Arcades & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day

Play trailer

2:14

Arcades & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day

Released Feb 28

1h 31m

Documentary

Music

Biography

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

Tomatometer

4 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

A musical documentary following 74-year-old Walter Day -- the father of esports and star of The King of Kong -- as he battles a lawsuit threatening his legacy while fulfilling his dream of recording and performing the rock-opera style love songs he has been hearing in his head since having his heart broken at the height of the arcade era.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Alise Chaffins

MacGuffin or Meaning (Substack)

More than anything, Arcades & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day is a testament to how our lives are able to reach far beyond what we might think. And it is also a reminder that it is never too late to pursue your dreams.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 15, 2025

Full Review

Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

Walter is still an engaging protagonist, and we learn that he’s been motivated for decades by a woman who got away from him (that might sound creepy, but it’s actually charming.)

May 11, 2025

Full Review

Jason Delgado

Film Threat

It all comes together in such an emotionally satisfying way that will make you either tear up or want to cheer with a crowd.

Rated: 9/10

Apr 16, 2025

Full Review

Jonita Davis

The Black Cape (Medium)

Arcades and Love Songs offers a look into the life of a man pivoting to the career of his dreams after retiring from his “dream job.” It normalizes following your dream and also channeling heartache into the arts.

Mar 26, 2025

Full Review

Read all reviews

Alexander P

Sad and creepy, with lies thrown in. Walter's always been a conman. Grifter....

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/08/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Ed Cunningham

Director

Walter Day

Self

Ed Cunningham

Screenwriter

Mike J. Nichols

Screenwriter

Paul Leach

Screenwriter

Jonathan Perkins

Producer

Janis Ian: Breaking Silence

100%

%

Janis Ian: Breaking Silence

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Janis Ian: Breaking Silence

Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive

100%

95%

Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive

Watchlist

Little Richard: I Am Everything

94%

98%

Little Richard: I Am Everything

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Little Richard: I Am Everything

Luther: Never Too Much

98%

98%

Luther: Never Too Much

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Luther: Never Too Much

Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story

93%

94%

Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Arcades & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day: Trailer 1

2:14

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

A musical documentary following 74-year-old Walter Day -- the father of esports and star of The King of Kong -- as he battles a lawsuit threatening his legacy while fulfilling his dream of recording and performing the rock-opera style love songs he has been hearing in his head since having his heart broken at the height of the arcade era.

Director: Ed Cunningham
Producer: Jonathan Perkins, Seth Gordon, Mike J. Nichols
Screenwriter: Ed Cunningham, Mike J. Nichols, Paul Leach
Distributor: Monkey Wrench Films
Production Co: Monkey Wrench Films
Genre: Documentary, Music, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 28, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 9, 2025
Runtime: 1h 31m

Most Popular at Home Now