Music Documentary
by szabolcs-thinktank | created - 6 months ago | updated - 6 months ago | Public- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. Raga (1971)
97 min | Documentary, Biography
A look at the life and work of Indian music star Ravi Shanker.
Director: Howard Worth | Stars: Pera Brent, Salil Chakravorty, George Harrison, Ustad Alauddin Khan
Votes: 64
2. Live Aid (1985 TV Special)
960 min | Documentary, Music
The broadcast of the biggest benefit concert in history, organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief.
Directors: Vincent Scarza, Kenneth Shapiro | Stars: Bob Geldof, Bryan Adams, Stuart Adamson, Mo Amin
Votes: 2,323
3. Festival Express (2003)
R | 90 min | Documentary, History, Music
The filmed account of a large Canadian rock festival train tour boasting major acts like Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead and The Band.
Directors: Bob Smeaton, Frank Cvitanovich | Stars: Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead, The Band, Rick Danko
Votes: 2,415 | Gross: $1.17M
4. Live 8 (2005 TV Special)
480 min | Documentary, Music
20 years on from their Live Aid (1985) triumph, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure recruit the world's music superstars once again to perform live and put pressure on Western governments to help Africa and Make Poverty History.
Directors: Bruce Gowers, Nick Hopkin, Michael Maier, Claire Popplewell, Geoff Posner, Richard Valentine, Michael Watt, Paul Flattery | Stars: Bob Geldof, Articolo 31, 4Peace Ensemble, a-ha
Votes: 1,265
5. Take That: For the Record (2006 TV Movie)
170 min | Documentary
The documentary reveals the untold stories and myths behind Take That, Britains most successful Boy Band since The Beatles.
Director: David Notman-Watt | Stars: Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen
Votes: 55
6. Bananaz (2008)
Not Rated | 92 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary on the cryptic cartoon band, Gorillaz.
Director: Ceri Levy | Stars: Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett, Phil Cornwell, Nelson De Freitas
Votes: 377
7. Marley (2012)
PG-13 | 144 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A documentary on the life, music, and legacy of Bob Marley.
Director: Kevin Macdonald | Stars: Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley, Rita Marley, Jimmy Cliff
Votes: 14,497 | Gross: $1.41M
8. Bad 25 (2012)
Not Rated | 131 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary on Michael Jackson and the legacy of his record "Bad".
Director: Spike Lee | Stars: Michael Jackson, Glen Ballard, John Barnes, Jennifer Batten
Votes: 2,416
9. Reincarnated (2012)
R | 96 min | Documentary, Music
Hip-Hop artist Snoop Dogg changes his name to Snoop Lion, travels to Jamaica, immerses himself in Rastafarian culture, and produces his first reggae record.
Director: Andy Capper | Stars: Snoop Dogg, Diplo, Dr. Dre, Damian Marley
Votes: 2,532
10. The Sound of Belgium (2012)
85 min | Documentary, History, Music
'The Sound of Belgium' explores the rich but untold story of Belgian electronic dance music. From the grand dance halls with Decap organs to the golden days of Popcorn; From dark and cold ... See full summary »
Director: Jozef Deville | Star: John Flanders
Votes: 512
11. 808 (2015)
107 min | Documentary, Music
808 is a documentary film about the inspiring story of the Roland TR-808 drum machine. It's the tale of the birth of electronic music, and how one small machine changed the musical ... See full summary »
Director: Alexander Dunn | Stars: Damon Albarn, Arthur Baker, Afrika Bambaataa, Chris Barbosa
Votes: 720
12. Amy (III) (2015)
R | 128 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Archival footage and personal testimonials present an intimate portrait of the life and career of British singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse.
Director: Asif Kapadia | Stars: Amy Winehouse, Mitch Winehouse, Mark Ronson, Russell Brand
Votes: 55,110 | Gross: $8.41M
13. This Was Tomorrow: Tomorrowland Presents... (2015)
PG | 77 min | Documentary
This documentary marks the tenth year anniversary of the great music festival known as Tomorrowland. Here you learn the impact of music festivals and what electronic dance music means to ... See full summary »
Director: Wim Bonte | Stars: Dimitri 'Vegas' Thivaios, Afrojack, Steve Angello, Steve Aoki
Votes: 350
14. Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall (2016)
Not Rated | 93 min | Documentary, Music
A look at the life of the late pop star Michael Jackson from his early days at Motown Records to the release of his hit 1979 album, Off the Wall.
Director: Spike Lee | Stars: Michael Jackson, Jackson 5, Berry Gordy, Suzanne De Passe
Votes: 2,425
15. Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami (2017)
115 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Electrifying concert performances and intimate, personal footage showcase the life and talent of singer and actress Grace Jones.
