Elon Musk Documentary ‘Musk’ Expands to Theaters Amidst Billionaire’s Criticism
Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney’s new film, which Musk himself refused to participate in, is now playing nationwide.
The documentary film “Musk,” from Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney, has expanded its theatrical release nationwide after premiering at the Venice Film Festival in September. The film, which focuses on Elon Musk, has drawn criticism from the billionaire himself.
Musk has publicly denounced the documentary and its director, calling Gibney an “idiot,” a “horrible human,” a “shill for the far left,” and a “tinfoil hat crackpot” in posts on his social media platform X. Gibney, known for documentaries such as “Taxi to the Dark Side” and “Citizen K,” was unable to secure an interview with Musk for the film. Instead, the documentary features interviews with Musk’s ex-wife Justine Musk, his child custody rival Ashley St. Clair, journalists Kara Swisher and Zoë Schiffer, and engineers Martin Eberhard and Geoffrey Hinton.
For those wishing to see the film, “Musk” is currently only available in movie theaters, with showings available nationwide starting Friday, October 16. Showtimes can be found via Fandango. The film is not yet available for streaming or digital purchase.
It is anticipated that “Musk” will eventually be available for purchase and rental on digital platforms, likely in early November 2026, approximately three weeks after its theatrical debut. However, it will not be a Prime Video original, meaning it is unlikely to be available for free streaming with a Prime subscription anytime soon.
HBO Documentary Films previously acquired the North American and TV streaming rights to the film in 2023. While a specific streaming release date on HBO Max has not been announced, based on the typical release window for similar films distributed by Bleecker Street, it could arrive on HBO Max around January 2027. This would be approximately three months after its theatrical opening.
However, there is a possibility that the HBO Max release could be impacted by potential influence from Musk. Gibney noted in an interview with the Associated Press that David Ellison, the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery (which owns HBO Max) and the son of Larry Ellison (who has personal ties to Musk), might block the film's release on the platform. Gibney expressed concern that such a scenario reflects a transactional nature in the current political and media landscape.
Subscribers interested in HBO Max can sign up for a plan starting at $10.99 per month with ads, or $18.49 per month for an ad-free experience. Discounted bundles including Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max are also available.