A Mr. Rogers Documentary Is Coming So You Can Relive Your Childhood

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It’s about to be a beautiful day in the neighborhood all across the country, and that’s because a Mr. Rogers documentary is coming to theaters on June 8, 2018. “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” will explore the life and influence of Fred Rogers, whose hit PBS show, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” captured the imagination of multiple generations of kids.

Rogers’ iconic show ran from 1968 to 2001, and featured the title character utilizing make-believe scenarios, music and a cast of puppets to teach kids important life lessons. Rogers covered everything from dealing with the death of a loved one to learning to share to coping with divorce.

fred rogers photo
Getty Images | Mark Wilson

In 2003, Rogers died just two years after his show ended, at the age of 74. But his legacy lives on this new documentary, which is directed by Morgan Neville.

“The Fred Rogers I discovered making this film is at once comfortably familiar and completely surprising. I believe Mister Rogers is the kind of voice we need to hear right now,” Neville said in a statement. “I am thrilled to work with Focus Features on taking this film out into the world, along with my collaborators at Impact Partners and Independent Lens.”

Family Communications

This is not the first time Rogers has been the subject of a documentary. MTV producer Benjamin Wagner discovered he was a real-life neighbor of Rogers’ when he realized his mother’s cottage on the edge of Nantucket was next door to the famous man’s.

The two met in 2001, and 10 years later, Wagner and his brother premiered their film, “Mister Rogers & Me,” at the Nantucket Film Festival. That documentary explores Rogers’ life through remembrances from friends and colleagues including Tim Russert, Susan Stamberg, Linda Ellerbee and Marc Brown. The film is available on DVD and through Amazon.

We can’t wait to see what “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” has in store!