The 42 Best Music Documentaries to Watch Now on Netflix
Let’s face it: You’ve already watched the best true crime documentaries, binged Love Is Blind in just one day and now you’re in need of a new docuseries to fill the void. Well, you’re in luck, because our fave streaming service (that’s Netflix, of course) has incredible access to the intimate lives of the world’s greatest musicians, producers and artists. From Beyoncé’s Homecoming to Lady Gaga’s Five Foot Two, here are 42 of the best music documentaries to watch on Netflix.
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1. Homecoming
Who directed it? Beyoncé, Ed Burke
Who’s in it? Beyoncé
How long is it? 2 hours and 17 minutes
What’s it about? Most of us weren’t at Coachella when Beyoncé headlined—but surely you remember back in 2018 when her fans renamed the fest Beychella? Luckily for Netflix users, the Lemonade singer released a concert film of the historical performance. The documentary showcases the whole show, including clips of the grueling rehearsals Beyoncé endured.
Watch ‘Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé’ (2019)
2. Miss Americana
Who directed it? Lana Wilson
Who’s in it? Taylor Swift
How long is it? 1 hour and 25 minutes
What’s it about? Taylor Swift lets viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at her personal life, the highs and lows of her career and the writing process that went into her Reputation and Lover albums. From sharing her battle with body dysmorphia to going public with her political views, the documentary showcases interviews with Swift, along with home videos, concert footage and even shots of her adorable cats.
3. Gaga: Five Foot Two
Who directed it? Chris Moukarbel
Who’s in it? Lady Gaga
How long is it? 1 hour and 40 minutes
What’s it about? This documentary explores the lengths the pop singer went to (physically, emotionally and mentally) to create and release Joanne, while preparing for the biggest performance in her career: the Super Bowl halftime show. This film gives fans a raw, intimate look in the star’s process.
Watch ‘Gaga: Five Foot Two’ (2017)
4. Rapture
Who directed it? Various directors
Who’s in it? Logic, Nas, Lin-Manuel Miranda
How long is it? Each episode is about an hour
What’s it about? The docuseries follows the lives of established and rising hip-hop artists. From Nas to A-Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, viewers can join them in the studio and see what life is like when they’re on tour.
5. Hip-Hop Evolution
Who directed it? Darby Wheeler, Rodrigo Bascunan
Who’s in it? Ice-T, Lil’ Kim and other notable artists
How long is it? Each episode ranges from 30 to 51 minutes
What’s it about? This Canadian docuseries follows the history of hip-hop and the artists who have made an impact on the genre. Each episode features interviews with DJs, producers, promoters and artists, taking viewers on a journey to understand the beginning of hip-hop and how it has influenced today’s culture.
Watch ‘Hip Hop Evolution’ (2016)
6. What Happened, Miss Simone?
Who directed it? Liz Garbus
Who’s in it? Nina Simone, Dick Gregory, John Legend
How long is it? 1 hour and 42 minutes
What’s it about? The documentary follows the life of American singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone. The film unravels her story through unreleased footage and interviews with Simone’s family and friends. It was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 88th Academy Awards.
Watch ‘What Happened Miss Simone?’ (2015)
7. Amy
Who directed it? Asif Kapadia
Who’s in it? Amy Winehouse
How long is it? 2 hours and 8 minutes
What’s it about? The peaks and valleys of British singer Amy Winehouse’s career were truly heartbreaking. This documentary covers her rise to fame as well as the addiction that sadly led to her untimely death. The star’s friends and family remember her life, while previously unreleased footage and songs help to tell her tale.
8. The Black Godfather
Who directed it? Reginald Hudlin
Who’s in it? Bill Clinton, Sean Combs, L.A. Reid and many more
How long is it? 1 hour and 58 minutes
What’s it about? Do you know the name Clarence Avant? Well, you should. The music executive is known as “the godfather of black music,” and this film displays the impact he’s had on the music industry. From running record labels like Venture Records, Sussex Records and Motown Records to serving as a concert organizer, Avant worked with people like R&B singer Little Willie John, jazz singer Sarah Vaughan and rock ’n’ roll pioneer Tom Wilson.
