The Most Anticipated Documentaries of 2023
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1) Pamela, A Love Story (January 31)
The year's first true documentary event—and no, it's not Gunther's Millions, as ready as I am to meet the world's richest dog—is shaping up to be Pamela, a love story. The Netflix documentary promises to tell the Pamela Anderson's life story, in her words, right down to the tape. The film will debut the same day as Anderson's memoir, Love, Pamela,
Netflix@Youtube - 2/8
2) Bill Russell: Legend (February 8)
Sure, the basketball world will surely have its focus on two GOATS this February: LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as the former chases the latter's all-time points record. Just make sure you don't miss the tale of another icon, in Netflix's Bill Russell: Legend. The documentary is helmed by the great Sam Pollard (MLK/FBI), who managed to interview the all-timer just before his death in July 2022.
Netflix@Youtube - 3/8
3) Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence (February 9)
This wouldn't be a proper documentary list without a cult story, would it now? Let me kick this one to Hulu's description: "A group of bright Sarah Lawrence College students fall under the dark influence of a friend’s father, Larry Ray. With unprecedented access to the survivors who lived with Ray, the film follows the cult from its origins through its still-unfolding aftermath." Reader, I'm tired.
Hulu@Youtube - 4/8
4) Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (Expected 2023)
There are few more promising reports from Sundance this year than what critics are saying about Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie. Reportedly, Still—which tracks Michael J. Fox's legendary Hollywood career, from Back to the Future to his Parkinson's diagnosis and subsequent advocacy—is a triumphant portrait of the actor. The film may even have legs all the way until the 2024 Academy Awards, considering that a former Oscar-winner, Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth), directed.
Matt Winkelmeyer - Getty Images - 5/8
5) King Coal (Expected 2023)
If deep, meditative stories from central Appalachia are your thing, look no further than King Coal. Yet another documentary earning some buzz out of Sundance, King Coal sees director Elaine McMillion Sheldon "consider what future stories might look like out of the shadow of coal, now that relationships to coal are changing." The film takes the perspective of a young girl learning the tale of her homeland along with the viewer.
Sundance Institute@Youtube - 6/8
6) Food and Country (Expected 2023)
Food and Country will follow legendary food critic and chef Ruth Reichl (right, in photo) as she embarks on a Bourdain-esque trip throughout the U.S. The goal? Learn more about the people who make our food. Sign us up. We'll follow Reichl anywhere.
Michael Loccisano - Getty Images - 7/8
7) Stan Lee (Expected 2023)
May I suggest an antidote to your superhero fatigue? Going back to where it all began. Later this year, Disney+ and Marvel Studios are expected to roll out Stan Lee, likely the definitive profile of a comics great. Lee, of course, is a Mount Rushmore figure in the genre, widely considered the main architect of Marvel Comics—and the incredibly lucrative cinematic universe it would one day inspire. Bet that this film will feature many a cameo as well.
Marvel Entertainment@Youtube - 8/8
8) Stephen Curry: Underrated (Expected 2023)
Talk about a misleading title! I don't think anyone has underrated Steph Curry in a good ten years. In all seriousness: Apple TV+'s upcoming, Ryan Coogler-produced Curry doc—which promises the story of how he evolved into an all-time talent (and human being, really)—received a standing ovation at its Sundance debut. As if we needed an excuse to put this one on our calendars.
Kevork Djansezian - Getty Images
