Song Sung Blue is a 2025 American biographical musical drama film produced, written and directed by Craig Brewer. Based on the 2008 documentary of the same name by Greg Kohs, it stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as Mike and Claire Sardina, who performed as the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder. The title is named after Diamond's "Song Sung Blue". It also stars Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi. The film had its world premiere at the 2025 AFI Film Festival on October 26, before being released by Focus Features in the United States on December 25. == Cast == Hugh Jackman as Mike Sardina aka "Lightning" Kate Hudson as Claire Sardina aka "Thunder" Ella Anderson as Rachel Cartwright, Claire's daughter from her first marriage King Princess as Angelina Sardina, Mike's daughter from his first marriage Hudson Hensley as Dayna Cartwright, Claire's son from her first marriage Michael Imperioli as Mark Shurilla, a Buddy Holly impersonator turned guitarist Mustafa Shakir as Sex Machine, a James Brown impersonator Fisher Stevens as Dave Watson Jim Belushi as Tom D’Amato, "Lightning and Thunder's" manager Erika Slezak as Frances Stingl, Claire’s mother Sean Allan Krill as Buddy Holmes, a promoter Beth Malone as Bridget == Production == In October 2024, it was announced that a musical drama film based on the 2008 documentary Song Sung Blue was in development at Focus Features with Craig Brewer writing, co-producing, and directing the film, with Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, and Hudson Hilbert Hensley rounding out the main cast. Neil Diamond granted the rights to use his music in the film, as he had also done for the original documentary, in which he met the real life Sardinas. Principal photography began on October 14, 2024, in Monmouth County, New Jersey. A house in Old Tappan, New Jersey was another significant film location. Filming wrapped on December 11. Amy Vincent was the cinematographer. It was announced in June 2025 that Erika Slezak would be film. == Release == To promote the film, from October 3-4 2025, Jackman and Hudson performed songs from the film live in a special concert presentation at Radio City Music Hall. Song Sung Blue had its world premiere at the AFI Film Festival on October 26, 2025. The film also screened at the Savannah Film Festival on October 30, 2025. The film will be wide-released in the United States on December 25, 2025 by Focus Features. === Music === == Reception == === Critical response === On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of 14 critics' reviews are positive. === Accolades === == References == == External links == Official website Song Sung Blue at IMDb