Whitney

Play trailer

2:30

Whitney

R

Released Jul 6, 2018

2h 0m

Documentary

Music

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

163 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Filmmaker Kevin Macdonald examines the life and career of singer Whitney Houston. Features never-before-seen archival footage, exclusive recordings, rare performances and interviews with the people who knew her best.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Whitney shifts from soaring highs to heartbreaking lows with palpable emotion and grace befitting its singular subject.

Read Critics Reviews

Alessa Dominguez

BuzzFeed News

Whitney offers a more complex portrait of the family that both aided Houston's rise and contributed to her downfall.

Apr 5, 2022

Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

The tempestuous life and sad death of pop diva Whitney Houston get an exhaustive documentary treatment from British director Kevin Macdonald... doing his best to implicate Houston's family and friends in her downfall.

Mar 4, 2020

Full Review

Robert Daniels

812filmreviews

But not unlike the documentary Amy, we confront a young, innocent, bubbly, and energetic woman. And as we progress, we see and hear the degradation of not only Houston, but also her voice.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 26, 2018

Full Review

Kate Boyle

InSession Film

I have nothing but love for this film, and I highly recommend it to any of the following: Whitney Houston fans, documentary fans, and anyone interested in pop culture and the life of popstars.

Rated: B+

Mar 8, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Kevin Macdonald manages to make a film that’s both a tribute and a tragic tale of the cost of fame.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 21, 2022

Full Review

Kip Mooney

College Movie Review

Isn't afraid to push into the dark history of the Houston family.

Rated: B+

Aug 21, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Stephen C

Success in 2 hours even!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Language and Drug Content!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $3,000,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

Nicholas M

Lazy, depressing, and predictable.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/23/25

Full Review

shane s

The music was so well performed and constant. The lead became whitney

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

isla s

This is a relatively informative film, with contributions by a number of people related to and who otherwise knew the titular person well. It features archival footage and is a generally sad film, for obvious reasons (given her personal life/issues). I felt it handled the subject pretty well - it didn't seem too tacky, in an insensitive way. I imagine fans would appreciate this film and so I'd recommend it, as a thought-provoking film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The truest 02 hours ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

lucero k

What a sad story of one of the best singers in the world

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Kevin Macdonald

Director

Kenneth Babyface Edmonds

Self

L.A. Reid

Self

Cissy Houston

Self

Clive Davis

Self

Kevin Costner

Self

Carlos

100%

95%

Carlos

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Carlos

The Sparks Brothers

95%

98%

The Sparks Brothers

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Sparks Brothers

Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words

92%

74%

Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words

Watchlist

Bad Reputation

78%

83%

Bad Reputation

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Bad Reputation

Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell

78%

81%

Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

How Fred Rogers and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Became Summer’s Box Office Superheroes

Fresh 2018 Festival Favorites Hitting Theaters Soon

Ant-Man and the Wasp Is Certified Fresh

Whitney: Trailer 1

2:30

Whitney: Teaser Trailer 1

1:42

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Filmmaker Kevin Macdonald examines the life and career of singer Whitney Houston. Features never-before-seen archival footage, exclusive recordings, rare performances and interviews with the people who knew her best.

Director: Kevin Macdonald
Producer: Simon Chinn, Jonathan Chinn, Lisa Erspamer
Screenwriter: Kevin Macdonald
Distributor: Miramax Films, Roadside Attractions
Production Co: Altitude Film Entertainment, Happy Street Entertainment, Lightbox
Rating: R (Language and Drug Content)
Genre: Documentary, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 6, 2018, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 2, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.0M
Runtime: 2h 0m

Most Popular at Home Now