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A condensed list of the top 10 biographical music documentaries of the 21st century based on personal preference and aggregated opinions of critics.

The 10 Best Biographical Music Documentaries of the 21st Century

Bands, rock stars, and musical icons are amongst the most fascinating characters within pop culture. Whilst they are influenced by the contemporary world around them, the themes and circumstances of their lives tend to have a timeless poignancy.

As such, music stars are often captivating subjects for documentaries. As an audience, we are invited into their lives to understand the person behind the celebrity. In this article, we’ll take a closer at the top 10 biographical music-related documentaries of the 21st century.

	Title of the Music Documentary	Year / Country / Director / Cast	Movie Description
1	George Harrison: Living in the Material World	Release Date: 2011 Country: USA Director: Martin Scorsese Cast: George Harrison (archive footage), John Lennon (archive footage), Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Louise Harrison, Harry Harrison, Harold Harrison, Peter Harrison, Olivia Harrison, Dhani Harrison, Pattie Boyd	Compared with the exuberance of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr, George Harrison was viewed as ‘the quiet Beatle’. Directed by Martin Scorsese, Living in the Material World explores the untold story of Harrison. Starting with his youth in Liverpool, the young Harrison was catapulted into fame when he became the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Yet he didn’t yearn for the excess of celebrity. Instead, Harrison made a series of pilgrimages to India, where he embraced Hinduism, Krishna Consciousness, yoga, vegetarianism, and the inward reflection that became the basis of some of his most famous work, both within the Beatles and independently. The documentary is crafted from a combination of unseen footage, family archives, and exclusive interviews with Harrison’s family, friends, fellow musicians, and the surviving Beatles, McCartney and Starr. The result is a fascinating exploration of a quiet genius.
2	Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck	Release Date: 2015 Country: USA Director: Brett Morgen Cast: Kurt Cobain (archive footage), Aaron Burckhard (archive footage), Chad Channing (archive footage), Don Cobain, Jenny Cobain, Dale Crover (archive footage), Kim Cobain, Dave Grohl (archive footage), Wendy O'Connor, Courtney Love, Krist Novoselic, Tracey Marander	Since his death in 1994, Kurt Cobain has remained one of the most enigmatic icons of rock music. His early life was tainted with difficulties, including the divorce of his parents, problems at school, and becoming homeless as a teenager. His fortunes began to improve at the age of 17, when he forms a band called Nirvana. After the success of their first album, Bleach, Nirvana are thrown into the media spotlight, as well as the hearts of adoring fans. Cobain begins a relationship with Courtney Love, lead singer of the band Hole, but their romance is complicated by drug use. Cobain begins using heroin around the time of their marriage and discovery of Love’s pregnancy, and their spiralling behaviour results in a temporary loss of custody of their baby daughter, Frances. The final year of Cobain’s life was a turbulent mix of professional success and personal torment. Nirvana were one of the most popular bands in the world, but his addiction and mental health problems had become deadly. One month after an overdose whilst on tour in Rome, Cobain ended his life on April 5, 1994. This documentary uses footage, recordings, and pictures from the Cobain family archives, creating an unparalleled sense of proximity.
3	Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten	Release Date: 2007 Country: Ireland, UK Director: Julien Temple Cast: Bono, Brigitte Bardot (archive footage), Steve Buscemi, Terry Chimes, Johnny Depp, John Cooper Clarke, Matt Dillon, John Cusack, Tymon Dogg, Dick Evans, Joe Ely, Alasdair Gillis, Ian Gillis	Joe Strummer tends to divide opinion. For some, he is a bastion of the punk scene, a maverick, the incomparable king of The Clash. To others, he represents an inauthentic and watered-down version of punk, benefiting from the creativity and audaciousness of those who came before him. Both of these versions are explored in The Future Is Unwritten. Thanks to archive film footage, audio recordings, Strummer’s artwork, and the testimony of his friends and contemporaries, the filmmakers piece together Strummer’s complex character. We learn about the beginnings of The Clash, their almost-manufactured formation, and the internal divisions that blighted the band. We also discover the conflict within Strummer’s own personality, and how he struggled to resolve that in his later years. Whether or not you’re a fan of The Clash, this is an absorbing look into one of the biggest bands of the 1970s and 80s.
4	Anvil: The Story of Anvil	Release Date: 2008 Country: Canada Director: Sacha Gervasi Cast: Scott Ian, Lemmy, Malcolm Dome, Slash, Lars Ulrich, Tom Araya, John Zazula, Robb Reiner, Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, Cut Loose, Gary Greenblatt, Mad Dog, Toby Kudlow, Jane Reiner, Andrea Reiner	For a rockumentary, this movie has tremendous soul. It tells the story of an obscure Canadian heavy metal band, Anvil, as they return to the road after a 20-year hiatus. In 1984, Anvil was a headline act at the Japanese Super Rock festival, alongside Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, and Scorpions. Although their co-headliners went on to massive success, Anvil were not able to capitalise on their early promise. Instead, the band members returned to Canada to work manual jobs, and experience poverty and homelessness. In 2005, the band is contacted by a fan, who offers to organise a five-week European tour for them. It is estimated that they will earn €1500 per show, which provides a lucrative incentive for the band to go and perform. Unfortunately, ticket sales are lacklustre, and Anvil find themselves playing to near-empty venues. They return to Canada, having made no money, and are faced with further financial difficulties. Still, they remain passionate about their music and record their 13th album, which is self-funded. Anvil are then invited back to Japan for a concert, but they soon discover they are right at the bottom of the playlist. Whilst we won’t give away the ending, there is an emotional and affirming twist. Anvil is far more than a rockumentary; it’s a tribute to the tenacity of the human spirit.
5	The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years	Release Date: 2016 Country: USA Director: Ron Howard Cast: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon (archive footage), George Harrison (archive footage), Richard Curtis, Larry Kane, Elvis Costello, Frank Phillips, Leonard Parkin, Whoopi Goldberg, Carroll James, Eddie Izzard, Marsha Albert	Arguably the most popular band of all time, The Beatles became a phenomenon unlike any other. From their roots in Liverpool, they jumped into the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. To this day, their influence continues to have an impact on popular music. At the height of their fame, between 1962 and 1966, the Beatles undertook a touring schedule that had them travelling the world almost non-stop. It’s a fascinating time in their history; one that legendary director Ron Howard decided to explore in this documentary. There are contributions from the surviving Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as the families of John Lennon and George Harrison. Howard also uses exclusive and previously unseen footage from the Beatles’ 1965 concert at Shea Stadium in New York City. It is around this part of the tour that the focus is centred, which allows Howard to delve into the relationships that fuelled the band, their individual and combined talents, the stress that arose from such a gruelling schedule, and the onward impact it had upon the Beatles. Whether or not you’re a fan of the Fab Four, it’s an entertaining and fascinating watch.
