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Music documentary

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams (2018) movie poster

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams is a 2018 music documentary directed by Mat Whitecross, starring Noel Gallagher, Gwyneth Paltrow and Dakota Johnson. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes and earned $812,524 worldwide on a $2.3 million budget. Critics gave it 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.9/10.

IMDb rating
7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
50%
worldwide gross
$812.5K
Echo Score
65
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Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 55m (115 min)
Director
Mat Whitecross
Genres
Music , Documentary
Original language
English
Budget
$2.3M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams About?

The premise of Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams without spoilers.

This documentary follows Coldplay’s journey from humble beginnings rehearsing in Camden to becoming a global phenomenon. Director Mat Whitecross chronicles their evolution, showcasing unseen archive footage and live performances from their two-decade career. The film explores the band’s close relationships, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the remarkable story of their rise to international success, filled with triumphs and memorable moments.

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Cast & crew

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams Cast

Noel Gallagher leads the cast, with Gwyneth Paltrow and Dakota Johnson. Directed by Mat Whitecross; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams

· 6 more
From the director

More from Mat Whitecross

More films directed by Mat Whitecross, best-rated first: Oasis: Supersonic, The Road to Guantanamo, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll and The Sound of 007.

Full filmography
Ratings

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in story & flow (55).

65 /100

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams Echo Score Breakdown

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams delivers a warmly celebratory portrait that appeals strongly to existing fans yet fails to push beyond bright nostalgia. Reviews highlight the film’s uplifting tone and vivid archival footage, while also noting its unchallenging narrative approach and occasional propagandistic feel. The balance of enthusiastic fan response and critical reservation yields a mixed consensus. Overall, the documentary is engaging for followers of the band but offers limited discovery for a general audience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the documentary employs polished editing and lively production design to create a cohesive visual journey. The use of vibrant color palettes and dynamic concert footage draws viewers into Coldplay’s story. While some find the presentation overly glossy, the direction maintains a consistent energy. Overall, the visual style supports an engaging cinematic experience despite its celebratory sheen.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film portrays Chris Martin and his bandmates with warmth, capturing moments of vulnerability and camaraderie. Interviews and behind-the-scenes clips reveal personal anecdotes that lend emotional resonance. However, the narrative rarely probes deeper conflicts or challenges, resulting in a largely uncritical portrait. This balanced depiction informs a generally pleasant but surface-level emotional connection.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of story and flow, the documentary follows a straightforward chronological structure, linking early formation to later success in an accessible manner. Pacing fluctuates between high-energy concert segments and slower retrospective interviews, which some may find uneven. The lack of critical exploration or novel perspectives limits narrative depth. Overall, the coherent sequence maintains engagement for fans but delivers limited originality or dramatic tension.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    Regarding sensory experience, the film offers an immersive soundtrack featuring Coldplay’s signature melodies alongside atmospheric sound design from live performances. The combination of archival audio and contemporary scoring enhances the emotional impact of key moments. Visually, the cohesive cinematography captures both intimate studio sessions and large-scale concerts. While audio choices may underdeliver for those seeking rare tracks, the sensory presentation remains appealing and polished.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, the documentary holds particular appeal for dedicated fans who appreciate revisiting milestone performances and career highlights. The celebratory tone and curated setlists encourage subsequent viewings for those invested in Coldplay’s journey. However, the limited critical depth and affectionate framing reduce broader replay value for general audiences. Overall, the film offers solid appeal for enthusiasts but modest enduring interest for casual viewers.

Box office

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams Box Office & Budget

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams grossed $812,524 worldwide on a $2.3 million budget, 35% of what it cost.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$812.5K

35% of its budget back

International
$812.5K
Budget
$2.3M
Videos

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams.

Coldplay - A Head Full Of Dreams (Official Film Trailer)
Details

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “Coldplay A Head Full Of Dreams (2018)” and “Coldplay : A Head Full of Dreams”.

Also known as
  • Coldplay A Head Full Of Dreams (2018)
  • Coldplay : A Head Full of Dreams
  • 酷玩乐队:满脑子的梦想
  • 콜드플레이: 헤드 풀 오브 드림스
  • קולדפליי: ראש מלא חלומות
  • โคลด์เพลย์ : อะเฮดฟูลออฟดรีมส์
  • 酷玩樂團:夢過頭紀實電影

Seen Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams?

FAQ

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams?

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).

When was Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams released?

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams was released on November 14, 2018.

Who directed Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams?

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams was directed by Mat Whitecross.

More films by Mat Whitecross

Who is in the cast of Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams?

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams stars Noel Gallagher, Gwyneth Paltrow and Dakota Johnson, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams make at the box office?

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams grossed $812,524 worldwide on a budget of $2.3 million.

How is Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams rated?

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams has 7.9/10 on IMDb, 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, 64 on Metacritic and 78% on TMDB.

Does Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams have a post-credit scene?

No. Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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