The Apollo

The Apollo is a documentary that explores the history of the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City. The film examines the theater's role as a pivotal venue for African American pop culture and a launching point for numerous musical artists. Through interviews and concert footage, it details the legacy of the stage and the performers who appeared there.

Directed by Roger Ross Williams, this was the first film in a listed sequence of his directorial works, followed by Cassandro in 2023. The screenplay was written by Williams and Cassidy Hartmann. The production involved MACRO, HBO, White Horse Pictures, and HBO Documentary Films. The cast features appearances by Pharrell Williams, Jamie Foxx, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, and Angela Bassett, while James Brown appears via archive footage.

The film has received a positive reception from viewers, maintaining a rating of 6.8/10 on IMDb based on 747 votes and a 6.4/10 on TMDB from 19 votes.