Your guide to The History of Concrete documentary film
A new documentary drills into concrete—and finds more story there than you’d expect.
In a very John Wilson move, The History of Concrete starts with him signing up for a workshop on writing Hallmark TV movies. He then takes that tidy, happily-ever-after formula and applies it to… concrete. What begins as a bit turns into a full-length excavation of the stuff under our feet and all the strange, everyday ways it shapes American cities and routines.
Fans of HBO ’s How To with John Wilson will recognize the deadpan curiosity and street-corner serendipity. The feature wanders from infrastructure to urban rituals and the textures of daily life, finding comedy and poignancy in places most of us overlook.
Who’s behind it
This is Wilson’s feature directorial debut, backed by a team of notable executive producers.
- Josh Safdie — executive producer
- Eli Bush — executive producer
- Ronald Bronstein — executive producer
- Conor Hannon — executive producer
- Richie Doyle — executive producer
Release in the U.S.
The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2026 , where it drew praise from critics, and was later acquired for U.S. distribution by Magnolia Pictures. It began a limited theatrical run on September 18, 2026.
Now playing in select U.S. theaters via Magnolia Pictures; a streaming date has not been announced.
As of today, it’s in theaters nationwide on a limited schedule, with streaming plans still to come.