30 Thought-Provoking Documentaries from 2009 You Need to See
30 titles
Delving into the riveting world of documentaries in 2009, we unveil our selection of the Top 30 Documentary films that captivated audiences and sparked conversations. These films masterfully explore the depths of human experience while showcasing the power of storytelling through raw, real-life narratives. From daring expeditions to intriguing personal profiles, this collection offers an immersive journey into uncharted territories and thought-provoking subject matter. Join us as we celebrate 2009's most compelling documentaries that left a lasting impact on viewers worldwide.
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CropseyMovie · 2009 · 84m · Crime, Documentary, MysteryTwo filmmakers discover that a childhood urban legend is actually true. They investigate the mystery of five missing children and the real person behind their disappearances.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.0 - 2
AtlantiquesMovie · 2009 · 16m · Documentary, DramaThis short, low-fidelity film centers on a group of young Senegalese people as they contemplate the journey across the Atlantic to Europe. They share their anxieties and aspirations about what awaits them, questioning whether life in Europe will truly be better.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.0 - 3
OceanWorld 3DMovie · 2009 · 81m · DocumentaryThis 3-D documentary follows the incredible journey of a sea turtle as it navigates the world's oceans.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.0 - 4
Naked Ambition: An R Rated Look at an X Rated IndustryMovie · 2009 · 81m · DocumentaryRenowned photographer Michael Grecco travels to the AVN Awards and Convention, a major event celebrating and honoring talent in American pornography. He aims to capture the atmosphere and key figures of the convention through his lens.IMDb 4.9TMDB 5.0 - 5
Louis Theroux: A Place for PaedophilesMovie · 2009 · 59m · Documentary, TV MovieLouis gains access to Coalinga Mental Hospital in California, home to over 500 of America's most dangerous criminals – convicted sex offenders. Most have already served long prison sentences but are deemed too risky for release, and are instead held there indefinitely. While interacting with the patients, Louis struggles with the question of whether he can ever trust men whose lives have been defined by lies and manipulation.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.1 - 6
Transcendent ManMovie · 2009 · 83m · DocumentaryDirector Barry Ptolemy's documentary film explores the life and debated concepts of Ray Kurzweil, a prominent figure in technology. For over thirty years, inventor and New York Times bestselling author Ray Kurzweil has been a highly regarded and often controversial voice predicting technology's impact on the future.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.7 - 7
Fat HeadMovie · 2009 · 104m · DocumentaryA comedian challenges the prevailing obesity narrative by experimenting with a fast-food diet. He documents his weight loss journey, revealing that many commonly held beliefs about the causes of obesity and healthy eating are inaccurate.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.7 - 8
Tales from the ScriptMovie · 2009 · 105m · Documentary"Tales from the Script" is a documentary featuring interviews with Shane Black ("Lethal Weapon"), John Carpenter ("Halloween"), Frank Darabont ("The Shawshank Redemption"), William Goldman ("The Princess Bride"), Paul Schrader ("Taxi Driver"), and many other prominent Hollywood screenwriters. The filmmakers explore the writers' successes and mistakes, detailing how they hone the skills needed to thrive in a highly competitive industry. They also share behind-the-scenes stories about crafting iconic screenplays and working with famous figures like Harrison Ford, Stanley Kubrick, Joel Silver, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg. The film accompanies the new HarperCollins book of the same title.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.5 - 9
The Mouth of the WolfMovie · 2009 · 78m · Documentary, DramaAfter serving time, a former convict returns to Genoa, the city he loves, and to the woman he loves.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.1 - 10
The Six Degrees of Helter SkelterMovie · 2009 · 105m · DocumentaryHollywood historian Scott Michaels guides viewers through this comprehensive documentary, featuring previously unseen autopsy reports, numerous rare photographs, original music recordings by the Manson Family, and contemporary footage of the sites where the crimes occurred. It offers the most complete cinematic account of the Manson Murders to date.IMDb 6.5TMDB 7.2 - 11
The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern LightsMovie · 2009 · 93m · Documentary, MusicIn 2007, the iconic American duo White Stripes embarked on a Canadian tour, performing in unconventional locations like buses and cafes, as well as for Native American elders. Music video director Emmett Malloy documented the tour, capturing both the band's unique concert performances of their stripped-down, bluesy rock and the dynamic between Jack and Meg White – a former married couple who long presented themselves as siblings. The film prominently features the band's signature colors: red, white, and black.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.4 - 12
Porno UnpluggedMovie · 2009 · 105m · DocumentaryJournalist Fabian Burstein investigates the adult film industry. Beginning in Budapest, he travels west into Austria to uncover a burgeoning world. Along the way, he encounters key figures: Austrians Mick Blue, Renee Pornero, and Thomas Janisch. *Porno Unplugged* follows these Austrian performers into their everyday lives, moving from east to west.IMDb 5.8TMDB 6.3 - 13
Metallica: Pride, Passion and Glory - Three Nights in Mexico CityMovie · 2009 · 145m · Music, DocumentaryThis past June, we played three sold-out shows at Foro Sol Stadium in Mexico City, with 155,000 fans joining us over the three nights – a truly unforgettable experience. We invited Wayne Isham and a film crew to capture the energy of that incredible weekend, and the result is presented here on this DVD.IMDb 8.5TMDB 7.9 - 14
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' StoryMovie · 2009 · 101m · Documentary, MusicThis film explores the complex relationship between songwriting brothers Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman, collectively known as the Sherman Brothers. They achieved widespread fame and critical acclaim, winning Oscars and Grammys for their memorable songs in classic Disney films.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.3 - 15
