Documentaries Through All Times
by malounature | created - 04 May 2020 | updated - 1 month ago | Public- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. Mission Blue (2014)
95 min | Documentary, Drama
Feature documentary about legendary oceanographer, marine biologist, environmentalist, and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Sylvia Earle and her campaign to create a global network of protected marine sanctuaries.
Directors: Robert Nixon, Fisher Stevens | Stars: Barbara Block, James Cameron, Michael deGruy, Sylvia Earle
Votes: 2,146
2. The Blue Planet (2001)
TV-G | 49 min | Documentary
Mammoth series, five years in the making, taking a look at the rich tapestry of life in the world's oceans.
Stars: David Attenborough, Pierce Brosnan, Peter Scoones
Votes: 42,680
3. Blue Planet II (2017)
TV-G | 52 min | Documentary
David Attenborough returns to the world's oceans in this sequel to the acclaimed documentary filming rare and unusual creatures of the deep, as well as documenting the problems our oceans face.
Stars: David Attenborough, Peter Drost, Roger Munns, Roger Horrocks
Votes: 46,422
4. Planet Earth (2006)
TV-PG | 49 min | Documentary, Family
A documentary series on the wildlife found on Earth. Each episode covers a different habitat: deserts, mountains, deep oceans, shallow seas, forests, caves, polar regions, fresh water, plains and jungles. Narrated by David Attenborough.
Stars: Sigourney Weaver, David Attenborough, Nikolay Drozdov, Thomas Anguti Johnston
Votes: 220,108
5. Planet Earth II (2016)
TV-G | 50 min | Documentary
David Attenborough returns with a new wildlife documentary that shows life in a variety of habitats.
Stars: David Attenborough, Chadden Hunter, Gordon Buchanan, Elizabeth White
Votes: 158,058
6. Secrets of Our Living Planet (2012– )
Documentary
Stunning high-quality photage following organisms at multiple levels of the food-chain, showing the intricate interconnectedness of life in various ecosystems.
Stars: Chris Packham, Dominic Frisby
Votes: 86
7. Before the Flood (2016)
PG | 96 min | Documentary, News
A look at how climate change affects our environment and what society can do to prevent the demise of endangered species, ecosystems and native communities across the planet.
Director: Fisher Stevens | Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ban Ki-moon, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Mike Brune
Votes: 28,861
8. 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: 26,572
9. 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: 4,852
10. La Vie En Rose (2007)
PG-13 | 140 min | Biography, Drama, Music
Biopic of the iconic French singer Édith Piaf. Raised by her grandmother in a brothel, she was discovered while singing on a street corner at the age of 19. Despite her success, Piaf's life was filled with tragedy.
Director: Olivier Dahan | Stars: Marion Cotillard, Sylvie Testud, Pascal Greggory, Emmanuelle Seigner
Votes: 90,726 | Gross: $10.30M
11. Garbage Warrior (2007)
86 min | Documentary
Garbage Warrior" tells the epic story of maverick architect Michael Reynolds, his crew of renegade house builders from New Mexico and their fight to introduce radically different ways of living.
Director: Oliver Hodge | Stars: Michael Reynolds, Chris Reynolds, Shauna Malloy, Dave DiCicco
Votes: 795
12. Gandhi (1982)
PG | 191 min | Biography, Drama, History
The life of the lawyer who became the famed leader of the Indian revolts against the British rule through his philosophy of nonviolent protest.
Director: Richard Attenborough | Stars: Ben Kingsley, John Gielgud, Rohini Hattangadi, Roshan Seth
Votes: 240,169 | Gross: $52.77M
13. How to Change the World (2015)
Not Rated | 110 min | Documentary, Adventure, Biography
In 1971, a group of friends sail into a nuclear test zone, and their protest captures the world's imagination. Using never before seen archive that brings their extraordinary world to life,... See full summary »
Director: Jerry Rothwell | Stars: Robert Hunter, Patrick Moore, Paul Watson, Rex Weyler
Votes: 1,299
14. How to Grow a Planet (2012– )
Not Rated | 60 min | Documentary
Geologist Ian Stewart explain in three stages of natural history the crucial interaction of our very planet's physiology and its unique wildlife. Biological evolution is largely driven bu ... See full summary »
Stars: Iain Stewart, Jim Spickler, Jill Pruetz, Klaus Schmidt
Votes: 548
15. 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: 2,306
16. Janis: Little Girl Blue (2015)
TV-MA | 103 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Musician Cat Power narrates this documentary on Janis Joplin's evolution into a star from letters that Joplin wrote over the years to her friends, family, and collaborators.
