Netflix to Release Solo Documentary on Ray Manzarek: “We Are Happy to Announce That We Are Done With Production…”
Netflix is bringing music fans something special. The streaming giant has officially completed production on a solo documentary about Ray Manzarek, the legendary keyboardist and co-founder of The Doors. The project, long awaited by fans of classic rock, promises to explore the life, influence, and artistry of one of the most distinctive figures in 20th-century music. “We are happy to announce that we are done with production, and it will be released on August 29, 2025,” said Netflix in a press statement.
This marks the first feature-length solo documentary dedicated entirely to Manzarek. While he’s often been profiled in broader Doors documentaries, this film—titled Manzarek: Light My Fire—focuses solely on his personal story. It traces his early life in Chicago, his classical and jazz influences, his days at UCLA film school, and the fateful meeting with Jim Morrison that sparked a cultural revolution.
Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Sam Pollard, the documentary features never-before-seen archival footage, rare photos, and intimate interviews with Manzarek’s family, friends, and collaborators. John Densmore and Robby Krieger, the surviving members of The Doors, offer personal insights into his genius and complexity. The film also includes commentary from musicians inspired by Manzarek’s sound—from Trent Reznor to Gary Clark Jr.
Ray Manzarek was more than a keyboardist. His signature style blended rock, jazz, and psychedelia with classical structure. His use of the Vox Continental organ became iconic—especially in hits like “Light My Fire,” “Riders on the Storm,” and “People Are Strange.” But he was also a thinker, a filmmaker, and a fierce advocate for artistic freedom. This documentary doesn’t just celebrate his music—it examines the man behind the keys.
In a bold creative choice, the documentary includes re-creations of key moments from Manzarek’s life, shot in a stylized, noir-like format. These scenes are narrated using excerpts from Manzarek’s own memoir, Light My Fire: My Life with The Doors. According to Pollard, the aim was to “bring Ray’s inner world to the screen—his vision, fears, passions, and memories.”
Netflix is banking on the cultural resurgence of interest in classic rock legends, and this release follows the success of other music-focused content like The Greatest Night in Pop and The Playlist. With younger generations discovering The Doors through streaming platforms and TikTok edits, this documentary has strong crossover appeal beyond Boomers and Gen Xers.
The streaming premiere of Manzarek: Light My Fire will include a live global Q\&A with the director and special guests. Netflix has also hinted at bonus content for viewers, including extended interview clips and a digital companion booklet for music nerds and historians.
Manzarek: Light My Fire arrives on Netflix August 29, 2025. Whether you’re a lifelong Doors fan or discovering their sound for the first time, this film is a tribute to one of rock’s most original minds—and a reminder of how one keyboard can change the world.
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