Sort by Popularity - Most Popular Movies and TV Shows tagged with keyword "music-history"
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1. School of Rock (2003)
PG-13 | 109 min | Comedy, Music
After being kicked out of his rock band, Dewey Finn becomes a substitute teacher of an uptight elementary private school, only to try and turn his class into a rock band.
Director: Richard Linklater | Stars: Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack, Adam Pascal
Votes: 330,864 | Gross: $81.26M
2. Ray (I) (2004)
PG-13 | 152 min | Biography, Drama, Music
The story of the life and career of the legendary rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles, from his humble beginnings in the South, where he went blind at age seven, to his meteoric rise to stardom during the 1950s and 1960s.
Director: Taylor Hackford | Stars: Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Clifton Powell
Votes: 157,398 | Gross: $75.33M
3. Searching for Sugar Man (2012)
PG-13 | 86 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Two South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock n roller, Rodriguez.
Director: Malik Bendjelloul | Stars: Rodriguez, Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman, Dennis Coffey, Mike Theodore
Votes: 72,904 | Gross: $3.97M
4. CBGB (2013)
R | 102 min | Crime, Drama, Music
A look at the New York City punk-rock scene and the venerable nightclub, CBGB.
Director: Randall Miller | Stars: Alan Rickman, Malin Akerman, Justin Bartha, Richard de Klerk
Votes: 11,220 | Gross: $0.04M
5. Spinning Gold (2023)
R | 137 min | Biography, Drama, Music
A biopic of 1970s record producer Neil Bogart, co-founder of Casablanca Records.
Director: Timothy Scott Bogart | Stars: Jeremy Jordan, Michelle Monaghan, Jay Pharoah, Lyndsy Fonseca
Votes: 1,633
6. Backbeat (1994)
R | 100 min | Biography, Drama, Music
A dramatization of the Hamburg, Germany phase of The Beatles' early history.
Director: Iain Softley | Stars: Stephen Dorff, Sheryl Lee, Ian Hart, Gary Bakewell
Votes: 6,582 | Gross: $2.39M
7. The New Edition Story (2017)
TV-14 | 120 min | Biography, Drama, Music
Chronicles the ups and downs of legendary music group New Edition from their humble beginnings in Boston to individual solo success and everything in between.
Stars: Bryshere Y. Gray, Elijah Kelley, Luke James, Woody McClain
Votes: 3,268
8. Twenty Feet from Stardom (2013)
PG-13 | 91 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we've had no idea who these singers are or what lives they lead, until now.
Director: Morgan Neville | Stars: Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill
Votes: 13,952 | Gross: $4.95M
9. Miles Ahead (2015)
R | 100 min | Biography, Drama, Music
An exploration of the life and music of Miles Davis.
Director: Don Cheadle | Stars: Don Cheadle, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Ewan McGregor, Michael Stuhlbarg
Votes: 10,560 | Gross: $2.61M
10. Behind the Music (1997–2021)
TV-14 | Documentary, Biography, Music
Musical artists, their careers, their highs, their lows and everything in between are profiled and interviewed.
Stars: Jim Forbes, David Wild, Alexander Milas, Eddie Trunk
Votes: 1,664
11. Muscle Shoals (2013)
PG | 111 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A documentary that celebrates Rick Hall, the founder of FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and the signature sound he developed in songs such as "I'll Take You There", "Brown Sugar", and "When a Man Loves a Woman".
Director: Greg 'Freddy' Camalier | Stars: Rick Hall, Aretha Franklin, Keith Richards, Candi Staton
Votes: 4,291 | Gross: $0.70M
12. Stoned (2005)
R | 102 min | Biography, Drama, Music
A chronicle of the sordid life and suspicious death of Rolling Stones co-founder Brian Jones, who was found in the bottom of his swimming pool weeks after being let go from the band.
Director: Stephen Woolley | Stars: Leo Gregory, Paddy Considine, David Morrissey, Ben Whishaw
Votes: 4,162
13. Hip-Hop Evolution (2016– )
TV-MA | 90 min | Documentary, Music
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.
