83 Essential Documentary Films

Director Ross McElwee explores the lasting effects of General Sherman's march through the South during the Civil War. His project to document this history becomes a personal journey shaped by unexpected encounters with love, loss, and self-discovery. As McElwee examines…

Pierre Schoendoerffer's documentary film offers a look at the Vietnam War. It was recognized with the 1968 Academy Award for Best Documentary.

This autobiographical story follows Ivens as an elderly man reflecting on a lifetime dedicated to capturing the power of nature on film. He pursued this ambition, striving to record the movement of wind and sea through his camera.

In World War II, the Nazi regime created a propaganda film designed to turn German public opinion against Jews. The movie combines newly filmed scenes of Jewish life in occupied Poland with older footage and images, all chosen to support…

The fifth film in Frank Capra's 'Why We Fight' series examines the complicated relationship and conflict between the Soviet Union and Germany during World War II. The movie explores the forces behind this major struggle and the strategies used by…

This is a stark examination of the military-industrial complex responsible for creating napalm.

Marlon Riggs' documentary examines the importance of love between Black men through the themes of revolution and self-acceptance. Featuring contributions from poet Essex Hemphill and other gay Black people, the film explores the emotional aspects of their lives, relationships, and…

The film follows a traveler as they journey through different countries and cultures, considering how time and memory change our experience of the world. A woman's voice narrates the traveler's thoughts and observations. The film takes viewers from the calm…

Set in the 1960s, the film centers on Jason Holliday, who portrays Aaron Payne, a young cabaret performer and streetwise hustler. The story offers a direct look at Holliday's life as he deals with the challenges of being Black and…

This film is a moving visual story about life in wartime England during World War II. Director Humphrey Jennings vividly shows how people adapted to the war through scenes from everyday life. The movie avoids narration, instead skillfully depicting the…

Nine fictional documentaries and films capture the atmosphere of late 1970s Germany, focusing on the two months in 1977 when a businessman was kidnapped by the RAF (Red Army Faction). The kidnapping was intended to arrange the release of the…

Alain Resnais's documentary offers a disturbing look at the worst of human history, detailing the shocking events within Adolf Hitler's concentration camps. The film highlights the strength and bravery of those who survived, while also exposing the brutal conditions and…

This film follows Akerman as he travels from East Germany to Moscow between late summer and winter 1993, a period of significant change in the collapsing Soviet empire. Amidst buildings scarred by WWII, he documents the ongoing upheaval through deliberate…

Frank Capra's documentary "Prelude to War" was made for the Pentagon and George C. Marshall to encourage American soldiers to fight the Axis Powers during World War II. The film compares democratic and fascist societies, highlighting their differences and the…

This film examines a pivotal moment in American labor history: the 1973 strike by coal miners at the Brookside Mine in Harlan County, Kentucky, owned by Eastover Mining Company. After the miners sought union representation, the company refused to negotiate…

Set in Chile during 1973, this film explores the complex political tensions that sparked a violent overthrow of the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende. The movie depicts the growing conflicts and shifting power dynamics as different groups clash. It…

This documentary, titled "to be and to have," explores a primary school in Saint-Étienne-sur-Usson, France, a village of just over 200 people. The school features a single classroom with students ranging in age from four to twelve. The film follows…

The film takes viewers on a visual journey across the United States, examining how modern technology is changing humanity and the environment. Without dialogue or narration, the movie uses striking visuals and a powerful musical score by Philip Glass to…

The film follows the intense period before the CIA becomes involved in a major political change. It portrays the raw emotions and complicated details of those involved in the coup as the story unfolds. More than just a historical account,…

In the film's final section, director Guzmán offers a personal look at people working to revive and build upon the legacy of Salvador Allende, who was overthrown. The film explores the challenges and successes of those who keep fighting for…

Claude Lanzmann’s powerful documentary explores the Holocaust through firsthand accounts. The film features over a decade of interviews with survivors, bystanders, and perpetrators, categorized into three groups. These personal stories offer intimate insights into life at the Chelmno and Auschwitz…

Joris Ivens's documentary supports the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War by contrasting the struggles in a besieged Madrid with the efforts of a nearby village building an irrigation canal. This connects the war to basic needs like food,…

This film, the second in Frank Capra's "Why We Fight" series, examines Germany's history of aggression, tracing its origins to 1863 with Otto von Bismarck and identifying the Nazi regime as its most recent example.

