20 Feet From Stardom

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20 Feet From Stardom

PG-13

Released Jun 14, 2013

1h 30m

Documentary

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99%

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126 Reviews

82%

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10,000+ Ratings

Filmmaker Morgan Neville shines a long-overdue spotlight on the hit-making contributions of longtime backup singers like Darlene Love and Merry Clayton.

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Critics Consensus

Rich, insightful, and occasionally heartbreaking, 20 Feet From Stardom is an energetic tribute to the passion, talent, and hard work of backup singers.

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Amy Taubin

Film Comment Magazine

The movie pays a long-overdue tribute to their glorious pipes, but also engages with the disconnection between talent and stardom, and while it isn't exactly an exposé of the music industry, infuriating details emerge.

Aug 28, 2019

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Kate Muir

The Times (UK)

Artists including Mick Jagger talk about their backing singers -- and the soundtrack is, of course, heavenly.

Jan 1, 2018

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

While there are moments in the film awkwardly placed to achieve moments of pensiveness from the talent, what it does well is offers a point of view where there wasn't before.

Rated: B+

Sep 5, 2017

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

The poster... advertises the appearances of Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Mick Jagger, Stevie Wonder and Bette Midler, ironic since the documentary is really about the back-up singers who performed with them and many others, always outside of the spotlight.

Feb 4, 2023

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Jonny Mahon-Heap

The Post NZ

It’s a loving chronicle of the untold stories of backup singers for the world’s most iconic performers.

Nov 7, 2022

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Jordan M. Smith

IONCINEMA.com

I've found myself wholly involved, enthralled by these incredible singers and moved by their stories of unappreciated talent.

Rated: 3.5/5

Nov 12, 2020

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Les N

I can see on the back up singers faces that they don't believe that they should be stars. Why do Americans believe that a good voice makes them a star? There are literally millions of good voices! And religion?? It didn't work for Freddie Mercury, Sting when they went solo, so why would it work for back up singers? Be happy doing what you do!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/03/25

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Bob P

Not as good as the Wrecking Crew but very entertaining and informative. These singers were amazing. I loved the historical context as to their role in rock & roll. The talent was overwhelming. Just listen to Merry Clayton in Gimme Shelter and comprehend what she represented.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/19/23

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DJ H

Could I describe this documentary as a feel-good story? It is about people telling us stories about their creative passion and career as professional backup singers. I like the documentary. I miss the old days when music was brought to life with so much creative talent and didn't feel forced upon our ears with auto-tuned trickery.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/02/22

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Audience Member

A genuinely enriching insight of appreciation towards backup singers that not only discusses their growing roles across the industry but also meaningfully passionate careers in general that they display through their talents as we join them in their infectious foot-tapping jam. (B+)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Audience Member

I feel bad for not enjoying this. I like the subject matter; I just don't think it was crafted in a way that engaged much of my interest. It's an aspect of the music industry that deserves to be told, but it shouldn't be this boring.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is possibly the greatest,, non-Ken Burns and non-American Experience documentary I have ever seen. Objectively but aesthetically capturing the lives and the rise and fall of the unaccredited backup singers, who, in most cases made the song.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

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Morgan Neville

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Morgan Neville shines a long-overdue spotlight on the hit-making contributions of longtime backup singers like Darlene Love and Merry Clayton.

Director: Morgan Neville
Producer: Gil Friesen, Caitrin Rogers, Morgan Neville
Distributor: Radius TWC
Production Co: Tremolo Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Strong Language|Sexual Material)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 14, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 14, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.9M
Runtime: 1h 30m

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