Once Upon a Time in Jersey (2026): Cast, Story and Release

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Once Upon a Time in Jersey looks back at New Jersey across the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. The documentary explores an era of American culture, history and sport, with appearances by Tom Cruise, Bill Maher, Dana Bash and the late Danny Aiello.

Once Upon a Time in Jersey is a documentary about New Jersey during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Directed and written by Jon Doscher, it reflects on the state’s connection to a changing idea of Old Americana.

The film brings together voices and appearances associated with New Jersey, American culture, sport and public life. Its listed participants include Tom Cruise, Bill Maher, Dana Bash and Danny Aiello, who makes a special appearance.

Once Upon a Time in Jersey movie details

Story without spoilers

The documentary travels through three decades of New Jersey history, focusing on the culture and identity of a place remembered as part of an earlier American era. Its subject matter includes sport, American culture and notable residents of New Jersey, creating a broad portrait rather than a single-character narrative.

The overview also identifies appearances by Tom Cruise, Bill Maher and Dana Bash of CNN, along with a special appearance by Oscar-nominated actor Danny Aiello. Jon Doscher serves as both director and writer.

What to expect

Viewers can expect a feature-length documentary centered on memory, regional history and the cultural character of New Jersey in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. The supplied details point to a mix of historical reflection, discussion of sport and attention to well-known figures connected with the state.

With a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes, the film offers a focused retrospective rather than an expansive multi-part history. Its framing around “Old Americana” suggests an interest in how that period is remembered, while the available information does not specify a more narrowly defined argument or structure.

Cast and creative team

Jon Doscher wrote and directed Once Upon a Time in Jersey. The listed cast includes Tom Cruise, Bill Maher, Danny Aiello, Dana Bash and Jon Doscher. Dana Bash is identified in the overview as being from CNN, and Danny Aiello is noted as making a special appearance.

• Tom Cruise
• Bill Maher
• Danny Aiello
• Dana Bash
• Jon Doscher

Release and production context

Once Upon a Time in Jersey is listed as a 2026 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. Its supplied release date is November 6, 2026. Starline Films is the listed production company. No country or spoken-language information is provided.

Production companies: Starline Films

Movies Dock view

Once Upon a Time in Jersey is positioned as a compact documentary retrospective on a distinctive period in New Jersey’s cultural history. Its combination of regional memory, sport and recognizable participants gives the film a clear historical and Americana-focused scope, while the supplied synopsis leaves the documentary’s detailed approach open to discovery.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb