Face-Off: Blockbuster Documentaries
by rubyfruit76 | created - 27 Apr 2019 | updated - 13 May 2019 | PublicAccording to Business Insider, 2018 was one of the best years ever for documentaries, with four films leading the way: the movies below are among the highest grossing documentaries ever, as well as being four of the best-reviewed films of the year. Which of the following "blockbuster documentaries" is your favorite? If you haven't seen any, which one are you most interested in seeing?
Document your thoughts here.
Sources of the facts and figures below: Business Insider, Box Office Mojo, MetaCritic, and IMDb. Box Office figures are from early May, 2019.
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1. Free Solo (2018)
PG-13 | 100 min | Documentary, Adventure, Sport
Alex 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.
Directors: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi | Stars: Alex Honnold, Tommy Caldwell, Jimmy Chin, Cheyne Lempe
Votes: 77,470 | Gross: $17.54M
Domestic Box Office: $17,541,090
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
MetaCritic Score: 83
Winner: Best Documentary, The Academy Awards (2019)
Where you can see it: It is available, for free for a limited time, on many cable companies' On Demand services. Other On Demand services have it for a fee.
It is also available on Amazon Prime, Hulu, Vudu, Google Play, and You Tube.
It is still in theaters, as well, in some countries.
2. RBG (2018)
PG | 98 min | Documentary, Biography
The exceptional life and career of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who has developed a breathtaking legal legacy while becoming an unexpected pop culture icon.
Directors: Julie Cohen, Betsy West | Stars: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Ann Kittner, Harryette Helsel, Nina Totenberg
Votes: 15,068 | Gross: $14.02M
Domestic Box Office: $14,017,361
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
MetaCritic Score: 71
Nominee: Best Documentary, The Academy Awards (2019)
Where you can see it: Amazon Prime, Hulu, and on several On Demand services.
3. Three Identical Strangers (2018)
PG-13 | 96 min | Documentary, Biography, Drama
In 1980 New York, three young men who were all adopted meet each other and find out they're triplets who were separated at birth. But their quest to find out why turns into a bizarre and sinister mystery.
Director: Tim Wardle | Stars: Robert Shafran, Michael Domnitz, Howard Schneider, Ellen Cervone
Votes: 39,833 | Gross: $12.32M
Domestic Box Office: $12,320,845
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
MetaCritic Score: 81
Nominee: Best Documentary, BAFTA (2019)
Where you can see it: Amazon Prime, Hulu, Vudu, Google Play, You Tube, and on several On Demand services.
4. Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
PG-13 | 95 min | Documentary, Biography, History
An exploration of the life, lessons, and legacy of iconic children's television host Fred Rogers.
Director: Morgan Neville | Stars: Fred Rogers, Margaret Whitmer, Tom Junod, Joanne Rogers
Votes: 27,124 | Gross: $22.84M
Domestic Box Office: $22,835,787
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%
MetaCritic Score: 85
Winner: Critics' Choice Awards, Best Documentary (2018)
Where you can see it: HBO, Amazon Prime, Vudu, Google Play, You Tube, and on some On Demand services.
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