Best Rock Music Documentaries

Here are some of the best rock music documentaries that you can watch to get a behind-the-scenes look at your favorite bands.

Best rock music documentaries of all time

Whether it’s a movie about a specific band or artist, or a more general documentary about an era or the history of rock ‘n’ roll, there are some great films out there that any fan of rock music should see. Here are 10 of the best.

Gimme Shelter (1970)
This is perhaps the most famous rock documentary of all time, tracking The Rolling Stones’ 1969 US Tour which culminated in the disastrous free concert at Altamont. If you want to see how not to run a music festival, this is the film for you.

Woodstock (1970)
Another classic rock doc, this time focusing on the massive Woodstock Music & Art Fair in 1969 which featured some of the biggest names in music at the time including Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

The Song Remains the Same (1976)
Released two years after Led Zeppelin’s last tour, this movie features concert footage from their 1973 tour interspersed with fantasy sequences starring the band members. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but fans of Led Zeppelin will love it.

No Direction Home: Bob Dylan (2005)
A truly excellent documentary from Martin Scorsese tracing Dylan’s life and work from his humble beginnings in Minnesota through to his huge success in the 1960s and his subsequent “going electric” and move into country music. It features interviews with some of Dylan’s closest collaborators and friends as well as never-before-seen footage and photos.

Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2008)
This film tells the story of Canadian metal band Anvil who were huge in the 1980s but then disappeared into obscurity only to make a comeback in recent years. If you’ve ever wondered what happened to those one-hit wonders that you used to listen to when you were younger, this is definitely worth a watch.
‘Searching for Sugar Man’ (2012)

Best rock music documentaries on Netflix

Netflix has a plethora of music documentaries that rock fans will enjoy. Below are some of the best rock music documentaries currently streaming on Netflix.

-The Devil and Daniel Johnston: This 2006 documentary tells the story of musician Daniel Johnston, who despite mental illness, achieved cult status.

-Anvil! The Story of Anvil: This 2008 documentary follows the Canadian heavy metal band Anvil as they attempt to make a comeback.

-Gimme Danger: This 2016 documentary chronicles the career of punk rock legends The Stooges.

-The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights: This 2010 documentary captures The White Stripes’ 2007 Canadian tour, which included a stop at the Inukjuak ball hockey rink in Nunavut.

-Keith Richards: Under the Influence: This 2015 documentary follows Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards as he records his first solo album in 23 years.

Best rock music documentaries on Hulu

There are a lot of great rock music documentaries on Hulu. Here are some of the best:

-Gimme Shelter: This iconic documentary follows the Rolling Stones on their 1969 US tour, which was marred by violence at the Altamont Speedway Free Concert.

-The Last Waltz: This Martin Scorsese-directed film chronicles The Band’s final concert, which featured an all-star lineup including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and more.

-Don’t Look Back: Another classic rock doc, this one follows Bob Dylan on his 1965 tour of the UK.

-No Direction Home: This acclaimed documentary tells the story of Bob Dylan’s rise to fame in the 1960s and his subsequent “going electric” and becoming one of the most important figures in popular music.

Best rock music documentaries on Amazon Prime

1. “Gimme Shelter”

One of the best rock music documentaries of all time, “Gimme Shelter” chronicles the rise of The Rolling Stones and the tragic events surrounding their Altamont Speedway Free Concert in 1969. Featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with band members, this is a must-watch for any fan of rock music.

2. “The Last Waltz”

Considered by many to be one of the greatest concert films ever made, “The Last Waltz” captures The Band’s final performance with all original members in 1976. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film features performances by Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, and many others.

3. “Woodstock”

This Academy Award-winning documentary captures the iconic 1969 music festival in all its hippie glory. Featuring performances by some of the biggest names in rock music at the time, including Jimi Hendrix, Santana, The Who, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, “Woodstock” is a must-see for any fan of classic rock.

Best rock music documentaries of the 2010s

The 2010s was a decade that saw a resurgence in the popularity of rock music. Bands like Foo Fighters, Muse, and Queens of the Stone Age were some of the biggest names in music, and fans flocked to see their favorite bands live.

