What makes a story unforgettable is how much of an impact it can have on a viewer. Documentary movies are true stories told in a fascinating manner. When you allow a great storyteller to tell you a tale, be prepared to get mesmerized.
The list of documentary movies here are just that, true stories told by amazing storytellers. These stories can inspire you, make you feel all sorts of emotions, not to mention take you on a journey you couldn’t have gone on your own.
1. When We Were Kings (1996)
Sport, Career
The American documentary “When We Were Kings” received the 1996 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The movie chronicles Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman’s “Rumble in the Jungle” heavyweight title match that took place in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) in 1974.
This movie explores the events that led up to the fight, the political and social context in Zaire at the time, as well as the individual histories and philosophies of the two competitors. The movie includes footage from the fight as well as interviews with participants, such as Ali, Foreman, and promoter Don King.
2. Hoop Dreams (1994)
Sport, Career
Watch Trailer
“Hoop Dreams” depicts the lives of two African American high school students from Chicago named William Gates and Arthur Agee who both want to play basketball professionally. The five-year period covered by the movie shows the athletes’ development in both their personal and professional life.
Through their experiences, the movie highlights the bigger topics of race, class, and education in America. The movie examines the harsh reality of living in the inner city, the pressure placed on the young athletes to perform well, and the challenges they face in pursuing their goals.
3. Senna (2010)
Sport, Career
Watch Trailer
Ayrton Senna, a Brazilian Formula One driver who was regarded as one of the sport’s all-time greats, is the subject of this movie. The movie follows Senna’s career from his karting beginnings to his ascent to the top of Formula One, his fierce rivalry with fellow driver Alain Prost, and his tragic passing in an accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
The movie also looks at Senna’s complicated nature, his strong religious convictions, and his devotion to his nation. The majority of the movie is made up of archival material, such as racing footage and interviews with Senna and people from his life. The movie received favorable reviews and multiple awards, including the Best Documentary BAFTA award.
4. O.J.: Made in America (2016)
Crime
O.J. Simpson, a former American football player and actor, was acquitted of killing his ex-wife and her friend but was later judged liable for their deaths in a civil lawsuit. The documentary movie follows Simpson’s life and criminal trial.
It examines the circumstances leading up to the trial, including Simpson’s ascent to stardom as a football player and his later careers as an actor and pitchman. Through the perspective of the trial and its aftermath, the movie also explores the more general themes of race, class, and the criminal justice system in America. 2017’s Best Documentary Feature Oscar was awarded to this documentary film.
5. Icarus (2017)
Sport, Thriller
In the film “Icarus” sports doping and the usage of performance-enhancing medications are the main focus. Bryan Fogel, the director, starts the movie by trying out doping to see if he can boost his own performance in a cycling competition. Along the way, he encounters Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, a Russian scientist who served as the head of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), who aids him in comprehending the complexities of doping and the system that supports it.
When Dr. Rodchenkov is brought in as a crucial witness in the investigation into state-sponsored doping in Russia, the movie then takes a dramatic turn .The movie investigates the political and economic motivations for sports doping as well as the ethical and moral concerns that surround it. In 2018, “Icarus” won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
6. Pumping Iron (1977)
Sport, Career
The classic bodybuilding movie “Pumping Iron” provides an absorbing insight into the world of competitive weightlifting. The movie demonstrates clearly how Arnold Schwarzenegger became famous by displaying his tremendous determination and confidence.
This movie delivers an insightful look into the world of bodybuilding and, like many other great movies from the 1970s, it portrays it accurately. Intense training routines, mental strength, ruthless competition, and personal rivalries that occur in the field of bodybuilding are all highlighted in the movie.
Fitness enthusiasts, as well as those interested in the human desire for perfection and the goal of personal greatness. Even though the ending is already known, the adventure is in the process of getting there. This documentary movie is a must to not miss.
7. Ronaldo (2015)
Sport, Career
This movie is a must to watch for fans of Portuguese football star, Cristiano Ronaldo. The movie brings the audience an insight into Ronaldo’s life, from his origin to his distinguished career. With exclusive footage and interviews from those closest to him, the documentary provides an intimate and unmatched look at Ronaldo’s journey.
The movie showcases Ronaldo’s journey that contains his dedication, drive, and passion for the sport, making it a truly inspiring viewing experience. This movie is also appealing to anybody interested in inspirational stories of struggle and triumph, not just football enthusiasts.
