- Concert films rose in popularity in the late 2000s and early 2010s, raking in millions of dollars.
- Artists like Taylor Swift, BTS, and Billie Eilish have helped revive the genre.
- Business Insider compiled the 20 highest-grossing concert docufilms using Box Office Mojo data.
The music documentary subgenre rose in popularity between 2008 and 2013, when artists such as Miley Cyrus, Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, and One Direction released major theatrical concert films to much fanfare at the box office.
Ten of the 20 highest-grossing concert films on this list were released during that period, collectively earning about $318 million at the domestic box office, according to Box Office Mojo data.
This type of docufilm saw a surge in the early 2020s, and in a 2024 Fandango survey, 77% of ticket buyers who had watched a concert film in 2023 said they wanted to see another tour on the silver screen.
In 2023, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour became the highest-grossing concert film of all time, with more than $180 million in domestic ticket sales. That’s more than double the No. 2 entry.
The release of concert documentaries has continued, with over a dozen since 2023 from artists including Billie Eilish, Beyoncé, BTS, and more. A Harry Styles tour documentary directed by John Wilson is in the works.
Here are the 20 highest-grossing concert film documentaries at the domestic box office, per Box Office Mojo.
20. Amazing Grace (2018)
Domestic gross: $4,450,456
The documentary captures Aretha Franklin recording her landmark 1972 live gospel album, “Amazing Grace,” over two nights at Los Angeles’ New Temple Missionary Baptist Church.
The film centers on Franklin’s performances with the Southern California Community Choir.
- Bring the Soul: The Movie (2019)
Domestic gross: $4,809,800
The documentary, directed by Park Jun-soo, BTS’ primary director, centers on the band’s 2018 “Love Yourself” world tour.
It shows behind-the-scenes glances at each band member’s life outside of the band, including the emotional and mental weight that has come with their new fame.
- Shine a Light (2008)
Domestic gross: $5,505,267
Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese films the Rolling Stones over two concerts at New York City’s Beacon Theatre in 2006.
The documentary centers on the band’s live performance while also including archival footage and guest appearances by Buddy Guy, Christina Aguilera, and Jack White.
- Justin Bieber’s Believe (2013)
Domestic gross: $6,206,566
Directed by Jon M. Chu, who also directed “Never Say Never,” the documentary offers a behind-the-scenes and onstage look at Bieber during his 2013 “Believe” tour.
It follows the pop star as he performs for packed arenas while navigating fame and the challenges of his growing career.
- Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience
Domestic gross: $7,232,818
Directed by award-winning filmmakers Paul Dugdale and Farah Khalid, the theatrical music film follows the K-pop group’s sold-out performances at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in 2025.
It combines concert footage and behind-the-scenes content.
- BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas (2023)
Domestic gross: $8,481,053
Directed by Oh Yoon-dong, the documentary features footage from the band’s October 15, 2022, concert in Busan, South Korea.
The free Busan concert supported the city’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo and was BTS’s last performance with all seven members before military enlistments began.
- U2: Rattle and Hum (1988)
Domestic gross: $8,600,823
Director Phil Joanou’s documentary follows U2 during its “The Joshua Tree” tour, as the band sought to connect more with American blues, gospel, folk, and rock music.
It includes live performances, studio sessions, and scenes of Bono and his bandmates recording with artists such as B.B. King.
- Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft (2026)
Domestic gross: $9,901,485
It features performances of songs from the album, including “Birds of a Feather” and “Wildflower,” alongside backstage footage of Eilish, her brother and collaborator Finneas, her band, and the production team behind the tour.
- Stop Making Sense (1984)
Domestic gross: $10,306,902
Jonathan Demme’s film documents Talking Heads’ 1983 concerts at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.
The performance begins with David Byrne alone onstage and gradually expands, song by song, as musicians, backing singers, props, and Byrne’s famously oversized suit transform the stage into a full production.
- U2 3D (2008)
Domestic gross: $10,363,341
Directed by Catherine Owens and Mark Pellington, the documentary was filmed during the band’s Vertigo Tour in South America.
It uses 3D filming technology to highlight the scale of U2’s stadium show, including the massive video screens and the crowd’s response.
- Glee: The 3D Concert Movie (2011)
Domestic gross: $11,862,398
- Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991)
Domestic gross: $15,012,935
Color concert footage is set against black-and-white scenes of Madonna rehearsing, traveling, meeting with family, and speaking candidly with her dancers and entourage.
- Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience (2009)
Domestic gross: $19,162,740
The Jonas Brothers’ 2008 “Burning Up” tour is the focus of this concert film.
Directed by Bruce Hendricks, it was filmed largely at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
- Katy Perry: Part of Me (2012)
Domestic gross: $25,326,071
Directed by Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz, the 3D documentary follows Katy Perry during her California Dreams Tour.
- One Direction: This Is Us (2013)
Domestic gross: $28,873,374
The film looks back at how the band was assembled on “The X Factor,” while also showing their family lives and life on the road.
- Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé (2023)
Domestic gross: $33,889,684
It combines concert footage from the stadium production with behind-the-scenes scenes of Beyoncé working with her dancers, family, crew, and creative team.
- Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert (2008)
Domestic gross: $65,281,781
Directed by Bruce Hendricks, it includes concert performances, backstage moments, and appearances by the Jonas Brothers.
- This Is It (2009)
Domestic gross: $72,091,016
Rather than showing the completed concert, it shows Jackson in the final months of his life rehearsing songs, directing dancers, revising musical arrangements, and planning production.
- Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011)
Domestic gross: $73,013,910
It builds toward his sold-out Madison Square Garden show, while also including interviews with his mother, manager Scooter Braun, Usher, and fans.
- Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (2023)
Domestic gross: $180,756,269
It shows the Taylor Swift’s career-spanning set list, along with the costumes, choreography, dancers, screens, and stage effects behind each concert.
Read the original article on Business Insider
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
