Bio Documentaries

by stefanbackes | created - 19 Dec 2012 | updated - 08 Mar 2018 | Public
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1. Tabloid (2010)

R | 87 min | Documentary, Crime

74 Metascore

A documentary on a former Miss Wyoming who is charged with abducting and imprisoning a young Mormon Missionary.

Director: Errol Morris | Stars: Joyce McKinney, Peter Tory, Troy Williams, Jackson Shaw

Votes: 7,285 | Gross: $0.68M

2. Grey Gardens (1975)

PG | 95 min | Documentary, Comedy, Drama

83 Metascore

Meet a mother and daughter, high-society dropouts, reclusive cousins of Jackie O., managing to thrive together amid the decay and disorder of their East Hampton, NY, mansion, making for an eerily ramshackle echo of the American Camelot.

Directors: Ellen Hovde, Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Muffie Meyer | Stars: Edith Bouvier Beale, Edith 'Little Edie' Bouvier Beale, Brooks Hyers

Votes: 15,295 | Gross: $0.03M

3. Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)

TV-14 | 93 min | Documentary, Biography, History

76 Metascore

'Bobby Fischer Against the World' is a documentary feature exploring the tragic and bizarre life of the late chess master Bobby Fischer. The drama of Bobby Fischer's career was undeniable, ... See full summary »

Director: Liz Garbus | Stars: Bobby Fischer, David Edmonds, Anthony Saidy, Susan Polgar

Votes: 7,402

4. Man on Wire (2008)

PG-13 | 94 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime

89 Metascore

A look at tightrope walker Philippe Petit's daring, but illegal, high-wire routine performed between New York City's World Trade Center's twin towers in 1974, what some consider, "the artistic crime of the century".

Director: James Marsh | Stars: Philippe Petit, Jean François Heckel, Jean-Louis Blondeau, Annie Allix

Votes: 58,687 | Gross: $2.96M

5. Conan O'Brien Can't Stop (2011)

R | 89 min | Documentary, Comedy, Music

64 Metascore

A documentary on Conan O'Brien's comedy tour of the U.S. and Canada after leaving The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien (2009) and severing his relationship with NBC.

Director: Rodman Flender | Stars: Conan O'Brien, Andy Richter, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Vivino

Votes: 6,843 | Gross: $0.27M

6. Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)

R | 87 min | Documentary, Comedy, Crime

85 Metascore

Following the style of some of the world's most prolific street artists, an amateur filmmaker makes a foray into the art world.

Director: Banksy | Stars: Banksy, Mr. Brainwash, Space Invader, Debora Guetta

Votes: 68,836 | Gross: $3.29M

7. Grizzly Man (2005)

R | 103 min | Documentary, Biography

87 Metascore

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: 61,926 | Gross: $3.17M

8. Ångrarna (2010)

58 min | Documentary

Two men in their 60s meet for the first time and discuss their respective sex changes, and subsequent reversals.

Director: Marcus Lindeen | Stars: Orlando Fagin, Mikael Johansson

Votes: 229

9. American Movie (1999)

R | 107 min | Documentary, Comedy

84 Metascore

Documentary about an aspiring filmmaker's attempts to finance his dream project by finally completing the low-budget horror film he abandoned years before.

Director: Chris Smith | Stars: Mark Borchardt, Mike Schank, Tom Schimmels, Monica Borchardt

Votes: 19,353 | Gross: $1.16M

10. Sacrificio: Who Betrayed Che Guevara (2001 TV Movie)

60 min | Documentary

The two young Swedish journalist's Erik Gandini and Tarik Saleh have worked one year with Sacrificio, a film about the events surrounding the death of Che Guevara. They have traveled the ... See full summary »

Directors: Erik Gandini, Tarik Saleh | Stars: Jon Lee Anderson, Ciro Bustos, Régis Debray, Erik Gandini

Votes: 188

11. The Real... (1998–2004)
Episode: John Lennon (2000)

90 min | Documentary

Biographical documentary tracing John Lennon's life and music.

Director: Richard Denton | Stars: Julia Baird, Pete Best, Brian Epstein, Phyllis Fearon

Votes: 44

12. Tyson (2008)

R | 90 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport

83 Metascore

A mixture of original interviews, archival footage, and photographs sheds light on the life experiences of Mike Tyson.

