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Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes-owned steakhouse sued by sneaker company

February 21, 2026
Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes-owned steakhouse sued by sneaker company

Patrick MahomesandTravis Kelcehave been named in a lawsuit by sneaker company, 1587 Sneakers, alleging trademark infringement.

USA TODAY Sports

According tocourt records, the suit was filed on Feb. 17 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, claiming that the Kansas City steakhouse owned by theChiefs' stars, 1587 Prime, is harming the sneaker's business.

The restaurant opened on Sept. 17, 2025 and was named after the jersey numbers of Mahomes and Kelce. The suit indicates that 1587 Sneakers began selling its product on April 13, 2023 – claiming that they should have first use in this case. 1587 Sneakers is named after the year "1587," to mark the year that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders first arrived in America.

The company didn't apply for the "1587" trademark until Oct. 2025, and the application is still under review by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, according toESPN, adding that the trademark is in the clothing category. That is different than "1587 Prime," which was filed in Dec. 2023 and falls into the bar and restaurant category.

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<p style=Dec. 14, 2025: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce reacts after catching a pas against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs lost the game, 16-13, and were eliminated from playoff contention, ending a 10-season postseason streak.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Nov. 23, 2025: Travis Kelce arrives before the Kansas City Chiefs' game against the Indianapolis Colts at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Oct. 27, 2025: Travis Kelce runs onto the field during player introductions prior to the Kansas City Chiefs' game against the Washington Commanders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. <p style=Feb. 9, 2025: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) dejectedly walks off the field after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Jan. 26, 2025: Recording artist Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrate the Chiefs' win in the AFC championship game against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrate on stage after the AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Jan. 26, 2025. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs with the ball during the first half against Houston Texans during a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Jan. 18, 2025. Jan. 18, 2025: Travis Kelce celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of an AFC divisional playoff game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Dec. 25, 2024: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce open their Netflix Christmas GameDay cake after the Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Oct. 14, 2024: Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift watch Game 1 of the ALCS between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium. Sept. 8, 2024: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce talk during the men's singles final of the 2024 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. March 5, 2024: The Cleveland Cavaliers' Dean Wade celebrates with Travis Kelce after the Cavaliers defeated the Boston Celtics at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Feb. 11, 2024: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after his team's win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Feb. 11, 2024: Travis Kelce celebrates with girlfriend Taylor Swift after the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl 58 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Feb. 11, 2024: Travis Kelce arrives before Super Bowl 58 against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Jan. 28, 2024: Travis Kelce celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Kansas City Chiefs' win against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. Dec. 31, 2023: Fans wave big heads of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift during the Kansas City Chiefs' game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium. Nov. 5, 2023: Travis Kelce reacts to fans before an NFL International Series game against the Miami Dolphins at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany. The Chiefs won the game, 21-14. Sept. 24, 2023: Travis Kelce celebrates after scoring at touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Arrowhead Stadium. July 16, 2023: Travis Kelce hits an approach shot during the final round of the American Century Celebrity Championship golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nevada. June 15, 2023: Travis Kelce is interviewed by Taylen Biggs during the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Red Carpet Ceremony at Union Station in Kansas City. June 12, 2023: Travis Kelce throws out the first pitch prior to a game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. April 27, 2023: Travis Kelce greets fans during the first round of the 2023 NFL draft at Union Station in Kansas City. April 7, 2023: Travis Kelce throws out the first pitch before the game between the Cleveland Guardians and Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field. April 2, 2023: Travis Kelce arrives for the CMT Awards at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. Feb. 15, 2023: Travis Kelce gives a speech at the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl 57 champions parade in downtown Kansas City. Feb. 12, 2023: Travis Kelce holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl 57 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Feb. 12, 2023: Andy Reid and Travis Kelce celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Feb. 12, 2023: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce talks with his brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, after the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII over the Eagles at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Feb. 12, 2023: Travis Kelce makes a catch for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter of Super Bowl LVII. Feb. 12, 2023: Travis Kelce arrives before Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Jan. 29, 2023: Patrick Mahomes raises the Lamar Hunt Trophy while Travis Kelce celebrates after the Kansas City Chiefs' 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. Nov. 27, 2022: Travis Kelce and Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee swap jerseys after the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Nov. 20, 2022: Travis Kelce celebrates after scoring on a 17-yard touchdown reception with 31 seconds left against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. The Kansas City Chiefs won the game, 30-27. Nov. 13, 2022: Travis Kelce celebrates after a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Arrowhead Stadium. Oct. 10, 2022: Travis Kelce stiff arms Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (26) to score a touchdown at Arrowhead Stadium. July 20, 2022: Travis Kelce arrives at the Red Carpet for the 2022 ESPY at Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. May 10, 2022: Patrick Mahomes, wife Britney, and Travis Kelce watch play during Sporting Kansas City's match against FC Dallas in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Children's Mercy Park. Sporting Kansas City won the game, 4-2, in extra time. Dec. 16, 2021: Travis Kelce runs with the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Feb. 7, 2021: Travis Kelce walks off the field after the Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl 55 at Raymond James Stadium. Jan. 24, 2021: Travis Kelce celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the Kansas City Chiefs' win in the AFC championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. Jan. 17, 2021: Travis Kelce leaps over Cleveland Browns strong safety Karl Joseph (42) to score a touchdown in the Kansas City Chiefs' win in the AFC divisional playoffs at Arrowhead Stadium. Nov. 1, 2020: Travis Kelce celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets at Arrowhead Stadium. Sept. 10, 2020: Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce celebrate after a touchdown during the Kansas City Chiefs' game against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium. Feb. 5, 2020: Travis Kelce speaks to the crowd during the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl 54 championship rally in Kansas City. Feb. 2, 2020: Travis Kelce celebrates with the Lombardi Trophy after the Kansas City Chiefs' win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium. Jan. 19, 2020: Patrick Mahomes celebrates with Travis Kelce (87) after the Kansas City Chiefs' win over the Tennessee Titans in the AFC championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. Jan. 12, 2020: Travis Kelce celebrates a touchdown catch during the Kansas City Chiefs' win over the Houston Texans in the AFC divisional playoffs at Arrowhead Stadium. Dec. 15, 2019: Travis Kelce is tackled by Denver Broncos inside linebacker Todd Davis (51) at Arrowhead Stadium. Oct. 17, 2019: Travis Kelce takes a selfie with Pro Football Hall of Famer and broadcaster Michael Irvin following the June 7, 2019: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (left) and Travis Kelce (right) pose for a photo with ceremonial pitch kid Charlie Walsh before the