Films about/concerning music/musicians
by poltergeist07 | created - 19 Mar 2012 | updated - 01 Nov 2017 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
R | 82 min | Comedy, Music
Spinal Tap, one of England's loudest bands, is chronicled by film director Marty DiBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour.
Director: Rob Reiner | Stars: Rob Reiner, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Kimberly Stringer
Votes: 147,315 | Gross: $4.74M
Mockumentary on Spinal Tap.
2. The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)
Not Rated | 100 min | Documentary, History, Music
A look into the Los Angeles punk rock scene, that was largely ignored by the rock music press of the time.
Director: Penelope Spheeris | Stars: Eugene Tatu, Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline
Votes: 4,865
Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Catholic Discipline, Fear, Germs, X.
3. The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988)
R | 93 min | Documentary, Music
Documentary showcase, what life was like for the music artists living during the Los Angeles Heavy Metal scene in the mid and late 1980s.
Director: Penelope Spheeris | Stars: Joe Perry, Steven Tyler, Gene Simmons, Alice Cooper
Votes: 4,312 | Gross: $0.37M
4. The Decline of Western Civilization Part III (1998)
R | 86 min | Documentary, Music
The Decline of Western Civilization III is a 1998 documentary film that follows the gutter punk lifestyle of homeless teenagers.
Director: Penelope Spheeris | Stars: Flea, Keith Morris, Eyeball, Myke Chambers
Votes: 1,584
5. Seven Ages of Rock (2007)
Documentary, Music
Seven Ages of Rock is about the history of rock music. It comprised six 60-minute episodes, with a final episode of 90 minutes. Each episode focused on one type of rock music, each typified by one or two artists or bands.
Stars: Julian Rhind-Tutt, Charles Shaar Murray, David Fricke, John Harris
Votes: 688
6. So war das S.O.36 (1984)
90 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary about the now abandoned and very influential punk club S.O.36. A punk music club on Oranienstrasse near Heinrichplatz in the area of Kreuzberg in Berlin, Germany.
Directors: Manfred O. Jelinski, Jörg Buttgereit | Stars: Die 4 Unsichtbaren 5, Nina C. Alice, Armin Andersch, Carambolage
Votes: 23
The German underground scene.
7. 24 Hour Party People (2002)
R | 117 min | Biography, Comedy, Drama
In 1976, Tony Wilson sets up Factory Records and brings Manchester's music to the world.
Director: Michael Winterbottom | Stars: Steve Coogan, Lennie James, John Thomson, Paul Popplewell
Votes: 39,676 | Gross: $1.13M
A film about Factory Records.
8. Full Metal Village (2006)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary, Music
The documentary examines the lives of the residents of a small German village in the Schleswig-Holstein region, Wacken, through a series of interviews and visual tableaux as it prepares for the annual Wacken Open Air Festival.
Director: Sung Hyung Cho | Stars: Uwe Trede, Lore Trede, Klaus H. Plähn, Irma Schaack
Votes: 1,092
Wacken Open Air festival.
9. 1991: The Year Punk Broke (1992)
Not Rated | 99 min | Documentary, History, Music
David Markey's documentary of life on the road with Sonic Youth and Nirvana during their tour of Europe in late 1991. Also featuring live performances by Dinosaur Jr, Babes In Toyland, The Ramones and Gumball.
Director: David Markey | Stars: Sonic Youth, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, Steve Shelley
Votes: 1,577
Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr., Babes in Toyland, Gumball, Mudhoney, Ramones.
10. Dig! (2004)
R | 107 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary on the once-promising American rock bands The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols, and the friendship/rivalry between their respective founders, Anton Newcombe and Courtney Taylor.
Director: Ondi Timoner | Stars: Anton Newcombe, Courtney Taylor-Taylor, Joel Gion, Matt Hollywood
Votes: 6,689 | Gross: $0.13M
The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Dandy Warhols.
11. We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen (2005)
Not Rated | 91 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A feature-length documentary chronicling early 80's punk rock band the Minutemen, from their beginnings in San Pedro, California, to their demise after the death of singer D. Boon in 1985.
Director: Tim Irwin | Stars: Milo Aukerman, Joe Baiza, Kevin Barrett, Scott Becker
Votes: 1,062
Minutemen.
12. You're Gonna Miss Me (2005)
91 min | Documentary, Music
Documentary about rock pioneer Roky Erickson, detailing his rise as a psychedelic hero, his lengthy institutionalization, his descent into poverty and filth, and his brother's struggle with their religious mother to improve Roky's care.