Crips and Bloods: Made in AmericaMovie · 2009 · 93m · DocumentaryThis film offers an intimate perspective on the Crips and Bloods gangs, exploring the circumstances behind decades of tragic violence affecting young African Americans in South Los Angeles.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.6 - 16
This Is ItMovie · 2009 · 111m · Music, DocumentaryThis film features interviews, rehearsal footage, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his highly anticipated, sold-out concert series in London.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.2 - 17
Loose Change 9/11: An American CoupMovie · 2009 · 99m · Documentary, Drama, HistoryFollowing the Bush administration, a new focus on transparency has led to the potential release of previously undisclosed information about the events surrounding 9/11. This documentary features new footage and interviews, presenting a range of evidence – both familiar and previously unavailable – related to the period before and after the attacks.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.3 - 18
Good HairMovie · 2009 · 95m · Documentary, ComedyChris Rock delivers a hilarious and insightful look at hair and its significance in the Black community. The film explores how hairstyles affect Black people's lives – from their careers and finances to their relationships and sense of self. It journeys through salons, competitions, labs, and temples to examine the cultural and personal weight of hair.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.6 - 19
The September IssueMovie · 2009 · 90m · DocumentaryThis documentary follows Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue, as she organizes the 2007 fall fashion issue. It details her behind-the-scenes work in preparing the magazine.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.5 - 20
TalhotblondMovie · 2009 · 83m · Documentary, ThrillerThis is the true story of a love triangle that unfolds entirely online. Deception in the digital world escalates to murder, as a teenage woman known as 'talhotblond' uses online personas to attract men. The film reveals a disturbing true crime case highlighting the internet's capacity to amplify dangerous desires.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.6 - 21
The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West VirginiaMovie · 2009 · 86m · Documentary"The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia," produced by Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine for MTV and Dickhouse Productions, documents Jesco White, a famous outlaw, and his unusual family in the Appalachian mountains. The Whites face legal troubles alongside poverty, drug use, and other hardships, but they also maintain a traditional dancing style. The film balances humor and sadness to offer a direct portrayal of life on the fringes of rural mountain communities.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.7 - 22
The Curious Birth of Benjamin ButtonMovie · 2009 · 175m · DocumentaryThis documentary chronicles the creation of David Fincher's 2008 film, *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*. It details the film's journey from being considered by various directors in the 1990s, through its production in New Orleans during 2006 and 2007, to the extensive and technologically advanced post-production process involving complex CGI.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.9 - 23
The Yes Men Fix the WorldMovie · 2009 · 87m · DocumentaryTHE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD is a comedic true story about two unconventional political activists. They go undercover as high-ranking corporate officials to infiltrate major business conferences, where they stage outlandish pranks.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.0 - 24
ObjectifiedMovie · 2009 · 75m · DocumentaryThis film explores the intricate connection between us and the things we make – examining the world of design and the individuals who shape it.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.1 - 25
The Shock DoctrineMovie · 2009 · 82m · DocumentaryThis film examines the concept of "disaster capitalism," inspired by Naomi Klein's theory that modern capitalism thrives on crises like natural disasters, wars, and terrorism to gain power.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.1 - 26
Best Worst MovieMovie · 2009 · 93m · Documentary, ComedyThis is a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the movie *Troll 2* (1990), charting its path from being widely considered one of the worst films ever made to achieving a devoted following as a beloved cult classic.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.1 - 27
Iron Maiden: Flight 666Movie · 2009 · 113m · Documentary, MusicFlight 666 follows Iron Maiden during the early part of their historic Somewhere Back In Time World Tour. The film documents their 50,000-mile journey across five continents, capturing 23 concerts in just 45 days. It provides exclusive behind-the-scenes access, showcasing both the energy of their live performances and the band's life on tour.
A central element is Ed Force One, Iron Maiden's specially modified Boeing 757. Piloted by lead singer Bruce Dickinson, a qualified airline captain, the plane acts as the band’s mobile home, transporting 12 tons of equipment.
The film offers a unique look at rock history in progress, with extensive live footage and personal moments with the band. It's a compelling story of dedication and passion, capturing the excitement of live music and the adventures of touring.IMDb 8.3TMDB 7.8 - 28
The CoveMovie · 2009 · 92m · Documentary"The Cove" recounts the remarkable true story of a dedicated team of filmmakers and freedivers who secretly entered a secluded cove in Japan to expose a disturbing and dangerous truth. Their startling findings revealed a much larger, more troubling reality.IMDb 8.4TMDB 7.9 - 29
I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John CazaleMovie · 2009 · 39m · DocumentaryJohn Cazale appeared in just five films – *The Godfather*, *The Conversation*, *The Godfather: Part II*, *Dog Day Afternoon*, and *The Deer Hunter* – all of which were nominated for Best Picture. Despite this remarkable filmography, he is largely unknown today. *I KNEW IT WAS YOU* offers a new look at the movies that shaped a generation.IMDb 7.7TMDB 6.9 - 30
Capitalism: A Love StoryMovie · 2009 · 128m · Documentary, HistoryMichael Moore returns to his signature focus: how powerful corporations negatively affect the daily lives of Americans – and, by extension, people everywhere.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.1
