11 must-watch music documentaries coming to theaters and streaming in 2026

Music documentaries have long offered more than just behind-the-scenes access. At their best, they serve as time capsules, preserving pivotal moments in culture while peeling back the layers of the artists who helped shape them. From intimate portraits of reinvention to deep dives into eras that altered the course of popular music, the genre continues to evolve alongside the stories it tells. In 2026, a new slate of music documentaries promises to do just that, spotlighting artists at moments of transformation, reckoning, and creative rebirth. Whether revisiting legendary careers or examining the fleeting intensity of modern pop, these films offer music lovers a chance to experience the...