RESPECT II: The Throne of Soul – The Aretha Franklin Legacy, watch Now ⬇️⬇️

In the wake of the 2021 Respect film, Netflix has unveiled a bold and soulful continuation—RESPECT II: The Throne of Soul – The Aretha Franklin Legacy. This documentary-style sequel doesn’t just celebrate Aretha’s voice—it crowns her the enduring monarch of music, activism, and cultural influence. If the first installment was a tribute, this second chapter is a coronation.The new film picks up where Respect left off: after the thunderous success of her 1972 Amazing Grace performance. But rather than a mere highlight reel of her post-gospel career, RESPECT II explores the soul behind the icon. The Aretha Franklin we meet in this chapter is not just a superstar but a woman battling inner demons, navigating turbulent times, and reshaping history through music.Netflix spares no effort in crafting a layered story. The film explores how Aretha used her fame not just to top charts, but to support civil rights causes, stand against oppression, and empower Black America through sound. From secretly funding the Black Panthers to refusing to perform unless paid upfront in cash—a move born out of industry mistrust—Aretha’s power extended far beyond the mic.Musically, RESPECT II tracks her brilliant reinvention through the decades. We see her embrace pop in the 1980s with Freeway of Love and dominate the charts again with I Knew You Were Waiting alongside George Michael. The documentary seamlessly weaves these hits with behind-the-scenes footage, rare interviews, and emotional home videos.But perhaps most striking is the film’s exploration of Aretha’s personal fortress. Behind the sequins and spotlight stood a fiercely private woman—guarded, enigmatic, and often misunderstood. The film sheds light on her struggles with trust, her deep faith, and the resilience that carried her through decades of changing musical tides.Executive producers ensure that RESPECT II balances reverence with rawness. It honors Aretha without sanitizing her story. Moments of heartbreak—family estrangements, professional betrayals, and declining health—are handled with grace but without gloss. Her complexity is the crown she wore.Visually, the film is as majestic as its title suggests. It features breathtaking shots of her 2009 performance at Barack Obama’s inauguration, and intimate rehearsals where her voice—older but unshakable—still sends chills. These visuals tell a story of a queen who reigned not by volume, but by virtue.Released on July 20, 2025, RESPECT II arrives in a time when the world is once again leaning on music to heal, to remember, and to rise. It’s a timely reminder that the greatest artists do more than entertain—they echo through generations.Critics have praised the documentary as a more focused, emotionally intelligent work compared to its predecessor. While Respect leaned into her early career’s highlights, RESPECT II digs beneath the glitter, revealing a deeply spiritual, resilient woman who refused to be molded by any force but her own.One of the film’s most haunting moments comes when Aretha, in a quiet backstage clip, reflects: “They heard the sound, but they didn’t always hear the message.” This sequel aims to make sure that message rings loud, long after the final credits roll.Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering her genius, this Netflix original invites you to sit at the throne of soul and understand why Aretha Franklin wasn’t just a voice—she was a revolution.Don’t miss RESPECT II: The Throne of Soul – The Aretha Franklin Legacy, now streaming only on Netflix.