Netflix announces release date for its most divisive documentary in a long time
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
Netflix is no stranger to controversy, often giving platforms to divisive public figures or airing docuseries endorsing fringe views, and its upcoming documentary movie Titan could prove one of its most talked-about films this year.
We'd already heard some hints about Titan, but Netflix has newly announced a release date for the movie, and provided more pointers as to what it'll be about. It'll release on Wednesday, June 11, one week shy of two years to the day that the event took place.
10+ upcoming Netflix documentaries to add to your watchlist right now
Titan or to give it its full name Titan: The Oceangate Disaster, is about the 2023 destruction of the Titan submersible, which was taking five people down to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean in order to sight-see around the wreck of the Titanic. It's very likely that you followed this closely when it took place, as we all did.
When it happened, public discourse was divided on the events. Some were horrified by the loss of human life and the anticlimactic rescue, with clues suggesting early on in the search for the sub that it could have survived.
But others were quick to point out that the participants of the trip were all multimillionaires who were spending loads of money on the trip, and that a simultaneous loss of a migrant boat with hundreds of people feared dead was getting far less media coverage.
Netflix doesn't seem to be hiding from the controversy swirling around the Titan sub — would it ever — and instead seems to be diving deep into it.
According to Netflix's blog Tudum, the 110-minute documentary movie will focus on Stockton Rush, the CEO of Titan owners OceanGate, who was one of the sub's five inhabitants. It'll look at his attempts to become a billionaire through his underwater adventure company.
Given the nature of the topic and how social media discussions went down two years ago, it's inevitable that Titan will reignite these conversations. So it's all but guaranteed to be a divisive documentary no matter what side of the debate it comes down on itself.
It'll likely be the most divisive documentary to come to Netflix for quite a while, too. That's because the streamer's doc slate is mainly taken up with Trainwreck, a one-movie-per-week series of docs that looks at events from the headlines and dives into them in greater detail.
Having looked at the line-up, none of these are nearly as divisive as the Titan submersible implosion. The only near contender could be the streamer's upcoming doc about the British Grenfell Tower fire, expected to debut at some point in 2025.
I've rounded up some of Netflix's biggest upcoming documentaries here, and you can find the current best Netflix documentaries here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
2 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Jonathan Bailey Recalls Awkward Moment In "Wicked"
Jonathan Bailey has admitted he and his Wicked co-star Ariana Grande had a bit of an awkward moment when they were still getting to know one another. The British actor plays Fieryo in both Wicked and its much-hyped sequel, shooting both films back-to-back in a rather hectic time for his career, during which he was also making the TV shows Bridgerton and Fellow Travellers. As a result, Jonathan told British GQ that his rehearsal time on the movie was rather limited, with the Emmy nominee having just three days to prepare before filming began. 'I remember having four hours to learn how to do a dance move,' he explained. 'I did it with Ari, headbutted her, and was like, 'Gotta go!'' He quipped: 'I think she might have even headbutted me, but it was a meeting of minds, literally.' Fortunately, despite the literal tête-à-tête, he and the "Twilight Zone" singer went on to forge a strong friendship, at one point even attending Wimbledon together during their Wicked downtime. Last year, Jonathan spoke candidly about the toll that shooting multiple projects at the same time took on one particular aspect of his appearance. He claimed that having a perm for Bridgerton and a straight do for Fellow Travellers left his hair 'looking like coral' – and as a result, he had to sport a 'big old toupée' to play Fiyero in Wicked. 'I'm in the choreography so it's flapping about!' he joked to Variety during an Actors On Actors interview with Naomi Watts. Wicked For Good sees Jonathan once again sharing the screen with the likes of Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh, in the movie adaptation of the stage musical's second act. The first trailer for the sequel was released on Wednesday night, ahead of its worldwide release on Friday 21 November.
