MesaMedia: Music Docs
by moviefilmdevotee | created - 7 months ago | updated - 7 months ago | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Stop Making Sense (1984)
PG | 88 min | Documentary, Music
Considered by critics as the greatest concert film of all time, the live performance was shot over the course of three nights at Hollywood's Pantages Theater in December of 1983 and features Talking Heads' most memorable songs.
Director: Jonathan Demme | Stars: David Byrne, Bernie Worrell, Alex Weir, Steven Scales
Votes: 20,099 | Gross: $5.02M
Josh #1, Adam #2
2. 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: 13,888
Josh #3
3. 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: 55,134 | Gross: $8.41M
Adam #4
4. Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005)
R | 103 min | Documentary, Comedy, Music
A mix of Dave Chappelle's sketch comedy and musical interludes, inspired in part by the 1973 documentary Wattstax.
Director: Michel Gondry | Stars: Dave Chappelle, Yasiin Bey, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu
Votes: 9,627 | Gross: $11.72M
Josh #5
5. Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That! (2006)
R | 90 min | Documentary, Music
A live performance shot by audience members at a 2004 Beastie Boys concert at Madison Square Garden.
Director: Adam Yauch | Stars: Mike D, Adam Horovitz, Adam Yauch, Mix Master Mike
Votes: 989 | Gross: $0.16M
6. 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: 41,912 | Gross: $72.09M
7. 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: 18,472 | Gross: $50.00M
8. 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: 72,930 | Gross: $3.97M
9. 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: 13,552 | Gross: $1.61M
10. 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: 10,538 | Gross: $0.33M
11. Twenty Feet from Stardom (2013)
PG-13 | 91 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we've had no idea who these singers are or what lives they lead, until now.
Director: Morgan Neville | Stars: Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill
Votes: 13,959 | Gross: $4.95M
12. 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: 32,149
13. George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2011)
Not Rated | 208 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Filmmaker Martin Scorsese examines the life of musician George Harrison, weaving together interviews, concert footage, home movies and photographs.
Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: George Harrison, Harry Harrison, Peter Harrison, Paul McCartney
Votes: 12,632
14. David Byrne's American Utopia (2020)
TV-14 | 105 min | Documentary, Music, Musical
Spike Lee documents the former Talking Heads frontman's brilliant, timely 2019 Broadway show, based on his recent album and tour of the same name.
Director: Spike Lee | Stars: David Byrne, Jacqueline Acevedo, Gustavo Di Dalva, Daniel Freedman
Votes: 5,258
15. When You're Strange (2009)
R | 86 min | Documentary, Music
A look at the late '60s and early '70s rock band The Doors, including rare exclusive footage.
Director: Tom DiCillo | Stars: Johnny Depp, John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek
Votes: 10,276 | Gross: $0.24M
16. History of the Eagles (2013)
Not Rated | 94 min | Documentary, Music
The life and times of the super successful American soft-rock band, Eagles.
Stars: Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Don Felder, Joe Walsh
Votes: 2,812
17. Metallica Through the Never (2013)
R | 93 min | Music
Trip, a young roadie for Metallica, is sent on an urgent mission during the band's show. But what seems like a simple assignment turns into a surreal adventure.
Director: Nimród Antal | Stars: Dane DeHaan, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett
Votes: 18,191 | Gross: $3.42M
18. Every Little Step (2008)
PG-13 | 96 min | Documentary, Music
Follows the plight of real-life dancers as they struggle through auditions for the Broadway revival of "A Chorus Line". Also investigates the history of the show and the creative minds behind the original and current incarnations.
Directors: Adam Del Deo, James D. Stern | Stars: Bob Avian, Justin Bellero, Michael Bennett, Jay Binder
Votes: 1,666 | Gross: $1.72M
19. The Go-Go's (2020)
TV-MA | 98 min | Documentary, Music
The Go-Go's are the most successful female rock band of all time. This documentary chronicles the meteoric rise of a band born of the LA punk scene that not only captured but created a zeitgeist.
Director: Alison Ellwood | Stars: The Go-Go's, Charlotte Caffey, Elissa Bello, Belinda Carlisle
Votes: 1,731
20. The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988)
R | 93 min | Documentary, Music
Documentary showcase, what life was like for the music artists living during the Los Angeles Heavy Metal scene in the mid and late 1980s.
Director: Penelope Spheeris | Stars: Joe Perry, Steven Tyler, Gene Simmons, Alice Cooper
Votes: 4,316 | Gross: $0.37M
21. Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage (2010)
Not Rated | 107 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
An in-depth look at the Canadian rock band Rush, chronicling the band's musical evolution from their progressive rock sound of the '70s to their current heavy rock style.
Directors: Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen | Stars: Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart, Trent Reznor
Votes: 4,891
22. Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004)
Not Rated | 84 min | Documentary, Music
The iconic metal band struggles for two years to create their album St. Anger, dealing with alcoholism, the loss of their bass player, and the challenge of working with a psychotherapist.
Directors: Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky | Stars: James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, Robert Trujillo
Votes: 20,354 | Gross: $1.22M
23. Tupac: Resurrection (2003)
R | 112 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Home movies, photographs, and recited poetry illustrate the life of Tupac Shakur, one of the most beloved, revolutionary, and volatile hip-hop M.Cs. of all time.
Director: Lauren Lazin | Stars: Tupac Shakur, Rappin' 4-Tay, Conrad Bain, Bill Bellamy
Votes: 9,815 | Gross: $7.72M
24. Fade to Black (2004)
R | 109 min | Documentary
Filmed during his "Black Album" era, Jay-Z looks back on his career as one of rap music's most successful emcees and entrepreneurs.
Directors: Patrick Paulson, Michael John Warren | Stars: Jay-Z, Rick Rubin, Missy Elliott, Fonzworth Bentley
Votes: 1,074 | Gross: $0.73M
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