Best Documentaries
The Best Look Inside the Human Experience
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- DirectorLouie PsihoyosStarsRichard O'BarryLouie PsihoyosHardy JonesUsing state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renowned dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health.8/10
- StarsBill BelichickTom BradyRobert KraftA 10-part series featuring never-before-seen footage of the New England Patriots' 20-year journey from struggling franchise to football dynasty. In the process, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and Robert Kraft reveal the cost of greatness.9/10
- DirectorAmir Bar-LevStarsPat TillmanJosh BrolinMary TillmanChronicles the life of the late Pat Tillman, who walked away from a multimillion-dollar contract with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals in 2002 to join the Army but died from friendly fire in Afghanistan.8/10
- StarsDavid BeckhamVictoria BeckhamFisher StevensWith never-before-seen footage, this docuseries follows David Beckham's meteoric rise from humble beginnings to global football stardom.8/10
- DirectorPaul MonuskyMicaela PowersAngela TormaStarsTim AllenBill BelichickJeff DanielsThe definitive story of Barry Sanders' Hall-of-Fame career and his extraordinary decision to walk away from the game in the prime of his career.8/10
- StarsMichael JordanPhil JacksonScottie PippenLed by Michael Jordan, the 1990s Chicago Bulls establish themselves as one of the most notable dynasties in sports history.10/10
- StarsPaul SkolnickGil CarrilloFrank SalernoThis limited docu-series tells the true story of how one of the most notorious serial killers in American history was hunted down and brought to justice.8/10
- DirectorTodd Douglas MillerStarsStan AdelsteinLanice ArcherRobert BakkerA documentary about the discovery of the largest Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil ever found.7/10
- StarsPatrick MahomesBrittany MahomesKirk CousinsIt showcases Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota over the course of the 2022 season.8/10
- StarsTiger WoodsPete McDanielSteve WilliamsA look at the life, success and scandals of golf legend Tiger Woods.8/10
- DirectorMorgan NevilleStarsFred RogersMargaret WhitmerTom JunodAn exploration of the life, lessons, and legacy of iconic children's television host Fred Rogers.8/10
- DirectorEzra EdelmanStarsKareem Abdul-JabbarMike AlbaneseMuhammad AliA chronicle of the rise and fall of O.J. Simpson, whose high-profile murder trial exposed the extent of American racial tensions, revealing a fractured and divided nation.9/10
- DirectorNelson GeorgeStarsMichael JacksonRick BakerSteve BarronFollows the making of Michael Jackson's record-breaking album "Thriller".8/10
- DirectorPeter NicksStarsStephen CurryBob McKillopJason RichardsThe coming-of-age story of Stephen Curry, from an undersized basketball player at a small college, to becoming a larger-than-life NBA superstar.8/10
- CreatorSteven LeckartGlen ZipperStarsJune Scobee RodgersWilliam HarwoodJohn ZarrellaFour-part docuseries on the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster, unpacking an indelible moment for a generation of Americans.8/10
- DirectorDon ArgottStarsJason AvantConnor BarwinAngelo CataldiHighlights Jason Kelce's 2022-23 season, which started with him having to make one of the hardest decisions a professional athlete would ever have to make: Is it time to retire yet?8/10
- StarsAnanda LewisHeather Eason LiposkyColin SpeirWoodstock 1969 promised peace and music, but its '99 revival delivered days of rage, riots and real harm. Why did it go so horribly wrong?7/10
- StarsMonica LewinskyKen StarrLucianne GoldbergA series of exclusive interviews and archival footage examining Bill Clinton's political scandal of the 1990s and its lasting influence in the United States.8/10
- DirectorGabriela CowperthwaiteStarsTilikumDave DuffusSamantha BergA documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.8/10
- StarsJoe ExoticCarole BaskinJohn ReinkeA rivalry between big cat eccentrics takes a dark turn when Joe Exotic, a controversial animal park boss, is caught in a murder-for-hire plot.8/10
- CreatorMarty CallnerStarsLiev SchreiberVontaze BurfictJ.J. WattHard Knocks is a reality sports documentary produced by the NFL and HBO. Each season the show follows an NFL team during training camp in preparation for the upcoming season.9/10
