7 Best Music Documentaries About British Artists
The United Kingdom is responsible for some of the greatest musicians in history. Doing their stories justice can be tricky, but these documentaries are all excellent.
The United Kingdom might be a small island, but when it comes to musical talent, we have it in spades. From The Beatles and Oasis, to Pulp and The Spice Girls, and not forgetting voices like Amy Winehouse and Adele, Britain is overflowing with legendary musicians. In addition to being expert lyricists, vocalists, and artists, many of these people have led fascinating lives. The easiest way to tell their stories is via the magic of the biopic, but they can often be diluted or sugar-coated, and so documentary is a more compelling format to explore our musical heroes.
From snapshot highlights to an extensive exploration of a full life and career, each approach to documenting a music icon is full of discovery. If you’re not familiar with the format, we’ve collated some of the best music documentaries that put popular British artists under the telescope.
In 2025, after years of estrangement, brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher announced that they would reunite as Oasis for a world tour. No one could believe it, and yet it didn’t stop everyone from doing whatever they could to get a golden ticket to one of the shows (in case they went ahead). Miraculously, the brothers kept true to their word and the summer of 2025 saw the kings of Britpop return. While all of this was going on, directors Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern were right there capturing every moment for new documentary Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger.
Featuring the first joint interview with Noel and Liam in over 15 years, Don’t Look Back in Anger is vital viewing for Oasis fans. The documentary also makes a perfect time capsule for anyone lucky enough to have attended a show.
The Beatles are, of course, four of the most famous musicians to hail from the United Kingdom. The Liverpudlians changed the face of music during the ‘60s and their mark remains clear even today. Telling a story of such great men requires a great director and that’s exactly what they got when Peter Jackson signed on to create the documentary miniseries The Beatles: Get Back.
Rather than focus on their whole career, Jackson spends almost eight hours telling the story of the planning and fallouts surrounding their infamous Rooftop Concert. Meticulously pieced together footage from the time was used to craft a compelling peek behind the curtain of the Fab Four.
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Directed by Asif Kapadia, Amy won the Best Documentary Feature Academy Award. The film examines the short but tremendous career of British icon Amy Winehouse. A phenomenal performer and artist, Winehouse was sadly also marred by problems with addiction and tragically passed away aged just 27.
Having already made the fantastic Senna, Kapadia was the perfect person to tell Winehouse’s story. Amy dives into all aspects of her life and career and is a haunting look at a bright life that was extinguished too soon.
A common misconception about ‘80s icon Billy Idol is that he is American when he’s actually British. It’s a shame that he often gets bundled in with the Yanks as he is a genuinely fascinating person and musician as the frankly named Billy Idol Should Be Dead documentary highlights.
Through discussion with Idol and those that know him, the film leaves no subject off limits; from his drug abuse, near-death accident, and infidelities, everything is covered. With such a wild story, watching Billy Idol Should Be Dead will have you questioning why he hasn’t been given the biopic treatment yet.
Director Shane Meadows is best known for his films and TV shows that embrace the grittiness of Britain. He’s also a lifelong fan of Manchester band, The Stone Roses — something he revealed to the world with the release of documentary The Stone Roses: Made of Stone.
Meadows' film captured Ian Brown and the rest of the band as they reunited to rehearse for three big shows in 2012, which saw them return to Manchester. Other music documentaries try to stay impartial to their subject, but Meadows is unashamed at demonstrating his adoration for the band and Made of Stone is the ultimate love letter to the group.
In the ‘80s, Britain was caught in the chokehold of Bros fever. The ‘When Will I Be Famous’ singers had a legion of fans, but eventually they split. Bros: After the Screaming Stops joined twins Luke and Matt Goss as they prepared to play their first show together in 28 years.
Upon release, the documentary went viral, chiefly due to unintentionally hilarious soundbites from Matt Goss. If you’ve not seen After the Screaming Stops, his explanation of what H.O.M.E means is worth your time alone.
Long before Don’t Look Back in Anger, the go-to Oasis documentary was the fantastic Supersonic. Whereas the new film hones in more on a snapshot in time, Supersonic instead dives into the history and rise of the band. It charts their early years and follows them through to the historic 1996 Knebworth show.
Far more concerned with looking at the positives, Supersonic omits the problems between the Gallaghers, but its depth of research will turn even those with the most basic of knowledge of the band into experts.
