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Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan
Directed by
Sacha Jenkins
PG-13
2025
87m
Documentary
,
Biography
,
and more
7.8
100%
97%
Add to Watchlist
Ed Sullivan broke barriers by booking Black artists on his Sunday night variety show. This documentary spotlights the TV pioneer's legacy of equality.
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Where to Watch Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan
Netflix
Subscription
Netflix Basic with Ads
Subscription
Cast of Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan
Ed Sullivan
Self (archive footage)
Harry Belafonte
Self
Dionne Warwick
Self
Berry Gordy
Self
Jackie Jackson
Self
Tito Jackson
Self
Smokey Robinson
Self
Otis Williams
Self
Ray Charles
Self (archive footage)
Billy Preston
Self (archive footage)
Nina Simone
Self (archive footage)
Elvis Presley
Self (archive footage)
John Lennon
Self (archive footage)
Paul McCartney
Self (archive footage)
George Harrison
Self (archive footage)
Ringo Starr
Self (archive footage)
James Brown
Self (archive footage)
Ike Turner
Self (archive footage)
Tina Turner
Self (archive footage)
Stevie Wonder
Self (archive footage)
Michael Jackson
Self (archive footage)
Jackie Wilson
Self (archive footage)
Bo Diddley
Self (archive footage)
Diana Ross
Self (archive footage)
Jermaine Jackson
Self (archive footage)
Gladys Knight
Self (archive footage)
Nat King Cole
Self (archive footage)
Mahalia Jackson
Self (archive footage)
Sacha Jenkins
Director
Rafael Marmor
Producer
Mark Monroe
Producer
Margo Precht Speciale
Producer
Chris Leggett
Producer
Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan Ratings & Reviews
Film Threat
Alan Ng
Best reminds us that Ed Sullivan's influence went far beyond introducing legendary performers-he directly influenced the cultural fabric of America. His legacy endures as a testament to the power of television to unite people and move society forward.
Butler's Cinema Scene
Robert W. Butler
The doc features several vintage TV interviews of Sullivan and testimony from dozens of entertainment figures, but the film's greatest selling point is its jaw-dropping collection of great on-air performances.
Chicago Tribune
Nina Metz
A fine effort that explores Sullivan's commitment to pushing back against network forces, sponsors and other interested parties who were opposed to the presence - the celebration, really - of Black people on the show.
New York Amsterdam News
Lapacazo Magrira Sandoval
What Jenkins unpacks here is nothing short of revelatory.
Tampa Bay Newspapers
Lee Zumpe
This documentary is more than just a nostalgic walk down memory lane: [Sacha] Jenkins reminds us of the opposition Sullivan faced even at the height of his popularity.
Mac the Movie Guy
John Stark
As a junkie for for documentaries about old Hollywood, this felt pretty comprehensive given the runtime. Though, I'll lament the use of AI to recreate Ed Sullivan's voice, and consider it distracting and unnecessary.
Rolling Stone
David Fear
Sacha Jenkins' invaluable documentary reappraises Sullivan's legacy not as a TV pioneer -- that's always been set in stone -- but as a show-don't-tell social activist.
The Curvy Film Critic
Carla Renata
Ed Sullivan broke racial barriers for Black artists to be seen on television during a time when we weren't allowed to ride in the front of a bus, sit in a restaurant or drink from a water fountain. He truly was entertainment's racial revolutionary
The SS Ben Hecht
Stephen Silver
It's things that a late-night talk show can do, which are suddenly relevant at the time of its arrival.
What She Said
Anne Brodie
Not only is this an important docu its also highly entertaining as we stroll down memory lane, one great song and performance at a time.
New York Times
Lisa Kennedy
Illuminating and so entertaining, "Sunday Best" nevertheless elicits a mournful pang.
Mashable
Robert Daniels
Without Sullivan, as this poppy and politically simple film claims, our everyday and musical world would be far different today.
VisAbleBlackwoman (Medium)
Jeanine T. Abraham
The documentary is exactly the inspiration artists need today to believe that art and culture are driving forces of subtle change in American society.
Boston Globe
Chris Vognar
It's a lively pop history lesson, and a bittersweet one.
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