This Week In Documentary
Theatrical & Streaming Releases - New & Recommended - July 24-30, 2026
I wasn’t provided many new releases this week, and one of the “new” theatrical titles I screened is actually nearly 50 years old. So our latest highlights are a mix of favorite films hitting new formats and platforms, celebrations of iconic documentarians and ongoing docuseries events, and a couple of titles I watched that I was subjectively interested in and that come out in the next seven days. I also admit I took a brief midyear break from documentaries to catch up on some genre fare nominated for the Critics Choice Super Awards, and now I’m dying for more quality nonfiction again.
Speaking of CCA events, we just announced the Critics Choice Creator Awards, which will honor content, including documentary and informational series, made for digital platforms such as YouTube. Categories in this area will recognize the best programs focused on educational topics, business, crime/justice, nature/animals, and health/wellness. I should also begin including more of this content in our weekly listings when they’re scheduled. Please send me tips on worthy nonfiction creators and content that I should feature and possibly even highlight on Nonfics.
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 (including the latest from Oscar winners Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin). 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 lists, and to give me more time to watch more (if not everything) available. If you have a doc needing coverage or a mention, you can now reach us at nonficseditor (at) gmail.
Nonfics Picks Of The Week: Dread Beat An’ Blood (1979)
If you’re not familiar with Linton Kwesi Johnson, or his group Poet and the Roots, you weren’t hanging out at ska and reggae shows in New York City in the 1990s, like I was. I am certain I heard “Five Nights of Bleeding” on the sound system before and/or between sets at every event at every venue I attended. This song and others featured Johnson’s poetry over dub tracks and usually were political. Franco Rosso’s medium-length documentary Dread Beat an’ Blood profiles Johnson in the late 1970s as he rose in notoriety as a voice of African-Caribbeans in Britain.
The film shows Johnson performing his poems in solo engagements, on stage with his group, and in recordings for the album of the same name. Protests in the streets of Brixton are mixed in, as is daily life in the city for Black immigrants. It’s not going to be of interest to everyone, and it obviously can’t get into the influence and legacy he’s had, nor how tensions would lead to the uprising in Brixton that occurred a couple of years later. But if you’re into that music and those political issues of that time, it’s worth watching, especially on the big screen with the new 4K restoration.
Dread Beat an’ Blood will be re-released in theaters in 4K on Friday, July 24, 2026, accompanied by the 1985 film Linton Kwesi Johnson in Concert.
Other Documentary Highlights
Barbara Kopple Documentaries
It’s only been two and a half months since we named American Dream and Harlan County, USA as our Picks of the Week in early May. We will be highlighting the former again next week when it finally becomes available to stream via The Criterion Channel. Leading up to that important release, we recommend watching other Barbara Kopple documentaries. The two-time Oscar-winning director (for those two already mentioned films) celebrates a milestone birthday this week, and we should all be observing the occasion like it’s a holiday.
You can still watch the aforementioned Harlan County, USA on The Criterion Channel. Other favorites of ours include the music documentaries Miss Sharon Jones! and Dixie Chicks: Shut Up & Sing, both of which are available on Kanopy and Tubi. She also helmed the ReMastered installment Tricky Dick & The Man in Black, which is on Netflix. She also has the more recent efforts Desert One (available on Kanopy and The Roku Channel), Hot Type: 150 Years of the Nation (Kanopy), and Gumbo Coalition (HBO Max). If you want to see (or hear) some of her early work, she did sound for the classic Vietnam War films Hearts and Minds (The Criterion Channel and HBO Max) and Winter Soldier (Kanopy and OVID).
The Best Pizza Is In LA (2026)
As a former New Yorker originally born and raised in Connecticut who is often in Los Angeles, I was very curious about the contents of this documentary feature with a clickbait title. I also tend to watch any basic foodie program telling me where to find good eats, whether it’s a Food Network staple, a travel series focused on foreign cuisine, or a simple feature about hot dogs airing on PBS.
I didn’t care much for the director/host of The Best Pizza is in LA (Peter Ferriero, who seems to like to show off his famous friends more than anything else), and there’s not much to the discourse here, which comes courtesy of appearances from Hollywood celebrities, some of them originally from the New York area, and local culinary icons. Still, I can’t say I didn’t make a list of spots to check out next time I’m on the West Coast. Now I just need one of these films for Atlanta pizza.
