The Greatest Night in Pop

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The Greatest Night in Pop

PG-13

2024

1h 36m

Documentary

Music

History

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Popcornmeter

98%

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50 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

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.

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)

02/29/2024

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.

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Ty Burr

Ty Burr's Watch List (Substack)

02/14/2024

3/4

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

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Alonso Duralde

Breakfast All Day

02/08/2024

7.8/10

It's really fascinating.

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Linda Cook

OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois)

05/20/2024

3 1/2 stars

It takes viewers back to the making of a classic.

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Louisa Moore

Screen Zealots

03/05/2024

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.

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Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

03/02/2024

7/10

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

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TheMovieSearch R

@TheMovieSearch 1d

The Greatest Night in Pop is a fascinating and emotional documentary that captures the creation of "We Are the World" and the massive personalities behind it. It does an excellent job showing how complicated and intense it was to bring so many major artists together for one shared purpose. The film highlights both collaboration and conflict, showing how ego, pressure, and creativity clashed in the studio. Moments involving artists like Prince add interesting context about who chose not to participate and why, giving the story more depth beyond just the recording itself. At the center of it all, Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson are shown guiding the process and helping keep everything moving despite the chaos. Their leadership helps ground the documentary and shows how important coordination was to completing the project. Overall, The Greatest Night in Pop is an engaging and nostalgic look at a historic musical moment, blending tension, creativity, and emotion into a compelling

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Christian S.

@Cstein99 Apr 27

Super documentary! It felt like i was stepping back into 1985 when motivation of the heart was true and good. Lionel Richie was an amazing force to get the song written produced and recorded. Powerful!

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 28

Success in 1 hour and 36 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Some Strong Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Nick E.

@nicksmovies93 Jul 18

An engaging insight into a seminal moment in music history.

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Vixo S

@RT42071578 Jul 16

I think Bob Dylan is the representation of what my social skills are. The Greatest Night in Pop is a wonderful documentary that flawlessly portrays one of the most important nights in music history. It’s amazing how, in just a few hours, they managed to bring together the most influential artists of the time and coordinate something as ambitious as “We Are the World.” The direction and archival footage capture perfectly the energy, the tension, and the magic that filled the studio that night. Watching so many distinct voices come together for a common cause is moving and a clear reminder of why that night remains unforgettable in popular culture. A heartfelt tribute to an unrepeatable moment.

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Pete B

@RT37223507 03/25/2025

How the hell did they get all these legends in one room? This is such a fun doc, especially seeing the behind-the-scenes of artists working together (and clashing, lol). Stevie Wonder just vibing out while everyone tries to get it right is *chef’s kiss*.

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Bao Nguyen

Director

Lionel Richie

Self

Bruce Springsteen

Self

Smokey Robinson

Self

Cyndi Lauper

Self

Kenny Loggins

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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: Paramount Pictures, Makemake
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