Sort by Popularity - Most Popular Movies and TV Shows tagged with keyword "music-history"

1. School of Rock (2003)

PG-13 | 109 min | Comedy, Music

After being kicked out of his rock band, Dewey Finn becomes a substitute teacher of an uptight elementary private school, only to try and turn his class into a rock band.

Director: Richard Linklater | Stars: Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack, Adam Pascal

Votes: 331,905 | Gross: $81.26M

2. Ray (I) (2004)

PG-13 | 152 min | Biography, Drama, Music

The story of the life and career of the legendary rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles, from his humble beginnings in the South, where he went blind at age seven, to his meteoric rise to stardom during the 1950s and 1960s.

Director: Taylor Hackford | Stars: Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Clifton Powell

Votes: 157,660 | Gross: $75.33M

3. 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: 73,058 | Gross: $3.97M

4. CBGB (2013)

R | 102 min | Crime, Drama, Music

A look at the New York City punk-rock scene and the venerable nightclub, CBGB.

Director: Randall Miller | Stars: Alan Rickman, Malin Akerman, Justin Bartha, Richard de Klerk

Votes: 11,248 | Gross: $0.04M

5. Spinning Gold (2023)

R | 137 min | Biography, Drama, Music

A biopic of 1970s record producer Neil Bogart, co-founder of Casablanca Records.

Director: Timothy Scott Bogart | Stars: Jeremy Jordan, Michelle Monaghan, Jay Pharoah, Lyndsy Fonseca

Votes: 1,650

6. The New Edition Story (2017)

TV-14 | 120 min | Biography, Drama, Music

Chronicles the ups and downs of legendary music group New Edition from their humble beginnings in Boston to individual solo success and everything in between.

Stars: Bryshere Y. Gray, Elijah Kelley, Luke James, Woody McClain

Votes: 3,285

7. Backbeat (1994)

R | 100 min | Biography, Drama, Music

A dramatization of the Hamburg, Germany phase of The Beatles' early history.

Director: Iain Softley | Stars: Stephen Dorff, Sheryl Lee, Ian Hart, Gary Bakewell

Votes: 6,600 | Gross: $2.39M

8. 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: 13,976 | Gross: $4.95M

9. Muscle Shoals (2013)

PG | 111 min | Documentary, Biography, History

A documentary that celebrates Rick Hall, the founder of FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and the signature sound he developed in songs such as "I'll Take You There", "Brown Sugar", and "When a Man Loves a Woman".

Director: Greg 'Freddy' Camalier | Stars: Rick Hall, Aretha Franklin, Keith Richards, Candi Staton

Votes: 4,302 | Gross: $0.70M

10. Miles Ahead (2015)

R | 100 min | Biography, Drama, Music

An exploration of the life and music of Miles Davis.

Director: Don Cheadle | Stars: Don Cheadle, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Ewan McGregor, Michael Stuhlbarg

Votes: 10,579 | Gross: $2.61M

11. Behind the Music (2021– )

TV-MA | 55 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

The best of the vault remastered and updated with artist interviews, a creative refresh, and reimagined visual style.

Stars: Busta Rhymes, Eminem, Ricky Martin, LL Cool J

Votes: 80

12. 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: 6,466

13. Shine a Light (2008)

PG-13 | 122 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

A career-spanning documentary on The Rolling Stones, with concert footage from their "A Bigger Bang" tour.

Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood

Votes: 12,309 | Gross: $5.36M

14. Long Strange Trip (2017)

R | 238 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

A look at the 30-year career of The Grateful Dead.

Director: Amir Bar-Lev | Stars: John Perry Barlow, Tom Constanten, Sam Cutler, Jerry Garcia

Votes: 1,907

15. Behind the Music (1997–2021)

TV-14 | Documentary, Biography, Music

Musical artists, their careers, their highs, their lows and everything in between are profiled and interviewed.

Stars: Jim Forbes, David Wild, Alexander Milas, Eddie Trunk

Votes: 1,668

16. Herbie Hancock Presents Living Jazz (1996 Video Game)

Adventure, Music

Herbie Hancock's interactive tour that follows the evolution of jazz sound from its origins in the red-light district of Storyville, New Orleans in the 1920s to the sound it might have in the future. Hancock performs the music.

Stars: John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Billie Holiday

17. The Filth and the Fury (2000)

R | 108 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

A film about the career of the notorious punk rock band, the Sex Pistols.

Director: Julien Temple | Stars: Paul Cook, Steve Jones, John Lydon, Glen Matlock

Votes: 6,209 | Gross: $0.61M

18. Stoned (2005)

R | 102 min | Biography, Drama, Music

A chronicle of the sordid life and suspicious death of Rolling Stones co-founder Brian Jones, who was found in the bottom of his swimming pool weeks after being let go from the band.

