If you have a Netflix account, it’s likely that you also have an account for the Canadian version of the streaming service.
There are many documentaries on Netflix Canada but not all of them are worth your time.
Here are 10 great music docs to watch on Netflix Canada right now!
- The Defiant Ones
- Dolly Parton: Here I Am
- Song Exploder
- Heroes: Silence and Rock & Roll
- No Direction Home: Bob Dylan
- Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things
- BREAK IT ALL: The History of Rock in Latin America
- Flip a Coin -ONE OK ROCK Documentary
- Dark City Beneath the Beat
- Bigflo & Oli: Hip Hop Frenzy
1- The Defiant Ones
The Defiant Ones is a great documentary series about some of the world’s best music.
Not only does it tell the behind-the-scenes story of artists like Springsteen and Petty, but it also tells the story of an unlikely partnership that changes the future of the music industry.
The series is well worth watching if you’re interested in learning about how art, technology, and business intersect – it’s a fascinating look at American ingenuity.
2- Dolly Parton: Here I Am
If you’re a fan of Dolly Parton or even just music documentaries in general, I would definitely recommend giving “Dolly Parton: Here I Am” a watch.
The film is beautifully put together, with great interviews and old footage that gives us a little glimpse into her life and how she became the star she is today.
Even if you’re not the biggest fan of Dolly Parton, I think you’ll enjoy this documentary.
Note: Netflix Canada is slightly different than Netflix America library which is geo-restricted in Canada. You can unblock more than 30 geo-restricted streaming channels in Canada as mentioned here.
3- Song Exploder
If you’re into music or just good storytelling, then you need to check out Song Exploder. It’s a musical documentary show on Netflix that takes a song and breaks it down, piece by piece.
You get to hear from the artists themselves about how the song came together, what it means to them, and how it made an impact on their lives.
It’s a really fascinating show, and I highly recommend it.
4- Heroes: Silence and Rock & Roll
Yes, so the documentary “Heroes: Silence and Rock & Roll” is about Spanish rock band Héroes del Silencio. It follows the tale of their lives up until now, as well as their history – or legend.
It’s a film about music, friendship, and compromise that focuses on these themes.
5- No Direction Home: Bob Dylan
I watched the documentary on Bob Dylan and I was awestruck.
It’s an iconic 3-hour musical journey! The features are very interesting, it’s covered in-depth, and there are many interviews with people who were close to him.
It’s nice not to have to worry about spoilers because the documentary tells everything.
It was a little bit long but the documentary was worth every minute.
6- Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things
Ellie Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things (2001) is a documentary about the Canadian pianist and vocalist, Ella Fitzgerald.
The film details the life of one of the most popular jazz vocalists in history as it flows from her beginnings as a young girl living on the streets of Harlem to her triumphant performance at the Apollo Theatre.
7- BREAK IT ALL: The History of Rock in Latin America
This documentary is the story of the history of rock in Latin America, which covers over fifty years of music.
I went into this documentary with high expectations, but it turned out to be just another one of those propaganda pieces that every Canadian has seen before.
The beginning was interesting enough, documenting how rock started and how it became popular throughout Latin America due to political circumstances.
But then the documentary takes a turn for the worse when it starts praising Gustavo Santaolalla’s “complacent” music.
No mention is made of bands like La Renga or Callejeros who are more popular in their respective countries than Santaolalla.
In fact, this whole video just talks about cheap commercial music, completely forgotten about the classic artists that rocked the continent.
This documentary is nothing more than a glorification of music that is popular in North America, and it completely disregards the Latin American perspective.
If you’re looking for an interesting look into the history of rock in Latin America, then I suggest you look elsewhere. This one is definitely not it.
8- Flip a Coin -ONE OK ROCK Documentary
The new musical documentary “Flip a Coin -ONE OK ROCK” is a must-see for all music lovers! The film follows the band as they prepare for their massive live stream in 2020.
It’s an intimate look at the band and their history and motivations behind the show. This documentary is a great opportunity to see One Ok Rock up close and personal!
9- Dark City Beneath the Beat
The documentary Dark City Beneath the Beat is about the Baltimore club music and dance scene that has many artists.
The artists are all working hard to work on themselves and their community. After watching this documentary, you might want to go to Baltimore!
10- Bigflo & Oli: Hip Hop Frenzy
By following these two brothers, we are able to explore what constitutes rap music today. We are also able to explore how it is possible for rappers of different backgrounds to find success.
In particular, Hip Hop Frenzy explores what it was like for these two Frenchmen to be on top of the world and we get a window into their lives as they cope with fame and all it entails.
Conclusion
Netflix Canada has a wide selection of music documentaries that are sure to appeal to any taste.
From the iconic Bob Dylan documentary, No Direction Home: Bob Dylan on Netflix, to Flip A Coin – ONE OK ROCK Documentary for all you One Ok Rock fans out there!
There’s something for everyone here.
If you’re looking for an entertaining and informative way to spend your nights after work, then I recommend browsing through these top 10 selections before deciding what suits your tastes best.
