This Week In Documentary
Theatrical & Streaming Releases - New & Recommended - March 20-26, 2026
Welcome to my annual birthday edition of This Week In Documentary. It’s not any different from the other newsletters I put out throughout the year, except that I feel okay making a heavier push (that is, begging) for paid subscriptions in the intro. Actually, for my birthday this year (it’s on Friday, March 20), I’d like you to donate to a documentary funding organization in my name. I don’t know enough about any, and I don’t have the money to do it myself, so I appreciate you figuring it out for me. Then, if you have anything left over, please become a paid Nonfics subscriber.
Also, please subscribe to Anthony Kaufman’s Substack and read his latest piece, “Can a U.S. Documentary Win an Oscar Anymore?” His analysis of why presumed frontrunner The Perfect Neighbor lost to the international favorite, Mr. Nobody Against Putin, doesn’t offer an easy answer to the headline’s question. Also, I wish more takes on the Oscars’ documentary categories put more thought into the shorts (the winner this year was a U.S. film put out by Netflix, contradicting most points about the feature upset). Still, I’m glad someone with real expertise about the nonfiction film arena has this platform for informed discussion.
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: Lumière, Le Cinema! (2024)
Thierry Frémaux, the director of the Cannes Film Festival, the Institut Lumière, and the Lumière Film Festival, is also now the director of his second documentary feature. Nearly a decade after his debut, Lumière!, his follow-up is titled Lumière, Le Cinema! (this is the same film as the one previously known as Lumière, l’aventure continue). It’s another compilation of Lumière films with narration by Frémaux. At the start of the film, he talks of this being an opportunity to see these films projected on the big screen, as was intended with the Lumières’ invention of their cinématographe. I confess that I did not watch it in this manner and would have preferred that chance.
At first, Lumière, Le Cinema! seems to be merely an assembly of Lumière films with commentary from Frémaux, but it’s more of an essay film. Frémaux breaks his documentary up into segments of different focus, including children, military scenes, international locations, and modes of transportation (surprisingly, he has little time for The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station, which he shares is just one of many similar films). He begins with the history lesson of the Lumières, their invention, their first showings, and a good deal of attention given to the famed Leaving the Factory (the most recognizable version of which might not have been the original, apparently). Then it becomes more of a study of the films, their content (including the first “cat videos”!), and the Lumières’ recurring themes.
Among Frémaux’s more noteworthy comments is his opinion that Auguste was the better director of the brothers and should have made more films of his own. I also appreciate Frémaux’s agreement that fiction films are “documentaries of their own making” and so everything included in Lumière, Le Cinema! is nonfiction. The fiction films are also documentaries of how the world and people looked 130 years ago, even if the actions or circumstances at hand are made up. I really love Frémaux’s concluding remarks on cinema’s importance and how it’s about us seeing and understanding ourselves and others. I only wish I understood French, so I didn’t have to read Frémaux’s narration and miss so much of the films as he’s talking about them.
Lumière, Le Cinema! will be released in theaters on Friday, March 20, 2026.
Other Documentary Highlights
Hubble 3D (2010)
This week’s entry in AMC’s IMAX Documentary Showcase is the re-release of Hubble 3D, a 45-minute film directed by Toni Myers and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio about the STS-125 Space Shuttle mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope in 2009. We recommend seeing this in theaters, as the 2D version available to stream for free on YouTube is just not the same. Here’s a brief excerpt from our recommendation of the film from our list of the best documentaries about space travel:
“Hubble is a one-of-a-kind experience that will both humble you and fill you with a sense of wonder for what a future amongst the stars could hold. Also, there is a zero-gravity taco-making scene! What could be better than that?”
Hubble 3D will screen in IMAX and in 3D at AMC Theatres locations on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
Keep Quiet And Forgive (2025)
I’m never certain whether I’m seeing the full cut of a film when it airs on PBS via Independent Lens, but I believe the version of Keep Quiet and Forgive that I watched was edited down by about eight minutes from its original length. In this case, that’s fine because I do think this documentary could have been a short. The film looks at sexual abuse in Amish communities with a focus on the survivors, most of them now living apart from that religious group. The participants in the documentary deserve to be heard and see the problem exposed, but there’s not much of a narrative structure here beyond the necessary spotlight on their respective stories.
