15 Best EDM Movies of All Time: 2023 Update [A Must Watch!]

Electronic Dance Music (EDM) has taken the world by storm and has become more than just a style of music—it is now a global phenomenon. From underground raves to massive music festivals, EDM has been a driving force in the music industry for the past few decades.

EDM is not only a musical genre but also a lifestyle that brings people together from all walks of life. This has led to the creation of several movies and documentaries that capture the essence of EDM culture and its impact on society.

In this article, we will take a look at the 15 best EDM movies of all time. One of the most iconic EDM movies of all time is “Human Traffic.” This British movie, directed by Justin Kerrigan, follows the lives of five friends as they navigate the world of underground raves and club culture in the late 90s.

The movie captures the spirit of the time and has become a cult classic among EDM enthusiasts. Another classic EDM movie is “Go,” directed by Doug Liman. The movie follows the lives of a group of young adults as they embark on a wild night of partying and drug use.

The movie “Go” captures the spirit of the rave scene in the late 90s and features an incredible soundtrack that includes tracks from Moby, Fatboy Slim, and The Chemical Brothers.

The movie “Berlin Calling” is a German movie that tells the story of a DJ named Ickarus, played by Paul Kalkbrenner, as he struggles with drug addiction and mental health issues.

The movie features an incredible soundtrack that includes tracks from Kalkbrenner himself and captures the essence of the Berlin techno scene.

“Daft Punk’s Electroma” is a French movie that tells the story of two robots as they journey through the American Southwest in search of becoming human. The movie features an incredible soundtrack from Daft Punk and is a must-see for any EDM fan.

Other notable EDM movies include “24 Hour Party People,” “XOXO,” “We Are Your Friends,” and “Groove.” These movies capture the spirit of EDM culture and showcase the impact that the genre has had on society.

In conclusion, the “15 best EDM movies of all time” that will be mentioned in this article are a testament to the power of music and the impact that it can have on people’s lives.

Whether you are a seasoned raver or just getting into the genre, these movies are a must-see and will leave you feeling inspired and energized.

So grab some popcorn, turn up the volume of your device(s), and get ready to experience the magic of EDM on the big screen.

15 Best EDM Movies of All Time

Review of 15 Best EDM Movies of All Time

Daft Punk Unchained

Daft Punk Unchained is about two Frenchman that won a few Grammy’s for their presence in the Electronic Dance Music scene.

The movie is Written by Marina Rozenman and Hervé Martin-Delpierre. The movie stars two French musicians: Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter.

Daft Punk Unchained documents how these two French musicians emerged, their influence on EDM, and the concept that it was done under a plastic helmet.

Human Traffic

Human Traffic is a 1999 British-Irish EDM movie that is about five friends Jip, Lulu, Koop, Nina, and Moff. These fellows always love to party, pub, and club endlessly all weekends.

These friends are tired of being bored with their Monday to Friday Jobs. However, they come alive on weekends. Listening to EDM is all they live and look forward to.

This independent coming-of-age comedy EDM movie also chronicles their best times and bad times. Human Traffic exemplifies the club culture as well as makes clear the reason EDM trended in the UK.

Party Monster

Party Monster is another amazing EDM movie written and directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato. This movie gives an account of the peak and the comedown of the infamous New York City party promoter Michael Alig.

Michael Alig was an American club promoter and a ring leader of Club Kids, a group of young New York City dance clubs. Party Monster is based on the memoir titled Disco Bloodbath written by James St. James. James St. James was Michael Alig’s friend, mentor, and collaborator.

Regardless, the friendship and collaboration ended and they became rivals when Michael Alig’s drug addiction became worse and he murdered Andre “Angel” Melendez and went to prison.

I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead

I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead is a Netflix documentary of the Boneless producer. It is directed by Justin Krook.

I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead is about one of the most eminent DJs that is alive today. The DJ is the famous Steve Aoki an EDM megastar with a strenuous touring schedule.

With a crazy lifestyle, he travels the world popping champagne, throwing cakes, and surfing his way through every continent on Earth. I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead is exactly what the EDM megastar is indirectly trying to portray with his strenuous touring schedule. Perfect name for the movie

Apart from being one of the best EDM movies, it also has the immaculate title “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” which says it all.

Paris is Burning

Paris is Burning is an American EDM movie produced and directed by Jennie Livingston. The movie is about different houses that would stand as contestants in a pageantry show under various categories.

It also documents the problems and difficulties of some poor and middle-class fellows seeking a platform to express themselves regardless of their situation.

Paris is Burning features EDM and insight into nightlife in the 80s and how the platform was set which later evolved into famous clubs and parties promoting identity and freedom of expression.

The movie title is coined from Paris Is Burning Ball held yearly by artist Paris Dupree who appeared in the movie. Paris is Burning is regarded to be culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.

It was selected for preservation in 2016 by the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

Under The Electric Sky

Under The Electric Sky is an EDM movie co-directed by Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz. Under The Electric Sky is about the life and gathering of festival-goers during the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas.

The Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas is the largest dance and music festival held in the US. This movie focuses on the Electric Daisy Carnival headliners (also known as Fans) and their important role in the carnival.

The movie Under The Electric Sky also documents Pasquale Rotella the founder of the EDC and his obsessive perfectionism. There’s a part the industry legend Tiesto is giving insight and what it means to perform at the neon visual spectacular.

The colourful 3D candy in the movie Under The Electric Sky is so beautiful for lovers of electronic dance and music.

