US Trends

billy preston documentary where to watch

You’re most likely looking for the new feature documentary “Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It” (2024), which is still in its theatrical and festival run rather than widely streaming yet.

Below is a quick, SEO‑friendly breakdown of where and how you can watch it now (February 2026) and what to expect next.

Billy Preston Documentary: Where To Watch

1. Title and basic info

  • Full title: “Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It”.
  • Type: Music / biography documentary about the life and career of keyboardist Billy Preston (Beatles, Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, etc.).
  • Length: About 1h 45m.
  • Director: Paris Barclay (Emmy‑winning TV and film director).

2. Is it streaming yet?

As of February 2026 , there is no widely available major streaming release (Netflix, Max, Prime Video, etc.) publicly announced. The film is still being rolled out via:

  • Film festivals and museum screenings (e.g., GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, DOC NYC, SXSW).
  • Limited theatrical engagements at independent cinemas in various U.S. cities.

Because it is in the “festival/limited theatrical” window, digital rental or subscription streaming typically comes after this phase; announcements usually follow once the theatrical circuit winds down.

3. Where you can watch it right now (theatrical)

The official film site lists current and upcoming theatrical dates. Around early 2026, it includes:

  • New York, NY – Film Forum
    • Run: February 20–27, 2026.
  • Philadelphia, PA – Sisters Movie House
    • Date: February 23, 2026.
  • York, PA – Strand Theatre
    • Date: April 24, 2026.
  • Sarasota, FL – Burns Court Cinemas
    • Date: June 15, 2026.
  • Columbia, SC – Nickelodeon Theater
    • Date: June 17, 2026.
  • Additional limited runs at independent venues like Jane Pickens Theater (Newport, RI) have also been listed in late 2025–early 2026.

Because dates are actively changing, the most reliable move is to:

  • Check the official site’s “Screenings” or “Theaters” page for the latest list and ticket links.
  • Search your local indie cinemas (they often list it under special events or music docs).

4. Festival / special event showings

The doc has played — and may still re‑appear — at:

  • SXSW Film Festival (premiere in 2024).
  • DOC NYC and other documentary festivals, often in one‑off screenings.
  • GRAMMY Museum – Los Angeles (Reel to Reel series, with a post‑screening panel and Q&A).

If you’re near a major city with an active film festival scene, watch their schedules for encore or special music‑doc programs.

5. Likely next steps for home viewing

While no specific platform is confirmed publicly, some reasonable expectations based on how similar music docs are handled:

  1. Transactional digital (PVOD/TVOD)
    • After the limited theatrical run, it may appear for digital rental/purchase (e.g., iTunes, Amazon, Google Play).
    • Look for announcements from the producers/distributors listed on IMDb and the official site.
  1. Subscription streaming
    • Eventually, a single major streamer will usually pick up exclusive SVOD rights.
    • Given the subject and partners (GRAMMY Museum, music‑doc audience), it may land on a platform known for music/arts documentaries, but this has not been officially detailed yet.
  1. Physical media (Blu‑ray/DVD)
    • For archival music docs, a disc release is common, sometimes with extra live footage or extended interviews, but no specific disc release has been publicly dated yet.

6. Quick viewing checklist

Use this checklist to figure out your best option today:

  1. Are you near one of the listed cities (NYC, Philadelphia, York PA, Sarasota FL, Columbia SC)?
    • Yes → Check those cinema websites or the official film site for exact showtimes and tickets.
  1. Not near those cities?
    • Check your local indie theaters and festivals; search by the full title “Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It”.
  1. Prefer to wait for streaming?
    • Follow the film’s official site or social channels and watch trade/entertainment news for a digital/streaming deal announcement.

7. Forum‑style talk & trending context

On music and Beatles‑fan forums, the doc is trending because:

  • It reframes Billy as more than just “the Fifth Beatle,” diving into his Black church roots, sexuality, and struggles alongside his legendary session work.
  • Fans highlight rare archival footage with The Beatles, Ray Charles, Sly Stone, Aretha Franklin, and the Rolling Stones that they haven’t seen elsewhere.
  • The film’s 2024–2026 slow rollout (festivals → museums → limited theaters) keeps discussion alive as new cities get their first screenings.

“If you care about the Beatles or keyboards at all, this is a must‑see. It finally puts Billy in the center of his own story instead of just a footnote in someone else’s.”

8. At‑a‑glance table: how to watch

[1] [3][4] [8] [8] [6]
Option Availability (Feb 2026) How to access
Limited theatrical Yes, selected U.S. cities (NYC, PA, FL, SC). Check official site screenings list and local indie theaters.
Film festivals / museum events Occasional special events (e.g., GRAMMY Museum, DOC NYC). Watch festival and museum program calendars.
Major streaming (subscription) Not yet broadly released or announced. Wait for platform announcement via official film channels.
Digital rental / purchase Not clearly live yet; expected after theatrical window. Periodically search by title on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play.
Blu‑ray / DVD No public release date listed. Check later on major retailers and official announcements.
**Bottom note:** Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.