The Best Pizza is in LA will be released on TVOD on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
Flipside (2023)
The best documentary of 2024 (according to me) finds an additional streaming home this week. You can already watch Christopher Wilcha’s Flipside on Prime Video, Kanopy, and My Film Friend (a service I’m just hearing about for the first time), but now OVID subscribers can also check it out. Here’s my entry from our list of the best documentaries of 2024:
“Christopher Wilcha has made the best documentary of the year by assembling parts of unfinished films he shot over the last couple of decades. Part personal essay, part spotlight on a struggling record store in New Jersey, Flipside is an exploration of art, the often necessary act of selling out, and the incomplete pieces that complete us as human beings. It’s tremendously engaging and surprisingly very relatable.”
Flipside begins streaming on OVID on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
The Most Popular Documentaries Of 2026 (So Far)
You’ve (hopefully) read about the best documentaries of 2026 (so far). Now it’s time to read about “the most popular documentaries of 2026 (so far).” But it’s not necessarily a recommendation of these films. Anthony Kaufman wrote about the sad state of documentary viewership in a new Substack post spotlighting the most-watched Netflix titles, most of which are true-crime features. I also want to note that one of the worst Untold episodes is on the list, too. I disagree with him that The Zodiac Killer Project is a worthy true-crime alternative. I’d rather watch some of Netflix’s true-crime releases, including not just The Perfect Neighbor but also The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson. I did like seeing that Penny Lane’s Hail Satan? did very well on HBO Max recently, especially ahead of the release of her latest, Wild Inside, this month.
Nature’s Half Acre (1951)
I’ll be covering all of Walt Disney’s Oscar-winning documentaries as part of my Academy Awards series of columns, but this one gets an early shout-out this week. Nature’s Half Acre turns 75 years old on Tuesday, having been released on July 28, 1951, attached to the animated feature Alice in Wonderland. The half-hour short, directed by James Algar, is part of the True-Life Adventures franchise of nature films. It looks at a microclimate involving insects, birds, arachnids, and plants, focused mainly on what’s under the ground, rocks, and logs. You get a lot of what you expect from microcosmic nature documentaries, including close-ups on tiny creatures and time-lapse photography. But there’s also a religious undertone you don’t get as much these days.
Nature’s Half Acre is available to stream on Disney+.
Our Land (2025)
One of the films on our list of the best documentaries of 2026 (so far) lands on physical media this week, and I’m surprised the Blu-ray format isn’t part of the release. Lucretia Martel’s documentary debut, Our Land, isn’t exactly a notable work for its cinematography, but it features some nice landscape shots that would look better in HD. Here’s part of my review of the film:
“I’d at least say it’s a unique nonfiction film. Particularly with some of its editing choices near its conclusion. Martel uses a case of an Indigenous leader’s killing and his alleged murderers’ trial as a centerpiece for a documentary that goes further in its considerations of Indigenous identity and community. It’s up there with Dahomey as one of the most contemplative documentaries on colonialism this decade.”
Our Land will be released on DVD on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, via Strand Releasing.
Shark Week Season 38
Discovery’s iconic Shark Week programming begins its 38th annual event this week, and it’s something we all need if the trailer for the schlock horror film Water Park Shark is making its rounds on the internet as prominently as I think. This year’s documentary specials involve everything from K-Pop to the usual stew of prehistoric, alien, and mutant sharks. Not to mention the expectant plethora of shows about great whites, makos, bulls, and threshers. Most importantly, this season answers the important questions of whether you can train sharks and if orcas are taking over as the greater apex predator of the sea.
Shark Week Season 38 kicks off with the intriguingly titled K-Pop Shark Heroes on Discovery on Sunday, July 25, 2026.
