Lights, Camera, Music: Exploring the Best 10 Concert Films Ever Made
Welcome, music enthusiasts and cinephiles, to a cinematic journey that harmonizes the magic of music with the art of filmmaking. In our blog, we delve into the captivating realm where melodies meet the screen, presenting you with the Top 10 Music Concert Films of All Time. Imagine being front-row center at iconic concerts, feeling the pulse of the crowd, and experiencing the raw energy of legendary performances—all from the comfort of your home.
Get ready to be transported to electrifying stages, reliving the euphoria of monumental concerts and discovering the creative brilliance behind each film.
10. U2 - U2 3D
U2 3D made cinematic history as the inaugural live-action digital 3D film, immersing viewers in the band's iconic Vertigo Tour of 2005-06. Despite its Buenos Aires setting, the film was expertly crafted from recordings at seven concerts across Latin America and two in Australia. This groundbreaking production utilized a sophisticated setup featuring as many as 18 3D cameras operating simultaneously, all capturing the electrifying performances digitally. In total, the film showcases 14 songs, including tracks from the Grammy-winning album of the year, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004), which the tour passionately supported.
Release Date: January 23, 2008
Domestic Gross: $10.4 million
9. Glee: The 3D Concert Movie
This concert documentary was filmed during the Glee Live! In Concert! Tour's East Rutherford, N.J. stop. The question loomed: why would fans pay to watch Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, Cory Monteith, Dianna Agron, and other beloved Glee stars when they could enjoy their performances for free every week on television? Surprisingly, many chose to do so. Apart from offering glimpses behind the scenes, the film delves into the series’ impact on teenagers, highlighting the experiences of diverse individuals including a gay teenager, someone with Asperger syndrome, and a cheerleader of short stature. These fan segments were crafted by the skilled documentary filmmaker Jennifer Arnold.
Release Date: August 12, 2011
Domestic Gross: $11.9 million
8. Madonna: Truth or Dare
The documentary chronicled Madonna's global tour, Blond Ambition, in 1990. Internationally titled In Bed With Madonna, the film's tagline, 'The ultimate dare is to tell the truth,' echoed its essence. Originally conceived as a conventional concert film, director Keshishian was captivated by Madonna's backstage world. He convinced her to shift the film's focus to her off-stage life. The documentary was creatively edited, presenting backstage moments in black-and-white, capturing the raw reality of cinéma vérité, while the concert performances were showcased in vibrant color.
Release Date: May 10, 1991
Domestic Gross: $15 million
7. Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience
This 3D concert movie documented their 2008-09 tour, The Burning Up concert tour. Just three days before the film's release, an album titled Music From the 3D Concert Experience hit the shelves and swiftly secured the No. 3 spot on the Billboard 200 chart.
Release Date: February 27, 2009
Domestic Gross: $19. 1 million
6. Katy Perry: Part of Me
The movie chronicles Perry during her 2011-12 California Dreams world tour, capturing her journey on the heels of the achievement where her Teenage Dream album equaled Michael Jackson's Bad record for the highest number of No. 1 singles. Titled Part of Me, the film's name was derived from one of Perry's recent chart-topping hits, which debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart on March 3, 2012. Throughout the documentary, viewers are taken on Perry's tour experiences, gaining a deeper understanding of her dynamic with fame.
Release Date: July 5, 2012
Domestic Gross: $25.3 million
5. One Direction: This Is Us
This film stands as the top-earning concert documentary in contemporary music history for a group. One Direction launched this movie between their albums Take Me Home and Midnight Memories, both of which claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. Titled This Is Us, the film was promoted as an intimate, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives of the international pop sensations on tour. It features live performances from their Take Me Home Tour at London’s O2 Arena, as well as moments from their lives before and after their time on X Factor.
Release Date: August 30, 2013
Domestic Gross: $28.9 million
4. Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert
At the mere age of 15, Miley Cyrus released this film, which remarkably became the top-earning contemporary music concert documentary by a female artist at that time. The movie showcases Miley's father, Billy Ray Cyrus, and includes appearances by special guests, the Jonas Brothers.
Release Date: February 1, 2008
Domestic Gross: $65.3 million
3. Michael Jackson’s This Is It
The film, released just four months after Michael Jackson's shocking death on June 25, 2009, carried the tagline 'Like you’ve never seen him before.' It is a compilation of interviews, dancer auditions, rehearsals, and behind-the-scenes moments as Jackson prepared for his scheduled 50-show run at the O2 Arena in London, set to commence on July 13. At the time, there was a heated debate regarding whether Jackson, known for his perfectionism, would have approved the release of this rehearsal footage. He was seen striving toward a goal, yet not quite there. Despite the debate, many believed that witnessing his work process humanized him; it revealed that achieving perfection demanded tremendous effort. Remarkably, the film's double-disc soundtrack debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Release Date: October 28, 2009
Domestic Gross: $72.1 million
2. Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
The motivating tagline for this film was 'Find out what’s possible if you never give up' This documentary followed the 16-year-old pop sensation during his 2010 concert tour. Notably, the film included appearances by Boyz II Men, Miley Cyrus, and Sean Kingston. It stands as the sole MTV Films production to have received a G-rating.
Release Date: Februry 11, 2011
Domestic Gross: $73 million
1. Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour showcases performances of nearly all the songs from the tour's standard setlist. To ensure the film's duration stayed below three hours, a few songs were omitted. The movie earned praise from critics for effectively capturing the spectacle and vibrant energy of the live show.
Release Date: October 13, 2023
Domestic Gross: $92.8 million
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