This documentary film is structured in four parts, each exploring different aspects of Nazi Germany’s rise and fall. The first part examines how Hitler built a powerful image through propaganda, establishing his authority and captivating the German people. The second…

This three-part documentary examines the liberation struggle across Latin America, using Argentina as a central case study of imperialist exploitation. The first part, "Neo-Colonialism and Violence," provides a historical, geographical, and economic overview of Argentina. Part two, "An Act For…

Michael Apted’s documentary series explores people at a crucial moment in their lives, as they question whether they’ve achieved what they wanted and truly belong. Two years before they turn 30, these participants face the realities of adulthood and examine…

This documentary explores the lives of women who entered traditionally male industries – factories, mines, and dockyards – during World War II. It reveals the obstacles they encountered and how these experiences influenced their work and future goals. After the…

This documentary explores the Dani people of the Baliem Valley in western New Guinea, detailing their ritual warfare, daily lives, and spiritual beliefs. It's an ethnographic look at their cyclical practices and social structures.

This documentary explores the difficult lives of people in Las Hurdes, a remote area of Spain, in the early 1900s. The film shows the harsh realities of 1932: disease, poverty, and few opportunities. Many young people leave for better lives,…

Megacities is a documentary exploring the slums of five major cities around the world.

Varda examines gleaners – people who gather leftover crops from harvested fields. Her film follows them from rural areas of France to Parisian markets, exploring their efforts to find value in discarded food, driven by either need or a conscious…

Six short films, each directed by a different filmmaker, explore various aspects of Parisian life. Set in locations like St. Germain des Pres, Gare du Nord, Rue St. Denis, Montparnasse, and La Muette, the stories depict themes of love, flirtation,…

The film journeys to 1934 Nuremberg, offering a stark look inside Nazi Germany during the pivotal party rally. It focuses on Adolf Hitler, portrayed as both a captivating leader and a ruthless dictator, delivering powerful speeches to thousands of Nazi…

Joe Leahy, the mixed-race son of a pioneering explorer of Papua New Guinea, has a close relationship with the people who work on his coffee farm. The film examines this connection and explores the challenges that arise when the coffee…

The film documents an unforeseen environmental disaster in Australia. It began with a misguided effort to control crop pests by introducing Hawaiian sugar cane toads. The documentary explores the history and ecological impact of this invasive species, detailing how their…

The film tells the inspiring story of Harvey Milk, a human rights advocate who bravely fought for equality and representation. Facing prejudice as an openly gay man in a time of intolerance, Milk became a powerful voice for marginalized communities.…

Filmmaker Wim Wenders journeys through Tokyo, seeking to understand the world of legendary director Yasujiro Ozu. But as Wenders explores the city, he finds a modern Tokyo very different from the quiet, home-centered worlds in Ozu's films. Combining images of…

"Kon-Tiki" is a true story about six Scandinavian scientists led by Thor Heyerdahl who set sail on a balsa wood raft in 1947. Their goal was to prove Heyerdahl's theory that Polynesia was settled from Peru, not Asia, a theory…

This film offers a stark look at life where peaceful countryside meets the harsh reality of a nearby slaughterhouse. It vividly portrays the difficult lives of both the animals and the workers, presenting an unflinching view of the connection between…

This film examines the challenges of a troubled marriage through the everyday lives of Billy and Antoinette Edwards, along with their son Bogart and dog Merton. The couple invites documentary filmmaker Allan King to film their daily routines in an…

"Primary" is a significant documentary focusing on the 1960 primary elections between John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey. The film innovatively used lightweight equipment to create a more personal filmmaking style, capturing unscripted moments of the campaigns in a way…

The film explores Bob Dylan's life during the 1960s, a period of significant change. It shows him with his fans, in discussions with journalists, and relaxed with musicians like Joan Baez, Donovan, and Alan Price, offering insight into his perspective.…

