You’re here because you love learning about music. But there’s a lot of information out there and it’s probably hard to know where to start. So while everyone’s still enjoying their nights and weekends indoors, we thought there was no better way to spread knowledge than to share what we’ve been watching lately.
Whether you’re in the mood to learn about the history of hip-hop, reminisce about the good old days at electronic music festivals, or take a deep dive into a legendary artist’s life—don’t worry. There’s probably a documentary for that. And to help you out, we compiled a list of our 30 favorite music documentaries that you can actually stream right now.
Read on to see the list and find out where you can watch!
1. Underplayed
Synopsis: Filmed over the summer festival season, Underplayed presents a portrait of the current status of the gender, ethnic, and sexuality equality issues in dance music.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
2. Hip-Hop Evolution
Synopsis: MC and journalist Shad Kabango meets with Hip-Hop’s biggest stars to retrace how Hip-Hop became the world’s most popular music, but realizes that Hip-Hop’s true legacy is something much more profound.
Where to watch: Netflix
3. Long Strange Trip (2017)
Synopsis: A look at the 30-year career of The Grateful Dead.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
4. Framing Britney Spears (2021)
Synopsis: Her rise was a global phenomenon. Her downfall was a cruel national sport. People close to Britney Spears and lawyers tied to her conservatorship now reassess her career as she battles her father in court over who should control her life.
Where to watch: Hulu, YouTube TV
5. Sound City (2013)
Synopsis: A documentary on the fabled recording studio that was located in Van Nuys, California.
Where to watch: YouTube (full movie below for free), Amazon Prime
6. Studio 54 (2018)
Synopsis: The story of the notorious 1970s New York City nightclub.
Where to watch: Netflix, and for rent on YouTube or Amazon Prime
7. Under The Electric Sky (2014)
Synopsis: More than 350,000 people celebrate electronic dance music at the 2013 Electric Daisy Carnival.
Where to watch: Available everywhere for rent on YouTube, Amazon Prime, AppleTV, and more!
8. Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics And Men (2019)
Synopsis: Limited docuseries looks back on the group’s career. It was music and shared lyrical genius that allowed them to form the most recognized musical movement in the world, all while walking the tightrope that links business with brotherhood.
Where to watch: Hulu, YouTube TV, Showtime, Amazon Prime
9. Amy (2015)
Synopsis: Archival footage and personal testimonials present an intimate portrait of the life and career of British singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Hulu, Showtime, Sling TV
10. Scratch (2001)
Synopsis: The story of the hip-hop DJ from the birth of hip-hop to the invention of scratching and “beat-juggling” vinyl, to the more recent “turntablism” movement. Underdogs and virtuosos who have radically changed the way we hear and create music.
Where to watch: For rent on iTunes and Apple TV+
11. Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015)
Synopsis: An authorized documentary on the late musician Kurt Cobain, from his early days in Aberdeen, Washington to his success and downfall with the grunge band Nirvana.
Where to watch: Hulu, HBO Max, and rent on Apple TV+
12. Young@Heart (2007)
Synopsis: A documentary on a chorus of senior citizens from Massachusetts who cover songs by Jimi Hendrix, Coldplay, Sonic Youth, and other unexpected musicians.
Where to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV+
13. Rhyme & Reason (1997)
Synopsis: A study in the world of hip-hop, done mostly with interviews, in order to see why it is as popular as it is today and what the future holds.
Where to watch: Rent on Google Play, iTunes, and Apple TV+
14. It Might Get Loud (2008)
Synopsis: A documentary on the electric guitar from the point of view of three significant rock musicians: the Edge, Jimmy Page and Jack White.
Where to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Vudu, and more.
15. Let It Be (1969)
Synopsis: The filmed account of The Beatles’ attempt to recapture their old group spirit by making a back to basics album, which instead drove them further apart.
Where to watch: Vimeo
16. Look Mom I Can Fly (2019)
Synopsis: This Travis Scott documentary traces the Houston rapper’s rise to super-stardom, focusing on the months surrounding ASTROWORLD.
Where to watch: Netflix
17. What We Started (2017)
Synopsis: DJs, producers, and promoters discuss the history and state of electronic dance music.
Where to watch: Netflix, or rent on Amazon Prime and Vudu
18. Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé (2019)
Synopsis: This intimate, in-depth look at Beyoncé’s celebrated 2018 Coachella performance reveals the emotional road from creative concept to cultural movement.
Where to watch: Netflix
19. Leave The World Behind
Synopsis: A music documentary following the last tour of the band Swedish House Mafia in 2012/2013, the film tells a story of friendship and huge success.
20. 808 (2015)
Synopsis: 808 is a documentary film about the inspiring story of the Roland TR-808 drum machine. It’s the tale of the birth of electronic music, and how one small machine changed the musical landscape forever… by accident.
Where to watch: Rent on YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV+
21. No Cameras Allowed (2014)
Synopsis: No Cameras Allowed is a documentary that follows James Marcus Haney’s journey of breaking into music festivals and inserting himself into the world of some of the biggest names in the industry.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
22. When You’re Strange (2009)
Synopsis: A look at the late ’60s and early ’70s rock band The Doors, including rare exclusive footage.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Sling TV, or rent on YouTube
23. WE CALL IT TECHNO! (2008)
Synopsis: A documentary about Germany’s early techno scene and culture.
Where to watch: YouTube and Vimeo
24. Whitney (2018)
Synopsis: An in-depth look at the life and music of Whitney Houston.
Where to watch: Rent on Google Play, Vudu, and Apple TV+
25. I Dream of Wires (2014)
Synopsis: The history and resurgence of the electronic modular music synthesizer.
Where to watch: Rent on Apple TV+ and iTunes
26. Woodstock: The Three Days That Defined a Generation (2019)
Synopsis: In August 1969, 500,000 people gathered at a farm in upstate New York. What happened there was far more than just a concert. Woodstock tells the story of a legendary event that defined a generation through the voices of those who were there.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime or rent on Vudu
27. AVICII – True Stories (2017)
Synopsis: Focuses on the incredible rise, fall and rebirth of one of the worlds most successful electronic music artists of all time, Avicii.
Where to watch: Facebook
28. Oasis: Supersonic (2016)
Synopsis: Oasis’s breakthrough years documented into a detailed depiction of the infamous brothers from Manchester forming the band in the early 90’s leading up to the legendary performance at Knebworth.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Showtime
29. Gaga: Five Foot Two (2017)
Synopsis: This documentary goes behind the scenes with pop provocateur Lady Gaga as she releases a bold new album and prepares for her Super Bowl halftime show.
Where to watch: Netflix
30. Everybody’s Everything (2019)
Synopsis: A look at the life of genre-blending artist and style icon Lil Peep.
Where to watch: Netflix or rent on YouTube