- DirectorJason HehirStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerCary ElwesRobin WrightA look at the life and career of professional wrestler André Roussimoff, who gained notoriety in the 1980s as Andre the Giant.8/10
- CreatorJoe BerlingerStarsStephen MichaudBob KeppelKathleen McChesneyA look inside the mind of serial killer Ted Bundy, featuring interviews with him on death row.8/10
- StarsBrian de TagyosShaquille O'NealCharles BarkleyA look at the 30-year history of "Inside the NBA," plus interviews with celebrities, crew members, sports reporters and more who illuminate the show's evolution into a cultural phenomenon.9/10
- DirectorKen RodgersStarsTom SelleckErnie AccorsiBruce AllenIn the spring of 1983, a new generation of superstars was poised to enter the NFL. Six quarterbacks were selected in the first round of that draft - still the most ever. Elway to Marino explores this landmark draft.8/10
- DirectorJason HehirStarsVince VaughnKevin ButlerJim CovertOne of the greatest football teams ever assembled, the 1985 Chicago Bears were a team of big talent, big egos, and big success. This documentary explores that success and the players behind it, as well as the questions surrounding the lack of a repeat performance.10/10
- DirectorGotham ChopraStarsKareem Abdul-JabbarJohn S. BattleLarry BirdDocumentary that goes behind the stats to reveal Kobe Bryant's career, exploring the mentorships, allies and rivalries that have helped shape his stellar 18-year tenure in the NBA, and uncovering his greatest personal challenge yet.8/10
- StarsTommy MaherCarol SovieroChristopher LutzThis limited series is the first-ever elevated look at the strange alchemy of mass murder, 1970s paranormal obsession, and the explosion of the horror film genre that gave rise to The Amityville Horror sensation.7/10
- CreatorKevin BurnsStarsRobert ClotworthyGiorgio A. TsoukalosDavid ChildressScience and mythology - and how they are the same thing.9/10
- DirectorFloyd RussStarsJermaine O'NealStephen JacksonMetta World PeaceA brawl broke out near the end of a game between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2004. Nearly 17 years later, we re-examine that night and all the consequences that came from it.8/10
- DirectorJon WeinbachStarsLeBron JamesDwyane WadeCarmelo AnthonyFollows the story of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball team and how "The Redeem Team" set a new standard for American basketball.8/10
- StarsPaul Thomas AndersonEdgar WrightBrad BirdA look at the history of movies and their impact on our culture.8/10
- 2009– 1h 17mTV-G8.1 (1.7K)TV EpisodeDirectorMichael BonfiglioStarsJames AndrewsDickie AtchisonHal BairdA close look at Bo Jackson, a sports hero of mythical proportions, and how the "Bo Knows" Nike campaign shaped how the world perceived him. Without winning a Super Bowl or World Series, or even having what some consider a "great" career in either sport, Bo will be forever be known as one of the greatest and most famous athletes of all time. This film will look at the marketing of athletes, impossible expectations and the legend of Bo Jackson.8/10
- DirectorLuc JacquetStarsMorgan FreemanRomane BohringerCharles BerlingIn the Antarctic, every March since the beginning of time, the quest begins to find the perfect mate and start a family.8/10
- StarsKevin ArmstrongDan WetzelStephen ZiogasA three-part documentary series examining what led to the murderous fall and shocking death of former NFL superstar Aaron Hernandez.7/10
- DirectorJacob RogalStarsSteve AustinJennifer KirkpatrickJeff WilliamsTraces the story of the man who became WWE's biggest star in the 90s. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's authentic, fiery personality epitomized WWE's "Attitude Era" and transformed him into a pop culture icon. After nearly being paralyzed by a neck injury, Austin made one of the greatest comebacks in WWE history. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.9/10
- DirectorJimmy ChinElizabeth Chai VasarhelyiStarsAlex HonnoldTommy CaldwellJimmy ChinAlex Honnold faces the biggest challenge of his career, climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. He pursues it Free Solo, which means climbing without a rope and alone.8/10
- DirectorAsif KapadiaStarsAmy WinehouseMitch WinehouseMark RonsonArchival footage and personal testimonials present an intimate portrait of the life and career of British singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse.
