Need To Watch - Documentaries
by thomassoutherton | created - 28 Jul 2019 | updated - 12 May 2021 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. The Cove (2009)
PG-13 | 92 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
Using 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.
Director: Louie Psihoyos | Stars: Richard O'Barry, Louie Psihoyos, Hardy Jones, Michael Illiff
Votes: 51,415 | Gross: $0.87M
2. Breaking Point: The War for Democracy in Ukraine (2017)
98 min | Documentary
BREAKING POINT: The War for Democracy in Ukraine looks at people transformed by a democratic revolution, who give up their normal lives to fight a Russian invasion, in a war which has killed 10,000 and displaced 1.9 million Ukrainians.
Directors: Mark Jonathan Harris, Oles Sanin
Votes: 265
3. One More Time with Feeling (2016)
PG | 113 min | Documentary, Music
Explores the creative process of Nick Cave and his band as the singer struggles with an unspoken personal tragedy.
Director: Andrew Dominik | Stars: Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, Jim Sclavunos, Susie Bick
Votes: 5,520
4. White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (2007)
Not Rated | 86 min | Documentary, History
Using extensive interviews with survivors and archival footage, an examination reveals the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Director: Steven Okazaki | Stars: Harold Agnew, Shuntaro Hida, Kiyoko Imori, Morris Jeppson
Votes: 2,321
5. Valley Uprising (2014)
Not Rated | 103 min | Documentary
In the shady campgrounds of Yosemite valley, climbers carved out a counterculture lifestyle of dumpster-diving and wild parties that clashed with the conservative values of the National Park Service.
Directors: Peter Mortimer, Nick Rosen, Josh Lowell | Stars: Peter Sarsgaard, Alex Honnold, Yvon Chouinard, Royal Robbins
Votes: 6,268
6. Active Measures (2018)
PG-13 | 109 min | Documentary
Russian president Vladimir Putin attacks the 2016 American presidential election in collaboration with the Trump campaign.
Director: Jack Bryan | Stars: Vladimir Putin, Jeremy Bash, Nina Burleigh, Alexandra Chalupa
Votes: 7,850 | Gross: $1.22M
7. Wrestle (2018)
96 min | Documentary, Sport
Hoop Dreams goes to the mat in this intimate coming-of-age documentary about four members of a high-school wrestling team at Huntsville's J.O. Johnson High School, a longstanding entry on Alabama's list of failing schools.
Directors: Suzannah Herbert, Lauren Belfer | Stars: Teague Berres, Jaquan Rhodes, Jamario Rowe, Chris Scribner
Votes: 251 | Gross: $0.03M
8. Blackfish (2013)
PG-13 | 83 min | Documentary
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: 72,361 | Gross: $2.07M
9. Requiem for the American Dream (2015)
Not Rated | 73 min | Documentary, Biography, News
Renowned academic and author Noam Chomsky elucidates 10 principles of concentration of wealth and power that have led to unprecedented inequality and the hollowing out of the American middle class.
Directors: Peter D. Hutchison, Kelly Nyks, Jared P. Scott | Stars: Noam Chomsky, Alan Greenspan, Malcolm X, Richard Nixon
Votes: 9,882 | Gross: $0.13M
10. Artifact (2012)
Not Rated | 103 min | Documentary, Music
Telling harsh truths about the modern music business, this riveting and award-winning documentary gives intimate access to singer/actor Jared Leto ("Requiem for a Dream," "Dallas Buyers ... See full summary »
Director: Jared Leto | Stars: Jared Leto, Shannon Leto, Tomo Milicevic, Irving Azoff
Votes: 4,691
11. Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)
R | 87 min | Documentary, Comedy, Crime
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: 68,786 | Gross: $3.29M
12. Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief (2015)
Not Rated | 119 min | Documentary
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: 40,885
13. Icarus (2017)
TV-MA | 120 min | Documentary, Sport
When Bryan sets out to uncover the truth about doping in sports, a chance meeting with a Russian scientist transforms his story from a personal experiment into a geopolitical thriller.
Director: Bryan Fogel | Stars: Bryan Fogel, Dave Zabriskie, Don Catlin, Grigory Rodchenkov
Votes: 54,640
14. Don't Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker (2017)
77 min | Documentary
In 2007, 11 years after one of the most influential American punk bands, Jawbreaker, called it quits the three members reconnected in a San Francisco recording studio. Follow the band as they retell their "rags to riches to rags" story.
Directors: Tim Irwin, Keith Schieron | Stars: Steve Albini, Billy Anderson, Billie Joe Armstrong, Chris Bauermeister
Votes: 205
15. Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982)
R | 77 min | Documentary, Comedy, Musical
The Monty Python troupe perform a combination of classic sketches and new material at the Hollywood Bowl.
