Music Documentaries
by CoolSchmoool | created - 28 Jun 2012 | updated - 01 Oct 2014 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten (2007)
Not Rated | 124 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
As the front man of the Clash from 1977, Joe Strummer changed people's lives forever. Four years after his death, his influence reaches out around the world, more strongly now than ever before.
Director: Julien Temple | Stars: Joe Strummer, Steve Jones, Mick Jones, The 101ers
Votes: 4,181 | Gross: $0.25M
2. The Clash: Westway to the World (2000 Video)
60 min | Documentary, Music
A career retrospective of British punk band The Clash, featuring exclusive interviews with the entire band.
Director: Don Letts | Stars: Terry Chimes, Terence Dackombe, Topper Headon, Mick Jones
Votes: 1,140
3. 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: 3,599 | Gross: $0.28M
4. Punk: Attitude (2005)
Unrated | 90 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary on the music, performers, attitude and distinctive look that made up punk rock.
Director: Don Letts | Stars: K.K. Barrett, Roberta Bayley, Jello Biafra, Glenn Branca
Votes: 1,668
5. A Band Called Death (2012)
Not Rated | 96 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A documentary on the 1970s punk trio Death, and their new-found popularity decades after they disbanded.
Directors: Mark Christopher Covino, Jeff Howlett | Stars: Bobby Hackney, David Hackney, Dannis Hackney, Robbie Duncan
Votes: 4,003 | Gross: $0.13M
6. Kurt Cobain About a Son (2006)
Not Rated | 96 min | Documentary, Music
In this visual essay style documentary, intimate audio of journalist Michael Azerrad's interviews with Kurt Cobain is played over more recently photographed footage of Cobain's Washington state homes and haunts.
Director: AJ Schnack | Stars: Kurt Cobain, Evan Fortin, Nathan Streifel, Michael Azerrad
Votes: 3,848 | Gross: $0.08M
7. X: The Unheard Music (1986)
R | 84 min | Documentary, Music
This film is a documentary about the personalities in, and the music of, the early 1980's Los Angeles punk band X. There are studio and live performances by the band and interviews with ... See full summary »
Director: W.T. Morgan | Stars: John Doe, Exene Cervenka, Billy Zoom, D.J. Bonebrake
Votes: 459
8. The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)
Not Rated | 100 min | Documentary, History, Music
A look into the Los Angeles punk rock scene, that was largely ignored by the rock music press of the time.
Director: Penelope Spheeris | Stars: Eugene Tatu, Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline
Votes: 4,865
punk one
9. 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: 4,312 | Gross: $0.37M
funny one :)
10. Anvil (2008)
Not Rated | 80 min | Documentary, Biography, Drama
Since 1978, Anvil has become one of heavy metal's most influential yet commercially unsuccessful acts. In 2006, after a fledging European tour Anvil sets out to record their thirteenth album and continue to follow their dreams.
Director: Sacha Gervasi | Stars: Robb Reiner, Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, Tiziana Arrigoni, Scott Ian
Votes: 16,839 | Gross: $0.67M
11. Joy Division (2007)
R | 93 min | Documentary, Music
A chronological account of the influential late 1970s English rock band.
Director: Grant Gee | Stars: Richard Boon, Anton Corbijn, Kevin Cummins, Bob Dickinson
Votes: 3,863
12. End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones (2003)
TV-14 | 110 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
The story of the punk rock band The Ramones.
Directors: Jim Fields, Michael Gramaglia | Stars: Rick Rubin, Tommy Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, Johnny Ramone
Votes: 3,887 | Gross: $0.39M
13. 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: 6,203 | Gross: $0.61M
14. Blondie: One Way or Another (2006 TV Movie)
72 min | Documentary
A documentary about New York band Blondie, from their early beginnings in Bowery clubs like CBGBs alongside other up and coming bands like The Ramones, Patti Smith and Talking Heads. The ... See full summary »
Director: Matt O'Casey | Stars: Clem Burke, Jimmy Destri, Noel Edmonds, Chris Frantz
Votes: 87
15. Mayor of the Sunset Strip (2003)
R | 94 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A look at the history of fame in the world through the eyes of pop star impresario, Rodney Bingenheimer.
