"Pee-wee as Himself" Documentary Debuts May 23 on Max, Offering Intimate Look at Paul Reubens' Life

The highly anticipated two-part HBO Original documentary, "Pee-wee as Himself," premiered on May 23, 2025, on HBO and Max, offering an intimate and revealing portrait of the late actor and comedian Paul Reubens, best known for his iconic character Pee-wee Herman. The film, directed by Matt Wolf, delves into Reubens' life, career, and personal struggles, including previously undisclosed aspects of his identity.

The documentary is largely built around over 40 hours of soul-baring interviews with Reubens himself, recorded before his passing in July 2023. It aims to provide Reubens' definitive account of his life, from his childhood influences and avant-garde performance art roots to the creation and global phenomenon of Pee-wee Herman. The film also incorporates thousands of hours of archival footage and personal photographs.

"Pee-wee as Himself" addresses Reubens' decision to keep his personal life private, including his sexuality, which he discusses candidly in the film, coming out posthumously as gay. It also explores the profound impact of the media scrutiny and legal challenges he faced in the 1990s and early 2000s, and his efforts to reclaim his narrative and legacy. Reubens aimed to correct the record and tell his factual story.

The documentary has garnered significant critical acclaim since its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, holding a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 82 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim." Notable figures from Reubens' career and personal life, including Laurence Fishburne, Natasha Lyonne, Tim Burton, and Judd Apatow, are featured, offering insights into his complex persona and enduring influence.

The documentary's streaming availability on Max has been a point of interest for many viewers, including social media users like Samuel Hammond. As Hammond noted in a recent tweet, > "can't wait to watch the new Pee-Wee Herman documentary on Max. I had assumed it only releases in theaters," reflecting a common anticipation for the film's broad accessibility beyond a limited theatrical run. The dual release on HBO and Max ensures a wide audience can access this comprehensive look at Reubens' life and work.