True Philly: 7 Philly Documentaries To Watch During the Holidays

We love a Christmas movie, but sometimes we just want to keep it real. We’ve curated a list of Philly-based documentaries, mostly new ones, to catch up on during the holidays.

Michael Jack Schmidt

This MLB Network documentary looks into the career of former Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt. This Philadelphia sports icon played for the Phillies from 1972 to 1989 – his only team! Schmidt’s achievements got him inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995. The documentary depicts the highs and lows of Schmidt’s career, a man who is often said to be one of the greatest third basemen in history.

Finding Carlesha

This NBC10 documentary tells the story of Carlesha Gaither Freeland, a Philadelphia woman who was abducted after getting off a SEPTA bus in 2014. Held captive for days, she was the focus of a nationwide manhunt. It's a true-crime story that's both horrifying and inspiring. Look out for an interview with the reporter who made the documentary, Claudia Vargas, coming up on City Cast Philly in January.

Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn

Pennsylvania has had 53 senators; all have been white men. This documentary follows Malcolm Kenyatta’s campaign in 2022 for a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania. Kenyatta was the first openly LGBTQ+ person to be elected to the state General Assembly, and his run for higher office sheds light on the challenges of navigating the political landscape while representing multiple identities. Kenyatta lost a bid this year for state auditor general.

Philly D.A.

This docuseries is a few years old, but it’s the most complete and interesting depiction of the city’s criminal justice system – from all angles – that we’ve ever seen. The focus is city District Attorney Larry Krasner, a former civil rights attorney who was known for suing the police before he was unexpectedly elected to a job that required him to work with the police. This series offers an in-depth look at his journey, his unconventional vision for criminal justice reform, and his approach to the DA's office. With the Democratic primary for district attorney coming up in May, now’s the time to understand more about perhaps the most controversial political figure in the city.

The Turnaround

If you’re looking for inspiration this holiday season, and if you like Philly sports, this short film is for you. The movie follows Phillies die-hard fan John McCann after he inspired the city’s fan base to transform how they react to slumping players. When McCann encouraged Philadelphians to give a standing ovation to underperforming shortstop Trea Turner, a whole city got a lesson in how kindness and compassion can do more good than cursing and complaining.

Four Seasons Total Documentary

A small local landscaping company was unexpectedly and absurdly thrown into the national spotlight after Rudy Giuliani mistakenly held a press conference at its headquarters to falsely claim that the 2020 election was stolen by Joe Biden. This documentary follows the lead-up to the press conference and the unsettling but hilarious aftermath.

Bombing of Osage

Next year will mark 40 years since the infamous MOVE bombing, when Philly police bombed a city block during a confrontation with the radical Black liberation organization known as MOVE, killing 11 people, including children. This documentary, which originally aired in 2014, depicts the history of that period and what led to this horrific event.