Tom's Guide
2 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
The best movie of 2025 (so far) you missed in theaters just arrived on streaming — and it's a hilariously heartfelt watch
I have a well-documented love of all things dark, from twisting crime thrillers to brutal horrors. My favorite movies of the year list usually ends up stuffed with flicks that can be considered pretty bleak in tone. But, I do have a slightly sappy side as well, and my love for 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' proves it. I caught this British comedy-drama in theatres last weekend, and while my expectations were relatively low ahead of watching, after 100 joyful minutes I walked out of my screening with a broad smile on my face, convinced I'd just seen a frontrunner pick for the most overlooked movie of 2025 (so far). 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' received only a limited theatrical release in the U.S. back in March, which means an awful lot of people didn't get to see it on the big screen. That's a real shame. But fortunately, life is all about second chances (a theme of the movie itself), and now this heartfelt movie is available to stream on Peacock or via PVOD on platforms like Amazon and Apple. If you were one of the many who didn't get to catch 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' in cinemas earlier this year, I strongly implore you to seek it out on streaming, because it's something very special. Here's why I love it so much. Charles Heath (Tim Key) is a reclusive lottery winner, living on the eponymous Wallis Island off the coast of Wales. He's also the world's biggest superfan of folk music duo McGwyer Mortimer. Unfortunately, the band, made up of Herby McGwyer (Tom Basden) and Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan), who were previously romantically involved, broke up 10 years ago, and haven't played a show together live since. Using his lottery winnings, Charles convinces them to both come to the island, reunite, and play a very intimate concert for an audience of one. Once on the island, old tensions flare up, and McGwyer and Mortimer find themselves grappling with their past and their present. They also have to tolerate Charles' fawning fandom and personality quirks. Eventually, the increasing tensions between the pair put the dream gig under threat. 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' wormed its way into my affections almost immediately. That's thanks in large part to the comedic brilliance of Tim Key. The flick opens with McGwyer arriving on the island in a small boat with a giddy Charles welcoming his hero, and this brilliant scene sets the tone. From the off, one thing becomes immediately apparent: Charles just cannot shut up. He is a persistent babbler and fills every silence with a running stream of nonsense. Loads of his lines had the entire audience in my local theatres laughing out loud, but as the movie progresses, we slowly peel back the layers and learn there's more to Charles than just his extreme levels of fandom. Charles very quickly became my favorite character of the movie, partially because he's just hilariously funny, with Key's sense of comedic timing second to none. But also because when it becomes clear exactly why he loves McGwyer Mortimer's music so much, I almost shed a tear (almost, I swear). The folk music duo themselves have more than a little bit of Fleetwood Mac about them. And when they are reunited on Wallis Island for the first time in a decade, there's a heavy distance between them. But this slowly erodes as they get back into the swing of playing music together and fondly reminisce on the past. However, the fact that Mortimer now has an American husband (Akemnji Ndifornyen) only adds to the underlying tension. I'm not a folk music fan per se (Taylor Swift's Folkmore duology is about as far into the genre as my Spotify playlists dip), but the musical element fits the tone perfectly. The original McGwyer Mortimer tunes are a surprise highlight and are performed by Basden and Mulligan. There's a lot more to 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' than just cringetastic humor from Charles' foibles and inability to stop talking for even a moment; there's a real melancholic nature about the movie. This element shines through most brightly via McGwyer, a cynical character, whose solo career is stalling, forcing him to create 'commercial' music he has no passion for. His time on Wallis Island and the chance to reconnect with his old partner begin to change his outlook and his sweetheart slowly starts to shine through. This arc, while hardly original, really works wonders. I also have to give kudos to 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' for not playing out exactly as I expected. In the first act, I rather arrogantly, perhaps, assumed I had the whole movie mapped out beat-for-beat, but instead, it takes a more unexpected (and very welcome) route. There's no shocking twist or anything of that nature, but the ending is a little more wistful than I anticipated. 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' is a tender comedy-drama, filled with likeable characters (even if they take a little while to warm up), beautifully understated music and a heartfelt story. Basden, Mulligan and especially Key are all fantastic, and by the end, you'll be wishing that you could take a trip to the remote (fictional) Wallis Island to nourish your soul and meet Charles. You don't need to just take my word for it that 'The Ballade of Wallis Island' is worth streaming. The movie currently holds a near-perfect 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This rating comes from more than 100 reviews and has earned the movie a Certified Fresh seal. 'The Ballad of Wallis Island hums along a sweet melody without lapsing into outright sentimentality, mining a great deal of warmth from its humble premise,' reads the site's 'Critics Consensus,' and viewers agree, rating it an equally impressive 93%. These scores speak to the movie's quality and how effectively it charms you. It's such a special little movie, and I'm hoping its arrival on streaming opens it up to a richly deserved wider audience. I can't wait to rewatch it on Peacock, and it's now entered my rotation of comfort movies I turn to on rainy days. If somehow all this praise hasn't convinced you to give 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' a watch (do you have a heart made of stone?), check out my full roundup of the top new movies arriving across streaming services. But if you want to save some time, just go watch this one now, it's a comfort blanket of a movie that will have you reflecting on your life and lost loves.
