From Beyoncé to Bon Jovi: Must-Watch Music Movies to Watch Now

Concert from your couch! Rock docs for every musical taste to stream at home

Who doesn’t love a good behind-the-scenes story about something you really love? Music documentaries are exciting because they give a bit more context and a look inside the inner worlds of our favorite musicians and bands, often offering more footage and interviews from their careers and those around them. There are literally hundreds of amazing music documentaries out there, but we pulled together a handful that you can stream right now. Whether it’s learning about your favorite artist or one that you’ve never heard of, these rock docs are sure to entertain! 

1. Stop Making Sense 

The 1984 concert documentary, Stop Making Sense, captures a live performance of The Talking Heads in all of their glory. It is widely regarded as one of the best concerts on film of all time, so much so that it was rereleased in theaters in 2024 for its 40th Anniversary, and you can stream it at home on Max. If a viewing leaves you wanting more David Byrne performance art, fear not: you can also stream his stage show, American Utopia, on Max.

2. Miss Americana

This 2020 Netflix documentary is a look into the inner world of Taylor Swift. Before Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (which you can watch on Disney+), and a global pandemic, Swift was a country artist-turned-global-superstar who never discussed politics or hot-button issues either on or off the stage. But that changed during a transformational moment in her life. Miss Americana is a look at Swift’s real life: her struggles with people-pleasing, body image, and love and loss. The film also shows Swift getting in touch with her own political opinions and public activism, while capturing her prowess as a businesswoman who built an empire on the strength of her words: her songs.

3. Amy

An award-winning and critically acclaimed documentary, Amy is a film that documents the life and career of Amy Winehouse, who tragically passed away at the age of 27 in 2011. The documentary is filled with footage of Amy speaking about her work in her own words, as well as interviews with those around her and many unheard tracks and live performances. This month, a highly anticipated biopic about the singer, Back to Black, starring Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse, will be released. The older documentary is sure to be a great companion piece if you want to know more about this incredible artist.

4. Homecoming

This sensational Netflix documentary captures Beyoncé’s 2018 Coachella Music Festival performance which honored the cultural value of HBCUs in America. Both critically acclaimed and a fan favorite, Homecoming was written, executive-produced, and directed by Beyoncé herself. The film documents the entirety of the performances over two festival weekends from inception to the execution, and shows how it became a pivotal cultural moment. Blending a look behind the scenes of an artist’s process to the cultural implications of their art and how and where it is performed, this documentary is an entertaining education.

5. Wham!

A Netflix documentary, Wham!, is the story of the band of the same name: musical duo Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael. The film chronicles their rise to pop stardom, and also serves as a tribute to the late George Michael, who passed away in 2016. The film features archival footage of Ridgeley and Michael’s long-term friendship since they were kids, through the realization of their dreams of success in the music industry coming true.

6. Gaga: Five Foot Two

A Netflix documentary, Gaga: Five Foot Two is a look inside the life of global superstar and icon, Lady Gaga. From her struggles with chronic pain due to fibromyalgia to dealing with the pressures of fame and career choices. The film centers on the events surrounding the production of her fifth album, Joanne, as well as her Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2017. 

7. Tina

In the last few before the end of her life in 2023, Tina Turner was certainly having a moment. A Broadway musical based on her life opened to critical acclaim in 2019, and HBO released Tina, a documentary about her life, in 2021. The film documents Tina Turner’s rise to stardom under the most impossible odds, charting her humble beginnings to her career as a musician and recording artist. The film takes an intimate look at her personal and professional struggles, and celebrates her comeback in the 1980s as a force to be reckoned with. Tina Turner was an inspiration to countless female musicians and this documentary is a perfect tribute to an incredible life.

8. The Greatest Night in Pop

On January 25, 1985, something nearly impossible to fathom happened: 46 music legends got into a room together to record “We Are the World.” This song was a charity project for famine relief in Africa, written by Lionel Ritchie and Michael Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian. This stunning documentary features never-before-seen footage of the night of recording, as well as interviews with Lionel Ritchie and others about all of the work of both writing the song and getting so many big players–and their egos–in one room at the same time. 

9. The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart

Brothers Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb were the Bee Gees, one of the most famous musical acts of the 1960s and 1970s. Their success came early and they were extremely prolific, writing over 1000 songs and at least 20 number 1 hits. The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (named for their hit single of the same name) from HBO features archival footage and interviews with those around the band, as well as interviews with modern musicians like Justin Timberlake (who has famously played Robin Gibb in the SNL skit, The Barry Gibb Talk Show), Joe Jonas, and Chris Martin.

10. Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story

The limited docu series from Hulu, Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, is a look at the 40-year career of the band, Bon Jovi. The film features personal interviews from the band members who reflect honestly on the world inside their rise to fame. From his humble beginnings writing songs in his bedroom in New Jersey to accessing worldwide superstardom, now-60 year old frontman Jon Bon Jovi lives to tell the tale. The band members all share stories about the hard work, personal struggles, lowest points and highest achievements of one of the most famous and long-standing rock bands of all time.

What are your favorite music documentaries? Tell us in the comments which ones we must add to our watchlists!

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