This Week In Documentary
Theatrical & Streaming Releases - New & Recommended - February 6-12, 2026
With the Sundance Film Festival over, have we already seen the best documentaries of 2026? Often, this one event is the start and end of the discussion, and given that all of the Oscar nominees for Best Documentary Feature Film of 2025 debuted at Sundance last year, we can expect at least a few of the latest crop to be strong contenders. You can see our Sundance coverage for reviews of some of our favorites, including The Baddest Speechwriter of All, One in a Million, and Nuisance Bear and Soul Patrol. I am hopeful they are all represented come awards season. Check out our ranking of all 15 titles we watched during this fest, minus the series The Story of Documentary Film, but including one feature already hitting streaming this week, at our Letterboxd.
Now, without further ado, below are this week’s documentary highlights, followed by daily listings for all known releases and broadcasts, along with a brief look at what’s coming soon for doc fans. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to receive more in-depth highlights and reviews in the future, plus full access to special posts like our best of and most anticipated lists, and to give me more time to watch more (if not everything) available. If you have a doc in need of coverage or a mention, you can reach me at christopherbartoncampbell (at) gmail.
Nonfics Pick Of The Week: Queen Of Chess (2026)
After earning praise for making chess cool with the dramatic miniseries The Queen’s Gambit six years ago, Netflix’s involvement in a new documentary focused on the game isn’t surprising. Like that fictional show, Rory Kennedy’s Queen of Chess (which we named one of our most-anticipated documentaries of 2026) follows a young female prodigy as she makes her way to the top, despite being doubted by the established players in this sexist, male-dominated world. Judit Polgár (who was critical of The Queen’s Gambit) is the titular subject of the feature. At 15, she became the youngest player to earn the title of Grandmaster. Years later, she became the first woman to be ranked among the world’s top 10 players.
Most of her life, though, as the documentary plays it, was devoted to her rivalry with Garry Kasparov and her longtime effort to beat him. She’s portrayed as a feminist symbol, backed by a soundtrack of women-fronted bands including Delta 5, Girls at Our Best!, Elastica, and Le Tigre. The music gives the film a punk attitude that the actual Polgár doesn’t appear to have, either in the archival footage or a new interview with her conducted for the documentary. But it makes for a hip, lively tone that, combined with its swift pace, results in something more exhilarating than one might expect from a chess documentary, even after seeing The Queen’s Gambit. Even the matches are thrillingly edited and explained. Queen of Chess will surprise you by being one of the more entertaining biographical documentaries you’ll see this year.
Queen of Chess begins streaming exclusively on Netflix on Friday, February 6.
Other Documentary Highlights
Allan King Documentaries
This week’s filmmaker showcase recognizes Allan King, who would have turned 95 on February 6, 2026. You can easily find (and should watch) his distinct direct cinema documentaries on The Criterion Channel, including his classic “actuality dramas” Warrendale, Come On Children, and A Married Couple, which I’m particularly fond of and disturbed by in equal measure. The streamer also exclusively features his later nonfiction features Dying at Grace and Memory for Max, Claire, Ida and Company, both of which clearly indicate he was thinking about aging and death in the years before his own passing from cancer in 2009.
Catherine O’Hara: All Of Us Shine (2021)
Another Canadian deserving a highlights slot this week is actress Catherine O’Hara, who died January 30. Surprisingly, she didn’t appear in many documentaries despite being one of the greatest mockumentary icons, thanks to her work in Christopher Guest films. But she did recently show up in John Candy: I Like Me (streaming on Prime Video), and she was the subject of the short film Catherine O’Hara: All of Us Shine (exclusively on the NFB website for Canadian viewers or anyone with a VPN). The latter is just four minutes long and is based on a single interview with O’Hara, in which she discusses her entire career, with a focus on collaboration.
Hummingbirds (2023)
Hummingbirds is a unique personal project starring its two primary directors, neither of whom really acknowledges that they’re making or are part of a documentary. Silvia Del Carmen Castaños and Estefanía “Beba” Contreras share a close bond that one of them recognizes as a substitute for therapy, which they can’t afford. The film follows the duo as they navigate the streets of Laredo and address issues like immigration — they both arrived from Mexico as children — and reproductive rights. This is a documentary that doesn’t feel like it’s about anything, yet also feels like it’s about too many things to synopsize. I could have followed these filmmakers for hours and hours.
Hummingbirds begins streaming on OVID on Tuesday, February 10.
