Ozzy & Black Sabbath: Back to the Beginning Review: The Final Farewell Comes to Cinemas

On July 5, 2025, Ozzy Osbourne walked onto a stage in his hometown of Birmingham, England, and said goodbye. Seventeen days later, he was gone. He died at the age of 76. That makes Ozzy & Black Sabbath: Back to the Beginning more than a concert film. It’s the last chapter of one of the most influential careers in the history of rock music, captured as it happened.

Trafalgar Releasing and Mercury Studios bring the film to cinemas worldwide on October 28, 2026, as a limited-time event release. It’s directed for the screen by Ben Wainwright-Pearce, who also edited Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour and directed George Michael: The Faith Tour. Tim van Someren directed the original live concert, and Jim Parsons, Jamie Silk, and Dan Seliger produced it. Here’s our review of what to expect.

The Night Behind the Film

The concert took place at Villa Park, the football stadium in Aston, Birmingham, not far from where Black Sabbath formed in 1968. About 42,000 people filled the stadium, and roughly three million more watched via a paid livestream. The show sold out in minutes, and it has been described as the highest-grossing charity concert ever staged, raising around £11 million for charity.

The idea came from Ozzy’s wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne. She says she asked her husband what would truly make him happy, and he told her the only thing that would was to perform again and say goodbye to his fans. So that’s what they did. The all-day event, which ran about ten hours, brought together a huge gathering of rock and metal artists. Jason Momoa hosted, and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine served as musical director.

Most importantly, it reunited the original Black Sabbath lineup. Ozzy, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward shared a stage for the first time in roughly twenty years. Four old friends from Birmingham, who helped invent heavy metal, played together one last time.

What the Film Promises

The film is billed as a love letter to Ozzy and the pioneering sound of Black Sabbath. It’s designed to feel like a front-row experience, with an immersive audio and visual presentation made for the big screen. Along with the performances by Ozzy and Black Sabbath, the film features sets by some of the most influential names in rock and metal, including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, and Tool.

It also goes beyond the music. The film includes personal reflections from the musicians Ozzy inspired, tributes that help explain why he mattered so much, and behind-the-scenes footage of the day itself. Those backstage glimpses may be the most valuable part, because they could show the emotions of a night that everyone present knew was historic. Fans have also been promised a long setlist, with around 30 songs, and the film is expected to run roughly two and a half hours.

Why It Could Be Emotional

Concert films usually aim to capture energy. This one has a different job. It’s a farewell, and it will inevitably be watched through the lens of what happened next. Every song, every cheer, and every shot of Ozzy on stage carries added weight.

There’s also something moving about the setting. Ozzy returned to Birmingham, the city where he grew up, and the one that shaped the sound of Black Sabbath. The title Back to the Beginning captures that perfectly. The band that started in a small corner of England ended their story in front of tens of thousands of fans, with the world watching.

For longtime fans, the film is a chance to relive that night and say goodbye again. For younger viewers, it’s a window into a band that changed music forever.

What Might Not Work for Everyone

A few questions remain. A ten-hour festival has to be squeezed into a feature-length film, which means some performances may be shortened or left out. If you’re hoping to see every act in full, the film may leave you wanting more.

The runtime is another point to check. Early announcements listed about 100 minutes, but theater listings now show roughly 2 hours and 27 minutes, so confirm the length with your local cinema. And since this is a limited-time event release, showtimes may be few, and tickets could sell out in some locations.

The Verdict

Ozzy & Black Sabbath: Back to the Beginning looks like an essential watch for fans of metal and rock history. It documents a unique, once-in-a-lifetime night, with a legendary lineup and an emotional farewell at its heart. If the film captures even a fraction of what that day meant, it will be a fitting tribute to the Prince of Darkness and the band that changed music.

Excitement level: 4.5/5

Watch the Trailer

Quick Facts

• Title: Ozzy & Black Sabbath: Back to the Beginning
• Film director: Ben Wainwright-Pearce
• Concert director: Tim van Someren
• Producers: Jim Parsons, Jamie Silk, Dan Seliger
• Genre: Concert Film, Documentary
• Runtime: About 2h 27m, according to theater listings (earlier announcements said 100 minutes)
• Rated: Not rated
• Concert date: July 5, 2025, Villa Park, Birmingham
• Featuring: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, Tool
• Host: Jason Momoa
• Musical director: Tom Morello
• Production: Mercury Studios
• Distributor: Trafalgar Releasing
• Release date: October 28, 2026 (worldwide, limited-time event release)

Where to Watch

Ozzy & Black Sabbath: Back to the Beginning opens in cinemas worldwide on October 28, 2026, for a limited time only. Tickets are available at backtothebeginning.com. Check your local cinema for showtimes.

Are you planning to see “Back to the Beginning”? Share your thoughts in the comments below.