Documentaries
by amybaggett | created - 12 Apr 2022 | updated - 12 Apr 2022 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Bad Reputation (2018)
R | 93 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Documentary about rock star Joan Jett.
Director: Kevin Kerslake | Stars: Joan Jett, David Bowie, Evelyn McDonnell, Don Bolles
Votes: 1,446 | Gross: $0.15M
2. Henson's Place (1984 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 53 min | Documentary
A documentary with featured performance clips and interviews featuring Jim and Jane Henson, Frank Oz and others. The documentary focuses on the Muppet phenomena and a look at the ... See full summary »
Director: David A. Goldsmith | Stars: Jim Henson, Jane Henson, Michael K. Frith, Joan Ganz Cooney
Votes: 107
3. 20/20 (1978– )
TV-14 | 60 min | Documentary, News
ABC's original hour-long news magazine.
Stars: David Muir, Amy Robach, Elizabeth Vargas, Deborah Roberts
Votes: 2,734
4. 48 Hours (1988– )
TV-14 | 60 min | Documentary, Crime
One of television's most popular true-crime series, investigating shocking cases and compelling real-life dramas with journalistic integrity and cutting-edge style.
Stars: Peter Van Sant, Erin Moriarty, Maureen Maher, Richard Schlesinger
Votes: 2,346
5. Roger & Me (1989)
R | 91 min | Documentary
After General Motors closes its factory in Flint, Michigan, eliminating 35,000 jobs, filmmaker Michael Moore undertakes a quixotic quest to interview General Motors' chairman, Roger B. Smith.
Director: Michael Moore | Stars: Michael Moore, Roger B. Smith, Rhonda Britton, Fred Ross
Votes: 27,515 | Gross: $6.71M
6. Looking for Richard (1996)
PG-13 | 111 min | Documentary, Drama
Al Pacino's deeply-felt rumination on Shakespeare's significance and relevance to the modern world through interviews and an in-depth analysis of "Richard III."
Director: Al Pacino | Stars: Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey, Frederic Kimball
Votes: 8,570 | Gross: $1.36M
7. The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson (1990 TV Movie)
47 min | Documentary, Animation, Action
While The Muppets prepare a tribute to the late Jim Henson, they learn about the life and career of the renowned puppeteer/film maker.
Director: Don Mischer | Stars: Jim Henson, Harry Belafonte, Carol Burnett, Ray Charles
Votes: 302
8. VH1 Storytellers (1996– )
60 min | Documentary, Music
Stars: David Weier, Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews
Votes: 161
9. Hey, Hey We're the Monkees (1997 TV Movie)
70 min | Documentary, Comedy, History
Documentary focusing The Monkees, the 1960s pop group originally created for a TV sitcom. Interviews with the band members, the show's creators, and musical collaborators and peers are featured.
Director: Alan Boyd | Stars: The Monkees, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork
Votes: 119
10. Behind the Music (1997–2021)
TV-14 | Documentary, Biography, Music
Musical artists, their careers, their highs, their lows and everything in between are profiled and interviewed.
Stars: Jim Forbes, David Wild, Alexander Milas, Eddie Trunk
Votes: 1,664
11. The Big One (1997)
PG-13 | 91 min | Documentary, Comedy, Crime
On his book tour, Michael Moore exposes more wrongdoing by greedy big businesses and callous politicians around America.
Director: Michael Moore | Stars: Michael Moore, Elaine Bly, Dan Burns, Chip Carter
Votes: 8,046 | Gross: $0.72M
12. Grass (1999)
R | 80 min | Documentary, History
The history of the American government's war on marijuana in the 20th century.
Director: Ron Mann | Stars: Woody Harrelson, Harry J. Anslinger, George Bush, Cab Calloway
Votes: 3,631 | Gross: $0.31M
13. Bowling for Columbine (2002)
R | 120 min | Documentary, Crime, Drama
Filmmaker Michael Moore explores the roots of America's predilection for gun violence.
Director: Michael Moore | Stars: Michael Moore, Charlton Heston, Marilyn Manson, Salvador Allende
Votes: 148,755 | Gross: $21.58M
14. Touching the Void (2003)
R | 106 min | Documentary, Adventure, Drama
The true story of two climbers and their perilous journey up the west face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985.
Director: Kevin Macdonald | Stars: Simon Yates, Joe Simpson, Brendan Mackey, Nicholas Aaron
Votes: 38,109 | Gross: $4.59M
15. Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! (2003 TV Special)
TV-14 | 40 min | Comedy, Documentary
Fragments of various shows of Richard Pryor are shown and famous comedians talk about how good he was.
