The end of the year is a magical time when the world slows down just enough to catch your breath, and maybe sneak in an extra nap or two. Between the food, good cheer, and sleep, there’s often a little time to catch up on what you’ve missed. That’s why we’re continuing our annual tradition of sharing the best music documentaries to watch over the holidays.

2025 delivered a standout slate of music docs, especially for fans of classic rock and iconic moments in pop culture history. We explored Sly Stone’s genius, traced the ascent of Led Zeppelin and Billy Joel, discovered new Beatles and John Lennon footage, and celebrated the women who shaped Lilith Fair. Together, these films reveal the creative risks, technical artistry, and personal stories behind the music that continues to influence us today.

Music Documentaries To Watch Over The Holidays

Sly Lives! aka The Burden of Black Genius

Director Questlove set out to give Sly Stone his flowers in the incredible Sly Lives! aka The Burden of Black Genius, and he achieved just that. The documentary delves deeply into the backstory of one of music's greatest songwriters, showcasing his groundbreaking artistry and social conscious message, as well as the personal struggles and societal pressures he faced. Through rare footage, interviews, and insightful commentary from folks like André 3000 and the late D'Angelo, it paints a vivid portrait of a visionary whose influence shaped funk, rock, soul, and the world at large.

The Beatles Anthology (2025)

Just when you thought you’d seen it all, Disney+ delivers a refreshed version of The Beatles Anthology 30 years after the original. With the helpful restoration work of Peter Jackson, Geoff Emerick, Giles Martin, and others, everything looks and sounds stunning, and a ninth episode has been added in the style of the original eight. The new episode is packed with incredible archival footage, from Paul rehearsing “Helter Skelter” and “Blackbird” in 1968 to an extended look at Paul, George, and Ringo in the studio with George Martin listening to “Tomorrow Never Knows” in the 1990s.

Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery - The Untold Story

The massive success of Lilith Fair proved the naysayers wrong, with the traveling festival grossing $16 million in its 1997 run alone. Yet its lasting cultural impact is even more significant. Artists like festival founder Sarah McLachlan, along with Paula Cole, Tracy Chapman, Bonnie Raitt, and Erykah Badu, have inspired a new generation of singer-songwriters around the world.

Billy Joel: And So It Goes

Billy Joel: And So It Goes chronicles the life story of the beloved "Piano Man" from Long Island, New York. The two-part HBO series hits the familiar highs and lows of his career, but it’s the candid look at his toughest moments alongside his most memorable musical achievements that sets it apart from other music docs. Pro Tip: Watch Billy on the Old Grey Whistle Test from 1978 for some MiniMoog Model D action on "The Entertainer."

Becoming Led Zeppelin

For a band as legendary as Zeppelin, it’s surprising that Becoming Led Zeppelin is the first official documentary to chronicle their story. The film takes viewers behind the scenes, tracing the band’s rise from their earliest days to global rock superstardom, exploring the music, personalities, and impact that cemented their place as rock gods. Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones are interviewed in the present day, weaving the band’s story together alongside archival interviews with the late John Bonham.

One To One: John & Yoko

A few years ago, Get Back highlighted the deep love between John Lennon and Yoko Ono during The Beatles’ final days. One To One: John & Yoko takes that story further, exploring the lives of these two extraordinary artists and revolutionaries as they live and work in Greenwich Village. Centered on remastered footage from the One to One benefit concert, the documentary offers a compelling look at John, Yoko, and life in New York in the early 1970s.

See a piece of gear in one of these docs that you need to have? Please contact a Vintage King Audio Consultant via email or by phone at 866.644.0160 for more information.