The Librarians (2025)
While The Librarians might be one of my least favorite award contenders of the last year, I have to acknowledge that it was quite popular at festivals and with critics groups. It’s one of those documentaries where the issue and sentiment are more laudable than the filmmaking, and it’s a shame that’s what seduces so many of my colleagues in this space. It’s not bad, but it certainly doesn’t stand out as a great film. My main disappointment, though, was that it’s not very memorable as a character-driven piece since it’s not really about the issue of book banning so much as it is a spotlight on the titular professionals risking their jobs to fight against it.
The Librarians makes its broadcast premiere on PBS on Monday, February 9, as an episode of the documentary showcase series Independent Lens.
Matter Of Time (2025)
Part concert film, part advertisement for a cause, Matter of Time centers around a benefit event featuring a one-man acoustic performance by Eddie Vedder. The Pearl Jam frontman and his wife, Jill, are co-founders of the EB Research Partnership, which funds research for treatment and a cure for Epidermolysis Bullosa. For two nights in Seattle in October 2023, they raised over $5 million for their mission, as Vedder played his band’s hits, including “Porch” and “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town,” and covered Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.” You can see these and more in the documentary, though I think only “Elderly Woman” is in full.
Similar to the organization and the benefit concert, the film leans on Edder’s fame to appeal to potential donors. His endorsement seems to come from a genuine interest and concern, too. The concert and film then introduce Jill, plus the lead scientist working for the cause, and some young people, mostly children, who live with the painful symptoms of EB. For what it is, Matter of Time does a good job selling its need with clear explanations and heart-wrenching patient spotlights. The film itself is a benefit as well, with all proceeds from its streaming deal going toward EBRP, so all you have to do is watch it to help make a difference.
Matter of Time begins streaming on Netflix on Monday, February 9.
Music By John Williams (2024)
The documentary that got Steven Spielberg his EGOT status (with an asterisk, perhaps), Music by John Williams, won a Grammy last week for Best Music Film. Spielberg produced and appears in the biographical feature about the titular composer. Laurent Bouzereau is the director. I recommended it when it was released, calling it “a lot more vibrant and substantial than I expected from a Disney+ doc celebrating someone known for creating or contributing to a lot of Disney-owned content.” I continued: “You get a full understanding of where Williams came from, how he got to his larger-than-life status in the industry, and most importantly, how he crafted certain classic film scores.”
Music by John Williams is exclusively available to stream on Disney+.
Starman (2025)
Oscar-nominated documentarian Robert Stone (Radio Bikini) directs this documentary about NASA engineer and science fiction author Gentry Lee, who is as much a host as a subject. He tells his life story, including his work on the Viking missions to Mars. He also shares his thoughts about the likelihood of life in other parts of the universe, our chances of ever encountering extraterrestrial life, the UFO phenomenon, climate change, and why we should appreciate the miraculous world we have. Starman loses some of its focus in the end by touching on more topics, but it’s otherwise a fantastic profile of Lee and should delight anyone interested in the cosmos and our place in it.
Starman opens at the IFC Center in New York City on Friday, February 6.
Winter Olympics Documentaries
The XXV Winter Olympic Games officially begin this weekend in Italy, so why not pair them with some documentaries spotlighting the Winter Olympics of the past? Netflix has already gotten with the program with their new hockey film Miracle: The Boys of ‘80 and new series Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing. The Criterion Channel has plenty of old films involving the Winter Olympics, though, going back more than a century, starting with The Olympic Games Held at Chamonix in 1924. Their library also includes White Rock, The White Stadium, and White Vertigo, the last of which is especially relevant to this year’s event since it covers the 1956 games in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
If you have an appreciation for Leni Riefenstahl’s Olympia, you should also check out the Winter Olympics equivalent with the Nazi propaganda short Youth of the World, directed by Carl Junghans. Then wash that down with Fight Without Hate, covering the first Olympics after its hiatus during World War II, and XIVth Olympiad: The Glory of Sport, which includes both the Winter and Summer Games of 1948 and is notable for being the first color documentary of the Olympics. Decades later, the Winter Games got the IMAX treatment with Olympic Glory. All of these and many more official Olympics documentaries can also be found on The Criterion Channel.
For other options tied to the Olympics in their subject matter, there are Netflix’s Oscar-winning feature Icarus, about the Russian doping scandal that involved their performance at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, and Gabe Polsky’s Red Army (available on The Roku Channel) and its semi-sequel, The Russian Five (Prime Video, Tubi, and The Roku Channel). Also, The Price of Gold (via ESPN), about the Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan incident, The Crash Reel (available to rent digitally), about snowboarder Kevin Pearce’s brain injury suffered while training for the 2010 Winter Olympics, and Hatching Eagles (available to rent digitally), about young athletes trained from scratch to compete for China in the ski jumping competition.
