Movies Like Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002)

Standing in the Shadows of Motown is a 2002 documentary, music film from Paul Justman with a MovieMagicScore of 6.9/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Hitsville: The Making of Motown and The Sparks Brothers.

Documentary Music

Hitsville: The Making of Motown

2019

The remarkable story of the legendary Motown Records is told through exclusive interviews with the label’s visionary founder, Berry Gordy, and many of its superstar artists and creative figures, as well as rare performances and behind-the-scenes footage unearthed from Motown’s vaults and Gordy’s personal archives.

7.6

MagicScore

The Sparks Brothers

2021

Take a musical odyssey through five weird and wonderful decades with brothers Ron & Russell Mael, celebrating the inspiring legacy of Sparks: your favorite band’s favorite band.

7.3

MagicScore

Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon

2013

Supermensch documents the astounding career of Hollywood insider, the loveable Shep Gordon, who fell into music management by chance after moving to LA straight out of college, and befriending Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix. Shep managed rock stars such as Pink Floyd, Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass and Alice Cooper, and later went on to manage chefs such as Emeril Lagasse, ushering in the era of celebrity chefs on television.

7.0

MagicScore

Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration

2001

The Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special was a 2001 New York City revue show by Michael Jackson. It took place on September 7, 2001 and September 10, 2001. In late November 2001, the CBS television network aired the concerts as a two-hour special in honour of Michael Jackson's thirtieth year as a solo entertainer (his first solo single, "Got to Be There", was recorded in 1971). The show was edited from footage of two separate concerts Michael had orchestrated in New York City's Madison Square Garden on September 7 and September 10 of 2001. The shows sold out in five hours. Ticket prices were pop's most expensive ever; the best seats cost $5,000 and included a dinner with Michael Jackson and a signed poster.

8.0

MagicScore

Trolls World Tour

2020

Queen Poppy and Branch make a surprising discovery — there are other Troll worlds beyond their own, and their distinct differences create big clashes between these various tribes. When a mysterious threat puts all of the Trolls across the land in danger, Poppy, Branch, and their band of friends must embark on an epic quest to create harmony among the feuding Trolls to unite them against certain doom.

7.3

MagicScore

Sparkle

1976

Three sisters start out singing in their church choir in Harlem in the late 1950s and become a successful girl group in the 1960s.

7.4

MagicScore

Dreamgirls

2006

A trio of female soul singers cross over to the pop charts in the early 1960s, facing their own personal struggles along the way.

6.7

MagicScore

Sparkle

2012

Musical prodigy, Sparkle struggles to become a star while overcoming issues that are tearing her family apart. From an affluent Detroit area and daughter to a single mother, she tries to balance a new romance with music manager Stix while dealing with the unexpected challenges her new life will bring as she and her two sisters strive to become a dynamic singing group during the Motown-era.

6.2

MagicScore

Searching for Sugar Man

2012

Two South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock 'n' roller, Rodriguez.

7.9

MagicScore

#10

This Is Elvis

1981

Though several actors portray Elvis Presley at different stages of his life, this documentary is comprised mostly of actual performance footage and interviews with Elvis, his fans and those close to him. This biographical docu-drama features rare footage of Elvis and dramatically recreated scenes from Elvis' life.

7.0

MagicScore

#11

Elvis

2022

The life story of Elvis Presley as seen through the complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

7.5

MagicScore

#12

All Things Must Pass

2015

The explosive trajectory and tragic demise of iconic music retailer Tower Records, and the legacy of its rebellious founder Russ Solomon. Two hundred stores in thirty countries on five continents. In 1999 it made $1 billion. In 2006 it filed for bankruptcy. What went wrong?

7.2

MagicScore

#13

American Pop

1981

The history of American popular music runs parallel with the history of a Russian Jewish immigrant family, with each male descendant possessing different musical abilities.

6.9

MagicScore

#14

On the Record

2020

The haunting story of music executive Drew Dixon as she grapples with her decision to become one of the first women of color, in the wake of #MeToo, to come forward and publicly accuse hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons of sexual misconduct. A gripping and profound examination of race, gender, intersectionality, and the toll sexual abuse takes on survivors and on society at large.

6.4

MagicScore

#15

Spike Island

2012

Teenage musicians travel to England's Spike Island in the hope of attending an outdoor performance by their favorite band, the Stone Roses.

6.3

MagicScore

#16

Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee

2009

An improvised comedy, shot over five days by Shane Meadows, devised with and starring Paddy Considine. Rock roadie and failed musician, Le Donk has lived, loved and learned. Along the way he's lost a girlfriend but he has found a new sidekick in up-and-coming rap prodigy Scor-zay-zee. With Meadows' fly-on-the-wall crew in tow, Donk sets out to make Scor-zay-zee a star...

6.0

MagicScore

#17

Break the Silence: The Movie

2020

K-pop sensation BTS embark on their 2019 'Love Yourself: Speak Yourself' Tour, as the seven members begin to candidly tell personal stories they have never voiced before.

9.0

MagicScore

#18

Dua Lipa: Studio 2054

2020

Dua Lipa's kaleidoscopic rocket fuelled journey through time, space, mirrorballs, roller discos, bucket hats, belting beats, throbbing basslines and an absolute slam dunk of the best of times in global club culture throughout the decades.

9.0

MagicScore

#19

Jennifer Lopez: Let's Get Loud

2003

"Let's Get Loud" was Jennifer Lopez's NBC Special, which premiered on November 20, 2002 and was recorded over 2 nights in Puerto Rico in the fall of 2001. It was Jennifer's first-ever headlining concert appearance, showing off her talents as a vocalist and dancer. The performance features a variety of Spanish and English songs, including: "Love Don't Cost A Thing", "If You Had My Love", "I'm Real", "Plenarriqueña", and many more.

8.3

MagicScore

#20

Miley Cyrus - Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)

2023

Miley Cyrus takes the stage in this must-see, Disney+ music event featuring debut performances of her highly anticipated eighth studio album, "Endless Summer Vacation." The global superstar’s cinematic, one-of-a-kind performances are threaded together with exclusive interviews where she provides insight to her new album and the person she is today.

8.3

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Standing in the Shadows of Motown?

The top films similar to Standing in the Shadows of Motown by MovieMagicScore are Hitsville: The Making of Motown (7.6), The Sparks Brothers (7.3), Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon (7.0). Each shares documentary/music themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Standing in the Shadows of Motown worth watching?

Standing in the Shadows of Motown holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.9/10 from 45 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is Standing in the Shadows of Motown?

Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002) is a documentary, music film directed by Paul Justman, starring Richard 'Pistol' Allen, Jack Ashford, Bob Babbitt.

Where can I find more recommendations like Standing in the Shadows of Motown?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more documentary recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Hitsville: The Making of Motown Movies like The Sparks Brothers Movies like Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon Movies like Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration Movies like Trolls World Tour Movies like Sparkle

About movies like Standing in the Shadows of Motown

This ranked list pairs Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002), a documentary and music film from Paul Justman, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Richard 'Pistol' Allen take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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