- DirectorAmy BergStarsNick CaveElaine AndersonSam BrowerWhen Warren Jeffs rose to Prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints, he took control of a religion with a history of polygamous and underage marriage. In a short time, Warren managed to expand these practices and the power of his position in unprecedented ways. He bridged the gap between sister wives and ecclesiastical rape, befuddling the moral compass of his entire congregation. The film examines Warren Jeffs' life and shows how he became a worshiped and adored Prophet. Warren has a devout following numbering in the tens of thousands, many of whom would give their life at any moment with just one word from the Prophet. Despite a trail of abuse and ruined lives, Warren has maintained his grip on power.7/10
- DirectorSkye BorgmanStarsJan BrobergBob BrobergMary Ann BrobergThe twisting, turning, stranger-than-fiction true story of the Brobergs, a naive, church-going Idaho family that fell under the spell of a sociopathic neighbor with designs on their twelve-year-old daughter.7/10
- DirectorSusan LacyStarsSteven SpielbergMartin ScorseseRichard DreyfussA documentary on Steven Spielberg, filmmaker. Includes interviews with relatives, film critics, peers and people who have worked with him.7/10
- DirectorPat KondelisStarsChristian DawkinsSean MillerWill WadeThe true story of basketball insider Christian Dawkins, who hustled the FBI in a scandal that threatened to take down the NCAA.7/10
- StarsJesse BarronEmily BazelonSam BoardmanTeen Michelle Carter's actions shocked a nation - but what really happened behind closed doors? This HBO special showcases the prosecution's point of view and alternately the defense's. Which side do you fall on?7/10
- DirectorRobert AbbottStarsRobert AbbottTerry ClapacsRick DavisThe previously untold, behind-the-scenes story of CNN Producer Robert Abbott's investigation into Bob Knight's Indiana University basketball program. The investigation ultimately led to Bob Knight's firing after 29 years at IU.8/10
- StarsLelia YvettaJens SöringRachel RyanNew insights from various parties come to light that raise questions about Jens Söring's conviction of the 1985 murders of his then-girlfriend's parents.7/10
- DirectorAlex GibneyStarsDavid SangerEmad KiyaeiEric ChienA documentary focused on Stuxnet, a piece of self-replicating computer malware that the U.S. and Israel unleashed to destroy a key part of an Iranian nuclear facility, and which ultimately spread beyond its intended target.7/10
- A documentary series following a group of veteran and civilian volunteers who travel to Syria and Iraq to fight against ISIS alongside local militias.8/10
- 2009– 1h 41mTV-G8.2 (854)TV EpisodeDirectorJim PodhoretzStarsKareem Abdul-JabbarDanny AingeTiny ArchibaldThis entry in ESPN's 30 for 30 series looks at the origins of the rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s that revived - and saved - the NBA.8/10
- DirectorLaura PoitrasStarsEdward SnowdenGlenn GreenwaldWilliam BinneyA documentarian and a reporter travel to Hong Kong for the first of many meetings with Edward Snowden.8/10
- DirectorKen RodgersJason WeberStarsAlan AmecheBrian BillickJim BoyerA look back on one of the most dominating defensive teams in NFL history.8/10
- DirectorWerner HerzogStarsWerner HerzogJean ClottesJulien MonneyWerner Herzog gains exclusive access to film inside the Chauvet caves of Southern France and captures the oldest known pictorial creations of humanity.
- DirectorKen RodgersA look at the tumultuous relationship between coaching legends Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick.8/10
- DirectorWerner HerzogStarsTimothy TreadwellAmie HuguenardWerner HerzogA devastating and heart-rending take on grizzly bear activists Timothy Treadwell and Amie Huguenard, who were killed in October of 2003 while living among grizzly bears in Alaska.
- DirectorRory KarpfStarsRob LoweChristian LaettnerDick VitaleHe made perhaps the most dramatic shot in the history of the NCAA basketball tournament. He's the only player to start in four consecutive Final Fours, and was instrumental in Duke winning two national championships. He had looks, smarts and game. So why has Christian Laettner been disliked so intensely by so many for so long? Maybe it was the time he stomped on the chest of a downed player, or the battles he had with his teammates, or a perceived sense of entitlement. But sometimes, perception isn't reality. "I Hate Christian Laettner" will go beyond the polarizing persona to reveal the complete story behind this lightning rod of college basketball. Featuring extensive access to Laettner, previously unseen footage and perspectives from all sides, this film will be a "gloves-off" examination of the man who has been seen by many as the "Blue Devil Himself."8/10
- DirectorDavid Terry FineStarsTim DonaghyMatt MaltepesYears after serving time for betting on games he officiated, former NBA referee Tim Donaghy revisits the scandal that shook up the league.7/10