The 20 Best Music Documentaries of All Time

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.

803pts

3

Shine a Light

Martin Scorsese's 2008 concert documentary of the Rolling Stones filmed at New York's Beacon Theatre.

790pts

4

The Last Waltz

Martin Scorsese's 1978 film of The Band's star-studded farewell concert, often called the greatest concert film.

771pts

5

The Devil and Daniel Johnston

Jeff Feuerzeig's 2005 portrait of the troubled cult singer-songwriter and outsider artist.

734pts

6

Summer of Soul

Questlove's Oscar-winning 2021 resurrection of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival's lost footage.

691pts

7

Gimme Shelter

The Maysles brothers' harrowing 1970 record of the Rolling Stones' tour ending in tragedy at Altamont.

642pts

8

Amy

Asif Kapadia's Oscar-winning 2015 portrait of Amy Winehouse built from intimate home footage.

584pts

9

Homecoming

Beyonce's 2019 documentary capturing her landmark headlining Coachella performance.

584pts

10

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster

Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky's 2004 fly-on-the-wall look at Metallica in therapy and crisis.

584pts

11

Dig!

Ondi Timoner's 2004 Sundance winner contrasting the rival rise of The Dandy Warhols and Brian Jonestown Massacre.

584pts

12

The Filth and the Fury

Julien Temple's 2000 insider history of the Sex Pistols and British punk.

584pts

13

Anvil! The Story of Anvil

Sacha Gervasi's 2008 cult favorite following an aging Canadian metal band chasing a comeback.

584pts

14

Montage of Heck

Brett Morgen's 2015 Kurt Cobain documentary using the Nirvana frontman's own art, journals, and recordings.

513pts

15

What Happened, Miss Simone?

Liz Garbus's 2015 Oscar-nominated study of Nina Simone's artistry and activism.

513pts

16

Buena Vista Social Club

Wim Wenders' 1999 film reuniting legendary Cuban musicians, an Oscar nominee that sparked a global revival.

513pts

17

20 Feet from Stardom

Morgan Neville's Oscar-winning 2013 spotlight on the backup singers behind rock and pop's biggest hits.

513pts

18

Searching for Sugar Man

Malik Bendjelloul's Oscar-winning 2012 mystery about fans tracking down the forgotten musician Rodriguez.

428pts

19

Woodstock

Michael Wadleigh's Oscar-winning 1970 chronicle of the 1969 festival that defined a generation of counterculture.

428pts

20

Sound City

Dave Grohl's 2013 directorial debut about the legendary Los Angeles recording studio and its analog console.

428pts