I AM Hardwell

I AM Hardwell chronicles the life of a Dutch DJ Robbert van de Corput, popularly known as Hardwell.

While other kids are busy playing sports after school, kid Robbert will be playing with sounds in his bedroom studio. It is a matter of time before DJ Hardwell becomes the number one DJ and journeys to become very outstanding.

The superstar DJ Hardwell brings together all of his ideas, from painting to visuals to his very own take on present-time EDM.

Berlin Calling

Berlin Calling is another movie that focuses solely on EDM. With EDM contributions from Paul and Fritz Kalkbrenner. The soundtrack in Berlin Calling is pretty interesting and easy to listen to. However, the movie itself is funny and fantastic.

It is about the occasion and life of DJ and producer Paul Kalkbrenner popularly known as Ickarus and his institutionalization for drug abuse. Berlin Calling also features an unending party and at the same time addresses the mindset towards self-medication.

Giving Up The Day Job

Above and Beyond Acoustic: Giving Up the Day Job is an EDM movie and documentary about trance British legends about to give up their DJ career for an acoustic journey around the world.

The movie Giving Up the Day Job stars Jono Grant, Tony McGuiness, and Paavo SilJamaki. It is directed by Miles Desenberg and Paul Dugdale. The EDM legends embarked to try out their Electronic Dance Music with some Acoustic performances at the Hollywood Bowl.

These melodic songs are played with a full symphonic orchestra accompaniment alongside some incredible singers they have worked with during their careers.

What We Started

What we started is another EDM movie with two legends. The vinyl legend Carl Cox and Dutch dance and pop heartthrob Martin Garrix. It is also a documentary film about electronic dance music that premiered on June 15, 2017, at the Los Angeles Film Festival.

What We Started is produced by Bert Marcus, Cassandra Hamar, Cyrus Saidi, and Bert Marcus Productions. It is directed by Bert Marcus and Cyrus Saidi.

With a focus on Carl Cox as the Old Legend and Martin Garrix as the new one, this movie chronicles three decades of EDM and some interviews with other artists involved.

Leave The World Behind

Leave the world behind is one of the best EDM movies to watch if you are a fan of Electronic dance music.

The movie chronicles the hallmark of the Swedish House Mafia and their final tour before the breakup in 2013.

The Swedish house music supergroup consists of Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso popularly known for the biggest single hit “Don’t You Worry Child.”

Leave the world behind does not focus on Electronic dance alone but also on the life and success story of three DJs.

Regardless, this movie also opens up to the fact that despite their success, these DJs are also humans like everyone. The movie also gives an insight into the reason the trio split and why they felt it was the best.

XOXO

XOXO is an EDM movie about six strangers and a young DJ that was given an opportunity to perform during a frenetic night of dream hunt and romance.

This music focuses on the hopeless romance of these six strangers and the fears of young musicians especially in this Era of technology and its influence on music.

It is an electronic dance festival and this time around, this budding DJ Ethan is given a slot. For Ethan, the festival is just another chance to excel and he is ready to grab the opportunity.

Xoxo features some energetic charms and the fact that the chaos and trivialities could be resolved in one evening makes the movie very interesting.

We Are Your Friends

We Are Your Friends is another EDM movie directed by Max Joseph and Produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, and Liza Chasin. It’s about Zac Efron popularly known as Young Cole Carter who aspires to be a renowned big-time Hollywood DJ.

Young spends all his time working on the particular track he feels will hit the world of EDM and only hangs with buddies when they are done. He eventually meets and becomes friends with charismatic DJ James Reed who clears the path and offers Young an opportunity and a future.

Young gets everything twisted along the line as he develops feelings for Reed’s girlfriend, complicating and jeopardizing his friendship and future.

It’s All Gone Pete Tong

It’s All Gone Pete Tong (Pete Tong meaning wrong). It’s All Gone Pete Tong is another beautiful EDM movie you need to see. Megastar DJ Frankie Wilde is unknowingly abusing his body and his hearing in clubs in Ibiza.

DJ Frankie sticks to enjoying this hedonistic lifestyle with his trophy wife and he is gradually going deaf. This somehow affects his life and career and he has to lock himself up indoors for a year just to come out with a new attitude.

Frankie admits to his hearing disorder and tries to readjust and work without sound. And things look pretty different when one can not see.

Hi-Tech Soul

Hi-Tech Soul chronicles the race riot of 1967 up to the Underground Party scene of late 1980. The history and music are focused on the root and birthplace of techno music which is Detroit. You can also see the culture in this EDM movie.

The economic breakdown of Detroit is not able to stop the discovery and invention of a subgenre of EDM. This EDM movie also features interviews with some of the top and prominent creators of electronic dance music and the struggles that evolved.

EDM megastars such as Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson. And artists like Richie Hawtin, Jeff Mills, Carl Craig, Eddie Fowlkes, and a host of others.

This EDM movie titled Hi-Tech demonstrates why techno, with its abrasive tones and resonating basslines, was born in Detroit.

How Did We Arrive at this Selection?

The selection of these 15 best EDM movies was fun as we considered the ones with the most related dance and interesting narratives. Some are documentaries but they all have EDM soundtracks and are produced by popular EDM Producers and DJs.

Conclusion

These 15 EDM movies are the best EDM movies out there to watch if you are a fan of Electronic Dance Music. And even if you are not a movie freak, you may consider checking them out.

There are movies about EDM, life stories, and documentaries of some EDM musicians and fans. You will also get the history and culture of Electronics dance music in some of these movies. For now, Happy watching!