The Grateful Dead Movie

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The Grateful Dead Movie

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2h 11m

Documentary

Music

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2 Reviews

98%

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250+ Ratings

Grateful Dead celebrate their 60th Anniversary with a highly anticipated return to big screens for the annual theatrical event "Meet-Up At The Movies" in select territories worldwide on August 14. For a limited time only, this special cinematic event allows fans to come together and celebrate the enduring legacy of the Grateful Dead. This year, Rhino Entertainment and Trafalgar Releasing present the Dead's eponymous film THE GRATEFUL DEAD MOVIE. This fan-favorite cult classic follows the legendary band on what at the time was believed to be their final performances, a five-night run at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom in October of 1974, the final night billed as "The Last One." Featuring stellar live performances, mind-bending animation, interviews with band members and crew, the film has a rare focus on the band's fans and their deep commitment to the Dead Head lifestyle. Be sure to stay till the end for the exclusive theatrical premier of "China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider", a bonus live performance from the October '74 Winterland shows not included in the official film release. New this year, in addition to traditional cinema, THE GRATEFUL DEAD MOVIE will grace IMAX® screens in select territories worldwide! This larger than life presentation has been remastered by IMAX for sound and picture for an immersive and powerful experience, making this a must-see event. David Lemieux, Grateful Dead archivist and legacy manager, said after experiencing the film in IMAX -- "it was the greatest screening I've ever experienced of a film I've seen hundreds of times."

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

The Movie provides a gander at the unique fan culture they fostered, a decade before "Touch of Grey" incongruously brought fraternity bros and other squares (at least briefly) into the fold.

Oct 22, 2020

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Benjamin H. Smith

Decider

Like the band itself, it ultimately succeeds on its own terms, creating an intriguing document of a Grateful Dead show in 1974.

Jul 30, 2018

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Helen M.

I was only 12 when this happened ( and not yet a Dead fan) but I did get to see them live in ‘78 or ‘80 at MSG. This brought tears to my eyes …..Fare thee well Jerry, Phil and anyone else who is gone too soon.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/18/25

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Reel R

For fans of the Dead, this film is a wonderful gift, catching the band at one of their musical high points with a great line-up. For others, it may be a fascinating time capsule, capturing what life was like in the mid-'70s in San Francisco, a time of innocence and enthusiasm when the influence of the '60s lingered - well before cell phones and social media locked everyone in their personal silos.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

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Kevin L

Overall, I'd say this is a quality concert movie, and certainly a quality representation of the Dead live in the 70's. The sound quality I found to be very good, seeing the recording technology of the time and what we can do to improve that now. The show itself includes many of the better known songs played enthusiastically as the band is clearly in a good mood, maybe in part due to the show being filmed and also cuz it was possible that was the last show they would play together. The other aspects of the film have varying degrees of worthy content, imo. The intro animation, while cool and very of the time, went on a bit long for my preference. Some of the outside the venue segments could've been cut. I did like most of the photographic history of the band back to their early 'Frisco days, w/ the likes of the Airplane, Joplin, and others. Plus, the flyer art and other Dead promo designs were great to see. 3.4 stars

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

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Richard S

Great sound and visual must see for deadheads

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

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Stephen C

Success in 2 hours and 11 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/13/25

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Audience Member

what ca i say other than its The Dead in the mid 70's and a wicked awesome show. PLaY DEaD!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Jerry Garcia

Director

Leon Gast

Director

Jerry Garcia

Self

Donna Godchaux

Self

Keith Godchaux

Self

Mickey Hart

Self

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Synopsis

Grateful Dead celebrate their 60th Anniversary with a highly anticipated return to big screens for the annual theatrical event "Meet-Up At The Movies" in select territories worldwide on August 14. For a limited time only, this special cinematic event allows fans to come together and celebrate the enduring legacy of the Grateful Dead. This year, Rhino Entertainment and Trafalgar Releasing present the Dead's eponymous film THE GRATEFUL DEAD MOVIE. This fan-favorite cult classic follows the legendary band on what at the time was believed to be their final performances, a five-night run at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom in October of 1974, the final night billed as "The Last One." Featuring stellar live performances, mind-bending animation, interviews with band members and crew, the film has a rare focus on the band's fans and their deep commitment to the Dead Head lifestyle. Be sure to stay till the end for the exclusive theatrical premier of "China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider", a bonus live performance from the October '74 Winterland shows not included in the official film release. New this year, in addition to traditional cinema, THE GRATEFUL DEAD MOVIE will grace IMAX® screens in select territories worldwide! This larger than life presentation has been remastered by IMAX for sound and picture for an immersive and powerful experience, making this a must-see event. David Lemieux, Grateful Dead archivist and legacy manager, said after experiencing the film in IMAX -- "it was the greatest screening I've ever experienced of a film I've seen hundreds of times."

Director: Jerry Garcia, Leon Gast
Producer: Ron Rakow, Eddie Washington
Distributor: Monarch Films
Production Co: Electrascope
Rating: PG
Genre: Documentary, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 2, 1977, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Aug 14, 2025
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 24, 2017
Runtime: 2h 11m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)