Favorite documentaries
by jrsl88 | created - 03 Oct 2011 | updated - 10 Jan 2023 | PublicDocumentaries that are my favorites. Arranged in ABC order.
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1. Twentieth Century Fox: The First 50 Years (1997 TV Movie)
TV-G | 150 min | Documentary
The first half century of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation from its beginnings under Hungarian immigrant William Fox to it emergence as a major studio.
Director: Kevin Burns | Stars: James Coburn, Julie Andrews, David Brown, Red Buttons
Votes: 141
2. 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year (2009 TV Movie)
TV-G | 69 min | Documentary
A look at the movies in the year 1939, considered by many to be one of the greatest years in film history.
Director: Constantine Nasr | Stars: Kenneth Branagh, Leonard Maltin, Thomas G. Schatz, F.X. Feeney
Votes: 415
3. Backstage at Disney (1983 TV Movie)
Documentary
The various trials and errors in creating films at Disney, including aspects of "Something Wicked This Way Comes".
Director: Tom Leetch | Stars: Carroll Ballard, Tim Burton, John Culhane, Harrison Ellenshaw
Votes: 15
4. Beyond Titanic (1998 TV Movie)
94 min | Documentary
A survey of 86 years of Titanicana in popular culture, with the emphasis on movies about (or inspired by) the disaster.
Director: Edith Becker | Stars: Victor Garber, Steven Biel, Daniel Allen Butler, Ryan Cassidy
Votes: 137
5. The Big T.N.T. Show (1965)
Not Rated | 95 min | Documentary, Music
Live performances by some of the top rock-and-roll acts of the mid 60s. Includes Ray Charles, The Byrds, Joan Baez, Ike and Tina Turner, Donovan, The Lovin' Spoonful, and several more.
Director: Larry Peerce | Stars: Joan Baez, Gene Clark, Mike Clarke, The Byrds
Votes: 223
6. The Boys (2009)
PG | 101 min | Documentary
Their music is unforgettable. Their name is legend. Delve into the lives and cinematic legacy of the prolific songwriting duo whose music has been featured in classic movies such as Mary Poppins (1964) and The Jungle Book (1967).
Directors: Gregory V. Sherman, Jeff Sherman | Stars: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, Roy Edward Disney, Julie Andrews
Votes: 1,310 | Gross: $0.05M
7. Bozo, Gar & Ray: WGN TV Classics (2005 TV Special)
120 min | Documentary, Family
This WGN TV special offers a retrospective look at beloved Chicago-area children's television shows "Bozo's Circus", "Garfield Goose and Friends", and "Ray Rayner and His Friends".
Star: Dean Richards
Votes: 7
8. Busby Berkeley: Going Through the Roof (1998 TV Movie)
Documentary, Biography, Music
Director: David M. Thompson | Stars: Busby Berkeley, Larry Robinson, Kenneth Anger, Richard Barrios
Votes: 58
9. Cinerama Adventure (2002)
97 min | Documentary
A nostalgic and compelling look into the legendary three camera, three projector process that revolutionized motion pictures and led the industry into the widescreen era. Through actual ... See full summary »
Director: David Strohmaier | Stars: Lowell Thomas, Fred Waller, Jim Morrison, Rudy Behlmer
Votes: 353
10. The Dawn of Sound: How Movies Learned to Talk (2007 Video)
85 min | Documentary
The nearly 30-year struggle to bring sound to motion pictures is the backdrop for this insightful documentary. Film historians, and survivors from the era take the audience from the early ... See full summary »
Stars: Mark Hunt, Ron Hutchinson, Scott Eyman, Rudy Behlmer
Votes: 128
11. Disney Through the Decades (2001 Video)
Documentary, Short
Director: Jeff Kurtti | Stars: D.B. Sweeney, Roy Edward Disney, Angela Lansbury, Fess Parker
Votes: 45
12. Drawn for Glory: Animation's Triumph at the Oscars (2008 Video)
Documentary
Director: Constantine Nasr
Votes: 21
13. The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal (1986)
93 min | Documentary
An endearing tribute to the father of fantasy and science fiction filmmaking - Oscar winner George Pal . Five decades of the visionary film makers groundbreaking works are presented via rare interviews and dynamic movie scenes.
