Top 10 Music Documentaries Every Music Lover Should Watch

Do you ever fantasise about rocking out at Coachella or chilling with your favourite musician? While befriending them might be a long shot, there is no limit to how deeply you can explore their musical journey. Want a peek at backstage antics, songwriting inspiration, and untold stories? Music documentaries have it all! This irresistible package that combines music and cinema can make you feel the exhilarating energy of live performances like nothing else!

Dive deeper into the music you love and the artists you admire with our top 10 music documentaries every music lover should watch at least once! In this blog, we’ve got concert films that capture the contagious energy of live music alongside personal portraits that delve deeper into the lives and struggles of artists. These music documentaries will make you witness the journeys of both rising stars chasing their dreams and legendary artists reflecting on their extraordinary careers. Whether it’s a film crafted by a musical icon or a renowned filmmaker tackling the world of music, this list offers a captivating experience for every music lover.

So, let’s roll the list out loud. 

10. The Two Killings of Sam Cooke (2019) 

Firstly, we have The Two Killings of Sam Cooke of the Netflix Remastered series. This 2019 documentary film about the artist and activist Sam Cooke is a mind-bending story that the world needed to hear. This brilliant documentary goes beyond just appreciating Sam’s musical brilliance. It also dives deeper into his evolving activism during the Civil Rights Movement, showing the world a new side of Cooke. This is one of the best music documentary films which portrays the mystery around Sam’s murder, making it engaging and thought-provoking in the true sense. The documentary features rare footage and interviews with Cooke’s contemporaries and family. This provides a firsthand perspective on his life and career, making the story come alive. In essence, this documentary offers a complex portrayal of the legendary artist and is a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of race, music, and activism. 

After you watch this documentary, you can learn to play guitar on one of Sam Cooke’s hit songs, You Send Me, with the help of a guitar song lesson on our platform. 

9. Above Us Only Sky (2018) 

For all the fans of the English rock band The Beatles, the next documentary on this list might be the one for you! Above Us Only Sky chronicles the untold story behind John Lennon’s iconic 1971 album, Imagine. Imagine is the second solo album of the founder of the boy band, The Beatles. This epic documentary delves into the creative collaboration between John and Yoko One, exploring how their partnership impacted the music and the album’s message. This documentary uses some never-seen-before footage and gives all music lovers a glimpse into John’s personal life to reveal the inspiration and challenges that he faced to create a timeless masterpiece. 

Assemble all the piano players; we have a free piano song lesson on Imagine, a single from this album, on Torrins. Check it out to learn to play the piano on this hit track. 

8. Amazing Grace (2018) 

Amazing Grace is another music documentary that you shouldn’t skip, especially if you’re a fan of gospel music, powerful documentaries, and of course, Aretha Franklin. This thrilling documentary was originally shot in 1972, but got shelved for decades due to technical issues and legal disputes, and finally hit the screens three months after Aretha Franklin’s death. This distinguished concert film rightly captures the incredible talent of the Queen of Soul! This music documentary offers a unique glimpse into the recording process of Aretha’s gospel album, Amazing Grace, and was filmed at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles in 1972. Watch this documentary if you’re ready to get blown away by Aretha’s energetic and emotional performances. It is truly one of the best music documentaries to exist! 

7. Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice (2019) 

Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice is a moving and inspiring watch, sheds light on Linda Ronstadt’s incredible career. This documentary strikes a balance between celebrating her achievements and acknowledging her struggles, making it an inspiring story for aspiring musicians. While this movie explicitly shows her vast talent and genre-bending approach, it goes beyond just hits and shows an intimate portrait of the artist. You get to experience her dedication to her art, her collaborative spirit, as well as her struggles with Parkinson’s disease that led to her early retirement. This documentary is one of the best music documentary films because it portrays how she broke barriers in a male-dominated industry and solidified a place for herself, influencing other female artists. This ground-breaking movie is a must-watch for fans of Ronstadt and anyone interested in the history of popular music.