This docudrama examines the grim consequences of a fictional nuclear attack on Britain. Originally commissioned by the BBC, the film was ultimately deemed too intense for television. Premiering in theaters in 1966, its powerful depiction of destruction received widespread acclaim…

This film isn't about gun control. It explores the underlying anxieties of the United States and the 280 million Americans who can legally own a Uzi. Examining Columbine High School security footage, the home of NRA President Charlton Heston, a…

This documentary explores the lives of seven young Britons from different backgrounds as they grow up, from childhood to early adulthood. The film features candid interviews with them every seven years, revealing how their personalities, beliefs, and goals change over…

Sweetgrass is a straightforward look at the American West, focusing on the last cowboys who drive their sheep into Montana's Absaroka-Beartooth mountains each summer for grazing. The film shows how nature and culture, animals and people, and moments of fragility…

The Fog of War uses archival footage, recordings of government meetings, and an interview with 85-year-old Robert McNamara to chronicle his life. It follows his journey from a promising young military officer during World War II, to president of Ford…

This documentary explores the everyday lives of an Inuit community in northern Quebec, Canada. It blends factual observation with fictional elements to illustrate their impressive ability to thrive in harsh climates, using igloos and skillful hunting and fishing. The film…

Set during the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany, Leni Riefenstahl’s documentary is a visually striking look at human athleticism. Originally intended as propaganda, the film became a celebration of the human body's beauty and strength. It begins with a memorable…

Directed, written, and edited by Jean-Luc Godard over ten years in his Swiss home, this is a deeply personal exploration of film history. The film is a vast collage of fragments: movie clips, texts, quotes, photographs, paintings, music, and sound,…

Directed, written, and edited by Jean-Luc Godard over ten years in his Swiss home, this is a deeply personal exploration of cinema's history. The film is a vast collage of fragments: movie clips, text, quotes, photographs, paintings, music, and sound,…

In 1936, German filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl was commissioned to film the Olympic Games in Berlin. The two-part documentary, *Festival of the Nations* and *The Festival of Beauty*, offers a detailed look at the athletes and the human body on display…

Directed, written, and edited by Jean-Luc Godard over ten years in his Swiss home, this is a deeply personal exploration of film history. The film is a vast collage of fragments: movie clips, text, quotes, photographs, paintings, music, and sound,…

Humphrey Jennings' British film offers a realistic look at firefighters' lives during World War II, particularly during the intense Blitz. Shot in a documentary style, it immerses viewers in the daily challenges and successes of these brave men and women…

This is the fifth installment in Jean-Luc Godard's eight-part exploration of cinema's history and its connection to the 20th century.

This is the seventh installment in Jean-Luc Godard's eight-part exploration of cinema's history and its connection to the 20th century.

This is the eighth installment in Jean-Luc Godard's eight-part exploration of cinema's history and its connection to the 20th century.

Winnipeg, Manitoba, the heart of North America and Guy Maddin's hometown, is the captivating setting for his film. The story blends reality, imagination, and recollections to create a city that is both charming and unsettling.

"Grey Gardens" explores the lives of Edie Bouvier Beale and her mother Edith, relatives of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, who live in a sprawling Long Island estate, largely cut off from society. The film offers a look inside their private world…

This documentary follows William Gates and Arthur Agee, two African-American teenagers in inner-city Chicago, as they chase their dream of playing professional basketball. They commute 90 minutes daily to St. Joseph High School in suburban Westchester, renowned for its basketball…

Colin McKenzie was a key figure in early international cinema, though he's largely forgotten today. Born in rural New Zealand in 1888, he became deeply passionate about filmmaking, profoundly influencing the development of global cinema. He faced many obstacles but…

Roman's documentary "Ordinary Fascism" takes viewers to 1920s-1940s Europe, confronting the horrors of fascism and Nazism. The film uses carefully chosen archival footage to create an immersive story about how ordinary people were drawn to radical ideologies and helped build…

This film explores identity and what people want out of life. It follows a diverse group of characters – different ages, jobs, and backgrounds – as they ask themselves, "Who am I?" And "What do I really want?" The movie…

