Yes, it’s a concert film. But this is also the Super Bowl, the Met Gala, and prom night — if prom had three costume changes and a thousand backup dancers.
Trailer for “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour”
You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up
- Swift bypassed Hollywood studios, struck a direct deal with AMC and Cinemark, and still pulled in $100 million in global pre-sales (before the film even opened).
- The film grossed $267.1 million worldwide in its limited theatrical run. This makes it the highest-grossing concert film in history.
- Swift performed 44 songs, spanning 10 distinct “eras,” with unique costumes and stage designs for each. No other pop star has attempted a 3.5-hour theatrical experience like this on tour.
Watch “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour”
You can now stream “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” on Disney+.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 97/100
- IMDB Rating: 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 98/100 (Users); 98/100 (Critics)
Director’s Note: Director Sam Wrench has filmed live performances for artists like Billie Eilish and BTS. This is his most ambitious concert doc yet. His cameras capture the scope of SoFi Stadium and intimate crowd moments, fan reactions, and Swift’s smaller details—like handwritten notes projected during “All Too Well (10 Minute Version).”
Release Date: October 13, 2023 (Theatrical); March 15, 2024 (Disney+ premiere)
My Review of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour”
The Setup
At its core, this is a time capsule of Swift’s career—from the country twang of “Fearless” to the synth-pop of “1989” to the darker tones of “Reputation.” Each “era” has its own world: staging, outfits, colors, and choreography. SoFi Stadium itself transforms like a Broadway theater, shifting seamlessly across decades of Swift’s catalog. For fans, it’s the closest thing to time-traveling through 17 years of music.
More Highlights from the Doc
- The “Folklore” cabin moment is a standout—an intimate set piece that slows the stadium down and makes it feel like you’re at a tiny club gig.
- “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” becomes a cathartic centerpiece, with Swift holding tens of thousands silent before the crowd screams the bridge.
- The “Reputation” era comes alive with snakes projected across the stadium, a reminder of her 2017 comeback narrative.
- The “1989” neon cityscape era feels like a sugar rush, a sharp contrast to the moody “Evermore” forest that follows.
- The film isn’t just about Taylor—it captures friendship bracelets, tears, dads holding signs for their daughters, and kids in glittery cowboy boots.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- The SoFi Stadium shoot stitched together multiple nights, but eagle-eyed fans notice tiny continuity shifts (like different nail colors in back-to-back songs).
- Swift made a last-minute call to cut the “Cardigan” performance from the theatrical version, saving it for streaming—fans caught the switch instantly.
- During “Champagne Problems,” the applause lasted more than 8 minutes in the stadium. The doc trims it, but the raw moment was historic.
- Merch sales tied to the movie reportedly topped $100 million—AMC hadn’t seen concession lines like this for a non-blockbuster film.
Wrap Up:
If you want to understand why Taylor Swift is a cultural force, this film is proof.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc