These are the best music production and musician movies for all music lovers. Netflix has content for songwriters, music producers, and musicians.
If you’re a music lover, there’s no doubt that Netflix has plenty of content for you. From documentaries to films, there are tons of great options to choose from.
In this article, we’ll be highlighting the best music production and musician movies on Netflix.
Whether you’re a songwriter, music producer, or musician, there’s something here for everyone. Each movie includes a trailer and Rotten Tomatoes score to help you decide what to watch.
The Best Music & Musician Movies
1. Song Exploder
Rotten Tomatoes: 80% Critics – 84% Audience
Song Exploder is based on a podcast that interviews the world’s greatest musicians to figure out their thought processes when creating music.
There are 8 episodes that include an extensive list of music creators such as Alicia Keys, Lin-Manuel Miranda, R.E.M., Ty Dolla $ign, Dua Lipa, The Killers, and Nine Inch Nails.
During the different episodes, musicians talk about the creative process behind an individual song while breaking the music down into various components.
The process can range from songwriting to recording to post-production.
This show will be inspiring for songwriters, musicians, and band members.
2. Beats
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% Critics – 58% Audience
The film is directed by Brian Welsh. Some of the cast and crew members include Anthony Anderson, Uzo Aduba, Khalil Everage, Dreezy, and Dave East.
This film tells the story of a teenager who is a music prodigy that uses music production to deal with anxiety issues.
Anthony Anderson, who is a failed music producer in the film, tries to build a relationship with the struggling teen to get back into the music industry.
This film is full of great-sounding beats.
3. What We Started
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% Critics – 99% Audience
It is an American documentary film about electronic dance music that premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
The documentary starts with Carl Cox, and it chronicles three decades of electronic dance music.
It focuses on the careers of Carl Cox and Martin Garrix. But it also includes other individuals such as Erick Morillo, Moby, David Guetta, Steve Angello, etc.
4. Sample This
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% Critics – 63% Audience
This is a documentary film about how one song, the Incredible Bongo Band’s “Apache,” played a major part in defining hip-hop culture. This film was directed by Dan Forrer.
Even if you don’t have much rap knowledge, this movie is still worth seeing. It focuses on the studio musicians whose contributions are well-known but whose identities are not.
It highlights how a forgotten record by the Incredible Bongo Band helped cement the foundation of hip-hop.
5. Quincy
Rotten Tomatoes: 82% Critics – 84% Audience
This Netflix documentary film is about the life as well as the career of Quincy Jones. He is an iconic record producer, as the mastermind behind Lesley Gore’s “It’s My Party,” Michael Jackson’s Thriller album, and more.
The movie tells everything about his early childhood days to his rise in music. The movie also highlights the record producer in his prime and his battles with health issues and the industry.
This movie got a big hit, and it also got the Grammy for Best Music Film at the 2019 Grammy Awards. This movie was co-directed by Jones’ daughter, Rashida Jones.
6. Rhythm And Flow
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% Critics – 78% Audience
Rhythm + Flow is a must-watch film if you are into hip-hop. It is a Netflix music competition reality show. In this show, the contestants appear before regular judges T.I., Chance the Rapper, Cardi B, and an onslaught of popular guest judges.
The contestants show off their songwriting skills, stage presences and share their personal life and struggles.
The show judges offer words of encouragement and either send the contestants to the next round or back home.
The thing where the show excels beyond its competition is in its execution. Overall, Rhythm + Flow offers a strong new take on reality television music competitions.
If you like rap and R&B, and/or music competitions, and/or reality television, then it can be a great experience watching it.
7. This Is Pop
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% Critics – N/A Audience
This movie shows how pop music reflects and influences culture. It is an anthology documentary series that discusses different aspects of pop music in each episode.
Some episodes focus more on specific groups such as Boyz II Men or a movement, like Swedish pop, while others look at technology, business, or larger ideas.
This is Pop has many things that can be enjoyed, and it is a beautiful documentary suitable for any music fan in general.
It teaches you a lot through the music you love and the artists you know. The episodes make you want to continue the journey into this wonderful world of music.
You can also skip around the series to episodes that peak your interest rather than trying to watch the entire series. Don’t worry; each episode of This is Pop is independent of the others.
8. Metallica – Some Kind of Monster
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% Critics – 83% Audience
This is an American documentary film about the American heavy metal band Metallica. It is a documentary about Metallica’s making of their album ‘St. Anger’ as well as the difficulties they had to go through in the process.
This film follows the band from 2001 to 2003, and the title of the film shares its name with the song of the same name from St. Anger.