8. Blackfish (2013)
Heartbreaking
Watch Trailer
The 2013 American documentary “Blackfish” focuses on the controversy surrounding the care of these whales in captivity, notably the risks that the captivity brings to both the whales and the trainers. Tilikum is a captive orca housed by SeaWorld. In the movie, SeaWorld and its conventional practices were criticized.
It claimed that Tilikum’s hostility toward trainers is a direct result of the strain and confinement of captivity. The movie also looks at the history of orca captivity, how these whales are treated while in captivity, and the marine park business as a whole. It is credited with increasing public awareness of the problem and causing a reduction in SeaWorld visitors.
9. The Act of Killing (2012)
Historical
Watch Trailer
The movie is about the 1965 Indonesian mass killings, a time of political turmoil in Indonesia during which the military and paramilitary organizations massacred between 500,000 and 1 million people, primarily suspected members of the Communist Party of Indonesia.
The film focuses on those responsible for the murders as well as the government’s attempts to rationalize and glorify the violence. The movie is a historical and political documentary as well as a psychological examination of the offenders and the culture that has tolerated their continued rule.
10. Casting JonBenet (2017)
Crime
Watch Trailer
In Boulder, Colorado, on December 26, 1996, JonBenét Ramsey, a young beauty queen, was found dead in her home. Though the murder is the subject of the movie, the impact of it on the neighborhood where the murder occurred is the main subject of the movie rather than the investigation or the crime itself.
In addition to giving their personal stories and viewpoints on the case, the movie shows actors from the neighborhood auditioning for parts in the movie to dramatically reenact the tragedy. It also looks at how the public and media interpreted the crime and how it was reported.
11. Grizzly Man (2005)
Animal
Watch Trailer
The documentary “Grizzly Man” tells the tale of Timothy Treadwell, an American bear enthusiast, environmentalist, and filmmaker who spent 13 summers living among grizzly bears in Katmai National Park, Alaska, between the late 1980s and his death in 2003. In addition to interviews with others who knew him, such as his family, friends, park rangers, and bear experts, the movie includes footage that Treadwell shot himself while he was in the park.
In addition, the movie examines Treadwell’s character, background, and motivations for becoming a bear enthusiast, as well as the morality of dealing with wild creatures. The movie received good praise from critics and was recognized with numerous awards, including the Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Feature.
12. The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara (2003)
War
Watch Trailer
The film is an interview-based biography of Robert S. McNamara, who held the position of US Secretary of Defense from 1961 to 1968 under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. In addition to examining McNamara’s involvement in the Cold War and the Vietnam War, the movie also explores his ideas on the nature of conflict, how decisions are made, and the purpose of the military in society.
The video is significant for the transparency with which McNamara examines his thoughts and the insights he offers into the operations of the US government and military during a pivotal stage in American history.
13. The Gatekeepers (2012)
War
Watch Trailer
Shin Bet is the Israeli internal security agency. “The Gatekeepers” is based on interviews with six former Shin Bet leaders, who offered noteworthy and honest glimpses into the organization’s inner workings and its involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The movie explores the accomplishments and failings of the Shin Bet as well as its methods and ethical conundrums. It covers the organization’s history from its founding in the wake of the 1967 Six-Day War to the present. The six former Shin Bet leaders who were interviewed for the movie reflect on their personal experiences as well as their opinions about the conflict.
14. Three Identical Strangers (2018)
Extraordinary
Watch Trailer
This documentary is about the lives of a set of identical triplet who were split up at birth. Three of them were adopted by distinct families, each with a different social status and wealth. Until they were 19 years old, each sibling was unaware that he had two other identical brothers who lived within 100 miles of one another.
While the triplets and the audience find the story extraordinary, it is interesting to watch as things develop. Later we learn that the triplets were purposefully split by the adoption agency in 1961 at the age of six months for psychological research. This became an issue that had to be addressed by the production team.
15. Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
Life Philosophy
Watch Trailer
The movie is about Fred Rogers, the man behind the long-running children’s television show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,”. The movie examines Rogers’ life, legacy and strategy for kids’ programming, which emphasized kindness, empathy and understanding.
It also looks at how his Christian religion and other aspects of his personal life affected his work with kids. Additionally, the audience can see how his message of love has impacted several generations of people and how it is still relevant today.
16. The Tinder Swindler (2022)
Crime
Watch Trailer
The “Tinder Swindler” movie is about Shimon Hayut aka Simon Leviev who deceived other women by using the trending dating app Tinder. He is an Israeli who claimed to be the son of Russian-Israeli diamond mogul Lev Leviev, often known as the Diamond King who traveled around Europe.
