Essential documentaries
by scribe_06 | created - 17 Nov 2022 | updated - 2 weeks ago | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Chuck Norris vs. Communism (2015)
Not Rated | 78 min | Documentary, Comedy, History
In the oppressive 1980s communist Romania, the smuggled VHS tapes of banned Hollywood films become an inspirational ray of hope. A hybrid feature about the magic of film and the power it has to change lives.
Director: Ilinca Calugareanu | Stars: Irina Margareta Nistor, Teodor Zamfir, Mircea Cojocaru, Vlad Craioveanu
Votes: 2,460
2. Hype! (1996)
Not Rated | 84 min | Documentary, History, Music
Documentary covering the growth and subsequent overexposure of the Seattle "grunge" music scene in the early 90s
Director: Doug Pray | Stars: 7 Year Bitch, Valerie M. Agnew, Carrie Akre, Jeff Ament
Votes: 2,930 | Gross: $0.27M
3. Surfwise (2007)
R | 93 min | Documentary, Sport
Doug Pray explores the life of surfer Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz.
Director: Doug Pray | Stars: Juliette Paskowitz, David Paskowitz, Jonathan Paskowitz, Abraham Paskowitz
Votes: 1,641 | Gross: $0.27M
4. Jodorowsky's Dune (2013)
PG-13 | 90 min | Documentary
The story of cult film director Alejandro Jodorowsky's ambitious but ultimately doomed film adaptation of the seminal science fiction novel.
Director: Frank Pavich | Stars: Alejandro Jodorowsky, Michel Seydoux, H.R. Giger, Chris Foss
Votes: 27,596 | Gross: $0.65M
5. Electric Apricot (2007)
R | 92 min | Comedy, Music
A graduate filmmaker chronicles a jam band's journey to a famous music festival.
Director: Les Claypool | Stars: Jonathan Korty, Adam Gates, Bryan Kehoe, Les Claypool
Votes: 678
6. Tim's Vermeer (2013)
PG-13 | 80 min | Documentary, History
Inventor Tim Jenison seeks to understand the painting techniques used by Dutch Master Johannes Vermeer.
Director: Teller | Stars: Tim Jenison, Penn Jillette, Martin Mull, Philip Steadman
Votes: 8,557 | Gross: $1.66M
7. Room 237 (I) (2012)
Not Rated | 102 min | Documentary
An exploration of various interpretations of Stanley Kubrick's horror film, The Shining (1980).
Director: Rodney Ascher | Stars: Bill Blakemore, Geoffrey Cocks, Juli Kearns, John Fell Ryan
Votes: 23,119 | Gross: $0.26M
8. A Glitch in the Matrix (2021)
Not Rated | 108 min | Documentary
Documentary filmmaker Rodney Ascher tackles the question "are we living in a simulation?" with testimony, philosophical evidence and scientific explanation in his quest for the answer.
Director: Rodney Ascher | Stars: Nick Bostrom, Joshua Cooke, Erik Davis, Philip K. Dick
Votes: 2,183
9. DMT: The Spirit Molecule (2010)
Not Rated | 75 min | Documentary
An investigation into the long-obscured mystery of dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a molecule found in nearly every living organism and considered the most potent psychedelic on Earth.
Director: Mitch Schultz | Stars: Joe Rogan, Ralph Abraham, Joel Bakst, Steven Barker
Votes: 4,854
10. Who Killed the KLF? (2021)
88 min | Documentary, Music
"Who Killed the KLF?" explores the rise and fall of the KLF in the 1980s and 1990s, touching upon themes that perfectly capture the 21st century zeitgeist. A tale as intriguing as it is bonkers"
Director: Chris Atkins | Stars: James Brown, Nick Coler, Carl Cox, Tony Dickens
Votes: 1,062
11. If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front (2011)
Unrated | 85 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
A rare behind-the-curtain look at the Earth Liberation Front, the radical environmental group that the FBI calls America's 'number one domestic terrorist threat.'
Directors: Marshall Curry, Sam Cullman | Stars: Daniel McGowan, Lisa McGowan, Tim Lewis, Kirk Engdall
Votes: 3,317 | Gross: $0.06M
12. Narco Cultura (2013)
R | 103 min | Documentary, Crime
Narco Cultura (Spanish, English subtitles) takes viewers behind the scenes of narcocorridos, the most explosive and violent music subculture in America.
Director: Shaul Schwarz
Votes: 2,500 | Gross: $0.14M
13. Feels Good Man (2020)
92 min | Documentary, Comedy
Artist Matt Furie, creator of the comic character Pepe the Frog, begins an uphill battle to take back his iconic cartoon image from those who used it for their own purposes.
Director: Arthur Jones | Stars: Matt Furie, Aiyana Udesen, Chris Sullivan, Johnny Ryan
Votes: 5,554
14. Sign Painters (2013)
Not Rated | 81 min | Documentary
At a time when most American cityscapes are dominated by computer created signage, Sign Painters takes a close look at the past, present, and hopeful future of the hand paint sign industry in the USA.
Directors: Faythe Levine, Sam Macon
Votes: 141
15. Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead (2015)
Not Rated | 98 min | Documentary, History
A look at the history of the American comedy publication and production company, National Lampoon, from its beginning in the 1970s to 2010, featuring rare and never-before-seen footage.
Director: Douglas Tirola | Stars: Danny Abelson, Judd Apatow, Kevin Bacon, Henry Beard
Votes: 2,553 | Gross: $0.06M
16. Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)
R | 87 min | Documentary, Comedy, Crime
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
17. Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010)
G | 90 min | Documentary, History
Werner Herzog gains exclusive access to film inside the Chauvet caves of Southern France and captures the oldest known pictorial creations of humanity.
Director: Werner Herzog | Stars: Werner Herzog, Jean Clottes, Julien Monney, Jean-Michel Geneste
Votes: 17,796 | Gross: $5.23M
18. Encounters at the End of the World (2007)
G | 99 min | Documentary
Film-maker Werner Herzog travels to the McMurdo Station in Antarctica, looking to capture the continent's beauty and investigate the characters living there.
Director: Werner Herzog | Stars: Werner Herzog, Scott Rowland, Stefan Pashov, Doug MacAyeal
Votes: 19,260 | Gross: $0.94M
19. To Be and to Have (2002)
Not Rated | 104 min | Documentary, Family
A documentary portrait of a one-room school in rural France, where the students (ranging in age from 4 to 11) are educated by a single dedicated teacher.
Director: Nicolas Philibert | Stars: Georges Lopez, Alizé, Axel Thouvenin, Guillaume
Votes: 8,419 | Gross: $0.78M
20. Gonzo (2008)
R | 120 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A portrait of the late gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson.
Director: Alex Gibney | Stars: Hunter S. Thompson, Johnny Depp, Joe Cairo, David Carlo
Votes: 8,505 | Gross: $1.25M
21. The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)
PG-13 | 79 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport
Die-hard gamers compete to break world records on classic arcade games.
Director: Seth Gordon | Stars: Steve Wiebe, Billy Mitchell, Mark Alpiger, Adam Wood
Votes: 37,581 | Gross: $0.68M
22. The Yes Men (2003)
R | 83 min | Documentary, Comedy
Anti-corporate activists travel from conference to conference, impersonating member of the World Trade Organization.
Directors: Dan Ollman, Sarah Price, Chris Smith | Stars: Andreas Bichlbauer, Mike Bonanno, Andy Bichlbaum, Michael Moore
Votes: 6,177 | Gross: $0.20M
23. The Yes Men Fix the World (2009)
87 min | Documentary, Comedy
Troublemaking duo Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno, posing as their industrious alter-egos, expose the people profiting from Hurricane Katrina, the faces behind the environmental disaster in Bhopal, and other shocking events.
Directors: Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno, Kurt Engfehr | Stars: Reggie Watts, Mike Bonanno, Andy Bichlbaum, Richard Ebeling
Votes: 5,207 | Gross: $0.19M
24. Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words (2016)
R | 93 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
An in-depth look at the life and work of avant-garde musician, Frank Zappa.
Director: Thorsten Schütte | Stars: Frank Zappa, Steve Allen, Angel, Chuck Ash
Votes: 1,371 | Gross: $0.35M
25. Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick James (2021)
TV-MA | 111 min | Documentary, Music
A profile of legendary funk/R&B icon Rick James capturing the peaks and valleys of his storied career to reveal a complicated and rebellious soul, driven to share his talent with the world.
Director: Sacha Jenkins | Stars: Rick James, Oscar Alston, Big Daddy Kane, Randall Bostick
Votes: 710
26. Macho Man: The Randy Savage Story (2014 Video)
TV-PG | 94 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport
WWE fans, you have waited long enough! His glistening wardrobe, often-imitated cadence and grandiose style was outshined only by his virtuoso performances in the ring. Macho Man, with his ... See full summary »
Stars: Richard Blood, Marty Brennaman, Phil Brooks, Allen Coage
Votes: 307
27. The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (2015)
Not Rated | 115 min | Documentary, History
This documentary tells the rise and fall of the Black Panther Party, one of the 20th century's most alluring and controversial organizations that captivated the world's attention for nearly 50 years.
Director: Stanley Nelson | Stars: Blair Anderson, Omar Barbour, Julian Bond, Elaine Brown
Votes: 2,144 | Gross: $0.48M
28. The Net (2003)
Not Rated | 121 min | Documentary
Ultimately stunning in its revelations, Lutz Dammbeck's THE NET explores the incredibly complex backstory of Ted Kaczynski, the infamous Unabomber. This exquisitely crafted inquiry into the... See full summary »
Director: Lutz Dammbeck | Stars: Lutz Dammbeck, Eva Mattes, Tom Vogt, Stewart Brand
Votes: 390
29. American: The Bill Hicks Story (2009)
Not Rated | 102 min | Documentary, Animation, Biography
Photo-animated feature documentary, uniquely narrated by the 10 people who knew Bill best.