Documentary Release Calendar 2/6/26 - 2/12/26
Friday, February 6, 2026
The BMF Documentary: Blowing Money Fast Season 2, Episode 4 - The latest installment of a docuseries about Black Mafia Family. (Starz)
Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision (2026) - A documentary narrated by Kate Winslet about King Charles III’s environmentalist mission that began when he was a young prince. (Prime Video)
The Philly Special (2026) - A 30 for 30 sports documentary about the Eagles’ Super Bowl win in 2018 over the Patriots. (ESPN)
Queen of Chess (2026) - A biographical documentary directed by Rory Kennedy about chess prodigy Judit Polgár. *NONFICS PICK* (Netflix)
Starman (2025) - A documentary feature about robotics engineer and sci-fi writer Gentry Lee. *NONFICS PICK* (In Theaters)
Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience (2026) - A concert film starring the titular K-pop group. (In Theaters)
The White House Episodes 1 & 2: “Under This Roof” & “Friends Disunited” - The first two installments of a docudrama series about scandals in the U.S. presidential residency. These episodes involve John Adams. (Fox Nation)
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Around the World in California (1947) - A short documentary installment of James A. FitzPatrick’s TravelTalks travelogue franchise that explores Southern California. (TCM)
Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion (2024) - A documentary about the titular Hollywood costume designer. (TCM)
Buried in the Backyard Season 6, Episode 8: “Frozen Silent” - The latest installment of a true-crime docuseries about the odd locations where murder victims were found. This episode involves an armored car robbery committed by a man dressed as Santa Claus. (Oxygen True Crime)
The Curious Case of… Season 2, Episode 5: “Death by Detox” - The latest installment of a true-crime docuseries involving mind-bending and jaw-dropping cases. (Investigation Discovery)
Iyanla: The Inside Fix Season 1, Episode 4: “Creating a Safe Space for Love” - The latest installment of a nonfiction series that revisits Iyanla Vanzant’s show Fix My Life. (OWN)
Kingdom Season 1, Episode 3: “The Lions Fall” - The third installment of a nature series narrated by Sir David Attenborough following rival families of leopards, hyenas, wild dogs, and lions. (AMC+ and BBC America)
Maxxed Out Season 1, Episode 5: “Grace Under Pressure” - The latest episode of a docuseries focused on people currently having financial troubles. (OWN)
What Do You Think? (Number Two) (1937) - A short film about a psychic encounter. (TCM)
Sunday, February 8, 2026
The Hillside Strangler Episode 4: “The Conman” - The latest installment of a true-crime docuseries following two serial killers who terrorized Los Angeles in the 1970s. (MGM+)
Shake Hands with Danger (1980) - A safety training film concerning heavy equipment. (TCM)
Monday, February 9, 2026
120 Hours Behind Bars Season 1, Episode 4: “Caddo Parish Correctional Center” - The latest installment of a nonfiction series that looks at America’s toughest jails. (Discovery)
Contraband: Seized at the Border Season 8, Episode 4: '“Semi-Pro” - The latest episode of a nonfiction series focused on smuggling cases handled by Customs and Border Protection officers. (Discovery)
Fatal Attraction: I’d Kill to Be You Season 1, Episode 3: “The Hardest Hit” - The latest installment of a true-crime series about cases involving jealousy. (TV One)
History’s Deadliest with Ving Rhames Season 1, Episode 3: “Islands” - The latest installment of a docuseries about history’s most devastating killers, weapons, battles, and disasters. (History)
The Librarians (2025) - A documentary feature about librarians fighting against book banning. Presented as an episode of Independent Lens. (PBS)
Matter of Time (2025) - A documentary feature starring Eddie Vedder about the cure for Epidermolysis Bullosa. (Netflix)
Oscar Micheaux: The Superhero of Black Filmmaking (2021) - A biographical documentary about the titular pioneering African-American filmmaker. (TCM)
She Was Here (2026) - A documentary about Poltergeist child actress Heather O’Rourke. (Theatrical Screening)
We Do It Because- (1942) - A short documentary about the origins of common customs, including shaking hands and kissing. (TCM)
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
The Background Beat (1965) - A short documentary about composer Lalo Schifrin’s score for the film Once a Thief. (TCM)
Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History Episode 2: “Strange Fruit” - The second installment of a four-part docuseries on the complex relationship between Black Americans and Jewish Americans. (PBS)
