Netflix has officially unveiled the trailer for its much-anticipated documentary on the life and legacy of music icon Tina Turner. Titled Tina: What’s Love Got to Do With Survival, the documentary promises a raw and unfiltered look into the journey of one of music’s most resilient and beloved figures. The trailer, which dropped this week, has already ignited a wave of emotional reactions from fans around the world, giving them a taste of the powerful storytelling to come.
Opening with black-and-white footage of Tina standing alone on a dimly lit stage, the trailer immediately sets a somber yet captivating tone. Her voice narrates over delicate piano notes, stating, “You think you know my story. But you’ve only heard the radio version.” It’s a bold declaration that prepares viewers for a deeper, more vulnerable narrative that goes far beyond her music career. Netflix has made it clear—this documentary will explore the truth behind the legend.
Viewers are given glimpses of her modest beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, where Tina was born Anna Mae Bullock. Childhood photographs, rarely seen home videos, and handwritten letters flash across the screen, painting a portrait of a young girl whose dreams once seemed unreachable. But it was that same determination and fire that would lead her to the top of global music charts decades later.
The trailer doesn’t shy away from Tina’s darkest chapters. It openly addresses the abuse she endured during her marriage to Ike Turner, a topic Tina has historically approached with honesty and bravery. Her voice, firm yet pained, confirms, “I had an abusive life.” This segment sets the stage for the heart of the film: Tina’s resilience. Rather than victimhood, the documentary focuses on her survival, her fight to reclaim her name and identity.
Archival concert footage is seamlessly woven in with emotional interviews, reminding audiences of the electricity she brought to every stage she graced. From her powerhouse vocals to her magnetic presence, Tina’s transformation into a global solo superstar is presented not just as a career achievement, but a personal rebirth. The trailer captures her 1980s resurgence with stadium performances, bold fashion, and an unwavering spirit.
Another poignant element of the trailer is Tina’s journey toward healing. After decades of trauma and reinvention, the documentary showcases her embrace of Buddhism and her quiet life in Switzerland with longtime partner Erwin Bach. Shots of her meditating, tending to her garden, and smiling genuinely in peaceful surroundings offer a stark contrast to the high-intensity world she once ruled. These moments reflect the peace she fought so hard to find.
The film features testimonials from influential figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Angela Bassett, and Kurt Loder, each adding their own reflections on Tina’s lasting cultural impact. Their voices serve to highlight not just her influence on music, but on generations of women who saw in Tina a symbol of strength, independence, and transformation. Their insights help elevate the documentary from biography to legacy-defining tribute.
Far from being a typical music documentary, Tina: What’s Love Got to Do With Survival is being framed as a deeply personal reclamation of Tina’s story. Critics who have previewed the trailer describe it as “a masterclass in resilience” and “a love letter to the power of self-worth.” Netflix is positioning the film as a celebration of everything Tina Turner represents—survival, grace, and triumph in the face of impossible odds.
The timing of the release is no coincidence. The documentary is set to premiere globally on Netflix on September 9, 2025, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of her landmark solo album Private Dancer. That album not only marked her comeback but redefined her legacy. This anniversary makes the release all the more symbolic, drawing a direct line between Tina’s past and her indelible present.
Though Tina passed away in 2023, her voice, energy, and influence are anything but silent. This documentary ensures her story is told in her own words, giving her the final say in a life so often narrated by others. The trailer closes with a shot of her silhouette standing tall on a mountaintop, her hair blowing in the wind—no music, no words—just the image of a woman who survived it all.
Fans have taken to social media to express their anticipation, with many calling the trailer “spine-tingling,” “long overdue,” and “a final gift from Tina herself.” It’s clear that this release is more than just another documentary. It’s a cultural moment, a cinematic tribute to a woman whose strength inspired millions.
What’s Love Got to Do With Survival arrives not just as a reflection of Tina Turner’s extraordinary life but as a reminder of the power of truth, resilience, and transformation. Netflix has created what looks to be a fitting homage to one of the most legendary and enduring figures in music history. Prepare to be moved, inspired, and reminded why Tina Turner remains simply the best.