It shouldn’t be surprising that a community based on old-fashioned living would have issues regarding the treatment of women, both physically and socially, but hopefully, this film will get viewers to realize that the obvious is not okay to be dismissed as such. Also, not all of the survivors are women, proving there’s more to it than that.
Keep Quiet and Forgive will make its broadcast premiere on PBS as an episode of Independent Lens on Monday, March 23, 2026.
Marc By Sofia (2025)
Due to its release schedule, I was unable to screen Marc by Sofia in time for its theatrical debut. The documentary doesn’t come to my neck of the woods until later, and screeners were not offered. Still, as it’s a major title from a big-name director (Sofia Coppola, making her documentary debut) and notable distributor (A24), I had to highlight the film sight unseen. It’s about the fashion designer Marc Jacobs, a subject that doesn’t especially appeal to me, but given the film’s logline calls it an “unconventional portrait,” I need to see what that means and if I’d agree with the claim.
Marc by Sofia will be released in theaters in New York City on Friday, March 20, 2026, and will expand to other cities on Friday, March 27, 2026.
White With Fear (2024)
There are no surprises in Andrew Goldberg’s White with Fear, at least not in terms of revelations. It may be surprising that so many conservative individuals agreed to be interviewed for the film, including Steve Bannon and Rick Gates, since it’s not a very politically balanced documentary. The simple statement of the film is that Republicans, while not all necessarily racist, have been feeding and exploiting the racism of Americans for the last half-century. It’s not even surprising that the right-leaning participants don’t deny this strategy.
In the era of President Donald Trump, everything is pretty transparent. In fact, it’s said as loud as can be. The dog whistles have given way to trumpets. Meanwhile, White with Fear, which was surprisingly nominated for the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Documentary Screenplay this year, plays like a fire alarm pulled after the building has already burned down. It’s not up to date. Its thesis and arguments are easy and obvious. And disappointingly, the film fails to get that today the real issue is the Americans being led, not the pipers who are leading them.
White with Fear will make its broadcast premiere on PBS on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, and will be available to stream on PBS.org and the PBS app.
With Byrd At The South Pole (1930)
Last week, we began a new series within our Documentary Classics column devoted to Oscar winners. If all goes according to plan, we’ll write about every documentary to win an Oscar in any category before the 100th Academy Awards in 2028. I began with a long look back at the first to do it: With Byrd at the South Pole. Here’s an excerpt from that review, which is only available in full to paid subscribers:
“With Byrd at the South Pole is primarily meant to thrill and amaze the cinema audience. As with the majority of documentary work at the time, this film presents viewers with a world they’d never see without the movies, but it’s still not enough to simply show the exotic. There’s an accessible narrative and tone, an othering of the locals (here, only the flightless birds — I’m shocked there’s not more to that given that Byrd takes historical flight), and heroism to be admired. Unlike other documentary features of the period, not too much is lost in the need to engage and enthrall. The footage offers a record of events while the film editorially plays with its story.”
With Byrd at the South Pole is currently available to stream for free on Kanopy and the JustWatch app, or rented digitally on Vimeo via The Milestone Collection.