Hayut used dating apps to meet numerous women, established credit accounts and loans in their names, and eventually left the women to be responsible for the debts. Eventually, the ladies who were duped by him join together in an effort to find and retrieve the significant sum of money that was stolen from them.
The movie also shows how these frauds take place, who is the target, and the effects on the victims. In addition, it provides guidance on how to be safe while using online dating services and apps. The movie sheds light on con artists’ motivations and their methods for deceiving people.
17. Found (2021)
Life Philosophy
Watch Trailer
The movie “Found” invites the viewers to an in-depth reflection as it explores the concept of identity and its importance in our lives. The movie features a wide range of people who have faced difficulties with their sense of identity, including questions about its nature and the search for purpose in a world that is changing rapidly.
This movie will undoubtedly leave its viewers with questions as it combines personal stories, expert commentary, and captivating visuals. This movie is certainly intriguing, regardless of your liking towards philosophy, documentaries or just compelling stories.
18. Hot Girls Wanted (2015)
Spotlight
Watch Trailer
A number of young women between the ages of 18 and 25 are interviewed about their experiences as adult performers. As a society, we tend to judge individuals by their profession but things may be more than meets the eye. In this film, you get to know what really goes through girls’ heads when they decide to enter the porn industry. The real life experiences of the ladies, and how they felt.
19. Journey to the Edge of the Universe (2008)
Space
Watch Trailer
The documentary “Journey to the Edge of the Universe” takes viewers on a journey through the cosmos while examining the most recent scientific findings and hypotheses on the universe’s beginnings and the nature of space and time. The movie transports the audience virtually around the cosmos, from Earth to the farthest limits of the observable universe, using cutting-edge computer animation and visual effects.
The movie includes Alec Baldwin’s voiceover narration and touches on a variety of subjects, including the Big Bang theory, dark matter, black holes, and the possibility of life on other worlds. The impact of science on human culture and civilization is also explored, as is the evolution of human knowledge of the universe from prehistoric times to the present.
20. Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel (2021)
Crime
Watch Trailer
True crime docuseries that examines the mysterious disappearance of Elisa Lam, a college student who vanished from the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles in 2013. The series explores the events leading up to Lam’s disappearance, the search for her, and the theories surrounding what may have happened to her.
The show features interviews with those involved, including hotel guests, employees, and law enforcement, as well as archive footage and reenactments. The series takes a closer look at the dark history of the hotel and its connection to other crimes, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding Lam’s vanishing.
21. Apollo 11 (2019)
Space
Watch Trailer
The movie is about the 1969 Apollo 11 lunar landing, which was the first time humans set foot on the Moon. The entire movie was made using audio recordings and historical footage, some of which had never been seen by the general audience. The movie offers a thorough and comprehensive look at the mission, from the Saturn V rocket launch to the moon landing and the return to Earth. The audience could also witness the astronauts’ training and preparation.
The use of high-definition and restored material adds a new degree of clarity and depth to the movie. The film’s emphasis on the human element of the mission, which includes the feelings and experiences of the astronauts, mission crew and their families made it an outstanding documentary movie.
22. In Saturn’s Rings (2018)
Space
Watch Trailer
The movie is an IMAX documentary that takes the audience on a tour across the rings of Saturn. The movie is a visual feast; it is entirely devoid of live-action video and instead combines images from the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA’s Cassini-Huygens mission, and other sources with photos from those missions.
Each segment of the movie focuses on a distinct feature of Saturn and its rings. The movie offers an overview of our knowledge of Saturn and its rings, as well as the most recent findings and hypotheses on the planet and its moons.
23. The Last Man on the Moon (2014)
Space
Watch Trailer
The movie is about the life and career of astronaut Gene Cernan, who participated in three space missions. He also served as the mission commander of Apollo 17, the final manned mission to the Moon in 1972.
The movie contains Cernan’s interviews as well as archive material and pictures to depict the events covered in the movie. The audience is given a glimpse into Cernan’s astronaut adventures, including his training, his stay in space and how it affected his life.
24. For All Mankind (1989)
Space
Watch Trailer
The entire production is made up of old NASA astronaut film documenting the Apollo program and the manned Moon expeditions. Each of the film’s chapters, which range from the Saturn V rocket launch to the Moon landing and the return to Earth, focuses on a different component of the Apollo program.
