Val poster

Val

"The life you live is the story you tell."

Movie R 2021 1h 49m 7.2 /10
Directed by Leo Scott, Ting Poo

Val Kilmer has spent four decades filming himself as he builds a record of his life and his craft. The film gathers thousands of hours of footage, from childhood 16mm clips shot with his brothers to on set moments from Top Gun, The Doors, Tombstone, and Batman Forever. What unfolds is an... Read more

Stream Now

Where to Watch "Val"

Stream with Subscription

Netflix
Disney+
Max
Hulu
Paramount+
Peacock
Apple TV+

Streaming availability last verified: February 22, 2026

About Val

Val Kilmer has spent four decades filming himself as he builds a record of his life and his craft. The film gathers thousands of hours of footage, from childhood 16mm clips shot with his brothers to on set moments from Top Gun, The Doors, Tombstone, and Batman Forever. What unfolds is an intimate, unguarded portrait that moves between grind, satire, and tenderness. It offers a direct window into an artist who has kept refining his voice even as fame and personal battles shape his path. Without glossy triumphalism, the documentary presents a man who negotiates art, memory, and identity with humor and candor.

Directed by Ting Poo and Leo Scott, Val screens Kilmer's own footage and interviews to assemble a cinematic diary rather than a traditional biography. The project leans on thousands of hours of material spanning 40 years, from private home clips to on set sessions behind some of cinema's best known moments. It debuted in 2021 and was released on Amazon Prime Video, making Kilmer's voice and process accessible to a wide audience while preserving the raw, personal edge that defines the film.

Box office data is not widely publicized because Val plays primarily as a streaming release with selective theatrical/showing opportunities. The measure of success here lies in reach and impact, as the film invites audiences into Kilmer's creative world.

Fans and critics have responded to Val with renewed interest in Kilmer's range and resilience. By foregrounding his process and his voice, the documentary fuels conversations about aging, memory, and the enduring pull of an actor who built his career by shaping characters from the inside out.

Critics have welcomed the film as a thoughtful portrait that treats art and life as intertwined. It centers on memory, perseverance, and reinvention, offering a calm, clear look at what it costs and what it gives to chase a life in performance.

Details

Release Date
July 23, 2021
Runtime
1h 49m
Rating
R
User Ratings
215 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
Documentary
Country
United States
Studio
A24 +4 more
External Links
View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer

Self

Jack Kilmer

Jack Kilmer

Self / Narrator

Mercedes Kilmer

Mercedes Kilmer

Self

Joanne Whalley

Joanne Whalley

Self

Director: Leo Scott, Ting Poo

Frequently Asked Questions

Val is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Yes, Val is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video with a subscription.

With a rating of 7.2/10 from 215 viewers, Val is well-received and recommended by the community. It's a good pick if you enjoy documentary stories.

Val Kilmer has spent four decades filming himself as he builds a record of his life and his craft. The film gathers thousands of hours of footage, from childhood 16mm clips shot with his brothers to on set moments from Top Gun, The Doors, Tombstone, and Batman Forever. What unfolds is an intimate...

Yes. Val is a documentary that uses Val Kilmer's own footage and interviews to tell the story of his life and career spanning more than four decades. It blends home movies with reflections on his work in film.

Jack Kilmer serves as Self and Narrator, and Val Kilmer appears as Self. Mercedes Kilmer and Joanne Whalley are also shown as Self.