The 9 Best Music Documentaries To Watch On Paramount+, According To IMDb

Formerly known as CBS All Access, Paramount+ is a streaming service that has quickly risen in popularity over the past year. With the app providing live and on-demand content from MTV, Vh1, Nickelodeon, BET, and many more, there is a lot of content to be explored, especially for music fans.

Compared to all of the streaming platforms, Paramount+ has a unique plethora of music documentaries from old to new. Between MTV original docuseries and Paramount+ original series, music lovers should be thrilled to check out any of these shows and films.

9 Hozier: The Church Tapes (2015) – No IMDb Score

The Smithsonian Channel presents Hozier: The Church Tapes features exclusive performances by Hozier in the St. James’ Church in Ireland. The 45-minute special also includes stories told by Hozier himself about how his records came to be and his inspirations.

The soulful singer’s artistic style is difficult to put into a box, as his records include gospel roots, and even blues and folk vibes. Whether viewers are new to Hozier or are die-hard fans of the artist, the short film is a great introduction to one of Ireland’s finest contemporary singers.

8 Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011) – 1.7

The major motion picture Justin Bieber: Never Say Never details the teen heartthrob’s come-up in the music scene and is chock-full of tour footage and home movies, as well as interviews and behind-the-scenes details.

Despite the movie having a shockingly low rating, the film was an instant hit at the box office as soon as it debuted in theatres, and according to fans, Never Say Never is one of the best documentaries on Paramount+. Though Bieber is a polarizing artist, the documentary highlighted just the beginning of his career, and it’s a great piece of history for fans to look back on and see how far he has come.

7 Diary (2000) – 6.6

Similar to Behind The Music, Diary features popular artists from the 2000s, ranging from the Backstreet Boys to Avril Lavigne. As the title suggests, this MTV series acts as the diary of a celebrity as they show viewers what a day in their lives looks like.

Fans appreciated the show for the stars’ vulnerability, as this was the only way fans could truly access the lives of celebrities before social media. With more episodes being added in the future, there are a few good ones to hold fans over until the release of more seasons.

6 T.I.’s Road To Redemption (2009) – 6.8

This 2009 MTV show goes behind the scenes portraying the rapper’s attempt to complete 1,000 hours of community service, in order to write his wrongs in the face of a weapons charge. In each episode, T.I takes a rebellious teen under his wing, as he tries to communicate the risks of going down the wrong path in life if they don’t make a turnaround.

While the show wasn’t the most viewed on MTV overall, it was given a decently good rating on IMDb, as the series had a good message for teenagers everywhere. Whether viewers are a fan of the rapper or they enjoy watching kids turning their lives around, the television show is a good choice for streaming.

5 Blondie’s New York (2014) – 7.0

The Smithsonian Channel special short film highlights the production process behind rock band Blondie’s breakthrough album, “Parallel Lines.” Blondie’s New York is sure to get fans of rock ‘n roll excited with its exclusive and exciting content.

The versatile band won fans’ hearts back in the ’70s and ’80s with their new wave music style, including influences from both the pop and the rock genres. Debbie Harry and the rest of the gang remain one of the top female-lead rock bands to this day, and fans won’t want to miss out on the short film.

4 Behind The Music (2021) – 7.0

The original Vh1 series Behind The Music is being re-imagined in a whole new way. The highly-anticipated Paramount+ show features world-renowned artists, varying from Duran Duran to Busta Rhymes.

With the show highlighting both older and current artists, there’s no lack of content for every music fan to enjoy. While there are more new episodes to come that fans can get excited for, get caught up on the show during the wait.

3 The Doors (1991) – 7.2

This biographical movie recalls some of the most famous and intimate moments of one of the most infamous rock ‘n’ roll bands of all time. The Doors doesn’t shy away from showing viewers just how risky Jim Morrisson’s behavior was back in the day and takes fans on a journey through the highs and lows of their career.

The biopic is considered legendary by fans and is even named one of the best movies on Paramount+. Both longtime and new fans of the band will without a doubt enjoy this docufilm’s take on their notorious stories and legacy.

2 VH1 Storytellers (1996) – 8.0

In this VH1 series akin to MTV Unplugged, songwriters not only perform an intimate set of their hits but also go into detail about how their most popular songs came to be, diving into the background of composition and lyrics. Storytellers features artists and bands such as Alanis Morissette, Stevie Nicks, and Lenny Kravitz.

With the show spanning from the ’90s to 2015, there are several bands and artists from each generation for every fan to enjoy. If viewers are longing for that sense of nostalgia, or want to know more about some of the current artists of today, look no further than the Vh1 classic.

1 From Cradle To Stage (2021) – 8.8

The Paramount+ original series from 2021 features famous musical artists sharing intimate details of their relationships with their mothers and explains how they have come so far with their support. Artists featured in From Cradle To Stage include Pharrell Williams, Dave Grohl, Miranda Lambert, and many more.

The docuseries is among one of the highest-rated on the streaming app, presumably for the intimate peek into the lives of these famous artists and their upbringings. The show’s unique take on the backgrounds of famous singers, including many details fans may not already know, is worth the view for any music fan.

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