5 Essential Free Music Documentaries Every 90s Rock Fan Needs To Watch

In the mood to be transported to a simpler time, when grunge was on the rise and music was a bit more organic? These five music documentaries about 90s music (particularly rock) at completely free to watch on YouTube. Let’s dive in!

1. ‘One Nine Nine Four: 90’s Punk Rock’

The 1990s era of punk rock was a special one, and its entirety is explored in this 1 hour and 21-minute documentary titled One Nine Nine Four: 90’s Punk Rock. This doc dissects punk rock music and culture at the turn of the century, as well as the artists and icons that defined it. You might just discover a previously unseen interview with one of your underground favorites in this unforgettable music history compilation.

2. ‘Man In The Box: The Alice In Chains Story’

Music documentaries about 90s rock often touch on grunge outfit Alice In Chains, but they definitely don’t get as much coverage as bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Man In The Box: The Alice In Chains Story is a shorter 29-minute documentary about the Seattle-based outfit and how they first formed as a group of kids in high school. The origins of Alice In Chains are broken down and explored, as well as their explosive rise to fame.

3. ‘Electric Dreams: The 1990s’

This BBC documentary is free to watch on YouTube and will only take you back about an hour. It’s definitely dated, but it’s also a fascinating watch. Electric Dreams: The 1990s goes into so much more than just music. The doc looks at the advancement of technology at the time and the rise of the internet in the UK, as well as the rise of digital audio and music. 

4. ‘How Aphex Twin Spurned The 90s Dance Mainstream’

This free documentary leans more toward electronic dance music in the 1990s over rock music, but it’s still a noteworthy look into the music scene at the turn of the century worth watching. Aphex Twin changed the world of dance music in the 1990s, and his processes and history are explored in this neat little documentary. It’s only about 36 minutes long, too.

5. ‘Nothing Else Matters: The Metallica Story’

Metallica formed in 1981, but the famed metal band had quite an era in the 1990s. This is one of the most essential music documentaries out there for fans of 90s rock, and it’s just over half an hour long. Nothing Else Matters: The Metallica Story examines the journey of Metallica from their humble beginnings to their 1990s era to today. This one’s a must-watch for metal fans.

Photo by Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.