Director: Stephen Woolley | Stars: Leo Gregory, Paddy Considine, David Morrissey, Ben Whishaw

Votes: 4,170

19. Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002)

PG | 108 min | Documentary, Music

Documentary about the Funk Brothers, a group of Detroit musicians who backed up dozens of Motown artists.

Director: Paul Justman | Stars: Joe Hunter, Jack Ashford, Uriel Jones, Richard 'Pistol' Allen

Votes: 3,856 | Gross: $1.60M

20. 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: 5,177

21. Disco: Soundtrack of A Revolution (2023)

Documentary, History, Music

From the sweaty basement bars of 70s New York to the glittering peak of the global charts, how disco conquered the world - its origins, its triumphs, its fall and its legacy.

Stars: David Depino, Nicky Siano, Ana Matronic, Allen Roskoff

Votes: 61

22. 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: 12,497

23. The Movie Orgy (2009)

420 min | Documentary, Comedy, History

A montage of 1950s B-movies, TV shows & vintage commercials create a nostalgic collage about aliens & monsters attacking America.

Director: Joe Dante | Stars: Ann-Margret, Ngo Dinh Diem, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Groucho Marx

Votes: 206

24. 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: 2,942 | Gross: $0.27M

25. The Linda McCartney Story (2000 TV Movie)

90 min | Biography, Drama, Music

A dramatization of the life of Linda Eastman McCartney in her early years photographing for Rolling Stone magazine and rubbing elbows with much of Hollywood's elite. The story follows her ... See full summary »

Director: Armand Mastroianni | Stars: Elizabeth Mitchell, Gary Bakewell, David James Lewis, Nicole Oliver

Votes: 701

26. Little Richard (2000 TV Movie)

TV-14 | 120 min | Biography, Drama, Music

The story of Little Richard Penniman, from his poor Southern upbringing to dealing with the trials and tribulations of being a black singer in the 1950s, to his born-again phase and brief "retirement" from rock and roll.

Director: Robert Townsend | Stars: Leon, Jenifer Lewis, Carl Lumbly, Tamala Jones

Votes: 996

27. D.O.A. (1980)

90 min | Documentary, Music

Documentary chronicaling the rise and fall of the punk movement with rare interview footage of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen. Also concert and news footage.

Director: Lech Kowalski | Stars: Stiv Bators, Terry Chimes, The Clash, Paul Cook

Votes: 672

28. Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man (2005)

PG-13 | 105 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

A documentary on the legendary singer-songwriter, with performances by those musicians he has influenced.

Director: Lian Lunson | Stars: Leonard Cohen, Bono, Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright

Votes: 2,339 | Gross: $1.04M

29. Heartworn Highways (1976)

Not Rated | 92 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

The best music and the best whiskey come from the same part of the country.

Director: James Szalapski | Stars: Peggy Brooks, Guy Clark, David Allan Coe, Rodney Crowell

Votes: 945

30. Dance Craze (1981)

50 min | Documentary, Music

Documentary on Britain's 2 Tone Ska Era from the late seventies to the early eighties.

Director: Joe Massot | Stars: The Beat, The Bodysnatchers, The Selecter, The Specials

Votes: 286

31. Biography: The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne (2020 TV Movie)

TV-14 | 86 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

For over five decades, Ozzy Osbourne has personified rock and roll, from his childhood in poverty and time in prison, to fronting metal band Black Sabbath, a successful solo career and a lovable 21st century television dad.

Director: Greg Johnston | Stars: Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Ice-T, Tony Iommi

Votes: 636

32. If I Think of Germany at Night (2017)

105 min | Documentary

A look at five pioneers of electronic music for whom work is their raison d'etre.

Director: Romuald Karmakar | Stars: Ata, Roman Flügel, Sonja Moonear, David Moufang

Votes: 213

33. 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: 3,605 | Gross: $0.28M

34. My Generation (I) (2017)

TV-PG | 85 min | Documentary, History

The cultural revolution that occurred in the 1960s England is explored in this documentary.

Director: David Batty | Stars: Michael Caine, David Bailey, Twiggy, Mary Quant

Votes: 2,168

35. Led Zeppelin (2003 Video)

Not Rated | 320 min | Documentary, Music

A double-DVD set which features over five hours of previously unreleased concert and archival performance footage from Led Zeppelin, spanning the years 1969 to 1979.

Directors: Dick Carruthers, Jimmy Page | Stars: Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham

Votes: 3,051

36. The Compleat Beatles (1982 Video)

119 min | Documentary, Music

The history of the great British rock band.

