Earth, Wind & Fire’s music was never just about the groove. Across soul, R&B, jazz, Afro-funk, disco, and pop, the band built a sound that felt ecstatic and communal, but also deeply intentional—shaped by founder Maurice White’s interest in spirituality, astrology, metaphysics, and the idea that music could move people beyond genre, race, and era. Now, HBO is giving that legacy the full documentary treatment.
READ MORE: 53 Must-See Films To Watch Summer 2026
The network has released the trailer for “Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s The Weight Of The World),” a new HBO Original documentary directed and produced by Academy Award and Grammy winner Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, who previously won acclaim for “Summer Of Soul.” Before its HBO debut, the film will open the 25th Tribeca Festival with its world premiere on June 3 at the Beacon Theatre, followed by a live performance from Earth, Wind & Fire and The Roots.
The documentary draws on the band’s visual, audio, and written archives, including never-before-seen footage, as it follows Earth, Wind & Fire from its early jazz roots into the expansive, theatrical sound that made the group one of the defining acts of the era. The film also explores White’s childhood, his evolving worldview, and how his spiritual and philosophical interests shaped the band’s songwriting, live performances, iconography, and broader message.
“Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s The Weight Of The World)” features interviews with band members Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson, alongside musicians, managers, authors, former band members, family members, and major admirers. Featured participants include former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, H.E.R., and Flea.
The film also places the band’s work in a longer cultural timeline, from its impact on artists such as Prince and Wonder to its renewed life through sampling, collaborations, and hip-hop. For Questlove, whose filmmaking has increasingly focused on how Black music carries history, memory, politics, and joy, Earth, Wind & Fire is an obvious subject: a band whose sound was instantly recognizable but whose ambitions stretched well beyond the radio hits.
The documentary is presented by HBO Documentary Films and produced by RadicalMedia, Two One Five Entertainment, Broken Halo Entertainment, and Word Is Bond in association with Sony Music Vision. Producers include Dave Sirulnick, Samantha Grogin, KB White, and Arron Saxe, with Jon Kamen, Cheo Hodari Coker, Karla Zambrano, Zarah Zohlman, Shawn Gee, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, and Amos Newman serving as executive producers. For HBO, executive producers are Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Sara Rodriguez.
“Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s The Weight Of The World)” debuts Sunday, June 7, from 9:00–11:00 pm ET/PT on HBO, and will be available to stream on HBO Max. Watch the trailer below.
,’ a new documentary about the band’s legacy.){kind=link}