Baz Luhrmann’s EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert hit IMAX theaters worldwide on February 20, 2026, with early access screenings beginning on February 18. It expanded to wide release on February 27 globally. EPiC’s worldwide box office take of over $23 million defied industry expectations for an archival documentary from an independent studio.
The film allows Elvis to tell his own story, using audio from multiple sources. It also features fully restored video of previously released and unreleased content. Most of the footage used was originally filmed for the documentaries Elvis: That’s The Way It Is (1970) and Elvis On Tour (1972). Footage from other eras is also featured to help round out the narrative. While there have been limited-run screenings over the years, EPiC represents the first wide release of an Elvis documentary in cinemas since 1981’s This Is Elvis.
The EPiC soundtrack became available February 20 on digital and CD and April 24 on vinyl. On April 7, the film became available for digital purchase or rental from most major platforms. EPiC made its US subscription streaming debut on Paramount+ on June 3. In the US, 4K UHD/Blu-Ray and DVD editions of the movie were released on August 11. Other than trailers and commercials, no bonus features were included.
Luhrmann produced and directed EPiC. He also co-produced, co-wrote, and directed ELVIS (2022), a fictionalized account of the singer’s life. The official EPiC site is available here.
Mini Review | Coverage | Footage Breakdown | The Missing Credits
Mini Review
EPiC is an emotional experience that understands and loves Elvis, gives him his voice back, and rescues the man from his own image.
Luhrmann and editor Jonathan Redmond assemble old and new material into something that feels more than the sum of its often familiar parts. The use of interviews originally captured for Elvis On Tour is among EPiC’s greatest gifts. The film also gives welcome attention to Elvis’ gospel music.
Concert sequences, including “Tiger Man,” “Suspicious Minds,” “Little Sister/Get Back,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” and “How Great Thou Art,” are the real highlight and show just how incredible Elvis still was during the latter half of his 1968-1972 revitalization. A montage of rehearsal and live footage of “Polk Salad Annie” is not to be missed.
That does not mean EPiC is beyond criticism. The movie presents the footage originally filmed for Elvis: That’s The Way It Is in an incorrect aspect ratio. The film’s credits also fail to properly acknowledge many of the musicians and original creative teams whose work made EPiC possible.
EPiC reaches what feels like a perfect emotional conclusion as an exhausted Elvis in 1970 smiles and disappears behind an elevator door. Unfortunately, the film continues, inserting an unnecessary reading of “American David” by U2’s Bono and ruining what would have been a far better ending.
EPiC is an important celebration of Elvis Presley not as an image frozen in time, but as the living, breathing artist he was.
2026 Coverage
| Published | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| January 10 | The Look | Thoughts on the official teaser trailer, released by NEON on December 9, 2025 |
| January 31 | Keeping The Footage, Losing The Baggage | Looking back on decades’ worth of mistakes in marketing & releasing 1970 & 1972 vault footage | Thoughts on the full trailer & new poster, released by NEON on January 13 |
| February 19 | EPiC: The Elvis Film I’ve Been Waiting For My Entire Life | Initial reaction after February 18 IMAX early access screening |
| February 26 | EPiC: A Soundtrack That Shouldn’t Stand Alone | Review of the soundtrack CD, released by Sony on February 20 |
| February 28 | Baz Luhrmann’s Message to EPiC Theaters: “Turn It Up!” | Director asks theaters to make EPiC loud |
| March 10 | After EPiC | So, you liked EPiC. Now what? |
| April 7 | EPiC: The Biggest Elvis Event Of A Generation | The Along For The Ride podcast debuts with questions on the new movie, part 1 of 4 |
| April 21 | EPiC: Through Elvis’ Voice | Along For The Ride‘s initial look at the film, part 2 of 4 |
| May 4 | EPiC: It’s Elvis’ Movie That He Didn’t Get To See | Along For The Ride‘s initial look at the film, part 3 of 4 |
| May 6 | EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert | An In-Depth Review | Observations, criticisms, and nitpicks make up this feature, which is part review, part viewer’s companion, and part tribute |
| May 19 | EPiC: The Fun-Loving Side Of Elvis | Conclusion of Along For The Ride‘s initial look at the film |
| June 29 | The Trouble With Quibbles (And How To Get Into It) | Along For The Ride dives into The Mystery Train’s in-depth review, part 1 of 5 |
| July 14 | Someone Did Not Take Care Of Business | Along For The Ride‘s look at The Mystery Train’s review, part 2 of 5 |
| July 27 | Elvis Is Having Fun | Along For The Ride‘s look at The Mystery Train’s review, part 3 of 5 |
| August 18 | EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert | This reference page |
Footage Breakdown
Below is a breakdown of the 1970 (highlighted in yellow) and 1972 (highlighted in red) performances featured in EPiC.
