The 25 greatest music documentaries from this century

Filmed in black and white, this doc about the arduous process it took for alt-country favorites Wilco to make and distribute its acclaimed fourth studio album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2001) is riveting. It was a make-or-break record for the band, which, in turn, found itself at a crossroads with its record label. While the music is a selling point, Wilco's showdown against the industry to what makes this a special watch — and not just for fans of the band.

From 2001-03, Metallica was trying to hold on to its reign as the greatest heavy metal band in the world. However, it wasn't easy. Tensions were rising in the band, which was working on a new album — 2003's St. Anger — at the time, and the band's future as a collective seemed in jeopardy. This raw, honest look into the emotionally damaged lives of core members James Hetfield (still grappling with alcohol abuse) and Lars Ulrich, is intensely personal and impactful. Highlights include Ulrich trying to meet up with former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted and ex-guitarist Dave Mustaine sitting in on one of the band's therapy sessions. 

The casual music likely has never heard of Daniel Johnston, the singer, songwriter, musician and artist who achieved a cult following within the alternative music community (Kurt Cobain was a fan) with his uniquely quirky sound and writing. Johnston accomplished this all while dealing with mental illness, from his days as a young boy, right up to his death from an apparent heart attack in 2019 at age 58. The Sundance-award winning film is at turns entertaining and depressing, but leaves one glad to have experienced the talent and pain Johnston harbored.  

Contrary to popular opinion, Anvil is not a novelty act, much in the same form as Spinal Tap. And this stellar documentary about the band delivers the enthralling proof. The Canadian metal outfit, beloved in Germany, has long delivered high-energy live sets, which are on display here, but money and fame remain hard to come by. Led by guitarist and vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Anvil enjoyed most of its notable success during the early 1980s, then truly came into the mainstream following the release of this movie, especially after the likes of Slash, Lemmy and Lars Ulrich sang its praises.

Any guitarist — professional or amateur — needs to check out It Might Get Loud, if they haven't already. The film details the lives, musical stylings and influences of guitar greats Jimmy Page, U2's "The Edge" and  Jack White. The history and tales told between the three guitar legends are both highly informative and entertaining. While the music is obviously amazing to hear, the conversation should be what's remembered most from this wonderful project. 

The first of two times we'll highlight Banger Films, the Canadian company that's been lauded as one of the top producers of heavy metal documentaries. This take follows legends Iron Maiden for two months in early 2008, during its "Somewhere Back in Time World Tour," all while traveling on the band's swanky` Boeing 757, aka Ed Force One. Like other docs on this list, the music is great — especially live. However, it's the behind-the-scenes, backstage and off-stage moments and Maiden's connection with its loyal fanbase that reigns supreme. 

Sticking with the Banger Films guys (Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn), this exceptional documentary is the definitive chronicling of perhaps the greatest progressive rock band of all time. From their days growing up in Canada to the band's evolution and international stardom, all the bases are truly covered for Rush fanatics to enjoy. However, the best parts of the movie are the testimonials from some of biggest stars in music and entertainment (like Jack Black, Gene Simmons, Kirk Hammett), and why they love Rush so much.

Riveting and intense doesn't accurately describe just how enthralling this documentary plays. A pair of South African music fans go on a quest to find out if American musician Sixto Rodriguez — whose global cult following was seemingly everywhere but the United States — had actually died. Rumors of the enigmatic guitarists death had floated since the 1970s. To many music lovers, Rodriguez, with his penchant for folk and psychedelic rock, might be one of the greatest unheralded musicians of all time. This story is highly addictive. It won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. 

Another Academy Award winner for Best Documentary Feature. How many music fans wonder who exactly are those backup and background singers we hear on studio cuts or see on stage? Twenty Feet from Stardom tries to answers that question while following the lives of several such prominent singers (including those backing the likes of Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones) — and why they have not moved on from that role. Or, why just getting to that point in their career means achieving a dream.

During the 2010s, music fans were captivated by soulful crooner Amy Winehouse — both in life and in death. One of the most enigmatic performers in music history, Winehouse, the musician and human, is intelligently detailed here. It also tackles just about every aspect of a rather troubled life where her passion for music and performance is rivaled only by her insecurity, which she seemed to be able to remedy only through drugs and alcohol. Amy won the Grammy for Best Music Film and the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

No doubt, the most extensive and raw look into the life of the tortured Nirvana frontman — from his days as a young child to a perhaps not-so-unexpected 1994 death. Another Sundance favorite, Montage of Heck, whose release was accompanied by a book and soundtrack, opened the door to the real Cobain, whose passion for the arts and fear of conformity are constants in a tumultuous life. It's the only true account of Cobain's complete life, and rightfully hailed as the most human look into the man himself.

The story of how heartland rockers Kansas, who gave the world classics like "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind," is time well spent. Perhaps the most unassumingly successful rock band in the world, the story of Kansas is poignant and passionate. Amid the world of arena rock bombast and excess of the 1970s, Kansas quietly worked hard and churned out pure, progressive rock that drew a fan base beyond even their own wildest dreams.

