The 10 Best EDM Documentaries (Ranked)

Here’s a list of the top EDM documentaries (ranked in order). “AVICII” and “Leave the World Behind” were close calls. Either could have been #1

Enjoy!

1) AVICII: True Stories

“AVICII: True Stories” (2017) is a gut-punch of a doc about an EGM genius.

It’s 97 minutes into Avicii’s world (real name Tim Bergling).

This isn’t your usual DJ glitz story.

Director Levan Tsikurishvili shows us Avicii’s rise, the fame, and the brutal price he pays.

It’s about a regular guy grappling with the demands of being a genius in the spotlight

You see him up close, personal. .

It’s a tribute to a legend, but also a wake-up call about the music biz.

Watch AVICII: True Stories for free at https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8gz5vl

2) Leave the World Behind

“Leave the World Behind,” a 2014 doc, is a 95-minute electronic odyssey.

Directors Christian Larson and Robin Hofwander capture the final tour of Swedish House Mafia (Axwell, Steve Angello, Sebastian Ingrosso).

Miami, the final act for Swedish House Mafia. The scene’s set: tension thick, stakes high.

Backstage, Axwell, Angello, Ingrosso – they’re feeling it.

Discussions get heated, about the set, the future. It’s raw, real. The air’s electric with ‘what’s next?’

Then, showtime. Miami’s lit, the crowd’s on fire. The trio hits the stage. That tension? It morphs, becomes fuel.

They’re in sync, the beats drop, the crowd goes wild.

This isn’t just a set; it’s a victory lap. They own the stage, own the moment.

“Leave the World Behind” is a story of friendship, fame, and farewell.

Watch “Leave the World Behind” for free on YouTube here or for free (with ads) on Tubi and Shout TV. It’s also available to rent on Amazon. All streaming options should be here

3) I AM Hardwell: Living the Dream

“I AM Hardwell,” a 2013 documentary, is a 73-minute story of DJ Hardwell ( real name Robbert van de Corput), It’s captured by videographer Robin Piree over two and a half years. Piree started with Hardwell when he mostly unknown.

This doc is more than an aftermovie. It tracks Hardwell’s meteoric rise from upcoming artist to international superstar.

What sets it apart? The personal insight. You’re not just seeing Hardwell, the performer. You’re meeting Robbert, the dreamer, the relentless artist.

It’s a narrative of ambition, the spirit of ‘if you can dream it, you can do it.’

It’s an artist clearly at their peak.

Watch “I Am Hardwell” for rent on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Google. All the streaming options should be here.

4) Above & Beyond Acoustic – Giving Up The Day Job

“Above & Beyond Acoustic – Giving Up The Day Job,” released in 2018, is a 98-minute musical odyssey.

English DJs Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Finnish DJ Paavo Siljamäki.

They’ve been DJing for around 16 years. And now they’re going unplugged (acoustic).

The doc captures their acoustic concert tour. Their performances in iconic venues like the Hollywood Bowl are a highlight.

I don’t see an option for watching “Above & Beyond Acoustic — Giving Up The Day Job”. But here’s their full show at The Hollywood Bowl from 2015 (a key part of the doc): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8VC7P3i244.

Check back here for streaming options of the doc

Watch it on:

5) Armin Only: Mirage

“Armin Only: Mirage,” a 2-hour 18-minute spectacle, is an EDM landmark. Released after the 2010 Utrecht show, it’s a feast for the senses.

On November 13th, 2010, Utrecht. Armin van Buuren, the Dutch trance titan, launches his world tour.

It’s not just any show; it’s an odyssey. “Mirage,” his fourth album, sets the stage.

15,000 fans, one venue, a 9-hour marathon. This doc captures the essence of that night. It’s more than a concert. It’s an audiovisual extravaganza. Live performances, mesmerizing visuals, surprises galore.

The doc offers backstage access, interviews, and, yes, heaps of fantastic music. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Armin a legend.

Watch “it on:”Armin Only : Mirage” for free on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6YuHdRqFw8. It’s also availabe to rent on Apple TV. All streaming options should be here.

6) A Year with Armin van Buuren

“A Year with Armin van Buuren,” released in 2012, is not just a doc; it’s a 60-minute journey into a superstar DJ’s life. Think crowds, flights, and beats, with a personal touch.

Armin, not just a DJ, but a family man, a perfectionist.

Voted #1 DJ in the DJ Mag Top 100 – 2012, his fifth time. This documentary? It’s about that roaring year.

Max Maloney gives us the whole picture. You’re with Armin, in the clubs, on the planes.

His days? A blur of airports, clubs, and music. Nights spent making crowds go wild. Preparing for the big Mirage show.

You also see Armin’s personal side. You’re in his home…Armin the husband, the father (including the moment he learns he’ll be a dad).

Watch it for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRiHUWWcR98.

7) Zedd: True Colors

“Zedd: True Colors,” out in 2016, is an 88-minute peek into Zedd’s world.

Director Susan Bonds cuts to the chase. From Zedd’s beginnings to big-stage headliner.

This doc mixes it up. Studio grind, onstage energy, personal snippets. It’s Zedd unboxed -how he makes his music.

A must for Zedd fans, eye-opening for the rest.

It’s also solid for anyone into the nuts and bolts of electronic music production.

Watch “Zedd: True Colors” for rent on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google/YouTube et al (all for $). Here are the streaming options.

8) What We Started

“What We Started,” a 2017 documentary (94 minutes) profiles key figures in the electronic dance music (EDM) scene.

The film features EDM heavyweights like Carl Cox and Martin Garrix.

Carl Cox, a pioneering DJ and producer, represents the roots and evolution of the genre.

Martin Garrix, a symbol of the new generation, showcases the future of EDM.

Watch it for free on Tubi, Plex and Roku (with ads) or rent it on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google/YouTube, etc.. All streaming options should be here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/what-we-started

9) I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead

“I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead,” out in 2016, is 79 minutes of pure Aoki adrenaline.

Directed by Justin Krook, it’s a dive into EDM Giant Steve Aoki’s world.

The doc shows it all – the late-night gigs, the fan frenzy, the endless touring.

And let’s not forget the famous cake throws.

But there’s more to Aoki. Krook peels back the layers.

You see Aoki’s ties to his father, Rocky Aoki, the Benihana mogul.

Watch “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” on Netflix at https://www.netflix.com/title/80118930

10) Under the Electric Sky

“Under the Electric Sky,” out in 2014, is an 85 minute capsule of the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC).

EDC has been the mecca of EDM since the ’90s.

Think wild costumes, epic beats, a sea of neon.

Directors Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz nail it. They capture the festival’s vibe, its heart.

The lineup? Stellar.

You’ve got Armin van Buuren, Tiësto, Avicii.

But hey, it’s not just about the stars. This doc shines a spotlight on the fans.

You meet the real heroes of EDC – the ravers, the dreamers. Like the group of pals who live for this, a couple finding love in the beats, a woman who finds her escape in the music.

Watch” it on:”Under The Electric Sky” for $rent on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video et al. All streaming options should be here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/under-the-electric-sky

Thanks for reading!

Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc