The documentary landscape is as mercurial as ever, with films that may not even exist this time next year already gaining traction. From high-profile retrospectives to thought-provoking explorations of pressing global issues, the slate for 2026 promises to be both packed and compelling.
One of the most anticipated documentaries of the year appears to be "Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie", a film by Alex Gibney that delves into the 2022 onstage assassination attempt on the author, which left him with permanent vision loss in one eye. Combining never-before-seen footage of Rushdie's recovery process with interviews and excerpts from his work, including the fatwa issued against him in 1989, the film promises to offer a deeply personal and thought-provoking examination of the events that shook literary circles worldwide.
Another highly anticipated documentary is "Alex Gibney's Musk", which has been years in the making. Gibney, known for his incisive explorations of complex figures like the Church of Scientology and Elon Musk, will provide a definitive and unvarnished look at the tech mogul's life and career. While details remain scarce, the project promises to shed new light on one of the most enigmatic and influential figures of our time.
Meanwhile, the Sundance Film Festival is set to premiere "The History of Concrete", a feature-length documentary that will delve into the fascinating world of building materials. The film follows director John Wilson as he explores the often-overlooked but crucial role of concrete in shaping urban landscapes. With its unique blend of observational humor and insightful analysis, this project has all the makings of a must-see classic.
Another highly anticipated release is "Oz", a documentary that revisits the 1939 film adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical, which tested the limits of its creators in ways both creative and personal. Featuring archival footage, re-enactments, and exclusive interviews, this project promises to offer a fresh perspective on a beloved classic.
Billie Jean King is finally getting her due, thanks to "Give Me the Ball!", a documentary that explores her trailblazing career and enduring legacy as a tennis legend and LGBTQ+ icon. With archival materials and exclusive interviews, this film will provide a nuanced and inspiring portrait of a woman who has spent her life pushing boundaries and breaking barriers.
Questlove returns with another compelling documentary, "Earth, Wind & Fire", which delves into the history of the iconic Chicago group founded by Maurice White. Gaining access to the band's video and recording archive, Questlove will provide a richly textured exploration of one of the most influential bands in music history.
Finally, "American Doctor" offers a powerful reminder of the urgent need for collective action on behalf of those suffering in Gaza. This documentary follows three American physicians – Palestinian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian – as they work to help those affected by devastating attacks. With its thought-provoking examination of US involvement in Gaza and its call to engage with humanity and collective action, this project has all the makings of a deeply impactful film.
These documentaries promise to be just a few among many that will make 2026 a memorable year for nonfiction cinema.
One of the most anticipated documentaries of the year appears to be "Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie", a film by Alex Gibney that delves into the 2022 onstage assassination attempt on the author, which left him with permanent vision loss in one eye. Combining never-before-seen footage of Rushdie's recovery process with interviews and excerpts from his work, including the fatwa issued against him in 1989, the film promises to offer a deeply personal and thought-provoking examination of the events that shook literary circles worldwide.
Another highly anticipated documentary is "Alex Gibney's Musk", which has been years in the making. Gibney, known for his incisive explorations of complex figures like the Church of Scientology and Elon Musk, will provide a definitive and unvarnished look at the tech mogul's life and career. While details remain scarce, the project promises to shed new light on one of the most enigmatic and influential figures of our time.
Meanwhile, the Sundance Film Festival is set to premiere "The History of Concrete", a feature-length documentary that will delve into the fascinating world of building materials. The film follows director John Wilson as he explores the often-overlooked but crucial role of concrete in shaping urban landscapes. With its unique blend of observational humor and insightful analysis, this project has all the makings of a must-see classic.
Another highly anticipated release is "Oz", a documentary that revisits the 1939 film adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical, which tested the limits of its creators in ways both creative and personal. Featuring archival footage, re-enactments, and exclusive interviews, this project promises to offer a fresh perspective on a beloved classic.
Billie Jean King is finally getting her due, thanks to "Give Me the Ball!", a documentary that explores her trailblazing career and enduring legacy as a tennis legend and LGBTQ+ icon. With archival materials and exclusive interviews, this film will provide a nuanced and inspiring portrait of a woman who has spent her life pushing boundaries and breaking barriers.