In an uncredited role, Sydney Pollack provided direction — but at the time when cameras were rolling during the recording of Aretha Franklin's 1972 Amazing Grace live album (from a Los Angeles church). However, the movie was not released until Alan Elliott got hold of the footage, and after years of ups and downs, finally got it out — despite many legal objections from Franklin herself. However, after the legendary singer's death in 2018, her family agreed for it be released. Since, the movie has continued to receive acclaim and as one of the concert films of all time.

This Grammy Award winner for Best Music Film, Homecoming was produced, written and directed by Beyoncé herself. It chronicles her performance at Coachella from 2018, considered one of the greatest moments in both the history of the famed California music festival and Beyoncé's live career. As the first black woman to headline the gig, Beyoncé paid tribute to the culture of historical black colleges and universities during her performance. Streamed on Netflix, the film received multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

No offense to the Eras Tour concert film, but Taylor Swift at her most intriguing can be found through Miss Americana. It digs deep into Swift's life — both on and off the stage — from her 2018 Reputation Stadium Tour (2018) to the release of 2019's Lover. It shows off Swift's often delicate balance between confidence and insecurity as she continues her rise as one of the most popular entertainers on the planet — and the undue responsibility that comes with it all.

This fascinating story of the Gibb brothers' rise to fame as the Bee Gees is more than just your token biographical movie about a legendary band. While the story, music and archival footage is all fantastic, it's the humanity of the movie that makes it a winner (it did win a Primetime Emmy), especially from Barry Gibb, often the focal point of the group, and the only surviving brother of the singing Gibb family. Like no other look into the Bee Gees, it's nostalgic, heartfelt and emotional. 

More than a half-century after the fact, The Beatles are still the talk of the pop culture world. Peter Jackson's 2021 documentary follows the band as it works on the 1970 album Let It Be. Contrary to the long-time belief that the Let It Be sessions were filled with tension and disinterest, the nearly eight hours of footage put forth here shows the group in a rather spirited light — at least most of the time. It's made all the more engrossing by the obscene talent level possessed by John, Paul, George, and Ringo. 

The Roots' Questlove comes through in a big way with his documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which unfairly remains a forgotten musical moment in time. An urban Woodstock, if one will, featuring performances by legends like Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, and Gladys Knight. For those who have not benefited from watching this well-put-together film, it still streams on Hulu and is a must-see for any music fan, regardless of musical preference.

Unlike other films on this list that chronicle a legendary band's history, The Velvet Underground goes beyond the basics of said journey. Instead, it details the legendary proto-punk, avant-garde rock outfit's place in an underground, yet burgeoning, conceptual and experimental world of art, music and film in New York City in 1960s and how it all intertwined to make for quite the scene. Of course, The Velvet Underground might have been the most contagiously awesome aspect of the movement.

Given the green light by David Bowie's estate as the first film of its kind to chronicle the legendary musician's life. The previously unreleased footage used in the movie adds something different from other biographical music docs, and truly captures the spirit and celebration of Bowie's creatively complex professional and personal life. Moonage Daydream, taken from the title of a 1972 Bowie song, won Best Music Film at the Grammy Awards.

The USA for Africa "We Are the World" project remains one of the most iconic and celebrated moments in music history. Prior to 2024, most music fans never really knew the undertaking it took to make the song happen — from the writing and recording — in a very short time. This exceptional look from Netflix into the days leading up to and during the recording of "We Are the World" is fascinating. From Lionel Richie's awkward time spent co-writing the piece with Michael Jackson to Bob Dylan's shyness to Huey Lewis' nerves to Bruce Springsteen's mad rush to get to the Los Angeles recording studio to the reason why Prince wasn't involved — It's all there.

This four-part documentary series into the life of star Jon Bon Jovi and his legendary band is a must for any fans of the group or hard pop rock. It's a highly personal journey for the famed frontman, who goes from hard-working, blue-collar boy with rock star dreams to essentially becoming the CEO of his own band and likeness. The Hulu doc also details Jon Bon Jovi's struggles with his voice, plus his — and the band's — relationship with estranged guitarist Richie Sambora. 

One of the most in-depth journeys into the professional and personal life of "The Boss." In a post-COVID-19 pandemic world, Springsteen and his legendary band are still going strong, and this detailed doc highlights his 2023-24 tour and all that goes into such a massive undertaking. However, it's personal moments between Springsteen and his bandmates that set this apart from other takes on his career. The obligatory history lesson is always fun, and the passion he still has for his craft is rather amazing. Road Diary is also remembered for revealing that Springsteen's wife and E Street member Patti Scialfa is battling a rare blood cancer.

For those looking for a good time with music's ultimate guilty pleasure, this fascinating, funny and ridiculously informative documentary (found on Max) about the world of soft rock and adult contemporary music is appointment viewing. All the big names of the genre — Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross are just a few — are there. We even learn how the name "Yacht Rock" came about — a name, interestingly, that Steely Dan legend Donald Fagan is not fond of. "It rocks, but it doesn't rock too hard."

Another directorial effort from The Roots' Questlove, this 2025 doc is an unabashed celebration of influential soul and funk legend Sly Stone and his band. Yet, it doesn't shy away from detailing the famed musician's troubles, notably some poor business decisions and his gradual demise as a performer. While it was tough for Questlove to follow up the brilliance of the aforementioned Summer of Soul, Sly Lives! is a solid sophomore effort that delivers a well-balanced take on this complex entertainer.