30 Must-See Documentaries from 2012 That Will Stir Your Curiosity
30 titles
Dive into the rich and diverse world of documentary films from 2012, a year that brought us a captivating array of stories and perspectives. From unflinchingly honest portraits of human experience to in-depth explorations of cultural phenomena, these 30 documentaries offer an intimate look at the people, events, and ideas that shaped our recent history. Come along as we revisit these cinematic gems, each a testament to the power of nonfiction storytelling.
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HappyMovie · 2012 · 75m · DocumentaryHappy, a 2011 documentary film by Roko Belic, examines human happiness through interviews with people from fourteen countries. The film incorporates recent research from positive psychology. Belic was inspired to make the film after producer/director Tom Shadyac showed him a New York Times article ranking the United States as the 23rd happiest country globally. Shadyac suggested a documentary exploring happiness. Belic interviewed over twenty people for the film, including happiness researchers, a rickshaw driver in Kolkata, a family in a Danish co-housing community, a woman who survived being hit by a truck, and a Cajun fisherman.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.1 - 2
Louis Theroux: Twilight of the Porn StarsMovie · 2012 · 60m · Documentary, TV MovieIn 1997, Louis Theroux documented the lives of male porn performers in Los Angeles. Fifteen years later, he returns to a business facing challenges from the rise of free pornography online. Theroux revisits some of the original subjects and meets new performers aspiring to become porn stars.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.3 - 3
Knuckleball!Movie · 2012 · 93m · DocumentaryThis film chronicles the 2011 season for Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox and R.A. Dickey of the New York Mets, the only two major league pitchers who rely on the erratic knuckleball.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.8 - 4
Raul: O Início, o Fim e o MeioMovie · 2012 · 120m · Music, DocumentaryAmidst the cultural upheaval of the 1960s – the rise of motorcycles, Elvis, Beatniks, and a burgeoning counterculture – a young man from Bahia ignited Rock in Brazil. Raul Seixas, a charismatic figure who captivated thousands, became a legend. He embraced rock and roll, free love, alternative lifestyles, drugs, and challenged the military dictatorship, all while exploring themes of women and family. A man dedicated to his art, he lived life intensely and died young pursuing it. This film explores the complex and ongoing story of his life, using rare archival footage and interviews with family, artists, producers, and friends to reveal the trajectory of his legendary career.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.5 - 5
Bones Brigade: An AutobiographyMovie · 2012 · 111m · DocumentaryIn the 1980s, six teenage boys formed a skateboarding team. Through their shared passion, they transformed both skateboarding and their own identities, growing from feeling like outsiders into the sport's most impactful athletes.IMDb 8.0TMDB 8.0 - 6
Pink Floyd: The Story of Wish You Were HereMovie · 2012 · 85m · Documentary, MusicReleased in September 1975, *Wish You Were Here* followed Pink Floyd's hugely successful *The Dark Side Of The Moon* and is often considered the band's favorite album by fans and members alike, including Richard Wright and David Gilmour. It immediately topped the charts in the UK and US, and in many countries worldwide. This program recounts the album's creation through new interviews with Roger Waters, David Gilmour, and Nick Mason, alongside archival interviews with the late Richard Wright. It also features sleeve designer Storm Thorgerson, guest vocalist Roy Harper, front cover model Ronnie Rondell, and others involved. Original recording engineer Brian Humphries revisits the master tapes at Abbey Road Studios to explain how the songs were constructed.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.3 - 7
David Bowie & The Story of Ziggy StardustMovie · 2012 · 57m · Documentary, Music, TV MovieThis BBC documentary explores the making of David Bowie's groundbreaking Ziggy Stardust persona, featuring insights from his collaborators and celebrated admirers.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.0 - 8
Ending the KnightMovie · 2012 · 111m · DocumentaryThis film examines the making of "The Dark Knight Rises," exploring how Christopher Nolan and his team crafted the epic conclusion to the Dark Knight trilogy. It covers the stunts and action sequences, production and vehicle design, visual effects, IMAX photography and filming techniques, sets and locations, sound design and music composition, story and character development, the cast and their performances, and general insights into the entire series.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.2 - 9
Bottled Life: Nestle's Business with WaterMovie · 2012 · 90m · DocumentaryThis documentary explores the story of Nestlé, the Swiss company that built a global empire on bottled water. Swiss journalist Res Gehringer investigates Nestlé's strategies for dominating the bottled water market.