Director: George Hickenlooper | Stars: Rodney Bingenheimer, David Bowie, Joey Ramone, Exene Cervenka
Votes: 1,646 | Gross: $0.26M
16. New York Doll (2005)
PG-13 | 75 min | Documentary, Music
A recovering alcoholic and recently converted Mormon, Arthur "Killer" Kane, of the rock band The New York Dolls, is given a chance at reuniting with his band after 30 years.
Director: Greg Whiteley | Stars: Arthur Kane, David Johansen, Sylvain Sylvain, Nina Antonia
Votes: 1,826 | Gross: $0.22M
Arthur Kane
17. Born to Lose: The Last Rock and Roll Movie (1999)
90 min | Documentary, Music
About the insatiable and dissolute rock musician Johnny Thunders, member of legendary pre-punk band the New York Dolls. Born John Anthony Genzale in 1952. Finished at 38 in 1991.
Director: Lech Kowalski | Stars: Jayne County, Willy DeVille, Wayne Kramer, Dee Dee Ramone
Votes: 198
Johnny Thunders
18. 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: 1,577
19. Pearl Jam Twenty (2011)
Not Rated | 119 min | Documentary, History, Music
A documentary on the band Pearl Jam that marks their 20th anniversary in the year 2011.
Director: Cameron Crowe | Stars: Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, Cameron Crowe
Votes: 8,182 | Gross: $0.45M
20. The Gits (2005)
TV-14 | 82 min | Documentary
The story of the promising, underground Seattle band, The Gits. Fronted by charismatic vocalist, Mia Zapata, and poised to explode onto the national music scene, a stranger came in and took it all away. A decade later, the legacy lives on.
Director: Kerri O'Kane | Stars: Valerie M. Agnew, Scott Benson, Tim Bradshaw, Elizabeth F. Davis
Votes: 359
21. Don't Need You (2005 Video)
40 min | Documentary, Short, Music
"don't need you" is a documentary film that tells the story of the origins of Riot Grrrl in the American independent music scene of the 1990s, and how this feminist movement evolved into a ... See full summary »
Director: Kerri Koch | Stars: Mark Andersen, Dasha Bikceem, Bratmobile, Sharon Cheslow
Votes: 110
riot grrrl
22. The Punk Singer (2013)
Not Rated | 81 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A look at the life of activist, musician, and cultural icon Kathleen Hanna, who formed the punk band Bikini Kill and pioneered the "riot grrrl" movement of the 1990s.
Director: Sini Anderson | Stars: Kathleen Hanna, Carrie Brownstein, Kim Gordon, Joan Jett
Votes: 3,084 | Gross: $0.12M
23. Filmage: The Story of Descendents/All (2013)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Long before punk inflicted its puncture wound on the mainstream, the Descendents were in a van brewing a potent concoction of pop, angst, love and coffee.
Directors: Deedle Lacour, Matt Riggle | Stars: Bill Stevenson, Milo Aukerman, Karl Alvarez, Stephen Egerton
Votes: 1,281
24. 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: 9,809 | Gross: $7.72M
25. Biggie & Tupac (2002)
R | 108 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
Documentary on the deaths of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls and the East Coast/West Coast, hip-hop/rap rivalry that culminated in late 1996 and early 1997.
Director: Nick Broomfield | Stars: The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Nick Broomfield, Russell Poole
Votes: 5,009 | Gross: $0.09M
26. Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest (2011)
R | 97 min | Documentary, Music
Michael Rapaport documents the inner workings and behind the scenes drama that follows this innovative and influential band to this day.
