19 Essential Documentaries
19 titles
- 1
Cartel LandMovie · 2015 · 100m · Drama, DocumentaryIn Michoacán, Mexico, Dr. Jose Mireles, a respected local doctor known as "El Doctor," leads a popular movement against the Knights Templar, a brutal drug cartel that has plagued the area for years. Simultaneously, in Arizona's Altar Valley – a 52-mile desert region called Cocaine Alley – Tim "Nailer" Foley, a veteran, commands Arizona Border Recon, a small paramilitary group dedicated to preventing the Mexican drug wars from spreading into the United States.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.2 - 2
AmyMovie · 2015 · 128m · Documentary, MusicThis documentary chronicles the life of Amy Winehouse, a supremely gifted singer whose career was tragically cut short. It follows her journey from adolescence, where her vocal talent was evident, through her rise to fame and subsequent struggles with alcohol and drug addiction.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.6 - 3
The Unknown KnownMovie · 2013 · 102m · Documentary, HistoryFormer Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld recounts his career in Washington D.C., spanning from his early years as a congressman in the 1960s to his role in planning the 2003 invasion of Iraq.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8 - 4
Notes on BlindnessMovie · 2016 · 90m · Drama, DocumentaryIn 1983, John Hull lost his sight and began recording audio diaries, offering a powerful account of his experience with blindness – loss, adaptation, and finding new ways to live. This project expands on the Emmy-winning short film of the same title, presenting a deeply moving and original exploration of the inner world of someone navigating blindness.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.0 - 5
Brand: A Second ComingMovie · 2015 · 105mComedian Russell Brand chases happiness through drugs, sex, and celebrity, but finds it constantly out of reach. In his search for answers, he examines influential figures like Gandhi, Malcolm X, Che Guevara, and Jesus, gradually evolving into a controversial political figure.IMDb 5.9TMDB 6.0 - 6
Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang ClanMovie · 2008 · 79mIn the summer of 1993, the Wu-Tang Clan burst onto the hip-hop scene from Staten Island, New York, and quickly dominated the music world. Over the next decade, they sold over 20 million albums, achieving legendary status through their talent and music. "WU: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan" is an inspiring documentary charting the Clan's ascent to fame, subsequent struggles, and eventual resurgence. The film features rare, previously unseen concert footage and intimate interviews, narrated by Gerald "Gee-Bee" Barclay.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.3 - 7
The WolfpackMovie · 2015 · 89m · DocumentaryIsolated in a Lower East Side apartment, the Angulo brothers discover the world through cinema. Known as "The Wolfpack," they recreate their favorite movies with homemade props and costumes. Their lives are disrupted when one brother escapes, leading to unforeseen consequences.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8 - 8
Particle FeverMovie · 2013 · 99m · DocumentaryJust before the first activation of the Large Hadron Collider, scientists stand at a pivotal moment: potentially the most significant scientific breakthrough ever achieved, or a monumental disappointment.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.1 - 9
The Ecstasy of Wilko JohnsonMovie · 2015 · 91m"The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson" presents a remarkable story about facing mortality with courage. Legendary musician Wilko Johnson, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given a short time to live, chose to embrace his fate with optimism and embarked on a farewell tour that captivated audiences worldwide. However, the story takes an unexpected turn. Two years later, defying expectations, Wilko unexpectedly awakens in a hospital bed, granted a life he thought lost. He must now apply the profound lessons he learned while facing death to the future he never anticipated.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.0 - 10
This Is Not a FilmMovie · 2011 · 78m · DocumentaryFollowing a six-year prison sentence and a twenty-year ban from filmmaking and foreign interviews for his support of the 2009 Iranian election opposition, acclaimed director Jafar Panahi secretly filmed this movie. His close friend Mojtaba Mirtahmasb captured Panahi's daily life under house arrest. The film was smuggled out of Iran hidden inside a cake and submitted to the Cannes Film Festival just in time, documenting Panahi’s wait for a decision on his appeal.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.9 - 11
The Emperor's New ClothesMovie · 2015 · 107mA humorous and sharp look at the global financial crisis. This follows Russell Brand's rise to activism, beginning with his 2014 book *Revolution*, where he criticized "corporate tyranny, ecological irresponsibility, and economic inequality."IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.4 - 12
We Come as FriendsMovie · 2014 · 110mWith South Sudan newly independent from North Sudan and its leader, Omar al-Bashir, a small, privately built plane arrives from France. The pilot is Hubert Sauper, a documentary filmmaker searching for stories in a country caught between its history and a dangerous future.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.8 - 13
Welcome NowhereMovie · 2013 · 80mNarrated by Ethan Hawke, Welcome Nowhere tells the true story of a Roma community living in abandoned train boxcars in Sofia, Bulgaria, after being forced from their homes. Over 200 people struggle to survive with no access to basic sanitation, desperately awaiting assistance from a government that offers no support.IMDb 7.1TMDB 9.0 - 14
The Seven FiveMovie · 2015 · 102m · DocumentaryMichael Dowd was the most corrupt police officer in New York City's history. During the 1980s, while on duty in Brooklyn, he engaged in theft and drug dealing.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.3 - 15
The Russian WoodpeckerMovie · 2015 · 80m · Documentary, HistoryAmidst revolution and war in Ukraine, a man who survived the Chornobyl disaster uncovers a disturbing secret. He is then faced with a difficult choice: risk everything to reveal this secret and become involved in the fight for change.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.3 - 16
SherpaMovie · 2015 · 96m · DocumentaryIn 2013, news outlets worldwide covered a violent clash between European climbers and Sherpas on a high mountain. Filmmakers Jennifer Peedom and her team planned to document the 2014 climbing season from the Sherpas' perspective, seeking to understand the cause of the conflict. Instead, they unexpectedly filmed a devastating event on Mount Everest: a massive icefall that struck the climbing route.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.5 - 17
No LogoMovie · 2003 · 42mA growing discontent with corporate brands is fueling a global movement. *No Logo* emerged as a key statement for those critical of unchecked capitalism over the past decade. Now, as the world confronts economic hardship, the book's examination of our branded society remains relevant and impactful. Combining cultural critique, political argument, personal reflections, and investigative reporting, *No Logo* offers a groundbreaking perspective on this new resistance. It’s a story about people fighting for autonomy against a world dominated by brands.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.3 - 18
The NightmareMovie · 2015 · 90m · Horror, DocumentaryEight individuals are afflicted by sleep paralysis, a terrifying state where they are conscious but physically unable to move, speak, or respond to their surroundings.IMDb 5.7TMDB 5.5 - 19
The ImposterMovie · 2012 · 99m · Documentary, Mystery, CrimeIn 1994, a 13-year-old boy vanished from his home in San Antonio, Texas. Three and a half years later, he's discovered alive in a Spanish village, recounting a harrowing tale of kidnapping and torture. His family rejoices at his return. However, everything isn't as it appears.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.3
