The Greatest Night in Pop

PG-13

Released Jan 31

1 hr. 36 min.

Documentary

Music

History

List

98%

49 Reviews

Tomatometer

89%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Chris M. J

This is a song that was overplayed in the 1980s. For those who grew up then, we can sing it even if we don't really like that song. BUT... the story behind the making of this song is fascinating, and this documentary freezes in time the moment that our childhood icons gathered together in one room to make a difference. Check your ego at the door and enjoy this wonderful documentary.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/22/24

Full Review

Dave S

In 1985, Harry Belafonte, Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson harnessed their talents to bring together some of the biggest music stars of the period and, over the course of an evening, creating We Are the World in an effort to address the famine disaster in Ethiopia. The Greatest Night in Pop, a documentary that covers the process from writing of the song to the star-studded recording session, is relentlessly entertaining from beginning to end and a great piece of nostalgia for those who remember the time period. Defying the odds, the singers (including the likes of Springsteen, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and countless others) managed to check their egos at the door, for the most part, and dedicate an evening to saving lives. Worth the price of admission alone are the shots of the always aloof Bob Dylan looking lost and more than a little confused throughout the session.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/09/24

Full Review

stephen b

The film stretches to create any points of tension, which limits its potential as a great documentary. It's still quite the time capsule or artifact of music history.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/20/24

Full Review

Rosana B

Um documentário tão perfeito que deixou meu coração quentinho, essa música já era impactante tornou-se ainda mais diante do contexto lindo, Vou me abster de falar da ironia dos EUA estarem salvando a África, e apenas me encantar com o talento máximo desses artistas, Cindy Layper, delicinha, Tina, Steve, Michael, e o pobi do Bob Dylan que não sabe cantar...

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

Full Review

Itziar B

Very joyful to see how they did that amazing song, among such a big and iconic singer is powerful. how the left their proud outside to do that song is amazing. Watch it, you will know a lot of people on it for sure.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/12/24

Full Review

J M

I would be utterly shocked if any other movie this year was more entertaining, more nostalgic and more personally meaningful to me than this documentary. I was a couple months shy of my 12th birthday when "We are the World" was recorded - I bought the 45rpm record, the audio cassette AND the sheet music so I could learn to play it on the piano. Watching this film not only reminded me of what a significant artistic moment this was in my life but what a significant moment it was in the history of music. To have the opportunity to not only watch those involved but see lots of never-before-seen footage - well, it was a surprisingly overwhelming experience. And it brought back a flood of memories! AND I learned so much - the singer they wanted involved but didn't come, the singer who got fed up and left, and the singer who became so inebriated he couldn't remember his part. But none of it is done in an exploitative or salacious manner. It's all love - even those who had some misgivings about the experience reminisce fondly. I doubt this will have the same impact upon those who didn't live through this moment in time. But for me, it was akin to watching family home movies - it indeed felt that personal. One of the great viewing experiences I've had in recent memory, and it's virtually impossible for me to be objective. - Jeff Marshall, Movie Blogger (Facebook)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/11/24

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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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

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

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

Full Review

Jackie K. Cooper

jackiekcooper.com

Great overall look at how "We Are the World" came together but a little more detail would have been appreciated.

Rated: 6/10

Feb 24, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

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
Executive Producer: Amit Dey, Becky Read, Angus Wall, Paul Brownstein
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

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