Questlove is bringing the story of Earth, Wind & Fire to the small screen with a new documentary set to premiere on HBO in 2026.
According to Deadline, the film will chronicle the legacy of the legendary band, exploring their impact on music and culture through exclusive archival material.
Backed by the support of White’s estate and the band itself, the project promises rare access to visual, audio, and written records that trace the group’s groundbreaking journey.
Produced by RadicalMedia, Two One Five Entertainment, Broken Halo Entertainment, and Word Is Bond in association with Sony Music Vision, the film is being financed by Fifth Season.
Alongside Questlove, producers include Dave Sirulnick, Samantha Grogin, KB White, and Arron Saxe, with executive producers Zarah Zohlman, Shawn Gee, Jon Kamen, Cheo Hodari Coker, and Amos Newman.
“I’m honored to tell the story of Earth, Wind & Fire and the deep meaning behind their message and music,” Questlove said in a press release. “To grow up listening to the music is one thing but to be handed the keys to the kingdom of preserving history is another. I can’t imagine a better platform on which to share this documentary with U.S. audiences than HBO.”
This will be Questlove’s fourth outing as a documentary director. His debut, Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), premiered at Sundance in 2021 and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2022. The film spotlighted the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival and was widely praised for reviving a pivotal moment in Black music history.
He followed that success with Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius), which explored the artistry and struggles of Sly Stone and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Questlove’s ability to merge archival treasures with fresh storytelling has established him as one of the most distinctive documentarians working today. His upcoming project on Earth, Wind & Fire continues that trajectory, arriving more than two decades after 2001’s Shining Stars: The Official Story of Earth, Wind & Fire, which introduced fans to the band’s official history.
Beyond filmmaking, Questlove—born Ahmir Khalib Thompson—continues to shape culture through music, writing, and curation. Recently honored with the 2025 Peabody Trailblazer Award, he has been praised for his ability to bridge past and present while keeping Black musical history at the forefront.