Best Documentaries of All Time
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- DirectorMichael MooreStarsMichael MooreCharlton HestonMarilyn MansonFilmmaker Michael Moore explores the roots of America's predilection for gun violence.
- StarsSigourney WeaverDavid AttenboroughNikolay DrozdovA documentary series on the wildlife found on Earth. Each episode covers a different habitat: deserts, mountains, deep oceans, shallow seas, forests, caves, polar regions, fresh water, plains and jungles. Narrated by David Attenborough.
- DirectorJohn ChesterStarsJohn ChesterMolly ChesterToddDocumentarian John Chester and his wife Molly work to develop a sustainable farm on 200 acres outside of Los Angeles.
- StarsNeil deGrasse TysonChristopher EmersonKeythe FarleyAn exploration of our discovery of the laws of nature and coordinates in space and time.
- DirectorAndrew JenksStarsKevin CraneChuck EricksonBill FergusonIn 2005, 20-year-old Ryan Ferguson was convicted and sentenced to 40 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, causing his father, Bill, to embark on a 10-year campaign to prove Ryan's innocence.
- DirectorDaniel VernonStarsDavid CopelandArthurTalent Chioma Mundy-CastleThis documentary tells the story of the 1999 London bombings that targeted minority communities, and the race to find the far-right extremist behind them.
- DirectorDaniel FarrandsStarsCorey FeldmanPeter M. BrackeSamantha DelutriA chronicle of the history of the Friday the 13th franchise.
- DirectorTodd Douglas MillerStarsStan AdelsteinLanice ArcherRobert BakkerA documentary about the discovery of the largest Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil ever found.
- DirectorVlad YudinStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerMickey RourkeMichael Jai WhiteA documentary that follows top bodybuilders as they train to compete in the Mr. Olympia competition.
- DirectorSimon WincerStarsKiefer SutherlandTony StewartMatt KensethA big-screen look into one of America's most successful entertainment industries, NASCAR racing.
- DirectorJosh LowellPeter MortimerStarsJohn BranchTommy CaldwellKevin JorgesonIn an unbelievable story of perseverance, free climber Tommy Caldwell and climbing partner Kevin Jorgeson attempt to scale the impossible 3000ft Dawn Wall of El Capitan.
- StarsOprah WinfreyDavid AttenboroughDoug AllanDavid Attenborough's legendary BBC crew explains and shows wildlife all over planet earth. From giving an overview of the challenges facing life to hunting the deep sea and various major evolutionary groups of creatures.
- StarsJoe ExoticCarole BaskinJohn ReinkeA rivalry between big cat eccentrics takes a dark turn when Joe Exotic, a controversial animal park boss, is caught in a murder-for-hire plot.
- DirectorHenry JoostAriel SchulmanStarsNev SchulmanAriel SchulmanHenry JoostYoung filmmakers document their colleague's budding online friendship with a young woman and her family which leads to an unexpected series of discoveries.
- DirectorEzra EdelmanStarsKareem Abdul-JabbarMike AlbaneseMuhammad AliA chronicle of the rise and fall of O.J. Simpson, whose high-profile murder trial exposed the extent of American racial tensions, revealing a fractured and divided nation.
- StarsDavid AttenboroughPierce BrosnanPeter ScoonesMammoth series, five years in the making, taking a look at the rich tapestry of life in the world's oceans.
- StarsPaul McCartneyGeorge HarrisonRingo StarrAn autobiographical documentary of the greatest of the rock bands.
- StarsDavid McCulloughSam WaterstonJulie HarrisA comprehensive survey of the American Civil War.
- DirectorWerner HerzogStarsTimothy TreadwellAmie HuguenardWerner HerzogA 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.
- StarsCem Yigit UzümogluTuba BüyüküstünAlp IlkmanOttoman Sultan Mehmed II wages an epic campaign to take the Byzantine capital of Constantinople and shapes the course of history for centuries.
