Documentaries

by ryanbaker3 | created - 07 Mar 2016 | updated - 28 Feb 2022 | Public

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1. 1971 (2014)

Unrated | 79 min | Documentary, History, Thriller

73 Metascore

The story of a notorious 1971 activist burglary of an FBI office that led to the Bureau's numerous abuses against dissidents being exposed.

Director: Johanna Hamilton | Stars: Bonnie Raines, John Raines, Bob Williamson, Keith Forsyth

Votes: 915

2. American: The Bill Hicks Story (2009)

Not Rated | 102 min | Documentary, Animation, Biography

55 Metascore

Photo-animated feature documentary, uniquely narrated by the 10 people who knew Bill best.

Directors: Matt Harlock, Paul Thomas | Stars: Bill Hicks, Dwight Slade, Mary Hicks, Steve Hicks

Votes: 5,007 | Gross: $0.09M

3. American Masters (1985– )
Episode: No Direction Home: Bob Dylan (2005)

Not Rated | 208 min | Documentary, Biography, History

A chronicle of Bob Dylan's strange evolution between 1961 and 1966 from folk singer to protest singer to "voice of a generation" to rock star.

Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: Bob Dylan, B.J. Rolfzen, Dick Kangas, Liam Clancy

Votes: 12,111

4. Amy (III) (2015)

R | 128 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

85 Metascore

Archival footage and personal testimonials present an intimate portrait of the life and career of British singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse.

Director: Asif Kapadia | Stars: Amy Winehouse, Mitch Winehouse, Mark Ronson, Russell Brand

Votes: 55,137 | Gross: $8.41M

5. Ashes and Snow (2005)

62 min | Documentary, Drama

Exploring the shared language and poetic sensibilities of all animals.

Director: Gregory Colbert | Stars: Patrick Disanto, Laurence Fishburne, Jeanne Moreau, Enrique Rocha

Votes: 4,397

6. Baraka (1992)

Not Rated | 96 min | Documentary

A collection of expertly photographed scenes of human life and religion.

Director: Ron Fricke | Star: Patrick Disanto

Votes: 41,002 | Gross: $1.33M

7. Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest (2011)

R | 97 min | Documentary, Music

76 Metascore

Michael Rapaport documents the inner workings and behind the scenes drama that follows this innovative and influential band to this day.

Director: Michael Rapaport | Stars: Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Jarobi White

Votes: 4,077 | Gross: $1.20M

8. Blackfish (2013)

PG-13 | 83 min | Documentary

83 Metascore

A documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.

Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite | Stars: Tilikum, Dave Duffus, Samantha Berg, Dean Gomersall

Votes: 72,493 | Gross: $2.07M

9. Don't Look Back (1967)

Not Rated | 96 min | Documentary, Music

84 Metascore

Documentary covering Bob Dylan's 1965 tour of England, which includes appearances by Joan Baez and Donovan.

Director: D.A. Pennebaker | Stars: Bob Dylan, Albert Grossman, Bob Neuwirth, Joan Baez

Votes: 10,016

10. Citizenfour (2014)

R | 114 min | Documentary, Biography

88 Metascore

A documentarian and a reporter travel to Hong Kong for the first of many meetings with Edward Snowden.

Director: Laura Poitras | Stars: Edward Snowden, Glenn Greenwald, William Binney, Jacob Appelbaum

Votes: 57,999 | Gross: $2.80M

11. Cocksucker Blues (1972)

93 min | Documentary, Music

Follow the Rolling Stones on their 1972 North American Tour and their first return to the States since the tragedy at Altamont.

Director: Robert Frank | Stars: Truman Capote, Dick Cavett, Marshall Chess, Chris Collins

Votes: 875

12. Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014)

TV-PG | 43 min | Documentary

An exploration of our discovery of the laws of nature and coordinates in space and time.

Stars: Neil deGrasse Tyson, Christopher Emerson, Keythe Farley, Piotr Michael

Votes: 128,827

13. Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (2014)

Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary

Follow the shocking, yet humorous, journey of an aspiring environmentalist, as he daringly seeks to find the real solution to the most pressing environmental issues and true path to sustainability.

