Prince: Life in Film

See the icon's journey on screen.

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The Prince of Hollywood - Prince is one of the greatest icons music has ever seen, but he also left an indelible mark on cinema. Following his tragic death, we take a look back at the biggest moments of his career in Hollywood.(Photo: Ebet Roberts/Redferns)

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Purple Rain - Prince played "The Kid" in this 1984 rock drama, which went on to become a cult classic and a standard-bearer for musicals on film. The project was meant to showcase Prince's musical talents, but actually succeeded in showing the world that he was way more than just a musician or a rock star. The film won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score, grossed over $80 million at the box office and continues to influence filmmakers today.(Photo: Paul Natkin/WireImage)

Under the Cherry Moon - This 1986 film starred Prince as a gigolo with goals of swindling a wealthy young heiress. Though the film didn't resonate with moviegoers (it earned several Razzies), the soundtrack is considered one of Prince's best albums ever and gave us the timeless hit "Kiss."(Photo: Warner Bros.)

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Under the Cherry Moon - This 1986 film starred Prince as a gigolo with goals of swindling a wealthy young heiress. Though the film didn't resonate with moviegoers (it earned several Razzies), the soundtrack is considered one of Prince's best albums ever and gave us the timeless hit "Kiss."(Photo: Warner Bros.)

Sign 'o' the Times - This 1987 concert documentary chronicling Prince's tour through Europe to promote his album of the same name is regarded as one of the "greatest concert films of all time." As usual, Prince wrote and directed the film himself.(Photo: Cineplex-Odeon Films / Paisley Park Films / Purple Films)

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Sign 'o' the Times - This 1987 concert documentary chronicling Prince's tour through Europe to promote his album of the same name is regarded as one of the "greatest concert films of all time." As usual, Prince wrote and directed the film himself.(Photo: Cineplex-Odeon Films / Paisley Park Films / Purple Films)

Batman   - The Purple One brought the funk to Hollywood when he signed on to create the soundtrack for this 1989 blockbuster, directed by Tim Burton. The album, which was recorded in six weeks, topped the Billboard charts for six weeks and sold 11 million copies.(Photo: Warner Bros.)

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Batman   - The Purple One brought the funk to Hollywood when he signed on to create the soundtrack for this 1989 blockbuster, directed by Tim Burton. The album, which was recorded in six weeks, topped the Billboard charts for six weeks and sold 11 million copies.(Photo: Warner Bros.)

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Graffiti Bridge  - The semi-sequel to Purple Rain came out in 1990 and, unlike the first film, was also directed and written by Prince. The film picked up with The Kid several years later, though it seemed audiences had lost interest. The film was a box office clop and a critical one, too, earning five Razzie nominations.(Photo: Paisley Park Films / Warner Bros.)  

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Graffiti Bridge  - The semi-sequel to Purple Rain came out in 1990 and, unlike the first film, was also directed and written by Prince. The film picked up with The Kid several years later, though it seemed audiences had lost interest. The film was a box office clop and a critical one, too, earning five Razzie nominations.(Photo: Paisley Park Films / Warner Bros.)  

Malcolm X, Sunday at 7P/6C - Denzel Washington's ending the movement. See him cause silver screen ruckus in other iconic roles too!(Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

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Malcolm X - Prince's commitment to political causes and his love of film came together when he decided to give Spike Lee finishing funds to complete his epic 1992 biopic Malcolm X. When the film went overbudget and the studio refused to write a check, Prince came through to save the day.(Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

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New Girl - If you need proof that you never know what Prince is going to do next, look no further than his guest appearance on the Fox hit sitcom New Girl. The eccentric talent decided to do an episode of the show's third season in 2014, inviting Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and Cece (Hannah Simone) to a party. (Photo: FOX via Getty Images)

Happy Feet (2006) - While you are probably avoiding the snow out there in the real world, on the television it will look like a winter wonderland. Happy Feet is the perfect film if the kids are snowed in from school.(Photo: Warner Brothers)

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Happy Feet - The Purple One nabbed a 2007 Golden Globe for the track "The Song of the Heart," which he wrote and performed especially for the animated hit. (Photo: Warner Bros.)