'70s Rock Band Announces Update on World Premiere Ahead of 2026 Tour

Heavy metal pioneers Judas Priest are giving fans an exciting update ahead of their 2026 tour: tickets are now on sale for the world premiere of their official documentary, The Ballad of Judas Priest.

The film will debut on Sunday, Feb. 15 at the Uber Eats Music Hall as part of the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale). Directed by Sam Dunn and Tom Morello, the documentary chronicles the band’’’s five-decade journey from their working-class beginnings in England’s industrial “Black Country” to their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Dunn shared his excitement about the milestone in a statement back in January, writing, “Super proud to announce that our Judas Priest doc, The Ballad Of Judas Priest, will premiere at Berlinale – Berlin International Film Festival this February. Beyond excited for all our German metalheads to get the first look.”

Tickets are now on sale for the world premiere of The Ballad of Judas Priest at @berlinale. Be part of the first audience to experience the band’s story on the big screen.https://t.co/T8NpVb2KlK pic.twitter.com/9AfTQQY3fU

— Judas Priest (@judaspriest) February 11, 2026

According to the official description, the film dives deep into vocalist Rob Halford’s long struggle as a closeted gay man in heavy metal and explores the band’s controversial 1980s trial during the Satanic panic. Featuring exclusive band interviews, appearances by Jack Black, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Run-DMC and Billy Corgan, as well as rare archival material, the documentary examines how Judas Priest not only helped define the sound and look of heavy metal but also contributed to making the genre more inclusive.

The band addressed the documentary in a statement, saying, “We have lived and breathed metal for over five decades, and finally in this documentary we are summoning our congregation to officially witness our lives uncensored, in a never-before-seen way…the cassock comes off, revealing Priest in all its metal glory!”

Co-directors Morello and Dunn emphasized the broader scope of the story. “While some may know Judas Priest for their huge hits that have shaped the heavy metal genre, there is so much more to their story,” they said. “Tracing their incredible 50-year journey, this film will capture how Judas Priest both defined the sound and look of metal, but also made it a more inclusive place along the way. We are grateful to the band for allowing us such intimate, unfiltered access to their lives and look forward to bringing this film to the metal masses around the world.”

Dunn, co-founder of Banger Films, is known for music documentaries including the Grammy-nominated Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage and the Emmy-winning Hip-Hop Evolution. Morello, guitarist for Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, brings his own deep ties to rock history and activism to the project.

With tickets now available and anticipation building, The Ballad of Judas Priest promises to be a defining cinematic moment for one of heavy metal’s most enduring bands, just as they gear up to bring their legacy back to the stage in 2026.

Related: 1980 Classic Ranked ‘Best Rock Song Used in Super Bowl Ads’ of All Time