It’s fitting that a documentary about one of the greatest bands of all time comes from The Roots drummer and all-around music geek Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. It’s even more fitting that the man who holds the most memorable afro this side of town has his documentary premiering opening night at Tribeca Film Festival 2026. For a festival that champions creative expression and entertainment, it’s no wonder why Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs That’s the Weight of the World), a film about a band known for expressing all things creative throughout their influential run, is at the top of the selection. Dubbed as “A Questlove Jawn,” this film follows in the tradition of Questlove’s acclaimed run of musical documentaries including 2021’s Summer of Soul and 2025’s Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius). Mirroring the time-traveling mystical themes of its subject matter’s music, this film travels from the past to present as it covers the band’s epic rise, their impact, their inevitable breakup, and their eventual reunion and resurgence.
KB White in EARTH, WIND & FIRE (TO BE CELESTIAL VS THAT’S THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD). Photo courtesy of HBO Documentary Films.
Starting in the ‘60s and moving onward, Questlove centers this enlightening documentary around Earth, Wind & Fire’s enigmatic leader and creator, musician Maurice White. He follows White from his turbulent childhood (interviewing family and close friends, in addition to other band members) to the 1960s where he joins jazz composer Ramsey Lewis’s band “Ramsey Lewis Trio” as a drummer. A great scene in which White delivers a memorable drum performance onstage is marveled upon by none other than influential artist Stevie Wonder, who humorously admits that he was gifted with drumsticks from White and he banged those sticks so much on his own that they broke. From early on, Questlove doesn’t fail in informing us of the influential power of not just the band but of its leader. As Questlove covers the racial tensions of the ‘60s and travels to the ‘70s as movements such as black consciousness start to march toward the forefront of society, he showcases how Earth, Wind & Fire was born at the perfect time.
Philip Bailey in EARTH, WIND & FIRE (TO BE CELESTIAL VS THAT’S THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD). Photo courtesy of HBO Documentary Films.
Knowing that he is covering a band whose name is grounded in astrology, Questlove uses hand-drawn animated sequences paired with White’s narration as he covers White’s personal journey of self-actualization through yoga, astrology, and other spiritual means. Juxtaposed with this personal journey of White is how the eclectic band moved more into funk after an excellent watershed moment involving George Clinton (Parliament). Displaying electrifying footage of Clinton performing alongside P-Funk, Earth, Wind & Fire members discuss how, after delivering a lukewarm opening performance for P-Funk (a.k.a Parliament Funkadelic) and seeing the earth-shattering reception that their peers received on stage, funk was the only sensible move for their next album. From here, Questlove transitions into the construction of classic hits such as “That’s The Way of the World,” “Shining Star,” and “Love’s Holiday.” As much as Questlove covers the insurmountable highs, he doesn’t neglect in covering the lows — he covers the band’s shaky transition into the disco-infused 1980s (shining a light on hits such as “Boogie Wonderland” and “Let’s Groove”), publishing disputes, dissension among band members, and personal controversy with White himself concerning his roles as husband and father.
Verdine White in EARTH, WIND & FIRE (TO BE CELESTIAL VS THAT’S THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD). Photo courtesy of HBO Documentary Films.
Questlove’s documentary is an engaging work that handles its source material with care, respect, and wonder. And he doesn’t just leave it up to the band, friends, and collaborators to discuss and revel in the legend that is Earth, Wind & Fire, utilizing a hefty amount of notable talking heads — including Barack and Michelle Obama, Lionel Richie, H.E.R., Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jimmy Jam and Anderson Paak. There are moments of revelation in this film that are met with humorous “wowzers” off-camera commentary from Questlove himself. A moment to note is when Stevie Wonder (responsible for yet another memorable moment from this doc) reveals how “Shining Star” inspired him to create one of his most memorable songs, “I Wish.” Another revelatory moment is when head vocalist Philip Bailey states that the Earth, Wind & Fire song “Reasons,” a song unanimously considered (especially among black folks) as THE quintessential slow-dance song, was inspired by a sad one-night stand and is not meant to be a “love song.” Again, this is a song that is played at weddings.
Maurice White in EARTH, WIND & FIRE (TO BE CELESTIAL VS THAT’S THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD). Photo courtesy of HBO Documentary Films.
Moments like this are part of what gives this film its charm as a fast-paced, entertaining tribute to one of the greatest bands ever. Even the sternest film critic or music snob won’t be able to help themselves from tapping their feet as “September” lovingly plays over the music credits.
Screening during Tribeca Film Festival 2026.
Available on Sunday, June 7th at 9:00pm ET/11:00pm PT on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.
For more information, head to the official Tribeca Film Festival Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World) webpage.
Final Score: 4 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews
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