The Definitive Pinball Documentary That Deserves an Extra Ball
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Vision Films announces the North American and UK Transactional VOD release of the feature length documentary film Pinball: Beyond the Bumpers on October 20, 2026 from New Video Images. Directed and produced by Mark Helms and produced by Helms with Alejandro Torné, this definitive history follows the “silver ball” from its humble beginnings in 1600’s Europe to the major resurgence today including past and present gaming legends and the technological advances that now draw collaborations with rock stars, celebrities, and major brands. The filmmakers will be representing the film at this year’s Pinball Expo in Chicago on October 14-18.
Watch the trailer HERE.
Pinball is a phenomenon loved all over the world, still growing in popularity in the 21st century. The International Flipper Pinball Association tracks over 137,000 active ranked players globally, up from just 500 players in 2006 and leading pinball manufacturers are seeing new machine sales increase 15-20% annually.
Helms is known for the 1995 film The History of Pinball, the first thorough dive into the long and global history of the popular arcade game. This current iteration not only updates past interviews but utilizes his trove of video footage, historical data, and addresses the complexities of the game and industry not often seen. The film examines every angle, from the game’s history of objectifying women to the women now competing at the highest levels worldwide, as well as pinball’s enduring engineering marvels and the ongoing advances in licensing and technology.
Lise Romanoff, CEO and Managing Director of Vision Films, says, “After watching this immersive documentary, you will never look at a pinball machine the same way again. Jam packed full of fun, the film shows how pinball has evolved over centuries.”
Filmmaker Mark Helms shares, “I always believed that pinball — the game — was never clearly understood by the vast majority of the public, so I made this documentary to pull back the curtain on pinball, exposing the highs, the lows, the controversies, and ultimately, its bright future. We trace the game from crude beginnings to today’s cutting-edge wonder machines, played and enjoyed around the world. After watching this documentary, you’ll understand exactly why pinball is in the middle of its modern-day resurgence.”
When Helms was asked what he tells his friends the first time, they play one of the newer machines, he laughed and said, “I always say the same thing: ‘This ain’t your granddaddy’s pinball machine.'”
The cast includes Roger Sharpe, Gary Stern, Steve Ritchie, Mark Helms, Reby Hardy, Crystaltina, and more.
For more information, please visit and follow: www.beyondthebumpers.com
Social Links: Facebook The History of Pinball and Instagram pinball.4ever
Pinball: Beyond the Bumpers will be available on October 20 across the US, Canada and in the UK for Transactional VOD including on AmazonInstant, iTunes/AppleTV, Fandango and on most major cable platforms.
About Vision Films
Vision Films is a leading independent sales and VOD aggregator specializing in the licensing, marketing, and distribution of over 800 feature films, documentaries, and series from some of the most prolific independent film producers in the world. Led by Lise Romanoff, Managing Director/CEO Worldwide Distribution, Vision Films releases 2-4 films a month across Theatrical, VOD, DVD, and television platforms. visionfilms.net
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SOURCE Vision Films, Inc.