Documentary Release Calendar 3/20/26 - 3/26/26
Friday, March 20, 2026
1000 Women in Horror (2025) - A documentary about women pioneers in the horror genre. (Shudder)
Changing (1971) - A short documentary about a young family coping with changing social values in the 1960s. (TCM)
Film: The Living Record of Our Memory (2021) - A feature-length documentary about the importance of film preservation. (TCM)
Glimpses of Austria (1938) - A short documentary installment of James A. FitzPatrick’s TravelTalks travelogue franchise that explores Austria before its alignment with Nazi Germany. (TCM)
Let’s Sing a Song About the Moonlight (1948) - A short music film starring The Melody Makers. (TCM)
Looking for Robert (2024) - A documentary about filmmaker Robert Kramer. (OVID)
Lumière, Le Cinema! (2024) - A documentary directed by Thierry Frémaux (Lumière!) compiling rare films by the Lumière brothers. *NONFICS PICK* (In Theaters)
Marc by Sofia (2025) - A documentary by Sofia Coppola about fashion designer Marc Jacobs. (In Theaters)
Neighbors Episode 5 - The final installment of a six-part docuseries executive-produced by Josh Safdie and Ronald Bronstein about outrageous conflicts between neighbors. (HBO Max)
The Proof is Out There Season 6, Episode 3: “Amazonian Aliens, White Sands UFO Crash, and Vampire Meat” - The latest installment of a docuseries investigating UFOs, conspiracies, and mythical creatures. (History)
Spacewoman (2024) - A documentary feature about astronaut Eileen Collins, the first woman to pilot and command a Space Shuttle mission. (In Theaters)
The United States Army Band (1943) - A short concert film showcasing the U.S. Army Band accompanied by wartime and peacetime footage. (TCM)
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Buried in the Backyard Season 6, Episode 14: “Buried in the Bog” - The latest installment of a true-crime docuseries about the odd locations where murder victims were found. This episode involves a body that was found in a north Florida swamp. (Oxygen True Crime)
Color Scales (1932) - A short documentary in the “Fisherman’s Paradise” series about tropical fish on display at San Francisco’s Steinhart Aquarium. (TCM)
Hubble 3D (2010) - A medium-length 3D IMAX documentary directed by Toni Myers and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio that follows the crew of the Space Shuttle Atlantis as they repair the Hubble Space Telescope. Presented as part of AMC’s IMAX Documentary Showcase. *NONFICS PICK* (IMAX Theatrical Event)
Glimpses of Mexico (1943) - A short documentary installment of James A. FitzPatrick’s TravelTalks travelogue franchise that explores Mexico, including the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco. (TCM)
Sydney: ‘Pride of Australia’ (1938) - A short documentary installment of James A. FitzPatrick’s TravelTalks travelogue franchise that explores Sydney, Australia, and its harbor. (TCM)
Vet Detective Season 1, Episode 4: “The Withering Pit Bull” - The latest installment of a docuseries that follows the work of veterinarian Dr. Lauren Adelman. This episode involves a pit bull suffering from rapid muscle loss. (National Geographic)
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Czechoslovakia on Parade (1938) - A short documentary installment of James A. FitzPatrick’s TravelTalks travelogue franchise that explores what was then known as Czechoslovakia. (TCM)
History’s Greatest Picks with Mike Wolfe Season 1, Episode 5: “Out of This World” - The latest installment of a docuseries about legendary treasures, relics, and artifacts from history. (History)
Night Life in Chicago (1948) - A short documentary installment of James A. FitzPatrick’s TravelTalks travelogue franchise that explores Chicago. (TCM)
A Plan to Kill Season 2, Episode 3: “Deadly Desire” - The latest installment of a true-crime docuseries on the meticulous planning conducted by serial killers. (Oxygen)
Standoff: The FBI, Power and Paranoia Episodes 1 & 2 - The first two installments of a docuseries about the relationship between FBI directors and U.S. presidents. (CNN)
The Wonderful World of Tupperware (1965) - A short industrial film about Tupperware. (TCM)
Monday, March 23, 2026
Beyond Awestruck: The Scientific Search for Connection Episode 2: “The Answers Are Out There” - The second installment of a three-part docuseries about a research project studying awe. (Outside TV)
Fatal Attraction: I’d Kill to Be You Season 1, Episode 9: “A Rap Battle Gone Wrong” - The latest installment of a true-crime series about cases involving jealousy. (TV One)
History’s Deadliest with Ving Rhames Season 1, Episode 8: “Engineering Disasters” - The latest installment of a docuseries about history’s most devastating killers, weapons, battles, and disasters. (History)
Keep Quiet and Forgive (2025) - A documentary about sexual abuse in the Amish community. (PBS)
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy (2008) - A short documentary directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Alice Elliott (The Collector of Bedford Street) about two women with disabilities who are activists for disabled rights. (OVID)
The Image Revolution (2014) - A documentary about the former Marvel artists who founded Image Comics in the 1990s. (Blu-ray)
The Key of G (2007) - A medium-length documentary about a young man with disabilities who leaves home to live with a group of artists. (OVID)
