The new documentary Bono: Stories of Surrender premieres Friday, May 30, on Apple TV+. And it simultaneously debuts as the first feature-length Immersive Video on the Vision Pro headset. In that format, it offers an 8K Spatial Audio experience that places viewers directly onstage with the U2 frontman in a 180-degree video environment. You can watch the trailer below.
The film offers viewers a bold and lyrical visual exploration of Bono’s acclaimed one-man show, providing unprecedented access to his personal journey as a musician, activist and family man, Apple TV+ said. The Vision Pro version’s title will be Bono: Stories of Surrender (Immersive).
Update 2: Bono: Stories of Surrender begins streaming Friday on Apple TV+. Whereas one review calls it “a heartfelt portrait of the U2 star,” another refers to its “rock star pomposity” and a third splits the difference: “A punch-to-the-guts stage show once you get past the Bono-ness of it all.”
Update 1: Apple TV+ posted a trailer for the Bono documentary film on YouTube Wednesday, available to watch below. For U2 and Bono fans, it’s sure to impart all the feels, as Bono jokes with the audience and tells stories about his upbringing and time with the band.
Bono: Stories of Surrender premieres May 30 on Apple TV+ and in Immersive Video format
Based on Bono’s celebrated memoir, Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, the film reimagines his acclaimed stage show, “Stories of Surrender: An Evening of Words, Music and Some Mischief…” Director Andrew Dominik, known for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and Blonde, brings his distinctive visual style to the production.
The documentary features never-before-seen footage from Bono’s performances at New York City’s Beacon Theatre, Apple TV+ said. Those scenes interweave with personal stories about his journey as a son, father, husband, activist and rock star. Viewers will experience Bono performing many of U2’s iconic songs that have shaped his life and career over four decades.
Pushing technological boundaries
The simultaneous release of the immersive version for Vision Pro and the Apple TV+ debut continues Bono’s long-standing commitment to new technologies. Throughout U2’s career, Bono and the band have pushed boundaries to create deeper connections with their audience, Apple TV+ said.
The production team seems highly qualified for this endeavor. Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning RadicalMedia’s Jon Kamen and Dave Sirulnick (Summer of Soul, Hamilton, David Byrne’s American Utopia) produce the film. They work alongside Academy Award-winning Plan B Entertainment’s Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner (F1, Moonlight, 12 Years a Slave). Bono serves as executive producer with Jennifer Pitcher (Kiss the Future) and Kelly McNamara (V-U2 an Immersive Concert Film at Sphere Las Vegas).
Watch the Apple TV+ trailer for Bono: Stories of Surrender
Beyond the screen, a newly abridged book
To coincide with the documentary’s release, an abridged paperback edition of Bono: Stories of Surrender publishes on May 30. This refined version mirrors the arc of the one-man show. And it features a film tie-in book cover and a new introduction by Bono.
Born Paul David Hewson, Bono has headlined stadium concerts with band U2 for more than 40 years. They have sold over 175 million records and won 22 Grammy Awards. A longtime activist in the fight against AIDS and poverty, Bono cofounded ONE and (RED). His awards include the Freedom of the City of Dublin, the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, France’s Legion of Honor and an honorary British knighthood.
Watch documentaries on Apple TV+
So on May 30, the new Bono documentary joins Apple’s growing slate of award-winning original documentaries. They include STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces and Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry.
Apple TV+ is available by subscription for $9.99 with a seven-day free trial. You can also get it via any tier of the Apple One subscription bundle. Customers who buy a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.
After launching in November 2019, “Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 471 wins and 2,090 award nominations and counting,” the service said.
Apple TV+ is home to more than 200 exclusive movies and TV shows (including breakout soccer comedy Ted Lasso). The service also offers documentaries, dramas, comedies, kids shows and more.
Source: Apple TV+
This post first published on February 26, 2025. We republished it with the new trailer on April 30, 2025 and again on the streaming date, May 30, 2025.
