Great documentaries about music and musicians
by lucaskgm | created - 4 months ago | updated - 1 day ago | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. The Greatest Night in Pop (2024)
PG-13 | 96 min | Documentary, Music
On January 25th 1985, dozens of the era's most popular musicians gathered in Los Angeles to record a charity single for African famine relief. Setting egos aside, they collaborated on a song that would make history.
Director: Bao Nguyen | Stars: Lionel Richie, Harriet Sternberg, Wendy Rees, Harry Belafonte
Votes: 11,221
2. The Beatles: Get Back (2021)
PG-13 | 156 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
In January 1969, The Beatles set out to write and record new songs for their first live show in more than two years, culminating in an impromptu concert atop their Savile Row studio.
Votes: 28,121
3. Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan (2020)
124 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A look at the life of Irish singer/songwriter and Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan.
Director: Julien Temple | Stars: Shane MacGowan, The Pogues, Siobhan MacGowan, Gerry Adams
Votes: 1,996
4. Shangri-La (2019)
TV-MA | 43 min | Documentary, Music
This four-part docu-series focusses on creative conversation and the emotional side of music-making, using legendary music producer and Def Jam Records co-founder Rick Rubin's iconic Malibu, CA studio as the backdrop.
Stars: Rick Rubin, Rowan Smyth, David Pluebell, Ezra Koenig
Votes: 291
5. Howard Goodall's Story of Music (2013– )
Documentary, History, Music
Master musician Howard Goodall, puts his knowledge into power in various moving and inspirational episodes dealing from the beginning time, the birth of music. From cavemen to Lady Gaga, he... See full summary »
Stars: Howard Goodall, Daisy Fancourt, Nicola Benedetti, Emmanuelle Fleurot
Votes: 98
6. Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound (2019)
Unrated | 94 min | Documentary
An exploration of the history and emotional power of cinema sound, as revealed by legendary sound designers and visionary directors, via interviews, clips from movies, and a look at their actual process of creation and discovery.
Director: Midge Costin | Stars: Gary Rydstrom, Steven Spielberg, Teresa Eckton, Thomas A. Edison
Votes: 2,243
7. Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music (2016)
Documentary, History, Music
Soundbreaking explores the history of recorded music. Featuring more than 150 original interviews, the series charts a century's worth of innovation and experimentation, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the birth of brand new sounds.
Stars: Dermot Mulroney, Todd Boyd, Questlove, Don Was
Votes: 1,419
8. It Might Get Loud (2008)
PG | 98 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary on the electric guitar from the point of view of three significant rock musicians: The Edge, Jimmy Page, and Jack White.
Director: Davis Guggenheim | Stars: Jimmy Page, The Edge, Jack White, Dallas Schoo
Votes: 13,551 | Gross: $1.61M
9. Metal Evolution (2011–2014)
Documentary, Music
Metal Evolution is broken down into episodes about a different piece of metal history. The series includes interviews with and about Alice Cooper, Slash, Lemmy, Rob Zombie, members of ... See full summary »
Stars: Sam Dunn, Scott Ian, Bruce Dickinson, Deena Weinstein
Votes: 2,653
10. Once Upon a Time in Norway (2007)
60 min | Documentary, Music
Interviews with central members of early Norwegian black metal bands about Mayhem, the early black metal scene and the crimes they committed.
Directors: Pål Aasdal, Martin Ledang | Stars: Varg Vikernes, Kjetil Manheim, Necrobutcher, Billy Nordheim
Votes: 891
11. Hitsville: The Making of Motown (2019)
TV-14 | 112 min | Documentary, Music
Documentary film that focuses on the period beginning with the birth of Motown in Detroit in 1958 until its relocation to Los Angeles in the early 1970s.
Directors: Ben Turner, Gabe Turner | Stars: Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, William Stevenson
Votes: 1,788
12. Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)
PG-13 | 118 min | Documentary, History, Music
Documentary about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African-American music and culture and promoted Black pride and unity.
Director: Questlove | Stars: Dorinda Drake, Barbara Bland-Acosta, Darryl Lewis, Ethel Beatty
Votes: 13,884
13. The Allins (2017)
TV-MA | 74 min | Documentary, Music
In New Hampshire, a legend is buried. GG Allin, the most outrageous singer in rock'n roll history. He was known for defecating on stage, fighting and having sex with the audience. He died a... See full summary »
Director: Sami Saif | Stars: Merle Allin, Arleta Baird, GG Allin, Dino Sex
Votes: 431
14. Matangi/Maya/M.I.A (2018)
96 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Drawn from a never-before-seen cache of personal footage spanning decades, this is an intimate portrait of the Sri Lankan artist and musician who continues to shatter conventions.