But it wasn’t just the music that was captivating audiences – film crews were also documenting the behind-the-scenes stories of these bands, giving fans an intimate look at their favorite artists. Here are some of the best rock music documentaries of the 2010s:

1) Foo Fighters: Back and Forth – This 2011 documentary chronicles the history of the Foo Fighters, from their humble beginnings as a band formed by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl following Kurt Cobain’s death, to their status as one of the biggest rock bands in the world.

2) Muse: International Superstars – This 2010 documentary follows British rock band Muse as they tour across Europe and America, giving fans a glimpse into their hectic lives on the road.

3) Queens of the Stone Age: Like Clockwork – This 2013 documentary gives an inside look at Queens of the Stone Age’s album recording process for their sixth studio album, …Like Clockwork.

4) Green Day: Bullet in a Bible – This 2005 documentary captures Green Day’s performance at England’s Wembley Stadium during their world tour in support of their seventh studio album, American Idiot.

5) Red Hot Chili Peppers: Funky Monks – This 1991 documentary chronicles the making of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ fifth studio album Blood Sugar Sex Magik, showcasing the band’s creative process and funky personality.

Best rock music documentaries of the 2000s

As the 2000s came to a close, rock music was in a state of transition. The legends of the genre were starting to retire or pass away, and a new generation of musicians was starting to take their place. This new generation was influenced by a wide range of genres, from hip-hop and electronic music to folk and country. As a result, the sound of rock music was changing, and many people were wondering if it would be able to survive.

Fortunately, there were still plenty of great rock bands making music in the 2000s, and there were also some great documentarians who were capturing their stories on film. Here are some of the best rock music documentaries of the 2000s:

Anvil! The Story of Anvil: This documentary tells the story of Canadian heavy metal band Anvil, who have been making music together for over 30 years. Despite never achieving mainstream success, the band has earned a cult following among metalheads all over the world.

Dig!: This documentary chronicles the rivalry between two influential garage rock bands from the 1990s, The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols. The film is filled with both hilarious and heartbreaking moments, and it gives insight into what it takes to make it in the music industry.

Foo Fighters: Back and Forth: This film follows Foo Fighters as they record their seventh studio album, Wasting Light. In addition to giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at how the album was made, the film also features interviews with all of the band members about their 20-year career.

These are just a few of the great rock music documentaries that were released in the 2000s. If you’re a fan of rock music, or if you’re just interested in learning more about this fascinating genre, then these films are definitely worth checking out.

Best rock music documentaries of the 1990s

In the 1990s, documentaries about rock music became increasingly popular. Many of these films were about iconic bands or musicians, and they provided an inside look at the lives of these stars. Some of the best rock music documentaries of the 1990s include:

-Gimmie Shelter: This film follows the Rolling Stones on their 1969 US tour, which ended in violence at the Altamont Speedway in California.
-No Direction Home: Bob Dylan: This documentary chronicles Dylan’s early life, his rise to fame in the 1960s, and his transition to country music in the 1970s.
-Kurt & Courtney: This film explores the relationship between Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, and the circumstances surrounding Cobain’s death.
-Foo Fighters: Back and Forth: This documentary chronicles the history of the Foo Fighters, from their formation in 1995 to their present day success.
-Pearl Jam Twenty: This documentary celebrates Pearl Jam’s 20th anniversary as a band, and includes interviews with all members of the band.

Best rock music documentaries of the 1980s

The 1980s was a decade that saw the rise of some of the most iconic rock bands in history. From Nirvana to Guns N’ Roses, the 80s was a decade that truly defined rock music.

However, it was also a decade that saw the rise of the music documentary. With bands like Metallica and Kiss becoming global superstars, the demand for behind-the-scenes access to these bands increased. This necessitated the need for filmmakers to create documentaries that would give fans an inside look at their favorite bands.

Some of the best rock music documentaries of the 1980s include:

-Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004)
-Guns N’ Roses: Use Your Illusion (1991)
-Nirvana: Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! (1994)
-Kiss: Exposed (1987)

Best rock music documentaries of the 1970s

Culled from a variety of sources, this list discusses and rates the best rock music documentaries of the 1970s. A noted omission is D.A. Pennebaker’s legendary Bob Dylan tour film, Don’t Look Back, which was actually released in 1967. Also not included are concert films or movies that are primarily focused on a single artist, such as The Song Remains the Same (Led Zeppelin), Gimme Shelter (The Rolling Stones), or Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones (The Rolling Stones).

