The world of documentary filmmaking is poised for a remarkable year in 2026, with a slate of high-profile projects promising to delve into the lives of controversial public figures, pivotal historical events, and the technologies shaping our future. From the attempted assassination of a famed author to the inner workings of the world's richest man, these non-fiction films are already generating significant buzz ahead of their release.
High-Profile Stories and Personal Journeys
Leading the charge is Alex Gibney's adaptation of Salman Rushdie's memoir, 'Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie'. The film, set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, chronicles the 2022 on-stage attack that left the Indian-born, British-raised writer blind in one eye. It incorporates never-before-seen footage of his recovery, filmed by his wife, photographer Rachel Eliza Griffiths, alongside interviews and excerpts from his work, including the 1989 fatwa issued by Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini.
Gibney remains a busy figure, with another major project still in the works: his long-gestating documentary on Elon Musk. Promising a "definitive and unvarnished examination" of the erratic tech billionaire, the film will feature accounts from former associates, though notably not Musk himself. The project, last reported on in August 2025, is slated for a theatrical release in the US.
On a different note, Oscar-winner Daniel Roher (Navalny) turns the lens on himself and the future in 'The AI Doc (Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist)'. Premiering at Sundance, the film follows Roher as he grapples with the existential risks and potential of artificial intelligence, a journey coinciding with his impending fatherhood. Co-directed by Charlie Tyrell and produced by Daniel Kwan, it aims to balance perspectives from both optimists and doomsayers.
Cultural Icons and Historical Deep Dives
The 2026 line-up also offers rich retrospectives and cultural excavations. 'Give Me the Ball!' delivers a long-awaited documentary portrait of tennis legend and queer icon Billie Jean King. Directed by Liz Garbus and Elizabeth Wolff, the film uses archival material and exclusive interviews to explore her famed 'Battle of the Sexes' match and her lifelong advocacy for women's and LGBTQ+ rights.
Music fans have much to anticipate, including a new project from acclaimed director Questlove. Following his Oscar-winning Summer of Soul, he is creating a celebratory documentary on the legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire, founded by Maurice White. With full access to the band's archives and the support of White's estate, the film is destined for HBO.
Meanwhile, 'Once Upon a Time in Harlem' offers a unique time capsule. It presents newly restored footage from a 1972 dinner party hosted by filmmaker William Greaves at Duke Ellington's home, gathering the surviving luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance for an evening of conversation captured in cinema verité style.
Innovative Formats and Urgent Current Affairs
Pushing the boundaries of the concert film, 'Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)' sees director James Cameron employ groundbreaking camera technology to document the gen Z star's performances. Billed as an innovative concert experience, it arrives in cinemas from 20 March.
In a more whimsical vein, John Wilson (How To With John Wilson) makes his feature-length debut with 'The History of Concrete'. True to his idiosyncratic style, the documentary applies the formula of a Hallmark movie to the seemingly mundane subject of concrete, promising his signature blend of observational humour and urban magic.
Finally, addressing one of the most urgent crises, 'American Doctor' follows three American physicians—Palestinian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian—who travel to Gaza driven by a moral duty to help. The film documents their work in triage units and examines the role of the US in the conflict, seeking a path toward humanity and collective action.
With subjects ranging from the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz to the pressing issues of our time, the documentary landscape of 2026 is shaping up to be both profoundly diverse and unmissable.
