10 impressive music movies & music documentaries from the 21st century.

What is actually behind the fascination for music films & documentaries about world-famous musicians? It's the intimate insights that previously unreleased video footage gives us. It's the interviews with the artists themselves, or their caregivers, who are willing to spill the beans in front of the camera. Somehow it is understandable that the work of the subject is captured in music documentaries. Thus, in our time, impressive documentaries have been created that depict the lives of the greatest musicians of the 21st century. We have summarized our 10 favorites for you here.

Amy (2015)

"Amy" is a captivating yet deeply tragic music documentary about the life of British singer Amy Winehouse. Recordings of Amy's childhood and adolescence, public interviews all from different stages of her celebrity, as well as conversations with ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil and other people close to her paint a picture of Amy. That drugs and alcohol took up a large part of her life quickly becomes clear in "Amy." Viewers experience firsthand how the singer was destroyed by fame and headed inexorably towards death at the tender age of 27.

Daft Punk Unchained (2015)

Which legendary duo do you associate with the term "robot masks"? Daft Punk are the French duo that influenced a whole generation of 21st century musicians with their distinctive sound. To explain, Daft Punk's signature look are robot masks that create a mystical aura around the two artists. The ulterior motive? The masks allow fans to immerse themselves in a fantasy world where the music takes center stage and personalities fade into the background. Smart, right? The BBC documentary "Daft Punk Unchained" reveals the French duo's creative identity of using anonymity as part of the creative process.

Gaga: Five Foot Two (2017)

Let me guess. You also perceive Lady Gaga as a strong personality. I guarantee you'll have a whole new image of the artist after watching "Gaga: Five Foot Two." In the Netflix documentary, the singer—known for her extravagant outfits—gives a rare glimpse at the person behind the artist. For the first time, she speaks on camera about her fears and doubts that seem to haunt her day in and day out. But the singer has little time to brood—after all, her mega-performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show is just around the corner. She constantly grits her teeth during the tough rehearsals, despite severe physical pain. Five Foot Two makes it clear that Lady Gaga not only wants to share the glamorous side of her life as a superstar with viewers, but also the darker side that comes with her success.

Did this blurb get you interested in the life of Lady Gaga? Good news: In the mukken blog section, there is already a blogpost entirely dedicated to "Gaga: Five Foot Two".

Miss Americana (2020)

Anyone could have predicted that Taylor Swift would eventually get tired of being perceived as "everybody's darling," right? Once the good girl next door, today a strong woman who is increasingly self-critical. The Netflix documentary "Miss Americana" shows how Swift has learned over time to cope better and better with media pressure and the expectations placed on her. The American mega-star seems to have finally found her political voice as well. Moreover, she is not afraid to fight her battle against injustice in the world.

In an extra post about this documentary we have more info about Taylor Swift for you.

Billie Eilish - The World's A Little Blurry (2021)

"Billie Eilish - The World's A Little Blurry" immerses you in the world of one of the greatest musicians of the 21st century, Billie Eilish. The music documentary, which can be streamed on Apple TV+, is so much more than just a musical coming-of-age story. It shows us the deep emotional relationships Billie has with her family and fans. In addition, it also reveals her tireless devotion to music. Why is the film so worth watching? The answer is simple: Billie seems to have no problem sharing her emotional chaos as well as her depressive upset with the public. Mixing home videos and live concert footage, the documentary lets you get up close and personal with Billie Eilish's creative process.

Curiosity got the better of you? Then read our article about Billie Eilish in full length.

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams (2018)

Who doesn't know Coldplay? They're one of the most successful bands of our time. "Coldplay - A Head Full of Dreams" follows Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion from their humble beginnings in the 1990s to their legendary performance at the 2016 Super Bowl. Through interviews with the band members, their families, and close friends, as well as previously unreleased archival footage, the music documentary offers Prime Video viewers an exciting glimpse into the band's life away from the stage. You'll experience the making of their biggest hits up close and personal. In addition, they share internal band disputes, but also the unshakable friendship and cooperation that keeps the band together to this day.

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

Surely the name Lewis Capaldi means something to you. He is one of the most famous musicians of the 21st century. If not, you've probably listened to his single "Someone You Loved" over 10 times, which was awarded "Song of the Year" in 2020. Recently released is the Netflix documentary "Lewis Capaldi: How I'm Feeling Now," which highlights the post-COVID life of the Scottish superstar. Although Lewis is known as a bright young man in his 20s, the singer has faced increasing uncertainty and anxiety since the pandemic began. The Netflix documentary is about that, and especially the constant pressure of having to put out another number-one album. What makes the guy so likable? Lewis lets the audience in on the low points in his life in an authentic way. It seems as if the Scotsman wants to connect with his fans on a deeper level.

Fyre (2019)

"Fyre" is a fascinating but frightening music documentary that exposes the manipulative nature of marketing. The Netflix film highlights the infamous Fyre Festival, which was advertised as a luxurious music event on a private island in the Bahamas, but turned out to be a complete bust. The organizers used the power of social media and influencers. They sold tickets without being able to provide the necessary infrastructure and logistics to hold the festival at all. The documentary shows how the organizers misled thousands of unsuspecting guests with their lies and promises and ultimately left them in the lurch. The result: pure chaos.

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Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil (2021)

Demi Lovato literally nails herself to the cross for you in the four-part YouTube documentary "Dancing with the Devil." For years, the American has tried to hide her emotional state as best as possible, which she has also succeeded in doing. Now the moment has come to come out with the truth and to share her past misfortunes with the world. The singer and actress speaks more openly than ever before about drug abuse, sexual assault, her eating disorder, and other personal challenges. The focus of the narratives, however, is Demi's heroin overdose, which occurred in her own home in 2018. This impactful event became a turning point in her life and prompted her to take charge of her own health.

Check out the mukken blog post that tells Lovato's full story here.

Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009)

There's no getting around watching the music documentary "Michael Jackson's This Is It" on Apple TV+. If you want to see the King of Pop perform the legendary moonwalk one last time with a black hat in front of his face and a white glitter glove on his crotch, the documentary is an absolute must. Why one last time? In "Michael Jackson's This Is It," the camera accompanies the singer during the intense rehearsals for his planned farewell tour, which the artist was only able to attend in part due to his sudden death. Previously unpublished video footage shows an emaciated, but nevertheless meticulous Michael Jackson, who was still slaving away until two days before his death.

• Gaga: Five Foot Two – Lady Gaga reveals her fragile side
• Billie Eilish and the tragic
• Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry – The rapid rise of a teenager

Many more articles about music films & documentaries can be found on mukken!

Did this article pique your interest in the lives of world-famous musicians? Enjoy the little insights into these documentaries? Then check out our magazine and take a look at the Books & Movies section, where exciting articles about 21st century musicians from Germany and around the world are published on a regular basis. Are you a musician yourself? Then you have the great opportunity to exchange ideas with like-minded people on mukken.