Director: Amy Berg | Stars: Cat Power, Janis Joplin, Karleen Bennett, Laura Joplin
Votes: 5,642 | Gross: $0.41M
17. Hear That Train a Comin' (2006 TV Movie)
48 min | History
Director: William Kelly | Star: Ray Dilley
Votes: 5
18. The Doors (1991)
R | 140 min | Biography, Drama, Music
The story of the famous and influential 1960s rock band The Doors and its lead singer and composer, Jim Morrison, from his days as a UCLA film student in Los Angeles, to his untimely death in Paris, France at age 27 in 1971.
Director: Oliver Stone | Stars: Val Kilmer, Meg Ryan, Kyle MacLachlan, Frank Whaley
Votes: 99,034 | Gross: $35.18M
19. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
PG | 81 min | Documentary
A documentary on 85-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono, his renowned Tokyo restaurant, and his relationship with his son and eventual heir, Yoshikazu.
Director: David Gelb | Stars: Jiro Ono, Yoshikazu Ono, Masuhiro Yamamoto, Daisuke Nakazama
Votes: 38,001 | Gross: $2.55M
20. Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things (2015)
Not Rated | 78 min | Documentary
How might your life be better with less?
Director: Matt D'Avella | Stars: Dan Harris, Ryan Nicodemus, Rick Hanson, Jesse Jacobs
Votes: 16,720
22. Fantastic Fungi (2019)
Not Rated | 81 min | Documentary
Fantastic Fungi is a descriptive time-lapse journey about the magical, mysterious and medicinal world of fungi and their power to heal, sustain and contribute to the regeneration of life on Earth that began 3.5 billion years ago.
Director: Louie Schwartzberg | Stars: Brie Larson, Andrew Weil, Giuliana Furci, Paul Stamets
Votes: 11,532
23. Rivers and Tides (2001)
TV-G | 90 min | Documentary
Portrait of Andy Goldsworthy, an artist whose specialty is ephemeral sculptures made from elements of nature.
Director: Thomas Riedelsheimer | Stars: Andy Goldsworthy, Anna Goldsworthy, Holly Goldsworthy, James Goldsworthy
Votes: 2,472
24. Sumé: The Sound of a Revolution (2014)
74 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A successful rock band from Greenland? Yes, it's not a lie. In 1973, the Greenlandic Sumé released a debut album, which record time made it to all the households on the icy island. But ... See full summary »
Director: Inuk Silis Hoegh | Stars: Erno Aronsen, Per Berthelsen, Hjalmar Dahl, Per Danker
Votes: 99
25. The Salt of the Earth (2014)
PG-13 | 110 min | Documentary, Biography, History
The life and work of photographer Sebastião Salgado, who has spent forty years documenting societies in hidden corners of the world.
Directors: Juliano Ribeiro Salgado, Wim Wenders | Stars: Sebastião Salgado, Wim Wenders, Lélia Wanick Salgado, Juliano Ribeiro Salgado
Votes: 23,441 | Gross: $1.34M
26. The White Planet (2006)
86 min | Documentary
The Arctic's changing seasons and the impact on the region's flora and fauna is studied in this nature documentary.
Directors: Jean Lemire, Thierry Piantanida, Thierry Ragobert | Star: Jean-Louis Étienne
Votes: 538
27. Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him?) (2010)
Not Rated | 116 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
The life and work of the enigmatic folk rock singer-songwriter.
Director: John Scheinfeld | Stars: Gerry Beckley, Lee Blackman, Perry Botkin Jr., Ray Cooper
Votes: 1,869 | Gross: $0.03M
28. Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus (2017–2018)
TV-MA | 30 min | Documentary, Animation, Biography
The raucous adventures of musicians such as Johnny Paycheck, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Jones and Tammy Wynette, as told by those who knew them best. Season 2 covers the legends of funk.
