Best Documentary of 2021
Which of these top-rated documentary films and shows of 2021 is the best?
• Note: Only titles with at least 5000 votes and an average rating of 7.0 or above are considered.
Discuss here
[ See more: Best of 2021 Polls ]
• Note: Only titles with at least 5000 votes and an average rating of 7.0 or above are considered.
Discuss here
[ See more: Best of 2021 Polls ]
List activity
4.9K views
• 14 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
22 titles
- StarsJeremy ClarksonKaleb CooperCharlie IrelandFollow Jeremy Clarkson as he attempts to run a farm in the countryside.
- In January 1969, The Beatles set out to write and record new songs for their first live show in more than two years, culminating in an impromptu concert atop their Savile Row studio.
- DirectorJimmy ChinElizabeth Chai VasarhelyiStarsBancha DuriyapuntApakorn YoukongkaewAnan SurawanA chronicle of the enthralling, against-all-odds story that transfixed the world in 2018: the daring rescue of twelve boys and their coach from deep inside a flooded cave in Northern Thailand.
- DirectorAli TabriziStarsAli TabriziRichard O'BarryLucy TabriziPassionate about ocean life, a filmmaker sets out to document the harm that humans do to marine species - and uncovers alarming global corruption.
- DirectorRussell NormanBen WinstonStarsJennifer AnistonCourteney CoxLisa Kudrow"Friends (1994)" reunion special hosted by James Corden in which the main cast revisit the sets of the original show, meet with celebrity guests, do table reads and re-enactments of episodes, and share behind-the-scenes footage.
- StarsFran LebowitzMartin ScorseseMichael Alexis PalmerWander the New York City streets and fascinating mind of wry writer, humorist and raconteur Fran Lebowitz as she sits down with Martin Scorsese.
- 20211h 58mPG-138.0 (14K)96MetascoreDirectorQuestloveStarsDorinda DrakeBarbara Bland-AcostaDarryl LewisDocumentary about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African-American music and culture and promoted Black pride and unity.
- StarsMark FallonJames LaPortaMichel ParadisThis unflinching series documents the 9/11 terrorist attacks, from Al Qaeda's roots in the 1980s to America's forceful response, both at home and abroad.
- DirectorTorquil JonesStarsNirmal PurjaSuchi PurjaKlára KolouchováFearless Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja embarks on a seemingly impossible quest to summit all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks in seven months.
- DirectorTing PooLeo ScottStarsVal KilmerJack KilmerMercedes KilmerA documentary centering on the daily life of actor Val Kilmer, featuring never-before-seen footage spanning 40 years.
- DirectorR.J. CutlerStarsBillie EilishFinneas O'ConnellMaggie BairdAn intimate look at the singer-songwriter's journey, navigating life on the road, on stage, in the streets and at home, while creating her debut album.
- StarsCullen HobackFredrick BrennanCraig JamesWhen documentary filmmaker Cullen Hoback sets out to uncover the forces behind QAnon, his attention turns to 8chan, the site where "Q" posts.
- 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.
- DirectorHanns-Bruno KammertönsVanessa NöckerMichael WechStarsRoss BrawnFlavio BriatoreLuca Cordero di MontezemoloThrough exclusive interviews and archival footage, this documentary traces an intimate portrait of seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher.
- CreatorLeena YadavStarsManoj KumarNaresh BhatiaVishal AnandSuicide, murder or something else? This docuseries examines chilling truths and theories around the deaths of 11 members of a Delhi family.
- 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.
- StarsPeter DinklageBruce Bueno de MesquitaWaller NewellRuling with an iron fist requires an aspiring dictator to know the playbook for absolute power, as history's despots prove in this sardonic docuseries.
- StarsPaul GiamattiCharlie OttPhil AmiconeThe Son of Sam case grew into a lifelong obsession for journalist Maury Terry, who became convinced that the murders were linked to a satanic cult.
- DirectorChris SmithStarsMatthew ModineRoger RignackJillian PetersonReenactments drive this documentary investigating the mastermind behind a scam to sneak the kids of rich and famous families into top US universities.
- StarsDorie Hofmann OldsShannon FlynnBrent MetcalfeHigh-stakes exploits turn deadly - and shake a global church to its core - in the extraordinary true crime story.
- DirectorJoshua RoféStarsBob RossSteve RossVicky RossBob Ross brought joy to millions as the world's most famous art instructor. But a battle for his business empire cast a shadow over his happy trees.
- StarsChiara FerragniFedezLeone Lucia FerragniExplores the lives of Chiara & Fedez Ferragni, one of the world's most followed couples.