The Boss, The Working Man’s Poet, The Troubadour. No matter how you think of him, Bruce Springsteen has earned a place in the pantheon of musical royalty. His songs have spoken to generations of fans and music lovers around the world—and his story is just as inspiring as his lyrics. From small-town beginnings to international stardom, his story is one of hard work and dedication. But to really get a sense of the man behind the music, you need to dive into some of the great documentaries about Bruce Springsteen. Here are 10 of our favorite Bruce Springsteen documentaries that capture both his career and human spirit.
1. All America Icon – The Legend Of Bruce Springsteen
This 2005 documentary follows Bruce Springsteen from the recording of his 1975 breakthrough album Born To Run to his 1985 tour for Born In The USA. It includes interviews with Springsteen and his band members, as well as rare footage of him performing in the studio and on stage. The film won a few awards, including the Best Documentary Feature at the Maine International Film Festival. This 2010 documentary was released along with The Promise: The Lost Session From Darkness On The Edge Of Town box set. It follows the recording of Springsteen’s 1978 album, a process that took 18 months and involved numerous re-writes of songs such as “Racing In The Street”, “Promised Land” and “Prove It All Night.”
2. Bruce Springsteen – The Boss
This documentary showcases a special performance by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Madison Square Garden. The film captures not only the show but also an intimate conversation between Bruce and his bandmates. It is a must-see for Springsteen fans everywhere. This documentary follows Bruce Springsteen’s creative process while he was making his fourth studio album, Darkness on the Edge of Town. Through interviews with producers and bandmates, this film gives insight into the making of one of Bruce’s most iconic albums. The Ties That Bind is a documentary about Bruce Springsteen’s transition from small-town New Jersey to international superstar. It features archival footage as well as interviews with those closest to Bruce.
3. Bruce Springsteen – Video biography
This iconic documentary features interviews with some of the most influential people in Bruce Springsteen’s life, from his early bandmates to longtime collaborators such as Little Steven, Max Weinberg, and Nils Lofgren. Dive into the making of some of Springsteen’s classic songs such as “Thunder Road”, “Born to Run”, and “The River”. Discover the story behind Springsteen’s legendary live shows, his battles with record companies over control of his music, and his continued activism in support of social justice. With archival footage and interviews, this insightful documentary is the ultimate experience for any Bruce Springsteen fan. From his early days as a local musician to his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, be a part of the story that made “The Boss” an international superstar.
4. Bruce Springsteen Reveals What Song Changed His Life
His documentary Western Stars (2019) dives into his creative process and provides audiences with an intimate look at how he puts together the pieces of a song. The classic Springsteen on Broadway (2018) is a must-see for fans, as it captures Bruce’s life story from childhood to stardom in his own words. And don’t forget about Blood Brothers, (2016 – Netflix) which takes a look back at the E Street Band’s legendary reunion tour of 1999. If that isn’t enough, Springsteen fans can also enjoy seeing him on screen in Blinded by the Light (2019), an autobiographical story inspired by his music. Or check out The Promise: The Making Of Darkness On The Edge Of Town (2010) to learn about the importance of this iconic record. For an in-depth look at the soul of Bruce Springsteen, make sure to watch Wings for Wheels: The Making Of Born To Run (2005). This behind-the-scenes documentary reveals how Bruce’s creative vision brought his classic album to life.
5. Full interview Bruce Springsteen
Whether you’ve been a fan of Bruce Springsteen since he burst onto the music scene in 1973, or have recently discovered his work and want to learn more about this iconic singer-songwriter’s life and career, these are some of the best documentaries out there. Spanning decades of touring, recording, interviews and live performances, these films provide a unique window into The Boss’ life and his legendary music. This full-length feature concert film captures an amazing performance by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Madison Square Garden. Spanning two hours and fifteen minutes, Bruce and the band play some of their most iconic songs including “Born to Run”, “Thunder Road”, and “The River”.
6. Bruce Springsteen – our complete interview
Springsteen also discussed what he looks for in a great documentary and why he believes they are important. When asked about the best documentaries about Bruce Springsteen, his answer was clear: “The ones that tell my story honestly.” He went on to explain that good documentaries go beyond just music and look at the artist’s history and their journey as an individual. He gave props to the 2012 documentary “The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town” which details the making of his classic 1978 record. While Springsteen has been in numerous films and documentaries, one of his favorites is the 2001 film, “Springsteen & I.” This unique concert movie follows Bruce as he performs throughout Europe during his 2000 tour.
7. Bruce Springsteen – How It Happened
One of the most eye-opening documentaries about Bruce Springsteen was released in 2003, entitled ‘The Promise: The Making Of Born To Run’. A look into the hard work and dedication that went into creating one of the greatest rock albums of all time. From spending countless hours tirelessly recording and perfecting each song to dealing with its eventual success, this documentary offers an invaluable insight into the mind of Bruce Springsteen. With seldom seen archival footage, interviews with key personnel, and plenty of classic performances, The Promise provides a unique glimpse into the process behind Born To Run and why it ultimately became such an enduring work of art.
8. Bruce springsteen and the E street band 1987 Documentary Glory days
This is an amazing documentary for anyone who loves Bruce Springsteen and his music. It follows the band on their European tour in 1987 as they record their album ‘Tunnel of Love’. The film provides great insights into the creation process of Bruce and the E Street Band as well as capturing some amazing performances by the legendary musicians. Glory Days captures how passionate Bruce is about his music and the camaraderie of the E Street Band. This documentary is a must-see for any Bruce Springsteen fan. Another great Bruce Springsteen documentary is Live in Dublin. This film follows The Boss and his band on their sold out world tour from 2007–2008, culminating with an unforgettable performance at Slane Castle in Ireland. It captures the incredible energy of Bruce and the E Street Band on stage as they perform classic songs such as ‘Born to Run’, ‘Dancing in The Dark’ and ‘The Rising’. Live in Dublin is a wonderful documentary that shows why Bruce Springsteen remains one of the greatest rock musicians of all time.
9. Letter To You Reuniting With The E Street Band and Broadway
Bruce Springsteen shows his growth throughout the years as a musician and artist, and it’s inspiring to hear his life lessons from over 40 years of experience. If you’re looking for more stories about Bruce Springsteen, two documentaries are worth checking out: “The Promise – The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town” and “Springsteen & I.” Both films take a look at the life of Bruce Springsteen and how his music has touched millions of lives. Through interviews with fans, producers, bandmates, and music critics, these documentaries explore the man behind the music.
10. Letter To You Documentary and E Street Band’s Legacy
Tim McGraw and Bruce Springsteen have a shared history that dates back to the late 1980s when they first met. In 2020, their relationship was solidified with an in-depth documentary about The E Street Band’s legacy titled ‘Letter To You’. The documentary focuses on how the band has continued to create new music together after all these years. It also explores the roots of their friendship, highlighting how they both have impacted each other’s careers. The documentary was well-received by fans and critics alike, earning critical acclaim for its insightful approach to showcasing a band that has been together for over four decades. The documentary includes interviews with members of the band as well as archival footage from some of their most iconic performances. The documentary also features appearances from some of the biggest names in music, including Bruce’s wife and manager, Patti Scialfa, and long-time friend and collaborator, Tim McGraw.