10. America Horn (1974)
Directed by Arthur Penn, this documentary captures the energy and spirit of the early-’70s American rock scene through the eyes of touring horn section members Al Kooper, Jim Horn, and Jim Price. Featuring performances by Kooper with Blood, Sweat & Tears, Horn with Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, and Price with Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour, as well as solo work by each musician, America Horn is an intimate look at life on the road during rock’s heyday.

9. Rainbow Bridge (1972)
Directed by Chuck Wein, Rainbow Bridge captures Japanese fans’ initial reaction to American blues-rock icon Jimi Hendrix during his historic visit to the island nation in 1970. The film culminates with Hendrix’s performance at the Outdoor Music Summer Festival in Osaka on August 30th, 1970 – just six weeks before his untimely death at age 27. Although it’s widely available on bootleg DVD, Rainbow Bridge has yet to receive an official release.

8. All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane (2007)
Director Steven Vidler chronicles the rise of Australia’s indie/alternative music scene in the 1980s through personal recollections and concert footage featuring some of the biggest names in Australian music, including Midnight Oil, Hunters & Collectors, The Triffids, and Go-Betweens. Among those interviewed are Australian music journalists Bernard Zuel and Iain Shedden.

7. Watch You Bleeding: The Gory Days of Canadian Hard Rock & Heavy Metal (2009)
Watch You Bleeding is a comprehensive history of Canadian hard rock and heavy metal featuring interviews with more than 100 musicians, promoters, radio personalities, label executives, and fans. Directed by heavy metal fan Shaun Robinson, the film charts the genre’s development from its humble beginnings in Montreal clubs in the late 1960s to its commercial peak in the 1980s when bands like Annexure A and Helix ruled MTV airwaves around the world. Watch You Bleeding also covers metal’s decline in popularity in Canada during the ’90s grunge era as well as its recent resurgence thanks to bands like Voivod, Kataklysm, Despised Icon Annexure A ,and 3 Inches Of Blood .

6. Last Days Here (2011)
Directed by Don Argott & Demian Fenton Last Days Here follows cult metal singer Bobby Liebling – best known for his work with Pentagram – as he attempts to overcome years of drug addiction and get his life back on track. The film chronicles Liebling’s recovery process as well as Pentagram’s reunion shows and recording sessions for their 2010 comeback album Last Rites . Although it doesn’t shy away from some of the darker aspects of Bobby’s story – including his years spent living in squalor – Last Days Here is ultimately a feel-good tale about redemption and second chances .

Best rock music documentaries of the 1960s

The 1960s were a tumultuous decade marked by social and political upheaval. They were also a golden age for rock music, giving rise to some of the most legendary bands and musicians of all time. With so much history in the making, it’s no wonder that many of the best rock music documentaries were made during this era.

While there are too many great documentaries to list them all, here are a few of the best rock music documentaries of the 1960s:

1. “Gimme Shelter” (1970) – This documentary follows The Rolling Stones on their 1969 US tour, which was marred by violence, including the infamous Altamont concert where a fan was killed by a member of the Hells Angels.

2. “Woodstock” (1970) – One of the most iconic music festivals of all time, Woodstock was documented in this film that captures all the highs and lows of the event, from the amazing performances to the mud and chaos.

3. “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years” (2016) – This documentary looks at The Beatles’ touring years, from their humble beginnings in 1963 to their final tour in 1966. Featuring new interviews with all four band members, as well as never-before-seen footage, this is a must-see for any Beatles fan.

4. “Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church” (2015) – This documentary captures Jimi Hendrix’s legendary performance at the 1970 Atlanta Pop Festival, which is considered one of his greatest live shows ever.

5. “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” (1971) – This film documents Joe Cocker’s 1971 tour of North America with his backing band, The Grease Band. Featuring some of Cocker’s most iconic performances, as well as behind-the-scenes footage, this is a must-see for any fan of classic rock.