Director: Patrick Montgomery | Stars: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr

Votes: 1,197

37. Yo! MTV Raps (1988–2004)

60 min | Music

Interviews and music videos from the biggest and most notable rap artist of the time. This show gave the rap genre a platform to be seen and heard by mainstream viewers far and wide.

Stars: Fab 5 Freddy, Doctor Dré, Ed Lover, T-Money

Votes: 228

38. Beatlemania (1981)

PG | 86 min | Music

Four guys who look and sound moderately like the Beatles play a plethora of Lennon/McCartney classics, while footage of memorable sixties events flashes by.

Director: Joseph Manduke | Stars: David Leon, Mitch Weissman, Tom Teeley, Ralph Castelli

Votes: 143

39. Toot Whistle Plunk and Boom (1953)

Approved | 10 min | Animation, Short, Comedy

A crash course on the history of Western musical instruments.

Directors: Ward Kimball, Charles Nichols | Stars: The Mellowmen Quartet, Loulie Jean Norman, Charlie Parlota, Bill Thompson

Votes: 1,560

40. Heavy Metal Parking Lot (1986 Video)

Not Rated | 17 min | Documentary, Short, Music

A look at the wild scene outside a Judas Priest concert.

Directors: John Heyn, Jeff Krulik | Stars: John Cloud Jr., Judas Priest

Votes: 1,549

41. No Distance Left to Run (2010)

Not Rated | 104 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

An insightful rockumentary looking at the history of the British rock band, Blur, as they head out on the road for their 2009 reunion tour.

Directors: Will Lovelace, Dylan Southern | Stars: Damon Albarn, Mike Smith, Wayne Hernandez, Sam Freeman

Votes: 1,381

42. Pump Up the Volume (2001– )

Documentary, Music

In this documentary the origin of house music is being explained. It starts in Chicago in the "Warehouse" club. This later became the Genre called just "House" because people wanted to buy ... See full summary »

Stars: Louis Mellis, Vince Lawrence, Frankie Knuckles, Ron Hardy

Votes: 265

43. NWA & Eazy-E: Kings of Compton (2016)

PG-13 | 80 min | Documentary, History, Music

A brand new inside look at one of the most controversial musical acts of all time who pioneered gangsta rap and west coast hip hop featuring the testimony of those who experienced it all.

Directors: Mike Corbera, Andre Relis | Stars: Tony A., Kim Buie, Mister Cartoon, Big Chan

Votes: 186

44. Testimony (1987)

Not Rated | 157 min | Biography, Drama, History

The story of the great Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) and his life and career during the rule of Stalin.

Director: Tony Palmer | Stars: Ben Kingsley, Sherry Baines, Magdalen Asquith, Mark Asquith

Votes: 288

45. Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap (2012)

R | 106 min | Documentary, Music

A documentary on rap music and its rise to global prominence.

Directors: Ice-T, Andy Baybutt | Stars: Ice-T, Dr. Dre, Chuck D, Snoop Dogg

Votes: 3,619 | Gross: $0.29M

46. Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme (2000)

Not Rated | 60 min | Documentary, Music

A documentary about freestyling--the improvised, on-the-spot rhymes that demonstrate the skills of hip-hop MCs.

Director: Kevin Fitzgerald | Stars: Chali 2na, Muhammad Ali, Planet Asia, Bahamadia

Votes: 626 | Gross: $0.01M

47. Verschwende deine Jugend (2003)

97 min | Music, Comedy, Drama

The year is 1981, the German New Wave is at the peak. Harry, otherwise Sparkasse trainee, wants to make it big as a manager of the band of his friends, Apollo Schwabing. He has booked the ... See full summary »

Director: Benjamin Quabeck | Stars: Tom Schilling, Robert Stadlober, Jessica Schwarz, Marlon Kittel

Votes: 1,145

48. Modulations (1998)

75 min | Documentary, Music

The evolution of electronic music and its many genres. How the wide range of styles and scenes formed through experimentations on sound formation.

Director: Iara Lee | Stars: Arthur Baker, Afrika Bambaataa, Carl Cox, David Kristian

Votes: 492 | Gross: $0.14M

49. Secrets (1992)

PG-13 | 92 min | Drama, Music

Five teens get stuck in the basement in an attempt to see the Beatles in a local hotel.

Director: Michael Pattinson | Stars: Beth Champion, Malcolm Kennard, Dannii Minogue, Willa O'Neill

Votes: 185

50. Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey (1993)

PG | 83 min | Documentary, Biography, History

A documentary about the inventor of the first electronic synthesiser instrument and his subsequent life after he was abducted by the KGB as well as a history of his instrument.

Director: Steven M. Martin | Stars: Leon Theremin, Robert Moog, Clara Rockmore, Nicolas Slonimsky

Votes: 990 | Gross: $0.19M