6. Quincy (2018) 

Quincy is a compelling story of the legend Quincy Jones, whose life is nothing short of extraordinary. This documentary, co-directed by his daughter, dives deeper into his personal life and showcases Quincy’s infectious personality and passion for music in the best way possible. This documentary rightly highlights Quincy’s journey from being a young musician in Chicago to becoming a celebrated producer crafting iconic film scores and working with artists like Michael Jackson. The documentary was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Music Film in 2019 and received appreciation for its incredible storytelling. Interview clips with some of the biggest names in the music industry add a layer of interest and insight to this truly inspiring story of talent, dedication, and power of music. There is no doubt about how this documentary made it to our list of top music documentaries! 

5. 20 Feet from Stardom (2013)

20 Feet from Stardom is a bittersweet tale of the backup singers who are never given their due for adding magic to tracks by eminent bands and artists. This Oscar-winning documentary puts such unnamed musicians in the spotlight and shares their story with the world. The documentary does so through interviews and archival footage, exploring the lives and careers of singers who walked into the recording studio not aware of what they would do, and what impact their performances would have on the songs. One such backup singer whose career was spent in the shadows of fame was Merry Clayton, who lent her powerful voice to The Rolling Stones song Gimme Shelter. Her voice gave the song a new dimension, and this documentary celebrates her contribution to this song, along with many other backup singers like her. You’ll find this documentary in all lists featuring the best music documentary movies, and it rightfully deserves it! 

4. Summer of Soul (2021)

There’s no way we can talk about the best music documentaries and miss out on this one! Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson took it upon himself to preserve the magic of the eminent summerlong event, the Harlem Cultural Festival, 1969. This Oscar-winning documentary features professionally filmed footage of the event, which was ignored by the mainstream media. To experience the immense state of euphoria, watch this documentary featuring electrifying performances from the likes of the Staple Singers, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Stevie Wonder, and the Chambers Brothers. Questlove took a creative angle in directing this prolific documentary by weaving freely between elements like stage performances, vintage news bits, and new interviews. This documentary is indeed a must-watch.

3. Amy (2015)

Next up on this list is a heart-wrenching documentary based on the life of British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse. Amy, a talented artist, died too soon but left behind music that solidified her status as one of the great artists of her time and years to come. Her album, Back to Black, is one of the best albums of the 2000s, showcasing her ability to make old-school R&B immortal. This documentary by Asif Kapadia delves deeper into the life of this gifted but troubled artist, examining the singer’s drug addiction and the pressure of fame. This film truly captures the real essence of her personality and the musical genius she was. What’s truly moving about this film is the unseen footage that shows a complex young woman dealing with her life in private, the woman that the public never really got to know. Honestly, this documentary is my personal favourite.

2. Stop Making Sense (1984) 

Stop Making Sense, an American concert film is considered one of the best music documentaries of all time. This film captures the 4-night-long live performance of an American band called Talking Heads. It was indeed a performance worth capturing and preserving for ages to come. This film was shot while the band was touring for their 1983 album, Speaking in Tongues. The band was the talk of the town after the release of this album, riding high on the popularity of their single, Burning Down The House. This film made it to this list because no other concert film captures the powerful performance and the connection of a band on the stage better than this film. 

1. Searching for Sugar Man (2012) 

Searching for Sugar Man is a feel-good documentary with a touch of mystery, making it a truly unforgettable piece of content. This documentary is based on the life of Sixto Rodriguez, an unknown folk singer in his own country, the US, who achieves unexpected fame in South Africa. This movie focuses on the attempts of South African fans to track their idol down, initially thinking he has died. When Rodriguez is finally found working as a builder in Detroit, the joy and emotional reunion with his South African fans is a heartwarming payoff. It celebrates the power of music and human connection. This heartwarming documentary won the Best Documentary award at the 85th Academy Awards. This movie stands out because of its impeccable storytelling, music, and direction, and it’s definitely a must-watch for all music fans out there! This is arguably one of the most moving and the best music documentary movies of all time, so watch it now! 

Hopefully, you’ve found your next musical odyssey after reading our list of top music documentaries. These are just a few of the many inspiring and heartfelt stories waiting to be discovered. So, grab your popcorn and get ready to be immersed in the power of music! 

With the increase in passionate music fans and the exploration of diverse genres, music documentaries are flourishing like never before. If you’re a music enthusiast inspired by these stories, consider taking the next step in your own musical journey. Check out Torrins.com for top-notch music education. Check out our piano, guitar, and bass lessons for the headstart you always needed! We also offer song lessons for all three instruments helping you put your knowledge into use and start playing some tunes!