Daydream Believers traces the story of The Monkees' creation by a Hollywood television studio and record company in 1965 to be an 'American Beatles' group on a comedic television series. The four Monkees rose to the top of the television ratings with their slapstick shenanigans, and to the zenith of the rock and roll charts with their sunny and carefree music. The group's success came at a time of tremendous social and political unrest, and after two years of hype and adoration, they grew restless with the manufactured songs and scripts the studio machine forced upon them. They wanted to be authentic musicians with relevant, social commentary in their songs and shows, but the studio wasn't interested, and eventually cancelled their television series.