- StarsRobert HolmesCharles A. MooseIn the fall of 2002, 17-year-old Lee Malvo and Gulf War veteran John Muhammad terrorized the D.C. region with a series of random shootings from inside the trunk of a blue Chevy Caprice, killing 10 people and injuring three.
- DirectorSteve SmithAshley WayStarsBrian CoxMatt SmithJim Al-KhaliliBritish physicist Brian Cox lectures on the nature of time and space, black holes, time dilation and the possibility of time travel by using experiments featuring celebrity guests, demonstrations and segments set on board the TARDIS.
- StarsBrian CoxFran BagenalJohn GrotzingerWelcome to the greatest story that's never been told. In a new, ground breaking series we'll be telling the story of the planets as never before.
- StarsNikolay DrozdovKenneth BranaghAvery BrooksDocumentary-style series about the era of the dinosaurs, mixing real locations and CGI.
- StarsKenneth BranaghStockard ChanningLarry AgenbroadUsing the latest digital technology, the era between the dinosaurs and man is superbly recreated by the BBC and Discovery Channel in another winning production from the coalition.
- StarsKenneth BranaghEdward GeroThe final installment in the "Walking with" series is a 90-minute documentary about the evolution of life before the dinosaurs.
- StarsDavid AttenboroughExplores and unravels the mystery of how and why animals migrate, showing some of the most dramatic and compelling stories in the natural world through spectacular and innovative cinematography.
- StarsMa Anand SheelaPhilip ToelkesJane StorkWhen Osho, the world's most controversial guru, builds an Utopian city deep in the Oregon country, conflict with the locals escalates into a national scandal.
- DirectorGeorge CaseyStarsJames Earl JonesThe Serengeti is a huge area of grassland in Tanzania, Africa. Once a year, in the time of drought, about two million herd animals like antelopes travel north to feed and mate before moving south again, when plants there begin to blossom.
- DirectorStephen JudsonStarsMichael GambonAdele HammondJohn Harlin IIIJohn Harlin III attempts to climb the North Face of the Eiger, the site of his father's death forty years earlier.
- DirectorJon ShenkStarsGeorge LucasJohn KnollDoug ChiangBehind-the-scenes documentary on the making of "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace".
- StarsDerek JacobiJames Oliver WheatleySam CallisThe real-life pirates of the Caribbean violently plunder, stealing and form a surprisingly egalitarian republic in this documentary series.
- DirectorLeslie IwerksStarsStacy KeachJohn LasseterBrad BirdThe Pixar Story takes audiences behind the scenes of the groundbreaking company that pioneered a new generation of animation and forever changed the face of filmmaking.
- DirectorGarrett BradleyStarsSibil Fox RichardsonRobert G. RichardsonMahlik RichardsonFox Rich fights for the release of her husband, Rob, who is serving a 60-year sentence in prison.
- DirectorErica MilsomStarsBen BurttJames MacDonaldLegendary sound designer Ben Burtt shares secrets of creating the sounds of WALL-E (2008).
- DirectorJeff TremaineStarsJohnny KnoxvilleBam MargeraChris PontiusJohnny Knoxville and his band of maniacs perform a variety of stunts and gross-out gags on the big screen for the first time.
- DirectorDavid LickleyStarsTyrone BenskinFrom black bears in Montana to polar bears in the arctic, Bears features a fresh view of these powerful, majestic and often misunderstood animals in the full glory of their natural habitat, and highlights the universal threats to bear populations.
- DirectorDavid DouglasStarsRobbie RobertsonWolves tells the remarkable story of one of the world's most tenacious species and our closest fellow predator. The film follows these elusive subjects across remote landscapes in an effort to catch glimpses of a way of life known only to a handful of scientists.
- DirectorPeter SpirerStarsAnthony 'Treach' CrissDavey DMichael Eric DysonDocumentary examining the politics, music, and life of Tupac Shakur.
- DirectorDavid BreashearsStephen JudsonGreg MacGillivrayStarsLiam NeesonLhakpa DorjiDorje SherpaAn international team of climbers ascends Mt. Everest in the spring of 1996. The film depicts their lengthy preparations for the climb, their trek to the summit, and their successful return to Base Camp. It also shows many of the challenges the group faced, including avalanches, lack of oxygen, treacherous ice walls, and a deadly blizzard.
