Here are the best Elvis documentaries I can find. I’ve ranked them best (at top) to least best.
I’m up to 17 and will likely add some new ones (I’ve found others but I just need to find good trailers and links to them).
Enjoy!
1) Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii
Note on Above video: I couldn’t find a trailer so instead I included the song “Something” from the Beatles that Elvis covers in the Aloha show.
Director: Marty Pasetta
Length: 87 minutes
Year: 1973
Marty Pasetta (also directed “Elvis: The Comeback Special”) nails this doc (the best Elvis doc I’ve watched).
The doc centers around his iconic concert on January 14, 1973 at the The Honolulu International Center Arena.
It’s a global event, witnessed by 1.5 billion (yes, billion) around the world. It was broadcast by sattelite to the U.S. and much of Asia (a global.
The doc captures the King at his peak. His voice, strong and clear, fills the stadium. His charisma, undeniable.
Highlights of Aloha include Elvis’s powerful stage presence, the historic live satellite broadcast, and a setlist full of classics.
The setlist features hits like “Suspicious Minds” and “Blue Hawaii”.
It’s Elvis at his best.
You can watch Elvis: Aloha for free in a couple of ways at “Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii”
2) Elvis: The Comeback Special
Elvis reclaims his throne in “The Comeback Special.” Steve Binder directs, known for “The T.A.M.I. Show.” The doc stirs nostalgia, showcases a legend’s rebirth.
I’m captivated as Elvis belts “If I Can Dream.” Binder’s work uses no fluff—just raw, uncut Elvis. It’s 1968 again, and he’s electrifying.
The set is simple; the energy, complex. Close-ups capture the sweat, the passion. Every strum, every snarl—a story.
The King rocks the black leather, commands the stage. His voice fills the room, your soul. You feel the comeback. It’s intimate, as if he’s singing for you.
The soundtrack—a hit parade. “Heartbreak Hotel” to “Hound Dog,” it’s all here. These songs define a generation. They still resonate, loud and clear.
Watch t for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAwdZcozdLk or you can rent it on Amazon. Check out https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/elvis-68-comeback-special-edition for the latest options.
3) Elvis Presley: The Searcher
If you’re looking for spandex and sequins, keep walking. “Elvis Presley: The Searcher” isn’t about the King’s jumpsuit wardrobe—it’s about the man in the mirror, the one behind those shades.
In 2014, Priscilla Presley and Jerry Schilling pitched the raw Elvis tale. HBO bit, hard. They snagged Jon Landau, and the rest is history.
Landau recruited Thom Zimny (who’s also taken us down “The River” with Bruce Springsteen documentaries).
Zimny gives us a three-and-a-half-hour deep dive (yes, pack snacks).
“The Searcher” is for those who want to know Elvis before Graceland was a coffee mug.
Ann-Margret recalls their spark, both onscreen and off.
Chet Atkins pulls back the curtain on Elvis’s guitar magic. Steve Allen shows a different Elvis, the one before the Vegas glitz.
Here’s Elvis, up close and personal, with a soundtrack that’s less of a greatest hits parade and more of a soul map. Zimny gives us Presley the pilgrim, a guy on a quest,
Watch The Searcher on HBO Max or Spectrum. You can also buy it on Apple TV and Vudu Fandango. Check out https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/elvis-presley-the-searcher for all the options.
4) This is Elvis
Malcolm Leo previously crafted “The Beach Boys: An American Band”.
Highlights are candid interviews, unseen home movies, and iconic performance clips.
This doc gives an intimate portrait of Elvis’s life and career.
Leo and Solt mix interviews, concerts, home movies.
They show a man, not just a star. It’s raw, it’s real—Elvis, unscripted.
The soundtrack hits home. From “Heartbreak Hotel” to “Suspicious Minds,” it’s all there. His voice carries stories, not just tunes.
Top reason to watch? It’s Elvis’s full spectrum. From Tupelo to Vegas, the rise, the fall. You understand the man behind the myth.
Watch “This is Elvis” by renting it on Apple TV, Amazon, Microsoft, YouTube and Vudu/Fandango. Full details here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/this-is-elvis
5) Elvis: The Lost Performances
Year: 1992
Length: 58 minutes
“Elvis: The Lost Performances” resurrects the King’s golden moments.
Found in ’86, it brings Elvis back to life his 1970 Vegas renditions and his 1972 tours..
‘The Wonder of You,’ performed in Vegas on 8/13/70 — Elvis’s command over the International Hotel crowd is sheer magic.
Intimate rehearsals from LA’s MGM Soundstage on 7/29/70 reveal a different Elvis. Strumming his guitar to ‘Don’t’, he’s casual yet still captivating.
The tour of ’72 adds grit. At the Hampton Coliseum on 4/9/72, ‘All Shook Up’ rocks the foundations. And ‘How Great Thou Art’ from Greensboro Coliseum on 4/14/72 is a climax.
Watch Elvis: The Lost Performances on Daily Motion at https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xxjr6f
6) Elvis The Great Performances Volumes 1, 2 and 3: Center Stage
Andrew Solt brings the same care as in “Imagine: John Lennon”. There are 3 volumes here
Volume 1: “Center Stage” (1990) (IMDB rating of 8.1)
This first installment captures the explosive start of Elvis Presley’s career. Featuring performances that helped catapult him to fame, “Center Stage” brings the viewer up close with the young, vibrant Elvis as he takes the music world by storm. Includes interviews with George Klein and Priscilla Presley).
Volume 2: “The Man and the Music” (1990) (IMD rating of 7.8)
Released the same year as the first, the second volume provides a deeper exploration of Elvis’s musical journey. It illustrates his versatility and enduring appeal with performances that span his entire career, highlighting his development as a musician and a showman.
Volume 3: “From the Waist Up” (1997) (IMDB rating of 7.1)
This volume came out seven years after the first two and focuses on Elvis’s impact on television and popular culture. It’s named for the infamous television direction to film him only from the waist up due to his provocative hip movements. The documentary also covers the media frenzy and societal impact of his electrifying performances. There’s a tour of Graceland in this one. Bono of U2 narrates a bunch of this.
Together, these volumes serve as a comprehensive anthology that chronicles the life and legacy of one of the most iconic figures in music history, Elvis Presley.
Watch Elvis: The Great Performances here:
- Volume 1 for free on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNNXSvxpDjw
- Volume 2 for free on YouTUbe here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ro66vsJEcY
- Volume 3 — I believe this is Volume 3 in its entirety but I’m not positive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJV6SZfeFJM
It looks like you can buy the DVD of all 3 volumes here: https://www.amazon.com/Elvis-Great-Performances-Box-Set/dp/B000069HST
7) Elvis by the Presleys
Rob Klug (director of multiple episodes of “60 Minutes”) directs this doc.
Klug pulls back the curtain to help you see Elvis through his family’s eyes. They share stories, some never told before.
For example, Elvis loved to water ski, horseback riding, played in a football league and did a lot of play-fighting with friends (as a workout).
They also cover his many pets including mules, chickens, horses cows, dogs and even a chimpanzee (that pulled girls’ dresses up).
It’s personal, revealing—a different King.
Lisa Marie and Priscilla open their hearts. They show a side only family knows.
Watch Elvis by the Presleys on Cineverse at https://www.cineverse.com/details/62ed59bd968f4327ba1e6337/elvis-by-the-presleys (requires subscription). Check here for other options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/elvis-by-the-presleys
8) Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback
Highlights: …
Watch it on Paramount+ at https://www.paramountplus.com/movies/video/FMGXP5s7R1iWeCQAiI_FJvA_Zf_NqwOd/
9) Elvis: The Rebirth of the King
This has got the best trailer (click above) of any Elvis doc I’ve watched. The Space Odyssey music is very dramatic…just perfect.
This BBC doc is about Elvis’s comeback on July 31, 1969. It’s at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.
The common view casts Elvis’s Vegas era as his low point. Yet, this film presents a counterargument: Vegas marked his zenith. I
n those initial Vegas years, he truly shone as a singer and showman. Regarded as the world’s foremost performer then, Elvis underwent a transformative renaissance.
This five-year period is explored through the eyes of his pivotal collaborators, like the designer of his iconic jumpsuits.
The film pays homage to this unparalleled pop reinvention.
He triumphs but trouble looms ahead.
Watch The Rebirth of the King for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnmuhdbXh2g
10) Elvis in Concert TV Special (CBS)
Director: Dwight Hemion
Writer: Annett Wolf Sr.
Length: 50 minutes
Year: 1977
“Elvis in Concert” is a stirring tribute to the King’s final performances. Directed by the esteemed Dwight Hemion, this posthumous TV special captures Elvis Presley in his last tour—raw and real.
In the spotlight, Elvis’s presence is as commanding as ever. His voice spans nearly four octaves, a testament to his unparalleled artistry.
Backed by the TCB Band, whose members have since carved notable careers, the music is impeccable, unembellished by modern tech.
Filmed in Omaha and Rapid City, the special aired on CBS, a somber ode two months after Elvis’s passing.
Despite its historical significance, it remains elusive, tucked away from mainstream release, only accessible through bootlegs.
Yet, segments of this special breathe again in “Elvis: The Great Performances” and “This is Elvis,” ensuring parts of this final bow are preserved for posterity.
For those seeking the essence of Elvis’s last act, “Elvis in Concert” is a must-find.
It’s a profound watch, not just for the music but for the man behind it, still the greatest performer on earth.
Watch Elvis in Concert for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXXMJmL6mjY or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo85TIC37fQ
11) Elvis ’56
Alan Raymond captures 1956. the explosive year that made Elvis a star.