Questlove returns with another compelling documentary, "Earth, Wind & Fire", which delves into the history of the iconic Chicago group founded by Maurice White. Gaining access to the band's video and recording archive, Questlove will provide a richly textured exploration of one of the most influential bands in music history.
Finally, "American Doctor" offers a powerful reminder of the urgent need for collective action on behalf of those suffering in Gaza. This documentary follows three American physicians – Palestinian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian – as they work to help those affected by devastating attacks. With its thought-provoking examination of US involvement in Gaza and its call to engage with humanity and collective action, this project has all the makings of a deeply impactful film.
These documentaries promise to be just a few among many that will make 2026 a memorable year for nonfiction cinema.
I'm hyped about these doco releases in 2026, but some of them are gonna break my bank 
like those Gibney docs, man... Alex is known for being super in-depth on his subjects 
, but at what cost? It's a bit much to handle all that info 
. But I guess it's worth it if they're really shedding new light on these figures and events. Like, we need more perspectives on Elon Musk 
, but let's hope this doco does her justice 
. Those Earth, Wind & Fire docs are gonna be fire 
, gotta get me in on that! And "American Doctor" is a tough one, we really need more docs on the human impact of conflict 
... fingers crossed it gets made 
And what about all the voices that get left out in favor of these A-list docs? 
I'm not saying these documentaries don't have value, but we need to be critical about whose stories are getting told and on what terms. 
, can't even get a decent viewing experience on YouTube anymore! Anyway, back to these upcoming docos... love the vibe of Alex Gibney's projects, always so in-depth and thought-provoking 
. "Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie" sounds especially intense, gotta see how that one plays out 
. And Questlove's new doc on Earth, Wind & Fire is gonna be epic! Can't wait to dive into these docs and give my thoughts 
but also "Give Me the Ball!" is already giving me all the feels, Billie Jean King's story is so inspiring 
) that Alex Gibney's "Musk" has been in the works for so long, they've already had to rewrite the script like 5 times 
. And can we talk about Billie Jean King's doc without getting emotional? She's an icon and I'm so hyped to see her story get the love it deserves 
. And have you seen any teasers from "Earth, Wind & Fire" yet? Questlove is a genius and I know he's gonna bring that fire 
. But let's be real, the one that really got me is "American Doctor" - Gaza situation needs more awareness and action ASAP 
. Can't wait to see how these docs shape up on release day! 
. You have to feel for the guy who survived such an ordeal.
! It's heartening to see more films celebrating diverse voices and experiences, like Billie Jean King's "Give Me the Ball!". She's been a trailblazer for so long, it's about time we have her story told in such depth 
. I'm especially intrigued by "The History of Concrete" – who knew concrete could be so fascinating? 
It just goes to show that there are so many untold stories out there waiting to be uncovered.
and his controversies. It feels like we're just scratching the surface of getting to know him, but at the same time, it's good that someone is trying to shed light on his story 
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. What's really going on with these moguls that we don't know about? 
And what's with the timing of this documentary release? It just so happens that 2026 is gonna be a busy year for documentaries... Coincidence? I don't think so 
. Also, have you seen Billie Jean King's doc? She's not just a tennis legend, she's a symbol of resistance against the system 
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. Alex Gibney's gotta get to the bottom of this and give us a real, unvarnished look at what happened. No hand-wringing, no sanctimony – just hard-hitting truth.
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. I want the hard truth about her struggles and triumphs – no sugarcoating here.
? can't wait to see what he has to say. also "Give Me the Ball!" is long overdue - Billie Jean King is an icon and i'm so here for this documentary 
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? or the history of Gaza 
. And what's up with the new Billie Jean King doco, I love her story 
! There's one that really caught my eye, "Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie" by Alex Gibney - the guy who made "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room". I think it's so important to tell the story behind the assassination attempt on Rushdie and how it affected him. And I'm also intrigued by "Alex Gibney's Musk", because Elon Musk is like, super mysterious and all