of mind, experts recommend reasonably priced paid VPNs such as ExpressVPN, which provided us with excellent service when we watched Fight Club on Netflix. The small fee provides military-grade encryption and unlimited data so users can browse and stream freely while protecting their information.
In short, paid VPNs deliver essential privacy protections and unrestricted internet access that unreliable, limited free versions cannot match. Investing a few dollars monthly in a reputable premium VPN is a prudent choice to secure your data and access the internet without restrictions.
Why is ExpressVPN the best to watch La Bamba on Netflix?
Our ongoing testing revealed ExpressVPN delivers incredibly fast connectivity, with download speeds up to 91Mbps and upload speeds up to 84Mbps, even on a standard 100Mbps network. This enables smooth, uninterrupted access to restricted content and buffer-free Netflix streaming of popular movies like Knives Out anywhere. Their powerful servers make it easy to access different Netflix libraries worldwide.
A single ExpressVPN account permits use on up to 5 devices simultaneously, making sharing connections with family and friends straightforward. ExpressVPN offers user-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Xbox, and more. Their Lightway protocol guarantees fast speeds along with robust encryption, allowing unconstrained browsing and seamless streaming.
ExpressVPN provides a 15-month subscription discounted by 49% to just $6.67/month, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee for risk-free testing. Their 24/7 customer support provides prompt assistance when required. With its unmatched speed, discounted pricing, and stellar service, ExpressVPN is a fantastic global choice for private, hassle-free internet access.
What else can you watch on Netflix?
Netflix has some of the best movies and TV shows, such as Scream 6 and Outlander. Below are some other popular movies and TV shows that you can find on Netflix:
- Grown Ups 2
- 50 First Dates
- The Longest Yard
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly
- House of Gucci
- Tokyo Revengers
- La La Land
- Good Will Hunting
- Horimiya
- Two and a Half Men
- Other
La Bamba – FAQs
Is La Bamba Based on a true story?
The 1987 musical drama film La Bamba is based on the real-life events of one of the first popular Latino rock 'n roll artists, Ritchie Valens. The film showcases his humble beginnings, his relationship with his family and friends, and his rise to fame after his chartbuster hits like "La Bamba" and "Donna."
What age is La Bamba appropriate for?
La Bamba is suitable to watch for viewers over the age of 14. This is because the movie features some use of tobacco, mild language, and brief nudity.
La Bamba doesn't have a hard "R" rating, but parents are advised to guide children under the age of 14 while watching this 1987 biographical drama.
What was Ritchie Valens biggest fear in La Bamba?
The Latino artist Ritchie Valens had aviophobia. This is an intense fear of flying. This fear stemmed from the mid-air collision accident that occurred above his school. In this unfortunate accident, Ritchie Valens' best friend was killed after being crushed by one of the fallen aircraft.
This event scarred Ritchie on a level that he used to have recurring nightmares about it.
Is La Bamba on Hulu?
No. La Bamba is not streaming on Hulu. However, you can easily watch La Bamba from the US if you have a Netflix subscription by changing your IP address with ExpressVPN.
When is La Bamba coming on American Netflix?
There's no telling when La Bamba will be available on Netflix US or if it's even going to at all. However, you don't need to lose hope just yet. ExpressVPN is here to save the day. Use this outstanding premium VPN service to get a South Korean IP address and stream La Bamba on Netflix from the US or anywhere in the world.
La Bamba filming locations?
The 1987 classic La Bamba was mainly filmed at multiple locations across the state of California. Many scenes were filmed around Los Angeles, where the real Ritchie Valens grew up.
Some of the key spots of filming included locations like Pacoima Junior High School, San Fernando High School, and the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, which stood in for the Surf Ballroom. Many additional scenes of the movie were filmed in Fillmore and Santa Paula as well.
La Bamba budget and box-office?
La Bamba had a small production budget of just $6.5 million, which was heavily contrasted by its impressive box office collection of $54.2 million. The movie was widely praised by critics and was nominated for several awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture, Drama in 1988.
Roger Ebert gave positive reviews for La Bamba, praising the film's intimate character portrayals that lent credibility to Ritchie Valens' tragically short life. Ebert felt Valens' talent and charisma shone through despite the biopic's modest scale.
Similarly, Janet Maslin commended Lou Diamond Phillips' passionate performance as Valens, which added depth and sweetness to the screenplay's superficial sketch of the rock pioneer. Even with a forgettable script, Phillips brought Valens to life as a fully realized person rather than just a historical figure. Both critics agreed Phillips' compelling presence elevated what could have been an adequate but unremarkable biopic.
Wrap Up
La Bamba is a vibrant, affecting portrait of fame and artistic struggle. This is a film that tells the story of a young man who achieved his dreams against all odds.
We tested ExpressVPN to watch La Bamba on Netflix, and it worked perfectly. Therefore, we highly recommend it to all our readers and subscribers.