Stars: Mike Judge, Kinky Friedman, Shooter Jennings, Don Adams
Votes: 1,485
29. Hamilton's Pharmacopeia (2011– )
TV-MA | 60 min | Documentary
Join an incredible journey through the history, chemistry and societal impacts of the world's most extraordinary drugs.
Stars: Hamilton Morris, Jason Wallach, Timothy Wyllie, Steve-O
Votes: 1,433
30. When You're Strange (2009)
R | 86 min | Documentary, Music
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: 10,274 | Gross: $0.24M
31. Winged Migration (2001)
G | 89 min | Documentary
Documentary on the migratory patterns of birds, shot over the course of three years on all seven continents.
Directors: Jacques Perrin, Jacques Cluzaud, Michel Debats | Stars: Jacques Perrin, Philippe Labro
Votes: 12,367 | Gross: $10.76M
32. Chasing Ice (2012)
PG-13 | 75 min | Documentary, Biography
Follow National Geographic photographer James Balog across the Arctic as he deploys time-lapse cameras designed for one purpose: to capture a multi-year record of the world's changing glaciers.
Director: Jeff Orlowski-Yang | Stars: James Balog, Svavar Jónatansson, Louie Psihoyos, Kitty Boone
Votes: 8,863 | Gross: $1.33M
33. The Story of Plastic (2019)
95 min | Documentary
We only know the end of the story...and that's just the beginning.
Director: Deia Schlosberg | Stars: Delphine Levi Alvares, Yvette Arellano, Prigi Arisandi, Anika Ballent
Votes: 396
34. Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
G | 105 min | Documentary, Music
Aging Cuban musicians whose talents had been virtually forgotten following Castro's takeover of Cuba, are brought out of retirement by Ry Cooder, who travelled to Havana in order to bring the musicians together, resulting in triumphant performances of extraordinary music, and resurrecting the musicians' careers.
Director: Wim Wenders | Stars: Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González, Octavio Calderon
Votes: 20,518 | Gross: $7.00M
35. Frozen Planet (2011–2012)
TV-PG | 33 min | Documentary
Focuses on life and the environment in both the Arctic and Antarctic.
Stars: David Attenborough, Alec Baldwin, Chadden Hunter, Michael Kelem
Votes: 32,968
36. Samsara (I) (2011)
PG-13 | 102 min | Documentary, Music
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: 38,025 | Gross: $2.67M
37. Seasons (2015)
PG | 96 min | Documentary, History
Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud return to the lush green forests, when the ice retreated, and the cycle of seasons was established. SEASONS is the awe-inspiring tale of the long shared history that binds humankind and nature.
Directors: Jacques Perrin, Alexandre Poulichot, Jacques Cluzaud | Stars: Mickaël Jachimiak-Duffner, Eyleen Schots
Votes: 1,775 | Gross: $0.12M
38. Genius (2017– )
TV-14 | 50 min | Biography, Drama, History
The life stories of history's greatest minds, from their days as young adults to their final years: their discoveries, loves, relationships, causes, flaws, and genius.
Stars: Samantha Colley, Seth Gabel, Antonio Banderas, Clémence Poésy
Votes: 20,110
39. 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: 77,315 | Gross: $17.54M
40. David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020 TV Movie)
PG | 83 min | Documentary, Biography
One man has seen more of the natural world than any other. This unique feature documentary is his witness statement.
Directors: Alastair Fothergill, Jonathan Hughes, Keith Scholey | Stars: David Attenborough, Max Hughes
Votes: 34,546
41. The Sunshine Makers (2015)
101 min | Documentary, History
The story of Nicholas Sand and Tim Scully, the unlikely duo at the heart of 1960s American drug counter-culture.
Director: Cosmo Feilding-Mellen | Stars: Tim Scully, Nick Sand, Alice Einhorn, Billy Hitchcock
Votes: 1,488 | Gross: $0.01M
42. The Dawn Wall (2017)
Not Rated | 100 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport
In an unbelievable story of perseverance, free climber Tommy Caldwell and climbing partner Kevin Jorgeson attempt to scale the impossible 3000ft Dawn Wall of El Capitan.
