Fifty years into one of metal’s greatest stories, Iron Maiden is finally getting the documentary treatment they deserve. Trafalgar Releasing has confirmed that the official feature-length film — now titled Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition — will have a limited theatrical run beginning May 7, 2026. Tickets go on sale March 18.
Directed by Malcolm Venville (Churchill At War) and produced by Dominic Freeman (Spirits In The Forest – A Depeche Mode Film), the film charts the band’s five-decade journey from the backstreets of East London to arenas across 64 countries. That’s 17 studio albums, 100 million records sold, and nearly 2,500 live shows — a catalogue of ambition that earns the title.
What makes Burning Ambition more than a greatest-hits highlight reel is its roster of contributors. Alongside the band themselves, the documentary features on-camera reflections from Javier Bardem, Lars Ulrich, and Chuck D — three figures from wildly different corners of culture, each speaking to the kind of cross-generational, cross-genre reach that very few rock bands ever achieve.
The key art, created by Albert “Akirant” Quirantes, offers the first visual look at the project and has already been making the rounds online.
The timing is no accident. The film arrives mid-way through the band’s two-year “Run For Your Lives” world tour, a campaign that included a homecoming show at London Stadium, barely a few miles from where Steve Harris first put the band together in 1975. More landmark events follow: EddFest, a one-off celebration at Knebworth Park on July 11, anchors a schedule of over 50 dates worldwide across 2026.
This is a band in the middle of their biggest victory lap yet, and Burning Ambition is the document to match it. Head to ironmaidenfilm.com for more information.
