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The Doors: When You're Strange

Play trailer Poster for The Doors: When You're Strange R 2010 1h 30m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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60% Tomatometer 70 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
The chemistry of four artists made The Doors one of America's most influential rock bands. With rare footage shot from their formation in 1965 to Jim Morrison's death in 1971, When You're Strange, Tom DiCillo's GRAMMY® Award-Winning film narrated by Johnny Depp, follows the band through their career, providing insight into the revolutionary impact of their music. On the occasion of the band's 60th anniversary, the film will be presented in cinemas in 4K for the first time ever, and feature a newly recorded performance of "Riders on the Storm" featuring John Densmore, Robby Krieger, and special guests performing the song in exotic locations around the world in partnership with Playing For Change.

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The Doors: When You're Strange

The Doors: When You're Strange

What to Know

Critics Consensus

It's far from a critical assessment of the band's music or its legacy, but When You're Strange gives fans a beautifully filmed, lovingly assembled tribute to the Doors.

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Critics Reviews

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Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer Jul 6, 2010
3/4
When You're Strange offers a worshipful but insightful portrait of the group... Go to Full Review David Gritten Daily Telegraph (UK) Jul 6, 2010
3/5
This is a far better bet than Oliver Stone's ghastly Doors movie. Go to Full Review Anthony Quinn Independent (UK) Jul 2, 2010
2/5
The cumulative effect of this film is to enhance one's respect for The Doors (John Densmore, Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek) and to diminish the same for Morrison, whose posturing now looks like the most fatuous exhibitionism. Go to Full Review James McMahon NME (New Musical Express) May 19, 2021
1.5/5
The surviving Doors shouldn't hate Oliver Stone so much - his movie portrays them as a better band than this does. He made a better movie too. Go to Full Review Gemma James CineVue Nov 5, 2018
4/5
Reaffirms Jim Morrison as a rock legend, a poet in his own rite and a spiritual and sexual messiah, who opened the doors of perception for his generation and all those to follow. Go to Full Review Benjamin H. Smith Decider Jan 24, 2018
...it lazily recycles all the same tired myths about Jim Morrison being "like an ancient shaman," and "A rock and roll poet, dangerous and highly intelligent," that we've been reading in solipsistic '60s holdovers like Rolling Stone for the last 50 years. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Brian M Dec 11, 2025 The movie was riveting and informative on the history of the Doors. See more Jeff Dec 8, 2025 Quite a nice documentary-style take, with just enough commentary to keep it very enjoyable. See more Dennis Dec 8, 2025 Great Documentary on The Doors Which covered the entire years of their existence on the scene. Well made film! See more Phil E Dec 8, 2025 This movie was made by the band and is incredibly well done. It's a tough, but true look into what was and what could've been for one of the best bands of all time. See more Paul H Dec 8, 2025 I enjoyed the historical pictures and film of the band playing. I also enjoyed the video with the remaining group members as a group. Definitely a one of a kind group! See more Jeanne Dec 8, 2025 I truly loved this movie. It was very well put together and gave a true sense of the time. I hope it comes out on DVD! See more Read all reviews
The Doors: When You're Strange

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Cast & Crew

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Tom DiCillo

Director

Johnny Depp

Narrator

Jim Ladd

Voice

Tom DiCillo

Screenwriter

Dick Wolf

Producer

John Beug

Producer

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The Doors: When You're Strange

(Right) Jim Morrison in "When You're Strange." (Right) Jim Morrison in "When You're Strange." (Right) Jim Morrison in "When You're Strange." Jim Morrison in "When You're Strange." The Doors: When You're Strange (2009) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The chemistry of four artists made The Doors one of America's most influential rock bands. With rare footage shot from their formation in 1965 to Jim Morrison's death in 1971, When You're Strange, Tom DiCillo's GRAMMY® Award-Winning film narrated by Johnny Depp, follows the band through their career, providing insight into the revolutionary impact of their music. On the occasion of the band's 60th anniversary, the film will be presented in cinemas in 4K for the first time ever, and feature a newly recorded performance of "Riders on the Storm" featuring John Densmore, Robby Krieger, and special guests performing the song in exotic locations around the world in partnership with Playing For Change.
Director
Tom DiCillo
Producer
Dick Wolf, John Beug, Jeff Jampol, Peter Jankowski, Bill Guttentag
Screenwriter
Tom DiCillo
Distributor
Abramorama
Production Co
Wolf Films, Strange Pictures
Rating
R (Language|Drug Material|Nudity|Some Sexual Content Incl Ref)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 9, 2010, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Dec 4, 2025
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 2, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$238.6K
Runtime
1h 30m
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