The first official trailer for Capturing Bigfoot has arrived, revisiting the legendary and highly debated Patterson–Gimlin film. Directed by filmmaker Marq Evans, the documentary originally premiered at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival, where screenings were heavily controlled to preserve the central mystery surrounding its newly uncovered footage.
As shared in the release announcement, “The documentary follows the story of Roger Patterson’s pursuit of Bigfoot, who on October 20, 1967, captured 59 seconds of film showing a creature (dubbed “Patty”) walking through the woods of Northern California—footage that became the most analyzed and debated in history. When a reel of 16mm film discovered in a safe five decades later blows the legend wide open, the people who were there come together to give the full picture.”
This time around, instead of making it a traditional, reality-TV-style monster hunt, the documentary shifts the focus back to the historical roots of the cryptid legend. In essence, the theatrical event builds directly upon the infamous 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film (marking its 59th anniversary), a newly discovered 16mm reel, and the mystery surrounding the iconic footage.
When and where to watch Capturing Bigfoot
Capturing Bigfoot is scheduled for release in the U.S. on October 20, 2026, aligned with National Bigfoot Day. Distributed by XYZ Films, the documentary will open in select theaters across New York, Los Angeles, and nationwide, alongside a simultaneous, limited-time digital release available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S. and Canada.
Per the release announcement, “Theatrical screenings will feature heightened security to protect the integrity of this newly discovered footage, with recording and digital devices strictly prohibited.”
The documentary premiered at SXSW in March earlier this year. However, even during those screenings, the film was withheld from public viewing to preserve the integrity of its never-before-seen footage. This ensured that audiences across North America could experience the revelation at the same time.
Capturing Bigfoot opens in select theaters and on VOD on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.