Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS. That’s the Weight of the World)

Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS. That’s the Weight of the World) (2026)



6.1 2026 119 min United States of America

Director: Questlove

Cast: Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama

Documentary Music
Explore the enduring influence and musical universe of Earth, Wind & Fire—the legendary American group that masterfully blended R&B, funk, jazz, soul, and disco. This documentary dives into their groundbreaking catalog and cultural footprint, offering unprecedented access to the band’s private vaults of visuals, recordings, and writings, backed by the full support of Maurice White’s estate and the surviving members.

More About This Film

Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS. That's the Weight of the World) is a feature documentary about the legendary American funk and soul band Earth, Wind & Fire and its visionary founder Maurice White. Directed by Questlove, the film traces the band's development from its early years through its stadium-filling success and enduring cultural influence.

The documentary combines rare archival footage, contemporary interviews, music and visual experimentation to create a portrait of both the band and White's spiritual and artistic worldview. Questlove approaches the subject as a musician as well as a filmmaker, emphasizing the sound, philosophy and theatrical ambition behind the group's extraordinary career.

  • Directed by Ahmir Questlove Thompson.
  • The film runs for approximately 119 minutes.
  • It premiered as the opening-night film of the 2026 Tribeca Festival.
  • Earth, Wind & Fire have won multiple Grammy Awards and sold more than 90 million records worldwide.
  • The documentary received a 94 Metascore based on six critics' reviews listed by Metacritic.

Where to Watch

The documentary was released through HBO and related Warner Bros. Discovery platforms, with availability depending on territory.