Sunday Best

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Sunday Best

2023

1h 27m

Biography

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

12 Reviews

99%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

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Nina Metz

Chicago Tribune

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.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 14, 2025

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David Fear

Rolling Stone

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.

Aug 4, 2025

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Lisa Kennedy

New York Times

Illuminating and so entertaining, “Sunday Best” nevertheless elicits a mournful pang.

Jul 22, 2025

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Lapacazo Magrira Sandoval

New York Amsterdam News

What Jenkins unpacks here is nothing short of revelatory.

Aug 11, 2025

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Lee Zumpe

Tampa Bay Newspapers

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.

Aug 10, 2025

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John Stark

Mac the Movie Guy

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.

Rated: 80/100

Aug 9, 2025

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Movie F.

I used to watch the Ed Sullivan show when growing up and had no idea how influential he was. Fantastic documentary with great music.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/07/25

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Marie G

Ed Sullivan, a man ahead of his time. A delightful, nostalgic evening of film viewing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/07/25

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M P

This doc is an intimate portrait and a celebration of music and cultural change. I highly recommend it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/07/25

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Phyllis E.

Great! Revealed a side of Ed Sullivan I’d never known.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/07/25

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G B

Loved seeing Ed Sullivan introduce all these great artists to the American public! I applaud his talent and guts!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/07/25

Full Review

PETER C.

I worked for this great man for 4 years while I was in college (1964-68) and that experience changed my life. Yet this movie taught me so much about how empathetic he was and what a real difference he made by being exactly who he was: a magnanimous, courageous and immensely talented true American.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/06/25

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Sacha Jenkins

Director

Ed Sullivan

Self

Rafael Marmor

Producer

Margo Precht Speciale

Producer

Chris Leggett

Producer

Peter Bittenbender

Producer

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Director: Sacha Jenkins
Producer: Rafael Marmor, Margo Precht Speciale, Chris Leggett, Peter Bittenbender, Mark Monroe
Distributor: Netflix
Genre: Biography, Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 21, 2025
Runtime: 1h 27m

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