Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Feb 4, 2023

The poster... advertises the appearances of Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Mick Jagger, Stevie Wonder and Bette Midler, ironic since the documentary is really about the back-up singers who performed with them and many others, always outside of the spotlight.

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Jonny Mahon-Heap The Post NZ Nov 7, 2022

It’s a loving chronicle of the untold stories of backup singers for the world’s most iconic performers.

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Jordan M. Smith IONCINEMA.com Nov 12, 2020 3.5/5

I've found myself wholly involved, enthralled by these incredible singers and moved by their stories of unappreciated talent.

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Charlotte Harrison Charlotte Sometimes Goes to the Movies Nov 6, 2020

If you're a fan of any songs from 1950s onwards, you're going to want to watch this.

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Stephanie Chapman Pop Culture Leftovers Oct 11, 2020

There is also the reality that many face of failed solo careers, manipulation by record executives and even a lack of appreciation from the same artists whose music they help create.

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Amy Taubin Film Comment Magazine Aug 28, 2019

The movie pays a long-overdue tribute to their glorious pipes, but also engages with the disconnection between talent and stardom, and while it isn't exactly an exposé of the music industry, infuriating details emerge.

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Ryan Syrek The Reader (Omaha, NE) Aug 27, 2019 C+

It is a bit ironic that the film we could have seen is somewhere to the side of this one, probably no more than 20 feet away.

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Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Jul 3, 2019 3.5/5

Both a sight for sore eyes, and a clearing of blocked ears.

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Calum Baker One Room With A View Jun 17, 2019 4/5

No murders or revolutions necessary in this well-constructed and moving exploration of great talents who deserve their dues.

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Ren Jender Bitch Flicks Mar 14, 2019

The Oscar-nominated documentary 20 Feet From Stardom attempts to right this injustice by focusing on [Merry] Clayton and a number of other backup singers whose voices we know, but whose names we often do not.

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Ben Nicholson CineVue Mar 8, 2019 3/5

The parade of incredible women, the stream of songs you won't believe they sang on, and those irresistible voices belting out keep the rhythm going through the schmaltz, even if the conductor seems to have dropped his hymn book.

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Molly Templeton Eugene Weekly (OR) Feb 26, 2019

If 20 Feet from Stardom has a flaw, it's one that's impossible to fix: It could be more, bigger, longer; it could be a miniseries, a Behind the Music of the voices you know but don't necessarily recognize.

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Di Golding Dear Cast and Crew Dec 11, 2018 3/5

20 Feet has fingers in a lot of narrative pies, but it's most interesting when it focuses on the singers' struggles in a historical context.

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Pat Padua DCist Aug 30, 2018

As much bittersweet as inspirational.

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Rosalynn Try-Hane Battle Royale With Cheese Aug 22, 2018

It certainly a must watch for music lovers and for those curious to see the pivotal role that back-up singers played in shaping pop and rock classics of the 60s and 70s.

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Kate Muir The Times (UK) Jan 1, 2018

Artists including Mick Jagger talk about their backing singers -- and the soundtrack is, of course, heavenly.

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Craig D. Lindsey INDY Week Oct 25, 2017 4/4

Joyous, uplifting, melancholy and nostalgic, Twenty Feet From Stardom is a stunning salute to the singers who stay in the background, but whose talents can never be contained there.

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Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Sep 5, 2017 B+

While there are moments in the film awkwardly placed to achieve moments of pensiveness from the talent, what it does well is offers a point of view where there wasn't before.

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Dwight Brown National Newspaper Publishers Association Mar 7, 2017

As illuminating as it is thoroughly entertaining.

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Sean Burns Philadelphia Weekly Apr 28, 2015

Just thrilling. Watching this movie feels like finally giving credit where it's overdue.

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