Watchlist: Must-See Music Documentaries That Hit All the Right Notes
- Jade McLeod
- Jul 30, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 24, 2025
Whether you’re a die-hard music lover, a curious fan, or a creative soul looking for behind-the-scenes inspiration, music documentaries offer an intimate, raw, and powerful window into the minds and worlds of iconic artists. From emotional artist journeys to revolutionary concert moments, here’s a watchlist of essential music documentaries that belong on your screen and maybe even in your soul.
Miss Americana (2020) – Taylor Swift
An honest, vulnerable look at Taylor Swift’s rise to superstardom and her transformation into a politically and creatively fearless woman. This doc dives deep into her songwriting process, struggles with fame, and reclaiming her voice. A must-watch for fans and sceptics alike.
Where to Watch: Netflix
The Beatles: Get Back (2021) – Directed by Peter Jackson
This three-part masterpiece brings fans into the studio during the final days of The Beatles. With restored footage and candid moments, it reshapes the narrative of a band on the brink and reminds us of their brilliance and humanity.
Where to Watch: Disney+
Amy (2015) – Amy Winehouse
Heart-wrenching and deeply moving, this Oscar-winning doc chronicles the life and tragic loss of Amy Winehouse. It’s a stark reminder of the pressures of fame and the raw power of her jazz-inflected voice.
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now (2023)
This brutally honest doc peels back the layers of the Scottish singer-songwriter’s anxiety, creative pressure, and fame. It’s both hilarious and heartbreaking, just like his music.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Moonage Daydream (2022) – David Bowie
More of an experience than a documentary, this kaleidoscopic film dives deep into the art and philosophy of Bowie. Surreal, poetic, and visually stunning, it mirrors the essence of the artist himself.
Where to Watch: Max / Prime Video
Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry (2021)
This fly-on-the-wall doc follows Billie from her teenage bedroom to Grammy-winning stardom. It captures her unique songwriting process, raw family dynamics, and the pressure of growing up in the public eye, all with her signature lo-fi vulnerability. An introspective portrait of Gen Z fame.
Where to Watch: Apple TV+
Katy Perry: Part of Me (2012)
A vibrant, candy-coloured backstage pass into the whirlwind of Perry’s Teenage Dream era. Balancing stadium-sized success with a crumbling marriage and personal burnout, it’s more revealing than you’d expect and a time capsule of 2010s pop culture.
Where to Watch: Netflix / Rent on Prime Video
Shawn Mendes: In Wonder (2020)
Filmed on his world tour, this doc explores Mendes’ evolution from viral teen star to mature artist. With tender moments, mental health honesty, and glimpses into his relationship with Camila Cabello, it offers a sweet and sincere look into life on the global pop circuit.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022)
Raw and unfiltered, this documentary follows Selena through six years of fame, mental health struggles, physical illness, and self-rediscovery. Vulnerable and courageous, it's a heartfelt look at what healing in the spotlight really looks like.
Where to Watch: Apple TV+
Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil (2021)
In this four-part docuseries, Demi Lovato opens up about addiction, trauma, identity, and survival after a near-fatal overdose. Intimate and unflinchingly honest, it’s a haunting but empowering account of resilience through art.
Where to Watch: YouTube
BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky (2020)
A beautifully shot deep dive into the global K-pop phenomenon, this Netflix original gives fans a rare look at BLACKPINK’s trainee years, global fame, and individual personalities, all while preparing for their historic Coachella performance.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Avicii: True Stories (2017)
This emotional documentary chronicles the rise and tragic fall of Tim Bergling, better known as Avicii. A behind-the-scenes look at the toll of touring, industry pressure, and creative burnout. It's a heartbreaking but necessary tribute.
Where to Watch: Netflix / Prime Video (select regions)
Wham! (2023)
A joyful, nostalgic dive into the whirlwind story of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. Through interviews and rare footage, this documentary traces their rise from school friends to pop legends in the 1980s, a story of friendship, freedom, and glittering pop hits.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Oasis: Supersonic (2016)
Pure rock 'n' roll chaos. This documentary dives into the volatile rise of Oasis from council estates to selling out Knebworth. Loud, unapologetic, and absolutely iconic, it captures the swagger of the Britpop era through the Gallagher brothers' love-hate legacy.
Comments