Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Docu is a loving tribute to a legend; some strong language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley
What's the Story?
RETURN OF THE KING: THE FALL AND RISE OF ELVIS PRESLEY is a documentary that covers Elvis' childhood and musical career through 1968. From a childhood in poverty in small-town Mississippi to the highest heights of movie and music stardom, Elvis changed popular music forever. But nothing lasts forever, and soon audiences were turning away from the seemingly endless and endlessly similar movies he was starring in. That is, until1968, when Elvis filmed a series of performances in front of live audiences in hopes of proving he still had "it." Despite a bad case of nerves, Elvis stepped out on stage for his first performance in almost a decade, and the rest is history.
Is It Any Good?
This documentary is as much of a loving tribute to the charismatic, legendary king of rock 'n' roll as it is a biography of Elvis' life and career. Footage from the "comeback special" that aired on television in 1968 really captures lightning in a bottle. Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley showcases exactly why people called him that.
Longtime fans as well as people who've never heard of Elvis will find a lot to admire and enjoy here, and most people will learn something new, too. His life and career after the special are only vaguely referred to a couple of times, so curious younger viewers may want to look up what ultimately happened to Elvis. If they do, it could be a good chance to talk about the dark side of fame and struggling with addiction. But families with teens who can handle the language will enjoy this look back at an extraordinary entertainer coming into his own.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Elvis Presley's talent and charisma in Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley. What were his talents, and what was so appealing about him to so many people?
How much did you know about Elvis before you saw this movie? Had you heard any of his music? Do you like it?
Is this documentary balanced? Is it OK to just show what you want in a documentary, or should the filmmaker provide differing viewpoints?
What character strengths are on display here?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 13, 2024
- Cast : Darlene Love , Priscilla Presley , Conan O'Brien
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : History , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Character Strengths : Humility , Perseverance
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate