The world of documentary filmmaking is poised for a remarkable year in 2026, with a slate of major new films promising deep dives into the lives of controversial public figures, pivotal historical events, and the technologies shaping our future. From the attempted murder of a celebrated author to the inner workings of a tech titan's empire, these non-fiction features are already generating significant buzz.
High-Profile Stories and Provocative Subjects
Leading the charge is Alex Gibney, the prolific documentarian behind critical films on Enron and Elizabeth Holmes. He is set to deliver not one, but two of the year's most talked-about projects. The first, Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie, adapts the writer's bestselling memoir about the 2022 onstage assassination attempt that cost him the sight in one eye. The film, expected to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, will feature never-before-seen footage of Rushdie's recovery filmed by his wife, Rachel Eliza Griffiths, alongside interviews and excerpts from his work concerning the 1989 fatwa issued by Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini.
Gibney's second major project is his long-awaited film on Elon Musk. Described as a "definitive and unvarnished examination" of the erratic entrepreneur, the documentary will feature participation from former associates, though notably not Musk himself. The film, which has been in production for years, was acquired by Bleecker Street in August 2025 for a future theatrical release in the United States.
Cultural Icons and Technological Frontiers
The 2026 documentary roster also celebrates cultural legends and examines modern phenomena. Give Me the Ball!, premiering at Sundance, offers a retrospective on tennis legend and queer icon Billie Jean King, exploring her famed Battle of the Sexes match and her advocacy for women's and LGBTQ+ rights. In music, Roots member Questlove follows his Oscar-winning Summer of Soul with a celebratory documentary on the iconic band Earth, Wind & Fire, made with full access to the band's archives and the support of founder Maurice White's estate.
Technology takes centre stage in The AI Doc (Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist) from Oscar-winning director Daniel Roher (Navalny). Premiering at Sundance with a March theatrical release, the film explores the existential dangers and potential of artificial intelligence from Roher's personal perspective as he anticipates fatherhood. It is co-directed by Charlie Tyrell and produced by Daniel Kwan of Everything Everywhere All At Once fame.
Hidden Histories and Cinematic Experiments
Other notable entries promise unique glimpses into history and creative storytelling. Once Upon a Time in Harlem presents newly restored cinema verité footage from a 1972 dinner party hosted by filmmaker William Greaves, gathering the surviving luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance for a historic conversation.
John Wilson, creator of HBO's How To With John Wilson, makes his feature-length documentary debut with The History of Concrete, applying his signature droll and observational style to the ubiquitous building material. In a blend of classic cinema and modern documentary, Oz will revisit the tumultuous production of the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz, featuring archival footage and new re-enactments.
Finally, the concert film Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D) sees director James Cameron applying groundbreaking cinematic technology to capture the singer's tour, promising an innovative concert experience from March 2026. The documentary American Doctor will also provide a vital, gut-wrenching look at the work of three American physicians in Gaza, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
