Music by John Williams

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2:24

Music by John Williams

PG

2024

1h 45m

Documentary

Biography

Music

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Popcornmeter

100%

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49 Reviews

97%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

From his early days as a jazz pianist to his 54 Oscar® nominations and five wins, the documentary takes an in-depth look at Williams' countless contributions to film, including many iconic franchises, as well as his music for the concert stage and his impact on popular culture. The film features interviews with artists and filmmakers whose lives have been touched by his timeless music.

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Critics Consensus

A warm retrospective on a modern master, this documentary is a symphonic treat for anyone who loves music in the movies -- or just plain great music.

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Keith Watson

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Nov 4, 2024

3/5

... A feelgood study of a man remarkably spry at 92 and blessed with a cupboard refreshingly free of skeletons.

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Nick Schager

The Daily Beast

Nov 2, 2024

There may be no cinematic artist more deserving of a lionizing documentary than Williams, and that’s precisely what he receives from "Music by John Williams."

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David Ehrlich

IndieWire

Nov 1, 2024

B-

“How does he do it?,” someone asks. “Music by John Williams” doesn’t have the slightest idea. This long and indulgent doc is content to let us bask in the mystery of it all.

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Glenn Dunks

reDocumented

Mar 8, 2026

There are a lot of cute anecdotes, not many of which we get to really dig into. Which is probably only natural. The film is 105 minutes long and he has more credits than minutes on runtime.

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Alfred Castaneda

Shade Studios

Jul 30, 2025

There’s so much more to dive into and learn about, but if this stands as the definitive work on Williams’ legacy, it’s an easy, digestible watch that gives a solid dose of cinematic greatness.

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Rachel Ho

Exclaim!

May 14, 2025

Documentaries like 'Music by John Williams' can easily venture into sycophantic fawning, and arguably this one does just that — but I think collectively we can all agree, that such fawning is deserved and, in this case, encouraged.

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Eamon A

@EamonTheChicken Mar 29, 2026

It was a lower level entertainment, yet phenomenally explained documentary, showing what similarities a single guy and music can have.

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Brayden G

@DeadShotVibe802 Nov 3, 2025

I absolutely loved this. John Williams is the best movie composer of all time

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Everett G

@RT40743054 Jul 21, 2025

A great biography about one of the most talented composers ever

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N P

@NicSarge Jun 10, 2025

"Music by John Williams" is an excellently appreciative life and career retrospective of arguably the most accomplished, respected, and most importantly, beloved film composers of all time. As I was watching the documentary, I was in awe time and time and time again by the various genres from plenty of the biggest pictures ever, and especially those, that have a figment of mine and many others childhoods, adolescence and life soundtracks. From what I gathered, John Williams philosophy and way of life is, in fact, simple. Purely due his love of music, music is his way of life, which is how and why he created so much for so long. The film featured long time collaborator Steven Spielberg, additionally as a producer for the doc, as well as many established musicians, from classical to pop, fellow composers, esteemed filmmakers and family. I was made to appreciate the grandiose and multi-faceted encompassing aspects of an orchestra and orchestral music, which many others, like myself, have not truly thought of nor acknowledged. "Music by John Williams" is truly inspiring. My biggest takeway was simply a matter of doing, that's all, and the journey is off.

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BRENDEN J

@Moviefan109 May 15, 2025

Music by John Williams was fantastic movie!

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Daniel B

@observor Apr 12, 2025

Well done documentary

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Laurent Bouzereau

Director

Steven Spielberg

Self

Ron Howard

Self

J.J. Abrams

Self

Seth MacFarlane

Self

Ke Huy Quan

Self

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Synopsis

From his early days as a jazz pianist to his 54 Oscar® nominations and five wins, the documentary takes an in-depth look at Williams' countless contributions to film, including many iconic franchises, as well as his music for the concert stage and his impact on popular culture. The film features interviews with artists and filmmakers whose lives have been touched by his timeless music.

Director: Laurent Bouzereau
Producer: Sara Bernstein, Laurent Bouzereau, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, Steven Spielberg, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Justin Wilkes, Meredith Kaulfers, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall
Distributor: Disney+
Production Co: Lucasfilm, Amblin Documentaries, Imagine Documentaries
Rating: PG (Some Violence|Smoking|Brief Language)
Genre: Documentary, Biography, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 1, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2024
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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