Netflix Announces Official Marilyn Monroe Documentary Set for Global Premiere in….
Netflix has officially announced a groundbreaking new documentary chronicling the life and career of one of Hollywood’s most iconic figures — Marilyn Monroe. Slated to premiere globally in September 2025, the documentary promises to offer an intimate and comprehensive look at the woman behind the legend, unveiling never-before-seen footage, personal writings, and interviews that shed light on Monroe’s complex and often misunderstood life.
A Cultural Icon Revisited
More than six decades after her untimely death, Marilyn Monroe continues to captivate the world. From her unforgettable performances in *Gentlemen Prefer Blondes*, *Some Like It Hot*, and *The Seven Year Itch*, to her enduring image as a pop culture icon, Monroe’s legacy remains as potent as ever. Yet behind the glamorous public persona lay a woman whose life was marked by struggle, vulnerability, and a relentless pursuit of acceptance and artistic validation.
The upcoming Netflix documentary seeks to go beyond the surface, delving deep into Monroe’s personal experiences and the societal pressures that shaped her journey. Produced in collaboration with the Marilyn Monroe Estate and acclaimed documentary filmmaker Liz Garbus, the film promises a balanced narrative — one that neither glorifies nor diminishes, but seeks to understand Monroe in all her humanity.
A Documentary Years in the Making
The documentary is the result of years of meticulous research, curating archival footage, personal letters, journals, and interviews with those who knew her best. The film will include contributions from friends, colleagues, biographers, and cultural historians. Netflix has also secured rights to rare, never-before-seen home movies and behind-the-scenes material from Monroe’s film sets and personal life.
According to Netflix, the documentary will “reconstruct the private world of Marilyn Monroe, from her troubled childhood and meteoric rise in Hollywood to the emotional and professional turmoil she faced in her final years.”
Director Liz Garbus, known for her Emmy-nominated documentaries including *What Happened, Miss Simone?* and *Love, Marilyn*, expressed her excitement at the opportunity to tell Monroe’s story in a new light.
Marilyn Monroe has been mythologized to the point where the real woman is often forgotten,” Garbus said in a statement. “This documentary is about giving Marilyn her voice back. Through her own words and the recollections of those who truly knew her, we aim to let audiences see and hear her for who she really was — brilliant, vulnerable, funny, ambitious, and incredibly complex.”
More Than a Starlet
The documentary aims to challenge the reductive narrative that has often defined Monroe as merely a “sex symbol.” While her beauty and charisma were undeniably part of her allure, the film emphasizes her intelligence, activism, and efforts to control her own career in an industry dominated by men.
Viewers will learn more about Monroe’s attempts to break free from typecasting, including her decision to start her own production company — a bold move for a woman in the 1950s. The documentary will also touch on her relationships with major cultural and political figures of the time, including her marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, as well as her connections to the Kennedy family.
Also explored is her battle with mental health, her dependency on prescription drugs, and the unrelenting pressure of fame that ultimately contributed to her tragic death at the age of 36.
Global Anticipation
Netflix’s announcement has already generated global excitement and anticipation. Social media has been abuzz since the official confirmation, with Monroe fans, historians, and film lovers expressing eagerness to see a more authentic portrayal of the Hollywood legend.
The premiere is expected to coincide with a broader retrospective of Monroe’s impact on fashion, feminism, cinema, and celebrity culture. Netflix has hinted at companion features, including short-form content and curated interviews with modern celebrities reflecting on Monroe’s influence.
Film critic and pop culture historian Dr. Lorraine King weighed in on the upcoming release:
This documentary could redefine how a generation sees Marilyn Monroe. For too long, she has been viewed as a tragic beauty, but she was also an artist, a businesswoman, and a survivor of incredible hardship. I hope this film helps to deepen public understanding of her true legacy.”
Streaming in September 2025
The official Marilyn Monroe documentary will be released exclusively on Netflix in September 2025, with a global premiere event expected in Los Angeles. The streaming platform has not yet announced the official title or trailer, but sources confirm that both will debut in summer 2025.
The film is expected to be a flagship release for Netflix’s fall documentary slate and is already generating Oscar buzz for the 2026 awards season in the Best Documentary Feature category.
For those fascinated by the Golden Age of Hollywood, or those simply intrigued by the complexity of fame and identity, this documentary promises to be a must-watch.
As the world prepares to revisit one of the most enduring figures in entertainment history, Netflix’s latest venture stands as a tribute to the woman who once said, *“I don’t want to be Marilyn Monroe. I just want to be wonderful.”*
