The Greatest Night in Pop

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The Greatest Night in Pop

PG-13

Released Jan 31

1h 36m

Documentary

Music

History

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98%

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50 Reviews

89%

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250+ Ratings

On January 25, 1985, dozens of the biggest names in music convened at a studio in Los Angeles, checked their egos at the door and recorded a song to benefit African famine relief that would alter global pop culture history. The Greatest Night in Pop chronicles the massive undertaking to assemble the world's most impressive supergroup in a world before cell phones and email. That group of artists -- led by the song's co-writers and two of the most significant musicians of the 20th century -- Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie -- came from different worlds but united to record "We Are the World." Featuring never-before-seen footage, the film details the early planning stages, including the writing sessions with Richie and Jackson, and goes inside the famed Henson Studios where "We Are the World" was recorded. Many of the artists who were there that legendary evening -- Richie, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Loggins, Dionne Warwick, and Huey Lewis -- reminisce alongside musicians, engineers, and production crew about one of the most storied nights in music history.

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Critics Consensus

A briskly paced celebration of a one-of-a-kind musical moment, The Greatest Night in Pop uncovers new stories while reminding viewers of the humanitarian vision that made it all happen.

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Craig Mathieson

The Age (Australia)

Director Bao Nguyen is also wryly bemused by the now historic celebrity assemblage and thankfully intrigued by the logistical and creative demands of creating an anthem.

Feb 29, 2024

Full Review

Ty Burr

Ty Burr's Watch List (Substack)

Even if the song itself is pretty lame, it doesn’t actually matter. It has a hook and you can donate to it.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 14, 2024

Full Review

Alonso Duralde

Breakfast All Day

It's really fascinating.

Rated: 7.8/10

Feb 8, 2024

Full Review

Linda Cook

OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois)

It takes viewers back to the making of a classic.

Rated: 3 1/2 stars

May 20, 2024

Full Review

Louisa Moore

Screen Zealots

This behind-the-scenes look at the recording of the 1985 hit “We Are the World” isn’t a particularly well made documentary, but it delivers a Gen X dopamine hit like no other.

Mar 5, 2024

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

This is just extremely well done. I highly recommend it.

Rated: 7/10

Mar 2, 2024

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matthias s

This was such a fun watch! Seeing *We Are the World* come together with so many legendary musicians was incredible. Even if you don’t know much about music (like me), you *know* this song and that moment—it’s just that iconic. Lionel Richie steals the show as a storyteller, and it’s so cool to see these superstars acting like regular people, getting nervous, or even starstruck. The chemistry between everyone is amazing, with spontaneous sing-alongs and funny little moments that feel so real. It’s funny, heartwarming, and even emotional at times. The footage is fantastic, and hearing all these big names talk about it gives such insight into the process. My only gripe? I wish they had gone deeper into why the song was made and what it meant for the world. Still, it’s an awesome snapshot of music history. A solid 3.5 stars!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

Full Review

David C

No es mi favorita está entretenida pero es lenta

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/03/24

Full Review

Andrew Z

Not simply a retrospective. It's a taught thriller with a ticking time bomb element you won't believe until you watch it. How they pulled it off was amazing!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/23/24

Full Review

Brian H

Solid documentary, but I'm not a huge fan of the genre.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/15/24

Full Review

Renan R

Após ficar ciente de que haveria um documentário falando sobre os bastidores da música We Are The World, eu fiquei me perguntando pq demorou tanto tempo assim pra falar de uma obra em que reuniu os maiores nomes dos anos 60, 70, e 80 e principalmente iríamos descobrir como Quincy, Lionel, Michael e Wonder chegaram a esse feito. Já na Introdução senti falta de um aprofundamento na causa por trás da reunião de grandes artistas. Somos apresentados a Harry BeLafonte o precursor da causa que seria o motivo dessa reunião tão poderosa, porém em um ritmo acelerado (talvez seja a edição acelerada e emocionada para nos falarmos como tudo isso aconteceu) faz nos esquecer do motivo e do por quê tudo issp aconteceu. Um dos produtores, Lionel Richie, que liderou o projeto e aqui nos conta com riqueza e emoção, nos convida a acompanhar e apreciar o comportamento de cada estrela do pop, soul e rock and roll. Cada gesto, cada incômodo, insegurança e principalmente a ansiedade de concluir um grande projeto. Faz com que o telespectador se sinta naquele ambiente rico e poderoso.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/31/24

Full Review

Peter K

This chronicled an era and the stars that made it so special!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/15/24

Full Review

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Bao Nguyen

Director

Lionel Richie

Self

Bruce Springsteen

Self

Smokey Robinson

Self

Cyndi Lauper

Self

Kenny Loggins

Self

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Synopsis

On January 25, 1985, dozens of the biggest names in music convened at a studio in Los Angeles, checked their egos at the door and recorded a song to benefit African famine relief that would alter global pop culture history. The Greatest Night in Pop chronicles the massive undertaking to assemble the world's most impressive supergroup in a world before cell phones and email. That group of artists -- led by the song's co-writers and two of the most significant musicians of the 20th century -- Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie -- came from different worlds but united to record "We Are the World." Featuring never-before-seen footage, the film details the early planning stages, including the writing sessions with Richie and Jackson, and goes inside the famed Henson Studios where "We Are the World" was recorded. Many of the artists who were there that legendary evening -- Richie, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Loggins, Dionne Warwick, and Huey Lewis -- reminisce alongside musicians, engineers, and production crew about one of the most storied nights in music history.

Director: Bao Nguyen
Producer: Bruce Eskowitz, George Hencken, Larry Klein, Julia Nottingham, Harriet Sternberg, Lionel Richie
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Makemake, Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Some Strong Language)
Genre: Documentary, Music, History
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 31, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 29, 2024
Runtime: 1h 36m

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