Directors: Kip Andersen, Keegan Kuhn | Stars: Bruce Hamilton, Kip Andersen, Al Gore, Heather Cooley

Votes: 26,592

14. Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005)

R | 103 min | Documentary, Comedy, Music

84 Metascore

A mix of Dave Chappelle's sketch comedy and musical interludes, inspired in part by the 1973 documentary Wattstax.

Director: Michel Gondry | Stars: Dave Chappelle, Yasiin Bey, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu

Votes: 9,627 | Gross: $11.72M

15. DMT: The Spirit Molecule (2010)

Not Rated | 75 min | Documentary

An investigation into the long-obscured mystery of dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a molecule found in nearly every living organism and considered the most potent psychedelic on Earth.

Director: Mitch Schultz | Stars: Joe Rogan, Ralph Abraham, Joel Bakst, Steven Barker

Votes: 4,855

16. Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001)

PG-13 | 91 min | Documentary, Sport

76 Metascore

Documentary about the pioneering 1970s Zephyr skating team.

Director: Stacy Peralta | Stars: Sean Penn, Jay Adams, Tony Alva, Jeff Ament

Votes: 13,362 | Gross: $1.29M

17. Dying to Know: Ram Dass & Timothy Leary (2014)

95 min | Documentary, Biography, History

69 Metascore

Dying to Know is an intimate portrait celebrating two very complex controversial characters in an epic friendship that shaped a generation. In the early 1960s Harvard psychology professors ... See full summary »

Director: Gay Dillingham | Stars: John Perry Barlow, Dean Chamberlain, Ram Dass, Peggy Mellon Hitchcock

Votes: 489

18. Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)

R | 87 min | Documentary, Comedy, Crime

85 Metascore

Following the style of some of the world's most prolific street artists, an amateur filmmaker makes a foray into the art world.

Director: Banksy | Stars: Banksy, Mr. Brainwash, Space Invader, Debora Guetta

Votes: 68,839 | Gross: $3.29M

19. F for Fake (1973)

PG | 89 min | Documentary

87 Metascore

A documentary about fraud and fakery.

Directors: Orson Welles, Gary Graver, Oja Kodar, François Reichenbach | Stars: Orson Welles, Oja Kodar, François Reichenbach, Elmyr de Hory

Votes: 18,310

20. Food, Inc. (2008)

PG | 94 min | Documentary, News

80 Metascore

An unflattering look inside America's corporate controlled food industry.

Director: Robert Kenner | Stars: Michael Pollan, Eric Schlosser, Richard Lobb, Vince Edwards

Votes: 52,232 | Gross: $4.42M

21. George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2011)

Not Rated | 208 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

Filmmaker Martin Scorsese examines the life of musician George Harrison, weaving together interviews, concert footage, home movies and photographs.

Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: George Harrison, Harry Harrison, Peter Harrison, Paul McCartney

Votes: 12,633

22. Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief (2015)

Not Rated | 119 min | Documentary

80 Metascore

A documentary looking at the inner-workings of the Church of Scientology.

Director: Alex Gibney | Stars: Paul Haggis, Jason Beghe, Spanky Taylor, David Miscavige

Votes: 40,923

23. Gonzo (2008)

R | 120 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

73 Metascore

A portrait of the late gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson.

Director: Alex Gibney | Stars: Hunter S. Thompson, Johnny Depp, Joe Cairo, David Carlo

Votes: 8,506 | Gross: $1.25M

24. Inner Worlds, Outer Worlds (2012)

Not Rated | 122 min | Documentary, History

There is one vibratory field that connects all things. It has been called Akasha, Logos, the primordial OM, the music of the spheres, the Higgs field, dark energy, and a thousand other names throughout history.

Director: Daniel Schmidt | Star: Patrick Sweeney

Votes: 2,313

25. Inside Job (2010)

PG-13 | 109 min | Documentary, Crime

88 Metascore

Takes a closer look at what brought about the 2008 financial meltdown.

Director: Charles Ferguson | Stars: Matt Damon, Gylfi Zoega, Andri Snær Magnason, Sigridur Benediktsdottir

Votes: 79,004 | Gross: $4.31M

26. Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond (2017)

TV-MA | 94 min | Documentary

77 Metascore

A behind-the-scenes look at how Jim Carrey adopted the persona of idiosyncratic comedian Andy Kaufman on the set of Man on the Moon (1999).