6	What Happened, Miss Simone?	Release Date: 2015 Country: USA Director: Liz Garbus Cast: Nina Simone (archive footage), Lisa Simone Kelly, Roger Nupie, George Wein, Stanley Crouch, Al Schackman, Andrew Stroud (archive footage), Dick Gregory, Gerrit De Bruin, Ilyasah Shabazz, Attallah Shabazz	Nina Simone was, and remains, one of the most well-regarded musicians of the 20th century. Her beautiful voice, expressive stage presence, and multi-genre talent captivated the world. She was also a prolific civil rights campaigner, turning her gift to the creation of protest songs in response to the oppression of minorities within the United States. The most well-known of these, To Be Young, Gifted, and Black, has been covered extensively and loved by millions. Simone’s political engagement was also expressed as fierce opposition to the Vietnam War. She refused to pay taxes in response, and an arrest warrant was issued when she returned to the US after living abroad for over a decade. She fled to Barbados, then Liberia, before returning to Europe, where she lived for the remainder of her life. This documentary explores the woman behind the music; her childhood, lifetime experiences of racism and sexism, mental health issues, and the ways in which she perpetually challenged expectations.
7	Amy	Release Date: 2015 Country: UK Director: Asif Kapadia Cast: Amy Winehouse (archive footage), Lauren Gilbert, Juliette Ashby, Nick Shymansky, Guy Moot, Tyler James, Chris Taylor, Nick Gatfield, Garry Mulholland, Ian Barter, Jonathan Ross, Mitch Winehouse, Janis Winehouse, Bobby Womack (archive footage), Sam Beste	The life of Amy Winehouse was marred by struggle. Showing early promise as singer, she was enrolled in the Sylvia Young Theatre School, a prestigious institution for young, gifted performers. Although she didn’t complete her education, her time at theatre school allowed her to perfect the soulful voice with which she became famous. After rocketing to infamy in her early 20s, the remainder of Amy’s life was a complex mix of career success, personal difficulties, and substance addiction. In this documentary, Amy’s life is detailed by those who knew her best; her parents, ex-husband, best friend, manager, flatmate, fellow musicians, and by Amy herself via archive footage. We witness the evolution of a precocious teenager into a global superstar, with her frailties never far from the surface. Amy passed away as a result of alcohol poisoning in 2011, becoming another tragic member of the 27 Club. The closing part of the documentary analyses the events leading up to it, the reaction of Amy’s fan around the world, the personal grief of her loved ones, and the eternal legacy of her talent. This documentary is a poignant, honest, and personal reflection on the life of a complicated character.
8	No Direction Home: Bob Dylan	Release Date: 2005 Country: UK, USA, Japan Director: Martin Scorsese Cast: Bob Dylan, B.J. Rolfzen, Dick Kangas, Liam Clancy, Paul Nelson, Anthony Glover, Allen Ginsberg, John Cohen, Dave Van Ronk, Bruce Langhorne, Mark Spoelstra, Maria Muldaur, Suze Rotolo, Mitch Miller, Izzy Young	Bob Dylan is something of an enigma. He rarely gives interviews, and keeps his personal life largely hidden. This documentary, therefore, is a treat for those wishing to learn more about the man behind the music. Directed by Martin Scorcese, No Direction Home presents interviews from Dylan himself, as well as friends, fellow singers, songwriters, and his ex-girlfriend, Suze Rotolo. Dylan’s interview was conducted with his manager, Jeff Rosen, in an open conversation lasting ten hours. This format created the setting for an intimate, natural discussion with Dylan that is rarely seen elsewhere. This documentary also uses rare archive footage and recordings to piece together the life of the prolific musician. Although the emphasis is on the height of Dylan’s career, from 1961 to 1966, there’s also an exploration of the lifelong consequences of his success. From his early experience as a musician in a high school band, to behind-the-scenes footage of international tours, it provides a completely unique insight.
9	Searching For Sugar Man	Release Date: 2012 Country: Sweden, UK, Finland Director: Malik Bendjelloul Cast: Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman, Dennis Coffey, Mike Theodore, Steve Rowland, Jerome Ferretti, Dan DiMaggio, Willem Möller, Ilse Assmann, Steve M. Harris, Craig Bartholomew Strydom, Robbie Mann, Eva Rodriguez, Clarence Avant, Regan Rodriguez	You may not have heard of Sixto Rodriguez. His success in the United States was brief, but he was an unanticipated success in South Africa, where his popularity outstripped that of Elvis Presley. Many of his songs were adopted as anti-apartheid anthems, much to the consternation of the government. Due to restrictions placed on international news by the apartheid regime, little was known by South Africans about Rodriguez. A rumour spread that he had committed suicide before the release of his first album, and in the absence of news to the contrary, this was the prevailing opinion within South Africa. After the end of apartheid in 1994, fans of Rodriguez began hunting for more information about their unlikely star. Stephen "Sugar" Segerman and Craig Bartholomew Strydom led the efforts to find Rodriguez, and it is their combined story that creates the narrative focus. This movie is not only a tribute to the dedication of fans, it also explores themes of censorship and misinformation, and is shot primarily on beautiful Super 8 film. An unexpected treat.
10	Marley	Release Date: 2012 Country: UK, USA Director: Kevin Macdonald Cast: Bob Marley (archive footage), Ziggy Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Cedella Marley, Rita Marley, Cindy Breakspeare, Chris Blackwell, Danny Sims, Bunny Wailer, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Peter Marley, Constance Marley, Neville Garrick, Diane Jobson	Using archive footage, exclusive recordings, and interviews from his close friends and family, this documentary explores the life of the king of reggae, Bob Marley. One of the central themes stems from Marley’s childhood. The son of a white British father and a black Jamaican mother, Marley had periods of struggle with his mixed heritage identity. As well as being mocked at school, he sometimes felt as though he did not fit in with either the white or black communities within Jamaica. Instead, as he would later remark, he identified solely with God. Marley’s belief in Rastafarianism was also a powerful force within his life. His success as a proud Rastafari artist brought both the religion and reggae music to global prominence. Marley had a large and complicated family of his own, with eleven children by seven mothers, but all speak fondly of him. His final years were blighted by a poorly-managed diagnosis of skin cancer, which soon spread throughout his body. Marley pursued alternative treatment in Germany, but this was unsuccessful. Whilst travelling home to Jamaica, he rapidly deteriorated and died whilst receiving palliative care in Miami. He was 36 years old. This documentary does not dwell on the death of Marley; rather, it is a celebration of his life, the beautiful music he created, and his enduring legacy.