- StarsAxel AlonsoVictoria AlonsoHayley AtwellA look at the story behind Marvel Studios and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage from all of the Marvel films, the Marvel One-Shots and "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."
- StarsDavid HolthouseGhostdanceChristopher DienstagFollows investigative journalist David Holthouse as he attempts to solve a bizarre twenty-five year old triple homicide that was said to be the work of a mythical creature.
- DirectorTaylor MordenStarsLauren LapkusTom CaseyKevin SmithThis nostalgic documentary reveals the real story of Blockbuster's demise, and how one last location in Bend, Oregon keeps the spirit of a bygone era alive.
- StarsGareth PierceSteven MoffatMarcus WilsonA series of documentaries celebrating the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who (1963), each focusing on a different incarnation of the Doctor.
- DirectorGabriela CowperthwaiteStarsTilikumDave DuffusSamantha BergA documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.
- DirectorBart LaytonStarsAdam O'BrianNicholas BarclayCarey GibsonA documentary centered on a young man in Spain who claims to a grieving Texas family that he is their 16-year-old son who has been missing for 3 years.
- DirectorMatthew OgensStarsChristopher Lloyd DennisMaxwell AllenJennifer WengerChronicles the lives of four mortal men and women who work as characters on the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard.
- DirectorTony KaplanErica MilsomStarsJim BlinnEben OstbyCraig GoodThe story of Pixar's early short films illuminates not only the evolution of the company but also the early days of computer animation, when a small group of artists and scientists shared a single computer in a hallway, and struggled to create emotionally compelling short films.
- StarsRussell T. DaviesDavid TennantSteven MoffatBehind the scenes of the making of Doctor Who (2005) with the cast, crew and directors.
- DirectorRon FrickeStarsPatrick DisantoA collection of expertly photographed scenes of human life and religion.
- DirectorValveStarsBenedict LimClinton LoomisDanil IshutinFollow three professional video game players as they overcome personal adversity, family pressures, and the realities of life to compete in a $1,000,000 tournament that could change their lives forever.
- DirectorThomas BalmèsStarsBayarHattieMariA look at one year in the life of four babies from around the world, from Mongolia to Namibia to San Francisco to Tokyo.
- DirectorIrene TaylorStarsMorgan GeyserAnissa WeierAngie GeyserTells the story of two 12-year old girls, who attempted to murder one of their friends in an attempt to appease Slenderman, a fictional monster from a horror website.
- DirectorWilliam ShatnerStarsWilliam ShatnerPatrick StewartAvery BrooksThe Captains is a feature length documentary film written and directed by William Shatner. The film follows Shatner as he interviews the other actors who have portrayed Starship captains within the illustrious science-fiction franchise.
- DirectorMarina ZenovichStarsAndrew BraunsbergRichard BrennemanDouglas DaltonExamines the public scandal and private tragedy which led to legendary filmmaker Roman Polanski's sudden flight from the United States.
- DirectorLiz GarbusStarsBobby FischerDavid EdmondsAnthony Saidy'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, from his troubled childhood, to his rock star status as World Champion and Cold War icon, to his life as a fugitive on the run. This film explores one of the most infamous and mysterious characters of the 20th century.
- DirectorPete McCormackStarsGeorge ChuvaloHenry CooperGeorge ForemanTen of Muhammad Ali's former rivals pay tribute to the three-time world heavyweight champion.
- DirectorGeorge ButlerRobert FioreStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerLou FerrignoMatty FerrignoArnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno face off in a no-holds-barred competition for the title of Mr. Olympia in this critically-acclaimed film that made Schwarzenegger a household name.
- DirectorAdam NimoyStarsKarl UrbanChris PineJim ParsonsAn examination of the enduring appeal of Leonard Nimoy and his portrayal of Spock in Star Trek (1966).