This documentary is unique in that it doesn’t have narration. Instead, it uses the astronauts’ own audio recordings from the trips to provide context and perspective. The movie is recognized for its magnificent sights and soundtrack that made it able to capture the sensation of awe and wonder of the Apollo program to inspire anyone who watches this.
25. A Cambodian Spring (2016)
Politic
The movie is about the recent political and social changes in Cambodia, with a particular emphasis on the campaign for land rights and the government’s repression of the opposition. The narrative of three Cambodians struggling for their freedom and rights in a nation where the government has become more oppressive is told in the movie.
It follows Venerable Loun Sovath, a land rights activist, Teng Boonma, a social worker, and Buddhist monk Luon Sovath as they navigate the difficulties of life in a nation where human rights are repressed. The movie emphasizes how forced evictions and land grabs affect local populations as well as how the government represses criticism by using violence and intimidation.
26. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
Cultural
Jiro Dreams of Sushi” is about Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old sushi maestro and proprietor of Japan’s Sukiyabashi Jiro, a three-star Michelin restaurant. Jiro’s everyday activities in the restaurant are shown in the movie, which also explores his love of sushi and his commitment to his trade.
Jiro’s relationship with his two sons, one of whom is being prepared to take over the restaurant and the other of whom has gone to open his own, are also highlighted in the movie. The movie features art and expertise that go into producing sushi at the highest level as well as the background and culture of sushi.
27. The Search for Weng Weng (2011)
Career
The movie is about the life and career of Filipino actor and entertainer Weng Weng, who gained fame for being one of the tiniest leading males in movie history at 2 feet 9 inches (83 cm). He was well-known for his martial arts prowess. He made appearances in various Filipino action and humor movies.
The movie also looks at how Weng Weng and other little people were exploited for entertainment business profit. It is a special documentary that uncovers the lives of a little-known actor and the frequent exploitation in the entertainment business.
28. 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible (2021)
Adventure
14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible is a documentary about the Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja and his team. The film follows the group as they set out to climb all 14 peaks that are higher than 8000m in a span of 7 months where the last held record was 7 years.
The film highlighted the back story and motivation of this expedition. They wanted to bring to light, appreciate and give credit to the Sherpas who are extraordinary mountaineers. You will see how insanely difficult these ascents are and it takes a lot of physical and mental capability to complete this expedition.
29. Free Solo (2018)
Adventure
In Free Solo, Alex Honnald’s very real struggles during his personal yet absurd pursuit for achievement are captivatingly depicted. This wonderful film investigates what Alex is actually ready to sacrifice to realize his potentially fatal goals. It demonstrates how this objective affects his relationships and mental health while also giving viewers a fascinating glimpse into Alex’s head.
This movie redefined the concepts of effort and achievement and gave us a sense of what victory feels like when you are your own competition. Alex’s journey was particularly intriguing because it was obvious that he was aiming for something unique unlike fame or fortune. His journey toward his goals was unique, intense, and fantastic.
30. Whitney (2018)
Career
The Whitney Houston documentary covers the events leading up to Whitney’s 1980s position as a well-known vocalist throughout the world. It begins with her discovery by record producer Clive Davis.
Furthermore, explores Whitney’s incredible development to become one of the most popular and significant female singers of all time, as well as her personal challenges, including her fight with drug addiction. In addition, it also delves into Houston’s relationships, family life, and legacy while examining her influence on music and popular culture.
The movie also evokes intense emotions as you listen to her incredible voice. Her unmatched vocal talent will give you chills and leave you in awe. It ends with Whitney’s untimely passing, leaving you with a bittersweet feeling of both inspiration and sadness.
31. Halftime (2022)
Career
Halftime is a documentary film about Jennifer Lopez’s life and career. The narrative focuses heavily on her performance at the Super Bowl LIV halftime show and her movie Hustlers. In the film you can watch a side of her that isn’t usually shown on screen. Behind her tremendous success was her dedication, hard work and discipline.
There was so much the audience could learn from this amazing woman. When the message is this powerful, it simply sends you on an emotional roller coaster. You will cry both happy and sad tears while watching this movie as well as sing and dance. For anyone who is constantly pushing themselves to be their best selves, this movie can be of inspiration.
32. Our Father (2022)
Crime
The terrifying story of a fertility doctor impregnating women with his sperm without their consent. As the many offspring of Dr. Donald Cline find out about their long-lost siblings, the unnerving truth spills out more and more along the way.
The documentary evokes a wide range of emotions amongst viewers as it explores a half-horror, half-emotional victim narrative.