Big Slick celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium. Jan. 20, 2019: Travis Kelce catches a touchdown pass in front of New England Patriots defensive back J.C. Jackson (27) during the AFC championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Patriots won the game, 37-31, in overtime. Jan. 12, 2019;: Travis Kelce runs the ball as offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) blocks Indianapolis Colts cornerback Quincy Wilson (31) during the AFC divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won the game, 31-13. Dec. 9, 2018: Travis Kelce spikes the ball in celebration after scoring a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium. Dec. 2, 2018: Travis Kelce celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Kansas City Chiefs' 40-33 win against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum. Nov. 19, 2018: Travis Kelce catches a touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Rams won the game, 54-51, in the highest-scoring July 18, 2018: Travis Kelce and Kayla Nicole arrive for the 2018 ESPYS at Microsoft Theatre. June 8, 2018: Travis Kelce (left) shakes hands with Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (right) during the first quarter of Game 4 of the 2018 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers, 108-85, to complete a four-game sweep. Feb. 3, 2018: Travis Kelce during red carpet arrivals for the NFL Honors show at Cyrus Northrop Memorial Auditorium at the University of Minnesota. Jan. 6, 2018: Travis Kelce is tackled by Tennessee Titans cornerback Tye Smith (33) during the first quarter of the AFC wild-card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Titans won the game, 22-21. Dec. 24, 2017: Travis Kelce takes the field before the Kansas City Chiefs' game against the Miami Dolphins at Arrowhead Stadium. Dec. 16, 2017: Travis Kelce leaps over Los Angeles Chargers free safety Tre Boston (33) at Arrowhead Stadium. Nov. 5, 2017: Travis Kelce celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Sep. 17, 2017: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce swaps jerseys with Jason Kelce after a game at Arrowhead Stadium. Sep. 17, 2017: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce kisses Jason Kelce after a game at Arrowhead Stadium. June 23, 2017: Travis Kelce signs autographs for fans during the Big Slick charity softball game before a Major League Baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. Jan. 29, 2017: D.J Alexander of the Buffalo Bills and Travis Kelce hold up the trophy after the AFC's 20-13 win over the NFC in the Pro Bowl at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. Dec. 25, 2016: Travis Kelce and strong safety Eric Berry (29) talk with media after the Kansas City Chiefs' 33-10 win over the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. Sept. 25, 2016: Travis Kelce celebrates with Kansas City Chiefs mascot KC Wolf after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets at Arrowhead Stadium. June 17, 2016: Travis Kelce takes a swing during the Big Slick Celebrity Softball game at Kauffman Stadium. Jan. 31, 2016: Travis Kelce catches a touchdown against free safety Malcolm Jenkins of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2016 Pro Bowl game at Aloha Stadium. Dec. 20, 2015: Travis Kelce plays against the Baltimore Ravens during a 34-14 Kansas City Chiefs win at M&T Bank Stadium. Nov. 1, 2015: Travis Kelce (87) is defended by Detroit Lions cornerback Josh Wilson (30) during the NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium in London. Sept. 17, 2015: Travis Kelce enters the field before the Kansas City Chiefs' game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. Nov. 20, 2014: Travis Kelce is tackled by Oakland Raiders defensive back Neiko Thorpe (31) during a 24-20 Kansas City Chiefs win at O.co Coliseum. June 25, 2013: Travis Kelce works with kids during a NFL Play 60 event during the AFC Rookie Symposium at the Cleveland Browns Training Facility. Dec. 27, 2012: Cincinnati tight end Travis Kelce runs after catching a pass against Duke in the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Cincinnati won the Belk Bowl, 48-34. Dec. 1, 2012: Cincinnati tight end Travis Kelce celebrates his touchdown against Connecticut at Rentschler Field. Nov. 3, 2012: Cincinnati tight end Travis Kelce (18) runs during the first half against Syracuse Orange at Nippert Stadium. Sept. 6, 2012: Cincinnati tight end Travis Kelce (18) is brought down by Pittsburgh defensive back Jason Hendricks (25) during the first half at Nippert Stadium. Oct. 21, 2011: Cincinnati Bearcats tight end Travis Kelce (18) catches a pass against South Florida at Raymond James Stadium. Sept. 12, 2009: Cincinnati's Travis Kelce (18) rushes with the ball against Southeast Missouri State at Nippert Stadium.

