Movies Like Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool

If you liked Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool (2019), a documentary and history movie directed by Stanley Nelson, here are 20 movies with a similar feel, based on TMDB's recommendations. Each one links to its cast, trailer and where it's streaming.

1
What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015)
★ 7.4/10Also music and documentary
The film chronicles Nina Simone's journey from child piano prodigy to iconic musician and passionate activist, told in her own words.
2
Janis: Little Girl Blue (2015)
★ 7.3/10Also documentary and music
Janis Joplin is one of the most respected and iconic rock & roll singers of all time, a tragic and misunderstood figure who captivated millions of listeners and blazed new creative trails before her death in 1970 at…
3
Miss Americana (2020)
★ 7.8/10Also documentary and music
A raw and emotionally revealing look at one of the most iconic artists of our time during a transformational period in her life as she learns to embrace her role not only as a songwriter and performer, but as a woman…
4
Selena y Los Dinos: A Family's Legacy (2025)
★ 8.8/10Also documentary and music
Never-before-seen footage and intimate interviews celebrate the life and legacy of iconic Mexican American singer Selena Quintanilla and her family band.
5
Music by John Williams (2024)
★ 8/10Also documentary and music
His unforgettable scores are an essential part of some of the most beloved movies of our time, over a career that spans decades. See and hear maestro John Williams' own story, with insights from filmmakers, musicians…
6
WHAM! (2023)
★ 7.3/10Also documentary and music
Through archival interviews and footage, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley relive the arc of their Wham! career, from 70s best buds to 80s pop icons.
7
Thriller 40 (2023)
★ 8.7/10Also documentary and music
Forty years after the release of Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller,’ the best-selling album of all-time, director Nelson George takes fans back in time to the making of a pop masterpiece, featuring never-before-seen footage…
8
Pavarotti (2019)
★ 7.3/10Also documentary and history
Featuring never-before-seen footage, concert performances and intimate interviews, filmmaker Ron Howard examines the life and career of famed opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti.
9
Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated (2017)
★ 7.6/10Also music and documentary
A personal and intimate look into Demi Lovato's life as not only a regular 25 year old, but also one of the biggest pop stars in the world.
10
Whitney (2018)
★ 7.3/10Also music and documentary
Examines the life and career of singer Whitney Houston. Features never-before-seen archival footage, exclusive recordings, rare performances and interviews with the people who knew her best.
11
God Bless Ozzy Osbourne (2011)
★ 7.9/10Also documentary and music
Featuring never before seen footage uncovered from the archives and interviews with Paul McCartney, Tommy Lee and others, God Bless Ozzy Osbourne is the first documentary to take viewers inside the complex mind of…
12
The Last Repair Shop (2024)
★ 7.5/10Also documentary and music
In a warehouse in the heart of Los Angeles, a dwindling handful of devoted craftspeople maintain more than 80,000 student musical instruments, the largest remaining workshop in America of its kind. Meet four…
13
I Am: Celine Dion (2024)
★ 7.6/10Also documentary and music
A raw and honest behind-the-scenes look at the iconic superstar's struggle with a life-altering illness. Serving as a love letter to her fans, this inspirational documentary highlights the music that has guided her…
14
The Last Waltz (1978)
★ 7.7/10Also documentary and music
Martin Scorsese's documentary intertwines footage from The Band's incredible farewell tour with probing backstage interviews and featured performances by Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, and other…
15
The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2006)
★ 7.7/10Also documentary and music
This 2005 documentary film chronicles the life of Daniel Johnston, a manic-depressive genius singer/songwriter/artist, from childhood up to the present, with an emphasis on his mental illness and how it manifested…
16
The Greatest Night in Pop (2024)
★ 7.9/10Also documentary and music
On a January night in 1985, music's biggest stars gathered to record "We Are the World." This documentary goes behind the scenes of the historic event.
17
Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown (2014)
★ 6.9/10Also music and documentary
James Brown changed the face of American music forever. Abandoned by his parents at an early age, James Brown was a self-made man who became one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, not just through his…
18
Milli Vanilli (2023)
★ 7/10Also music and documentary
The story of Robert Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan, who became fast friends during their youth in Germany. With Rob coming from a broken home and Fabrice having left an abusive household, they shared a similar upbringing…
19
The Who: The Kids Are Alright (1979)
★ 7.3/10Also documentary and music
Through concert performances and interviews, this film offers us a comprehensive look at the British pioneer rock group, The Who. It captures their zany craziness and outrageous antics from the initial formation of the…
20
Roger Waters: The Wall (2014)
★ 8/10Also music and documentary
A concert film that the former Pink Floyd singer-songwriter made on various tour dates between 2010 and 2013, when he was playing his former group's 1980 double-album in its entirety.