68 Essential Documentaries of All Time

City of Gold explores the deeper side of Los Angeles, often seen only as glamorous and complicated. Using the perspective of Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold, the film reveals a hidden LA: a vibrant food scene reflecting the city's…

Oscar-nominated documentary. Guitar legend Ry Cooder brings together a group of elderly Cuban folk musicians, some in their nineties, to record a Grammy-winning album in Havana. More than just music, the film is a celebration of life, legacy, and art's…

Kate Lyn Sheil stars as Christine Chubbuck, a Florida news anchor who tragically took her own life live on television in 1974. The film follows Kate's journey as she delves into Chubbuck's life, uncovering new details and information. The deeper…

This documentary chronicles the life of Amy Winehouse, a supremely gifted singer whose career was tragically cut short. It follows her journey from adolescence, where her vocal talent was evident, through her rise to fame and subsequent struggles with alcohol…

This documentary follows Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue, as she organizes the 2007 fall fashion issue. It details her behind-the-scenes work in preparing the magazine.

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…

GOING CLEAR closely examines the experiences of eight former members of the Church of Scientology, revealing the methods used to draw people in and the actions taken in the name of their faith.

For over thirty years, Fred Rogers (1928-2003) hosted a television program where he addressed important life issues with young children. As host, producer, writer, and pianist, he appeared with puppets and friends, speaking directly to his young audience.

Blackfish examines the troubling effects of keeping highly intelligent and emotional animals like killer whales in captivity. The documentary focuses on Tilikum, a notorious orca who has been involved in the deaths of three people, including a trainer. It reveals…

The U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision has led to a surge of undisclosed funding in American elections. However, Montana is demonstrating a potential solution to the issue of unlimited, anonymous money influencing politics, offering a model for Washington D.C.…

Banksy is a world-famous graffiti artist whose art appears on walls worldwide, from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to the West Bank. He fiercely protects his anonymity to avoid legal trouble and has never been filmed. *Exit Through the Gift…

This disturbing documentary features former Indonesian death squad leaders performing dramatizations of their past mass killings, using different film styles. The reenactments create a confusing mix of reality and fiction, revealing the lasting effects of Indonesia's 1965-66 anti-communist violence and…

Director Brett Morgen uses previously unseen footage from the National Geographic archives to tell the story of Jane Goodall, the pioneering researcher whose chimpanzee studies transformed how we understand the natural world.

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…

The backup singers of the music industry exist in the shadows of fame. They provide the harmonies for the biggest names in pop, but their lives have remained hidden. This film reveals the untold stories of these singers and the…

This documentary provides a fascinating, detailed look at the Clinton for President campaign from the perspective of two key advisors: James Carville and George Stephanopoulos. It reveals the intense pressure and high-stakes environment these strategists experienced as they worked to…

This film explores the profound impact of Hollywood narratives on American perceptions of transgender people, and how those stories have shaped transgender individuals' self-image.

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…

This is a funny, personal, and deeply moving look at Robin Williams, one of the most popular and original comedians of all time. The film primarily uses Williams' own words to explore his impact on comedy and popular culture, following…

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…

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…

This is the story of two activist groups, ACT UP and TAG, who revolutionized the fight against AIDS. Through innovative activism, they transformed a deadly disease into something manageable. Without medical backgrounds, these determined individuals challenged the pharmaceutical industry, helping…

In a small Texas town dominated by a military base, three teenage girls grapple with the complexities of growing up during a surreal and intense summer.

This film explores Istanbul and its distinctive culture, as observed by cats – those enigmatic creatures humans have long cherished.

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…

Alexander McQueen's journey from humble beginnings to fashion icon is a modern fairy tale with a dark edge. The film reflects the striking beauty, daring style, and energy of his designs, offering a personal look into McQueen's complex life –…

The Queen of Versailles is an epic story about billionaires Jackie and David Siegel and their pursuit of the American dream. The film begins with the construction of their extravagant, 90,000-square-foot mansion, modeled after the Palace of Versailles. Fueled by…

Two South Africans travel to the United States to uncover the story of Rodriguez, a little-known rock musician from the 1970s who achieved a surprising level of fame there. They aim to find out what became of him.

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.…

For years, Craig Foster swam daily in the frigid waters off the coast of Africa. There, he encounters an unusual companion: a young octopus with a keen interest in him. Over months of visiting her home and observing her, Craig…

This documentary reveals the untold story of a desperate struggle for truth. Made by those who experienced it firsthand, the film offers unprecedented access to the defense's inner workings, showing the investigation, research, and appeals process in detail. It unveils…

"Senna" is a documentary that follows the life of Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna, examining his physical and personal journey as he pursued perfection in Formula 1. The film covers his career from his debut in 1984 to his tragic…

Master sushi chef Jiro Ono relentlessly pursues perfection in his craft. His eldest son, Yoshikazu, struggles to measure up to his father's renowned legacy.