Travis Kelce, Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs star, through the years

Dec. 14, 2025: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce reacts after catching a pas against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs lost the game, 16-13, and were eliminated from playoff contention,ending a 10-season postseason streak.

"I think it's a tough case for the sneaker company,"trademark attorney Josh Gerben of Gerben IP, who doesn't represent either party, told ESPN. "Trademarks can coexist in different industries. ... Given that the marks are essentially identical here, is a restaurant and a shoe company too close? Are consumers likely to be confused in thinking they are affiliated with one another?"

1587 Sneakers noted in the suit that they sell their shoes and clothing nationwide, meaning they have reached every state. In addition to that, they have been featured in The Boston Globe, Teen Vogue, news stations like ABC and NBC as well as "Shark Tank."

The shoe company alleges that the steakhouse is creating confusion for consumers and many have contacted the company believing it was affiliated with 1587 Prime.

1587 Sneakers is seeking for the restaurant to no longer use the name, stop selling goods with the name on it and to be awarded punitive damages.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce sued by sneaker company over trademark

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Phoenix Suns All-Star guard Devin Booker out at least 1 week with right hip strain

February 21, 2026
Phoenix Suns All-Star guard Devin Booker out at least 1 week with right hip strain

PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix Suns All-Star guard Devin Booker will miss at least one week because of a right hip strain that happened against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.

Associated Press Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives against San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Austin, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker follows through during the 3-point contest at the NBA basketball All-Star weekend festivities Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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The team made the announcement on Saturday before the team's game against the Orlando Magic.

Booker is averaging 24.7 points, 6.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds over 44 games this season. The 29-year-old recently missed seven straight games with a sprained right ankle.

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The Suns also said that recently signed guard Haywood Highsmith is continuing to recover from right knee surgery last offseason. The team said Highsmith is making "good progress" and will be evaluated in 2 to 3 weeks.

The Suns have been one of the NBA's surprise teams this season with a 32-24 record, but injuries have taken a toll and they've lost four of their past five games.

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/hub/nba

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The 25 best documentaries streaming that capture memorable moments in time

February 21, 2026
The 25 best documentaries streaming that capture memorable moments in time

Everett (3)

Entertainment Weekly ‘Fire of Love’; Kathleen Hanna in ‘The Punk Singer’; Pepper LaBeija in 'Paris Is Burning' Everett (3)

What makes for a good documentary? Should the subject matter be unfamiliar, allowing us to learn more about a fascinating subculture? Should it both inform us and engage our emotions by capturing deeply human moments of triumph and tragedy? Should it remain as objective as possible, allowing us to make up our minds on the footage presented?

One of the great assets of thedocumentary genreis that it can take any form. From on-the-ground reporting to eye-opening archival footage, the world of documentary is vast, and, with so many produced every year, it's difficult to know what is worth your time to watch. To help you narrow things down, we atEntertainment Weeklyhave combed through various streaming services to select our picks for the best of the best.

Ahead, read our list of the 25 best documentaries streaming now, and on what platform you can find them.

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed(2022)

Nan Goldin in 'All the Beauty and the Bloodshed' Neon

This biographical documentary about photographer/activist Nan Goldin is epic in scope but intimate in its themes. The film focuses on Goldin's ongoing battle against the billionaire Sackler family and their role in the opioid epidemic through their pharmaceutical company, Purdue Pharma. Her protests and demonstrations are intercut with footage of Goldin's early career as a photographer with an interest in the LGBT+ community, most notably during the AIDS crisis of the '80s.All the Beauty and the Bloodshedis a moving testament to the power of advocacy and an unflinching portrait of an artist's role in society. —Kevin Jacobsen

Where to watchAll the Beauty and the Bloodshed: HBO Max

Director:Laura Poitras

Come See Me in the Good Light(2025)

Megan Falley and Andrea Gibson in 'Come See Me in the Good Light' Apple TV

This poignant documentary follows poet Andrea Gibson and their wife, Meghan Falley, as they face Gibson's terminal cancer diagnosis. While narrowing in on their enduring relationship with Falley, the film follows Gibson preparing to give what would be their final poetry reading. Aided by Gibson's strikingly beautiful compositions,Come See Me in the Good Lightis an honest, heartfelt exploration of grief and creative expression. —K.J.