Watch ‘The Black Godfather’ (2019)
9. Travis Scott: Look Mom I Can Fly
Who directed it? White Trash Tyler, Cactus Jack
Who’s in it? Travis Scott
How long is it? 1 hour and 25 minutes
What’s it about? You know Travis Scott’s songs, but how much do you know about his story? Learn about the making of his Grammy-nominated album Astroworld and his rise to fame. The film includes behind-the-scenes moments in the studio, live performances and touching moments with his daughter.
Watch ‘Travis Scott: Look Mom I Can Fly’ (2019)
10. Devil at the Crossroads
Who directed it? Brian Oakes
Who’s in it? Robert Johnson, Terry Bean and Rory Block
How long is it? 48 minutes
What’s it about? The title of this doc is based on a myth that blues singer Robert Johnson made a deal with the devil in order to achieve fame and success. He is one of the most influential blues guitarists in the world, and this offers an understanding of his untimely death, career and musical lyrics.
Watch ‘Devil at the Crossroads’ (2019)
11. Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool
Who directed it? Stanley Nelson
Who’s in it? Miles Davis, Carl Lumbly
How long is it? 1 hour and 55 minutes
What’s it about? Learn all about jazz legend Miles Davis through previously unseen footage, interviews and home videos. The trumpet player and bandleader is shown breaking barriers and playing by his own rules (something that became a growing issue in his career). Davis made waves in jazz and inspired other genres to break away from tradition.
Watch ‘Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool’ (2019)
12. ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas
Who directed it? Sam Dunn
Who’s in it? ZZ Top, Billy Bob Thornton, Howard Bloom
How long is it? 1 hour and 30 minutes
What’s it about? Discover the ins and outs of blues-rock trio ZZ Top. Billy F. Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard make an appearance to talk about being a band for 50 years, life on the road and the moments that changed their lives, from the ’70s until now.
Watch ‘ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas’ (2019)
13. Quincy
Who directed it? Rashida Jones, Alan Hicks
Who’s in it? Quincy Jones
How long is it? 2 hours and 4 minutes
What’s it about? Over the course of his career, record producer Quincy Jones recorded 2,900 songs, 300 albums, 51 film and television scores, and more than 1,000 original compositions. He also racked up a casual 79 Grammy nominations and 27 Grammy awards. Phew. In this two-hour documentary (that’s directed by his daughter, actress Rashida Jones), those staggering figures show just how remarkable Jones’s impact on the music industry has been.
14. Echo in the Canyon
Who directed it? Andrew Slater
Who’s in it? Jakob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Michelle Phillips
How long is it? 1 hour and 22 minutes
What’s it about? This documentary reveals the history of Laurel Canyon, a neighborhood that inspired many great musicians of the ’60s, including the Byrds and the Beach Boys. The film celebrates the music and collaborations, as well as how Laurel Canyon’s influence still reverberates today. Tune in for interviews with and performances from David Crosby, Ringo Starr and Tom Petty.
Watch ‘Echo in the Canyon’ (2018)
15. What We Started
Who directed it? Bert Marcus, Cyrus Saidi
Who’s in it? Martin Garrix, Carl Cox
How long is it? 1 hour and 35 minutes
What’s it about? Have you ever wanted to understand EDM? This film goes beyond the beats and the bass to show how electronic music has evolved and where the genre will go in the future. Two DJs, Carl Cox and Martin Garrix, share their firsthand experiences, but viewers can also look forward to special appearances from Usher, Ed Sheeran and David Guetta.
Watch ‘What We Started’ (2017)
16. 20 Feet From Stardom
Who directed it? Morgan Neville
Who’s in it? Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer
How long is it? 1 hour and 30 minutes
What’s it about? This Academy–Award winning film highlights the underdogs of the music industry: backup vocalists. Get to know how important Judith Hill, Darlene Love and many others were and how they boosted the careers of today’s biggest talents. The film also highlights archival footage and features interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger and Stevie Wonder, to name a few.
