The 20 Best Music Documentaries of All Time

by YPB TeamJun 23

From counterculture festivals and backstage breakdowns to unsung session singers and forgotten geniuses, these films capture music at its rawest. Timeless classics share the bill with modern revelations. Which one moves you most? Cast your vote!

1
Stop Making Sense
Jonathan Demme's 1984 Talking Heads concert documentary celebrated for its inventive staging and energy.
1000pts
2
Don't Look Back
D.A. Pennebaker's 1967 cinema-verite portrait of Bob Dylan on his 1965 UK tour.
710pts
3
Shine a Light
Martin Scorsese's 2008 concert documentary of the Rolling Stones filmed at New York's Beacon Theatre.
692pts
4
The Last Waltz
Martin Scorsese's 1978 film of The Band's star-studded farewell concert, often called the greatest concert film.
663pts
5
The Devil and Daniel Johnston
Jeff Feuerzeig's 2005 portrait of the troubled cult singer-songwriter and outsider artist.
609pts
6
Summer of Soul
Questlove's Oscar-winning 2021 resurrection of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival's lost footage.
546pts
7
Gimme Shelter
The Maysles brothers' harrowing 1970 record of the Rolling Stones' tour ending in tragedy at Altamont.
473pts
8
Amy
Asif Kapadia's Oscar-winning 2015 portrait of Amy Winehouse built from intimate home footage.
387pts
9
Homecoming
Beyonce's 2019 documentary capturing her landmark headlining Coachella performance.
387pts
10
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster
Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky's 2004 fly-on-the-wall look at Metallica in therapy and crisis.
387pts
11
Dig!
Ondi Timoner's 2004 Sundance winner contrasting the rival rise of The Dandy Warhols and Brian Jonestown Massacre.
387pts
12
The Filth and the Fury
Julien Temple's 2000 insider history of the Sex Pistols and British punk.
387pts
13
Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Sacha Gervasi's 2008 cult favorite following an aging Canadian metal band chasing a comeback.
387pts
14
Montage of Heck
Brett Morgen's 2015 Kurt Cobain documentary using the Nirvana frontman's own art, journals, and recordings.
284pts
15
What Happened, Miss Simone?
Liz Garbus's 2015 Oscar-nominated study of Nina Simone's artistry and activism.
284pts
16
Buena Vista Social Club
Wim Wenders' 1999 film reuniting legendary Cuban musicians, an Oscar nominee that sparked a global revival.
284pts
17
20 Feet from Stardom
Morgan Neville's Oscar-winning 2013 spotlight on the backup singers behind rock and pop's biggest hits.
284pts
18
Searching for Sugar Man
Malik Bendjelloul's Oscar-winning 2012 mystery about fans tracking down the forgotten musician Rodriguez.
0pts
19
Woodstock
Michael Wadleigh's Oscar-winning 1970 chronicle of the 1969 festival that defined a generation of counterculture.
0pts
20
Sound City
Dave Grohl's 2013 directorial debut about the legendary Los Angeles recording studio and its analog console.
0pts

#Movies657 #Music839 #Documentaries2

Comments

Homecoming counts four months of band rehearsals, four more with dancers and 200 people on stage. Woodstock and Stop Making Sense are the company: https://youpick.best/articles/beyonce-ranked-many-ways

ypb-team·Aug 21·