Don’t Forget to Leave (2024) - A documentary about songwriter and Transit founding member Tim Landers. (DVD)
Dreamscape Explore: The Pollinators, Agents for Life (2025) - A documentary about bees, butterflies, and bats. (DVD)
Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr. Season 12, Episode 6: “Westward Bound” - The latest installment of a docuseries presenting celebrities with their ancestral history. Talk show host Sara Haines and playwright Tracy Letts are the participants in this episode. (PBS)
Hummingbirds (2023) - A feature documentary about two filmmakers/friends in Laredo, Texas. *NONFICS PICK* (OVID)
Killer Confessions: Case Files of a Texas Ranger Season 1, Episode 5: “Obstacles to Justice” - The latest installment of a true-crime docuseries involving confessions, starring a retired Texas Ranger. (Investigation Discovery)
Nostradamus Says So! (1953) - A short documentary about the titular seer and his predictions. (TCM)
The Secret Lives of Bill Bartell (2025) - A documentary feature about the titular musician, manager, and label owner. (DVD)
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Alaska State Troopers Season 9, Episode 6: “On the Run” - The latest installment of a docuseries about state troopers in Alaska. (A&E)
The Coach Vick Experience Episode 2 - The second installment of a docuseries following Michael Vick as he coaches the Norfolk State football team. (BET)
Eric Church: Evangeline vs. The Machine Comes Alive (2026) - A concert film starring the titular country star. (In IMAX Theaters - 2/11 & 2/14 only)
Expedition X Season 11, Episode 6: “Terrors of Trinidad” - The latest installment of a paranormal investigation series. (Discovery)
Nature: Parenthood Episode 2: “Freshwater” - The second installment of a four-part docuseries narrated by Sir David Attenborough that showcases animal parents around the world. (PBS)
Origin: The Story of the Basketball Africa League (2025) - A documentary about the first professional basketball league outside of America. (ESPN)
Thursday, February 12, 2026
The Forgotten Occupation: Jim Crow Goes to Haiti (2023) - A documentary feature about the U.S. occupation of Haiti in the early 20th century. (OVID)
Love Story Episodes 1-3: “Pilot,” “The Pools Party,” & “America’s Widow” - The first three installments of a docuseries about John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. (Hulu)
Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association (2026) - A four-part docuseries about the formation of the titular basketball league and its rivalry against the NBA. (Prime Video)
We’ve Lost Dale Earnhardt: 25 Years Later (2026) - A documentary that looks back at the death of racing icon Dale Earnhardt at the 2001 Daytona 500. (FS1)
Sneak Peek At What’s Coming Soon
2/13 - Neighbors - A six-part docuseries produced by Josh Safdie and Ronald Bronstein about outrageous conflicts between neighbors. (HBO Max)
2/19 - Murder in Glitterball City - A two-part true-crime documentary directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato (Party Monster) about a 2010 murder case in Louisville. Watch the new trailer for the film below. (HBO Max)
2/23 - Threshold - A documentary feature about Olympic gold medalist cross-country skier Jessie Diggins. (Peacock)
2/27 - Space Cowboy - A documentary about stunt performer and cameraman Joe Jennings, who specializes in skydiving scenes. Watch the new trailer for the film below. (In Theaters)
3/4 - Dirty Rotten Scandals: The Dr. Phil Show - The first installment in a trilogy of investigative documentaries about scandals involving TV shows. (E!)
3/5 & 3/7 - Enhypen World Tour ‘Walk the Line’ in Japan - Summer Edition - A concert film starring the K-pop boy band Enhypen. Watch the new trailer for the documentary below. (In Theaters)
3/6 - The Dinosaurs - A four-part, VFX-driven docuseries executive produced by Steven Spielberg and narrated by Morgan Freeman about prehistoric creatures. (Netflix)
3/27 - BTS: The Return - A documentary by Bao Nguyen (The Greatest Night in Pop) following the reunion of the titular K-pop band. (Netflix)
5/1 - American Dream - Re-release of Barbara Kopple’s Oscar-winning 1990 film about a Hormel Foods labor strike. (In Theaters)
5/8 - Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour - A concert film directed by James Cameron and Billie Eilish and starring Billie Eilish, presented in 3D. Read more in our 2026 documentary preview. Note the changed release date. (In Theaters)