Watch ‘20 Feet From Stardom’ (2013)
17. Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Story
Who directed it? John Scheinfeld
Who’s in it? Denzel Washington, Bill Clinton, Ravi Coltrane
How long is it? 1 hour and 39 minutes
What’s it about? Immerse yourself in the talents of jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane through interviews, footage and commentary by Denzel Washington, Common and many more. The film follows how his talent shaped the jazz community and inspired future saxophone players.
Watch ‘Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Story’ (2016)
18. Oasis: Supersonic
Who directed it? Mat Whitecross
Who’s in it? Oasis, Alan McGee, Paul McGuigan
How long is it? 2 hours and 2 minutes
What’s it about? Step inside the ’90s as this documentary follows the rise of Manchester, England–based rock band Oasis. Created by the same producers of Amy, this film brings viewers on the journey from Oasis’s inception to their overnight success and how the sibling rivalry between two members, Noel and Liam Gallagher, almost cost them everything.
Watch ‘Oasis: Supersonic’ (2016)
19. I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead
Who directed it? Justin Krook
Who’s in it? Steve Aoki
How long is it? 1 hour and 19 minutes
What’s it about? Learn about the biggest DJ of the 21st century, Steve Aoki. The DJ leads viewers through his career and unveils the inspiration behind his success, his father Rocky Aoki (the founder of Benihana and a daredevil showman). The film includes interviews from his family as well as artists and DJs like Diplo, Tiesto and Will.i.Am.
Watch ‘I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead’ (2016)
20. Searching for Sugar Man
Who directed it? Malik Bendelloul
Who’s in it? Rodriguez
How long is it? 1 hour and 26 minutes
What’s it about? There are dedicated fans and then there are the fans who made Searching for Sugar Man. Two admirers try to track down Detroit singer Rodriguez decades after he stepped away from the spotlight, amid rumors that the ’70s rock icon might be dead. Follow along as we learn more about Rodriguez and see how the fans’ investigative quest ends.
Watch ‘Searching for Sugar Man’ (2012)
21. Bad Rap
Who directed it? Salima Koroma
Who’s in it? Jonathan Park, Awkwafina, David Lee, Richard Lee
How long is it? 1 hour and 22 minutes
What’s it about? The music documentary follows four Korean American artists (including Golden–Globe winning actress Awkwafina) and their struggle to be accepted in the entertainment industry. It’s a deep dive into race and music, uncovering the obstacles they face while trying to go mainstream.
22. Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives
Who directed it? Chris Perkel
Who’s in it? Clive Davis
How long is it? 2 hours and 4 minutes
What’s it about? Learn about the 50-year career of music producer Clive Davis. The film displays the impact he’s had on the music industry through his keen eye for discovering talent and helping artists reach the top of the charts, including Whitney Houston (who makes a significant impact in a portion of the storytelling). It also features interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, Paul Simon and many more who join in to reminisce about Davis’s influence.
Watch ‘Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives’ (2017)
23. Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage
Who directed it? Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen
Who’s in it? Various musicians
How long is it? 1 hour and 46 minutes
What’s it about? Viewers can follow the 40-year reign of Canadian band Rush through live performances, celebrity interviews (with musicians like Gene Simmons, Sebastian Bach and Jack Black, to name a few) and old recordings of the band. The film follows the obstacles they had to face in the club circuit, dives deep into their writing process and shows how they became a rock band with the third most consecutive gold and platinum albums (following the Beatles and the Rolling Stones). All while maintaining a close friendship to this day.
Watch ‘Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage’ (2010)
24. The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir
Who directed it? Mike Fleiss
Who’s in it? Bob Weir
How long is it? 1 hour and 24 minutes
What’s it about? The documentary focuses on Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir and what it was like to be part of America’s greatest rock band. Viewers learn about the Grateful Dead and the ’60s through interviews with band members, including Weir himself.
Watch ‘The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir’ (2015)
25. Once in a Lifetime Sessions with OneRepublic
Who directed it? Matt Askem
Who’s in it? Ryan Tedder, Zach Filkins, Drew Brown
How long is it? 1 hour and 12 minutes
What’s it about? Here’s your front-row ticket to a OneRepublic concert. From their classical music background to lead singer Ryan Tedder breaking down how he created some of their biggest hits, including “Apologize” (and collaborating with artists like Paul McCartney and Beyoncé), this film provides background into what separates the band members from their music.