Stars: Shad, LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, Cheo Hodari Coker
Votes: 6,451
14. Long Strange Trip (2017)
R | 238 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A look at the 30-year career of The Grateful Dead.
Director: Amir Bar-Lev | Stars: John Perry Barlow, Tom Constanten, Sam Cutler, Jerry Garcia
Votes: 1,895
15. The Filth and the Fury (2000)
R | 108 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A film about the career of the notorious punk rock band, the Sex Pistols.
Director: Julien Temple | Stars: Paul Cook, Steve Jones, John Lydon, Glen Matlock
Votes: 6,207 | Gross: $0.61M
16. Shine a Light (2008)
PG-13 | 122 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A career-spanning documentary on The Rolling Stones, with concert footage from their "A Bigger Bang" tour.
Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood
Votes: 12,298 | Gross: $5.36M
17. The Movie Orgy (2009)
420 min | Documentary, History
A montage of 1950s B-movies, TV shows & vintage commercials create a nostalgic collage about aliens & monsters attacking America.
Director: Joe Dante | Stars: Ann-Margret, Ngo Dinh Diem, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Groucho Marx
Votes: 202
18. Heartworn Highways (1976)
Not Rated | 92 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
The best music and the best whiskey come from the same part of the country.
Director: James Szalapski | Stars: Peggy Brooks, Guy Clark, David Allan Coe, Rodney Crowell
Votes: 939
19. Little Richard (2000 TV Movie)
TV-14 | 120 min | Biography, Drama, Music
The story of Little Richard Penniman, from his poor Southern upbringing to dealing with the trials and tribulations of being a black singer in the 1950s, to his born-again phase and brief "retirement" from rock and roll.
Director: Robert Townsend | Stars: Leon, Jenifer Lewis, Carl Lumbly, Tamala Jones
Votes: 991
20. Disco: Soundtrack of A Revolution (2023)
Documentary, History, Music
From the sweaty basement bars of 70s New York to the glittering peak of the global charts, how disco conquered the world - its origins, its triumphs, its fall and its legacy.
Stars: David Depino, Nicky Siano, Ana Matronic, Allen Roskoff
Votes: 53
21. Hype! (1996)
Not Rated | 84 min | Documentary, History, Music
Documentary covering the growth and subsequent overexposure of the Seattle "grunge" music scene in the early 90s
Director: Doug Pray | Stars: 7 Year Bitch, Valerie M. Agnew, Carrie Akre, Jeff Ament
Votes: 2,930 | Gross: $0.27M
22. Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002)
PG | 108 min | Documentary, Music
Documentary about the Funk Brothers, a group of Detroit musicians who backed up dozens of Motown artists.
Director: Paul Justman | Stars: Joe Hunter, Jack Ashford, Uriel Jones, Richard 'Pistol' Allen
Votes: 3,847 | Gross: $1.60M
23. Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005)
R | 96 min | Documentary, Music
An examination of the heavy metal music subculture that tries to explain why, despite the longevity and popularity of the genre, fans are marginalized and ridiculed for their passion.
Directors: Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen, Jessica Joy Wise | Stars: Tom Araya, Gavin Baddeley, Blasphemer, Randy Blythe
Votes: 12,484
24. The Linda McCartney Story (2000 TV Movie)
90 min | Biography, Drama, Music
A dramatization of the life of Linda Eastman McCartney in her early years photographing for Rolling Stone magazine and rubbing elbows with much of Hollywood's elite. The story follows her ... See full summary »
Director: Armand Mastroianni | Stars: Elizabeth Mitchell, Gary Bakewell, David James Lewis, Nicole Oliver
Votes: 695
25. Quincy (2018)
TV-MA | 124 min | Documentary, Biography
An intimate look into the life of icon Quincy Jones. A unique force in music and popular culture for 70 years, Jones has transcended racial and cultural boundaries; his story is inextricably woven into the fabric of America.
