“Becoming Led Zeppelin,” the first official documentary chronicling the legendary rock band’s formation and early years, is set to premiere in IMAX theaters across the United States and Canada on February 7, 2025.
Directed by Bernard MacMahon, known for his work on the “American Epic” documentary series, the film offers an in-depth look at the individual journeys of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and the late John Bonham. It traces their paths through the 1960s music scene, their convergence in 1968, and their rapid rise to global stardom by 1970.
The documentary is notable for its exclusive interviews with surviving band members and previously unheard audio interviews with John Bonham. It also features full performances and never-before-seen footage from early concerts, including the 1969 Atlanta Pop Festival, Fillmore West, and Texas Pop Festival.
In a press release, writer-producer Allison McGourty highlighted the extensive effort behind the film: “We spent five years flying back and forth across the Atlantic scouring attics and basements in pursuit of rare and unseen film footage, photographs, and music recordings.” The team employed custom techniques to restore these materials, ensuring they “look and sound like they came out of the lab yesterday.”
The film had a work-in-progress screening at the 78th Venice Film Festival in 2021, receiving a 10-minute standing ovation. Critics have described it as “revelatory” and “an eye-opening delight,” noting its potent portrayal of the band’s early days.
While the initial release is scheduled for IMAX theaters, there is anticipation about the documentary’s availability on streaming platforms like Netflix. However, as of now, no official announcement has been made regarding its streaming release.
For a glimpse into the documentary, you can watch the full-length trailer below: