25 Alex Gibney Documentaries to Watch
25 titles
- 1
No Stone UnturnedMovie · 2017 · 111mIreland's 1994 World Cup victory over Italy is a cherished moment, yet overshadowed by a tragic event. While watching the game in a Northern Ireland pub, six people were murdered by terrorists. Disturbingly, no one was ever held accountable. For over two decades, the victims' families have sought answers. Now, they may finally have them. But the truth they uncover reveals a larger issue: what happens when governments conceal the truth?IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.6 - 2
Park Avenue: Money, Power & The American DreamMovie · 2012 · 70mThe residents of 740 Park Avenue in Manhattan live in a world of extreme wealth. This address has more billionaires than any other place in the United States.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.0 - 3
Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James BrownMovie · 2014 · 115m · Music, DocumentaryJames Brown revolutionized American music. Abandoned by his parents as a child, he rose to become a hugely influential artist and social activist of the 20th century. MR. DYNAMITE: THE RISE OF JAMES BROWN chronicles his career, from rhythm and blues to funk, using rare footage, photographs, and interviews. The film follows Brown's journey to fame, starting with his first hit in 1956 and continuing through his legendary performances at venues like the Apollo Theater, the T.A.M.I. Show, and the Paris Olympia.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.9 - 4
The Armstrong LieMovie · 2013 · 124m · DocumentaryIn 2009, Alex Gibney began filming a documentary about Lance Armstrong's return to cycling. The film was paused when the doping scandal broke, and resumed after Armstrong admitted to doping. *The Armstrong Lie*, starting in 2013, offers a compelling, behind-the-scenes look at the collapse of one of sports' most remarkable narratives. As Lance Armstrong admits, "I didn’t live a lot of lies, but I lived one big one."IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.9 - 5
Casino Jack and the United States of MoneyMovie · 2010 · 118mThis film examines the deceit, financial corruption, and political influence of D.C. lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his associates.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.1 - 6
Zero DaysMovie · 2016 · 116m · DocumentaryAlex Gibney's film examines Stuxnet, a computer virus created in 2010 by international cybersecurity experts. It's believed the virus was developed by the U.S. and Israel to disrupt Iran's nuclear facilities. But the sophisticated malware unexpectedly spread beyond its intended target, causing widespread and uncontrollable infection.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.4 - 7
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. ThompsonMovie · 2008 · 120m · DocumentaryDriven by intense passion, drugs, and a rebellious spirit, Thompson was a fearless journalist who challenged authority with humor and a strong sense of justice. This film chronicles his peak years, 1965 to 1975, featuring previously unseen home movies, audio recordings, and excerpts from unpublished writings.IMDb 7.6TMDB 6.9 - 8
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of BeliefMovie · 2015 · 120m · Documentary, TV MovieGOING CLEAR closely examines the experiences of eight former members of the Church of Scientology, revealing the methods used to draw people in and the actions taken in the name of their faith.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.6 - 9
Finding FelaMovie · 2014 · 120mFela Anikulapo Kuti pioneered Afrobeat, a musical style he used to challenge the Nigerian dictatorship and fight for the rights of those who were suffering. This film explores his life, his music, and his impact on politics.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.9 - 10
The Forever PrisonerMovie · 2021 · 120mThis is the unsettling story of Abu Zubaydah, the first person to be subjected to the CIA's controversial Enhanced Interrogation Techniques program, which many now consider torture. Never formally charged or given the opportunity to defend himself against his imprisonment, Zubaydah remains held at Guantánamo Bay. His indefinite detention represents a stark conflict with American principles of justice and legal rights.IMDb 7.4TMDB 8.0 - 11
My Trip to Al-QaedaMovie · 2010 · 86mAward-winning director Alex Gibney presents a documentary featuring journalist Lawrence Wright's one-man play. Wright explores the challenges of objective reporting on sensitive topics like 9/11, Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden's history, and the history of Islam. The film examines the Muslim faith, Al-Qaeda's ascent, and bin Laden's complex ties to Saudi Arabian leaders.IMDb 7.2TMDB 5.5 - 12
The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon ValleyMovie · 2019 · 119m · DocumentaryElizabeth Holmes gained global attention as a promising young entrepreneur, likened to Steve Jobs, with her company's revolutionary blood testing technology. Her company's value soared to $10 billion, but it quickly collapsed. The story of Theranos reveals the psychological factors behind a major case of fraud.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.0 - 13