- StarsMichael BayJeffrey BeecroftIan BryceA feature length making-of eight-part documentary: "Generation 2" (15:53), "Drive Like Hell" (13:29), "Small Town, Big Movie" (11:22), "Shadow Protocol Activated" (28:45), "The Last Stand" (11:03), "The People's Republic" (12:54), "Rise of the Dinobots" (6:10) and "The Finishing Touch" (23:10), which looks at new characters and Transformer design, story areas and changes from the prior films, cast and performances, various vehicles and stunts, sets, locations, and production design, practical and visual effects, editing, music and audio.
- StarsTyler BatesDaeg FaerchWilliam ForsytheA four hour documentary on the making of Rob Zombie's Halloween.
- CreatorDaniel BogadoDinah LordEamonn MatthewsStarsDivanilson CavalcantiThomaz VasconcelosMarlucia SouzaThe true-life story of Brazilian TV host Wallace Souza, who was accused of literally killing for ratings, and using his crime TV show to cover up the grizzly truth.
- DirectorTerry DougasNikki FrakesWill HessStarsAvi AradJim GoodkindJeremy PivenThe life and career of the comic book writer and editor.
- StarsRobert LeighMarcos AkiatenChip BolcikJourney back to the wild Ice Age, and witness how some of the most lethal prehistoric predators lived and why they disappeared forever from the Earth.
- DirectorRick ButlerStarsAngel DelgadilloDonald FlockDouglas KeeverCreator John Lasseter gets his kicks on Route 66.
- DirectorBrett HarveyStarsCheech MarinCraig BalkamDanielle TrejoHaving spent much of his early life in prison, actor Danny Trejo discusses his career and how he has overcome a life of crime and addiction.
- DirectorChristopher KenneallyStarsDerek AmbrosiMichael BallhausAndrzej BartkowiakThe documentary investigates the history, process and workflow of both digital and photochemical film creation.
- 20112h 31mNot Rated8.3 (671)VideoDirectorKevin DunnStarsSteve AustinChris AdamsArn AndersonAt his apex, Stone Cold Steve Austin was a pop culture phenomenon, the biggest superstar in the history of sports entertainment. Despite battling the rejection of being fired and a career-threatening injury, Austin persevered and vaulted to the top of his profession. Now, fans can relive the epic story of the Texas Rattlesnake with Stone Cold Steve Austin. Filled with new, never-before-seen i
- DirectorPaul VanezisStarsDenis LawsonTom BakerChristopher H. BidmeadA new body looks at the behind scene during the making of Logopolis the last story for Tom Baker as the Doctor and the regeneration to Peter Davision featured on the DVD release of Logopolis and made available as part of the new Beginings box set released by BBC DVD
- DirectorLiliana OlszewskiStarsSana AmanatSaquon BarkleyPaul BettanyStars of the Marvel Universe -- including Tom Hiddleston, Paul Bettany, Cobie Smulders, Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Mark Hamill -- assemble to celebrate the life and luminous legacy of the legendary comic creator.
- DirectorLes GuthmanMike MaroltStarsSteve MaroltJohn CallahanJim Gile"Skiing Everest" is the first documentary about the small elite fraternity of high-altitude skiers who climb the highest peaks in the world in pure Alpine style, carrying their skis and declining to use supplemental oxygen. At the top of the world, high in the Death Zone, they lock into their skis and challenge the most dangerous slopes in the world - under weather conditions that are as perilous as the thin air, hidden crevasses, and 10,000 ft. sheer faces that drop into Nepal and Tibet far below.
- DirectorMarc SingerStarsMarc SingerA cinematic portrait of the homeless population who live permanently in the underground tunnels of New York City.
- DirectorBanksyStarsBanksyMr. BrainwashSpace InvaderFollowing the style of some of the world's most prolific street artists, an amateur filmmaker makes a foray into the art world.
- DirectorMarshall CurryStarsAnnabeth BarnesJosh HobsonBrandon WarrenThese kids are racing to make their NASCAR dreams a reality.