Director: Keven McAlester | Stars: Byron Coley, Paul Drummond, 13th Floor Elevators, Don Erickson
Votes: 1,092 | Gross: $0.00M
Roky Erickson (13th Floor Elevators).
13. Anvil (2008)
Not Rated | 80 min | Documentary, Biography, Drama
Since 1978, Anvil has become one of heavy metal's most influential yet commercially unsuccessful acts. In 2006, after a fledging European tour Anvil sets out to record their thirteenth album and continue to follow their dreams.
Director: Sacha Gervasi | Stars: Robb Reiner, Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, Tiziana Arrigoni, Scott Ian
Votes: 16,839 | Gross: $0.67M
Anvil.
14. Control (2007)
R | 122 min | Biography, Drama, Music
A profile of Ian Curtis, the enigmatic singer of Joy Division whose personal, professional, and romantic troubles led him to die by suicide at the age of 23.
Director: Anton Corbijn | Stars: Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, Craig Parkinson, Alexandra Maria Lara
Votes: 68,531 | Gross: $0.87M
Ian Curtis (Joy Division).
15. American Hardcore (2006)
R | 100 min | Documentary, History, Music
The History of American Punk Rock 1980-1986
Director: Paul Rachman | Stars: Greg Ginn, Ian MacKaye, James Drescher, Lucky Lehrer
Votes: 3,599 | Gross: $0.28M
16. A Mighty Wind (2003)
PG-13 | 91 min | Comedy, Music
Mockumentary captures the reunion of 1960s folk trio the Folksmen as they prepare for a show at The Town Hall to memorialize a recently deceased concert promoter.
Director: Christopher Guest | Stars: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer
Votes: 29,531 | Gross: $17.51M
A satire of American folk music in mockumentary form.
17. No Distance Left to Run (2010)
Not Rated | 104 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
An insightful rockumentary looking at the history of the British rock band, Blur, as they head out on the road for their 2009 reunion tour.
Directors: Will Lovelace, Dylan Southern | Stars: Damon Albarn, Mike Smith, Wayne Hernandez, Sam Freeman
Votes: 1,380
Blur.
18. Stop Making Sense (1984)
PG | 88 min | Documentary, Music
Considered by critics as the greatest concert film of all time, the live performance was shot over the course of three nights at Hollywood's Pantages Theater in December of 1983 and features Talking Heads' most memorable songs.
Director: Jonathan Demme | Stars: David Byrne, Bernie Worrell, Alex Weir, Steven Scales
Votes: 19,965 | Gross: $5.02M
Talking Heads.
19. Until the Light Takes Us (2008)
Not Rated | 93 min | Documentary, Music
Interviews and news footage explore the rise of black metal music in Norway in the 1990s, including artists who were involved in suicide, murder and arson.
Directors: Aaron Aites, Audrey Ewell | Stars: Fenriz, Varg Vikernes, Euronymous, Hellhammer
Votes: 6,683 | Gross: $0.12M
20. Lemmy (2010)
116 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A documentary on the life and career of revered heavy-metal musician Lemmy Kilmister.
Directors: Greg Olliver, Wes Orshoski | Stars: Lemmy, Phil Campbell, Mikkey Dee, Dave Navarro
Votes: 8,596
Lemmy Kilmister.
21. Sigur Rós: Heima (2007)
97 min | Documentary, Music
In the summer of 2006, Sigur Rós returned home to play a series of free, unannounced concerts for the people of Iceland.
Director: Dean DeBlois | Stars: Amiina, Hildur Arsaelsdottir, Jon Thor Birgisson, Orri P. Dyrason
Votes: 8,333
Sigur Rós.
22. It Might Get Loud (2008)
PG | 98 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary on the electric guitar from the point of view of three significant rock musicians: The Edge, Jimmy Page, and Jack White.
Director: Davis Guggenheim | Stars: Jimmy Page, The Edge, Jack White, Dallas Schoo
Votes: 13,548 | Gross: $1.61M
The Edge, Jimmy Page, Jack White.
23. Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
R | 95 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
A gender-queer punk-rock singer from East Berlin tours the U.S. with her band as she tells her life story and follows the former lover/band-mate who stole her songs.
Director: John Cameron Mitchell | Stars: John Cameron Mitchell, Miriam Shor, Stephen Trask, Theodore Liscinski
Votes: 37,334 | Gross: $3.03M
24. Urgh! A Music War (1981)
R | 96 min | Documentary, Music
Live performances from dozens of leading early-1980s musical acts - rock, punk, ska, reggae - it's all here.
