Zappa
“Save the Vault. Tell the Story.”
With the help of more than 10,000 dedicated Zappa fans, this is the long-awaited definitive documentary project of Alex Winter documenting the life and career of enigmatic groundbreaking rock star Frank Zappa. Alex also utilizes in this picture thousands of hours of painstakingly digitized videos, photos, audio, writing, and everything in between from Zappa's private archives. These chronicles have never been brought to a public audience before, until now.
Where to watch Zappa in United States
Philo
Dox Amazon Channel
Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel
Kanopy
Hoopla
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At HomeClick a service to open Zappa there. Availability last verified on June 20, 2026.
Where is Zappa streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Philo, Dox Amazon Channel, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel, Kanopy | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| United Kingdom | Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Plex, YouTube Free | Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Amazon Video |
| Canada | Hoopla | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube |
| Australia | Amazon Prime Video, DocPlay, DocPlay Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | JustWatch TV, Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| Germany | ARD Plus, ARD Plus Apple TV channel, ARD Plus Amazon channel , Magenta TV+ | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies |
| Japan | Hulu | Amazon Video, FOD |
About Zappa
Zappa is a 2020 English-language music and documentary film directed by Alex Winter. The cast is led by Frank Zappa, Mike Keneally, Pamela Des Barres. It has a runtime of 2h 9m. Viewers rate it 7.3/10 across 100 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on Philo, Dox Amazon Channel, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel.
Zappa was produced by Trouper Productions, Zipper Bros Films, and Altitude Film Entertainment and made in United States of America and United Kingdom. It was released on November 27, 2020, and carries a NR certification.
- Director
- Alex Winter
- Release date
- November 27, 2020
- OTT release
- November 27, 2020
- Original language
- English
- Age rating
- NR
- Status
- Released
- Country
- United States of America, United Kingdom
- Budget
- $1 million
- Production
- Trouper Productions, Zipper Bros Films, Altitude Film Entertainment
Zappa cast & crew
Zappa was directed by Alex Winter.
The cast features Frank Zappa as Self (archive footage), Mike Keneally as Self - Played with Zappa 1987-1988, Pamela Des Barres as Self - Author, Former Member of the GTOs, Lonnie Lardner as Self - Newscaster for Action News (archive footage), Patrice Zappa as Self - Frank Zappa's Sister (archive footage), and Rose Zappa as Self - Frank Zappa's Mother (archive footage).
Behind the camera, cinematography is by Anghel Decca and it was produced by Robert Halmi Jr. and Jade Allen.
Is Zappa worth watching?
Zappa holds an audience score of 7.3/10 from 65 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed music films.
At 2h 9m, it's a standard feature-length watch.
If you enjoy music and documentary, Zappa is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch Zappa
In United States, you can stream Zappa on Philo, Dox Amazon Channel, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel, Kanopy, and Hoopla, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Click any service above to open it directly.
It first became available to stream digitally on November 27, 2020.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
Rate & review
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Cast of Zappa
Frank Zappa
Self (archive footage)
Mike Keneally
Self - Played with Zappa 1987-1988
Pamela Des Barres
Self - Author, Former Member of the GTOs
Lonnie Lardner
Self - Newscaster for Action News (archive footage)
Patrice Zappa
Self - Frank Zappa's Sister (archive footage)
Rose Zappa
Self - Frank Zappa's Mother (archive footage)
Francis Zappa
Self - Frank Zappa's Father (archive footage)
Edgard Varèse
Self (archive footage)
Don Van Vliet
Self (archive footage) (as Captain Beefheart)
The Mothers of Invention
Themselves (archive footage)
Johnny Guitar Watson
Self (archive footage)
Pamela Zarubica
Self - Zappa's Roommate
Zappa — FAQs
▸Where can I watch Zappa in United States?
Zappa is streaming on Philo, Dox Amazon Channel, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel, Kanopy in United States.
▸Is Zappa on Philo?
Yes — Zappa is currently available on Philo in United States.
▸What language is Zappa in?
Zappa is originally in English. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is Zappa?
Zappa runs 2 hours 9 minutes (129 minutes).
▸What is Zappa rated?
Zappa is rated NR. It holds a 7.3/10 audience score from 65 ratings.
▸When did Zappa release on OTT?
Zappa became available digitally on November 27, 2020.
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