Great Documentaries
by bjoern-253-85469 | created - 07 Nov 2012 | updated - 15 Jun 2014 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. The Way We Get By (2009)
Unrated | 84 min | Documentary
On call 24/7 for the past six years, three senior citizens have made history by greeting nearly one million U.S. troops at a tiny airport in Maine. Filled with unexpected turns, their ... See full summary »
Director: Aron Gaudet | Stars: Joan Gaudet, William Knight, Gerald Mundy
Votes: 307 | Gross: $0.11M
2. Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey (2011)
PG | 80 min | Documentary, Biography
The Muppet Elmo is one of the most beloved characters among children across the globe. Meet the unlikely man behind the puppet - the heart and soul of Elmo - Kevin Clash.
Directors: Constance Marks, Philip Shane | Stars: Kevin Clash, Whoopi Goldberg, Frank Oz, Bill Barretta
Votes: 7,215 | Gross: $0.30M
3. An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
PG | 96 min | Documentary
Filmmaker Davis Guggenheim follows Al Gore on the lecture circuit, as the former presidential candidate campaigns to raise public awareness of the dangers of global warming and calls for immediate action to curb its destructive effects on the environment.
Director: Davis Guggenheim | Stars: Al Gore, Billy West, George Bush, George W. Bush
Votes: 85,168 | Gross: $23.81M
4. March of the Penguins (2005)
G | 80 min | Documentary, Family
In the Antarctic, every March since the beginning of time, the quest begins to find the perfect mate and start a family.
Director: Luc Jacquet | Stars: Morgan Freeman, Romane Bohringer, Charles Berling, Jules Sitruk
Votes: 59,915 | Gross: $77.44M
5. 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: 3,394 | Gross: $87.18M
6. This Is It (2009)
PG | 111 min | Documentary, Music
A compilation of interviews, rehearsals, and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London.
Director: Kenny Ortega | Stars: Michael Jackson, Alex Al, Alexandra Apjarova, Nick Bass
Votes: 41,883 | Gross: $72.09M
7. Startup.com (2001)
R | 107 min | Documentary
Traces the birth and failure of new media company govWorks.com.
Directors: Chris Hegedus, Jehane Noujaim | Stars: Kaleil Isaza Tuzman, Tom Herman, Kenneth Austin, Tricia Burke
Votes: 3,458 | Gross: $1.28M
8. 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: 28,614 | Gross: $0.30M
9. Objectified (2009)
Not Rated | 75 min | Documentary
A feature-length documentary about our complex relationship with manufactured objects and, by extension, the people who design them.
Director: Gary Hustwit | Stars: Paola Antonelli, Chris Bangle, Andrew Blauvelt, Erwan Bouroullec
Votes: 3,718 | Gross: $0.01M
10. Conan O'Brien Can't Stop (2011)
R | 89 min | Documentary, Comedy, Music
A documentary on Conan O'Brien's comedy tour of the U.S. and Canada after leaving The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien (2009) and severing his relationship with NBC.
Director: Rodman Flender | Stars: Conan O'Brien, Andy Richter, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Vivino
Votes: 6,812 | Gross: $0.27M
11. Billy Connolly's Route 66 (2011– )
Not Rated | 46 min | Documentary
The Big Yin turns Easy Rider and follows a lifelong dream as he makes the iconic 2488 mile journey from Chicago to Santa Monica. With his unrivalled ability to tell a great story, he brings... See full summary »
Star: Billy Connolly
Votes: 322
12. Billy Connolly: Journey to the Edge of the World (2009– )
Documentary
Comedian, actor and musician Billy Connolly braves the elements in this adventurous journey from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, via the legendary Northwest Passage.
Star: Billy Connolly
Votes: 200
13. Coast (2005– )
TV-PG | 60 min | Documentary
The story of the coastline of the UK and her near neighbours.
Stars: Nicholas Crane, Neil Oliver, Mark Horton, Miranda Krestovnikoff
Votes: 361
14. Paul Merton in China (2007– )
60 min | Documentary
Paul Merton takes a six-week tour of China, exploring many areas and aspects of the country's culture.
Star: Paul Merton
Votes: 165
15. Himalaya with Michael Palin (2004– )
360 min | Documentary
Michael Palin travels the Himalaya mountain region.
Stars: Michael Palin, The Dalai Lama
Votes: 1,212
16. Sahara with Michael Palin (2002– )
50 min | Documentary
Michael Palin travels across Sahara desert region, the largest in the world.
Star: Michael Palin
Votes: 875
17. Full Circle with Michael Palin (1997– )
500 min | Adventure, Documentary
Michael Palin embarks on another epic journey of exploration and adventure, this time 15,000 miles through 18 countries around the Pacific rim.
Stars: Michael Palin, Rob Hehnlin
Votes: 1,268
18. Pole to Pole (1992– )
50 min | Adventure, Documentary
Michael Palin undertakes a journey by the most direct route possible with the most land to cross from the North Pole to the South Pole.
Stars: Michael Palin, Neil Hardwick, Lasse Lehtinen, Graham Hancock
Votes: 1,427
19. Around the World in 80 Days (II) (1989)
49 min | Documentary
Michael Palin attempts to copy the exploits of fictional character Phileas Fogg, by trying to travel around the world (without flying) in 80 days.
Stars: Michael Palin, Basil Pao, Chris Collins, Terry Gilliam
Votes: 1,922
20. Planet Earth (2006)
TV-PG | 49 min | Documentary, Family
A 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.
Stars: Sigourney Weaver, David Attenborough, Nikolay Drozdov, Thomas Anguti Johnston
Votes: 219,666
21. Frozen Planet (2011–2012)
TV-PG | 33 min | Documentary
Focuses on life and the environment in both the Arctic and Antarctic.
Stars: David Attenborough, Alec Baldwin, Chadden Hunter, Michael Kelem
Votes: 32,934
22. Craigslist Joe (2012)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary, Adventure
In a time when America's economy was crumbling and sense of community was in question, one guy left everything behind to see if he could survive solely on the support and goodwill of the 21st century's new town square: Craigslist.
Director: Joseph Garner | Stars: Joseph Garner, Kristos Andrews, Gina Keatley, Michael Kuciak
Votes: 3,843
23. 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: 19,229 | Gross: $0.94M
24. Mad Hot Ballroom (2005)
PG | 105 min | Documentary, Family, Music
The students of several New York City elementary schools learn ballroom dancing and compete in a city wide dance competition.
Director: Marilyn Agrelo | Stars: Heather Berman, Emma Therese Biegacki, Eva Carrozza, Evangelina Carrozzo
Votes: 3,550 | Gross: $8.12M
25. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
PG | 81 min | Documentary
A documentary on 85-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono, his renowned Tokyo restaurant, and his relationship with his son and eventual heir, Yoshikazu.
Director: David Gelb | Stars: Jiro Ono, Yoshikazu Ono, Masuhiro Yamamoto, Daisuke Nakazama
Votes: 37,973 | Gross: $2.55M
26. Twenty Feet from Stardom (2013)
PG-13 | 91 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we've had no idea who these singers are or what lives they lead, until now.
Director: Morgan Neville | Stars: Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill
Votes: 13,940 | Gross: $4.95M
27. Blackfish (2013)
PG-13 | 83 min | Documentary
A documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.
Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite | Stars: Tilikum, Dave Duffus, Samantha Berg, Dean Gomersall
Votes: 72,326 | Gross: $2.07M
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