Director: Derek Burbidge | Stars: Wall of Voodoo, Stan Ridgway, Marc Moreland, Chas T. Gray
Votes: 866
25. Meeting People Is Easy (1998)
Not Rated | 99 min | Documentary, Music
An entertaining "rockumentary" about Radiohead that shows some of the tedium of being a rock star, as well as some of the fun stuff.
Director: Grant Gee | Stars: Radiohead, Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien
Votes: 3,296 | Gross: $0.05M
26. loudQUIETloud: A Film About the Pixies (2006)
Not Rated | 85 min | Documentary, Music
loudQUIETloud is the story of this unforseen plot twist. A deeply compelling portrait of four band members and their difficult, tense, and ultimately triumphant return.
Directors: Steven Cantor, Matthew Galkin | Stars: Frank Black, Kim Deal, David Lovering, Joey Santiago
Votes: 1,416 | Gross: $0.00M
27. Hard Core Logo (1996)
R | 92 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
A group of washed-up Canadian punk rockers get back together for a road trip in memory of a dear friend who was supposedly shot, or so rumors imply. As they travel, they ignore the underlying psychological darkness within each other.
Director: Bruce McDonald | Stars: Hugh Dillon, Callum Keith Rennie, John Pyper-Ferguson, Bernie Coulson
Votes: 2,820 | Gross: $0.02M
"Mockumentary", drama.
28. Fear of a Black Hat (1993)
R | 88 min | Comedy, Music
A mockumentary chronicling the rise and fall of NWH, a not particularly talented--or particularly bright but always controversial--hip-hop group.
Director: Rusty Cundieff | Stars: Larry B. Scott, Mark Christopher Lawrence, Rusty Cundieff, Kasi Lemmons
Votes: 4,588 | Gross: $0.24M
Mockumentary, comedy.
29. It's All Gone Pete Tong (2004)
R | 90 min | Biography, Comedy, Drama
A famous DJ in the Ibiza club scene finds the alcohol and drug-fueled party that is his life threatened by the progressive loss of his hearing.
Director: Michael Dowse | Stars: Paul Kaye, Beatriz Batarda, Kate Magowan, Mike Wilmot
Votes: 20,667 | Gross: $0.12M
30. Joy Division (2007)
R | 93 min | Documentary, Music
A chronological account of the influential late 1970s English rock band.
Director: Grant Gee | Stars: Richard Boon, Anton Corbijn, Kevin Cummins, Bob Dickinson
Votes: 3,863
31. Berlin Super 80 (2005 Video)
120 min
Presents insights into the outstanding artistic means of expression of late-70s/early '80s West Berlin, which left their mark on subsequent generations of artists and bands.
Directors: Klaus Beyer, Axel Brand, Jörg Buttgereit, Frieder Butzmann, Brigitte Bühler, Christoph Doering, Walter Gramming, Andrea Hillen, Dieter Hormel, Manfred O. Jelinski, Kiesel, Georg Marioth, Horst Markgraf, Anette Maschmann, Ingrid Maye, Notorische Reflexe, Volker Rendschmidt, Die Tödliche Doris, Rolf S. Wolkenstein, Yana Yo | Stars: Klaus Beyer, Axel Brand, Erich Buttgereit, Jörg Buttgereit
Votes: 13
32.
The Comic Strip Presents (1982– )
Episode:
More Bad News
(1988)
51 min | Comedy
Four years after they were last the subject of a documentary, Bad News get back together again for another film of their exploits, beginning with a reunion gig at the Flying Horse.
Director: Adrian Edmondson | Stars: Adrian Edmondson, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer, Peter Richardson
Votes: 386
33.
The Comic Strip Presents (1982– )
Episode:
Bad News Tour
(1983)
35 min | Comedy
A documentary crew films heavy metal band Bad News as they have trouble starting their van, pick up a schoolgirl groupie, and meet up with rock journalist Sally at a motorway service ... See full summary »
Director: Sandy Johnson | Stars: Adrian Edmondson, Nigel Planer, Rik Mayall, Peter Richardson
Votes: 461
34. The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years (2016)
Not Rated | 106 min | Documentary, History, Music
A compilation of found footage featuring music, interviews, and stories of The Beatles' 250 concerts from 1963 to 1966.
Director: Ron Howard | Stars: The Beatles, John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney
Votes: 13,826 | Gross: $2.93M
35. Suburbia (1983)
R | 94 min | Drama, Thriller
When household tensions and a sense of worthlessness overcome Evan, he finds escape when he clings with the orphans of a throw-away society.
Director: Penelope Spheeris | Stars: Chris Pedersen, Bill Coyne, Jennifer Clay, Timothy O'Brien
Votes: 6,005
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