Best Concert Movies Released in Theaters
by SanFranciscoCinephile | created - 24 Apr 2016 | updated - 25 Apr 2016 | PublicThey may be labeled documentaries, but these are concerts! See the most iconic performers of all time doing what they do best
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1. Bring on the Night (1985)
PG-13 | 97 min | Documentary, Music
Documents the preparation and rehearsals for Sting's first solo concert, as well as his supporting band's opinions on their leader and his controversial efforts.
Director: Michael Apted | Stars: Miles A. Copeland III, Gil Friesen, Vic Garbarini, Omar Hakim
Votes: 654 | Gross: $1.89M
No one before or since has filmed a movie about a band's debut performance
2. The Last Waltz (1978)
PG | 117 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A film account and presentation of the final concert of The Band.
Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: Robbie Robertson, Muddy Waters, Neil Young, Van Morrison
Votes: 20,185 | Gross: $0.32M
3. Shut Up and Play the Hits (2012)
Not Rated | 108 min | Documentary, Music
On April 2nd 2011, LCD Soundsystem played its final show at Madison Square Garden. Documenting this once in a life time performance and an intimate portrait of James Murphy as he navigates the lead-up to the show, the day after, and the personal and professional ramifications of his decision.
Directors: Will Lovelace, Dylan Southern | Stars: James Murphy, Chuck Klosterman, Keith Wood, Nancy Whang
Votes: 2,889 | Gross: $0.51M
4. Sign 'o' the Times (1987)
PG-13 | 85 min | Documentary, Music
Highlights from Prince's 1987 European concert tour, including selections from the rock star's album of the same title.
Directors: Prince, David Hogan, Albert Magnoli | Stars: Prince, Sheila E., Sheena Easton, Matt Fink
Votes: 2,486 | Gross: $3.00M
5. Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005)
R | 103 min | Documentary, Comedy, Music
A mix of Dave Chappelle's sketch comedy and musical interludes, inspired in part by the 1973 documentary Wattstax.
Director: Michel Gondry | Stars: Dave Chappelle, Yasiin Bey, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu
Votes: 9,627 | Gross: $11.72M
6. 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: 20,099 | Gross: $5.02M
7. U2 3D (2007)
G | 85 min | Documentary, Music
A 3-D presentation of U2's global "Vertigo" tour. Shot at seven different shows, this production employs the greatest number of 3-D cameras ever used for a single project.
Directors: Catherine Owens, Mark Pellington | Stars: Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr.
Votes: 2,937 | Gross: $12.90M
8. Let It Be (1970)
G | 81 min | Documentary, Music
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.
Director: Michael Lindsay-Hogg | Stars: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
Votes: 6,587 | Gross: $1.06M
9. Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
G | 105 min | Documentary, Music
Aging Cuban musicians whose talents had been virtually forgotten following Castro's takeover of Cuba, are brought out of retirement by Ry Cooder, who travelled to Havana in order to bring the musicians together, resulting in triumphant performances of extraordinary music, and resurrecting the musicians' careers.
Director: Wim Wenders | Stars: Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González, Octavio Calderon
Votes: 20,552 | Gross: $7.00M
10. Celine: Through the Eyes of the World (2010)
Not Rated | 120 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary on Céline Dion's 2008-2009 Taking Chances world tour.
Director: Stéphane Laporte | Stars: René Angélil, René-Charles Angélil, Céline Dion, Christopher Houston
Votes: 412
11. Gimme Shelter (1970)
GP | 91 min | Documentary, Music, Thriller
When three hundred thousand members of the Love Generation collided with a few dozen Hells Angels at San Francisco's Altamont Speedway, the bloody slash that transformed a decade's dreams into disillusionment was immortalized on this film.
Directors: Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Charlotte Zwerin | Stars: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, Charlie Watts
Votes: 12,898 | Gross: $0.25M
12. This Is It (2009)
PG | 111 min | Documentary, Music
A compilation of interviews, rehearsals, and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London.
Director: Kenny Ortega | Stars: Michael Jackson, Alex Al, Alexandra Apjarova, Nick Bass
Votes: 41,912 | Gross: $72.09M
13. Elvis: That's the Way It Is (1970)
PG | 97 min | Documentary, Music
After years of making movies, the King made a triumphant return to the stage in 1970. Now, see the backstage footage from rehearsals to relaxing at the hotel and the performances in one of the most intimate looks at Elvis captured on film.
Director: Denis Sanders | Stars: Elvis Presley, James Burton, Glen D. Hardin, Charlie Hodge
Votes: 3,249
14. 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: 12,302 | Gross: $5.36M
15. U2: Rattle and Hum (1988)
PG-13 | 99 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary of the Irish rock group U2 on their Fall 1987 tour of North America.
Director: Phil Joanou | Stars: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr.
Votes: 6,180 | Gross: $8.60M
16. Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1979)
PG | 90 min | Documentary, Music
The July 3rd, 1973 historic concert of the 'leper Messiah'. This was to be David Bowie's last concert with the Ziggy persona and the Spiders from Mars. A great medley of 'Wild Eyed Boy From... See full summary »
Director: D.A. Pennebaker | Stars: David Bowie, Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder, Mick Woodmansey
Votes: 2,993 | Gross: $0.16M
17. The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights (2009)
Unrated | 93 min | Documentary, Music
Follow the White Stripes' 2007 tour of Canada, as the duo avoided the conventional by playing in buses, cafes and for Indian tribal elders.
Director: Emmett Malloy | Stars: Alex Debogorski, Maria Durham, Jack White, Meg White
Votes: 2,501
18. The Song Remains the Same (1976)
PG | 137 min | Documentary, Music
The line forms here for the world's greatest and possibly most influential band--Led Zeppelin. This mesmerizing movie built around Zep's famed 1973 concerts at New York's Madison Square Garden is convincing proof why.
Directors: Peter Clifton, Joe Massot | Stars: Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham
Votes: 9,040
19. Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii (1972)
G | 92 min | Documentary, Music
Live versions of the songs, filmed in an old Pompeii amphitheater. Songs included are Echoes (split into 2 parts), Careful with that axe, Eugene, A saucerful of secrets, One of those days, ... See full summary »
Director: Adrian Maben | Stars: David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Nick Mason
Votes: 9,674
20. Metallica Through the Never (2013)
R | 93 min | Music
Trip, a young roadie for Metallica, is sent on an urgent mission during the band's show. But what seems like a simple assignment turns into a surreal adventure.
Director: Nimród Antal | Stars: Dane DeHaan, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett
Votes: 18,191 | Gross: $3.42M
21. 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: 3,849 | Gross: $1.60M
22. Monterey Pop (1968)
Not Rated | 78 min | Documentary, History, Music
A film about the greatest pre-Woodstock rock music festival.
Director: D.A. Pennebaker | Stars: Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Ravi Shankar, Country Joe McDonald
Votes: 4,931 | Gross: $0.00M
23. Charlie Is My Darling (1966)
60 min | Documentary, Music
Two days in the life of the Rolling Stones during their tour of Ireland in 1965.
Director: Peter Whitehead | Stars: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman
Votes: 252
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