Director: Chris Smith | Stars: Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Milos Forman, Peter Bonerz

Votes: 27,993

27. Kymatica (2009)

Not Rated | 84 min | Documentary

We may be quick to blame secret organizations, corporations and corrupt politicians for the state of the environment. The harsh truth is that the world is in its current state because humanity is evolving and taking the world with it.

Director: Benjamin Stewart | Stars: Bruce Lipton, Henrik Palmgren, Benjamin Stewart

Votes: 636

28. Loose Change 9/11: An American Coup (2009 Video)

Unrated | 99 min | Documentary, History, War

An exploration of the viewpoint that the September 11, 2001 attacks were planned by the United States government.

Director: Dylan Avery | Stars: Osama bin Laden, Johnelle Bryant, George W. Bush, Laura Bush

Votes: 3,737

29. Magic Trip: Ken Kesey's Search for a Kool Place (2011)

R | 107 min | Documentary

59 Metascore

A freewheeling portrait of Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters' fabled road trip across America.

Directors: Alison Ellwood, Alex Gibney | Stars: Stanley Tucci, Ken Kesey, Timothy Leary, Jim Meskimen

Votes: 1,674 | Gross: $0.15M

30. Manson (1973)

R | 83 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime

Documentary on Charles Manson and his family. Has a number of insightful interviews with many family members most notably Squeaky and Sandy (Blue and Red). There is also a history of Manson... See full summary »

Directors: Robert Hendrickson, Laurence Merrick | Stars: Bobby Beausoleil, Mary Brunner, Vincent Bugliosi, Bruce Davis

Votes: 1,118

31. Marley (2012)

PG-13 | 144 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

82 Metascore

A documentary on the life, music, and legacy of Bob Marley.

Director: Kevin Macdonald | Stars: Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley, Rita Marley, Jimmy Cliff

Votes: 14,504 | Gross: $1.41M

32. Musique au poing (1982)

Not Rated | 54 min | Documentary, Music

FELA KUTIis to African music what Bob Marley is to reggae: its prophet. All contemporary forms of black music, from funk to electronic, owe something to the irresistible groove of the ... See full summary »

Directors: Jean-Jacques Flori, Stéphane Tchalgadjieff | Stars: Fela Kuti, Martin Luther King, Pope John Paul II

Votes: 227

33. Neurons to Nirvana (2013)

85 min | Documentary, History, News

A stylish, in depth look at the renaissance in psychedelic drug research in light of current scientific, medical and cultural knowledge.

Director: Oliver Hockenhull | Stars: Lesley Ewen, Dennis J. McKenna, David Healy, David E. Nichols

Votes: 1,310

34. Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton: This Is Stones Throw Records (2013)

94 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton is a feature-length documentary about avant-garde Los Angeles-based record label Stones Throw Records. The film weaves together rare concert footage, never-before-see... See full summary »

Director: Jeff Broadway | Stars: Peanut Butter Wolf, Talib Kweli, A-Trak, Marvin Jones III

Votes: 863

35. Quest for the Lost Civilization (1998)

151 min | Documentary, History, Mystery

Graham Hancock is a bestselling author and journalist who specializes in ancient civilizations. He explores, amongst other things, the submerged Yonaguni monument off the coast of Japan, Easter Island, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the pyramids of Egypt and looks at astronomical alignments.

Stars: Graham Hancock, Santha Faiia, John Anthony West, Robert Schoch

Votes: 265

36. Reggae: The Story of Jamaican Music (2002– )

180 min | Documentary, Music

Traces the story of how Caribbean island conquered the world through its music. With interviews and commentary from reggae legends as well as people on the ground, Lloyd Bradley takes up ... See full summary »

Stars: Byron Lee, Ranking Miss P., Rita Marley, Jimmy Cliff

Votes: 61

37. Religulous (2008)

R | 101 min | Documentary, Comedy, War

56 Metascore

Bill Maher's take on the current state of world religion.