Director: Billy Grundfest | Stars: Richard Pryor, Mario Cantone, Cedric The Entertainer, Dave Chappelle
Votes: 226
16. Super Size Me (2004)
PG-13 | 100 min | Documentary
While examining the influence of the fast food industry, Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald's food for one month.
Director: Morgan Spurlock | Stars: Morgan Spurlock, Daryl Isaacs, Chemeeka Walker, Dania Abu-Rmaileh
Votes: 113,294 | Gross: $11.53M
17. My Date with Drew (2004)
PG | 90 min | Documentary
Since the second grade, Brian has had a crush on Drew Barrymore and now 20 years later he wants to fulfill his dream by asking her on a date.
Directors: Jon Gunn, Brian Herzlinger, Brett Winn | Stars: Brian Herzlinger, Drew Barrymore, John August, Stephanie Bedell Quartararo
Votes: 4,736 | Gross: $0.09M
18. Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004)
Not Rated | 84 min | Documentary, Music
The iconic metal band struggles for two years to create their album St. Anger, dealing with alcoholism, the loss of their bass player, and the challenge of working with a psychotherapist.
Directors: Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky | Stars: James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, Robert Trujillo
Votes: 20,353 | Gross: $1.22M
19. March of the Penguins (2005)
G | 80 min | Documentary, Family
In the Antarctic, every March since the beginning of time, the quest begins to find the perfect mate and start a family.
Director: Luc Jacquet | Stars: Morgan Freeman, Romane Bohringer, Charles Berling, Jules Sitruk
Votes: 59,956 | Gross: $77.44M
20. Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
R | 122 min | Documentary, Drama, War
Michael Moore's view on what happened to the United States after September 11 and how the Bush Administration allegedly used the tragic event to push forward its agenda for unjust wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Director: Michael Moore | Stars: Michael Moore, George W. Bush, Ben Affleck, Stevie Wonder
Votes: 132,397 | Gross: $119.19M
21. Grizzly Man (2005)
R | 103 min | Documentary, Biography
A devastating and heart-rending take on grizzly bear activists Timothy Treadwell and Amie Huguenard, who were killed in October of 2003 while living among grizzly bears in Alaska.
Director: Werner Herzog | Stars: Timothy Treadwell, Amie Huguenard, Werner Herzog, Carol Dexter
Votes: 61,899 | Gross: $3.17M
22. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)
R | 110 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A documentary about the Enron corporation, its faulty and corrupt business practices, and how they led to its fall.
Director: Alex Gibney | Stars: John Beard, Tim Belden, Barbara Boxer, George W. Bush
Votes: 20,113
23. Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005)
R | 103 min | Documentary, Comedy, Music
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: 9,626 | Gross: $11.72M
24. Cocaine Cowboys (2006)
R | 118 min | Documentary, Crime, History
The story of how Miami became the cocaine capital of the United States in the early 1980's and the police officers who turned the tide on crime.
Director: Billy Corben | Stars: Jon Roberts, Al Sunshine, Sam Burstyn, Mickey Munday
Votes: 14,093 | Gross: $0.15M
25. The U.S. vs. John Lennon (2006)
PG-13 | 99 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A documentary on the life of John Lennon, with a focus on the time in his life when he transformed from a musician into an antiwar activist.
Directors: David Leaf, John Scheinfeld | Stars: John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Stew Albert, Tariq Ali
Votes: 5,689 | Gross: $1.10M
26. 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: 220,319
27. Sicko (2007)
PG-13 | 123 min | Documentary, Drama
A documentary comparing the highly profitable American health care industry to other nations, and HMO horror stories including shotgun deaths.
Director: Michael Moore | Stars: Michael Moore, Tucker Albrizzi, Tony Benn, George W. Bush
Votes: 76,831 | Gross: $24.54M
28. We Live in Public (2009)
Unrated | 91 min | Documentary
A documentary focusing on the life of dot-com entrepreneur Josh Harris, and his exploits over the last decade.
Director: Ondi Timoner | Stars: Josh Harris, Tom Harris, Carlos Alvarez, David Amron
Votes: 1,983 | Gross: $0.04M
29. WWII in HD (2009)
TV-PG | 60 min | Documentary, History, War
Follow the lives of soldiers who lived World War II, through previously unseen color footage.
Stars: Gary Sinise, Charles Scheffel, Ron Livingston, Rob Lowe
Votes: 2,413
30. Good Hair (2009)
PG-13 | 96 min | Documentary, Comedy
Chris Rock explores the wonders of African-American hairstyles.
Director: Jeff Stilson | Stars: Chris Rock, Maya Angelou, Al Sharpton, Tanya Crumel
Votes: 6,215 | Gross: $4.16M
31. Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)
R | 127 min | Documentary, Crime, History
An examination of the social costs of corporate interests pursuing profits at the expense of the public good.
