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Once Upon a Time in Harlem

Play trailer 2:10 Poster for Once Upon a Time in Harlem PG-13 1h 40m Documentary History Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 33 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.

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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Nick Schager The Daily Beast 1 day ago
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 Aisha Harris NPR Feb 12, 2026
The excavation of such history feels nothing short of monumental. Go to Full Review Kathia Woods Cup of Soul 22 hrs ago
9/10
The documentary doesn't just celebrate what these artists accomplished; it contextualizes their work within the continuum of Black resistance and excellence. Go to Full Review J. Don Birnam Awards Watch 1 day ago
A
Once Upon a Time in Harlem is the rare archival documentary that does more than just preserve the past—it revives it. Go to Full Review Jaylan Salah Geek Vibes Nation 2 days ago
Once Upon a Time in Harlem captures a gathering in Harlem at a moment when the afterglow of the Harlem Renaissance was still palpable. 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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