The 40 best documentaries
by Sublevel4 | created - 15 Feb 2013 | updated - 26 Aug 2014 | PublicThe name of the list says it already. The best documentaries I have seen.
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1. Senna (2010)
PG-13 | 106 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport
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: 75,873 | Gross: $1.61M
2. Inside Job (2010)
PG-13 | 109 min | Documentary, Crime
Takes a closer look at what brought about the 2008 financial meltdown.
Director: Charles Ferguson | Stars: Matt Damon, Gylfi Zoega, Andri Snær Magnason, Sigridur Benediktsdottir
Votes: 78,995 | Gross: $4.31M
3. Love the Beast (2009)
R | 92 min | Documentary, Sport
What if you were a Hollywood movie star with an obsession for cars and racing? You would probably read every script with even the tiniest link to the subject matter, in the hope that you ... See full summary »
Director: Eric Bana | Stars: Eric Bana, Jeremy Clarkson, Steve Coad, Grant Denyer
Votes: 2,189
4. Deep Water (2006)
PG | 92 min | Documentary, History, Sport
A documentary about the disastrous 1968 round-the-world yacht race.
Directors: Louise Osmond, Jerry Rothwell | Stars: Tilda Swinton, Donald Crowhurst, Ted Hynds, Robin Knox-Johnston
Votes: 3,303 | Gross: $0.27M
5. 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
6. Everest (1998)
Unrated | 44 min | Documentary, Short
An 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... See full summary »
Directors: David Breashears, Stephen Judson, Greg MacGillivray | Stars: Liam Neeson, Lhakpa Dorji, Dorje Sherpa, Ed Viesturs
Votes: 3,396 | Gross: $87.18M
7. Touching the Void (2003)
R | 106 min | Documentary, Adventure, Drama
The true story of two climbers and their perilous journey up the west face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985.
Director: Kevin Macdonald | Stars: Simon Yates, Joe Simpson, Brendan Mackey, Nicholas Aaron
Votes: 38,117 | Gross: $4.59M
8. The Wildest Dream (2010)
PG | 94 min | Documentary, Biography
Uses astonishing visuals to tell the intersecting stories of George Mallory, the first man to attempt a summit of Mount Everest, and Conrad Anker, the mountaineer who finds Mallory's frozen remains 75 years later.
Director: Anthony Geffen | Stars: Conrad Anker, Susan Robertson, Robert Macfarlane, Peter Gillman
Votes: 2,728 | Gross: $0.87M
9. Wild Australia: The Edge (1996)
37 min | Adventure, Short
Rappel into a world of exotic creatures, beautiful and treacherous waterfalls, canyons, and underground rivers carved by streams as our modern bushwackers explore a natural wonderland as it was ninety million years ago.
Director: John Weiley | Stars: Hugo Weaving, Mark Baker, Hayley Pero, Honor McGregor
Votes: 65
10. Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004)
Not Rated | 84 min | Documentary, Music
The iconic metal band struggles for two years to create their album St. Anger, dealing with alcoholism, the loss of their bass player, and the challenge of working with a psychotherapist.
Directors: Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky | Stars: James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, Robert Trujillo
Votes: 20,354 | Gross: $1.22M
11. Super Size Me (2004)
PG-13 | 100 min | Documentary
While examining the influence of the fast food industry, Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald's food for one month.
Director: Morgan Spurlock | Stars: Morgan Spurlock, Daryl Isaacs, Chemeeka Walker, Dania Abu-Rmaileh
Votes: 113,304 | Gross: $11.53M
12. Machete Maidens Unleashed! (2010)
Not Rated | 84 min | Documentary, History
A fast moving odyssey into the subterranean world of the rarely explored province of Filipino genre filmmaking.
Director: Mark Hartley | Stars: Roger Corman, John Landis, Pete Tombs, Mark Holcomb
Votes: 1,805
13. The Beckoning Silence (2007 TV Movie)
PG | 73 min | Drama
After a mountain climber's severe injuries and near-death accident, he's told he'll never climb again. His recovery left him to confront the question: why, after coming so close to death, did he feel compelled to continue climbing?
