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The Greatest Night in Pop

  • 2024
  • PG-13
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
15K
YOUR RATING
Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Cyndi Lauper, Huey Lewis, Bruce Springsteen, and Tina Turner in The Greatest Night in Pop (2024)
On 1985 dozens of the era's most popular musicians gathered in Los Angeles to record a charity single for African famine relief. Setting egos aside, they collaborated on a song that would make history.
Play trailer2:21
2 Videos
65 Photos
Music DocumentaryDocumentaryMusic

On January 28th 1985, dozens of the era's most popular musicians gathered in Los Angeles to record a charity single for African famine relief. Setting egos aside, they collaborated on a song... Read allOn January 28th 1985, dozens of the era's most popular musicians gathered in Los Angeles to record a charity single for African famine relief. Setting egos aside, they collaborated on a song that would make history.On January 28th 1985, dozens of the era's most popular musicians gathered in Los Angeles to record a charity single for African famine relief. Setting egos aside, they collaborated on a song that would make history.

  • Director
    • Bao Nguyen
  • Stars
    • Lionel Richie
    • Harriet Sternberg
    • Wendy Rees
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    15K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Bao Nguyen
    • Stars
      • Lionel Richie
      • Harriet Sternberg
      • Wendy Rees
    • 86User reviews
    • 44Critic reviews
    • 69Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys
      • 3 wins & 14 nominations total

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:21
    Official Trailer
    The Greatest Night In Pop: Autographs
    Clip 0:39
    The Greatest Night In Pop: Autographs
    The Greatest Night In Pop: Autographs
    Clip 0:39
    The Greatest Night In Pop: Autographs

    Photos64

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    Top cast71

    Edit
    Lionel Richie
    Lionel Richie
    • Self
    Harriet Sternberg
    • Self - Head of Creative Services, Kragen & Co
    Wendy Rees
    • Self - Creative Services, Kragen & Co
    Harry Belafonte
    Harry Belafonte
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    • (voice)
    Steven Ivory
    • Self - Music Journalist
    Ken Kragen
    Ken Kragen
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Quincy Jones
    Quincy Jones
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    • (voice)
    Larry Klein
    Larry Klein
    • Self - Producer, American Music Awards
    Cyndi Lauper
    Cyndi Lauper
    • Self
    Bruce Springsteen
    Bruce Springsteen
    • Self
    David Breskin
    • Self - Author, 'We Are The World' Book
    Kenny Loggins
    Kenny Loggins
    • Self
    Humberto Gatica
    • Self - Recording Engineer
    Huey Lewis
    Huey Lewis
    • Self
    Smokey Robinson
    Smokey Robinson
    • Self
    Tom Bähler
    Tom Bähler
    • Self - Vocal Arranger
    Bob Dickinson
    • Self - Lighting Engineer
    Dionne Warwick
    Dionne Warwick
    • Self
    • Director
      • Bao Nguyen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews86

    7.915.4K
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    Featured reviews

    ricegol-115-836199

    The Big Unanswered Question

    I waited 97 minutes to find out why Dan Akroyd was in that recording studio. I still don't know. As much as I loved the Blues Brothers, that doesn't make him a singer.

    The only two huge stars of the time missing were Prince and Madonna. We learned about Prince in all his solitary weirdness but Madonna was mentioned only for a split second.

    For anyone who's been in a professional recording studio, Cyndi Lauper having to remove her jewelry was hilarious. The microphones pick up everything, even the proverbial dropped pin. To anyone questioning why she was there, take a quick look at the pop charts from say 1983 to 1986 - there's your answer.
    8raf_dcs

    A fly in the wall

    I started watching knowing nothing about the behind the scenes. I knew there was a bunch of famous artists, I knew about the french parody and I definitely remembered Bruce Springsteen's weird face while singing.

    I was instantly fascinated by the whole thing, it's a great watch, a lot of fun facts I loved to hear about. It's the kind of story that's so absurd it shouldn't have worked out but in the end it did.

    There are some heartwarming moments, the Belafonte bit was beautiful or whenever they would cheer after someone sang. Most of them seemed genuinely excited to be there and the doc makes you feel like a witness to it all.

    However I do wish there were more speakers, they should have reached out to more singers, I would have loved to see footage of the singers talking about the project afterwards.

    It also makes you question why those songs don't happen anymore, can you imagine Beyonce and Taylor Swift coming together to raise money to a cause?

    And then I remembered that most artists nowadays won't set foot outside North America and Europe when they go on their "world tours" so I'm feeling bittersweet about it all but it's still a great watch.
    9DrRumack

    Watching Music History

    In 1985, We Are The World was huge. We saw the video over and over and over again.

    We all had the album and listened to it countless times. It was on the radio non-stop. It was an immensely powerful song.

    Watching this documentary and learning how the song came about and how they managed to get all the biggest names in Music together, it let me re-experience it all. Watching it was both nostalgic and entertaining. But also sad watching the great artists who aren't around anymore.

    It's a Must See for anyone who was around back in '85.

    And, after nearly 40 years, I finally learned why Prince wasn't there.
    9wjcvdb

    Wow! It gave me goosebumps.

    Seeing all this talent come together for a great cause is truly heartwarming. Lionel Richie, a fantastic storyteller and host, alongside Quincy Jones, skillfully managed this remarkable group of artists, ensuring a seamless flow. The homage paid to Harry Belafonte as the initiator was particularly touching. Watching the writing and recording process with Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie is great fun. MJ's voice is incredibly pristine. I'm grateful that this has heightened awareness about issues beyond our safe environments, specifically combatting famine in Ethiopia, and has raised a substantial amount of money. Thanks to Netflix for creating this wonderful documentary. It really gave me goosebumps.
    10camimr-55885

    Informative and emotional

    Simply and shortly put, this was incredible.

    We are being introduced anew to this important piece of history.

    Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie was a power duo in making this happen, for such an important cause.

    Enjoy learning from A to Z just how impactful this really was, and still is.

    Netflix needs to release more of these, so that the younger generations truly understand the value of music history, as it was. I wish music could still be like this, about something greater than yourself. The act of giving, caring and unity. Todays artist have a lot to learn from this.

    Thank you... "We Are The World"

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The documentary goes into detailing several first-hand accounts of why Prince was not on the song. However, the documentary fails to include that Prince did, in fact, donate a song to the "We Are the World" album, (released April 23, 1985) "4 The Tears in Your Eyes", and made an accompanying live performance video for the song, which premiered on the "Live-Aid" concert broadcast on July 13, 1985. In addition, Prince detailed his "side of the story" with the song "Hello", a B-side to the "Pop Life" single in the US (released in July 1985), and the B-side to "Raspberry Beret" single in the UK.
    • Goofs
      Bruce Springsteen's last concert before the recording was in Syracuse, not Buffalo .
    • Quotes

      Paul Simon: If a bomb lands on this place, John Denver is back on top.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Film Junk Podcast: Episode 929: Perfect Days + I.S.S. (2024)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 29, 2024 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Check Your Ego at the Door
    • Production companies
      • Dorothy Street Pictures
      • MRC Film
      • Makemake
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 36m(96 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 4:3

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