NOTE: Footage status refers only to whether a performance has been previously released in an official project. Previously unseen portions of performances already represented in official releases are not considered new footage for these purposes. However, low-quality bonus material from Elvis: That’s the Way It Is – Special Edition is excluded from consideration.
OS = Opening Show | DS = Dinner Show
MS = Midnight Show | ES = Evening Show
| Song | Primary Date | Location | Footage Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Battle Hymn Of The Republic (from “An American Trilogy”) | April 9, 1972 ES | Hampton Roads | Previously released in This Is Elvis |
| Stranger In The Crowd | July 29, 1970 | Hollywood | Previously released in Elvis: That’s The Way It Is |
| A Fool Such As I | July 29, 1970 | Hollywood | Previously unseen |
| What’d I Say | July 29, 1970 | Hollywood | Previously released in Elvis: That’s The Way It Is |
| I Was The One | July 29, 1970 | Hollywood | Previously released in Elvis: The Lost Performances |
| You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me | August 4, 1970 | Las Vegas | Previously unseen |
| Ghost Riders In The Sky | July 15, 1970 | Culver City | Previously unseen |
| Alla En El Rancho Grande | July 15, 1970 | Culver City | Previously unseen |
| Runaway | July 15, 1970 | Culver City | Previously unseen |
| Yesterday | July 15, 1970 | Culver City | Previously unseen |
| Something | July 29, 1970 | Hollywood | Previously unseen |
| That’s All Right* | August 12, 1970 DS | Las Vegas | Previously unseen |
| Tiger Man | August 12, 1970 MS | Las Vegas | Previously released in Elvis: That’s The Way It Is |
| Hound Dog | August 11, 1970 MS | Las Vegas | Previously released in Elvis: The Lost Performances |
| Polk Salad Annie | July-August 1970 | Various | Portions previously unseen |
| You’ve Lost That Lovin Feelin’ | August 11, 1970 MS | Las Vegas | Previously unseen |
| Little Sister/Get Back* | August 12, 1970 MS | Las Vegas | Previously unseen |
| Burning Love | March-April 1972 | Various | Portions previously unseen |
| Never Been To Spain | April 9, 1972 ES | Hampton Roads | Previously unseen |
| Love Me | April 1972 and August 1970 | Various | Previously unseen |
| Twenty Days And Twenty Nights | August 7, 1970 | Las Vegas | Previously unseen |
| I Can’t Stop Loving You | August 11, 1970 DS | Las Vegas | Previously released in Elvis: That’s The Way It Is – Special Edition |
| Are You Lonesome Tonight* | August 12, 1970 MS | Las Vegas | Previously released in Elvis Lives: The 25th Anniversary Concert |
| Always On My Mind | March 30, 1972 | Hollywood | Previously released in This Is Elvis |
| Are You Lonesome Tonight | April 9, 1972 ES | Hampton Roads | Previously released in Elvis: The Lost Performances |
| Oh Happy Day | August 7, 1970 | Las Vegas | Previously unseen |
| How Great Thou Art* | April 9, 1972 ES | Hampton Roads | Previously released in Elvis: The Lost Performances |
| I, John | April 5, 1972 | Buffalo | Previously released in Elvis On Tour |
| Nearer My God To Thee | March 31, 1972 | Hollywood | Previously unseen |
| A Big Hunk O’ Love | March-April 1972 | Various | Portions previously unseen |
| Bridge Over Troubled Water | August 4, 1970 | Las Vegas | Previously released in Elvis: That’s The Way It Is |
| Bridge Over Troubled Water | April 9, 1972 ES | Hampton Roads | Previously unseen |
| In The Ghetto | August 13, 1970 DS | Las Vegas | Previously released in Elvis: The Lost Performances |
| Men With Broken Hearts* | August 11, 1970 MS | Las Vegas | Previously released in Elvis: The Lost Performances |
| Walk A Mile In My Shoes | August 11, 1970 MS | Las Vegas | Previously released in Elvis: The Lost Performances |
| Suspicious Minds | August 11, 1970 DS | Las Vegas | Previously released in Elvis: That’s The Way It Is – Special Edition |
| All My Trials (from “An American Trilogy”) | April 9, 1972 ES | Hampton Roads | Previously released in This Is Elvis |
| Can’t Help Falling In Love* | August 10, 1970 OS | Las Vegas | Previously unseen |
* Presented complete in EPiC. See the in-depth review for more details.
The Missing Credits
Mini Review | Coverage | Footage Breakdown | The Missing Credits
The Mystery Train 