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
King Charles ‘livid' as royal family's cherished Christmas tradition faces cancellation: expert
King Charles is said to be 'livid' that he won't exactly get Christmas cheer this year. The Sun recently reported there is a potential shortage of pheasants at the monarch's Sandringham Estate, which could affect the chances of a full shooting calendar this winter. Advertisement It is known as one of the monarch's favorite pastimes during the holiday season. 'King Charles III is livid, frustrated and disappointed, reflecting both his deep personal attachment to the cherished family tradition and his broader commitment to his royal heritage,' British royal expert Hilary Fordwich claimed to Fox News Digital. 'He's also annoyed that the mishap reflects rather poorly on the management of Sandringham, which he inherited from his mother, Queen Elizabeth II,' she explained. 'The shoot gathers his extended royal family and guests, reinforcing bonds while upholding a long-standing aristocratic tradition. The root of the problem is that Charles has always opposed importing birds from elsewhere, preferring to maintain the estate's game population. The eco-friendly approach has failed.' Advertisement According to the outlet, the number of birds currently available has dropped. 6 Britain's King Charles III wore hearing protection as he watched an artillery piece be fired in Lark Hill on Friday. via REUTERS This may force the 76-year-old, who is battling an undisclosed form of cancer, to cancel the traditional Boxing Day shoot, which is described as a central part of the royal family's holiday plans. Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment. Advertisement 'Allegedly, King Charles is disappointed that one of his favorite Christmas family traditions may not take place this year,' British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. 'The Sandringham shoot is questionable due to a lack of Sandringham pheasants on the estate. It seems the family will have to bond, enjoy and celebrate over another hobby, or possibly clay pigeon shoots are the way forward.' 'King Charles may have felt a fleeting healthy upset, but in light of recent times, with the slimmed-down monarchy, cancer battles and more… the monarchy has found their typical ways changing as they are forced to be flexible,' she shared. 6 King Charles III was recently pictured taking a stroll at the Sandringham Estate. Bav Media / The Sun reported that a long-serving gamekeeper, who is responsible for managing the bird population on the estate, is said to have been let go in a recent staff shake-up, resulting in the shortage. Advertisement 'It was a total cock-up,' a source claimed to the outlet. 'No birds, no bang, just red faces. The king wasn't having it.' According to Chard, while the king may be let down, he isn't opposed to change. The monarch is said to be adjusting to a new routine as he continues his weekly cancer treatments and remains devoted to full-time royal duties. 6 King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Prince William, Prince of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at St Mary Magdalene Church on December 25, 2024. UK Press via Getty Images 'He pushes for change on occasion,' said Chard. 'He broke royal tradition with his last Christmas speech, recorded at the Fitzrovia Chapel, rather than a royal residence. It was there that he chose to reflect on the deeper things that connect us all — community, health, inclusivity and love.' Chard also pointed out that the shortage may prompt the king to review the shooting tradition, which has come under fire from animal rights groups. Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner is hopeful the change of plans will allow the king to prioritize one thing — making amends with his younger son, Prince Harry. The Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan Markle stepped back as senior royals in 2020, citing the unbearable intrusions of the British press and a lack of support from the palace. They reside in California. 6 On Christmas Day in 2017, the late Queen Elizabeth II, her husband and other members of the royal family were pictured leaving the St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Since the couple's royal exit, they have aired their grievances in interviews and podcasts, as well as Harry's explosive 2023 memoir, 'Spare.' Sources close to the prince, 40, previously claimed to People magazine that the king won't respond to his phone calls and letters. 