Director: Arnold Leibovit | Stars: Zsoka Pal, Duke Goldstone, Ray Harryhausen, Gene Warren
Votes: 222
14. Frank and Ollie (1995)
PG | 89 min | Documentary
A study of the personal and professional relationship of Disney animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, who started at the studio in the 1930s and worked on 23 films together.
Director: Theodore Thomas | Stars: Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, Sylvia Roemer, John Canemaker
Votes: 1,087
15. Garbo (2005)
85 min | Documentary, Biography
An original documentary from Turner Classic Movies, narrated by Julie Christie
Directors: Christopher Bird, Kevin Brownlow | Stars: Julie Christie, Greta Garbo, Charles Busch, Karen Swenson
Votes: 350
16. Glorious Technicolor (1998 TV Movie)
60 min | Documentary, History
The history of color photography in motion pictures, in particular the Technicolor company's work.
Director: Peter Jones | Stars: Angela Lansbury, Esther Williams, Arlene Dahl, Evelyn Keyes
Votes: 262
17. Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006)
Unrated | 88 min | Documentary, Horror
A documentary on the history of the slasher film.
Director: Jeff McQueen | Stars: Ed Green, Wes Craven, John Carpenter, Joseph Stefano
Votes: 3,618
18. The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments (2003 TV Movie)
90 min | Documentary, Comedy, Music
This 90-minute special aired on the Lifetime network in June 2003 served as a reunion show for 3 of the 4 Golden Girls. This show has clips from the girls' favorite moments from the show, ... See full summary »
Stars: Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, Betty White, Estelle Getty
Votes: 146
19. The Harryhausen Chronicles (1998 TV Movie)
60 min | Documentary
Narrated by actor Leonard Nimoy and featuring appearances by George Lucas and Ray Bradbury, this film documents Ray Harryhausen's remarkable visual effects work, including his hand in ... See full summary »
Director: Richard Schickel | Stars: Ray Harryhausen, Leonard Nimoy, Ray Bradbury, Dennis Muren
Votes: 327
20. His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th (2009 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary, Horror
A documentary exploring 30 years of the "Friday The 13th" film series featuring all new interviews with cast and crew from all 12 films and various horror fans and filmmakers.
Director: Daniel Farrands | Stars: Natalie Adams, Diane Almeida, Erich Anderson, Judie Aronson
Votes: 3,177
21. Hollywood: The Dream Factory (1972 TV Movie)
51 min | Documentary, History
A documentary about the glorious history of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and its decline leading to the sale of its back lot and props. By extension this provides a general history of Hollywood's Golden Age and the legendary studio system.
Stars: Dick Cavett, Bud Abbott, Constance Bennett, Humphrey Bogart
Votes: 295
22. I Am Divine (2013)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary
How Divine, aka Harris Glenn Milstead, became John Waters' cinematic muse and an international drag icon.
Director: Jeffrey Schwarz | Stars: Divine, Michael Musto, Mark Payne, Greg Gorman
Votes: 3,125 | Gross: $0.06M
23. I Love Lucy's 50th Anniversary Special (2001 TV Special)
120 min | Comedy, Documentary, Family
Retrospective honoring the 50th anniversary of the debut of "I Love Lucy, " one of TV's pioneer programs. Along with clips from the original series, guests recalled memories and the impact the show had on American culture.
Director: Gary Smith | Stars: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr., Lucie Arnaz
Votes: 199
24. I Yam What I Yam: The Story of Popeye the Sailor (2007 Video)
43 min | Documentary, Short
Documentary on the evolution of Popeye the Sailor Man.
Directors: Constantine Nasr, Mark Nassief | Star: Tom Kenny
Votes: 30
25. I'm King Kong!: The Exploits of Merian C. Cooper (2005)
57 min | Documentary, Biography
This documentary explores the incredible life of Merian C. Cooper, from his time as a soldier and pilot in three different wars, to his exploits in Hollywood, as a director, producer and cinematic innovator.
Directors: Christopher Bird, Kevin Brownlow | Stars: Alec Baldwin, Merian C. Cooper, David Strohmaier, James D'Arc
Votes: 240
26. Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible (2010 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 60 min | Documentary
A look over the incredible work of ILM and how they revolutionised the way we see film with the introduction and advances of CGI or Computer Generated Image. This documentary takes us from ... See full summary »
Director: Leslie Iwerks | Stars: Tom Cruise, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard
Votes: 528
27. Irving Thalberg: Prince of Hollywood (2005 TV Movie)
75 min | Documentary, Biography
A tribute to producer Irving Thalberg.
Director: Robert Trachtenberg | Stars: John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Cari Beauchamp, Wallace Beery
Votes: 158
28. It's Tough to Be a Bird (1969)
G | 21 min | Comedy, Family, Documentary
Part cartoon and part documentary, this film offers a humorous look at birds and the ways people perceive them.
Director: Ward Kimball | Stars: Ruth Buzzi, Richard Bakalyan, John Emerson, Jim Swain
Votes: 478
29. Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star (2002 TV Movie)
Unrated | 87 min | Documentary
In this documentary on the life of Joan Crawford, it is learned why she should be remembered as the great actress she was, and not only as the "Mommie Dearest" caricature she has become. ... See full summary »
Director: Peter Fitzgerald | Stars: Anjelica Huston, Diane Baker, Charles Busch, Ben Cooper
Votes: 562
30. Katharine Hepburn: All About Me (1993 TV Movie)
70 min | Documentary, Biography
Katharine Hepburn gives a detailed account of her life and career.
Director: David Heeley | Stars: Katharine Hepburn, Dorothy Arzner, Lauren Bacall, John Beal
Votes: 619
31. Legends of the Dark Knight: The History of Batman (2005 Video)
41 min | Documentary, Short
A look at the history of the Batman comic franchise.
Director: Constantine Nasr | Stars: Harlan Ellison, Mark Cotta Vaz, Michael E. Uslan, Bob Kane
Votes: 231
32. Live from New York: The First 5 Years of Saturday Night Live (2005 TV Special)
TV-14 | 120 min | Comedy, Documentary
A retrospective of the first 5 years of Saturday Night Live.
Director: Kenneth Bowser | Stars: Sheree Ali, Joan Armatrading, Dan Aykroyd, Anne Beatts
Votes: 567
33. The Living Desert (1953)
G | 69 min | Family, Documentary
Although first glance reveals little more than stones and sand, the desert is alive. Witness moving rocks, spitting mud pots, gorgeous flowers and the never-ending battle for survival between creatures of every shape, size and description.
Director: James Algar | Star: Winston Hibler
Votes: 1,716
34. Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces (2000 TV Movie)
85 min | Documentary, Biography
Lon Chaney, the silent movie star and makeup artist, renowned for his various characterizations and celebrated for his horror films, becomes the subject of this documentary.
Director: Kevin Brownlow | Stars: Kenneth Branagh, Forrest J. Ackerman, Michael F. Blake, Teresa Blake
Votes: 514
35. Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman (2006 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 115 min | Documentary, History
The history of the comic book superhero, Superman in his various media incarnations.
Director: Kevin Burns | Stars: Kevin Spacey, Gerard Jones, Forrest J. Ackerman, Elliot S. Maggin
Votes: 1,398
36. Married... with Children Reunion (2003 TV Movie)
60 min | Comedy, Documentary
Cast members of Married...With Children (1987-1997) reunite and share memories of working on America's most favorite ground-breaking sitcom since All in the Family.
Director: Hal Grant | Stars: Ed O'Neill, Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate, David Faustino
Votes: 475
37. Mel Blanc: The Man of a Thousand Voices (2008 Video)
70 min | Documentary, Biography, History
The life and career of the renowned voice actor of animation and radio.
Director: Constantine Nasr | Stars: Mel Blanc, Noel Blanc, Keith Scott, Bill Baldwin Jr.
Votes: 188
38. The Mickey Mouse Club Story (1995 TV Movie)
51 min | Documentary, Family
The original Mousketeers look back at the making of a Disney classic television series.
Director: Dan Boothe | Stars: Sherry Alberoni, Sharon Baird, Bobby Burgess, Lonnie Burr
Votes: 43
39. The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson (1990 TV Movie)
47 min | Documentary, Animation, Action
While The Muppets prepare a tribute to the late Jim Henson, they learn about the life and career of the renowned puppeteer/film maker.
Director: Don Mischer | Stars: Jim Henson, Harry Belafonte, Carol Burnett, Ray Charles
Votes: 301
40. Our Gang: Inside the Clubhouse (1984 TV Movie)
93 min | Documentary
A behind the scenes look at Hal Roach's Our Gang comedies, complete with interviews from several former cast and crew members of the series.