Director: James Toback | Stars: Mike Tyson, Mills Lane, Trevor Berbick, Cus D'Amato

Votes: 12,935 | Gross: $0.89M

13. Lemmy (2010)

116 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

64 Metascore

A documentary on the life and career of revered heavy-metal musician Lemmy Kilmister.

Directors: Greg Olliver, Wes Orshoski | Stars: Lemmy, Phil Campbell, Mikkey Dee, Dave Navarro

Votes: 8,604

14. Palme (2012–2013)

103 min | Documentary, Biography

The life and times of Olof Palme, the prime minister of Sweden until his assassination in 1986.

Stars: Lisbeth Palme, Joakim Palme, Mårten Palme, Mattias Palme

Votes: 1,514

15. American Masters (1985– )
Episode: Woody Allen: A Documentary (2011)

Not Rated | 192 min | Documentary, Biography, History

A documentary on Woody Allen that trails him on his movie sets and follows him back to Brooklyn as he visits his childhood haunts.

Director: Robert B. Weide | Stars: Woody Allen, Letty Aronson, Marshall Brickman, Josh Brolin

Votes: 5,285

16. When We Were Kings (1996)

PG | 88 min | Documentary, Sport

83 Metascore

Boxing documentary on the 1974 world heavyweight championship bout between defending champion, George Foreman, and the underdog challenger, Muhammad Ali.

Director: Leon Gast | Stars: Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Don King, James Brown

Votes: 19,139 | Gross: $2.79M

17. Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006)

86 min | Documentary, History

79 Metascore

Featuring never-before-seen footage, this documentary delivers a startling new look at the Peoples Temple, headed by preacher Jim Jones who, in 1978, led more than 900 members to Guyana, where he orchestrated a mass suicide via tainted punch.

Director: Stanley Nelson | Stars: Rebecca Moore, Janet Shular, Tim Carter, Stanley Clayton

Votes: 5,642

18. Anton Corbijn Inside Out (2012)

Not Rated | 85 min | Documentary, Biography

54 Metascore

An intimate portrait of Anton Corbijn as he travels the world as a photographer, film maker and video artist. A unique and revelatory look at the drama and conflict inherent in the man ... See full summary »

Director: Klaartje Quirijns | Stars: Anton Corbijn, Bono, Martin Gore, Herbert Grönemeyer

Votes: 559

19. Bob Wilson's Life & Death of Marina Abramovic (2012)

57 min | Documentary

"Bob Wilson's Life & Death of Marina Abramovic" follows the coming together of director Robert Wilson, performance artist Marina Abramovic, singer and composer Antony Hegarty and performer ... See full summary »

Director: Giada Colagrande | Stars: Marina Abramovic, Robert Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Anohni

Votes: 145

20. Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview (2012)

Unrated | 70 min | Documentary

A conversation with Steve Jobs as he was running NeXT, the company he had founded after leaving Apple.

Director: Paul Sen | Stars: Robert X. Cringely, Steve Jobs

Votes: 1,914 | Gross: $0.10M

21. The Queen of Versailles (2012)

PG | 100 min | Documentary

80 Metascore

A documentary that follows a billionaire couple as they begin construction on a mansion inspired by Versailles. During the next two years, their empire, fueled by the real estate bubble and cheap money, falters due to the economic crisis.

Director: Lauren Greenfield | Stars: Jaqueline Siegel, David Siegel, Lorraine Barrett, June Downs

Votes: 13,704 | Gross: $2.40M

22. Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present (2012)

Not Rated | 106 min | Documentary, Biography, History

74 Metascore

A documentary that follows the Serbian performance artist as she prepares for a retrospective of her work at The Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Directors: Matthew Akers, Jeff Dupre | Stars: Marina Abramovic, Ulay, Klaus Biesenbach, David Balliano

Votes: 6,475 | Gross: $0.09M

23. Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer (2003)

R | 93 min | Documentary, Crime

71 Metascore

Nick Broomfield's second documentary about serial killer Aileen Wuornos, focusing on her mental state on death row.

Directors: Nick Broomfield, Joan Churchill | Stars: Aileen Wuornos, Nick Broomfield, Terry Humphreys-Slay, Leitha Prather

Votes: 6,955 | Gross: $0.10M

24. The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers (2009)

Not Rated | 92 min | Documentary

75 Metascore

An exploration of the life and work of Dr. Daniel Ellsberg, former Marine and military strategist, who was responsible for the publication of secret government documents that revealed the truth behind America's involvement in Vietnam.