Where to watchCome See Me in the Good Light: Apple TV

Director:Ryan White

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father(2008)

Andrew Bagby in 'Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father' Everett

Kurt Kuenne'sdevastating documentaryabout grief and the Canadian legal system's failings revolves around the murder of his friend, Andrew Bagby, at the hands of his mysterious ex, Shirley Turner. What follows is an examination of Turner's baffling release from prison and the incredible sorrow that envelops the family after tragically losing a son and getting mired in a custody battle with the very person responsible. —Eric Farwell

Where to watchDear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father: Amazon Prime Video

Director:Kurt Kuenne

Dick Johnson Is Dead(2020)

Dick Johnson in 'Dick Johnson Is Dead' John Wakayama Carey/Courtesy of Sundance Institute

John Wakayama Carey/Courtesy of Sundance Institute

There's no "right" way to deal with grief, or the anxious fear of waiting for something bad to happen that youknowwill come to pass. But Kirsten Johnson found a unique outlet inDick Johnson Is Dead, in which she deals with her father's dementia and the looming specter of his death by killing him on camera repeatedly (with his enthusiastic participation).

Watching father and daughter execute each fatal scenario gives us a remarkable glimpse into their relationship — and the catharsis that comes with the creative process itself. The film's intimate sense of joy is not a deflection against the truth of what the Johnsons are facing, but a self-conscious, honest expression of it. —Chris Bellamy

Where to watchDick Johnson Is Dead: Netflix

EW grade:A–

Director:Kirsten Johnson

Fire of Love(2022)

A still from 'Fire of Love' Courtesy of Sundance Institute

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

One of two movies about volcanologists Katherine and Maurice Krafft released in 2022 (the other,The Fire Within: A Requiem for Katia and Maurice Krafft, was directed byWerner Herzog),Fire of Loveis part self-portrait, part nature documentary, and part elegy. The pair died in the 1991 Mount Unzen eruption but left behind two decades of footage from which this documentary is compiled. This is a love story between two people and their shared obsession, one inseparable from the other. The film casts their lives as a testament to the power of science and paints discovery as the ultimate act ofself-discovery. —E.F.

Where to watchFire of Love: Hulu

EW grade:A–

Director:Sara Dosa

Free Solo(2018)

Alex Honnold in 'Free Solo' Everett

Oscar winner for Best Documentary Feature,Free Solois a gripping psychological profile almost by accident. Ostensibly, it's about Alex Honnold's attempt to complete the first free solo climb of Yosemite's El Capitan, but, in spending so much time documenting the pursuit, the film can't help but implicitly askwhy, or rather,what kind of person would be driven to do this?The mortality rate for free solo climbers is a fact Honnold casually accepts. Thus,Free Solois thrilling for its footage and what its subject tries to accomplish, but a sense of existential ambivalence comes with that morbid thrill. —C.B.

Where to watchFree Solo: Hulu

EW grade:A–

Directors:Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin

Gates of Heaven(1978)

Poster for 'Gates of Heaven' Everett

InErrol Morris' debut, viewers are introduced to the unique personalities that operate pet cemeteries in Napa Valley. Morris lets his subjects' personalities sparkle, weaving a wild farcical tale about the mundane that is believable butjustweird enough to stand out. Morris would later scale up to more serious and heady subjects, but he never had a more curious or fascinated eye than when documenting 450 dead animals being dug up for reburial at a different location. —E.F.

Where to watchGates of Heaven: AMC+

Director:Errol Morris

Grizzly Man(2005)

Timothy Treadwell in 'Grizzly Man' Lionsgate/Everett

Lionsgate/Everett

Werner Herzog has long been an important and divisive figure in documentary filmmaking, and this film is perhaps the best example of why. Following the life and death of bear obsessive Timothy Treadwell, Herzog tries to give audiences a jumping-off point for understanding his passion, succeeding only to the extent that it's possible to understand him at all. This is a complicated portrait of a person who believed in the good of wild animals and ultimately died as a result. But Herzog never judges or condescends to Treadwell, even if his involvement in documenting the fallout becomes increasingly complicated. —E.F.

