Best Documentary
Updated Daily
Shoah is a 1985 documentary film examining the Holocaust through extended interviews conducted by Claude Lanzmann. The eleven-year production involved filming at locations in Poland, including former...
Henri Cartier-Bresson, a master of street photography, is celebrated for his concept of the 'decisive moment' capturing fleeting moments with perfect composition and timing. He co-founded Magnum Phot...
Annie Leibovitz is arguably the most recognizable name in contemporary portrait photography. Her iconic images of celebrities and public figures, often staged in elaborate and theatrical settings, hav...
Ken Burns's landmark documentary series that redefined historical storytelling. A deeply moving and comprehensive look at the war that shaped America.
Avedon's stark, minimalist portraits stripped away artifice, revealing the raw essence and vulnerability of his subjects, often against a plain white background.
'Man with a Movie Camera' is a groundbreaking experimental documentary directed by Dziga Vertov in 1929. Utilizing innovative camera techniques and editing, the film presents a fragmented yet compelli...
Blue Planet II is a masterpiece of underwater cinematography. It explores the mysteries of our oceans, from the deepest trenches to the most vibrant coral reefs. The series highlights the beauty and f...
The World at War is a landmark documentary series chronicling World War II. Its strength lies in its comprehensive coverage, utilizing archival footage, firsthand accounts, and expert commentary. The...
BBC Earth is the pinnacle of nature and science filmmaking. Known for series like 'Planet Earth' and 'Blue Planet,' it sets the industry standard for visual storytelling. The BBC utilizes world-class...
Dorothea Lange was a documentary photographer and photojournalist, most famous for her work during the Great Depression, particularly her iconic photograph 'Migrant Mother.' Her work powerfully docume...
'The Act of Killing' is a surreal and unsettling documentary that explores the Indonesian genocide of 1965-66. The film follows ex-gangsters as they reenact their roles in the killings, revealing the...
This six-part HBO documentary series chronicles the bizarre life and suspected crimes of Robert Durst, a real estate heir implicated in multiple disappearances and murders. The series' brilliance lie...
This series offers an unparalleled, intimate look into the peak years of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty. It transcends mere sports coverage by delving into the intense pressure, rivalrie...
*Free Solo* documents Alex Honnold's extraordinary ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without ropes or safety gear. The film captures the immense physical and mental preparation, the breat...
Neil deGrasse Tyson guides viewers through the universe, exploring scientific concepts and their historical context. It's a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating journey.
The Life of Birds is a BBC nature documentary series created by David Attenborough, initially broadcast in the UK on October 21, 1998. The program explores the lives of birds and was presented by Atte...
The 'Paradise Lost' trilogy (and subsequent updates) is a seminal work in true crime documentary filmmaking. It initially followed the prosecution of three teenagers for the murders of three young chi...
Platon, born Kornelius Gerasimovich, is a British photojournalist renowned for his intimate and powerful portraits of world leaders and individuals affected by conflict. His work goes beyond mere repr...
No Other Land is a 2024 documentary filmed from 2019-2023 by four directors. The film documents the destruction of a Palestinian community in the West Bank due to an Israeli firing zone declaration an...
'Honeyland' offers a stunning and deeply moving portrait of Elena Zhuravkova, a solitary beekeeper in North Macedonia. Through breathtaking cinematography and intimate storytelling, the film explores...
Global weekly publication offering authoritative insight and opinion on international affairs, economics, and finance.
Asif Kapadia's 'Amy' (2015) is a devastating and deeply moving portrait of Amy Winehouse. Utilizing previously unseen home videos and intimate interviews, the film chronicles her rise to fame and her...
A social experiment showing how women are more critical of their own looks than others. Sparked widespread conversation about beauty standards.
This convention is recognized as the foundational moment for the organized women's rights movement in the United States. The resulting Declaration of Sentiments was a powerful document demanding equal...
This film follows Jiro Ono, a sushi master, and his relentless pursuit of perfection in his Tokyo restaurant.
PBS Space Time offers an incredibly deep dive into the most complex topics in theoretical physics and cosmology. Hosted by experts, the channel explores concepts like black holes, string theory, and t...
This Netflix docuseries follows the case of Steven Avery, a Wisconsin man convicted of murder after previously being exonerated for a sexual assault. 'Making a Murderer' sparked widespread debate abou...
20 Days in Mariupol documents the initial period of the Russian invasion of Ukraine through video recorded by director Mstyslav Chernov. The film utilizes footage captured during the first few weeks f...
SmarterEveryDay focuses on the 'how' and 'why' of everyday things. Using high-speed cameras and deep research, host Destin Sandlin explores engineering marvels, physics phenomena, and industrial proce...
Man on Wire documents Philippe Petit’s unauthorized 1974 high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. The film utilizes archival footage, photographs, and re-enactments to portray...
