On December 18, 2025, HBO premiered Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately?, a feature-length documentary chronicling the rise, challenges, and enduring influence of one of the most iconic alternative rock bands of the 1990s. The film debuted as part of HBO’s acclaimed Music Box series, known for its deep explorations into the stories of influential musicians. Directed by Amy Scott and produced in partnership with Ringer Films and Shark Pig Studios, the documentary offers a raw, compelling portrait of Counting Crows and their enigmatic frontman, Adam Duritz.
Spanning 90 minutes, the documentary takes viewers on an emotional journey through the early days of the San Francisco-based band as they ascended to international fame following the release of their debut album, August and Everything After, in 1993. Songs like “Mr. Jones” and “Round Here” propelled them to stardom, capturing a generation with their poetic lyrics and introspective sound. But beyond the success, the film delves into the personal and creative pressures that followed—particularly as the band worked on their more emotionally charged follow-up, Recovering the Satellites.
Through a combination of rare archival footage, personal photographs, studio recordings, and in-depth interviews, the documentary reveals the inner workings of the band and the personal battles faced by its members. Adam Duritz emerges as the emotional core of the story, portrayed not only as the band’s creative anchor but also as a complex figure navigating fame, mental health struggles, and the expectations of a devoted fan base. His openness in interviews—discussing the impact of dissociative disorder, public scrutiny, and the desire to protect the band’s authenticity—adds a deeply human layer to the film.
Interviews with longtime bandmates, including David Bryson, Charlie Gillingham, Dan Vickrey, and David Immerglück, paint a picture of camaraderie, artistic tension, and resilience. Viewers also hear from musical peers, critics, and cultural commentators, who place Counting Crows within the broader context of 1990s music culture—a period marked by a shift from grunge angst to introspective storytelling. The film situates the band not just as chart-toppers, but as artists who helped define the emotional texture of the decade.
Director Amy Scott, known for her previous work on music-centric documentaries, skillfully avoids nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. Instead, she presents a story about artistic identity, vulnerability, and endurance. The documentary doesn’t shy away from the messier aspects of fame. It explores the pressures placed on young artists caught between creative ambition and the demands of a mainstream audience, and it shows how those tensions shaped the band’s music and trajectory.
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The film also highlights key moments that shaped the band’s cultural relevance. From the band’s explosive debut on late-night television to their unexpected commercial success and the media narratives that followed, Have You Seen Me Lately? captures the whirlwind that was the mid-1990s music industry. But it also steps back to examine the quieter, often more profound moments—the writing sessions, the fractured tours, and the introspective pauses that shaped the band’s soul.
Audiences and critics have noted the film’s emotional depth and narrative honesty. It avoids turning the band’s story into a highlight reel, choosing instead to focus on the humanity behind the music. Duritz’s reflections on songwriting as a form of emotional survival and the band’s commitment to staying true to their vision resonate in an era where authenticity is both celebrated and commodified.
As part of a broader cultural trend in retrospective storytelling, the film speaks not only to fans of Counting Crows but also to anyone interested in the intersection of art, fame, and identity. It serves as both a celebration of a band that carved its own path and a meditation on the cost and beauty of staying emotionally honest in a world that often demands polish over truth.
Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately? is now available on HBO and streaming on HBO Max, offering new and longtime fans a chance to rediscover the band’s music and story with fresh eyes. For those who grew up with the band’s sound as the backdrop to their lives—or those discovering it for the first time—the documentary offers a poignant reminder of music’s power to connect, comfort, and endure.