Director: Sophie Fiennes | Stars: Grace Jones, Lowell 'Sly' Dunbar, Jean-Paul Goude, Marjorie Jones
Votes: 1,293 | Gross: $0.37M
16. George Michael: Freedom (2017 TV Movie)
TV-MA | 95 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A frank and honest account of George Michael's professional life and career, made by the man himself with various artists adding to the narrative.
Directors: David Austin, George Michael, George Michael, Philip Smith | Stars: George Michael, Emmanuelle Alt, David Austin, Tony Bennett
Votes: 1,527
17. Studio 54 (2018)
TV-MA | 98 min | Documentary, History, Music
The story of the notorious 1970s New York City nightclub.
Director: Matt Tyrnauer | Stars: Ian Schrager, Steve Rubell, Donald Rubell, Neil Schlesinger
Votes: 3,543 | Gross: $0.20M
18. Whitney (2018)
R | 120 min | Documentary, Biography, Drama
An in-depth look at the life and music of Whitney Houston.
Director: Kevin Macdonald | Stars: Whitney Houston, Ellen White, Michael Houston, Cissy Houston
Votes: 7,876 | Gross: $3.03M
19. BP Underground - Hip Hop (2018)
86 min | Documentary, Music
BP Underground is a documentary project exploring the underground youth subcultures of Budapest, Hungary in the 90s and 2000s, right after the iron curtain fell.
Directors: Anna Koltay, Esther Turan | Stars: Dániel Blik, Bobakrome, Busa, Sena Dagadu
Votes: 35
20. BP Underground - Electronic Music (2019)
Documentary
The third part of the BP Underground series is about Budapest's underground electronic music scene. Just like the other episodes it also evokes the emergence and growth of the genre with ... See full summary »
Directors: Anna Koltay, Esther Turan | Stars: Dorka Berkes, Zsiga Bernáthy, Ambrus Deak, Gábor Deutsch
Votes: 24
21. Miss Americana (2020)
TV-MA | 85 min | Documentary, Biography, Drama
A look at iconic pop artist Taylor Swift during a transformational time in her life as she embraces her role as a singer/songwriter and harnesses the full power of her voice.
Director: Lana Wilson | Stars: Taylor Swift, Andrea Swift, Scott Swift, Joel Little
Votes: 24,844
22. The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (2020)
TV-MA | 111 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
An exploration of the history of the Bee Gees, featuring revealing interviews with oldest brother Barry Gibb, and archival interviews with the late twin brothers Robin and Maurice.
Director: Frank Marshall | Stars: Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, Robin Gibb, Peter Brown
Votes: 5,624
23. BP Underground - Rock (2020)
156 min | Documentary
The fourth episode of the BP Underground documentary series is about Budapest's underground rock music scene presenting the members of the first and most important underground rock-metal bands, subgenres in the 90s and the 2000s.
Directors: Anna Koltay, Esther Turan | Stars: Csaba Abaházi, Horváth Attila, Béci Barabás, Attila Barbaró
Votes: 7
24. Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions (2020)
TV-14 | 105 min | Documentary, Drama, Music
In "Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions," Taylor Swift performs each song in order of her album, "folklore," and reveals the stories and secrets behind all 17 songs.
Director: Taylor Swift | Stars: Taylor Swift, Aaron Dessner, Jack Antonoff, Justin Vernon
Votes: 4,924
25. 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: 13,887
26. Tina (I) (2021)
TV-MA | 118 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Exclusive access to the Grammy Award-winning artist to celebrate her career.
Directors: Daniel Lindsay, T.J. Martin | Stars: Tina Turner, Carl Arrington, Ike Turner, Lejeune Richardson
Votes: 6,347
27. Moby Doc (2021)
Not Rated | 92 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A surrealist biographical documentary about trailblazing electronic musician and animal rights activist Moby.
Director: Rob Gordon Bralver | Stars: Moby, Laura Dawn, Daniel Ahearn, Daron Murphy
Votes: 3,126
28. a-ha: The Movie (2021)
109 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Follows the band on tour, telling the full story of how three young men followed their impossible dream of becoming Norwegian pop stars. When Take On Me reached number 1 on Billboard in the US in 1985 the dream came true. Or did it?
Directors: Thomas Robsahm, Aslaug Holm | Stars: a-ha, Morten Harket, Pål Waaktaar, Magne Furuholmen
Votes: 1,232
29. Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick James (2021)
TV-MA | 111 min | Documentary, Music
A profile of legendary funk/R&B icon Rick James capturing the peaks and valleys of his storied career to reveal a complicated and rebellious soul, driven to share his talent with the world.
Director: Sacha Jenkins | Stars: Rick James, Oscar Alston, Big Daddy Kane, Randall Bostick
Votes: 710
30. If These Walls Could Sing (2022)
TV-14 | 86 min | Documentary, Biography
The untold story of the Abbey Road studio, all-star interviews, and intimate access to the premises.