The Kinderhook Creature: In the Shadow of Sasquatch (2026) - A documentary feature about a mysterious creature in upstate New York. (VOD)
Secrets Declassified with David Duchovny Season 2, Episode 2: “Top Secret Sites” - The return of a docuseries about declassified government activities. This installment focuses on how close we’ve gotten to apocalyptic events. (History)
Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted (2024) - A documentary feature about the titular cult musician. (Blu-ray)
Teddy, Out of Tune (2020) - A documentary about a street musician who makes a trek to Canada to spread his mother’s ashes. (Blu-ray)
Unbroken: The Untold Story of Shen Yun (2026) - A documentary feature about the Chinese dance company Shen Yun Performing Arts. (VOD)
The Voice That Rocked America: The Dick Biondi Story (2023) - A biographical documentary about rock and roll radio disc jockey Dick Biondi. (DVD)
White with Fear (2024) - A documentary about the conservative push to divide races and claim white victimization. (PBS)
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
The Bad Foot Clinic Season 1, Episode 2: “Nailing It” - The second installment of a new docuseries following a podiatrist couple in their work. This episode involves a marathon runner and a drag queen. (TLC)
Beautiful Bavaria (1953) - A short documentary installment of James A. FitzPatrick’s TravelTalks travelogue franchise that explores the southeastern corner of Germany. (TCM)
Feds Season 2, Episode 4: “Inside Job” - The latest installment of a docuseries that follows the FBI on various cases. This episode involves a bank robber with a bomb strapped to himself. (Investigation Discovery)
Homicide New York Season 2 - The return of Dick Wolf’s docuseries about notorious murder cases in New York City. (Netflix)
Hunt for the Missing: Chicago Episode 4: “The Lion’s Den” - The latest installment of a six-part series following a retired police detective as she re-investigates cold cases. (Investigation Discovery)
Tales of the Waria (2011) - A medium-length documentary about transgender Indonesian women. (OVID)
To Catch a Smuggler Season 10, Episode 5: “Dope Rides in the Thundercat” - The latest installment of a docuseries following U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. This episode involves a drug-smuggling family. (National Geographic)
Wo Ai Ni Mommy (2010) - A documentary feature about Chinese-American adopted girls. (OVID)
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Amalfi Way (1955) - A short documentary travelogue film that explores Italy’s Amalfi Coast. (TCM)
Ancient Structures: Secrets Revealed Season 1, Episodes 5 & 6: “Dealing with the Devil” & “Beyond the Tomb” - The latest installments of a docuseries about ancient landmarks. These episodes involve demonic designs, the Roman Colosseum, and Malbork Castle. (National Geographic)
Glimpses of Florida (1941) - A short documentary installment of James A. FitzPatrick’s TravelTalks travelogue franchise that explores popular destinations in Florida. (TCM)
Predator Hunters Episode 4: “Know the Codes” - The latest installment of a docuseries produced by Louis Theroux following the work of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. This episode involves a predator sharing pornography with a minor. (A&E)
True Crime Story: It Couldn’t Happen Here Season 3, Episode 6: “Gilmer, Texas” - The latest installment of a true-crime series focused on murders in small towns. This episode involves a suspected satanic cult. (Sundance TV)
Sneak Peek At What’s Coming Soon
3/27 - The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist - A documentary feature directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Daniel Roher (Navalny) and Charlie Tyrell (My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes) about Roher’s contemplation of the future that his soon-to-be-born child will be growing up in. (In Theaters)
4/3 - The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson - A true-crime documentary about the murder of pro cyclist Moriah Wilson. (Netflix)
4/4 - Made for March - A four-part docuseries following the Kansas Jayhawks and Michigan Wolverines in the current college basketball season. Watch the new trailer for the series below. (Paramount+)
4/6- The Tallest Dwarf - A documentary by Julie Wyman about her place in the Little People community, presented as the season opener of Independent Lens. (PBS)
4/10 - Steal This Story, Please! - A documentary about Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman. Watch the new trailer for the film below. (In Theaters)
4/10 - Fiume o Morte! - A comedic docudrama about a Croatian city occupied by an Italian poet in 1919. (In Theaters)
4/11 - Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever - A six-part docuseries starring journalist Kara Swisher about the latest in longevity science. Watch the new trailer for the series below. (CNN)
4/24 - Bernstein’s Wall - A documentary about Leonard Bernstein. (In Theaters)
4/24 - Just Sing - A documentary feature that follows the SoCal VoCals as they compete in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. Watch the new trailer for the film below. (In Theaters)
5/1 - Conbody VS Everybody - A five-part docuseries directed by Debra Granik (Stray Dog) about a formerly incarcerated man who starts a gym that employs others released from prison. (The Criterion Channel)
5/15 - Agatha’s Almanac - A documentary about a 90-year-old woman and her devotion to her farm. (In Theaters)