The War on Disco (2023): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2023, The War on Disco is a documentary, history and music film directed by Lisa Quijano Wolfinger, running about 51 minutes.

What it’s about. The War on Disco explores the culture war that erupted over the spectacular rise of disco music. Originating in underground Black and gay clubs, disco had unseated rock as America’s most popular music by the late 1970s. But many diehard rock fans viewed disco, with its repetitive beat and culture that emphasized pleasure, as shallow and superficial. A story that’s about much more than music, The War on Disco explores how the powerful anti-disco backlash revealed a cultural divide that to some seemed to be driven by racism and homophobia. The hostility came to a head on July 12, 1979, when a riot broke out at “Disco Demolition Night” during a baseball game in Chicago.

Who’s in it. The War on Disco stars Felipe Rose as Self, Steve Dahl as Self, Linda Clifford as Self and Daphne Brooks as Self, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.8/10, The War on Disco has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on PBS Documentaries Amazon Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The War on Disco page.

If you liked it. Fans of The War on Disco tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.