The film premiered at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, and played at both Sundance Film Festival and the 59th Berlin International Film Festival in 2009. The film received generally favorable reviews, achieving an average critic review score of 70% on Metacritic, and currently holds a certified fresh percentage of 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a consensus of: "An affectionate tribute to rock's most distinctive instrument, "It Might Get Loud" is insightful and musically satisfying". According to Phil Alexander, who gave the film a four star review in "Mojo" magazine, ""It Might Get Loud" is undoubtedly both a triumphant and truly absorbing 90-minute spectacle that provides the viewer with unique insight and entertainment in equal measure. Barney Hoskyns of "Uncut" called it an "absorbing film". Paul Elliott of "Classic Rock" describes the movie as "a bold, unique and insightful exploration into the lives of three very different guitarists with three very different stories to tell". "All highly mouth-watering stuff" he concludes.