Where to watchGrizzly Man: Amazon Prime Video

Director:Werner Herzog

Hoop Dreams(1994)

William Gates in 'Hoop Dreams' Fine Line Features/Everett

Fine Line Features/Everett

Hoop Dreamspossesses a lightning-in-a-bottle magic that documentaries rarely capture. Over five years, the film follows two young Black teenagers in Chicago who get recruited to play basketball at an upscale prep school. It's the late-1980s,Michael Jordanis ascending to god status, and the possibilities of discovering the next great superstar are infinite. Regardless of whether Arthur Agee and William Gates become the next Jordan — or even the next Isiah Thomas — their lives wind up far more interesting than potential glory, with unexpected developments achieving a profundity few scripts ever could have. —C.B.

Where to watchHoop Dreams: HBO Max

Director:Steve James

I Am Not Your Negro(2016)

A gathering of protestors near the Lincoln Memorial in 'I Am Not Your Negro' Magnolia Pictures

This thought-provoking examination of the systemic oppression against Black Americans is made all the more powerful by its central figure:James Baldwin. Our narrative anchor is the influential writer's perspective on racism being intrinsically linked to the soul of America, as evidenced during the tumultuous civil rights movement of the 1960s and beyond. The poetically assembled film delves into several facets of racism in the 20th century, from segregation to harmful portrayals in the media to the prison-industrial complex. "It's impossible not to think: The more things change, the more they stay the same,"EW's critic writes of the film. "It's enough to make you weep." —K.J.

Where to watchI Am Not Your Negro: Amazon Prime Video

EW grade:A–

Director:Raoul Peck

If God Is Willing and da Creek Don't Rise(2010)

A scene from 'If God Is Willing and da Creek Don't Rise' Everett

Spike Lee's two-part follow-up documentary to the equally excellentWhen the Levees Broke(which is also streaming on HBO Max) examines the effort to rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and how the disaster changed the city. Lee is terrifically skilled at bringing disparate concepts together; here, he captures everything from police corruption and the loss of four housing projects to the New Orleans Saints and their Super Bowl XLIV victory, the latter serving as a vibrant pulse that amplifies the possibility of what the city is capable of. —E.F.

Where to watchIf God Is Willing and da Creek Don't Rise: HBO Max

Director:Spike Lee

Lost in La Mancha(2002)

Terry Gilliam and Johnny Depp in 'Lost in La Mancha' Everett

Terry Gilliamtried and failed to mount his vision ofThe Man Who Killed Don Quixotefor years before finally succeeding in 2018, 16 years after this documentary arrived. Despite every effort Gilliam and his production crew made, there was no way to save the initial attempt at making the movie, which may have contributed to Gilliam's diminished presence in the entertainment industry.

This film explores the many ways that art can be destroyed or inhibited, including a NATO practice base making too much noise, the destruction of sets, and personal injury. It's also a rare documentary where knowing the end result enhances the work rather than rendering it irrelevant, turning the entire project into an arc about the long road some dreams take. —C.B.

Where to watchLost in La Mancha: The Roku Channel

Directors:Keith Fulton, Louis Pepe

Marjoe(1972)

Marjoe Gortner (right) in 'Marjoe' LMPC via Getty

LMPC via Getty

This Oscar-winning documentary follows the fascinating life of Marjoe Gortner, a former child preacher who returned to the practice as a young adult solely for financial purposes. Influenced by rock stars like Mick Jagger, Gortner used his charisma to make a killing on the revivalist circuit, with the doc deftly exploring how for-profit religious figures use shady manipulation tactics. "Part of what makesMarjoesuch a knockout of a movie is not knowing exactly how to feel about it when its end credits come up,"writes EW's critic. "And when was the last time a movie made you feel something as complicated as that?" —K.J.

