2025’s Hottest Documentaries: What to Watch This Year
The new year brings a wave of highly anticipated documentaries, promising compelling stories and insightful perspectives. From the music scene to the world of technology, 2025’s nonfiction film offerings are diverse and captivating. Early predictions suggest a strong year for the genre, with several films already generating significant buzz.
A Musical Legacy: Sly Lives! (AKA The Burden of Black Genius)
Following his oscar-winning “summer of soul,” director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson returns with “Sly Lives! (AKA The Burden of Black Genius),” a deep dive into the life and career of Sly Stone and the Family Stone. This nearly two-hour film, premiering at Sundance in January before its Hulu release, promises to explore the band’s rise, reign, and eventual decline, while also highlighting the unique challenges faced by Black artists in America. The film features an remarkable lineup of musical guests, including Andre 3000, D’Angelo, chaka Khan, and many more.
The press release describes the film as capturing the band’s “rise, reign and subsequent fadeout while shedding light on the unseen burden that comes with success for Black artists in America.”
The Life and times of a Tech Visionary: A Documentary on Elon Musk
While details remain scarce, a documentary focusing on Elon Musk is expected to be a major release in 2025. Given Musk’s significant impact on technology and global culture,this film is sure to attract considerable attention and spark conversation.The film’s release date and platform are yet to be announced.
the Quest for Immortality: don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever
Director chris Smith, known for his work on “American Movie” and “Tiger King,” tackles a fascinating subject in “Don’t die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever.” This documentary profiles Bryan Johnson, an entrepreneur and venture capitalist with an enterprising anti-aging plan called ”Project Blueprint.” The film, streaming on January 1st, 2025, explores Johnson’s journey and the science behind his quest, without definitively proving or disproving its success. Rotten Tomatoes lists the film as available for streaming.
Predicting the Oscars: Best Documentary Feature
Predicting the winner of the Best Documentary Feature Oscar is always a challenge, but the academy’s proclamation of the 15 shortlisted films on December 17th will significantly narrow the field. The competition is expected to be fierce, with several strong contenders vying for the prestigious award. GoldDerby offers predictions on potential winners. GoldDerby provides further details.
2025 promises a diverse and compelling slate of documentaries. From musical legends to ambitious entrepreneurs, these films offer a glimpse into fascinating lives and significant issues. Keep an eye out for these and other documentaries throughout the year.
dcr-1fujct4″> Photograph: Allison Robbert/ReutersAlex Gibney, the prolific documentarian who has turned a sharp eye on Elizabeth Holmes, Enron and the Church of Scientology, has spent several years looking into the world’s richest man/Tesla founder/“X” owner/unofficial presidential adviser. The resulting film, Musk, still has no confirmed release date (HBO has domestic distribution rights, while Worldwide snapped up international rights in late 2023), though plenty of material, especially as Musk now heads the “department of government efficiency” for incoming president Trump. The film will purportedly deliver a “definitive and unvarnished examination” of the erratic billionaire. Musk, who did not participate in the project, has dismissed the portrait on X as a “hit piece”, to which Gibney responded: “How would you know?”
The UnitedHealthcare CEO/Luigi Mangione film
Never one to rest, apparently, Gibney and his production company, Jigsaw, announced in mid-December that they would partner with Anonymous Content for an as-yet untitled project on the shooting of the united Healthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, by 26-year-old Luigi Mangione. The project promises to touch on both the shooting itself – Mangione shot Thompson in midtown Manhattan as he walked into an annual investor conference – and the larger conversations about the US health insurance industry sparked by the crime, with some hailing mangione as a folk hero.according to the logline: “From the crime’s seemingly meticulous execution to the alleged killer’s manifesto and his Ivy League background to the public’s unapologetic apathy towards the victim, the investigative deep dive will ask how killers are created, what this killing says about our society and the values we place on who lives and who dies.”
