The Velvet Underground
Synopsis
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.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Official TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2021-08-30
Top Cast
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Lou Reed
Self (archive footage)
John Cale
Self
Sterling Morrison
Self (archive footage)
Maureen Tucker
Self
Jonas Mekas
Self
Jonathan Richman
Self
John Waters
Self
Nico
Self (archive footage)
David Bowie
Self (voice)
Doug Yule
Self (archive footage)
Danny Fields
Self
La Monte Young
Self
Amy Taubin
Self
Allen Ginsberg
Self (archive footage)
Mary Woronov
Self
Marian Zazeela
Self
Jackson Browne
Self
Joseph Freeman
Self
Release History & Theatrical Window
Zurich Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
October 15, 2021
Wide Cinema Exhibition
October 14, 2021
VOD & Digital Platforms
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Todd Haynes
- Screenplay & Story
- Todd Haynes
- Original Title
- The Velvet Underground
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 2h 1m
- Production Studios
- Motto Pictures, Polygram Entertainment, Verve Label Group, Killer Films, Federal Films
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Todd Haynes
Todd Haynes
Edward Lachman, Tinx Chan
Affonso Gonçalves, Adam Kurnitz
John Sloss, Carolyn Hepburn, Pamela Koffler, Danny Bennett, Michele Anthony
Department Leadership Roster
Edward Lachman
Director of Photography
Carolyn Hepburn
Producer
Todd Haynes
Writer
Julie Goldman
Producer
Todd Haynes
Director
Christine Vachon
Producer
Christopher Clements
Producer
David Blackman
Producer
Todd Haynes
Producer
Affonso Gonçalves
Editor
Adam Kurnitz
Editor
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.
FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.
Suitable only for 15 years and over.
Restricted to Adults (18+).
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Velvet Underground.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Velvet Underground.
In Theatres This Week
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Letterboxd's official Top 250 documentary feature films, ranked by average member rating. Letterboxd 官方 Top 250 最佳纪录长片榜单： 根据平台用户的平均评分进行排序的纪录长片精选榜单。 *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-20 07:38:00 UTC+8)*
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Criterion Collection
The Complete Criterion Collection. The Criterion Collection is a video distribution company that sells 'important classic and contemporary films' in editions that offer the highest technical quality. This list contains only the featured films released on DVD, BluRay and 4K Criterion releases — no supplements are included. Organized by spine number with the newest releases first. CC标准收藏完整收录版： 收录标准收藏（Criterion Collection）发行的重要经典及当代电影。仅包含正片（涵盖 DVD、蓝光及 4K 版本），已排除花絮补充内容。按 CC 发行编号倒序排列（最新发行在前）。 *注：榜单源数据中包含部分剧集/迷你剧，由于本片单只收录纯电影，故不再收录以下非电影条目：* • [#214] Mangrove (2020) • [#215] Lovers Rock (2020) • [#216] Red, White and Blue (2020) • [#217] Alex Wheatle (2020) • [#486] Eight Hours Don’t Make a Day (1972) • [#647] Dekalog (1989) • [#944] World on a Wire (1973) • [#1187] Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980) • [#1338] Fanny and Alexander (1984) • [#1341] Tanner '88 (1988) • [#1371] Scenes from a Marriage (1973) *注：以下影片因 TMDB 尚未收录，暂不在此片单中展示：* • [#531] First (2012) • [#1699] Ulysse (1983) *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-11 07:39:08 UTC+8)*
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Curated list of Documentary on Apple TV+ (US). Updated frequently. Last updated October 14, 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Velvet Underground
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Velvet Underground about?
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.
Who directed The Velvet Underground?
The Velvet Underground was directed by Todd Haynes.
Who stars in The Velvet Underground?
The principal cast of The Velvet Underground includes Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, Maureen Tucker, Jonas Mekas.
When was The Velvet Underground released and how long is it?
The Velvet Underground was released in 2021 with a total runtime of 2h 1m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Velvet Underground?
The Velvet Underground holds official age classifications: AU: M (Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.); CA: 18A; DE: 16 (FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.); GB: 15 (Suitable only for 15 years and over.); IN: A (Restricted to Adults (18+).); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).