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Where to watchMarjoe: The Roku Channel

Directors:Howard Smith, Sarah Kernochan

Meru(2015)

Scene from 'Meru' Everett

Anyone who's ever said "It's not the destination, it's the journey" has never met the climbers inMeru. For them, the destination is everything as they scale Mount Meru in the Indian Himalayas via the treacherous Shark's Fin route with their eyes on the peak. Few documentaries have ever provided this kind of first-person access to true, gravity-defying danger — because most documentaries are not co-directed by one of the very people at risk. But Jimmy Chin is the exception, filming his climb, avalanches, injuries, and near-fatal setbacks that befall the voyage. What follows is remarkable, harrowing, and a marvel of documentary editing. —C.B.

Where to watchMeru: Netflix

Directors:Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

MLK/FBI(2020)

Martin Luther King Jr. in 'MLK/FBI' IFC Films

Sam Pollardhelms this keen examination of the FBI's role in the torment and death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. From early attempts to create division and dissent in his ranks to phone taps, the organization operated from a place of racist anxiety over the power of Black America and one leader who was leading a peaceful and righteous path to equity. Pollard's film is especially poignant in showing how short-sighted the country remains, even if the methods of dismantling progress have shifted from political entities to more public-facing groups. —E.F.

Where to watchMLK/FBI: AMC+

Director:Sam Pollard

Moonage Daydream(2022)

David Bowie in 'Moonage Daydream' Neon

Some films' attempts to honor a musician fall short of truly capturing their essence. Not so with this visually striking doc about the artistry ofDavid Bowie, with its kaleidoscopic imagery and a playfully experimental narrative.Moonage Daydreamcompellingly depicts Bowie's ever-changing desire to shape-shift as an artist, as well as the films, fashion, and music that influenced him throughout his career. Director Brett Morgen,EW's critic writes, "ends up articulating a point that's deeper and more sophisticated than mere biography, an insight that feels like a serious contribution to music criticism." —K.J.

Where to watchMoonage Daydream: Netflix

EW grade:A–

Director:Brett Morgen

Paris Is Burning(1990)

Pepper LaBeija in 'Paris Is Burning' Everett

To say Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ cultures were largely ignored or erased by mainstream America in the 1980s (and beyond) is an understatement. That fact is one undercurrent ofJennie Livingston'sParis Is Burning, which documents Harlem ball culture of the mid-to-late-'80s and finds a host of endearing performers all too eager to bring us into their orbit.

The beauty and vibrancy of drag balls speak for themselves, but Livingston is also savvy enough to understand how those events intersect with the political and social realities of the time. This is a vital document that's both celebratory and sobering. —C.B.

Where to watchParis Is Burning: HBO Max

Director:Jennie Livingston

The Perfect Neighbor(2025)

Susan Lorincz in 'The Perfect Neighbor' Courtesy of Netflix

Courtesy of Netflix

This award-winning documentary proves that a sharp director can build a compelling story using nothing but surveillance and bodycam footage. Directed by Geeta Gandbhir,The Perfect Neighborfollows a 2023 incident in Ocaca, Fla., in which Susan Lorincz shot and killed her neighbor, Ajike Owens. Presenting recorded bodycam footage of the events leading up to the murder and the aftermath (including Lorincz frequently calling the police on her neighbors), the film provides a harrowing look at racial violence and systemic bias. —K.J.

Where to watchThe Perfect Neighbor: Netflix

Director:Geeta Gandbhir

The Punk Singer(2013)

Kathleen Hanna (center) in 'The Punk Singer' Everett

Kathleen Hannafronted punk greatsBikini Killand Le Tigre, two bands that existed at different times in the evolving (but still sexist) conversation about women and their place in culture, with the musicians often serving as paragons of feminist critique and anguish. This Sini Anderson documentary contextualizes Hanna within the progressive alternative rock scene that emerged in the 1980s and gained true steam in the '90s, before highlighting her struggle with Lyme disease and the way the messages in Hanna's music translate her personal battles. —E.F.