This film got positive reviews from the critics as per whom this was an interesting film that provided a behind-the-scenes look at the tensions and personal relationships in one of the biggest bands of all time.
This film got the Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2005.
9. Steve Aoki: I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead
Rotten Tomatoes: N/A Critics – 58% Audience
This is a Grammy-nominated documentary film about the American DJ as well as producer Steve Aoki. Justin Krook directs this movie, and it is a heart-pumping yet heart-wrenching documentary about Steve Akoi.
This movie debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival and was released on Netflix in 2016.
It shows the life of Steve Aoki as a DJ and as a producer. It also highlights his life as a family man in Japan and his relationship with his father, owner of the restaurant chain Benihana.
We Got This Covered gave this film a 3/5 review and described it as a fine look into the life of Steve Aoki that exposes both the positives and negatives in his life that have led to mainstage stardom.
10. Travis Scott – Look Mom I Can Fly
This is a documentary film about the rise of Scott to the top of the musical landscape and the release of his album Astroworld.
It depicts the rollercoaster kind of journey of Scott to become one of the biggest rappers in the world, from his hit Antidote to the album Astroworld.
It tells the story of how he juggles controversy, fatherhood, and career while he is in the spotlight.
This film features things like:
- Footage of the rapper dating back to 2014
- Interviews with Scott, Jenner, and rappers Kanye West and Sheck Wes
It is a great, wholesome, and feel-good kind of film. It highlights the point that hard work and determination can bring great success in certain cases.
11. David Foster: Off The Record
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% Critics – 53% Audience
This is a Canadian documentary film that Barry Avrich directs. This film premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival as a TIFF Special Event.
This movie is a documentary highlighting the life story of Grammy-winning Canadian musician and record executive David Foster.
It received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Biography or Arts Documentary Program or Series at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021.
12. ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads
This is a documentary film about Robert Johnson, a blues singer, songwriter, and musician. He is considered to be one of the greatest blues performers of all time.
Brian Oakes directed this movie, and Jeff Zimbalist and Michael Zimbalist wrote the movie.
This movie takes a closer look at the short and mysterious life of Robert Johnson.
The documentary’s title comes from the myth about how he made a deal with the Devil at a crossroads in rural Mississippi to achieve musical success.
Here are a couple more music-related movies that you may be interested in that appear on Netflix from time to time.
1. Straight Outta Compton (2015): The story of how N.W.A. revolutionized music and pop culture.
2. Walk the Line (2005): A biopic exploring Johnny Cash’s rise to fame, drug struggles, and complex relationship with June Carter.
3. Rocketman (2019): Elton John’s fantastical biopic filled with stunning performances and great music.
4. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018): A film capturing the story of Freddie Mercury and the rise of the rock band Queen.
5. Ray (2004): Biographical film on the life of musician Ray Charles, with an Academy Award-winning performance by Jamie Foxx.
6. Love & Mercy (2014): A biopic that explores the life of Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson and the creation of the album Pet Sounds.
7. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013): In 1961, a musician facing difficulties tries to make his way through the folk scene of Greenwich Village.
8. Control (2007): Biopic of Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis, addressing his early days, rise to fame, and struggles with mental health.
9. A Star is Born (2018): The movie is centered around a musician, played by Bradley Cooper, who struggles with alcoholism. He meets a talented young singer, portrayed by Lady Gaga, and they fall in love.
10. La Vie en Rose (2007): A biopic of the legendary French singer Edith Piaf. The film explores her early life, career, and struggles.
11. Purple Rain (1984): A film that captures the life of an ambitious young man, played by Prince, who escapes his turbulent home life through music.
12. Get On Up (2014): This is a story about James Brown, who overcame extreme poverty and went on to be one of the most influential musicians in history.
13. Bird (1988): Directed by Clint Eastwood, this film captures the troubled life and career of the celebrated jazz musician, Charlie Parker.
14. This is Spinal Tap (1984): A mockumentary about a fictional rock band, showing the over-the-top world of rock music.
15. Once (2007): This is a contemporary musical that narrates the story of a busker and an immigrant. The plot follows their adventurous week in Dublin, where they collaborate to write, rehearse, and record songs that recount their love story.
16. Almost Famous (2000): A teenage boy has been given the opportunity to write a story for Rolling Stone Magazine while traveling with an emerging rock band on their concert tour.
17. School of Rock (2003): Dewey Finn, formerly a member of a rock band, gets dismissed from the group and takes up a substitute teaching position at a private elementary school. He aims to transform his class into a rock band, despite the school’s strict and formal environment.
I hope you like this list of musician and music producer movies and shows.
Have you watched any of these? Do you have any films you think should be added to the list?
Please let us know in the comments.