Directors: Matt Harlock, Paul Thomas | Stars: Bill Hicks, Dwight Slade, Mary Hicks, Steve Hicks
Votes: 5,007 | Gross: $0.09M
30. Moonage Daydream (2022)
PG-13 | 135 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A cinematic odyssey exploring David Bowie's creative and musical journey. From visionary filmmaker Brett Morgen, and sanctioned by the Bowie estate.
Director: Brett Morgen | Stars: David Bowie, Trevor Bolder, Ken Fordham, Mike Garson
Votes: 14,465
31. The Sunshine Makers (2015)
101 min | Documentary, History
The story of Nicholas Sand and Tim Scully, the unlikely duo at the heart of 1960s American drug counter-culture.
Director: Cosmo Feilding-Mellen | Stars: Tim Scully, Nick Sand, Alice Einhorn, Billy Hitchcock
Votes: 1,489 | Gross: $0.01M
32. TPB AFK: The Pirate Bay Away from Keyboard (2013)
Not Rated | 85 min | Documentary
An intellectual freedoms documentary based around the interpersonal triumphs, and defeats of the three main characters against the largest industry in the known universe. The media industry.
Director: Simon Klose | Stars: Gottfrid Svartholm, Peter Sunde, Fredrik Neij, Peter Althin
Votes: 13,927
33. The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz (2014)
Not Rated | 105 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
The story of programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz, who took his own life at the age of 26.
Director: Brian Knappenberger | Stars: Aaron Swartz, Tim Berners-Lee, Cindy Cohn, Gabriella Coleman
Votes: 18,041 | Gross: $0.05M
34. Finding Fela (2014)
Not Rated | 119 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A look at the life and music of Nigerian singer Fela Kuti.
Director: Alex Gibney | Stars: Fela Kuti, Yeni Kuti, Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti
Votes: 849
35. The Pervert's Guide to Ideology (2012)
Not Rated | 136 min | Documentary
Philosopher Slavoj Zizek examines the hidden themes and existential questions asked by world renowned films.
Director: Sophie Fiennes | Star: Slavoj Zizek
Votes: 7,530 | Gross: $0.07M
36. Cringe (I) (2020)
83 min | Documentary, Comedy
ContraPoints discusses the concept of "cringing".
Director: Natalie Wynn | Stars: Davis M.J. Aurini, Chanty Binx, Christine Weston Chandler, Rose Of Dawn
Votes: 47
37. Trumbull Land (2018 TV Movie)
52 min | Documentary, Sci-Fi
A portrait of DOUGLAS TRUMBULL, the magician behind the visual effects of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Blade Runner.
Director: Grégory Wallet | Stars: Bruce Dern, Stanley Kubrick, Gaspar Noé, Ridley Scott
Votes: 63
38. Dumb: The Story of Big Brother Magazine (2017)
TV-MA | 79 min | Documentary
The story of the rise and fall of the 1990s skate boarding magazine, 'Big Brother'.
Director: Patrick O'Dell | Stars: Jeff Grosso, Tony Hawk, Marc Johnson, Jason Jessee
Votes: 637
39. Dear Rider: The Jake Burton Story (2021)
R | 91 min | Documentary, Sport
An irreverent entrepreneur overcomes a series of adversities to create a new sport- and unexpectedly launches a global cultural phenomenon: snowboarding.
Director: Fernando Villena | Stars: Donna Carpenter, Jake Burton Carpenter, Kelly Clark, Woody Harrelson
Votes: 328
40. Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
Not Rated | 86 min | Documentary, Music
A collection of expertly photographed phenomena with no conventional plot. The footage focuses on the relationship between nature, humanity, and technology.
Director: Godfrey Reggio | Stars: Edward Asner, Pat Benatar, Jerry Brown, Johnny Carson
Votes: 41,516 | Gross: $1.72M
41. Anvil (2008)
Not Rated | 80 min | Documentary, Biography, Drama
Since 1978, Anvil has become one of heavy metal's most influential yet commercially unsuccessful acts. In 2006, after a fledging European tour Anvil sets out to record their thirteenth album and continue to follow their dreams.
Director: Sacha Gervasi | Stars: Robb Reiner, Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, Tiziana Arrigoni, Scott Ian
Votes: 16,846 | Gross: $0.67M
42. Fubar (2002)
R | 76 min | Comedy, Music
Headbangers Terry and Dean explore the depths of friendship, and the art and science of drinking beer like a man.
Director: Michael Dowse | Stars: Paul Spence, David Lawrence, Gordon Skilling, Andrew Sparacino
Votes: 4,494
43. This Place Rules (2022)
TV-MA | 82 min | Documentary, Crime, History
Follows events and characters surrounding the January 6th, 2021 insurrection of the U.S. Capital Building in the days preceding the attack.
Director: Andrew Callaghan | Stars: Andrew Callaghan, Joker Gang, Gum Gang, Brittany
Votes: 6,529
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