Directors: Josh Lowell, Peter Mortimer | Stars: John Branch, Tommy Caldwell, Kevin Jorgeson
Votes: 21,231 | Gross: $1.08M
43. 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, Davin Orness, Alex Bueermann
Votes: 11,678
44. Inside the World's Toughest Prisons (2016–2023)
TV-MA | 47 min | Documentary
Imagine being in jail. Now imagine living in a foreign country. Scary? Paul Connelly takes you inside these jails. He shows what living conditions are for the inmates, as well as the guards. You'll never look at prison the same.
Stars: Raphael Rowe, Paul Connelly, Marios El Khoury
Votes: 4,011
45. Explained (2018–2021)
TV-MA | 18 min | Documentary
A documentary series that looks to explore the big questions of today.
Stars: Estelle Caswell, Samira Wiley, Maria Bello, Kyle MacLachlan
Votes: 9,939
46. The Story of Stuff (2007)
21 min | Animation, Short
For most of the world, consumption has been the unquestioned duty of every individual. Then garbage activist Annie Leonard brought her two-hour lecture to Free Range who helped her turn it ... See full summary »
Director: Louis Fox | Star: Annie Leonard
Votes: 378
47. My Octopus Teacher (2020)
TV-G | 85 min | Documentary, Drama
A filmmaker forges an unusual friendship with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest, learning as the animal shares the mysteries of her world.
Directors: Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed | Stars: Craig Foster, Tom Foster
Votes: 63,760
48. North of the Sun (2012)
46 min | Documentary, Adventure, Sport
Two young men decide to spend an archive circle Norwegian winter in the isolated and uninhabited bay of Norway. Their home is built from salvaged material washed up onshore. They surf every day with much time for self reflection.
Directors: Jørn Nyseth Ranum, Inge Wegge | Stars: Jørn Nyseth Ranum, Inge Wegge
Votes: 1,025
49. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
PG-13 | 134 min | Biography, Drama, Music
The story of the legendary British rock band Queen and lead singer Freddie Mercury, leading up to their famous performance at Live Aid (1985).
Director: Bryan Singer | Stars: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy
Votes: 592,513 | Gross: $216.43M
50. Rocketman (I) (2019)
R | 121 min | Biography, Drama, Music
A musical fantasy about the fantastical human story of Elton John's breakthrough years.
Director: Dexter Fletcher | Stars: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard
Votes: 194,521 | Gross: $96.37M
51. Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)
PG-13 | 118 min | Documentary, History, Music
Documentary about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African-American music and culture and promoted Black pride and unity.
Director: Questlove | Stars: Dorinda Drake, Barbara Bland-Acosta, Darryl Lewis, Ethel Beatty
Votes: 13,869
52. Happy People: A Year in the Taiga (2010)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary
A documentary depicting the life and work of the trappers of Bakhtia, a village in the heart of the Siberian Taiga, where daily life has changed little in over a century.
Directors: Werner Herzog, Dmitry Vasyukov | Stars: Werner Herzog, Gennady Soloviev, Anatoly Blumei, Gennady Tiganov
Votes: 8,925 | Gross: $0.34M
53. Last Train Home (2009)
Not Rated | 85 min | Documentary, Drama
A couple embarks on a journey home for Chinese new year along with 130 million other migrant workers, to reunite with their children and struggle for a future. Their unseen story plays out as China soars towards being a world superpower.
Director: Lixin Fan | Stars: Changhua Zhang, Yang Zhang, Suqin Chen, Qin Zhang
Votes: 3,715 | Gross: $0.29M
54. Marley (2012)
PG-13 | 144 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A documentary on the life, music, and legacy of Bob Marley.
Director: Kevin Macdonald | Stars: Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley, Rita Marley, Jimmy Cliff
Votes: 14,488 | Gross: $1.41M
55. What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015)
Not Rated | 101 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A documentary about the life and legend Nina Simone, an American singer, pianist, and civil rights activist labeled the "High Priestess of Soul."