Directors: Alan Hicks, Rashida Jones | Stars: Quincy Jones, Rashida Jones, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Clarence Avant
Votes: 5,161
26. Behind the Music (2021– )
TV-MA | 55 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
The best of the vault remastered and updated with artist interviews, a creative refresh, and reimagined visual style.
Stars: Busta Rhymes, Ricky Martin, LL Cool J, Eminem
Votes: 66
27. Beatlemania (1981)
PG | 86 min | Music
Four guys who look and sound moderately like the Beatles play a plethora of Lennon/McCartney classics, while footage of memorable sixties events flashes by.
Director: Joseph Manduke | Stars: David Leon, Mitch Weissman, Tom Teeley, Ralph Castelli
Votes: 143
28. My Generation (I) (2017)
TV-PG | 85 min | Documentary, History
The cultural revolution that occurred in the 1960s England is explored in this documentary.
Director: David Batty | Stars: Michael Caine, David Bailey, Twiggy, Mary Quant
Votes: 2,160
29. Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man (2005)
PG-13 | 105 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A documentary on the legendary singer-songwriter, with performances by those musicians he has influenced.
Director: Lian Lunson | Stars: Leonard Cohen, Bono, Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright
Votes: 2,337 | Gross: $1.04M
30. Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap (2012)
R | 106 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary on rap music and its rise to global prominence.
Directors: Ice-T, Andy Baybutt | Stars: Ice-T, Dr. Dre, Chuck D, Snoop Dogg
Votes: 3,620 | Gross: $0.29M
31. 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: 3,600 | Gross: $0.28M
32. Heavy Metal Parking Lot (1986 Video)
Not Rated | 17 min | Documentary, Short, Music
A look at the wild scene outside a Judas Priest concert.
Directors: John Heyn, Jeff Krulik | Stars: John Cloud Jr., Judas Priest
Votes: 1,547
33. Biography: The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne (2020 TV Movie)
TV-14 | 86 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
For over five decades, Ozzy Osbourne has personified rock and roll, from his childhood in poverty and time in prison, to fronting metal band Black Sabbath, a successful solo career and a lovable 21st century television dad.
Director: Greg Johnston | Stars: Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Ice-T, Tony Iommi
Votes: 632
34. D.O.A. (1980)
90 min | Documentary, Music
Documentary chronicaling the rise and fall of the punk movement with rare interview footage of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen. Also concert and news footage.
Director: Lech Kowalski | Stars: Stiv Bators, Terry Chimes, The Clash, Paul Cook
Votes: 671
35. Yo! MTV Raps (1988–2004)
60 min | Music
Interviews and music videos from the biggest and most notable rap artist of the time. This show gave the rap genre a platform to be seen and heard by mainstream viewers far and wide.
Stars: Fab 5 Freddy, Doctor Dré, Ed Lover, T-Money
Votes: 226
36. Dance Craze (1981)
50 min | Documentary, Music
Documentary on Britain's 2 Tone Ska Era from the late seventies to the early eighties.
Director: Joe Massot | Stars: The Beat, The Bodysnatchers, The Selecter, The Specials
Votes: 280
37. The Compleat Beatles (1982 Video)
119 min | Documentary, Music
The history of the great British rock band.
Director: Patrick Montgomery | Stars: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
Votes: 1,194
38. Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey (1993)
PG | 83 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A documentary about the inventor of the first electronic synthesiser instrument and his subsequent life after he was abducted by the KGB as well as a history of his instrument.
Director: Steven M. Martin | Stars: Leon Theremin, Robert Moog, Clara Rockmore, Nicolas Slonimsky
Votes: 988 | Gross: $0.19M
39. Verschwende deine Jugend (2003)
97 min | Music, Comedy, Drama
The year is 1981, the German New Wave is at the peak. Harry, otherwise Sparkasse trainee, wants to make it big as a manager of the band of his friends, Apollo Schwabing. He has booked the ... See full summary »
Director: Benjamin Quabeck | Stars: Tom Schilling, Robert Stadlober, Jessica Schwarz, Marlon Kittel
Votes: 1,138
40. Testimony (1987)
Not Rated | 157 min | Biography, Drama, History
The story of the great Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) and his life and career during the rule of Stalin.
Director: Tony Palmer | Stars: Ben Kingsley, Sherry Baines, Magdalen Asquith, Mark Asquith
Votes: 287
41. Toot Whistle Plunk and Boom (1953)
Approved | 10 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
A crash course on the history of Western musical instruments.
Directors: Ward Kimball, Charles Nichols | Stars: The Mellowmen Quartet, Loulie Jean Norman, Charlie Parlota, Bill Thompson
Votes: 1,555
42. Fraktus - Das letzte Kapitel der Musikgeschichte (2012)
95 min | Comedy, Music
An inept music manager documents his attempt of bringing about a comeback of the 80s techno pioneers Fraktus, who in the past 30 years have disconnected both from each other and their music.
Directors: Lars Jessen, Jacques Palminger, Rocko Schamoni, Sebastian Schultz, Heinz Strunk | Stars: Devid Striesow, Heinz Strunk, Rocko Schamoni, Jacques Palminger
Votes: 1,523
43. Living the American Nightmare (2011)
Documentary, Biography, Music
This is the story of Myke Hideous and the punk rock music industry.
Director: Pawl Bazile | Stars: Myke Hideous, Peter Steele, Arturo Vega, Steve Zing
Votes: 28
44. Led Zeppelin (2003 Video)
Not Rated | 320 min | Documentary, Music
A double-DVD set which features over five hours of previously unreleased concert and archival performance footage from Led Zeppelin, spanning the years 1969 to 1979.
Directors: Dick Carruthers, Jimmy Page | Stars: Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham
Votes: 3,047
45. You're Watching Video Music Box (2021)
92 min | Documentary
The untold story of the world's longest running video show, Video Music Box. Host Ralph McDaniels' vast footage archive reveals the show's importance to numerous big-name musicians, as well as to the kids that grew up watching.
Director: Nas | Stars: Ralph McDaniels, Nas, 50 Cent, A Tribe Called Quest
Votes: 272
46. Pump Up the Volume (2001– )
Documentary, Music
In this documentary the origin of house music is being explained. It starts in Chicago in the "Warehouse" club. This later became the Genre called just "House" because people wanted to buy ... See full summary »
Stars: Louis Mellis, Vince Lawrence, Frankie Knuckles, Ron Hardy
Votes: 264
47. Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme (2000)
Not Rated | 60 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary about freestyling--the improvised, on-the-spot rhymes that demonstrate the skills of hip-hop MCs.
Director: Kevin Fitzgerald | Stars: Chali 2na, Muhammad Ali, Planet Asia, Bahamadia
Votes: 626 | Gross: $0.01M
48. Era of Dance (2017)
80 min | Documentary, History, Music
The first Story of Soviet Techno Revolution "In the USSR that was the beginning of a new era. The Era of Dance".
Directors: Viktors Buda, Viktors Buda | Stars: Indulis Bilzens, Westbam, Derrick May, Roberts Gobzins
Votes: 47
49. Secrets (1992)
PG-13 | 92 min | Drama, Music
Five teens get stuck in the basement in an attempt to see the Beatles in a local hotel.
Director: Michael Pattinson | Stars: Beth Champion, Malcolm Kennard, Dannii Minogue, Willa O'Neill
Votes: 184
50. Can't Be Stopped (2022)
102 min | Documentary
Hollywood's own "Can't Be Stopped" crew is one of the most influential and recognizable graffiti crews to emerge out of the U.S. is Since its inception in the early 1980's, the initials ... See full summary »
Director: Cody Smith | Stars: 2Mex, Marc 7, Alchemist, Brandon '2Tone' Anderson
Votes: 55