What makes a great music documentary?

Now that we’ve listed the top 10 biographical music documentaries of the 21st century, we’re well-placed to explore the factors that make them so fascinating. We’ve chosen five key components that make a music documentary unmissable.

Character
A charming personality provides an alluring draw to any story. Fortunately, the music world is full of incredibly interesting people. Although we may expect that the work itself would take centre stage, it’s actually the characters behind the music that provide the most captivating narrative.

Story
As an audience, we want to be delighted, moved, thrilled, and surprised; in essence, we want to be entertained. A compelling narrative is key. Documentary makers are looking for the stories that will have the greatest impact; whether they are due to existing notoriety, or a completely new angle that has the power to astonish.

Relevance
The audience should be able to feel a connection with the subject of a documentary. The thread of humanity that runs through all of us must be centred, as even the most prolific stars have imperfections that ground them. Finding that commonality creates the basis of a great documentary.

Exclusivity
Unseen footage, family archives, and fresh perspectives help to provide the exclusivity that makes documentaries so exciting. The audience must be presented with an angle that can’t otherwise be found. This helps to build a kind of intimacy with the subject, which helps to make that elusive connection that exemplifies a great documentary.

An amazing soundtrack!
Of course, music-themed documentaries must take advantage of an amazing soundtrack! Documentary makers will use an artist’s catalogue to match the shifting narrative tones used throughout the film. Previously unheard recording are also a massive coup in this genre.