Untitled Rihanna documentary
For the sixth (!) year in a row, my most anticipated documentary of the year is the still untitled, forever in purgatory film on Rihanna, which was sold to Amazon for $25m in 2019. Last year, I predicted I would make my annual plea for this film in January 2025 and, alas, we once again have no updates, just the knowledge that about 1,200 hours of Rihanna footage – pre-Super Bowl half-time show and the birth of her second son! – are just out there on director Peter Berg’s cutting room floor awaiting her approval, with the “done and sold” film (series …?) maybe never to see the light of day. Will it be this or R9 first? Here’s to hoping in 2025.
predators
For four years, starting in 2004, the Dateline NBC program To Catch a Predator confronted alleged child predators in dramatic fashion – partially using hidden cameras, the show followed undercover sting operations to lure suspected predators to a supposed meeting with a minor, only to be confronted by host Chris Hansen and, usually, arrested. Predators, a new film from director and producer David Osit (Mayor), examines the rise and shocking fall of the popular program, which was cancelled in 2008 after the suicide of a man caught exchanging pictures with a sting operator posing as a 13-year-old boy, as police and NBC camera operators entered his home. Premiering at Sundance this month, the film will also look at the world of sordid entertainment-cum-true crime the show helped create.
The Librarians
Given, um, political events scheduled for January, Librarians, a new documentary on the nationwide trend toward book bans, is perfectly timed for a Sundance premiere. The film,directed by Kim A Snyder (Us Kids,Newtown) and executive-produced by Sarah Jessica Parker,follows a group of librarians dubbed the “FReadom Fighters”,who have fought rightwing book bans in Texas,Florida and elsewhere. “They have been standing up to the ideology that prevents children from having access to certain books and they have put their own lives and their family’s lives at risk, but they have not backed down,” said Parker at the Red Sea film festival in December. The documentary will focus in particular on Amanda Jones, a librarian in southern Louisiana who faced intense backlash for defending students’ access to books with LGBTQ+ themes and published a memoir on the fight against book bans in America.
It’s never Over, Jeff Buckley
The Sundance film festival has increasingly been home to several celebrity musician doc premieres, and this year is no different, with a new portrait on the American singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley. It’s Never Over,Jeff Buckley,from director Amy Berg (Jan
Three Gripping Documentaries to Watch in the Coming Years
The world of documentary filmmaking is buzzing with anticipation for three highly anticipated films set to premiere in the coming years. From a poignant tribute to a beloved musician to an unflinching look at political and religious forces in Brazil, and the harrowing tale of the lost Titan submersible, these documentaries promise to captivate audiences worldwide.
Remembering Grace: A Musical Legacy
A new documentary, tentatively titled “Little Girl Blue,” is set to offer an intimate portrait of the late singer-songwriter Grace. The film, reportedly in post-production, promises to unveil never-before-seen footage and exclusive voice messages, alongside interviews with those closest to the artist, who tragically drowned at the age of 30 in 1997. this deeply personal exploration will undoubtedly resonate with fans and newcomers alike.
Apocalypse in the Tropics: Faith, Power, and Politics in Brazil
Director petra Costa, known for her Oscar-nominated documentary “Edge of Democracy,” returns with “Apocalypse in the Tropics.” This film delves into the powerful influence of the evangelical Christian movement in Brazil, a key factor in the country’s recent political landscape. The documentary, which premiered at film festivals in 2024, will receive a wide release on Netflix later this year. Costa’s work features interviews with prominent figures on both sides of the political spectrum, including televangelist and Bolsonaro advisor Silas Malafaia, and former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, providing a nuanced perspective on the complex interplay between faith, politics, and democracy.
“Apocalypse in the Tropics examines one of its primary fuels,” offering a compelling narrative for U.S.audiences interested in understanding the global rise of religious conservatism and its impact on democratic systems.
The Untold Story of the Titan Submersible
The tragic implosion of the Titan submersible in June 2023 captivated the world. Now, an untitled documentary is set to tell the story from a unique perspective. The film, from director Aron Arngrimsson, who reportedly was the last person to see the crew alive, promises an intimate and emotional account. According to a synopsis from producers Dirty Dozen Productions and RadicalMedia, the film ”exclusively tells the emotional experience of five Titan crew members, revealing the family stories behind the media headlines and exposing the painful consequences of an exploration gone wrong.” The documentary, currently in post-production, is slated for release in 2025.
