Netflix to Release In-Depth Docuseries on The Monkees in 2026

Netflix is set to shine a spotlight on one of pop music’s most iconic and unconventional success stories with a brand-new documentary series on The Monkees, premiering in 2026. The series promises to offer a deep dive into the fascinating journey of the band that started as a made-for-TV experiment and ended up becoming a cultural phenomenon.

Formed in 1965 for the NBC sitcom The Monkees, the band—Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork—was initially cast to portray a fictional group. But what followed was anything but scripted. The Monkees quickly broke out of their television mold, earning critical and commercial acclaim. At their peak, they outsold The Beatles and Elvis Presley combined in 1967, cementing their place in pop history.

The upcoming Netflix docuseries will chart the band’s meteoric rise, from their origins in a casting call to becoming chart-topping artists with hits like “I’m a Believer,” “Daydream Believer,” and “Last Train to Clarksville.” According to early sources, the series will offer a never-before-seen look into the group’s behind-the-scenes struggles for creative control, their evolving musicianship, and their complex relationships both on and off screen.

Set to include rare archival footage, exclusive interviews with surviving member Micky Dolenz, commentary from music historians, and insights from those who worked closely with the band, the series aims to present the most comprehensive and intimate portrait of The Monkees to date.

While this isn’t the first time The Monkees’ story has been told—documentaries like Hey, Hey We’re the Monkees and biopics have covered aspects of their history—Netflix’s approach is expected to go deeper, offering a more nuanced and modern perspective. It will also explore their post-TV careers, reunion tours, and the lasting legacy they left in shaping pop culture, music television, and the way bands are perceived by the public.

More than just a nostalgia trip, this docuseries seeks to reposition The Monkees in the broader context of music history—not as a novelty act, but as a groundbreaking group that challenged industry norms and redefined what it meant to be a band in the television age.

With its release planned for 2026, the series is already generating buzz among longtime fans and curious newcomers alike. It marks another strong addition to Netflix’s growing lineup of music documentaries and promises to reintroduce The Monkees to the world with the depth, respect, and context their story truly deserves.