116 Art & Design Documentaries to Watch
116 titles
- 101
Secrets of British AnimationMovie · 2018 · 60mThis new documentary from BBC Four explores over a century of British animation. It looks at the innovative creative and technical work of pioneering animators, including figures like Len Lye, John Halas, Joy Batchelor, Joanna Quinn, and the internationally renowned Aardman Animations from Bristol.IMDb 8.0TMDB 6.0 - 102
UrbanizedMovie · 2011 · 85m · DocumentaryThis documentary explores the world of city design, examining the challenges and approaches to shaping urban spaces. Featuring insights from leading architects, urban planners, policymakers, builders, and thinkers, it offers a comprehensive look at the forces behind how cities are built.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.4 - 103
Between the FoldsMovie · 2008 · 56mThis film follows a group of talented artists and unconventional scientists – many with backgrounds from MIT and NASA – who have dedicated themselves to the art of modern origami. Their efforts to reimagine the world through paper spark a compelling exploration of art, design, creativity, and the search for meaning.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.7 - 104
Johnny Cash: The Man in Black - His Early YearsMovie · 2005This film documents early performances by Johnny Cash in concert and on television, featuring his renditions of "It Was Jesus," "Suppertime," "All Over Again," "Give My Love To Rose," "Pickin' Time," "I Was There When It Happened," "Five Feet High And Rising," "Big River," "God Has My Fortune Laid Away," "Heartbreak Hotel," "I Got Stripes," "Guess Things Happen That Way," "Ways Of A Woman In Love," "You're The Nearest Thing To Heaven," "Frankie And Johnny," and "Don't Take Your Guns To Town."IMDb 8.2TMDB 9.5 - 105
The Jazz AmbassadorsMovie · 2018 · 60mSet against the backdrop of the Cold War and the Civil Rights Movement, this is a compelling story about music, diplomacy, and race. Starting in 1955, the United States enlisted its top jazz musicians – including Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, and their Black bandmates – to perform internationally as cultural ambassadors. They were confronted with a difficult question: how could they represent America while the country still enforced segregation?IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.0 - 106
Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own WordsMovie · 2016 · 93mThrough revealing television interviews and previously unseen performances from his three-decade career, the film explores two sides of Frank Zappa's multifaceted personality. He was a captivating composer who loved to perform, and simultaneously, a sharp, uncompromising interviewer whose beliefs deepened with each success.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.3 - 107
Jodorowsky's DuneMovie · 2013 · 87m · DocumentaryIn 1974, Chilean-French director Alejandro Jodorowsky attempted to adapt Frank Herbert's acclaimed 1969 novel, *Dune*, into a film. After two years and a significant investment, the ambitious project ultimately failed. However, the artists Jodorowsky assembled for the film went on to collaborate on other works, significantly influencing the development of modern science fiction cinema.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.8 - 108
Troublemakers: The Story of Land ArtMovie · 2015 · 72m"Troublemakers" profiles the New York artists of the 1960s and 70s who sought a new artistic path in the American Southwest. Rejecting mass production, they embraced the vast landscape, earth, and light to redefine scale and the connection between artist, environment, and audience. Director James Crump uses interviews with Germano Celant, Virginia Dwan, and others, along with archival photos and footage, to document the work of pioneers like Walter De Maria, Michael Heizer, Robert Smithson, Nancy Holt, and Charles Ross as they created their remarkable installations.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.0 - 109
Gimme Some Truth: The Making of John Lennon's Imagine AlbumMovie · 2000 · 63mReleased in September 1971, John Lennon's *Imagine* is considered his defining solo work. This documentary features rare footage of Lennon's creative process, independently edited by Andrew Solt with the approval of Yoko Ono. Using clips from their original *Imagine* film (previously seen in the 1988 documentary *Imagine: John Lennon*), the film shows Lennon, Ono, Phil Spector, and other musicians working together. The 63-minute documentary documents every step of recording, offering a visual diary, an insight into the making of iconic music, and a portrait of Lennon at the height of his inspiration at age 30 – from playful to intensely focused.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.6 - 110
Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take OneMovie · 1968 · 75m · DocumentaryIn New York City's Central Park, director William Greaves and his crew film a project exploring language and sexuality. The camera records authentic interactions between actors as a couple discusses relationships and humanity. Throughout the filming process, the crew considers how to portray these themes authentically.
The film also captures spontaneous moments: a woman riding her horse by the set, or a conversation with a homeless veteran. These scenes highlight everyday life continuing alongside the movie's production. This documentary-style film prompts viewers to consider the core of filmmaking: how can art truly reflect human emotions and experiences without being cliché?IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.0 - 111
WoodstockMovie · 1970 · 225m · Documentary, History, MusicThis film offers a detailed look at the legendary Woodstock Music & Art Festival in Bethel, New York, in August 1969. With rare access to those involved and extensive concert footage, it shows the excitement and difficulties experienced by the festival's organizers, musicians, and attendees. The movie presents an honest view of the event, covering various aspects like drug use among performers, nudity, and the muddy conditions faced by the crowd. It also examines the logistical problems caused by the unexpected arrival of half a million people, and the unusual scene when National Guard helicopters brought food and medical aid. The film provides insight into a pivotal cultural moment and its lasting influence on music and counterculture.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.5 - 112
The Stone Roses: Made of StoneMovie · 2013 · 96m · Documentary, MusicThis documentary chronicles the story of The Stone Roses, the influential English alternative rock band. Director Meadows combines archival footage, personal behind-the-scenes glimpses, and previously unseen material to present a comprehensive look at the group and their music. He also gained exclusive access to their rehearsals for their highly anticipated summer 2012 Manchester concerts – a significant event marking the band's first performances in 16 years.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.9 - 113
Chelsea Girls with Andy WarholMovie · 1976 · 72mStarting in 1969, Michel Auder documented New York's art world through video diaries. *Chelsea Girls* features intimate glimpses into Andy Warhol's public and private life, including the opening of his 1970 Whitney Museum show, a party at John Lennon and Yoko Ono's house, a tense phone call between Warhol, Viva, and Brigid Berlin, and an insightful interview with Larry Rivers, a key figure in Pop Art, after the release of *The Philosophy of Andy Warhol* in 1975. Throughout, money is a recurring theme, particularly with Viva, who sent Warhol threatening letters demanding payment after leaving the Factory in 1969.IMDb 7.5TMDB 8.0 - 114
Milton Glaser: To Inform & DelightMovie · 2008 · 73mMilton Glaser may not be a household name, but his designs – including the iconic "I Love NY" logo and album art for artists like Townes Van Zandt and Nina Simone – are instantly recognizable. Filmmaker Wendy Keys explores the extensive body of work by this celebrated graphic artist, encompassing paintings, drawings, logos, prints, and posters, to create a compelling portrait of a pivotal figure in American visual culture.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.4 - 115
The Universe of Keith HaringMovie · 2008 · 90mThis film explores the life of New York artist Keith Haring, examining his exceptional talent and his vibrant approach to life. Haring was deeply dedicated not only to his art but also to social activism and teaching children, viewing both as equally important commitments.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.6 - 116
Sign PaintersMovie · 2014 · 90mIn the 1980s, every sign – from storefronts to billboards – was painted by hand. Now, computer-designed lettering has created a uniform look. But a new appreciation for traditional craftsmanship is emerging, and sign painting is experiencing a revival. *SIGN PAINTERS* explores the history of this unique art form through the stories of over twenty sign painters working in cities across America.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8
