David Byrne's American Utopia

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David Byrne's American Utopia

2020

2h 15m

Musical

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

144 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Singer David Byrne and a group of international musicians perform songs from the hit Broadway musical "American Utopia."

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Critics Consensus

Helmed in elegant and exhilarating style by Spike Lee, David Byrne's American Utopia is a concert film that doubles as a joyously cathartic celebration.

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Tim Robey

Monocle

Mar 13, 2021

What they've managed to do is create a permanent record of this amazing show, which I think will go down as one of the most meticulously crafted and contemplated performances by a major musician in history.

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Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

Dec 19, 2020

4/5

Director Spike Lee and musician David Byrne have created a crowd-pleaser with this spry concert film of Byrne's 2018 tour turned Broadway performance.

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Clarisse Loughrey

Independent (UK)

Dec 17, 2020

5/5

It would have been a miraculous celebration of neighbourly love even if it hadn't been released in the middle of a pandemic. But, in these circumstances, that sense of temporary relief feels intoxicating.

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Victoria Luxford

Clash Magazine

Aug 18, 2026

9/10

American Utopia is another gem from an artist who knows how to make a concert film memorable.

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Ryan McQuade

InSession Film

Apr 4, 2024

America Utopia is a warm, funky, intelligent, important blanket...

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Feb 12, 2024

B+

Byrne's message in the film is one of diversity, inclusiveness and togetherness. He also has a message that despite how hopeless things seem at the moment, there is still hope for the future. This is a very positive movie, full of joy and hope.

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Michele M

Sep 17, 2021

The play was thought provoking and entertaining. As always David Byrne continues to shine and be creative, collaborative, and has what a personality!

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The Spinning Boy

Sep 16, 2021

Music, performance and staging of the show was great. Interview with Spike Lee at the beginning was an annoying waste of time. That opener only detracted from the film.

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Levi J

@Lev77 Mar 29, 2026

Amazing, powerful music in a great performance with stunning visuals all captured by the amazing, powerful minds of Spike Lee and David Byrne!

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Terry S

@RT84781810 Nov 9, 2025

Words fail me in the face of such genius--My only regret is that I didn't get to see it on Broadway!

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dave d

@RT34924333 Apr 28, 2023

Spike Lee does his best putting American Utopia on film as opposed to broadway, but frankly, the music just doesn't bring it together and everything feels claustrophobic. David Byrne is a marvel, and the choreography is spectacular, however, the songs in this musical only work when Byrne brings out his Talking Heads material. Final Score: 4.2/10

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Ian M

@RT27984933 Dec 29, 2022

A work of absolute genius. The best, or second best concert movie of all time depending on where you put Stop Making Sense.

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David Byrne's American Utopia: Trailer 1

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David Byrne's American Utopia: Teaser Trailer

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Synopsis

Singer David Byrne and a group of international musicians perform songs from the hit Broadway musical "American Utopia."

Director: Spike Lee
Production Co: Warner Music Group, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, RadicalMedia, River Road Entertainment
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 17, 2020
Runtime: 2h 15m

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