These are some of the top DJ movies that expose the craziness, excitement, and drama involved in being a DJ. There are a few documentaries, electronic dance music (EDM) films, and a film describing the history behind hip-hop DJing.
We’ll provide you with a brief overview of each movie, but don’t worry, we’ll try not to add in any spoilers.
Let’s get to it! Here are some of the top eight movies about DJs and the club culture that comes with being one.
What We Started (2017)
Movie Genre: Music documentary
Release Date: 15 June 2017
Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 85%
Director/s: Bert Marcus and Cyrus Saidi
Available to watch on: Netflix, VUDU, Prime Video, and Apple TV
What’s It About?
The film provides an excellent overview of the world of EDM, how it started, and where it is now. The discussion of this genre’s 30-year rich history isn’t without some controversy, from the discussion of drug abuse to what it really means to be a DJ in today’s modern times.
The archival footage and visuals delve into the popular world of EDM, shedding some light on a part of the music industry that’s widely misunderstood and constantly growing. We hear the legend himself, Carl Cox, narrate the story of electronic dance music and reach the end of his career. This is parallel to the young Martin Garrix’s fast jolt to success.
You’ll see other popular DJs feature in the movie such as Tiesto, David Guetta, and Steve Angello.
It’s All Gone Pete Tong (2004)
Movie Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama
Release Date: 12 September 2004
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 76%
Director/s: Michael Dowse
Available to watch on: VUDU and Prime Video
What’s It About?
The superstar DJ, Frankie Wilde, along with his trophy wife’s life is one huge party. He’s performing at some of the top clubs around the globe and is preparing a new album that will catapult his career. He was living life to the fullest on the club scene until he started to go deaf.
All of the drugs, alcohol, and the consistent noisy environment caused Frankie to rapidly lose his hearing. After a year of avoiding the clubs and sinking into a dark depression, he was completely deaf. Miraculously, he is producing an album.
This leaves us wondering, where is he now? what is he doing? and can a deaf DJ even produce music?
Raving Iran (2016)
Movie Genre: Documentary
Release Date: 29 September 2016
Duration: 1 hour 24 minute
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
Director/s: Sue Meures
Available to watch on: N/A
What’s It About?
Imagine risking it all for your passion. In this awe-inspiring documentary, you’ll witness two DJs in Tehran jeopardizing their safety and even life in the name of techno.
Anoosh and Arash are the biggest names in Iran’s underground techno scene. They had grown tired of hiding their music and decided to defy the Islamic regime by secretly selling their tracks, and organizing the last techno rave party. Anoosh is then arrested and just as they feel hopeless, they get the biggest life-changing call of their lives; they are invited to the largest techno festival in the world.
They DJed in Switzerland, and then it all becomes dangerously real when their visas expire. The two DJs then have to make what could be the most important decision of their lives.
We Are Your Friends (2015)
Movie Genre: Romance, Drama
Release Date: 26 August 2015
Duration: 1 hour 36 minutes
IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 39%
Director/s: Max Joseph
Available to watch on: VUDU, Prime Video, and Apple TV
What’s It About?
Cole Carter, played by Zac Efron, has a dream of becoming a top DJ in Hollywood. He spends every waking hour working on what will be a top hit.
Along his journey, he meets James Reed, another DJ who’ll become his mentor. His potential success and new friendship are jeopardized when he begins to fall for his mentor’s girlfriend.
Cole is left with a difficult decision to make; does he choose friendship and success or love and loyalty.
Scratch (2001)
Movie Genre: Documentary
Release Date: 15 February 2002
Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93%
Director/s: Doug Pray
Available to watch on: Prime Video and Apple TV
What’s It About?
In this DJ documentary, you’ll see the transformation of hip-hop through DJ equipment. It begins with the invention of scratching and is followed by the revolution of the turntabling movement.
The documentary follows the story of the underdogs who changed the way we hear and create hip-hop music, from South Bronx in the 1970s to San Fransisco in the early 2000s.
Avicii: True Stories (2018)
Movie Genre: Documentary
Release Date: 14 December 2018
Duration: 1 hour 37 minutes
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 83%
Director/s: Levan Tsikurishvili
Available to watch on: Netflix
What’s It About?
This is an absolutely great movie! You’ll watch the rise, fall, and revival of one of the world’s most successful EDM artists, which was released just before his passing. The best part is the glimpse into Avicii’s life and personality, you truly get to see who he was as an artist and as a person.
The film depicts his highs and lows, from climbing the music charts to suffering from major health conditions. The movie includes his growth as an artist and how he developed through fame and pressure.
You’ll see it all, and you’ll observe his journey from his perspective and those around him.
Berlin Calling (2008)
Movie Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Release Date: 2 October 2008
Duration: 1 hour 49 minutes
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
Director/s: Hannes Stöhr
Available to watch on: Netflix
What’s It About?
This movie shows a DJ/producer and techno master; Paul Kalkbrenner, at the height of his career where he’s traveling around the world, performing at clubs, and promoting his work. He then suffers a drug overdose that changes his perception of music.
After his overdose, he is admitted into a psychiatric clinic. He becomes re-inspired through his love for music, and against the clinic and his label’s will, Paul completes his album.
I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (2016)
Movie Genre: Documentary
Release Date: 23 May 2017 (streaming date)
Duration: 1 hour 19 minutes
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 58%
Director/s: Justin Krook
Available to watch on: Netflix
What’s It About?
Expect to see some cake being thrown around in this documentary as the great Steve Aoki plans to release his double album, and becomes the very first DJ to headline at New York’s Madison Square Gardens.
Not everything goes according to his plan but through sheer determination, Aoki gains the love and support of his fans by hosting a party in Los Angeles. This film is more than just about Aoki as a DJ, we get an insightful look into what motivates his hunger for success; his ambitious father.
Conclusion
Each of the movies gives us an insight into this wild world of electronic dance music and being a DJ. They shed light on the music industry, culture, and the artists themselves. It’s an incredibly fast-paced and historically rich musical genre.
It is unquestionably worthwhile watching these movies to fully understand life as a DJ and all the madness that comes with it.
