New Beatles Documentary From Martin Scorsese, ‘Beatles ’64,’ Coming to Disney+ Thanksgiving Weekend

Lauren Novak November 27, 2024

The Ed Sullivan Show The Beatles (from left: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, John Lennon) in dress rehearsal, (Seaseon 17, ep. 1719, aired Feb. 9, 1964), 1948-71 — Everett Collection

Attention Beatles fans: Another new documentary film about the Fab Four is in the works. Beatles ’64 follows the British group’s first trip to America in 1964, at the height of Beatlemania. It features never-before-seen footage of the band and its fans, plus new interviews with the two surviving Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, in a new look at a huge year in their career. The documentary, directed by David Tedeschi and produced by Martin Scorsese, promises to show a more intimate take on the event and the band’s music industry takeover.

In case you need a refresher on Beatles history, 1964 is the year that the band appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and brought in over 73 million viewers, which, for years, was the most-watched television event of all time.

The Beatles (left to right: Ringo Starr, George Harrison (1943 - 2001), John Lennon (1940 - 1980), and Paul McCartney) step off the aeroplane which brought them back from their tour of the United States

Central Press/Getty Images

The film features rare footage filmed by documentarians Albert and David Maysles, which has now been restored in 4K. This isn’t Scorsese’s first rodeo when it comes to the Beatles: He previously directed a 2011 documentary focused on Beatle George Harrison called George Harrison: Living in the Material World, which delved into the singer-songwriter’s life and his travels to India.

HELP!, from left: Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon 1965

Everett Collection

Seven American Beatles albums will be reissued in a new vinyl collection in conjunction with the documentary. The boxed set will be available on Nov. 22 and will include albums that have been out of print on vinyl since 1995, including Meet the Beatles!, The Beatles’ Second Album, A Hard Day’s Night (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Something New, The Beatles’ Story (2LP), Beatles ’65 and The Early Beatles.

Tedeschi shared about the film, “They’re all so free on this trip, and joyful. Even later on in 1964, it wasn’t the thrill that it was in February.” Beatles ’64 premieres on Disney+ on Nov. 29, 2024, just in time for Thanksgiving weekend. Will you be watching?