These three documentaries offer a diverse range of compelling stories, promising to engage and inform audiences in the years to come.
John Elway: A Netflix Documentary Chronicles a Football Legend’s Journey
Netflix is set to release a documentary on the legendary NFL quarterback, John Elway, promising an in-depth look at the life and career of one of American football’s most iconic figures. The film, produced by Skydance Sports – the same production company behind the recent Aaron Rodgers docuseries – will delve into Elway’s remarkable journey, both on and off the field.
From his early days showing promise as a baseball player – a New York Yankees draft pick, no less – to his stellar college career at Stanford University, the documentary will trace Elway’s path to becoming a Denver Broncos legend. His 16-year career with the Broncos culminated in two Super Bowl victories in 1998 and 1999,a feat further enhanced by his later contributions as an executive,leading to a third Super Bowl win.
The film, titled “Elway,” is directed by Ken Rodgers and produced by Peyton manning’s Omaha Productions, a collaboration that promises a compelling and insightful perspective on Elway’s life. While a specific release date hasn’t been announced, Netflix anticipates a premiere sometime this year.
The documentary promises to explore not only Elway’s on-field prowess but also the personal challenges and triumphs that shaped his career. His competitive spirit, leadership qualities, and enduring legacy in the NFL are sure to be highlighted, offering fans a fresh perspective on this American sports icon.
A Legacy Beyond the Gridiron
Elway’s impact extends far beyond his impressive statistics. His influence on the Denver Broncos franchise and the broader NFL landscape is undeniable.This documentary promises to capture the essence of his leadership, his unwavering determination, and the lasting impact he’s had on the sport.
For American football fans, this upcoming documentary offers a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the life of a true legend. The combination of Skydance Sports’ production expertise and Peyton Manning’s involvement ensures a high-quality production that will undoubtedly resonate with audiences nationwide.
Keep an eye on netflix for updates on the official release date of “Elway.” This is one documentary that football fans won’t want to miss.
This is a engaging collection of documentary descriptions! It highlights several intriguing upcoming releases that touch on a variety of impactful subjects:
Documentaries Highlighting Cultural Moments and Controversies
Rihanna’s Unfinished Project: The potential for a Rihanna documentary featuring archival footage from Glastonbury, her Super Bowl halftime performance, and the birth of her second son raises many questions. Will it offer a glimpse into her creative process, motherhood journey, or a reflection on her cultural impact?
“Predators”: This documentary explores the rise and fall of the controversial “To catch a Predator” show. Examining its legacy, the ethical dilemmas it presented, and its influence on the true-crime genre promises a thought-provoking look at a fascinating cultural phenomenon.
“The Librarians”: This timely documentary spotlights the nationwide trend of book bans and the courageous librarians fighting for intellectual freedom. Focusing on “FReadom Fighters” like Amanda Jones highlights the personal struggles and victories in this fight, offering a powerful look at censorship and its impact.
Intimate Portraits and Biopics
“It’s never Over, Jeff Buckley”: A documentary exploring the life and music of the talented but tragically short-lived Jeff Buckley is sure to resonate with fans and introduce new generations to his artistry.
“Little Girl Blue” (Working Title): This anticipated documentary about grace recalls the haunting beauty and raw talent of the singer. Using archival footage and intimate memories from those who loved her, it promises to be a moving tribute.
“Apocalypse in the Tropics”:
This documentary by petra Costa dives into the powerful role of the evangelical Christian movement in Brazilian politics.This timely exploration of the intersection of faith, politics, and democracy offers valuable insights into a complex global trend.
* untitled Titan Submersible Doc:
Aron Arngrimsson’s documentary offering a firsthand outlook on the tragic Titan submersible implosion promises a compelling and intimate exploration of the event,
these documentary descriptions highlight the power of film to tell compelling stories, explore important social issues, and offer new perspectives on cultural moments and figures.
