The Best Music Documentaries for Every Music Lover

Discover the stories behind the legends, the genres, and the sounds that changed the world.

Whether you're a lifelong music fan or a budding artist, music documentaries offer a deeper look into the creative minds behind the melodies, the cultural revolutions they ignited, and the untold struggles behind the fame. From soul to synth-pop, grunge to hip-hop, there’s a documentary for every kind of listener.

Here’s a curated list of some of the best music documentaries that will inspire, educate, and give you a whole new appreciation for the music you love.

1. “20 Feet from Stardom” (2013)

• Genre: Soul, Pop, Rock
• Why Watch:
• "20 Feet from Stardom" highlights the often-overlooked figures in music: backup singers. These vocalists, whose voices have been heard on countless chart-toppers, rarely get the credit they deserve. The documentary profiles the lives and careers of legendary backup singers like Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, and Lisa Fischer, who were pivotal in shaping the sound of pop, rock, and soul music. What makes this film so powerful is its ability to illuminate how essential these artists were in creating iconic tracks, even though they spent much of their careers in the background.
• Streaming on: Netflix, Amazon Prime
• You’ll never listen to backing vocals the same way again.
• Additional Reference: Darlene Love's Musical Legacy

2. “This Is Spinal Tap” (1984)

• Genre: Rock, Comedy
• Why Watch:
• “This Is Spinal Tap” is a mockumentary that satirizes the chaotic, often absurd world of rock ‘n’ roll. It follows the fictional band Spinal Tap through their troubled tours and increasingly outlandish antics. Though a parody, the film is beloved by musicians for its sharp commentary on the egos, stereotypes, and craziness of the rock industry. From amps that go up to “eleven” to bizarre onstage mishaps, this film showcases the comedic side of the music industry while still providing insights into what it’s like to be a touring musician.
• Streaming on: Apple TV, Amazon Prime
• Because sometimes, music documentaries go to eleven.
• Additional Reference: How Spinal Tap Inspired the Music Industry

3. “Amy” (2015)

• Genre: Jazz, Soul, Pop
• Why Watch:
• “Amy” is a deeply emotional documentary about the life and tragic death of Amy Winehouse, one of the most iconic singers of the 21st century. Directed by Asif Kapadia, the film explores the singer’s rise to fame, her battle with addiction, and the relentless media scrutiny that contributed to her untimely demise. Using unseen footage and audio recordings, the film paints an intimate portrait of the artist behind the hits Rehab and Back to Black. The documentary is not just a story about fame, but a raw look at the human cost of success.
• Streaming on: Max, Amazon Prime
• Heartbreaking and unforgettable.
• Additional Reference: Amy Winehouse: The Price of Fame

4. “Sound City” (2013)

• Genre: Rock, Recording History
• Why Watch:
• “Sound City,” directed by Dave Grohl, is a love letter to one of the most legendary recording studios in history: Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California. Home to albums by Nirvana, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, and many others, the studio is credited with producing some of the most important records in rock history. Grohl uses this documentary to explore the studio's impact, its analog equipment, and the magic that happened when these artists came together. The film is also a reflection on how analog recording techniques gave music a unique warmth and authenticity that digital methods have struggled to replicate.
• Streaming on: Apple TV, Amazon Prime
• A must for gearheads and old-school rock fans.
• Additional Reference: Sound City Studios: A Rock N’ Roll History
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5. “What Happened, Miss Simone?” (2015)

• Genre: Jazz, Civil Rights
• Why Watch:
• Nina Simone was a towering figure in both the music and civil rights movements. This documentary offers an intimate and often painful look at her life, exploring the intersections of her incredible musical genius and her fierce activism. Using archival footage and interviews with those close to her, “What Happened, Miss Simone?” showcases how Simone’s powerful voice became an instrument not just for music, but for social justice. The film delves into the personal struggles that Simone faced—mental health issues, racism, and isolation—which ultimately led to her self-imposed exile from the United States.
• Streaming on: Netflix
• For music lovers and history buffs alike.
• Additional Reference: Nina Simone's Activism in Music

6. “Score: A Film Music Documentary” (2016)

• Genre: Film Score, Orchestral
• Why Watch:
• This documentary delves into the art of film scoring, featuring insights from legendary composers like Hans Zimmer, John Williams, and Trent Reznor. A must-watch for any fan of cinema, “Score” explores how the music behind a film can elevate the emotional stakes and narrative depth. From Zimmer’s iconic work on The Dark Knight to Williams’ soaring themes for Star Wars, the documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at how composers bring stories to life through sound.
• Streaming on: Hulu, Apple TV
• Every movie fan needs to watch this.
• Additional Reference: The Impact of Film Scores on Cinema

7. “Hip-Hop Evolution” (Series, 2016–2020)

• Genre: Hip-Hop, Cultural History
• Why Watch:
• "Hip-Hop Evolution" is a four-season documentary series on Netflix that charts the rise of hip-hop from its humble beginnings in the Bronx to its global cultural dominance. Narrated by Shad Kabango, the series features interviews with the genre’s pioneers—DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, and more—who explain the origins of breakdancing, beatboxing, and turntablism. The series also provides a deep dive into the cultural and political influences that shaped hip-hop’s evolution.
• Streaming on: Netflix
• Perfect for anyone who wants to understand the genre’s roots and revolution.
• Additional Reference: The History of Hip-Hop
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8. “The Defiant Ones” (2017)

• Genre: Hip-Hop, Business
• Why Watch:
• “The Defiant Ones” is a four-part docuseries that chronicles the careers of Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, two industry giants who not only revolutionized the sound of hip-hop but also built the Beats by Dre empire. The series explores their business acumen, their personal struggles, and the iconic collaborations that led to the creation of one of the most successful brands in music history. For anyone interested in the intersection of music and entrepreneurship, this documentary is a goldmine.
• Streaming on: Netflix, Max
• Great for producers, entrepreneurs, and artists alike.
• Additional Reference: Dr. Dre's Impact on Hip-Hop

9. “Jazz” by Ken Burns (2001)

• Genre: Jazz, American History
• Why Watch:
• Ken Burns’ definitive 10-part PBS series “Jazz” explores the history of jazz, from its roots in New Orleans to its global influence on music and culture. Through a mix of interviews, archival footage, and incredible performances, the series chronicles the lives of jazz legends like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Charlie Parker. More than just a history lesson, “Jazz” showcases the cultural and social forces that shaped one of the most important music genres in the world.
• Streaming on: PBS, Amazon
• The definitive jazz doc.
• Additional Reference: Ken Burns’ Jazz and the Evolution of the Genre

10. “Get Back” (2021)

• Genre: Rock, Beatles
• Why Watch:
• Peter Jackson’s “Get Back” offers unprecedented access to The Beatles during the making of their final album, Let It Be. The documentary, presented as a series on Disney+, allows fans to witness the band’s internal dynamics during a period of tension, as well as their moments of creativity and camaraderie. Jackson uses never-before-seen footage to show how the Beatles wrote, jammed, and worked together in the studio despite their personal challenges.
• Streaming on: Disney+
• For Beatles fans, it’s an emotional goldmine.
• Additional Reference: The Making of Let It Be

Final Thoughts

Music documentaries don’t just entertain—they educate, inspire, and connect us to the raw human experiences behind the music we love. From soulful ballads to high-voltage rock, these films prove that behind every song is a story worth telling.

So grab your headphones, queue up one of these docs, and take a cinematic dive into the world behind the sound