Where to watchThe Punk Singer: Pluto TV

Director:Sini Anderson

Samsara(2011)

A dance sequence from 'Samsara' Everett

Talking heads, voiceover, and archive footage have their place in documentary filmmaking — perhaps disproportionately so — but a movie like Ron Fricke'sSamsaraunlocks the capabilities of the form. It's far from the first non-narrative doc — for one, Fricke shot Godfrey Reggio's iconicKoyaanisqatsi(1982) and directedBaraka(1992) — but it may be the most gorgeous.

Samsarauses its spectacular, globetrotting 70mm footage to philosophize about life on Earth, forging connections across time, space, and place. Fricke's meditation on cycles of creation and destruction is free-associative yet thematically controlled, with the final result existing somewhere at the nexus of musical, essay, and poem. —C.B.

Where to watchSamsara: Tubi

EW grade:B–

Director:Ron Fricke

Stories We Tell(2012)

Iris Ng and Sarah Polley in 'Stories We Tell' Everett

Sarah Polley's films are gut punches that incorporate the mind as much as the heart, often exploring community, family, and truth. In this documentary about the affair that led to her birth, Polley incorporates home movie footage — some authentic, some staged — and interviews with different family members to plumb the depths of a woman who remains, even to those who knew her, something of an enigma.

While most documentaries, personal or political, tend to land on one specific version of events,Stories We Tellis wise enough to know the truth is in the eye of the beholder, the rememberer, and the storyteller. —E.F.

Where to watchStories We Tell: Tubi

EW grade:A–

Director:Sarah Polley

Sugarcane(2024)

Chief Willie Sellars of the Williams Lake First Nation in 'Sugarcane' National Geographic Documentary Films/Courtesy Everett Collection

National Geographic Documentary Films/Courtesy Everett Collection

The sins committed by colonialists against Indigenous populations are still being uncovered many years later, as this heavy, Oscar-nominated documentary details. Probing deep into the history of the Catholic-run Indian school system in Canada,Sugarcanereveals years of systemic abuse against Indigenous students, which left a fundamental impact on the community. Directors Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie seamlessly weave together those traumas with the present-day residents of the local Sugarcane Reserve as they reckon with the past. —K.J.

Where to watchSugarcane: Disney+

Directors:Julian Brave NoiseCat, Emily Kassie

Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)(2021)

Nina Simone in 'Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)' Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

Ahmir Thompson (a.k.a.Questlove) painstakingly restored footage from the historic 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which saw the best acts of the era take the stage over six Sundays in the same summer as Woodstock. Words can't adequately capture how emotionally resonant it is to see Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone, B.B. King, and Sly and the Family Stone, as brilliant as they've ever been, perform for New Yorkers who needed a reason to unite and celebrate. This isn't just a movie about music but a musical experiment, a historical document with its own meticulously crafted beats and rhythms. —E.F.

Where to watchSummer of Soul(...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised): Hulu

EW grade:B+

Director:Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson

The Thin Blue Line(1988)

Randall Dale Adams in 'The Thin Blue Line' Everett

Errol Morris is one of the most celebrated documentarians of his time. Here, he follows his curiosity to the shooting of Dallas police officer Robert W. Wood and the man convicted of the crime, Randall Adams. Investigating inconsistencies in the case, Morris utilizes testimonies from key figures to recreate pieces of the night in question in strange and striking detail.

Far from offering a traditional examination of a "wrong place, wrong time" miscarriage of justice, Morris turns his fixation into a shared obsession, with the director as the crafty detective and the audience as his second set of eyes. —E.F.

Where to watchThe Thin Blue Line: AMC+

Director:Errol Morris

The War Room(1993)

George Stephanopoulos and James Carville in 'The War Room' October Films/Everett

October Films/Everett

What goes into winning an election? This is the question explored inThe War Room, which examinesBill Clinton's presidential bid via the proxies ofJames Carvilleand George Stephanopoulos, who ran his campaign and engineered its success in an outsized way. The film considers the relationship between the media and politicians, and how savvy minds can spin news into something that makes or breaks the success of someone, no matter how dirty their hands are. —E.F.

Where to watchThe War Room: HBO Max

Directors:Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker

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