'Perhaps he could bring the royal clan together, lock the door, knock all their heads together and unite the entire family, including Harry and Meghan,' Turner told Fox News Digital. 'This may be feathers flying in a different way than a grouse shoot, but if they really believe in the Christian principles, they would try, in my view. It is what Britain expects.' People magazine reported that Charles supports traditional practices and opposes importing birds from elsewhere for the customary rural pastime. However, the outlet reported that maintaining game birds in the area has been 'challenging.' 6 Britain's King Charles III greeted families of service personnel during a visit to the regiments headquarters in Lark Hill, Wiltshire. via REUTERS Advertisement People also reported that the king's grandson, Prince George, was taken on his first grouse-hunting expedition at Balmoral, the royal family's Scottish estate. Royal author Tom Quinn claimed in his new book, 'Yes Ma'am — The Secret Life of Royal Servants,' that Kate Middleton isn't allowing her three young children, including George, 11, to participate in 'blooding.' This longtime ritual calls for members of the royal family to smear blood on their faces from their first kill during fox or stag hunting. Fox News Digital reached out to Kensington Palace for comment. In his 2023 book 'Gilded Youth,' Quinn claimed that William also wanted his family to get with the times. Advertisement ''William is struggling with the traditional pastimes of the royal family as they become ever more unpopular with the public,' he wrote. 6 Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, previously reported that Princess Diana wasn't a fan of game shooting. Getty Images 'William loves shooting — a love he shares with his father — but he is also conscious that the tide is now moving against what many people now refer to as blood sports (the royals prefer to refer to them as field sports). But are they suitable for George, Charlotte and Louis?' Quinn also wrote that while William, 42, was 'keen' to get the children into shooting, he also noted that 'few' expected Kate to 'allow' her children to take part in the blooding tradition. Advertisement Harry previously detailed his experience with the tradition in his memoir, 'Spare.' The 40-year-old recalled how his hunting guide, Sandy, pressed his face into the belly wound of a stag he shot during a blooding ritual on the grounds of Balmoral Castle. 'He placed a hand gently behind my neck and… pushed my head inside the carcass,' the Duke of Sussex wrote, as quoted by the New York Post. 'I tried to pull away, but Sandy pushed me deeper,' the prince wrote. 'I was shocked by his insane strength. And by the infernal smell. My breakfast jumped up from my stomach. After a minute, I couldn't smell anything, because I couldn't breathe. My nose and mouth were full of blood, guts and a deep, upsetting warmth.' Harry wrote that he 'felt swelling pride' that he had 'been good to that stag' by killing it with a single shot so it wouldn't feel pain. He said it was a 'show of respect for the slain' and 'an act of communion by the slayer.' The outlet noted that the book's revelations prompted animal rights organization PETA to condemn the father of two for his graphic descriptions. Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, previously reported that Princess Diana wasn't a fan of game shooting, which has been one of the royal family's favorite activities for centuries. Seward claimed that the late Princess of Wales didn't even like her sons being photographed holding guns. Seward claimed Diana reportedly told William and Harry, 'Remember, there's always someone in a high-rise flat who doesn't want to see you shoot a Bambi,' as quoted by the U.K.'s Express. Still, the boys loved hunting, and Diana used to jokingly call them her 'Killer Wales.' Ken Wharfe, Diana's former royal protection officer, also claimed that Diana was disgusted by hunting. 'The royal shooting obsession was something Princess Diana found repugnant,' Wharfe said, as quoted by the outlet. 'Requiring little or no skill, royal pheasant shoots are a pre-planned carnage of wildlife, bred specifically for slaughter.'