Documentary Release Calendar 7/24/26 - 7/30/26
Friday, July 24, 2026
Deadliest Catch Season 22, Episode 11: “O Captain, My Captain” - The latest installment of a series that follows Alaskan crab fishermen. (Discovery Channel)
Dread Beat and Blood (1979) - A re-release of a newly restored documentary about dub poet master Linton Kwesi Johnson. See our highlights section for more info and a brief review. *NONFICS PICK* (In Theaters)
A Life Illuminated (2025) - A documentary feature about marine biologist Edith Widder and her study of bioluminescence. (In Theaters)
Life in the W (2026) - A six-part docuseries about WNBA superstars. (ESPN2)
Linton Kwesi Johnson in Concert (1985) - A concert film starring the titular dub poet master. (In Theaters)
Who’s Superstitious? (1943) - A short documentary examining various superstitions. (TCM)
Yellowstone Park: ‘Nature’s Playground’ (1936) - A short documentary installment of James A. FitzPatrick’s TravelTalks travelogue franchise that explores Yellowstone National Park. (TCM)
Saturday, July 25, 2026
The Real Murders of Atlanta Season 4, Episode 3: “The Star Recruit” - The latest installment of an Atlanta-focused true-crime docuseries. This episode involves the killing of a homecoming queen. (Oxygen)
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Air Jaws: Red, White and Breach (2026) - A documentary special about breaching great white sharks. Presented as part of Shark Week. (Discovery)
The Food That Built America Season 7, Episode 14: “Say Yes to the Dressing” - The latest installment of a docuseries about popular American foods. This episode involves salad dressing. (History)
Hazardous History with Henry Winkler Season 2, Episode 14: “Dangerous Dining” - The latest installment of a docuseries about dangerous toys and household items that used to be common. This episode involves questionable food items and trends. (History)
Invasion of the Mega Sharks (2026) - A documentary special about a great white shark thought to be one of the largest predators in North America. Presented as part of Shark Week. (Discovery)
The Killer Among Us Episode 10: “Mystery at the MET” - The latest installment of a docuseries hosted by Alan Cumming about murders in close-knit communities. (Oxygen)
K-Pop Shark Heroes (2026) - A documentary special about the perception of sharks across East Asia. Presented as part of Shark Week. (Discovery)
Monday, July 27, 2026
Biggest Mako on Earth (2026) - A documentary special about giant mako sharks off the coast of Southern California. Presented as part of Shark Week. (Discovery)
Bull Shark Dinner Bell (2026) - A documentary special that investigates why bull sharks confront humans. Presented as part of Shark Week. (Discovery)
For Venida, For Kalief (2025) - A documentary feature about wrongfully incarcerated teenager Kalief Browder. Presented as an episode of POV. (PBS)
House of Sharks (2026) - A documentary special about competing “houses” of great white sharks off the coast of New Zealand. Presented as part of Shark Week. (Discovery)
A Killer Among Friends Season 2, Episode 3: “Strike to Kill” - The latest installment of a true-crime docuseries about murders that tear friend groups apart. This episode involves the disappearance of an Auburn University student. (Investigation Discovery)
Lions on the Loose (1941) - A short documentary that follows two escaped lion cubs. (TCM)
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
The Best Pizza is in LA (2026) - A documentary claiming the best pizza is in Los Angeles. See our highlights section for more info and a brief review. (VOD)
Chum Island: Catching a Killer (2026) - A documentary special about shark attacks off Australia’s southern coast. Presented as part of Shark Week. (Discovery)
Dark Side of the Ring Season 7, Episode 5 - The latest installment of a docuseries that shares the darkest stories of professional wrestling. (Vice)
The Darkside of Society (2023) - A documentary feature about the cult film Society and the man who wrote it. (Blu-ray)
The Gits (2005) - A documentary feature about the titular punk band. (Blu-ray)
I Was a Teenage Sex Pistol (2025) - A documentary feature about the rise of the Sex Pistols from the perspective of founding member Glen Matlock. (Blu-ray)
Jaws vs. Orca (2026) - A documentary special about orcas being a bigger threat than great white sharks. Presented as part of Shark Week. (Discovery)
Jurassic Sharks (2026) - A CGI-driven documentary special about Jurassic sharks. Presented as part of Shark Week. (Discovery)
My People (2023) - A documentary about Greek Jews during the Holocaust. (DVD)
Newsreels of World War II - A collection of “News Trills” newsreels from the 1940s. (DVD)
Once Upon a Time in Space Episode 3: “Politics Always Wins” - The third installment of a docuseries about the space race. This episode involves the International Space Station. (PBS)
Our Land (2025) - A documentary feature directed by Lucretia Martel about the case of the 2009 killing of an Indigenous leader in Argentina. See our highlights section for more info and a link to our review. *NONFICS PICK* (DVD)
The Proof is Out There: Unexplained Edition Season 2, Episode 9: “Biblical Wrath” - The latest installment of a docuseries about strange phenomena captured on camera. (History)
The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch Season 7, Episode 11: “On the Radar” - The latest installment of a docuseries about UFO phenomena at the Skinwalker Ranch. (History)
Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes (1999) - A documentary feature about the titular adult film star who inspired the plot of Boogie Nights. (Blu-ray)
Wham! 20 Days in China (20260 - A documentary feature about a Wham! concert tour. (In Theaters)
