Netflix Top 25 in Music & Musicals

Sweeney Todd

In this adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, vengeful Sweeney Todd becomes a deranged murderer after being falsely imprisoned by a sinister judge. To cover his tracks, Todd enlists the help of a baker whose meat pies become the toast of London.

Fame

When a group of ambitious teenage dancers, musicians and actors enter a new semester at New York's prestigious High School of Performing Arts, they try to make the most out of their chance at stardom in this remake of the Oscar-winning 1980 drama.

Rock of Ages

In the 1980s, Los Angeles' famed Sunset Strip is pulsing to a beat that attracts waitress Sherrie and busboy Drew, who fall in love and chase fame while working at the Bourbon Room, a club catering to rock royalty like Stacee Jaxx.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

After a botched sex-change operation, East German glam rocker Hansel (John Cameron Mitchell) becomes Hedwig and travels across the United States with a stage show, following her ex-boyfriend (and former band mate) and telling her life story. Hedwig's offbeat show slays audiences -- but in diners not clubs. Mitchell also wrote and directed the comedy, which won at the Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for several Independent Spirit Awards.

Shine a Light

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese chronicles the incomparable career of the Rolling Stones with this one-of-a-kind documentary that features footage from the legendary band's "A Bigger Bang" tour. Backed by a stellar crew of cinematographers, Scorsese mixes revealing interviews, fascinating behind-the-scenes clips and live performances to capture the "world's greatest rock 'n' roll band" in all their glory.

The Fighting Temptations

New York City advertising executive Darrin Fox is summoned back to his Georgia hometown to collect a large inheritance after his wealthy aunt dies. But there's one catch: He has to form a successful gospel choir before he can receive the money.

Pink Floyd: The Wall

Inspired by the album of the same name, director Alan Parker's revolutionary rock opera traces the troubled past of Pink (Bob Geldof), a depressed rock star at the end of his rope. With the wall as a metaphor for self-inflicted isolation, Pink is lost in despair, feeling trapped and desperately searching for a way out. The Wall's stylized blend of drama, music and Gerald Scarfe's brilliant animation earned the film instant cult status.

The Banger Sisters

Nicknamed "the Banger Sisters," Suzette (Goldie Hawn) and Vinnie (Susan Sarandon) were two of the most notorious groupies in the 1970s. Suzette -- who hasn't abandoned her wild ways -- decides to reunite with her old friend, but she's in for a big surprise. Vinnie has been transformed into Lavinia, a mild-mannered suburban mom whose family knows nothing of her rock 'n' roll past. Geoffrey Rush co-stars as Lavinia's buttoned-up lawyer husband.

The Music Man

It doesn't get any better than this slice of Midwestern Americana: Charming con man Harold Hill (Robert Preston) wants to steal River City citizens' money with a "boys' band" scam, but finds it hard to skip town when lovely librarian Marian Paroo (Shirley Jones) steals his heart. Composer Meredith Willson's valentine to his own hometown packs great songs and wonderful performances from, among others, Buddy Hackett and a young Ron Howard.

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster

This documentary captures rock icons Metallica while they record their 2003 album, "St. Anger," amid a sea of personal and professional turmoil. In addition to James Hetfield's rehab, the film also follows the replacement of bassist Jason Newsted.

Neil Young: Heart of Gold

Acclaimed director Jonathan Demme turns his cameras on musician Neil Young in this intimate two-night concert featuring a soul-bearing set from Young's album "Prairie Wind" and filmed inside Nashville's landmark Ryman Auditorium.

Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & Music

The director's cut of Michael Wadleigh's Oscar-winning documentary restores footage snipped from the original 1970 release. With the help of a young editor named Martin Scorsese, Wadleigh not only chronicles Woodstock's memorable music and legendary artists, he also captures the festival's dauntless free spirit. The presentation features live performances from, among others, Jimi Hendrix; the Who; Janis Joplin; and Crosby, Stills and Nash.

Velvet Goldmine

A decade after British glam-rocker Brian Slade (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) fakes his assassination on stage and disappears from view, tabloid journalist Arthur Stuart (Christian Bale) is dispatched to deconstruct the legend of the bisexual pop star. In the process of interviewing Slade's cohorts and colleagues, Stuart gradually strips away the veneer of makeup and glitz, revealing the empty core of both the man and his music.