The film centers on a quiet cameraman who explores city life with constant creativity and curiosity, using only his shoulder-mounted camera. He captures both brief and remarkable moments, examining the many sides of urban existence. He focuses on the unexpected:…

Documentarian Errol Morris uses detailed re-enactments to explore the difficult events following the murder of a Dallas police officer. He reconstructs the crime scene and investigation to examine the complicated mix of truth, deception, and emotions involved in such a…

John Huston's 1946 film explores the hidden struggles of soldiers returning from war, focusing on the emotional damage they endure alongside physical injuries. This is the concluding film in a U.S. Government-commissioned trilogy, offering a powerful look at what we…

Following the Gulf War, Kuwait is a devastated landscape scarred by oil fires. Werner Herzog's film documents this apocalyptic environment, capturing the eerie atmosphere of murky skies, burned earth, and unpredictable flames. The documentary explores the war's destruction and humanity's…

Kenzo Okuzaki, a 62-year-old World War II veteran who fought in the New Guinea campaign, undertakes a personal quest to understand the truth behind disturbing events from one of the war's fiercest battles. As part of a trapped Japanese unit,…

This documentary film recounts the intense story of the Battle of San Pietro, a small Italian village that became the site of a particularly fierce battle in World War II. As Allied forces fought to advance against the Germans, more…

Berlin, 1920s: A City's Rhythm and Reality presents the lively atmosphere of Germany rebuilding after World War I. The film takes viewers to a city where the war's impact is lessening as a new time begins. The story is set…

Legendary filmmaker Agnès Varda, a key figure in the French New Wave, offers a personal look at her life in this documentary. The film blends excerpts from her own movies with staged scenes to tell the story of her career,…

Following World War II and the U.S. Development of nuclear weapons, the government made propaganda films in the 1940s and 1950s to ease public anxiety. Combining factual information with speculation and stories, these films tried to assure Americans that the…

Karel Reisz's groundbreaking documentary offers a glimpse into the everyday lives of young people at the Lambeth Youth Club in London during the late 1950s.

Paris, summer 1960. Anthropologist and filmmaker Jean Rouch joins forces with sociologist and critic Edgar Morin for a documentary exploring how people cope with difficulties. They interview ordinary Parisians on the streets, asking them about their resilience. The film combines…

The Maysles' documentary follows four door-to-door salesmen from Mid-American Bible Company: Paul "The Badger" Brennan, Charles "The Gipper" McDevitt, James "The Rabbit" Baker, and Raymond "The Bull" Martos. During a difficult economic period, these determined men travel rural America trying…

This film offers a detailed look at the legendary Woodstock Music & Art Festival in Bethel, New York, in August 1969. With rare access to those involved and extensive concert footage, it shows the excitement and difficulties experienced by the…

"American Dream 2.0" is a documentary about the consequences of General Motors closing its Flint, Michigan plant. The closure cost over 30,000 jobs, leading to widespread hardship and despair in the city and surrounding communities. Filmmaker Michael Moore documents the…

Los Angeles, with its unique neighborhoods and architecture, has served as the setting for many films. This film offers a fast-paced exploration of the city's true and fictional history, examining the many stories and legends that have shaped it. It…

This documentary chronicles Al Gore's efforts to bring global warming to international attention. It details his campaign to establish the issue as a globally recognized problem.

This documentary recounts the events of June 12th, 2000, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when a young man hijacked bus 174, threatening to harm the passengers. The incident, broadcast live across Brazilian television, became a deeply disturbing portrayal of violence…

This film chronicles the story of Timothy Treadwell, known as "Grizzly Man," and his thirteen summers spent living in a National Park in Alaska, dedicated to protecting grizzly bears. Through distinctive footage, the documentary offers an intimate look at a…

"Paris Is Burning" is a landmark documentary exploring the African American and Latinx drag ball culture of 1980s Harlem. The film examines voguing, an expressive dance form central to this community, and "throwing shade," a style of playful verbal sparring.…

This film offers a stark look inside Bridgewater State Prison, Massachusetts, a facility for the criminally insane. It documents disturbing events where inmates experience a range of treatments from the prison staff, including guards, social workers, and psychiatrists. The documentary-style…