Elvis’s landmark year comes alive, his iconic songs front and center.
With narration by Levon Helm of The Band, the documentary by Oscar-winners Alan and Susan Raymond showcases Elvis at his best.
It’s packed with legendary performances, blurring the line between documentary and concert.
Watch it for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOvlESTqbYs
12) Elvis on Tour
Director: Robert Abel and Pierre Adidge Length: 93 minutes Year: 1972
“Elvis on Tour” captures the King in motion.
Abel and Adidge, who later worked on “Let the Good Times Roll,” get you swept up in the frenzy of what it’s like to be Elvis on tour.
The crew filmed four Presley shows that were later intertwined with interviews. Assisted by Martin Scorsese, it featured the use of split screens.
The tour’s footage, a trove of 1970s Americana, spans 15 cities, Elvis’s grueling pace evident. Yet, his energy never wanes.
There are glimpses of rehearsals and some offstage moments.
To watch Elvis on Tour, it looks like you have to rent it (for around $3) on Apple TV, Amazon, etc. Here are the options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/elvis-on-tour
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13) The King
Director: Eugene Jarecki
Length: 107 minutes
Year: 2017
The King” takes you on an Elvis-themed road trip. Eugene Jarecki ( known for the “Why We Fight” doc) is at the helm.
It’s a documentary that’s as much about America as it is about Elvis.
Jarecki drives Elvis’s 1963 Rolls-Royce across the U.S.
Along the way, he picks up celebrities, musicians, and everyday Americans. They all reflect on Elvis’s impact and American culture.
It’s a film that’s both a biography and a mirror. We see Elvis’s rise and fall paralleled with America’s own story.
It’s thought-provoking, eye-opening, unflinchingly honest.
“The King” isn’t just another Elvis doc. It’s a critical look at fame, society, and the American dream.
Jarecki weaves a narrative that questions as much as it entertains.
For a fresh take on Elvis and what he represents, watch “The King.” It’s an insightful journey through music, history, and national identity.
14) E! True Hollywood Story — The Last Days of Elvis
Director: Jordan Hill
Length: 56 min. & 32 secs.
Year: 2018
“E! True Hollywood Story” unravels a mystery: The King’s last day.
Jordan Hill directs with a respectful, yet inquisitive lens. It’s as intimate as it is heartbreaking.
Elvis’s Memphis Mafia breaks their silence. They knew him—truly, deeply.
Their stories bring us closer to Elvis’s final moments.
Sonny West, Billy Smith, and others share untold tales. Each memory adds a piece to the puzzle. The truth behind the legend is revealed.
This episode, S3.E39, aired on a September night in 1999. It offers a poignant look at Elvis’s last hours through the eyes of his closest confidants.
It’s a somber, reflective piece, seeking answers to the abrupt end of a monumental life.
You can watch E! True Hollywood’s “The Last Days of Elvis” for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDQZLyUU2D4
15) Elvis Presley: From the Beginning to the End
Director: Marino Amoruso
Length: 1 hour 2 minutes
Year: 2004
“Elvis Presley: From the Beginning to the End” honors the King. Directed by Marino Amoruso, it’s tender yet comprehensive. The doc is a journey through Elvis’s 42 years.
Rare footage and photos paint a vivid picture. From Tupelo’s son to a global icon—every phase revealed. It’s a narrative woven with care, depth, and warmth.
Interviews with musicians, historians enrich the story. They offer insights, lending gravity to the King’s tale. The tribute is personal, the biography detailed.
This 2004 documentary spans the full spectrum of Elvis’s life. It’s a touching homage, delicately crafted. Amoruso celebrates Elvis with sensitivity and respect.
Watch it for free on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv72p7DDehw. It’s also on Tubi, PlutoTV, Plex and Vudu for free (with ads). And it’s on Amazon and Vudu for rent. Check here for all those options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/elvis-presley-from-the-beginning-to-the-end
16) Elvis Presley: In the Movies
Director: Marino Amoruso
Length: 45 minutes
Year: 2012
“Elvis Presley: In the Movies” spotlights the King’s silver screen era.
From “Jailhouse Rock” to “Blue Hawaii,” the movie hits keep coming. Twelve films, each showcasing Elvis’s range and charisma. His life unfolds, scene by scene.
You witness the King in his Hollywood glory.
I recommend it only for super-fans of Elvis and classic cinema.
Watch it for free on Kanopy at https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/124918
17) Elvis What If?
Director: Ian Cranston, Ethan Michaels
Length: 1 hour 23 minutes
Year: 2012
This is a low-budget labor of love doc that popped on my radar because I saw that it got an IMDB rating of 9.3 (only 19 votes).
It’s got some conspiracy theories on Elvis’s death that die-hard Elvis fans who like conspiiracy theories might like
Watch “Elvis What if” for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlzHaKMKaNQ
Thanks for reading!
-Rob Kelly