With Jungkook: I Am Still capturing the hearts of BTS fans worldwide, it’s the perfect time to dive deeper into the lives of music legends through a series of documentaries streaming online. These docu films offer an intimate look into the personal journeys and triumphs of some of the biggest names in music. Here are six documentaries for music buffs.
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour
Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour documentary allows fans to relive her musical journey and to see how she went from a country singer to being the world’s most powerful pop sensation. This is a visual celebration that gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of one of the most elaborate tours in modern music history. It’s a must-watch for Swifties and anyone interested in understanding the evolution of an artist who’s constantly redefining herself.
Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar
ABBA: Against the Odds
This documentary film celebrates the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s legendary 1974 Eurovision victory, perfectly timed to mark the 2024 contest in Sweden. The documentary explores the Swedish supergroup’s meteoric rise, beginning with their Eurovision triumph and chronicling their journey through criticism, societal pressures and personal challenges like marital breakups. Despite these obstacles, ABBA delivered their signature music and established themselves as an influential live act. ABBA: Against the Odds highlights their lasting impact on the pop music landscape and the legacy of an iconic band.
Streaming on: Discovery+
The Beatles: Get Back
This Peter Jackson-directed documentary is a treasure trove for fans of the Fab Four. Using restored footage, The Beatles: Get Back showcases The Beatles during the making of their final album Let It Be, offering insights into the band’s creative process, their camaraderie, and the tensions that eventually led to their breakup. The documentary also features previously unseen footage and audio recordings that were originally gathered for the 1970 album documentary by Michael Lindsay-Hogg.
Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar
Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry
In The World’s a Little Blurry, directed by R. J. Cutler, viewers get an unfiltered look at Billie Eilish’s meteoric rise from a bedroom producer to a Grammy-winning superstar. The documentary is presented in a stream of consciousness style. We see her creative process with brother Finneas, rehearsing songs and directing music videos, and get a sense of her personal struggles, including health issues and breakup with her boyfriend Q. Billie navigates challenges in her career and personal life, ultimately returning to where it all began with her heartfelt performance of Ocean Eyes.
Streaming on: Apple TV+
I Am: Celine Dion
In December 2022, the music world was shaken when Celine Dion revealed her diagnosis of stiff person syndrome, a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that causes muscle stiffness and debilitating spasms. This announcement came after a series of concert cancellations throughout the year, marking a sudden halt to the My Heart Will Go On singer’s prolific career. Since then, Dion has stayed out of the public eye, releasing only a few songs as she focused on her health and recovery. I Am: Celine Dion, directed by the Oscar-nominated filmmaker Irene Taylor, offers a look up close at this challenging chapter of the singer’s life.
Streaming on: Prime Video
Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé
No list of music documentaries would be complete without Homecoming, a dazzling portrayal of Beyoncé’s iconic 2018 Coachella performance. The documentary not only highlights the breathtaking live performance but also details the months of preparation it took, its cultural significance and Beyoncé’s role as a director and visionary.
Streaming on: Netflix