This film chronicles The Rolling Stones' highly publicized 1969 tour of the United States, ending with the infamous and tragic Altamont Speedway Free Festival on December 6th. The event, a pivotal moment in history, symbolized the end of the idealistic…

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.…

Following bassist Jason Newsted's departure in 2001, heavy metal icons Metallica decide on an intervention. This documentary captures the band's journey as they work with a therapist to address two decades of bottled-up anger and aggression. While searching for a…

Director Raoul Peck uses James Baldwin's unfinished final novel as a starting point for a film exploring the experience of being Black in America.

Werner Herzog's 1982 film *Fitzcarraldo* follows an ambitious film crew in the 1979 Amazon rainforest as they attempt an extraordinary project. The drama highlights the relentless pursuit of an artistic vision and the physical and mental hardships it demands. Facing…

Directors Hetherington and Junger spent a year with the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. Army in a dangerous valley in Afghanistan. The documentary offers insight into the unit's approach to overcoming the Taliban, focusing on their dedication, intense combat, and…

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…

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…

For 30 days, Morgan Spurlock eats nothing but McDonald's – three meals a day, no exercise – to investigate the link between fast food and America's rising rates of obesity. He undergoes regular medical check-ups with three doctors, documenting his…

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…

American Movie follows Mark Borchardt, an ambitious filmmaker in rural Wisconsin, as he struggles to achieve his dreams while dealing with limited money, family obligations, and personal struggles. The film documents two years of Mark's life as he works to…

Following the successful debut of his innovative musical *Company* in 1970, composer Stephen Sondheim, director Harold Prince, the cast, and the orchestra recorded the original cast album in a Manhattan studio – a standard Broadway practice. The recording process became…

An Israeli film director speaks with other veterans of the 1982 Lebanon War. He uses their stories to piece together his own recollections of serving in the conflict.

This film explores the intense, behind-the-scenes story of making Apocalypse Now, revealing the immense challenges director Francis Ford Coppola faced. Unforeseen events – including severe weather, actors' illnesses, and the proximity of war – significantly increased costs and threatened to…

"Pina" is a 3D dance film featuring the renowned Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch company, created by the influential German choreographer who passed away in the summer of 2009.

In June 2013, filmmaker Laura Poitras and journalist Glenn Greenwald traveled to Hong Kong to meet Edward Snowden. Poitras documented their meetings with her camera.

"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…

"R. Crumb: Inside the Mind of a Genius" is a documentary exploring the life and work of cartoonist Robert Crumb, famous for drawings like "Keep On Truckin'" and "Fritz the Cat," and his impact on underground comics. The film features…

This documentary offers an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes view of Anthony Weiner's 2013 bid to become New York City mayor. It follows his campaign after the fallout from his sexting scandal. The film features complete access to Weiner and his team.

Bill Cunningham New York chronicles the city's evolving landscape through the eyes of a dedicated street style photographer, capturing moments with sensitivity and genuine affection.

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…

In a post-industrial Ohio town, a Chinese billionaire establishes a factory in a former General Motors plant, employing two thousand American workers. Initial optimism fades as the advanced technology of China encounters the realities of the American workforce.

This Oscar-nominated documentary examines the devastating story of a middle-class American family fractured by accusations of child sexual abuse against the father, Arnold, and son, Jesse. Director Jarecki interviews individuals connected to the case, exploring the question of whether their…

CAMERAPERSON is a visually striking memoir that uses filmmaker Kirsten Johnson's existing footage to explore moments that have deeply impacted her. The film reframes these scenes, transforming their original presentation into a personal story about journey, filmmaking, and genuine human…

Les Blank's debut documentary film chronicles music sessions and happenings at Leon Russell's Oklahoma recording studio over three years, from 1972 to 1974.

Sarah Polley, a Canadian actress and filmmaker, explores hidden aspects of her mother's past. She interviews family and friends, but their accounts differ depending on their connection to the events. This creates a series of unanswered questions, as memory is…

This documentary examines the Enron corporation, detailing its flawed and unethical business methods and the chain of events that ultimately caused its collapse.

In 1974, French high-wire artist Philippe Petit performed an illegal walk between the New York World Trade Center towers, then the tallest buildings in the world. He spent nearly an hour on a wire strung 1,350 feet above the city…

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 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.…

The film explores the stories of Elmyr de Hory and Clifford Irving, two famous con artists who committed elaborate frauds that impacted the art and publishing worlds. De Hory became known for selling fake paintings by artists like Picasso and…

The film chronicles the journey of eight young competitors, aged 8 to 18, as they strive to reach the final round of the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C.

This film examines the American prison system, revealing how it reflects the country's ongoing history of racial inequality.