Director: Larry Charles | Stars: Bill Maher, Tal Bachman, Jonathan Boulden, Steven Burg

Votes: 60,252 | Gross: $13.00M

38. Samsara (I) (2011)

PG-13 | 102 min | Documentary, Music

65 Metascore

Filmed over nearly five years in twenty-five countries on five continents, and shot on seventy-millimetre film, Samsara transports us to the varied worlds of sacred grounds, disaster zones, industrial complexes, and natural wonders.

Director: Ron Fricke | Stars: Balinese Tari Legong Dancers, Ni Made Megahadi Pratiwi, Puti Sri Candra Dewi, Putu Dinda Pratika

Votes: 38,066 | Gross: $2.67M

39. Searching for Sugar Man (2012)

PG-13 | 86 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

79 Metascore

Two South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock n roller, Rodriguez.

Director: Malik Bendjelloul | Stars: Rodriguez, Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman, Dennis Coffey, Mike Theodore

Votes: 72,933 | Gross: $3.97M

40. Stepping Into the Fire (2011)

Not Rated | 68 min | Documentary, Adventure, Biography

This documentary is about successful man living an unfulfilling life and his road towards truth and happiness. It provides insight into ancient shamanic practices and commentary on human spirituality and wellness

Directors: Ouroboros, Ross Evison, Roberto Velez

Votes: 163

41. The Act of Killing (2012)

Not Rated | 117 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime

92 Metascore

A documentary which challenges former Indonesian death-squad leaders to reenact their mass-killings in whichever cinematic genres they wish, including classic Hollywood crime scenarios and lavish musical numbers.

Directors: Joshua Oppenheimer, Anonymous, Christine Cynn | Stars: Anwar Congo, Herman Koto, Syamsul Arifin, Ibrahim Sinik

Votes: 40,833 | Gross: $0.49M

42. The Beatles Anthology (1995–1996)

TV-14 | 67 min | Documentary, Music

An autobiographical documentary of the greatest of the rock bands.

Stars: Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, George Martin

Votes: 9,433

43. The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (2015)

Not Rated | 115 min | Documentary, History

79 Metascore

This documentary tells the rise and fall of the Black Panther Party, one of the 20th century's most alluring and controversial organizations that captivated the world's attention for nearly 50 years.

Director: Stanley Nelson | Stars: Blair Anderson, Omar Barbour, Julian Bond, Elaine Brown

Votes: 2,145 | Gross: $0.48M

44. The Class of '92 (2013)

Not Rated | 99 min | Documentary, Sport

The story of six young footballers joining the Manchester United Football Club team in 1992 and the difference they made 1992-99.

Directors: Ben Turner, Gabe Turner | Stars: David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville

Votes: 8,804

45. The Corporation (2003)

Not Rated | 145 min | Documentary, History

73 Metascore

Documentary that looks at the concept of the corporation throughout recent history up to its present-day dominance.

Directors: Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott | Stars: Mikela Jay, Rob Beckwermert, Christopher Gora, Nina Jones

Votes: 21,787 | Gross: $1.88M

46. The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005)

PG-13 | 110 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

77 Metascore

Daniel Johnston, manic-depressive genius singer/songwriter/artist is revealed in this portrait of madness, creativity and love.

Director: Jeff Feuerzeig | Stars: Daniel Johnston, Mabel Johnston, Bill Johnston, Laurie Allen

Votes: 10,538 | Gross: $0.33M

47. When You're Strange (2009)

R | 86 min | Documentary, Music

55 Metascore

A look at the late '60s and early '70s rock band The Doors, including rare exclusive footage.

Director: Tom DiCillo | Stars: Johnny Depp, John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek

Votes: 10,276 | Gross: $0.24M

48. The Pervert's Guide to Cinema (2006)

150 min | Documentary

Slavoj Zizek examines famous films in a philosophical and a psychoanalytic context.

Director: Sophie Fiennes | Star: Slavoj Zizek

Votes: 7,342

49. The Pervert's Guide to Ideology (2012)

Not Rated | 136 min | Documentary

71 Metascore

Philosopher Slavoj Zizek examines the hidden themes and existential questions asked by world renowned films.