Director: Steve Loveridge | Stars: M.I.A., Spike Jonze, Madonna, Bill Maher
Votes: 2,226 | Gross: $0.23M
15. Quincy (2018)
TV-MA | 124 min | Documentary, Biography
An intimate look into the life of icon Quincy Jones. A unique force in music and popular culture for 70 years, Jones has transcended racial and cultural boundaries; his story is inextricably woven into the fabric of America.
Directors: Alan Hicks, Rashida Jones | Stars: Quincy Jones, Rashida Jones, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Clarence Avant
Votes: 5,168
16. Score (2016)
Not Rated | 93 min | Documentary, Music
A look at the cinematic art of the film musical score, and the artists who create them.
Director: Matt Schrader | Stars: Marco Beltrami, Jon Burlingame, Leonard Maltin, Bill Field
Votes: 4,876 | Gross: $0.10M
17. Maria By Callas (2017)
PG | 119 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
An intimate look at the life and work of Greek-American opera singer Maria Callas, as told in her own words.
Director: Tom Volf | Stars: Fanny Ardant, Joyce DiDonato, Maria Callas, David Frost
Votes: 2,123 | Gross: $1.27M
18. Searching for Sugar Man (2012)
PG-13 | 86 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Two South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock n roller, Rodriguez.
Director: Malik Bendjelloul | Stars: Rodriguez, Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman, Dennis Coffey, Mike Theodore
Votes: 72,921 | Gross: $3.97M
19. American Hardcore (2006)
R | 100 min | Documentary, History, Music
The History of American Punk Rock 1980-1986
Director: Paul Rachman | Stars: Greg Ginn, Ian MacKaye, James Drescher, Lucky Lehrer
Votes: 3,601 | Gross: $0.28M
20. 1991: The Year Punk Broke (1992)
Not Rated | 99 min | Documentary, History, Music
David Markey's documentary of life on the road with Sonic Youth and Nirvana during their tour of Europe in late 1991. Also featuring live performances by Dinosaur Jr, Babes In Toyland, The Ramones and Gumball.
Director: David Markey | Stars: Sonic Youth, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, Steve Shelley
Votes: 1,582
21.
American Masters (1985– )
Episode:
No Direction Home: Bob Dylan
(2005)
Not Rated | 208 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A chronicle of Bob Dylan's strange evolution between 1961 and 1966 from folk singer to protest singer to "voice of a generation" to rock star.
Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: Bob Dylan, B.J. Rolfzen, Dick Kangas, Liam Clancy
Votes: 12,111
22. Let's Get Lost (1988)
Not Rated | 120 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Documentary on the life of jazz trumpeter and drug addict Chet Baker. Fascinating series of interviews with friends, family, associates and lovers, interspersed with film from Baker's earlier life and some modern-day performances.
Director: Bruce Weber | Stars: Chet Baker, Carol Baker, Vera Baker, Paul Baker
Votes: 2,209
23. The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005)
PG-13 | 110 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Daniel Johnston, manic-depressive genius singer/songwriter/artist is revealed in this portrait of madness, creativity and love.
Director: Jeff Feuerzeig | Stars: Daniel Johnston, Mabel Johnston, Bill Johnston, Laurie Allen
Votes: 10,535 | Gross: $0.33M
24. Woodstock (1970)
R | 184 min | Documentary, History, Music
Oscar-winning musical chronicle that brilliantly captures the three-day rock concert and celebration of peace and love that became a capstone for the Sixties.
Director: Michael Wadleigh | Stars: Joan Baez, Richie Havens, Roger Daltrey, Joe Cocker
Votes: 18,469 | Gross: $50.00M
25. Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015)
TV-MA | 132 min | Documentary, Animation, Biography
An authorized documentary on the late musician Kurt Cobain, from his early days in Aberdeen, Washington to his success and downfall with the grunge band Nirvana.
Director: Brett Morgen | Stars: Kurt Cobain, Wendy O'Connor, Don Cobain, Jenny Cobain
Votes: 32,139
26. Hip-Hop Evolution (2016– )
TV-MA | 90 min | Documentary, Music
MC and journalist Shad Kabango meets with Hip-Hop's biggest stars to retrace how Hip-Hop became the world's most popular music, but realizes that Hip-Hop's true legacy is something much more profound.
Stars: Shad, LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, Cheo Hodari Coker
Votes: 6,451
27. Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him?) (2010)
Not Rated | 116 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
The life and work of the enigmatic folk rock singer-songwriter.
Director: John Scheinfeld | Stars: Gerry Beckley, Lee Blackman, Perry Botkin Jr., Ray Cooper
Votes: 1,871 | Gross: $0.03M
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