swap_horiz CNA Insider Alternatives

1

Frontline

Frontline is the flagship documentary series of PBS, renowned for its uncompromising investigative journalism. It tackle...

High Quality Journalism Critical Political

9.8 Brilliant

2

Navalny

This gripping documentary meticulously investigates the poisoning and subsequent imprisonment of Russian opposition lead...

Movie Biographical Democracy United States

9.8 Brilliant

3

Shoah

Shoah is a 1985 documentary film examining the Holocaust through extended interviews conducted by Claude Lanzmann. The e...

France Powerful Historical Movie

9.6 Brilliant

4

The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst

This six-part HBO documentary series chronicles the bizarre life and suspected crimes of Robert Durst, a real estate hei...

New York Crime True Crime Real Estate

9.5 Brilliant

5

Citizen Four

Citizen Four (2014) remains a cornerstone of modern investigative documentary. Directed by Laura Poitras, the film metic...

Privacy Political Thriller Digital

9.5 Brilliant

6

Making a Murderer

This Netflix docuseries follows the case of Steven Avery, a Wisconsin man convicted of murder after previously being exo...

Complex Long Form Netflix Crime

9.2 Excellent

7

DW Documentary

DW Documentary is a production unit of Deutsche Welle, Germany’s international broadcaster. It creates factual documenta...

Analysis Global European Culture

9.1 Excellent

8

20 Days in Mariupol

20 Days in Mariupol documents the initial period of the Russian invasion of Ukraine through video recorded by director M...

Real Time First Person Journalistic Movie

8.8 Great

9

Inside Job

Inside Job is a 2010 documentary examining the causes of the 2008 financial crisis. The film details systemic corruption...

Complex Movie Political Thriller Investigative

8.7 Great

10

VICE News

VICE News produces immersive documentary films offering direct access to critical current events often overlooked by mai...

Immersive Current Event Culture Journalistic

8.5 Great

11

PBS NewsHour

While primarily a news program, PBS NewsHour produces high-quality short-form documentary segments and deep dives into c...

News Educational Reliable Politics

8.3 Great

12

Food, Inc.

Food, Inc. investigates the practices of American agribusiness, revealing concerns about its impact on human health, the...

True Story Critical Movie Farming

8.2 Great

13

Bowling for Columbine

Bowling for Columbine examines the events surrounding the 1999 Columbine High School shooting and broader gun violence i...

Germany Movie Tragedy Social Commentary

8.1 Great

14

Sicko

Sicko is a 2007 documentary examining the American healthcare system. The film contrasts the United States’ for-profit i...

Healthcare Critical Movie Political

8.0 Great

15

Fahrenheit 9/11

Fahrenheit 9/11 is a critical documentary examining the circumstances surrounding the September 11th attacks. It present...

Activist Historical Movie Political Thriller

7.6 Good

16

Leaving Neverland

Leaving Neverland is a 2019 documentary exploring allegations of child sexual abuse made by Wade Robson and James Safech...

Controversial Psychological True Crime Movie

7.6 Good

17

Putin's Palace

Putin’s Palace is a 2021 documentary examining the construction of a residence near Gelendzhik, Russia. The film alleges...

Russia Luxury Real Estate Movie

7.6 Good

18

The Ivory Game

The Ivory Game is a gripping documentary that exposes the illegal ivory trade and the devastating impact on elephant pop...

Wildlife Conservation Crime True Crime

7.5 Good

19

Vox

While primarily a digital media outlet, Vox has redefined the 'explainer' documentary format. Their visual stylecombinin...

Motion Graphics Culture Politics Journalism

7.5 Good

20

Capitalism: A Love Story

Capitalism: A Love Story, directed by Michael Moore, investigates the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath. The docum...

Financial Critical Movie 2000S

6.8 Fair