Director: Michael Moore | Stars: Michael Moore, William Black, Jimmy Carter, Elijah Cummings
Votes: 43,872 | Gross: $14.36M
32. Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan (2011)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary, Biography
The life and work of the renowned film visual effects artist and producer.
Director: Gilles Penso | Stars: Ray Harryhausen, Peter Jackson, Terry Gilliam, Guillermo del Toro
Votes: 1,364
33. 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: 32,995
34. Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel (2011)
R | 95 min | Documentary
A documentary on DIY producer/director Roger Corman and his alternative approach to making movies in Hollywood.
Director: Alex Stapleton | Stars: Roger Corman, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Paul W.S. Anderson
Votes: 2,675 | Gross: $0.01M
35. Years of Living Dangerously (2014–2016)
TV-PG | Documentary
From the damage wrought by Hurricane Sandy to the upheaval caused by drought in the Middle East, this groundbreaking documentary event series provides first-hand reports on those affected by, and seeking solutions to, climate change.
Stars: Thomas Friedman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, America Ferrera, Ian Somerhalder
Votes: 826
36. Life Itself (2014)
R | 121 min | Documentary, Biography
The life and career of the renowned film critic and social commentator, Roger Ebert.
Director: Steve James | Stars: Roger Ebert, Chaz Ebert, Gene Siskel, Martin Scorsese
Votes: 16,257 | Gross: $0.81M
37. I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story (2014)
Not Rated | 86 min | Documentary, Biography, Drama
Caroll Spinney has been Sesame Street's Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch since 1969; at 78-years-old, he has no intention of stopping.
Directors: Dave LaMattina, Chad N. Walker | Stars: Caroll Spinney, Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Debra Spinney
Votes: 1,702 | Gross: $0.01M
38. 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: 128,723
39. Where to Invade Next (2015)
R | 120 min | Documentary, Comedy
To learn what the USA can learn from other nations, Michael Moore playfully "invades" them to see what they have to offer.
Director: Michael Moore | Stars: Michael Moore, Johnny Fancelli, Christina Fancelli, Lorena Lardini
Votes: 25,705 | Gross: $3.82M
40. Oasis: Supersonic (2016)
R | 122 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Oasis's breakthrough years documented into a detailed depiction of the infamous brothers from Manchester forming the band in the early 90's leading up to the legendary performance at Knebworth.
Director: Mat Whitecross | Stars: Paul Arthurs, Christine Biller, Mark Coyle, Debbie Turner
Votes: 12,390 | Gross: $0.24M
41. The Case of: JonBenét Ramsey (2016– )
240 min | Documentary, Crime
A team of investigators re-examine the 20 year-old unsolved murder of JonBenét Ramsey.
Stars: Jim Clemente, Ena O'Rourke, R.J. Wagner, Danny Bohnen
Votes: 919
42. Spielberg (2017 TV Movie)
TV-MA | 147 min | Documentary, Biography
A documentary on Steven Spielberg, filmmaker. Includes interviews with relatives, film critics, peers and people who have worked with him.
Director: Susan Lacy | Stars: Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Richard Dreyfuss, Bill Butler
Votes: 8,305
43. 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: 27,121 | Gross: $22.84M
44. An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (2017)
PG | 98 min | Documentary
A decade after An Inconvenient Truth (2006) brought climate change to the heart of popular culture, the follow-up shows just how close we are to a real energy revolution.
Directors: Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk | Stars: Al Gore, Cory Booker, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton
Votes: 8,357 | Gross: $3.50M
45. 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: 15,065 | Gross: $14.02M
46.
VH1 Storytellers (1996– )
Episode:
Johnny Cash & Willie Nelson
(1997)
60 min | Documentary, Music
Director: Michael Simon | Stars: Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson
Votes: 11
47. Marilyn Manson: Portrait of an American Icon (2019)
10 min | Documentary, Short, Horror
The body can sustain what is considered clinical death (where the heart stops but, the brain remains alive) for six minutes. That's a wall of three hundred and sixty seconds between you and... See full summary »
Director: Preston Hazard | Stars: Marilyn Manson, Preston Hazard
48. An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
PG | 96 min | Documentary
Filmmaker Davis Guggenheim follows Al Gore on the lecture circuit, as the former presidential candidate campaigns to raise public awareness of the dangers of global warming and calls for immediate action to curb its destructive effects on the environment.
Director: Davis Guggenheim | Stars: Al Gore, Billy West, George Bush, George W. Bush
Votes: 85,216 | Gross: $23.81M
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