Director: Liz Garbus | Stars: Nina Simone, Lisa Simone Kelly, Roger Nupie, Al Schackman
Votes: 14,820
56. Amy (III) (2015)
R | 128 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
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: 55,010 | Gross: $8.41M
57. The Eagle Huntress (2016)
G | 87 min | Documentary, Adventure, Sport
Thirteen-year-old Aisholpan trains to become the first female in twelve generations of her nomad family to become an eagle huntress.
Director: Otto Bell | Stars: Aisholpan Nurgaiv, Daisy Ridley, Rys Nurgaiv
Votes: 4,184 | Gross: $3.17M
58. Elvis (2022)
PG-13 | 159 min | Biography, Drama, Music
The life of American music icon Elvis Presley, from his childhood to becoming a rock and movie star in the 1950s while maintaining a complex relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
Director: Baz Luhrmann | Stars: Tom Hanks, Austin Butler, Olivia DeJonge, Helen Thomson
Votes: 234,304 | Gross: $151.04M
59. I Am Alfred Hitchcock (2021)
84 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A documentary showcasing the epic and at times controversial career of masterful director Alfred Hitchcock.
Director: Joel Ashton McCarthy | Stars: Ingrid Bergman, Tere Carrubba, William Friedkin, Farley Granger
Votes: 616
60. Heartist (2023)
60 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A creative portrait of Faroese artist Sigrun Gunnarsdóttir and the mountainous landscapes that inspire her.
Directors: Marianna Mørkøre, Beinta á Torkilsheyggi | Star: Sigrun Gunnarsdóttir
Votes: 10
61. Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones (2023)
TV-14 | 39 min | Documentary, Adventure
Travel around the world with author Dan Buettner to discover five unique communities where people live extraordinarily long and vibrant lives.
Stars: Dan Buettner, Marion Nestle
Votes: 3,170
62. Big Eyes (I) (2014)
PG-13 | 106 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
A drama about the awakening of painter Margaret Keane, her phenomenal success in the 1950s, and the subsequent legal difficulties she had with her husband, who claimed credit for her works in the 1960s.
Director: Tim Burton | Stars: Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, Danny Huston, Krysten Ritter
Votes: 99,068 | Gross: $14.48M
63. Leaning Into The Wind (2017)
PG | 97 min | Documentary
Leaning into the Wind follows artist Andy Goldsworthy on his exploration of the world and himself through ephemeral and permanent workings on the landscape, cities and with his own body.
Director: Thomas Riedelsheimer | Stars: Andy Goldsworthy, Holly Goldsworthy
Votes: 482 | Gross: $0.40M
64. Nanna Ditzel - den legesyge designer (2023 TV Movie)
43 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Nanna Ditzel (1923-2005) designed organic furniture, jewelry and stairscapes. She looked into the future and challenged Danish design with wild shapes and colors and furniture without legs.... See full summary »
Director: Amalie Roger Henrichsen | Stars: Louise Campbell, Dennie Ditzel, Lulu Ditzel, Nanna Ditzel
65. Eddie the Eagle (2015)
PG-13 | 106 min | Adventure, Biography, Comedy
The story of Eddie Edwards, the notoriously tenacious British underdog ski jumper who charmed the world at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Director: Dexter Fletcher | Stars: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Tom Costello, Jo Hartley
Votes: 100,184 | Gross: $15.79M
66. The Deepest Breath (2023)
PG | 108 min | Documentary, Adventure, Sport
A champion and expert safety diver seemed destined for one another. Despite different paths taken, they meet at the pinnacle of the free-diving world, experiencing the thrilling rewards and inescapable risks of chasing dreams through the depths of the ocean.
Director: Laura McGann | Stars: Alessia Zecchini, Stephen Keenan, Leigh Baker, Mahmoud Barracuda
Votes: 14,584
67. Smoke Sauna Sisterhood (2023)
89 min | Documentary
In the darkness of a smoke sauna, women share their innermost secrets and intimate experiences, washing off the shame trapped in their bodies and regaining their strength through a sense of communion.
Director: Anna Hints | Stars: Kadi Kivilo, Maria Meresaar, Elsa Saks, Marianne Liiv
Votes: 1,963
Tell Your Friends