Steve Jobs: The Man in the MachineMovie · 2015 · 129m · DocumentaryThe death of Steve Jobs prompted widespread mourning, even among those who had never met him. This film explores Jobs' journey from his suburban beginnings through his time in Japan's zen temples to his leadership of the world's most valuable company. It examines how his life and work fundamentally changed how we interact with computers. *The Man in the Machine* offers a thought-provoking and at times surprising look at the lasting impact of an icon.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.6 - 14
Totally Under ControlMovie · 2021 · 123m · DocumentaryThis documentary examines the White House's inadequate response to the global pandemic and explores potential preventative measures. Through compelling testimony from public health experts and thorough investigative journalism, director Alex Gibney exposes a systemic breakdown resulting from a significant failure of presidential leadership.IMDb 7.6TMDB 6.8 - 15
Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot SpitzerMovie · 2010 · 117m · DocumentaryThis film chronicles the swift ascent and spectacular downfall of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.2 - 16
Catching HellMovie · 2011 · 105mIn 2003, the Chicago Cubs squander their chance to go to the World Series when a fan, Steve Bartman, interferes with a foul ball, preventing a teammate from catching it. This act leads Cubs fans to hold Bartman responsible for the team's failure.IMDb 7.9TMDB 6.9 - 17
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the RoomMovie · 2005 · 110m · DocumentaryThis documentary examines the Enron corporation, detailing its flawed and unethical business methods and the chain of events that ultimately caused its collapse.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.1 - 18
Crazy, Not InsaneMovie · 2020 · 117m · DocumentaryDr. Dorothy Otnow Lewis, a psychiatrist deeply interested in the human brain's capacity for violence, has dedicated her career to understanding the minds of violent individuals. Her work brings her closer to developing a comprehensive theory of what drives people to commit murder. Departing from common beliefs, she investigates multiple personality disorder in her pursuit.IMDb 6.9TMDB 7.2 - 19
FreakonomicsMovie · 2010 · 93m · DocumentaryLeading documentary filmmakers delve into the unseen aspects of the world around us.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.1 - 20
Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of GodMovie · 2012 · 106m · DocumentaryAcademy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney (of *Taxi to the Dark Side*) examines the difficult topic of pedophilia within the Catholic Church. The film traces the history of this issue, beginning with the first public protest against clerical sexual abuse in the United States and ultimately reaching the Vatican.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.3 - 21
The Last GladiatorsMovie · 2012 · 94mIce hockey features specialized players known as "goons," whose sole purpose is to defend their teammates, no matter the cost. Alex Gibney, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker of "Taxi to the Dark Side," examines the often brutal world of NHL fighting and focuses on the career of Chris "Knuckles" Nilan, a player who played a key role in the Montreal Canadiens' Stanley Cup victories.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.8 - 22
We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaksMovie · 2013 · 127m · DocumentaryJulian Assange, Bradley Manning, collateral damage, Cablegate, and WikiLeaks – these names and concepts have dramatically reshaped how democratic societies handle privacy, secrecy, and the public's right to know, with potential long-term consequences. *We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks* provides a comprehensive look at WikiLeaks and the wider global discussion surrounding access to information.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.6 - 23
Taxi to the Dark SideMovie · 2008 · 106m · DocumentaryThis film examines the interrogation methods employed by the United States in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay, with a central focus on the case of an Afghan taxi driver who was tortured and killed in 2002.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.9 - 24
Citizen KMovie · 2019 · 126mMikhail Khodorkovsky, once Russia's wealthiest man, rapidly rose to prominence in the 1990s. He then spent a decade in prison, transforming into an unexpected symbol of opposition to Vladimir Putin.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.7 - 25
Magic Trip: Ken Kesey's Search for a Kool PlaceMovie · 2011 · 107mThis film chronicles Ken Kesey, author of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," and his legendary 1964 cross-country journey to the New York World's Fair aboard the psychedelic Magic Bus. Kesey was accompanied by the Merry Pranksters, a group of counterculture figures including Neal Cassady, famously portrayed in Kerouac's "On the Road," and the Magic Bus's driver and painter.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.9
