Music by John Williams
Disney+ | Release Date: November 1, 2024 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
74
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews
Positive:
10
Mixed:
2
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Original-CinKim HughesNov 4, 2024
For film nerds and fans of classical and orchestral music, it’s absolutely gold. Read full review
88
RogerEbert.comMatt Zoller SeitzNov 1, 2024
What makes it special is that it truly cares about the nuts and bolts of marrying pictures to music and understands how to explain the finer points to people who aren’t musicians. Read full review
88
Boston GlobeOdie HendersonOct 30, 2024
Music by John Williams is a fine tribute to the magic of a legendary maestro. Read full review
80
The Daily BeastNick SchagerNov 4, 2024
There may be no cinematic artist more deserving of a lionizing documentary than Williams, and that’s precisely what he receives from Music by John Williams. Read full review
80
EmpireJohn NugentOct 25, 2024
It’s a very straightforward story, but there is no doubting the heartfelt nature of the telling — and the subject matter is unimpeachable. John Williams was the best to ever do it, and this film is a good reminder of how, and why. Read full review
75
TheWrapMatt GoldbergApr 15, 2025
While I wish the film got more into the weeds of where Williams and his work exists in comparison to those who preceded and those who followed him, this is still the kind of inoffensive celebratory piece that will have you eager to revisit his most beloved scores while gaining a bit more insight into their creation. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterDaniel FienbergNov 1, 2024
Especially in the first hour, it’s a richly satisfying tribute to an unimpeachable cinematic legend who, one could easily argue, has become even more beloved than the iconic directors he collaborated with or the movie stars whose legends his themes and cues helped burnish. Read full review
70
VarietyPeter DebrugeOct 30, 2024
It is not a documentary so much as a fan-friendly tribute, designed to celebrate Williams’ legacy without getting too personal or technical in the process. Read full review
70
ColliderJeff EwingOct 25, 2024
It's a beautiful tribute to a legend, packed with footage and interviews that highlight his accomplishments and unique talents, though at times a greater focus on John Williams the man, or a follow-up on certain thought-provoking threads, would be welcome. Read full review
67
IndieWireDavid EhrlichNov 1, 2024
“How does he do it?,” someone asks. Music by John Williams doesn’t have the slightest idea. This long and indulgent doc is content to let us bask in the mystery of it all, if only because it understands that people will be asking that same question for centuries to come. Read full review
60
The TelegraphKeith WatsonNov 1, 2024
A jazz-loving kid from a musical family, Williams has been breathing music since he could talk and, though open and forthcoming as he recalled his enduring career, he was clearly happiest when talking about the nuts and bolts of his craft. Read full review
60
The GuardianImogen TildenOct 30, 2024
Such is the narrative offered here, with no examination of how and why he so brilliantly understands the relationship between pictures and sound; nor are there insights into his composing methods, or indeed his own musical influences and icons. Read full review
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