Uncover the Hidden Gems: 45 Must-See Documentaries for Your Watchlist

Documentary films have been around since the dawn of the film industry, but what is a documentary? A documentary is a non-fiction story that is told primarily through the eyes of the subject or through interviews with those who know the subject material well. Great documentaries tell incredible stories while tugging at the heartstrings of their viewers. Over the years, there have been some remarkable documentaries created on everything from murder trials to inside looks at the animal kingdom. With over 100 years of film, it can be hard to determine what the top documentaries are. While many must-watch documentaries do not enjoy the same audience size as fictional films, there are quite a few that have actually seen mainstream success. As the industry continues to grow, bringing compelling stories to the masses, mainstream success serves to aid the genre.

Updated Documentaries

Updated on September 08, 2024, by Arthur Goyaz: This list has been updated to include more great documentary recommendations and to reflect CBR's current formatting standards.

Grey Gardens

Grey Gardens follows the day-to-day life of two reclusive women; Big Edie and Little Edie (mother/daughter), who live in Grey Gardens, a rundown mansion in New York. The pair used to be part of the affluent lifestyle of their wealthy Georgica Pond neighborhood of East Hampton before their home fell into despair. They manage to survive in the Grey Gardens despite no running water, an infestation of fleas, and the home being inhabited by raccoons and cats. Big Edie and Little Edie were the aunt and cousin to the United States First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis, which garnered even more interest in their story. The documentary came to be after stories in the National Enquirer and New York Magazine brought light to the situation the women were facing. Many cited the film's use of direct cinema, having the women tell their stories and capturing their reality with little to no interaction with the filmmakers.

Harlan County U.S.A.

Harlan County U.S.A. tells the story of the "Brookside Strike," a strike in 1973 of coal miners in Kentucky against the Eastover Coal Company's Brookside Mine, which was owned by the Duke Power Company. The documentary depicts how the workers took a stand against harsh working conditions in the mines, as well as picketing outside the New York Stock Exchange to make their voices heard. It won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 1977. Director Barbara Kopple intended to go and cover the strike but ended up following the subjects and their families for four years. She was able to capture the rough conditions the miners faced both in the mines and while striking. At one point in the film, the miners are shot at while striking. It is a heartbreaking film to watch, especially when several subjects with black lung disease give their interviews, which underscores the personal pain and sacrifice many made to fight for their rights as workers. Harlan County U.S.A. is currently streaming on Max.

The War Game

Winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 1967, The War Game is a rather unique documentary. It follows a hypothetical nuclear attack on Britain and how its aftermath plays out in the country and the rest of the world. The film's runtime is only 47 minutes, but it caused controversy from the start. The BBC was reluctant to air it on television at first, even though they produced the film. While the film is a documentary, it is entirely fictional but shot in the vein of a news program covering the war. This made it a controversial win at the Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature and the Academy ended up changing the eligibility requirements after it won. The War Game now stands as the only fictional film to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, a unique distinction in the history of the Academy. The War Game is currently unavailable to stream.

Hearts and Minds

Hearts and Minds is yet another documentary following the Vietnam War. The film takes a close look at the United States' role in the war and how it proved to be, and still is to many, controversial. The film's title is based on a quote from United States President Lyndon B. Johnson: "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live out there." Hearts and Minds captured the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 1975 and was released during the Vietnam War; the war ended mere weeks after the film picked up the award. It had a tough road to release and was actually held up by a restraining order from Walt Rostow, a security advisor to President Johnson, who worried that his image would be damaged by his interview in the film. Hearts and Minds is currently streaming on Max.

13th

Directed by Ava DuVernay, 13th is a complex look at the prison system of the United States. It also explores how racial inequality played a role in how the United States prison system came to be as we know it today. One of the best Netflix documentaries of all time, 13th is titled after the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States but allowed for a loophole that criminalized black Americans and forced them to penal labor in prisons. The documentary was seen as a powerful look at how race played a huge role in the prison system after the end of the American Civil War. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and won three Primetime Emmy Awards, including Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special. Despite being released in 2016, it received a surge in viewership after the George Floyd protests in 2020. 13th is currently streaming on Netflix.

Roger & Me

Roger & Me was the directorial debut of documentary legend Michael Moore. The documentary follows Moore as he seeks to interview General Motors CEO Roger Smith after General Motors closes several auto plants in Flint, Michigan, Moore's hometown. Along the way, Moore interviews several autoworkers and finds that most have an extremely unpopular view of Smith, which leads Moore to try to interview him. Roger & Me was a powerful piece showing how the actions of a company can severely harm one city, as Moore points out that the auto plants were the main source of the economy of Flint growing up. After the plants were closed, crime steadily increased and, as shown in the film, the Nightline crew had their production van stolen. The documentary introduced viewers to Moore, who built a phenomenal career in documentaries and visited Flint for many of them later on. Roger & Me is available to rent on Apple TV, Amazon Video, and Google Play Movies.

The Times of Harvey Milk

The Times of Harvey Milk follows the political career of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay supervisor of San Francisco. The film documents Milk's rise to prominence in the political field, becoming an LGBTQ symbol, and his assassination in 1978. It also explores the trial of Dan White, who assassinated Milk along with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone. The United States Library of Congress selected The Times of Harvey Milk for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2012. It is often considered one of the greatest documentaries to follow the life of a political figure, especially one as important as Milk was during his time. Dan White committed suicide one year before the film was released, and director Rob Epstein left that fact out of the film to keep the focus on Milk and his legacy. The Times Of Harvey Milk is currently streaming on Max.

The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat

The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat was created by the Lumière brothers in 1895. The silent film is only 50 seconds long and depicts a train arriving at a station in La Ciotat, France in one single shot. It is considered one of the first films to be screened for an audience when it premiered in 1896. The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat is often tied to a legend among film circles that, when it was screened to the audience, many ran in fear that the train would come through the screen. This account has been disputed by several historians, but many at the time did marvel at the film. The short's impact on the history of film can't be understated. Many consider it the first motion picture, or the earliest one to be remembered in the medium. The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat can currently be seen on YouTube.

Capturing the Friedmans

Directed by Andrew Jarecki, Capturing the Friedmans follows the lives of the Friedman family, a seemingly normal middle-class family. The family is thrust into controversy when patriarch Arnold and his youngest son Jesse are investigated under suspicion of child molestation. The film documents various interviews with the Friedmans and several young students who visited their home for computer classes. This great crime documentary proved to be controversial not just because of its subject matter, but for several choices that Jarecki made in the film. First, Jarecki did not specifically state whether Arnold or Jesse were guilty of the crimes they were accused of. This left many viewers wondering about the truth and whether or not the film was a misrepresentation of the actual case. Jarecki has continued to work in the documentary space, directing films such as The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst. Capturing the Friedmans is currently streaming on Max.

American Factory

American Factory follows the story of a Chinese billionaire who opens a factory in Dayton, Ohio. The documentary follows the work culture differences between the Chinese and American employees of the factory as they work together. It takes a close look at the cultural differences and work ethics that come into play when two separate cultures are forced to work together in a single space. The film was a huge hit and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2020. Filmmakers Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert previously worked together on several documentaries. Bognar and Reichert put a huge focus on the workers and their plight, allowing viewers to see how they were impacted by the changes to their lives and the clash of cultures at the factory. American Factory is currently streaming on Netflix.

Exit Through the Gift Shop

Exit Through the Gift Shop was directed by Banksy, one of the most famous street artists of all time. The documentary follows Thierry Guetta, a French immigrant in Los Angeles, who starts filming street artists and ends up meeting Banksy. Banksy then instructs Guetta to make his own art, leading to a rise in popularity for Guetta's work under the name Mr. Brainwash. The film gained a great deal of acclaim and Banksy managed to hide his identity during its release, which added to the film's mystique. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The film showed Guetta's rise to fame as a street artist who didn't actually have much experience in the field and Banksy used the film to explore the art world as well as the nature of art itself. Exit Through the Gift Shop is currently streaming on Max.

O.J.: Made in America

O.J.: Made in America covers the story of O.J. Simpson, an American football star who was tried for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. The film also dives into Simpson's life before the trial, as well as the trial itself and the aftermath of his acquittal. This fascinating look into a highly publicized trial was produced by ESPN for their 30 for 30 series, and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2017. The film takes an in-depth look at racial tensions in Los Angeles during the 1990s and how the case reflected those tensions. Filmmaker Ezra Edelman captures the intricate details of Simpson's story as well as the many angles of the public's reaction to the trial. O.J.: Made in America is currently streaming on Hulu.

Super Size Me

Super Size Me follows Morgan Spurlock as he spends one month eating nothing but McDonald's food to show how it affects his health. The documentary is an eye-opening look at fast food and its impact on the American diet, showing the problems of eating processed foods and how it can lead to health issues. Spurlock's experiment revealed how bad the food was for him, causing rapid weight gain, mood swings, and other health issues. The film also delves into the fast food industry's marketing tactics and how they target certain demographics. Super Size Me is credited with raising awareness about the health effects of fast food and sparked discussions on nutrition and corporate responsibility. It is currently streaming on Prime Video.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? explores the life and career of Fred Rogers, the host of the beloved television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. The documentary dives into Rogers' life, the philosophy behind his show, and his impact on children's television and education. It highlights how Rogers used his platform to address difficult topics and provide comfort to children. The film received critical acclaim for its heartfelt portrayal of Rogers and its exploration of his contributions to media and education. It was nominated for several awards and praised for its emotional depth and positive message. Won’t You Be My Neighbor? is currently streaming on Max.

Night and Fog

Night and Fog is a 1956 French documentary film that deals with the Holocaust. Directed by Alain Resnais, it is known for its powerful imagery and haunting narration. The film combines contemporary footage with historical footage of Nazi concentration camps, highlighting the horror and devastation of the Holocaust. It serves as a memorial to the victims and a reminder of the atrocities committed. Night and Fog is often cited as one of the most impactful and important documentaries ever made. It is currently available on Criterion Channel and DVD.

The Act of Killing

The Act of Killing is a 2012 documentary by Joshua Oppenheimer that examines the Indonesian mass killings of 1965-66. It features interviews with former death squad leaders who are invited to reenact their crimes for the camera. The film explores the nature of violence and impunity and provides a chilling look into the minds of those who committed horrific acts. It received critical acclaim for its innovative approach and its unflinching examination of historical atrocities. The Act of Killing is currently streaming on Max.

Grizzly Man

Grizzly Man is a 2005 documentary by Werner Herzog about Timothy Treadwell, an environmentalist who lived among grizzly bears in Alaska. The film examines Treadwell's life and death, providing a detailed account of his interactions with the bears and his ultimate demise. Herzog uses Treadwell's footage and interviews with those who knew him to explore themes of nature, humanity, and obsession. The film received praise for its intimate and thought-provoking portrayal of Treadwell's life and his tragic end. Grizzly Man is currently streaming on Max.

The Fog of War

The Fog of War is a 2003 documentary by Errol Morris featuring an interview with Robert S. McNamara, the former U.S. Secretary of Defense. The film provides insights into McNamara's experiences and decisions during the Vietnam War and other significant events. It explores the complexities of war and the moral and strategic considerations that leaders face. The documentary received critical acclaim for its deep and reflective examination of war and politics. The Fog of War is currently available on Prime Video.

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is a 2007 documentary that delves into the competitive world of classic arcade games, focusing on the rivalry between two players vying for the world record in Donkey Kong. The film provides an entertaining and insightful look at the world of competitive gaming and the personalities involved. It received positive reviews for its engaging storytelling and character-driven narrative. The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is currently streaming on Max.

Three Identical Strangers

Three Identical Strangers is a 2018 documentary that tells the incredible true story of triplets who were separated at birth and later reunited as adults. The film explores the impact of their separation and the circumstances that led to their adoption by different families. It delves into themes of identity, family, and the ethical considerations of adoption practices. The documentary was praised for its compelling narrative and emotional depth. Three Identical Strangers is currently streaming on Hulu.

The Staircase

The Staircase is a true-crime documentary series that follows the trial of Michael Peterson, a novelist accused of murdering his wife, Kathleen. The film provides an in-depth look at the legal proceedings and the complexities of the case. It received acclaim for its detailed examination of the trial and the legal system. The Staircase is available on Netflix.

My Octopus Teacher

My Octopus Teacher is a 2020 documentary that follows the relationship between filmmaker Craig Foster and a wild octopus he encounters while diving in South Africa. The film explores the bond that develops between Foster and the octopus and provides insights into the underwater world. It was praised for its stunning cinematography and emotional storytelling. My Octopus Teacher won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and is currently streaming on Netflix.

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Won't You Be My Neighbor? is a 2018 documentary about Fred Rogers, the beloved host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. The film explores Rogers' life, career, and the impact of his television show on generations of children. It received critical acclaim for its heartfelt portrayal of Rogers and his contributions to children's television. Won't You Be My Neighbor? is currently streaming on Max.