Watch ‘Once in a Lifetime Sessions with OneRepublic’ (2018)
26. Rolling Stones Ole, Ole, Ole!: A Trip Across Latin America
Who directed it? Paul Dugdale
Who’s in it? Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood
How long is it? 1 hour and 40 minutes
What’s it about? Have you ever wanted to be on the Rolling Stones’ tour bus? This film gives you the chance to at least see what it would be like. Follow along as the iconic band travels through South America and Mexico during their 2016 tour before heading to Cuba, where they performed for more than 500,000 concertgoers.
Watch ‘Rolling Stones Ole, Ole, Ole!: A Trip Across Latin America’ (2016)
27. Sample This
Who directed it? Dan Forrer
Who’s in it? Gene Simmons, Quest Love, Roosevelt Grier
How long is it? 1 hour and 23 minutes
What’s it about? Music producer Michael Viner might be relatively unknown, but you’ve definitely heard his work. See how the Incredible Bongo Band’s failed album became the catalyst for many hip-hop songs from artists like Will Smith, Jay-Z and Missy Elliot, while creating an anthem for the Bronx.
28. Tokyo Idols
Who directed it? Kyoko Miyake
Who’s in it? Rio Hiiragi
How long is it? 1 hour and 28 minutes
What’s it about? The film follows J-pop idol Rio Hiiragi and provides a deep dive into her fan base (which is mostly 20- to 40-year-old men). This doc shows how J-pop has impacted Japanese culture and led to the objectification of these “idols.”
29. Keith Richards: Under the Influence
Who directed it? Morgan Neville
Who’s in it? Keith Richards
How long is it? 1 hour and 22 minutes
What’s it about? Catch a glimpse of Rolling Stones rock icon Keith Richards working on his first solo album Crosseyed Heart, while diving into his musical career as a performer and songwriter. The film follows Richards as he tours with the Rolling Stones in 2015, with appearances from bands and musicians like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf who have inspired the legend.
Watch ‘Keith Richards: Under the Influence’ (2015)
30. Who the F**k Is That Guy?: The Fabulous Life of Michael Alago
Who directed it? Drew Stone
Who’s in it? Michael Alago
How long is it? 1 hour and 17 minutes
What’s it about? Learn all about record executive Michael Alago. From dealing with addiction and becoming HIV positive to rising through the ranks as one of the most influential record moguls, Alago has experienced a series of ups and downs in his life. But highlights include signing rock band Metallica and working with artists like Cyndi Lauper and Nina Simone, so it’s definitely worth a watch.
Watch ‘Who the F**k Is That Guy?: The Fabulous Life of Michael Alago’ (2017)
31. Joe Cocker: Mad Dog with Soul
Who directed it? John Edginton
Who’s in it? Joe Cocker
How long is it? 1 hour and 30 minutes
What’s it about? Dive into the archives of soulful singer Joe Cocker, with performances from and interviews with friends, family and notable musicians like Billy Joel.
Watch ‘Joe Cocker: Mad Dog with Soul’ (2017)
32. Once in a Lifetime Sessions with Nile Rodgers
Who directed it? Charlie Lightening
Who’s in it? Nile Rodgers
How long is it? 1 hour and 9 minutes
What’s it about? Similar to Once in a Lifetime Sessions with OneRepublic, this documentary follows rhythm guitarist and Chic cofounder Nile Rodgers. Viewers can learn how Rodgers produces, composes and writes music. Tune in for live performances, recording studio sessions and the process of transforming some of his most iconic songs into modern music like “Everybody Dance,” “Let’s Dance” and the Daft Punk collaboration “Get Lucky.”
Watch ‘Once in a Lifetime Sessions with Nile Rodgers’ (2018)
33. Parchis
Who directed it? Daniel Arasanz
Who’s in it? Francisco Díaz, Tino Fernández, David Muñoz
How long is it? 1 hour and 46 minutes
What’s it about? Long before One Direction, there was Parchis, a Spanish children’s band that became a social phenomenon. Since being introduced in the late ’70s, the band found outstanding success in music and film. This doc is no exception.
34. Long Time Running
Who directed it? Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier
Who’s in it? Gord Downie, Paul Langlois, Gord Sinclair
How long is it? 1 hour and 35 minutes
What’s it about? Follow th erock band the Tragically Hip as they prepare to do their last show in their native country Canada, following lead singer Gord Downie’s cancer diagnosis. The documentary (named after one of the band’s songs) provides highlights of the group’s 30-year journey and the emotions that come with giving their fans one last show.
Watch ‘Long Time Running’ (2017)
35. Once in a Lifetime Sessions with Moby
Who directed it? Matt Askem
Who’s in it? Moby, Alex Cohen
How long is it? 1 hour and 26 minutes
What’s it about? Another edition of the Once in a Lifetime Sessions, this flick follows producer and DJ Moby as he recounts his childhood, his musical inspirations and the meanings behind his most popular songs, including “Natural Blues” and “Extreme Ways.”
Watch ‘Once in a Lifetime Sessions with Moby’ (2018)
36. The Lion’s Share
Who directed it? Sam Cullman
Who’s in it? Rian Malan, Solomon Linda, Delphi Linda
How long is it? 1 hour and 24 minutes
What’s it about? Many of us grew up watching The Lion King and know the famous song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” but few are aware of its origin. South African journalist Rian Malan goes on the hunt to discover the song’s roots and fights for the forgotten writer to receive fair compensation for his hit.
Watch ‘The Lion’s Share’ (2019)
37. Lil Peep: Everybody’s Everything
Who directed it? Sebastian Jones, Ramez Silyan
Who’s in it? Lil Peep
How long is it? 1 hour and 55 minutes
What’s it about? Artist Lil Peep died of an overdose in November 2017 at the young age of 21. This film remembers his life and how he was able to blend genres together to create a signature sound. It also shows how the rise of internet culture had a massive impact on the future of music.
Watch ‘Lil Peep: Everybody’s Everything’ (2019)
38. Once in a Lifetime Session with George Ezra
Who directed it? Matthew Amos
Who’s in it? George Ezra
How long is it? 1 hour and 18 minutes
What’s it about? English singer-songwriter George Ezra performs some of his biggest hits, including “Shotgun” and “Budapest,” while discussing his transition from bassist hiding in the shadows to lead singer in the spotlight.
Watch ‘Once in a Lifetime Sessions with George Ezra’ (2018)
39. Clarence Clemons: Who Do I Think I Am?
Who directed it? Nick Mead
Who’s in it? Clarence Clemons
How long is it? 1 hour and 28 minutes
What’s it about? Saxophonist and E Street Band member Clarence Clemons took a trip to China in 2005, where he had a spiritual awakening. This film presents a look at how that trip affected his entire life. Former band members, friends, family and even Bill Clinton recall his compelling story.
Watch ‘Clarence Clemons: Who Do I Think I Am?’ (2019)
40. Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago
Who directed it? Peter Pardini
Who’s in it? Chicago
How long is it? 1 hour and 53 minutes
What’s it about? From their chart-topping hits to being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the rock band Chicago is one of a kind. This film shows the bumpy road Chicago took toward becoming known as the “horn band,” as one of the few to incorporate a horn section in their music..
Watch ‘Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago’ (2016)
41. Once in a Lifetime Sessions with TLC
Who directed it? Matt Askem
Who’s in it? Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins
How long is it? 1 hour and 12 minutes
What’s it about? One of the most popular female groups of all time, TLC joins the Once in a Lifetime Sessions docuseries to talk about music, life and performing after the tragic death of band member Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopez. The film features live performances and studio sessions with the surviving members.
Watch ‘Once in a Lifetime Sessions with TLC’ (2018)
42. Once in a Lifetime Sessions with Noel Gallagher
Who directed it? Charlie Lightening
Who’s in it? Noel Gallagher
How long is it? 1 hour and 6 minutes
What’s it about? Noel Gallagher leads viewers through his creative process and his musical journey with Oasis. Watch him perform some of the rock band’s greatest hits like “Supersonic” and enjoy a debut of his own work.
Watch ‘Once in a Lifetime Sessions with Noel Gallagher’ (2018)
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