20 Best Music Documentaries To Binge On Netflix Right Now

You can learn a lot from well-made music documentaries, many of which are readily available across streaming platforms. There is the chronicled rise of young rock icons illustrated through the medium, as well as major cinematic reveals about legendary performers unveiled along the path of their storied careers.

There are plenty of rankings showcasing the greatest music documentaries of all time, but Netflix stands out for its collection of highly watchable titles. With a strong lineup available to subscribers, the platform offers music documentaries that are as entertaining as they are insightful, perfect for streaming anytime.

Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now (2023)

This documentary centers around charming young Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi, and the journey he goes on dealing with the success of his debut album as he heads into making his second. The piece is a very vulnerable take on mental health, dealing with the pressures of fame, and not losing yourself as you find life getting bigger than you are.

Olivia Rodrigo: Guts World Tour (2024)

Recorded last year at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, Olivia Rodrigo: Guts World Tour finds the musician firmly in her live element as she tours to promote her second album, Guts (an endeavor that wrapped up back in July). Jumping through both Guts and her debut LP Sour, the tight performance is one Rodrigo fans won’t want to miss.

ABBA: Against The Odds (2024)

With as much of a legacy act as Swedish pop group ABBA is these days, it seems difficult to imagine the band not being the genre icons they are. That’s where ABBA: Against the Odds steps in, illustrating the band’s origins, successes, and how they overcame backlash and those who didn’t like their style to wind up where they did.

Save The Children: A Concert For The Ages (2024)

This two-hour-long documentary commemorates a 1972 concert held in Chicago to benefit the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Operation PUSH endeavor, which was considered lost for years after it was officially released in 1973. The restoration, featuring performances from artists like the Jackson 5, Curtis Mayfield, and Marvin Gaye, is not to be missed.

The Other One: The Long Strange Trip Of Bob Weir (2015)

The Other One: The Long Strange Trip of Bob Weir goes on an in-depth trek, exploring the life and musical career of Bob Weir, best known as the rhythm guitarist for the Grateful Dead. Not only is Weir’s brotherhood with fellow Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia explored, but more depth is learned about Weir himself through interviews with bandmates and contemporaries.

It’s Only Life After All (2024)

The Indigo Girls are an iconic folk-rock duo from Atlanta, Georgia, fronted with 40 years of experience by the duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. It’s Only Life After All was made not only to examine their lives and lengthy musical careers, but also to explore their activism and status as queer icons by the LGBTQ community.

Songs From The Hole (2025)

The center of Songs From The Hole revolves around James “JJ’88” Jacobs, who was convicted of murder in 2004 at 15 years old, losing his brother in a killing three days later. Serving 18 years in prison before his release in 2022, his arc of experience is told through a visual album style held together by Jacobs’ original music compositions.

The Return Of The King: The Fall And Rise Of Elvis Presley (2024)

Through elements such as interviews with Presley’s former wife Priscilla as well as family friend Jerry Schilling, details are recounted about Elvis’ 1968 national television comeback special. The moment wasn’t without risk, but it proved to be a massive win for reviving Presley’s music career, who was becoming more known for his acting roles during this time.

Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell (2021)

Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell features a combination of rare footage taken by Christopher “Biggie Smalls” Wallace’s best friend (Damion “D-Roc” Butler) and interviews with additional friends and family who were close to the rap icon. The documentary provides a window of further insight into a figure whose life was tragically cut too short.

This unfiltered look at performer Lady Gaga in 2017’s Gaga: Five Foot Two is heavily based around the production and release of her fifth studio album (entitled Joanne) as well as her halftime performance at Super Bowl LI. The documentary also goes into greater detail about factors in Gaga’s personal life, like interactions with fans and entourage experiences.