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Once Upon a Time in Harlem

Play trailer 2:10 Poster for Once Upon a Time in Harlem PG-13 In Theaters Oct 16 1h 40m Documentary History Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 37 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Verified Ratings
A decade after his death, filmmaker William Greaves's estate releases footage from a 1972 gathering of Harlem Renaissance artists.
Coming Soon In Theaters Oct 16 Buy Tickets

Cast & Crew

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David Greaves

Director

William Greaves

Screenwriter

Liani Greaves

Producer

Anne De Mare

Producer

William Greaves

Cinematographer

Lynn True

Film Editor

Critics Reviews

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Dwight Brown DwightBrownInk.com Sep 22, 2026
4/4
Superlative documentary filmmaking. What began 50 years ago arrives right on time. It’s a treasure. A national treasure. Go to Full Review Nick Schager The Daily Beast Sep 16, 2026
A time capsule, history lesson, and heady hangout movie all rolled into one, it’s an invigorated portrait of radical change as the byproduct of art, politics, and roiling intellectual debate. Go to Full Review Jourdain Searles The Hollywood Reporter Feb 13, 2026
But Greaves puts us right in the room with his naturalistic, vérité approach, making us quiet spectators among some of the most influential Black writers, thinkers, artists and entertainers to ever live. Go to Full Review Lexi Amoriello Movie Recs by Lex 17 hrs ago
It is an incredibly illuminating experience, offering something that a textbook simply cannot. This is more than a documentary about the Harlem Renaissance; it feels like history is being brought to life right before our very eyes. Go to Full Review Laura Clifford Reeling Reviews 1 day ago
A-
a film that is like being invited to an illuminating and entertaining cocktail party celebrating black excellence in the arts and the time's burgeoning political activism and, as with many such parties, debate gets more lively as punch bowl levels drop. Go to Full Review Rachel Ho Exclaim! Sep 21, 2026
8/10
The ability to visit particular moments and the situation that led to the renaissance straight from the horse's mouth is invaluable. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
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Once Upon a Time in Harlem

Once Upon a Time in Harlem: Trailer 1 Once Upon a Time in Harlem: Trailer 1 2:10 Now Playing Once Upon a Time in Harlem: Teaser Trailer Once Upon a Time in Harlem: Teaser Trailer 1:22 Now Playing View more videos
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Once Upon a Time in Harlem

Once Upon a Time in Harlem (2026) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A decade after his death, filmmaker William Greaves's estate releases footage from a 1972 gathering of Harlem Renaissance artists.
Director
David Greaves
Producer
Liani Greaves, Anne De Mare
Screenwriter
William Greaves
Distributor
NEON
Production Co
William Greaves Productions
Rating
PG-13 (Strong Racial Language|Brief Partial Nudity|Some Disturbing Images|Smoking)
Genre
Documentary, History
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 16, 2026, Limited
Runtime
1h 40m
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