A Year in a Field (2023) - A documentary that shows every day of a field in Cornwall, England, through one year. (Blu-ray)
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
911: Did the Killer Call? Season 2, Episode 3: “The First Suspect” - The latest installment of a true-crime docuseries about cases where the murderer is on the 911 call. (Investigation Discovery)
Alien Sharks: Untamed America (2026) - A documentary special that follows wildlife biologist Forrest Galante in his search for the most bizarre and dangerous alien sharks. Presented as part of Shark Week. (Discovery)
Eons: Life and Death on Pangea Episodes 1 & 2: “How the Formation of Pangea Changed the World” & “How Eating Plants Shaped Life on Land” - The first two installments of a six-part docuseries on the mass-extinction event known as the “Great Dying.” (PBS)
ER: Caught on Camera Season 1, Episode 4 - The latest installment of a docuseries in which medical patients recall experiences in hospital emergency rooms. (TLC)
Expedition Unknown: Shark Secrets (2026) - An episode of Expedition Unknown that looks at the history of shark encounters. Presented as part of Shark Week. (Discovery)
Expedition X: Atomic Sharks (2026) - An episode of Expedition X that investigates mutant sharks in the Marshall Islands. Presented as part of Shark Week. (Discovery)
Flipside (2023) - A personal documentary in which the filmmaker attempts to save a record store while patching footage from unfinished works together. See our highlights section for more info and a link to our review. *NONFICS PICK* (OVID)
Homestead Rescue: Intervention Season 1, Episode 6: “Bearanoia” - The latest episode of a docuseries that follows wilderness experts as they save lives. (Discovery)
The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare (2026) - A true-crime documentary feature about the killing of four University of Idaho students in 2022. (Netflix)
Keep Off the Grass (1970) - A short educational film on the dangers of smoking marijuana. (TCM)
Thursday, July 30, 2026
How to Train a Great White (2026) - A documentary special that explores the possibility of whether sharks can be trained. Presented as part of Shark Week. (Discovery)
The Man Will Burn Episode 4: “Mud Burn” - The final installment of a four-part docuseries by Jehane Noujaim (The Square) and Vikram Gandhi (Kumare) about the annual event known as Burning Man. Read our review of The Man Will Burn. *NONFICS PICK* (HBO and HBO Max)
MGM Parade Show #8 (1955) - This installment of the behind-the-scenes docuseries showcases Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant in The Philadelphia Story. (TCM)
Surviving Earth Episode 8: “When America Flooded” - The final installment of an eight-part docuseries about extinct creatures. This episode involves giant mammals. (NBC)
Ultimate Shark Dive (2026) - A documentary special that follows high diver Molly Carlson in an attempt to complete a record-breaking free-fall dive. Presented as part of Shark Week. (Discovery)
What Shark Attacked? (2026) - A documentary special that uses forensic analysis to investigate shark attacks. Presented as part of Shark Week. (Discovery)
Sneak Peek At What’s Coming Soon
8/4 - Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Seattle Seahawks - The latest installment of the Hard Knocks franchise goes behind the scenes with the titular NFL football team. (HBO and HBO Max)
8/7 - Cookie Queens - A documentary feature about Girl Scouts selling cookies. Read our review of Cookie Queens. Watch a new clip from the film below. (In Theaters)
8/8 - Grateful Dead Meet-Up at the Movies (2026) - A concert film presenting a Grateful Dead show at Giants Stadium on June 17, 1991. (Two-Night Theatrical Event)
8/12 - An Eye for an Eye - A documentary feature about a woman convicted of killing her husband and now facing execution under Sharia law. (In Theaters)
8/14 - American Doctor - A documentary feature about three doctors of different religious backgrounds working in wartorn Gaza. (In Theaters)
8/19 - Lion - A nature docuseries produced by Jon Favreau and scored by Hans Zimmer about a real lion cub on his journey to become king. (National Geographic)
8/21 - 9/11: Reunited - A documentary about 9/11 survivors who reunited 25 years later. (National Geographic)
9/2 - Katy Perry: The Lifetimes Tour - Live from Paris - A concert film starring the titular singer. Watch the new trailer for the documentary below. (In Theaters)
9/4 - Barbara Forever - A documentary feature executive-produced by Kristen Stewart about the pioneering lesbian filmmaker Barbara Hammer. (In Theaters)
9/4 - Teenage Wasteland - A documentary feature by Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine (Girls State) about high school students uncovering a conspiracy in their town. Read our review of Teenage Wasteland. *NONFICS PICK* (Netflix)
9/18 - You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution, Spread Love & Overalls, and Created a Community That Changed the World (in a Canadian Kind of Way) - A documentary feature about a 1972 production of Godspell that included many future famous comedy icons among its cast. Watch the new trailer for the film below. (In Theaters)
9/25 - Unzipped - A 4K restoration re-release of a 1995 documentary feature that follows fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi as he launches a new line. (In Theaters)
10/16 - Marília Mendonça: Sentimento Louco - A documentary feature about the titular Brazilian singer, who died in a plane crash in 2021. (Prime Video)
10/30 - Everest: The Other Side - A documentary feature by Oscar winners Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (Free Solo) that follows mountaineering couple Jim Morrison and Hilaree Nelson as they climb and ski the North Face of Mount Everest. (In IMAX Theaters)