Billy Preston: That's The Way God Planned It

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Billy Preston: That's The Way God Planned It

Feb 2026

1h 45m

Documentary

LGBTQ+

Music

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Popcornmeter

90%

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10 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Billy Preston was 5 years old when he backed gospel legend Mahalia Jackson. Over the following six-decade career, Billy contributed his signature sound to the greatest artists of his time, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Sly Stone, Ray Charles, Rufus, Eric Clapton, and others, while establishing himself as a GRAMMY-winning solo artist. Despite his success, Billy struggled to reconcile his deep relationship with the Black church with his sexuality, setting off a lifelong quest to find love and acceptance.

Glenn Kenny

New York Times

Feb 19, 2026

As tough a life as Preston had, the music that buoys this chronicle is a constant source of joy.

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Owen Gleiberman

Variety

Nov 22, 2024

Why didn’t Billy Preston become a bigger star? Who was he, exactly, as an artist? I went into the documentary fuzzy about all those things and came out feeling like I finally knew him.

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Michael Bonner

Uncut Magazine [UK]

Apr 14, 2026

4/5

Barclay’s documentary doesn’t quite resolve the contradictions of Preston’s life — perhaps they were never resolvable. Instead, it honours the grace that ran through his music and personality alike.

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Brian Bromberger

Bay Area Reporter

Mar 16, 2026

Determined to reveal in this enlightening but also emotionally devastating and unflinching documentary, how despite all his pain and self-condemnation, Preston was a great musician performing at the highest levels and this is how he should be remembered.

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Mar 13, 2026

That’s the Way God Planned It is well worth seeing for the incredible range and quality of archival musical performances, which span decades and myriad styles -- Preston could seemingly make himself at home in any genre.

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Don R. Lewis

Hammer to Nail

Mar 4, 2026

If you’ve yet to step through the musical doors to the church of Billy Preston, Billy Preston: That’s The Way God Planned It is an ideal entry point.

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keren

Apr 7, 2026

Loved everything about this documentary the music, the story, the rare footage! It was emotional and uplifting at the same time. Very well done!

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Chris R

@FilmLover1960 8 hrs ago

An amazing story not told often enough. Billy made everybody’s music better while hiding in plain sight from the demons that followed him since childhood. Great film doc especially for music aficionados.

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Phil B

@philpops 1 day ago

Saw an early screener. Loved it!!

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Stephanie B

@SBray 1 day ago

I grew up with Billy Preston music but knew hardly anything about his personal life or other musical accomplishments. What I love about watching music docs is how it enhances your love of the music by understanding the personal toll it takes to create, be in the spotlight and endure the burden of fame. Through the process of making this doc, I came to appreciate Billy's music and his life long search for love and acceptance. And now whenever I listen to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin and pretty much any significant song of the 70's, I can hear his organ. Wow such a gift he continues to give.

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Alicia A

@RT53457950 2 days ago

Fabulous documentary!!! Didn’t know anything about him and his history. Beautifully made. So glad I saw it. Highly recommend!! A must see!!

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Apr 5, 2026

Real music footage in 1.75 hours.

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Paris Barclay

Director

Billy Porter

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Eric Clapton

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Synopsis

Billy Preston was 5 years old when he backed gospel legend Mahalia Jackson. Over the following six-decade career, Billy contributed his signature sound to the greatest artists of his time, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Sly Stone, Ray Charles, Rufus, Eric Clapton, and others, while establishing himself as a GRAMMY-winning solo artist. Despite his success, Billy struggled to reconcile his deep relationship with the Black church with his sexuality, setting off a lifelong quest to find love and acceptance.

Director: Paris Barclay
Producer: Stephanie Allain, Jeanne Elfant Festa, Nigel Sinclair, Cheo Hodari Coker
Screenwriter: Paris Barclay, Cheo Hodari Coker, Paris Barclay, Cheo Hodari Coker
Distributor: Abramorama
Production Co: White Horse Pictures, Homegrown Pictures
Genre: Documentary, LGBTQ+, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 20, 2026, Limited
Runtime: 1h 45m

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