The Rolling Stones: Gimme Shelter

Featuring classic renditions of "Sympathy for the Devil," "Under My Thumb," "Satisfaction," "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Wild Horses," this unvarnished documentary chronicles the Rolling Stones' chaotic 1969 American tour. The film starts off on a high note at a riveting New York City show and concludes in the aftermath of the infamous Altamont Speedway gig, where Hell's Angels who were hired to do security ultimately brutalized concert-goers.

Jesus Christ Superstar

The Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice Broadway collaboration gets the Hollywood treatment from director Norman Jewison with a format inspired by Shakespeare's "Henry V." In this version, a traveling troupe performs the rock opera in the Israeli desert. Texas rocker Ted Neeley stars as Jesus with Carl Anderson as Judas. Webber, Andre Prevín and Herb Spencer shared an Oscar nomination for Best Score Adaptation.

Genghis Blues

Blind San Francisco blues singer Paul Pena became fascinated with Tuvan throat singing after hearing it on a Russian radio broadcast, and this Oscar-nominated documentary chronicles his journey to mastering the Central Asian performance art. When he met the Tuvan masters on a U.S. tour, the musicians were so impressed with Pena that they invited him to Tuva's annual singing contest, where he became the first Westerner to compete.

Into the Woods

Stephen Sondheim's Tony-winning musical proves that fairy tales don't end at "happily ever after." An assortment of well-known characters from "Little Red Riding Hood," "Cinderella" and "Jack and the Beanstalk" head into the woods for a variety of reasons, but they soon discover a common enemy -- an angry giant who threatens to trample them all. A stand-out cast from the original Broadway production includes Bernadette Peters and Joanna Gleason.

Hello, Dolly!

Composer Jerry Herman's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical was adapted for the big screen in an outsize production featuring Barbra Streisand as matchmaker Dolly Levi, a role originated on stage by a much-older Carol Channing. When wealthy merchant Horace Vandergelder (Walter Matthau) hires Dolly to find a mate for him, she decides to win him over for herself. Songs include "Before the Parade Passes By" and the glorious title tune.

Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon

A must for any Pink Floyd buff, this film chronicles the band's journey prior to the release of their classic album "The Dark Side of the Moon" in 1973. Discover how the band created the landmark recording and see interviews with band members Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright as they provide insight into the record-making process. Also includes single performances of certain tracks.

Bob Dylan: Dont Look Back

In 1965, just months before Bob Dylan's controversial sound-switch from folk to electric guitar, D.A. Pennebaker documented the musician's British concert tour. The result is one of the most acclaimed music films of all time. Shot with a handheld camera in black-and-white, the film follows Dylan from limo to hotel room as he relaxes with friends, antagonizes the press and deals with managers. Joan Baez, Donovan and Alan Price make appearances.

Hair

On his way to join the Army during the Vietnam War, quiet and conservative Claude (John Savage) travels from Oklahoma to New York City, where he befriends a group of fun Central Park hippies and falls in love with a beautiful society girl named Sheila (Beverly D'Angelo). Directed by Milos Forman, this Broadway musical turned motion picture features the beautiful choreography of Twyla Tharp and hit songs such as "Aquarius."

Cats

Elaine Paige -- the original London Grizabella -- leads an all-star cast culled from the London, Broadway and Amsterdam productions of Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash-hit musical, captured on film by director David Mallet. Featuring the beloved songs "Memory," "The Jellicle Ball," "Mr. Mistoffelees" and many more, the program stars John Mills, Ken Page and Rosemarie Ford and includes a behind-the-scenes "making of" feature.

American Hardcore

Tracing punk-rock music's turbulent history from 1980 to '86, this retrospective documentary celebrates the hundreds of influential hard-core bands that paved the way for tamer acts such as Nirvana, Blink-182, the Beastie Boys, Green Day and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Archival footage includes performances from the Circle Jerks, Flipper, Gwar, Jerry's Kids, the Replacements, the Teen Idles and Wasted Youth.

End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones

Variously dubbed "A punk Last Waltz" and "One headbangin' helluva good time," this incisive documentary about the Ramones by Michael Gramaglia and Jim Fields traces the seminal punk band's trajectory from obscurity to fame to induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It's an insider look at the rockers -- blemishes and all -- that will probably make your head spin. Includes interviews with Joe Strummer, Debbie Harry, Nicolas Cage and others.

Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense

Director Jonathan Demme expertly crafted this unrivaled concert film from footage of three live gigs at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre. The staging concept -- the brainchild of Talking Heads front man David Byrne -- begins with the lead vocalist striding onto an empty stage, acoustic guitar and boom box in hand. With each new tune, another band member or backup singer joins Byrne onstage, building steadily toward the smokin' finale.