Director: Bob Lang | Stars: Peggy Ahern, Matthew 'Stymie' Beard, Tommy Bond, Jackie Cooper
Votes: 26
41. Out of the Closet, Off the Screen: The Life of William Haines (2001)
TV-MA | 45 min | Documentary, Biography
Chronicles the life of openly gay 1930s film actor William Haines, who sacrificed his Hollywood fame when he refused to end his relationship with another man.
Directors: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato | Stars: William Haines, Chris Allen, Stockard Channing, Christina Crawford
Votes: 84
42. Out of the Inkwell: The Fleischer Story (2008 Video)
Documentary
Documentary about the Fleischer Animation Studio.
Stars: Jerry Beck, Leslie Cabarga, Harvey Deneroff, Paul Dini
Votes: 41
43. The Pixar Story (2007)
G | 87 min | Documentary
The 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.
Director: Leslie Iwerks | Stars: Stacy Keach, John Lasseter, Brad Bird, John Musker
Votes: 7,050
44. Saturday Night Live in the '80s: Lost & Found (2005 TV Special)
Documentary
The aftermath of Lorne Michaels leaving to the success of Saturday Night Live in the 80's.
Director: Kenneth Bowser | Stars: Jim Belushi, A. Whitney Brown, Dana Carvey, Chevy Chase
Votes: 172
45. Saturday Night Live in the '90s: Pop Culture Nation (2007 TV Special)
TV-14 | 120 min | Documentary
A retrospective of "Saturday Night Live" during the 1990's. Includes interviews with the cast and crew as well as hosts. Features memorable sketches and behind the scenes dynamics.
Directors: Kenneth Bowser, Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli, Dave Wilson | Stars: Christina Aguilera, Alec Baldwin, Beck, Michael Blakey
Votes: 161
46. Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics (2010 Video)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary, History
The history of the longstanding American comic book company that launched such legendary superhero characters such as Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.
Director: Mac Carter | Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Paul Levitz, Gerard Jones, Mark Waid
Votes: 1,328
47. Spice Girls: 20 Years of Spice (2016)
82 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
'20 Years of Spice' explores the meteoric rise to fame of the 90's pop phenomenon, the Spice Girls. 2016 marks 20 years since the Spice Girls' debut release, 'Wannabe', and the film covers ... See full summary »
Director: Alex Lodge | Star: Jonathan Lipman
Votes: 18
48. Spice Girls: Live in Istanbul (1997 Video)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary, Music
Joe Louis Walker, live in Istanbul in 1995. It was my first time performing in Turkey. We were very surprised to find the audience very supportive and knowledgeable. Musicians are always ... See full summary »
Director: David Barnard | Stars: Spice Girls, Geri Horner, Victoria Beckham, Mel B
Votes: 198
49. Stardust: The Bette Davis Story (2006 TV Movie)
TV-14 | 88 min | Documentary, Biography
Combining unprecedented access to Davis' vast personal archives with original interviews, this documentary reveals a startling portrait of one of Hollywood's most gifted and enigmatic stars.
Directors: Peter Jones, Mark A. Catalena | Stars: Bette Davis, Susan Sarandon, Ruthie Davis, Barbara 'Bobby' Davis
Votes: 690
50. The T.A.M.I. Show (1964)
123 min | Documentary, Music
Surf pop duo Jan and Dean host this showcase of performances by popular rock and roll and R&B musicians of the era.
Director: Steve Binder | Stars: The Beach Boys, The Barbarians, Chuck Berry, The Blossoms
Votes: 1,008
51. That's Dancing! (1985)
G | 105 min | Documentary, Musical
The history of dance depicted on film.
Director: Jack Haley Jr. | Stars: Mikhail Baryshnikov, Ray Bolger, Sammy Davis Jr., Gene Kelly
Votes: 1,172 | Gross: $4.21M
52. That's Entertainment! (1974)
G | 135 min | Documentary, Family, Musical
Various MGM stars from yesteryear present their favorite musical moments from the studio's 50-year history.
Director: Jack Haley Jr. | Stars: Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Bing Crosby, Peter Lawford
Votes: 5,423 | Gross: $26.89M
53. That's Entertainment, Part II (1976)
G | 133 min | Documentary, Family, Musical
The second installment in the "That's Entertainment" trilogy features more classic scenes from MGM's vast musical library with the addition of comedy and drama films.
Director: Gene Kelly | Stars: Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney
Votes: 2,435 | Gross: $6.54M
54. That's Entertainment! III (1994)
G | 113 min | Documentary, Family, Musical
Third installment in the "That's Entertainment" series, featuring scenes from "The Hollywood Revue of 1929," "Brigadoon," "Singin' In The Rain," and many more MGM films.
Directors: Bud Friedgen, Michael J. Sheridan | Stars: Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelly, Ann Miller, Mickey Rooney
Votes: 1,771 | Gross: $0.27M
55. This Filthy World (2006)
Not Rated | 86 min | Documentary, Biography, Comedy
Jeff Garlin's documentary on the work of John Waters.
Director: Jeff Garlin | Star: John Waters
Votes: 1,742
56. This Is Cinerama (1952)
G | 115 min | Documentary
On the evening of September 30, 1952, the shape and sound of movies changed forever with the introduction of Cinerama.
Directors: Merian C. Cooper, Gunther von Fritsch, Ernest B. Schoedsack, Michael Todd Jr. | Stars: Lowell Thomas, Kathy Darlyn, Toni Valk
Votes: 558 | Gross: $41.60M
57. Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood (2008 TV Movie)
TV-MA | 68 min | Documentary
Various film historians, film makers, and cultural commentators discuss the cultural, political, economic and religious reasons for what is known as the pre-code era of Hollywood movie ... See full summary »
Stars: Valerie Spencer, John Landis, Jonathan Kuntz, Rudy Behlmer
Votes: 389
58. Universal Horror (1998 TV Movie)
95 min | Documentary, Horror
A documentary examining the early days of horror films, particularly those crafted at Universal Studios during the 1930s.
Director: Kevin Brownlow | Stars: Kenneth Branagh, Christopher Adamson, John Augur, Ray Bradbury
Votes: 739
59. Val Lewton: The Man in the Shadows (2007 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 77 min | Documentary
Martin Scorsese narrates this tribute to Val Lewton, the producer of a series of memorable low-budget horror films for RKO Studios. Raised by his mother and his aunt, his films often ... See full summary »
Director: Kent Jones | Stars: Martin Scorsese, Orson Welles, Val E. Lewton, Alexander Nemerov
Votes: 699
60. Video Game Invasion: The History of a Global Obsession (2004 TV Movie)
90 min | Documentary
Directors: David Carr, David Comtois | Star: Tony Hawk
Votes: 87
61. Watch the Skies!: Science Fiction, the 1950s and Us (2005 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 56 min | Documentary, Sci-Fi
Directors Stephen Spielberg, George Lucas, Ridley Scott and James Cameron discuss the science fiction movies of the 1950s that influenced them.
Director: Richard Schickel | Stars: Mark Hamill, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Ridley Scott
Votes: 460
62. Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
PG-13 | 95 min | Documentary, Biography, History
An exploration of the life, lessons, and legacy of iconic children's television host Fred Rogers.
Director: Morgan Neville | Stars: Fred Rogers, Margaret Whitmer, Tom Junod, Joanne Rogers
Votes: 27,108 | Gross: $22.84M
63. The Wonderful World of Disney: 40 Years of Television Magic (1994 TV Movie)
120 min | Documentary, Family
Director: Frank Martin | Stars: Debbie Allen, Kirstie Alley, Bobby Burgess, Margaret Cho
Votes: 39
64. The Universal Story (1996 TV Movie)
120 min | Documentary
An overview of the history of film studio Universal Pictures, featuring clips from many of its films.
Director: David Heeley | Stars: Richard Dreyfuss, Lew Ayres, Kirk Douglas, Michael J. Fox
Votes: 102
65. A Yabba-Dabba-Doo Celebration!: 50 Years of Hanna-Barbera (1989 TV Special)
94 min | Documentary, Animation
A 1989 live-action/animated television special hosted by Tony Danza and Annie Potts celebrating 50 years of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera's partnership in animation. It covers their ... See full summary »
Director: Marshall Flaum | Stars: Tony Danza, Annie Potts, Victor Borge, Shari Belafonte
Votes: 87
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