TCM has launched a new programming strand called "Films on Film," which pairs documentaries with related feature films to give viewers deeper context on actors, composers, directors and film history. Hosted by Ben Mankiewicz, the series airs Fridays from 5 p.m. PT and reflects the network's continued push to blend educational content with its classic film library, appealing to cinephiles keen to explore the stories behind the movies they love.

The franchise begins with Charles Grodin: Rebel With a Cause followed by four of his films, then moves on to a documentary about composer Ennio Morricone paired with Sergio Leone and other Italian classics. Further instalments coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month and examine how comedy confronted fascism, while October focuses on horror and thriller figures including Lon Chaney, Alfred Hitchcock and Vincent Price. TCM programming executive Charlie Tabesh said the idea stemmed from a suggestion linked to Steven Spielberg's team, after he noticed a growing pool of strong documentaries about film history worth pairing with the works they cover.