- DirectorAdam SimonStarsGeorge A. RomeroJohn CarpenterTom SaviniAn examination into the nature of 1960s-'70s horror films, the artists involved, and how they reflected contemporary society.
- DirectorAlethea Arnaquq-BarilStarsAlethea Arnaquq-BarilAaju PeterAn Inuk filmmaker takes a close look at the central role of seal hunting in the lives of the Inuit, the importance of the revenue they earn from sales of seal skins, and the negative impact that international campaigns against the seal hunt have had on their lives.
- DirectorCosta BotesStarsSean AstinSean BeanCate BlanchettDocumentary of the making of Peter Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic work of fantasy.
- StarsRoland EmmerichJessie T. UsherDean DevlinSome good interviews and fun behind the scenes footage.
- DirectorBrennan McCleanStarsLawrence BenderDavid CarradineShin'ichi ChibaThe documentary of the Blockbuster sleeper, Kill Bill Vol. 1, and how it was made. There is Quentin Tarrantino, the director and writer of the movie, Uma Thurman, who plays "The Bride", the sort of Hero/Anti-hero of the film when she was betrayed by her old teammates, Lucy Liu, playing O-Ren, the half-Chinese half-Japanses American who is Queen of the Crime Underworld in Japan, Vivica A. Fox, playing the now-retired-assassin-turned-homemaker and Julie Drefus, playing Sofie, O-Ren's lawyer, second-in-command and lawyer.
- DirectorJosh OreckStarsLaurence FishburneJoe PantolianoBarrie M. OsborneA promotional making-of documentary for the film Matrix, The (1999) that devotes its time to explaining the digital and practical effects contained in the film. This is very interesting, seeing as how they're giving away the cinematic secrets that they created solely for the this movie, that have now been spoofed and referenced in countless other films.
- DirectorAndrew J. KuehnStarsDonald PleasenceNancy AllenFred Asparagus"Terror in the Aisles" is a compilation of scenes from many science fiction, crime drama and horror movies of the 1930s through 1980s.
- StarsMark HamillGeorge LucasAnthony DanielsA look at the making of the original Star Wars trilogy.
- DirectorJohn CampeaStarsAdrian AskariehRobert Meyer BurnettMichael DavisA documentary examining the creation and evolution of movie trailers and their passionate, yet sometimes complicated, relationship with film fans.
- DirectorRick ButlerStarsBrad BirdJohn LasseterJohn WalkerThe production of the movie, "The Incredibles," shot behind the scenes at Pixar Animation Studios.
- DirectorRick ButlerStarsMark AndrewsBrad BirdGreg Dykstra
- DirectorNeil DiamondCatherine BainbridgeJeremiah HayesStarsAdam BeachChris EyreRussell MeansThe history of the depiction of Native Americans in Hollywood films.
- 200415mUnrated7.5 (20)VideoStarsAvi AradGary FosterMark Steven JohnsonThis documentary examines the longer Director's Cut edition and the editing of the film. We hear comments from Avi Arad, Gary Foster, Mark Steven Johnson describing about the choices made to pare down the film for theatrical release and other changes made for the director's cut as well as ratings issues.
- DirectorKayvon Derak ShanianStarsPat MoritaRalph MacchioMartin KoveMr. Miyagi is the character that made him an icon, now we examine this OSCAR nominated actor who brought him to life.
- DirectorRob GoldbergStarsRichard DreyfussSteven SpielbergDavid FearA fascinating program that goes behind the scenes of Steven Spielberg's landmark 1975 film JAWS.
- DirectorLaurent BouzereauStarsSteven SpielbergPeter BenchleyDavid BrownExcellent and very detailed documentary on the making of a classic. Filled with appealing trivia, exhaustive interviews with cast and crew members, and never before seen footage.
- DirectorErik HollanderStarsSteve AltenJoe AlvesRoy ArbogastAfter three decades, Jaws continues to intrigue, thrill and frighten viewers. This documentary focuses on the many ways Jaws has helped to shape common elements of pop culture.