After Nestlé refuses to cooperate, Gehringer travels the world – to places like the United States, Nigeria, and Pakistan – to uncover the truth behind bottled water's popularity.
Gehringer’s journey reveals a complex network of tactics used by Nestlé, one of the world's largest food and beverage companies. The film challenges what we think we know about the bottled water industry and how we consume it.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.5 - 10
ReincarnatedMovie · 2012 · 98m · Music, DocumentarySnoop Dogg, now known as Snoop Lion, draws heavily on his time in Jamaica for his new reggae album, *Reincarnated*. VICE documents Snoop's journey to the island as he records the album with collaborators Diplo, Ariel Reichtshaid, and Dre Skull of Major Lazer. The documentary explores Snoop's creative rebirth and the inspiration behind this new musical direction, as he moves beyond his rap career.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.1 - 11
2016: Obama's AmericaMovie · 2012 · 88m · DocumentaryThe 2008 election saw widespread hope for a leader who could end economic hardship and conflict. Americans placed their faith in Barack Obama, a president promising a new approach. But Obama carries a past that profoundly shapes his decisions, his vision for America, and his plans for the future of the world.IMDb 4.8TMDB 4.0 - 12
MansomeMovie · 2012 · 84m · DocumentaryExecutive Producers Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Ben Silverman present a funny exploration of modern masculinity. Models, actors, experts, and comedians offer their perspectives on what it means to be a man in today's world, where ideas of masculinity are increasingly varied. The film examines men's diverse grooming habits as men reconsider their image.IMDb 5.4TMDB 4.9 - 13
LeviathanMovie · 2012 · 87m · DocumentaryThis film offers an experimental look at the North American commercial fishing industry. The story is told entirely through footage captured by GoPro cameras mounted on a fishing boat working off the coast of New England.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.5 - 14
KumaréMovie · 2012 · 86m · DocumentaryThis documentary follows a man who pretends to be an Indian Guru and gains a large following in Arizona. At the peak of his fame as Guru Kumaré, he must reveal his real identity to his followers and share his most important lesson.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.8 - 15
London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony: Isles of WonderMovie · 2012 · 240m · DocumentaryThe London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony aired at 9pm on July 27, 2012. Called 'Isles of Wonder,' the event welcomed athletes from over 200 countries to begin the London 2012 Olympics, the third time London has hosted the Games. The Ceremony highlighted the core themes of sport, inspiration, youth, and urban renewal that defined the London 2012 Olympics. It was designed to be inclusive and celebrated British innovation, creativity, and spirit, as well as the UK's global contributions.IMDb 8.3TMDB 7.8 - 16
Katy Perry: Part of MeMovie · 2012 · 93m · Documentary, MusicKaty Perry: Part of Me offers fans an intimate look at the life of the pop star, revealing the hard work, dedication, and talent behind her success. The film features rare interviews, personal moments with friends, and behind-the-scenes footage of rehearsals, choreography, and her distinctive style. It shows the singer’s belief that staying true to yourself allows you to achieve anything.IMDb 6.0TMDB 7.2 - 17
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 - 18
Last Train HomeMovie · 2009 · 85m · Documentary, DramaEach year, a family joins a massive, grueling migration with 130 million other workers, traveling to be with relatives. The journey is a test of their love and resilience as China grows into a global superpower.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.4 - 19
Planet OceanMovie · 2012 · 94m · DocumentaryA team of international underwater filmmakers journeys to uncover the ocean's most profound secrets, revealing the remarkable connection between people and the sea.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.5 - 20
How to Make Money Selling DrugsMovie · 2012 · 96m · DocumentaryThis film presents ten straightforward steps for making money in the drug trade. It includes interviews with drug dealers, prison staff, and those who lobby for stricter drug laws, presenting their perspectives on the issue.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.1 - 21