Director: Louise Osmond | Stars: Roger Schäli, Simon Anthamatten, Andreas Abegglen, Cyrille Berthod
Votes: 1,394
14. The Bridge (I) (2006)
R | 94 min | Documentary, Drama
Filmmakers use hidden cameras to capture the various suicide attempts at the Golden Gate Bridge - the world's most popular suicide destination. Interviews with the victims' loved ones describe their lives and mental health.
Director: Eric Steel | Stars: Eric Geleynse, Chris Brown, Susan Ginwalla, Caroline Pressley
Votes: 12,221 | Gross: $0.18M
15. The Sharp End (2007 Video)
63 min | Documentary
Enter the danger zone with the worlds' best climbers, including Alex Honnold, Dean Potter, Steph Davis, Lisa Rands, Chris McNamara, Ammon McNeely, Renan Ozturk, Cedar Wright and others, as ... See full summary »
Directors: Peter Mortimer, Nick Rosen | Stars: Bernd Arnold, Hank Caylor, Johnny Copp, Micah Dash
Votes: 155
16. The Greatest Movie Ever Sold (2011)
PG-13 | 90 min | Documentary, Comedy
A documentary about branding, advertising and product placement that is financed and made possible by brands, advertising and product placement.
Director: Morgan Spurlock | Stars: J.J. Abrams, Peter Berg, Paul Brennan, Noam Chomsky
Votes: 15,193 | Gross: $0.64M
17. Man on Wire (2008)
PG-13 | 94 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
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: 58,686 | Gross: $2.96M
18. Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! (2008)
R | 103 min | Documentary, History
The story of the Australian exploitation genre cinema of 1970s and 80s.
Director: Mark Hartley | Stars: Phillip Adams, Glory Annen, Christine Amor, Victoria Anoux
Votes: 4,684 | Gross: $0.02M
19. Talhotblond (2009)
R | 83 min | Documentary, Crime, Thriller
This is the true story of a love triangle that takes place entirely online. Lies lead to murder in real life, as a teenage vixen (screen name 'talhotblond') lures men into her web. ... See full summary »
Director: Barbara Schroeder | Stars: Steve Clement, Thomas Montgomery, Ken Case, Rex Julian Beaber
Votes: 2,910
20. 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
21. This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006)
Unrated | 98 min | Documentary
Kirby Dick's exposé about the American movie ratings board.
Director: Kirby Dick | Stars: Kirby Dick, Kimberly Peirce, Darren Aronofsky, Atom Egoyan
Votes: 28,630 | Gross: $0.30M
22. Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)
PG | 92 min | Documentary
A documentary that investigates the birth and death of the electric car, as well as the role of renewable energy and sustainable living in the future.
Director: Chris Paine | Stars: Martin Sheen, Tom Hanks, Mel Gibson, Reverend Gadget
Votes: 12,757 | Gross: $1.68M
23. Revenge of the Electric Car (2011)
PG-13 | 90 min | Documentary
Director Chris Paine takes his film crew behind the closed doors of Nissan, GM, and the Silicon Valley start-up Tesla Motors to chronicle the story of the global resurgence of electric cars.
Director: Chris Paine | Stars: Tim Robbins, Dan Neil, Danny DeVito, Ray Wert
Votes: 1,909 | Gross: $0.15M
24. TT3D: Closer to the Edge (2011)
Not Rated | 104 min | Documentary, Sport
Motorcycle racers reveal their motivation to participate each year in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, the most dangerous and deadliest event in the sport.
Director: Richard De Aragues | Stars: Guy Martin, Ian Hutchinson, John McGuinness, Michael Dunlop
Votes: 6,630
25. Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991)
R | 96 min | Documentary
Documentary that chronicles how Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now (1979) was plagued by extraordinary script, shooting, budget, and casting problems--nearly destroying the life and career of the celebrated director.
Directors: Fax Bahr, George Hickenlooper, Eleanor Coppola | Stars: Dennis Hopper, Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, George Lucas
Votes: 23,242 | Gross: $1.32M
26. ...Og det var Danmark (2008)
107 min | Documentary, Sport
Story about Danish national football (soccer) team, a traditional minnow until the mid-1980s when they improved dramatically and eventually went on to win the European championship in 1992.
