AP's Top Picks for 2023's Best Music Documentaries

If you're eager to cozy up with some must-watch music films, 2023 has delivered a powerful lineup of documentaries that cater to a wide range of music enthusiasts. AP's expert music writer Maria Sherman has curated a list of this year's most notable works. These films are not ranked, yet they all offer rich, authentic, and diverse stories from the world of music.

'Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé'

A behind-the-scenes look at Beyoncé's epic 39-city tour, 'Renaissance' is more than just performance; it's about the dedication and effort behind the scenes. Beyoncé allows fans a rare personal glimpse in this captivates documentary which is still available in theaters.

'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour'

Swifties who were fortunate enough to catch Taylor Swift's tour can now relive the magic on the big screen with a concert film that is also available in theaters and for rental on Amazon's Prime Video.

'Thriller 40'

This Showtime documentary takes Michael Jackson's iconic album 'Thriller' and celebrates its 40th anniversary by delving into its influence on pop music. Insightful commentaries are brought to life by celebrities and is streamable on Paramount+ with Showtime.

'All Up in the Biz'

Dive into the legacy of the late Biz Markie in a documentary that truly captures his spirit and genius. It's an affectionate look at the 'Clown Prince of Hip-Hop', available on Paramount+ with Showtime.

'The Elephant 6 Recording Co.'

This indie film explores the eclectic '90s music collective that fostered bands like Neutral Milk Hotel and others, available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vimeo On Demand internationally.

'Little Richard: I Am Everything'

The film delves into Little Richard's foundational role in rock 'n' roll, tackling the often overlooked contributions of this musical genius, streamable on MAX.

'SUGA: Road to D-DAY'

SUGA from BTS takes center stage in this Disney+ documentary that follows his journey creating his solo album, capturing his personal and professional evolution.

'Wham!'

Netflix's 'WHAM!' celebrates the journey of the iconic pop duo George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley with unseen footage, telling their story from the eager beginnings to their superstardom.

'Wynonna Judd: Between Hell and Hallelujah'

This poignant documentary tells the story of Wynonna Judd's loss and resilience following the death of her mother and music partner Naomi Judd, available on Paramount+.

'Mutiny in Heaven: The Birthday Party'

A documentation of the unruly and influential post-punk band The Birthday Party, with a narrative filled with chaos, cult-status music, and humor, rentable on Amazon Prime Video.

music, documentary, film