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Poster for The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground

Seen it?

2021 | 121 min | Documentary, Music

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (98% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for the curious. If you loved Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Eye-opening.
The pace
Moves along nicely, at 2 hr 1 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: meant for adults.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Experience the iconic rock band's legacy in the first major documentary to tell their story. Directed with the era’s avant-garde spirit by Todd Haynes, this kaleidoscopic oral history combines exclusive interviews with dazzling archival footage.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 87 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.8 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Nominated for 4 Critics' Choice Awards.

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 36K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Todd Haynes

  • Lou ReedSelf (archive footage)
  • John CaleSelf
  • Sterling MorrisonSelf (archive footage)
  • Maureen TuckerSelf
  • Jonas MekasSelf
  • Jonathan RichmanSelf
  • John WatersSelf
  • NicoSelf (archive footage)
  • David BowieSelf (voice)
  • Doug YuleSelf (archive footage)