Directors: Carsten Søsted, Mads Kamp Thulstrup | Stars: Frank Arnesen, Søren Busk, Preben Elkjær, Brian Laudrup
Votes: 369
27. Champion (2005)
Not Rated | 82 min | Documentary
Danny Trejo, you know the man. He has fierce tattoos, and frequently plays a thug in your favorite movies. Behind the ink and the wicked characters he plays on screen lies the story of a ... See full summary »
Director: Joe Eckardt | Stars: Danny Trejo, Dennis Hopper, Robert Rodriguez, Steve Buscemi
Votes: 434
28. Hoop Dreams (1994)
PG-13 | 170 min | Documentary, Drama, Sport
A film following the lives of two inner-city Chicago boys who struggle to become college basketball players on the road to going professional.
Director: Steve James | Stars: William Gates, Arthur Agee, Emma Gates, Curtis Gates
Votes: 28,023 | Gross: $7.83M
29. One Day in September (1999)
R | 94 min | Documentary, History, Sport
The Palestinian terrorist group Black September holds Israeli athletes hostage at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich.
Director: Kevin Macdonald | Stars: Michael Douglas, Ankie Spitzer, Jamal Al Gashey, Gerald Seymour
Votes: 6,245 | Gross: $0.16M
30. Beware the Moon: Remembering 'An American Werewolf in London' (2009)
98 min | Documentary
Twenty five years on, the original cast and crew look back on the John Landis classic, An American Werewolf In London.
Director: Paul Davis | Stars: Paul Davis, Jenny Agutter, David Schofield, Robert Paynter
Votes: 248
31. The Thing: Terror Takes Shape (1998 Video)
83 min | Documentary
A revealing and insightful look into the making of this underrated horror film.
Director: Michael Matessino | Stars: John Carpenter, David Foster, Bill Lancaster, John J. Lloyd
Votes: 986
32. The Captains (2011)
Not Rated | 97 min | Documentary, Biography, Sci-Fi
The 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.
Director: William Shatner | Stars: William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew
Votes: 3,075
33. The People vs. George Lucas (2010)
Not Rated | 93 min | Documentary, Comedy
An examination of the widespread fan disenchantment with George Lucas.
Director: Alexandre O. Philippe | Stars: Joe Nussbaum, Daryl Frazetti, Doug Jones, Damian Hess
Votes: 4,874
34. The Shark Is Still Working (2007)
Not Rated | 100 min | Documentary
After 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.
Director: Erik Hollander | Stars: Steve Alten, Joe Alves, Roy Arbogast, Steven Awalt
Votes: 808
35. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)
Not Rated | 95 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
A filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend's ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son.
Director: Kurt Kuenne | Stars: Kurt Kuenne, Andrew Bagby, David Bagby, Kathleen Bagby
Votes: 40,744 | Gross: $0.02M
36. Best Worst Movie (2009)
Not Rated | 93 min | Documentary, Comedy
A look at the making of the film Troll 2 (1990) and its journey from being crowned the "worst film of all time" to a cherished cult classic.
Director: Michael Paul Stephenson | Stars: George Hardy, Pita Ray, Micki Knox, Tommy Bice
Votes: 8,525 | Gross: $0.10M
37. Everything or Nothing (2012)
TV-14 | 98 min | Documentary
A history of the James Bond films.
Director: Stevan Riley | Stars: Ken Adam, Maud Adams, John Barry, Shirley Bassey
Votes: 2,467
38. Naked Ambition: An R Rated Look at an X Rated Industry (2009)
R | 81 min | Documentary
Noted Celebrity Photographer, Michael Grecco, sets out to capture the essence of the AVN Awards and Convention where the best in American Pornography is displayed, celebrated and honored.
Director: Michael Grecco | Stars: Michael Grecco, Tera Patrick, Evan Seinfeld, Simon Karmarkar
Votes: 1,120
39. 180° South (2010)
PG | 85 min | Documentary, Drama, Sport
The film follows adventurer Jeff Johnson as he retraces the epic 1968 journey of his heroes Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia.
Director: Chris Malloy | Stars: Yvon Chouinard, Doug Tompkins, Keith Malloy, Alicia Salome Acuna Ika
Votes: 3,175 | Gross: $0.03M
40. Tintin et moi (2003)
75 min | Documentary, Biography
A high-profiled documentary about Hergé and his major cartoon success, Tintin, based in part on previously unreleased archive tape footage.
Director: Anders Østergaard | Stars: Hergé, Numa Sadoul, Michael Farr, Harry Thompson
Votes: 628
41. 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
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