Director: Sophie Fiennes | Star: Slavoj Zizek

Votes: 7,531 | Gross: $0.07M

50. The Union: The Business Behind Getting High (2007)

104 min | Documentary

BC's illegal marijuana trade industry has evolved into a business giant, dubbed by some involved as 'The Union', Commanding upwards of $7 billion Canadian annually. With up to 85% of 'BC ... See full summary »

Director: Brett Harvey | Stars: Adam Scorgie, Chris Bennett, Steve Bloom, Renee Bojee

Votes: 7,833

51. Thrive: What on Earth Will It Take? (2011)

Unrated | 132 min | Documentary

Propaganda film that smashes together pretty much every modern conspiracy theory in the books, including free energy suppression, UFO landings, New World Order, vaccine hysteria, 9/11 ... See full summary »

Directors: Steve Gagné, Kimberly Carter Gamble | Stars: Foster Gamble, Duane Elgin, Nassim Haramein, Steven M. Greer

Votes: 2,911

52. Woodstock (1970)

R | 184 min | Documentary, History, Music

95 Metascore

Oscar-winning musical chronicle that brilliantly captures the three-day rock concert and celebration of peace and love that became a capstone for the Sixties.

Director: Michael Wadleigh | Stars: Joan Baez, Richie Havens, Roger Daltrey, Joe Cocker

Votes: 18,473 | Gross: $50.00M

53. Zeitgeist (2007 Video)

Not Rated | 118 min | Documentary, History

Mythology and belief in society today, presenting uncommon perspectives of common cultural issues.

Director: Peter Joseph | Stars: Chogyam Trungpa, Jordan Maxwell, George Carlin, Bill Hicks

Votes: 50,375

54. They Shall Not Grow Old (II) (2018)

R | 99 min | Documentary, History, War

91 Metascore

A documentary about World War I with never-before-seen footage to commemorate the centennial of the end of the war.

Director: Peter Jackson | Stars: Thomas Adlam, William Argent, John Ashby, Attwood

Votes: 38,479 | Gross: $17.96M

55. Struggle: The Life and Lost Art of Szukalski (2018)

TV-MA | 115 min | Documentary, Biography

This documentary chronicles the life of Polish-American artist Stanislav Szukalski (1893-1987) from his early years in Chicago, to his time in Poland and Los Angeles, and his artistic and political contributions to the world.

Director: Ireneusz Dobrowolski | Stars: Stanislav Szukalski, Glenn Bray, Robert Williams, Suzanne Williams

Votes: 4,639

56. Don't Think I've Forgotten: Cambodia's Lost Rock and Roll (2014)

Unrated | 105 min | Documentary, Music

79 Metascore

Through the eyes, words, and songs of its popular music stars of the 50s, 60s, and 70s, 'Don't Think I've Forgotten: Cambodia's Lost Rock & Roll' examines and unravels Cambodia's tragic ... See full summary »

Director: John Pirozzi | Stars: Norodom Sirivudh, Norodom Sihanouk, Sisowath Kossamak, Samley Hong

Votes: 426 | Gross: $0.12M

57. Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love (2019)

R | 102 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

69 Metascore

An in-depth look at the relationship between the late musician Leonard Cohen and his Norwegian muse Marianne Ihlen.

Director: Nick Broomfield | Stars: Nick Broomfield, Leonard Cohen, Marianne Ihlen, Axel Joachim Jensen

Votes: 2,211 | Gross: $1.01M

58. Journeys to the Edge of Consciousness (2019)

87 min | Documentary, Animation, Adventure

Explore three psychedelic trips by three world-famous authors that together changed them, and Western culture, forever. Let go and be taken on an animated journey into the depths of the ... See full summary »

Director: Rob Harper | Stars: Rick Doblin, Amanda Feilding, Graham Hancock, Holly Harman

Votes: 161

59. Crumb (1994)

R | 119 min | Documentary, Biography, Comedy

93 Metascore

An intimate portrait of controversial cartoonist Robert Crumb and his traumatized family.

Director: Terry Zwigoff | Stars: Robert Crumb, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Charles Crumb, Maxon Crumb

Votes: 21,605 | Gross: $3.17M



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