Director: Michael Rapaport | Stars: Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Jarobi White
Votes: 4,074 | Gross: $1.20M
27. 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: 3,620 | Gross: $0.29M
28. 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: 10,527 | Gross: $0.33M
29. Color Me Obsessed: A Film About the Replacements (2011)
Not Rated | 123 min | Documentary, Music
For some aging music fans and kids with a passion for musical history, The Replacements are rock and roll defined. This Minneapolis quartet took a teenage-punk attitude, threw it in a ... See full summary »
Director: Gorman Bechard | Stars: Robert Voedisch, Tommy Ramone, Tom Arnold, David Foley
Votes: 374
30. Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me (2012)
PG-13 | 113 min | Documentary, Music
Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me is a feature-length documentary film about the dismal commercial failure, subsequent massive critical acclaim, and enduring legacy of pop music's greatest cult phenomenon, Big Star.
Directors: Drew DeNicola, Olivia Mori | Stars: Billy Altman, Jon Auer, Lester Bangs, Chris Bell
Votes: 1,439 | Gross: $0.11M
31. The Stone Roses: Made of Stone (2013)
97 min | Documentary, Music
Shane Meadows documents the reunion of iconic British band, The Stone Roses.
Director: Shane Meadows | Stars: Shane Meadows, Ian Brown, John Squire, The Stone Roses
Votes: 2,716
32.
American Masters (1985– )
Episode:
Joni Mitchell: A Woman of Heart and Mind
(2003)
TV-14 | 92 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A profile of Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, and how her music evolved from personal folk into pop, jazz and avant-garde.
Director: Susan Lacy | Stars: Joni Mitchell, Bill Flanagan, David Crosby, Eric Andersen
Votes: 270
33. Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006)
PG | 103 min | Documentary, Music
A film shot over during a two-night performance by Neil Young at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.
Director: Jonathan Demme | Stars: Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Pegi Young, Ben Keith
Votes: 3,302 | Gross: $1.83M
34. A Skin Too Few: The Days of Nick Drake (2002)
48 min | Documentary, Biography
A study, mostly chronological, of the life of Nick Drake (1948-1974). Gabrielle, his older sister, tells us of her brother's birth in Burma, childhood in Warwickshire, life at Cambridge and... See full summary »
Director: Jeroen Berkvens | Stars: Nick Drake, Paul Weller, Gabrielle Drake, Rodney Drake
Votes: 751
35. 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: 12,624
36. 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: 10,271 | Gross: $0.24M
37. Jimi Hendrix (1973)
R | 98 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Made shortly after his death, this documentary explores the brief life and remarkable legacy of guitarist Jimi Hendrix.
Directors: Joe Boyd, John Head, Gary Weis | Stars: Arthur Allen, Albert Allen, Stella Benabon, Eric Barrett
Votes: 1,855 | Gross: $0.03M
38. Seven Ages of Rock (2007)
Documentary, Music
Seven Ages of Rock is about the history of rock music. It comprised six 60-minute episodes, with a final episode of 90 minutes. Each episode focused on one type of rock music, each typified by one or two artists or bands.
Stars: Julian Rhind-Tutt, Charles Shaar Murray, David Fricke, John Harris
Votes: 688
39. Jazz on a Summer's Day (1959)
Not Rated | 88 min | Documentary, Music
The highlights of the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival.
Directors: Bert Stern, Aram Avakian | Stars: Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Chuck Berry, Chico Hamilton
Votes: 1,942
40. A Great Day in Harlem (1994)
Not Rated | 60 min | Documentary, Music
The documentary compiles interviews of all the top jazz musicians in NYC in the year 1958, for a piece in Esquire magazine.
Director: Jean Bach | Stars: Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Hinton, Marian McPartland, Art Blakey
Votes: 493 | Gross: $0.53M
41. 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: 1,869 | Gross: $0.03M
42. Heaven Adores You (2014)
104 min | Documentary, Biography, Drama
Heaven Adores You is an intimate, meditative inquiry into the life and music of Elliott Smith. By threading the music of Elliott Smith through the dense, yet often isolating landscapes of ... See full summary »
Director: Nickolas Dylan Rossi | Stars: Madonna, Gus Van Sant, Conan O'Brien, Rossie Harris
Votes: 1,432
highly anticipated elliott smith doc
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