Director: Mary McCartney | Stars: George Lucas, John Williams, Elton John, Ringo Starr
Votes: 1,030
31. Wham! (2023)
TV-14 | 92 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Through archival interviews and footage, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley relive the arc of their Wham career, from '70s best buds to '80s pop icons.
Director: Chris Smith | Stars: Bananarama, Bono, David Bowie, Boy George
Votes: 8,949
32. Classic Albums (1997– )
50 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary series on several of the key albums in music history.
Stars: David Fricke, Joe Travers, Bruce Botnick, Phil Alexander
Votes: 339
33. The Nomi Song (2004)
Not Rated | 98 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Having failed to break into professional opera in his native Germany (where, as an usher in West Berlin's Deutsche Oper, he would serenade the staff after the real performances were over) ... See full summary »
Director: Andrew Horn | Stars: Klaus Nomi, Ann Magnuson, David Bowie, Gabriele Lafari
Votes: 1,122 | Gross: $0.07M
34. This Is It (2009)
PG | 111 min | Documentary, Music
A compilation of interviews, rehearsals, and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London.
Director: Kenny Ortega | Stars: Michael Jackson, Alex Al, Alexandra Apjarova, Nick Bass
Votes: 41,908 | Gross: $72.09M
35. 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
36. 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: 18,470 | Gross: $50.00M
37. Sign 'o' the Times (1987)
PG-13 | 85 min | Documentary, Music
Highlights from Prince's 1987 European concert tour, including selections from the rock star's album of the same title.
Directors: Prince, David Hogan, Albert Magnoli | Stars: Prince, Sheila E., Sheena Easton, Matt Fink
Votes: 2,486 | Gross: $3.00M
38. Let There Be Drums! (2022)
93 min | Documentary, Music
"Let There Be Drums!" examines the personal struggles that so many musicians and their families have faced, the nature of how music passes from generation to generation, and the essential role that drumming plays in human life.
Director: Justin Kreutzmann | Stars: Steven Adler, Jerry Allison, Michael Anthony, Kofi Baker
Votes: 193
39. Hype! (1996)
Not Rated | 84 min | Documentary, History, Music
Documentary covering the growth and subsequent overexposure of the Seattle "grunge" music scene in the early 90s
Director: Doug Pray | Stars: 7 Year Bitch, Valerie M. Agnew, Carrie Akre, Jeff Ament
Votes: 2,931 | Gross: $0.27M
40. Live Forever (2003)
R | 82 min | Documentary, Music
The story of the mid-1990s Britpop music scene.
Director: John Dower | Stars: Noel Gallagher, Liam Gallagher, Damon Albarn, Jarvis Cocker
Votes: 1,314
41. Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005)
R | 96 min | Documentary, Music
An examination of the heavy metal music subculture that tries to explain why, despite the longevity and popularity of the genre, fans are marginalized and ridiculed for their passion.
Directors: Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen, Jessica Joy Wise | Stars: Tom Araya, Gavin Baddeley, Blasphemer, Randy Blythe
Votes: 12,486
42. Global Metal (2008)
93 min | Documentary, Music
A continued examination of the heavy metal subculture focusing on the adaptation and performance of heavy metal in various global communities, and how the increased import of Western cultural forms has impacted new global markets.
Directors: Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen | Stars: Tom Araya, Ken Ayugai, Rafael Bittencourt, Max Cavalera
Votes: 4,889
43. Sound City (2013)
Not Rated | 107 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary on the fabled recording studio that was located in Van Nuys, California.
Director: Dave Grohl | Stars: Trent Reznor, Tom Petty, Mick Fleetwood, Vinny Appice
Votes: 13,443 | Gross: $0.42M
44. Soaring Highs and Brutal Lows: The Voices of Women in Metal (2015)
93 min | Documentary, Music
Explore the energy and emotion of heavy metal through the stories and voices of some of the most prominent women who bring it to life. Follow the paths of these artists working to achieve ... See full summary »
Director: Mark Harwood | Stars: Floor Jansen, Simone Simons, Marcela Bovio, Charlotte Wessels
Votes: 156
45. SHOT! The Psycho-Spiritual Mantra of Rock (2016)
Not Rated | 98 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A joyride that delves deep into the mind of rock and roll's greatest living photographer: Mick Rock.
Director: Barnaby Clay | Stars: Mick Rock, TV on the Radio, Karen O, Tunde Adebimpe
Votes: 786 | Gross: $0.01M
46. Count Me In (2021)
81 min | Documentary, Music
You can have rhythm without music but you can't have music without rhythm.
Director: Mark Lo | Stars: Ginger Baker, Cindy Blackman, Art Blakey, Jess Bowen
Votes: 2,240
Tell Your Friends