Directors: Judith Ehrlich, Rick Goldsmith | Stars: Peter Arnett, Ben Bagdikian, Ann Beeson, John Dean

Votes: 2,421 | Gross: $0.45M

25. Searching for Sugar Man (2012)

PG-13 | 86 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

79 Metascore

Two South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock n roller, Rodriguez.

Director: Malik Bendjelloul | Stars: Rodriguez, Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman, Dennis Coffey, Mike Theodore

Votes: 72,926 | Gross: $3.97M

26. Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story (2008)

Not Rated | 86 min | Documentary, Biography

66 Metascore

The Murrow, Polk, and IDA Award-winning documentary Boogie Man is about Lee Atwater, a blues-playing rogue whose rise from the South to Chairman of the GOP made him a political rock star. ... See full summary »

Director: Stefan Forbes | Stars: Lee Atwater, Tucker Eskew, Joe Sligh, Eric Alterman

Votes: 825 | Gross: $0.06M

27. An Unreasonable Man (2006)

Not Rated | 122 min | Documentary, Biography

75 Metascore

A look at the career of consumer advocate Ralph Nader.

Directors: Henriette Mantel, Steve Skrovan | Stars: Ralph Nader, Pat Buchanan, Howard Zinn, Eric Alterman

Votes: 1,767 | Gross: $0.18M

28. The Deceiver (2008)

85 min | Documentary, Adventure, Biography

The film follows the tracks of a master fraudster, impersonator and Ponzi schemer who, among other exploits, coached the Hungarian ladies' swimming team to success at international ... See full summary »

Directors: Åsa Blanck, Johan Palmgren | Star: György Zemplényi

Votes: 130

29. Hit So Hard (2011)

Not Rated | 103 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

52 Metascore

A documentary that follows Hole drummer Patty Schemel as she struggles with fame and addiction during the band's 1994-1995 world tour and after.

Director: P. David Ebersole | Stars: Patty Schemel, Courtney Love, Eric Erlandson, Melissa Auf der Maur

Votes: 737 | Gross: $0.03M

30. Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry (2012)

R | 91 min | Documentary

81 Metascore

A documentary that chronicles artist and activist Ai Weiwei as he prepares for a series of exhibitions and gets into an increasing number of clashes with the Chinese government.

Director: Alison Klayman | Stars: Ai Weiwei, Dan Ai, Lao Ai, Lee Ambrozy

Votes: 4,527 | Gross: $0.53M

31. William S. Burroughs: A Man Within (2010)

Not Rated | 87 min | Documentary

63 Metascore

William S. Burroughs: featuring never before seen footage as well as exclusive interviews with his closest friends and colleagues. Born the heir of the Burroughs' adding machine estate, he ... See full summary »

Director: Yony Leyser | Stars: Fred Aldrich, Laurie Anderson, Amiri Baraka, Jello Biafra

Votes: 1,240 | Gross: $0.05M

32. Senna (2010)

PG-13 | 106 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport

79 Metascore

A documentary on Brazilian Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna, who won the F1 world championship three times before his death at age 34.

Director: Asif Kapadia | Stars: Ayrton Senna, Reginaldo Leme, John Bisignano, Neyde Senna

Votes: 75,881 | Gross: $1.61M

33. Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story (2012)

Unrated | 87 min | Documentary

58 Metascore

The story of Yonatan Netanyahu, commander of an elite Israeli army commando unit who was killed during Operation Entebbe, a hostage-rescue mission carried out at Entebbe Airport in Uganda ... See full summary »

Directors: Jonathan Gruber, Ari Daniel Pinchot | Stars: Yiftach R. Atir, Shai Avital, Omer Bar-Lev, Ehud Barak

Votes: 186 | Gross: $0.11M

34. Bill Cunningham New York (2010)

Not Rated | 84 min | Documentary, Biography, History

76 Metascore

A profile of the noted and extraordinarily cheerful veteran New York City fashion photographer.

Director: Richard Press | Stars: Bill Cunningham, Anna Wintour, Michael Kors, Editta Sherman

Votes: 5,670 | Gross: $1.51M

35. George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2011)

Not Rated | 208 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

Filmmaker Martin Scorsese examines the life of musician George Harrison, weaving together interviews, concert footage, home movies and photographs.

Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: George Harrison, Harry Harrison, Peter Harrison, Paul McCartney

Votes: 12,633

36. A Brief History of Time (1991)

G | 80 min | Documentary, Biography

78 Metascore

A film about the life and work of the cosmologist, Stephen Hawking, who despite his near total paralysis, was one of the great minds of all time.

Director: Errol Morris | Stars: Stephen Hawking, Isobel Hawking, Janet Humphrey, Mary Hawking

Votes: 5,917 | Gross: $2.28M

37. Garbo: The Spy (2009)

Not Rated | 88 min | Documentary, Biography, History

67 Metascore

A compelling account of Juan Pujol, an extraordinary Spanish double agent during WWII who helped change the course of history.

Director: Edmon Roch | Stars: Rupert Allason, José Antonio Escoriza, Aline Griffith, Juan Kreisler

Votes: 651 | Gross: $0.03M

38. Superstar: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol (1990)

87 min | Documentary, Biography

A look at the life, work, and impact of Andy Warhol (1928-1987), pop icon and artist, from his childhood in Pittsburgh to his death after a botched surgery. Warhol coined the word "... See full summary »

Director: Chuck Workman | Stars: John Warhola, Viva, Dennis Hopper, Roy Lichtenstein

Votes: 347

39. Helmut by June (1995 TV Movie)

53 min | Documentary

An intimate portrait of iconic photographer Helmut Newton shot by his wife and fellow photographer June Newton.

Director: June Newton | Stars: June Anderson, Carla Bruni, Helena Christensen, Cindy Crawford

Votes: 76

40. Crumb (1994)

R | 119 min | Documentary, Biography, Comedy

93 Metascore

An intimate portrait of controversial cartoonist Robert Crumb and his traumatized family.

Director: Terry Zwigoff | Stars: Robert Crumb, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Charles Crumb, Maxon Crumb

Votes: 21,602 | Gross: $3.17M

41. Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015)

TV-MA | 132 min | Documentary, Animation, Biography

83 Metascore

An authorized documentary on the late musician Kurt Cobain, from his early days in Aberdeen, Washington to his success and downfall with the grunge band Nirvana.

Director: Brett Morgen | Stars: Kurt Cobain, Wendy O'Connor, Don Cobain, Jenny Cobain

Votes: 32,146

42. Weiner (2016)

R | 96 min | Documentary

84 Metascore

An examination of disgraced New York Congressman Anthony Weiner's mayoral campaign and today's political landscape.

Directors: Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg | Stars: Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin, Jordan Zain Weiner, Barbara Morgan

Votes: 10,533 | Gross: $1.61M

43. Becoming Warren Buffett (2017)

TV-PG | 90 min | Documentary, Biography

The legendary investor started out as an ambitious, numbers-obsessed boy from Nebraska and ended up becoming one of the richest and most respected men in the world.

Director: Peter W. Kunhardt | Stars: Kenan Akansel, Saul Bisht, Susie Buffet Jr., Bertie Buffet

Votes: 5,374

44. Amy (III) (2015)

R | 128 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

85 Metascore

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: 55,123 | Gross: $8.41M

45. The Salt of the Earth (2014)

PG-13 | 110 min | Documentary, Biography, History

83 Metascore

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: 23,478 | Gross: $1.34M

46. Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine (2015)

R | 128 min | Documentary, Biography

72 Metascore

A look at the personal and private life of the late Apple CEO, Steve Jobs.

Director: Alex Gibney | Stars: Steve Jobs, Alex Gibney, Steve Wozniak, Michael S. Malone

Votes: 6,501 | Gross: $0.49M

47. Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (2016 TV Movie)

TV-14 | 95 min | Documentary

78 Metascore

An intimate portrait of actress Debbie Reynolds and her relationship with her beloved children, Carrie and Todd.

Directors: Alexis Bloom, Fisher Stevens | Stars: Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher, Todd Fisher, Catherine Hickland

Votes: 3,587

48. Gaga: Five Foot Two (2017)

TV-MA | 100 min | Documentary, Music

63 Metascore

This documentary goes behind the scenes with pop provocateur Lady Gaga as she releases a bold new album and prepares for her Super Bowl halftime show.

Director: Chris Moukarbel | Stars: Sandra Amador, Michael Bearden, Tony Bennett, BloodPop

Votes: 13,698



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