Directors: Terry Hughes, Ian MacNaughton | Stars: John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman
Votes: 15,764 | Gross: $0.33M
16. The Black Godfather (2019)
TV-MA | 118 min | Documentary, Biography
Follows the life of Clarence Avant, the ultimate, uncensored mentor and behind-the-scenes rainmaker in music, film, TV and politics.
Director: Reginald Hudlin | Stars: Clarence Avant, Hank Aaron, Gwen Adolph, Dina R. Andrews
Votes: 1,536
17. The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005)
PG-13 | 110 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
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: 10,522 | Gross: $0.33M
18. The Last Waltz (1978)
PG | 117 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A film account and presentation of the final concert of The Band.
Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: Robbie Robertson, Muddy Waters, Neil Young, Van Morrison
Votes: 20,105 | Gross: $0.32M
19. The Aristocrats (2005)
Not Rated | 89 min | Documentary, Comedy
One hundred superstar comedians tell the same very, VERY dirty, filthy joke--one shared privately by comics since Vaudeville.
Directors: Penn Jillette, Paul Provenza | Stars: George Carlin, Don Rickles, Chris Rock, Chris Albrecht
Votes: 17,058 | Gross: $6.38M
20. Becoming Warren Buffett (2017)
TV-PG | 90 min | Documentary, Biography
The legendary investor started out as an ambitious, numbers-obsessed boy from Nebraska and ended up becoming one of the richest and most respected men in the world.
Director: Peter W. Kunhardt | Stars: Kenan Akansel, Saul Bisht, Susie Buffet Jr., Bertie Buffet
Votes: 5,357
21. The Filth and the Fury (2000)
R | 108 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A film about the career of the notorious punk rock band, the Sex Pistols.
Director: Julien Temple | Stars: Paul Cook, Steve Jones, John Lydon, Glen Matlock
Votes: 6,203 | Gross: $0.61M
22. Belushi (2020)
TV-MA | 108 min | Documentary, Biography
Using previously unheard audiotapes recorded shortly after John Belushi's death, director R.J. Cutler's documentary examines the too-short life of once-in-a-generation talent who captured the hearts and funny bones of devoted audiences.
Director: R.J. Cutler | Stars: John Belushi, Tanner Colby, Tom Schiller, Harold Ramis
Votes: 2,753
23. Inside Bill's Brain: Decoding Bill Gates (2019)
TV-14 | 52 min | Documentary, Biography
A documentary that tells Bill Gates' life story as he pursues solutions to some of the world's most complex problems.
Stars: Bill Gates, Alex Bueermann, Davin Orness
Votes: 11,670
24.
American Masters (1985– )
Episode:
Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool
(2019)
Not Rated | 114 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Musicians, scholars, family and friends reflect on the life of jazzer Miles Davis to reveal the man behind the legend. Full access to Davis' estate provides rare footage and photos, outtakes from recording sessions and new interviews.
Director: Stanley Nelson | Stars: Carl Lumbly, Miles Davis, Reginald Petty, Quincy Troupe
Votes: 3,283 | Gross: $0.19M
25. Crip Camp (2020)
R | 106 min | Documentary, History
Down the road from Woodstock, a revolution blossomed at a ramshackle summer camp for teenagers with disabilities, transforming their lives and igniting a landmark movement.
Directors: James Lebrecht, Nicole Newnham | Stars: James Lebrecht, Lionel Je'Woodyard, Joseph O'Conor, Ann Cupolo Freeman
Votes: 8,222
26. The Wrecking Crew! (2008)
PG | 101 min | Documentary, History, Music
A celebration of the musical work of a group of session musicians known as "The Wrecking Crew", a band that provided back-up instrumentals to such legendary recording artists as Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys and Bing Crosby.
Director: Denny Tedesco | Stars: Brian Wilson, Dick Clark, Cher, Herb Alpert
Votes: 3,667 | Gross: $0.80M
27. Challenger: The Final Flight (2020)
TV-14 | 45 min | Documentary, History
Four-part docuseries on the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster, unpacking an indelible moment for a generation of Americans.
Stars: June Scobee Rodgers, William Harwood, John Zarrella, Frederick D. Gregory
Votes: 7,919
28. The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (2019)
TV-14 | 119 min | Documentary, Crime
The story of Theranos, a multi-billion dollar tech company, its founder Elizabeth Holmes, the youngest self-made female billionaire, and the massive fraud that collapsed the company.
Director: Alex Gibney | Stars: Alex Gibney, Elizabeth Holmes, Dan Ariely, Roger Parloff
Votes: 15,183
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