The House I Live InMovie · 2012 · 110m · DocumentaryFor the last four decades, the War on Drugs has led to 45 million arrests, turning the United States into the world's leading jailer and devastating communities both domestically and internationally. Despite this, drugs are now cheaper, purer, and more readily accessible than ever before. What went wrong?IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.5 - 22
The GatekeepersMovie · 2012 · 101m · Documentary, History, WarIn a revealing set of interviews, six former heads of Israel's Shin Bet – the country's intelligence and security agency – discuss their involvement in decades of counterterrorism efforts. They address the controversial tactics employed and grapple with the question of whether achieving security justifies those methods.IMDb 7.6TMDB 6.9 - 23
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 - 24
One Direction: Up All Night - The Live TourMovie · 2012 · 73m · MusicUp All Night: The Live Tour is a DVD of a concert by the British-Irish boy band One Direction, released on May 28, 2012. Filmed during their Up All Night Tour at the International Centre in Bournemouth, the DVD features songs from their debut multi-platinum album of the same name, plus five covers: "I Gotta Feeling," "Stereo Hearts," "Valerie," "Torn," and "Use Somebody."IMDb 7.7TMDB 8.0 - 25
Waking Sleeping BeautyMovie · 2009 · 86m · DocumentaryIn the mid-1980s, Walt Disney Animation Studios was struggling. A divide existed between new artists eager for change and veteran animators resistant to it. This led to several unsuccessful films and doubts about the future of animation. It seemed the studio had lost its ability to create beloved stories. *Waking Sleeping Beauty* is not a fairytale; it's the story of how Disney rediscovered its magic, producing a remarkable string of successful films – including *The Little Mermaid*, *Beauty and the Beast*, *Aladdin*, and *The Lion King* – over a decade.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.2 - 26
ChimpanzeeMovie · 2012 · 78m · DocumentaryThis nature documentary follows a family of chimpanzees in the rain forests of Ivory Coast and Uganda. We experience the world through Oscar, a young chimp, as he navigates life in the African jungle – a journey filled with humor, emotion, and hardship. After a devastating event separates him from his mother, Oscar must learn to survive alone in the challenging environment. Eventually, he finds refuge with an older chimp who offers him protection.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.0 - 27
West of MemphisMovie · 2012 · 150m · DocumentaryThis documentary reveals the untold story of a desperate struggle for truth. Made by those who experienced it firsthand, the film offers unprecedented access to the defense's inner workings, showing the investigation, research, and appeals process in detail. It unveils shocking and disturbing new information about a case that continues to impact the American South.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.4 - 28
Indie Game: The MovieMovie · 2012 · 103m · DocumentaryThis film chronicles the intense experiences of video game developers as they bring their creations to life and release them to players worldwide. It’s a story about the process of making video games, fundamentally exploring the act of creative expression and the vulnerability inherent in sharing one's work with the public.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.5 - 29
We Are Legion: The Story of the HacktivistsMovie · 2012 · 93m · DocumentaryThis film delves into the world of Anonymous, the influential "hacktivist" group that has changed how people protest online. It begins by examining early hacktivist groups like Cult of the Dead Cow and Electronic Disturbance Theater, then follows Anonymous' emergence on the 4chan website. Through interviews with current members, those recently released from prison or facing legal charges, writers, academics, activists, and key figures in major "raids," the documentary charts Anonymous’ development from a group of pranksters into a powerful global movement representing a new form of civil disobedience.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.1 - 30
Marina Abramović: The Artist Is PresentMovie · 2012 · 106m · DocumentaryMarina Abramović, a renowned performance artist, is preparing for a significant exhibition of her work at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.3
