SONG SUNG BLUE (2025) — RELEASE DATE, CAST, TRAILER & SOUNDTRACK

Song Sung Blue is a 2025 Focus Features musical drama directed and written by Craig Brewer. The film tells the remarkable true story of Mike Sardina and Claire, a Milwaukee couple who performed as the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder.

Released in theaters on Christmas Day 2025, the biopic stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as the two halves of Lightning & Thunder. Hudson's turn as Claire — a singer who poured everything into every note — earned her Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA and Actor Award nominations. Every vocal in the film is sung live by Jackman and Hudson themselves, giving the music an electric, in-the-room feel.

Image: Official trailer still, Focus Features (via YouTube)

Release Date & Production

Song Sung Blue held its world premiere at the AFI Film Festival on October 26, 2025. Focus Features released it in US theaters on December 25, 2025, with Universal Pictures handling international distribution and a UK release on January 1, 2026. Director and writer Craig Brewer shepherded the project to the screen, with John Davis, John Fox and Brewer himself producing.

Cast & Crew

Director and writer: Craig Brewer

Producers: John Davis, John Fox, Craig Brewer

Mike Sardina "Lightning": Hugh Jackman

Claire "Thunder": Kate Hudson

Co-starring: Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi

Score: Scott Bomar, who also served as the soundtrack's executive producer

The film is a true story inspired by Greg Kohs' 2008 documentary, which chronicled the real Mike and Claire and their Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder.

Trailer

The official trailer follows Jackman and Hudson from small-town stages to packed rooms, sequined jackets and all, as Lightning & Thunder chase a dream built on Neil Diamond's songbook. It teases the band's rise, its heartbreaks and the live-sung performances at the heart of the film. Scroll down to watch the full trailer.

Soundtrack & Music

The Song Sung Blue soundtrack is built around the songs of Neil Diamond, all performed live in the film by Jackman and Hudson. Scott Bomar composed the score and served as the soundtrack's executive producer. The verified songs featured in the film include:

"Cherry, Cherry"
"I'm a Believer"
"Forever in Blue Jeans"
"Sweet Caroline"
"Play Me"
"Crunchy Granola Suite"
"Holly Holy"
"I Am...I Said"
"Soolaimon"
"Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show"
"Song Sung Blue"

The film also weaves in snippets of Diamond's original recordings of "Cracklin' Rosie" and "O Holy Night".

Watch the Official Trailer

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Song Sung Blue released?

The film premiered at the AFI Film Festival on October 26, 2025, and opened in US theaters on December 25, 2025, via Focus Features, with the UK release following on January 1, 2026.

Is Song Sung Blue based on a true story?

Yes. It is based on Greg Kohs' 2008 documentary about Mike Sardina and Claire, the real-life Milwaukee couple who performed as the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder.

How was Song Sung Blue received?

The film earned a 77% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes with a 97% audience score, a 61 on Metacritic and about 7.2–7.3 on IMDb, grossing roughly $58–58.7M worldwide on a $30M budget. Kate Hudson received Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA and Actor Award nominations for her performance, though she did not win; the film earned one Oscar nomination in total.

Where can I watch Song Sung Blue?

Song Sung Blue streams exclusively on Peacock from February 13, 2026, arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on February 17, 2026, and reached No. 6 on Netflix's US Top 10 on June 16, 2026.