One of the best things about your Netflix subscription is the heavy volume of quality documentary films. And included amongst the streaming service’s vast library of documentary films are films chronicling musicians from various genres.
Here’s a look at the 20 best music documentaries currently featured on Netflix.
- 20 Feet from Stardom
A winner of the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at the 86th Academy Awards, “20 Feet From Stardom” showcases the talents of back-up singers and what kept those who’ve backed up legendary musicians from becoming the star.
- Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory
This feature looks at how music has provided literal physical healing to many suffering from memory loss.
- Ballet 422
The two-month struggle of putting together a new production at the New York City ballet from the 2013 season is chronicled.
- Beware of Mr. Baker
A biopic of drummer Ginger Baker, a man who contributed to albums by many musical legends, including Cream, Blind Faith, and Fela Kuti.
- Biggie and Tupac
No need to introduce the subject of this film. But don’t expect much regarding their musical careers. This film is all about whose responsible for the death of the two rap legends.
- Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey
Featured here is the story of how Journey found the man who’d replace Steve Perry as their lead singer in 2007.
- Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me
The country’s legends fight with Alzheimer’s and final tour our featured in this Oscar nominated documentary from 2014.
- I Called Him Morgan
The life of jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan, a man whose common-law wife, Helen, shot and killed him inside a Harlem nightclub in 1972 is featured here.
- Janis: Little Blue Girl
A look at the life of Janis Joplin from the eyes of both the people who worked with her and the modern musicians influenced by her work.
- Justin Timberlake and the Tennessee Kids
All that is featured here is a concert experience: the final stop on Justin Timberlake’s recent 134 stop world tour.
- Keep on Keeping On
Justin Kauflin is a blind musical prodigy with horrifying stage fright. “Keep On Keeping On” chronicles the relationship between him and Clark Terry, the musician and mentor who helped him overcome it.
- Keith Richards: Under the Influence
“Under the Influence” features the Rolling Stones guitarist as he records his first solo album in 23 years, “Crosseyed Heart.”
- Kurt and Courtney
The 1996 film questions the long held belief that the death of Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain was a suicide.
- Marley
The officially authorized biopic of the legendary Bob Marley.
- Miss Sharon Jones!
Soul singer Sharon Jones (who some consider the female James Brown) recent cancer diagnosis could not keep her from doing what she loves. This film by Academy Award winning director Barbara Kopple chronicles Jones’s journey.
- Muscle Shoals
“Muscle Shoals” chronicles Fame Studios, a recording studio in the Northern Alabama town of Muscle Shoals that was home to some of music’s most influential acts and recordings.
- Orion: The Man Who Would be King
Jeanie Finlay’s film explores the life of Jimmy Ellis, the man who pretended to be Elvis brought back from the grave following the passing of the “King of Rock and Roll.”
- Sonita
The story Sonita Alizadeh, an Afghan teen who uses rap to protest forced marriages, is featured.
- The Wrecking Crew
“The Wrecking Crew” was a group of in-studio musicians who played behind some of the greatest recording artists of all time.
But just as interesting as “The Wrecking Crew’s” story was the 10 year journey of director Denny Tedesco as he worked to acquire the rights to the iconic tracks the “Crew” helped record.
- What Happened, Miss Simone?
Director Liz Garbus’s film features the groundbreaking career and performances of singer Nina Simone.