332 Top Documentaries from 2000 to 2018
332 titles
- 301
The Devil and Daniel JohnstonMovie · 2006 · 110m · Documentary, MusicThis 2005 documentary follows the life of Daniel Johnston, a singer, songwriter, and artist who lived with manic depression. It explores his life from childhood to the present, focusing on how his mental illness shaped his work, often expressing itself through intense self-absorption.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.7 - 302
Pete Seeger: The Power of SongMovie · 2007 · 93mThe film uses interviews, archival footage, and home movies to explore the life and times of folk artist and activist Pete Seeger, charting his impact on American social history.IMDb 8.4TMDB 7.0 - 303
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 - 304
De PalmaMovie · 2016 · 108m · DocumentaryFilmmakers share an intimate conversation about Martin Scorsese's 55-year career, his life, and how he makes movies, including revealing stories and many film clips.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.0 - 305
My WinnipegMovie · 2008 · 80m · Documentary, Drama, ComedyWinnipeg, Manitoba, the heart of North America and Guy Maddin's hometown, is the captivating setting for his film. The story blends reality, imagination, and recollections to create a city that is both charming and unsettling.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.8 - 306
Touching the VoidMovie · 2003 · 106m · Documentary, Action, AdventureThis is the true story of Joe Simpson and Simon Yates' perilous and nearly fatal climb of Siula Grande, a 20,810-foot mountain in the Peruvian Andes, in 1985.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.6 - 307
PinaMovie · 2011 · 106m · Documentary"Pina" is a 3D dance film featuring the renowned Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch company, created by the influential German choreographer who passed away in the summer of 2009.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.4 - 308
Last Men in AleppoMovie · 2017 · 101m · DocumentaryThis documentary offers a firsthand look at the White Helmets, an international organization of everyday people who bravely respond to military strikes and attacks to rescue civilians. The film blends intense moments with scenes of unexpected beauty, following three of the organization's founders – Khaled, Subhi, and Mahmoud – as they navigate the surrounding chaos and face a constant question: whether to leave their home or stay and fight for their country.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.0 - 309
Get Me Roger StoneMovie · 2017 · 100m · DocumentaryRoger Stone has been a controversial figure in American politics for decades. He gained attention testifying during the Watergate hearings and later advised Donald Trump during his presidential campaign. Known for his outspoken views, political commentary, and innovative election strategies, this is the story of his career.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.0 - 310
Dark DaysMovie · 2000 · 82m · DocumentaryThis film offers a look at the people who live permanently in the underground tunnels beneath New York City. It's a cinematic portrait of the city's homeless population who have made these tunnels their home.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.2 - 311
TysonMovie · 1995 · 110m · DramaThis biographical drama follows Mike Tyson's challenging life, from his emergence as a gifted young boxer at twelve to his rise as an undisputed heavyweight champion. The film portrays both his remarkable career and the personal difficulties he faced. It offers brief glimpses into his life alongside the highs and lows of his boxing journey, revealing the swift and unpredictable nature of both sport and life. The story ultimately centers on his conviction for rape, providing insight into the complexities of one of sports' most controversial figures.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.0 - 312
ArmadilloMovie · 2010 · 105m · Documentary, WarIn 2009, a unit of Danish soldiers is deployed to Afghanistan for a six-month mission to support efforts to stabilize the country and combat the Taliban. They are stationed at Armadillo military base in Helmand province. Unlike traditional war films, this is a firsthand account, featuring no actors.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.1 - 313
HumanMovie · 2015 · 191m · DocumentaryThis film presents a series of stories and images exploring the essence of humanity. Through experiences of both love and conflict, it encourages reflection on ourselves and others. From ordinary moments to extraordinary lives, these heartfelt encounters reveal our shared nature – both our flaws and our potential for greatness. Stunning aerial photography and evocative music showcase the beauty of our planet, offering a moment for contemplation. A politically aware work, the film invites us to consider the human experience and the meaning of life.IMDb 8.6TMDB 8.5 - 314
The Pixar StoryMovie · 2007 · 87m · DocumentaryThis film explores the early years of Pixar Animation Studios, charting its rise from the breakthrough success of "Toy Story" to becoming a leading force in animation. It details Pixar’s commitment to fostering talent, the development of their East Bay campus, and their evolving partnership with Disney. The movie highlights the company's impressive early run of eight critically acclaimed films. The influence of John Lasseter, Ed Catmull, and Steve Jobs is examined, alongside the shift from traditional two-dimensional animation to the emergence of three-dimensional animation. The film emphasizes the equal importance of dedication and innovation in Pixar’s early achievements.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.6 - 315
Heart of a DogMovie · 2015 · 75m · DocumentaryThis lyrical and deeply personal film explores grief through the lens of loss: the deaths of her husband Lou Reed, her mother, and her dog, alongside reflections on family, surveillance, and Buddhist philosophy.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.5 - 316
MurderballMovie · 2005 · 88m · DocumentaryThis film follows quadriplegic athletes who compete in full-contact wheelchair rugby. They face incredible challenges as they strive to reach the Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.1 - 317
One LifeMovie · 2011 · 85m · Documentary, FamilyOne Life offers stunningly intimate footage of animal behavior, providing an unparalleled connection with the natural world. The film also includes a bonus disc with exclusive behind-the-scenes content, featuring a making-of featurette narrated by Daniel Craig.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.4 - 318
The Last of the UnjustMovie · 2013 · 219mTheresienstadt: a deceptive propaganda center that Adolf Eichmann called the "model ghetto," intended to conceal its true purpose from both the world and the Jewish people – a final stage before extermination. Benjamin Murmelstein, the last president of the Theresienstadt Jewish Council, a figure cast aside and exiled, was compelled to negotiate with Eichmann daily from 1938 until the war's end. Murmelstein, despite never being asked to testify at Eichmann's trial, was arguably his closest acquaintance. More than twenty-five years after the Holocaust, Claude Lanzmann’s film unveils a previously unseen and crucial dimension of this history, illuminating the beginnings of the "Final Solution" like never before.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.6 - 319
In the Shadow of the MoonMovie · 2007 · 109m · Documentary, HistoryThis film features previously unseen archival footage from the original NASA recordings, alongside interviews with the astronauts who walked on the Moon. The interviews include Jim Lovell, Dave Scott, John Young, Gene Cernan, Mike Collins, Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Edgar Mitchell, Charlie Duke, and Harrison Schmitt.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.6 - 320
Bill Cunningham New YorkMovie · 2011 · 85m · DocumentaryBill Cunningham New York chronicles the city's evolving landscape through the eyes of a dedicated street style photographer, capturing moments with sensitivity and genuine affection.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.5 - 321
My Voyage to ItalyMovie · 1999 · 246m · DocumentaryDirector Martin Scorsese explores his favorite Italian films in this engaging documentary. He guides viewers through a diverse collection of movies that deeply influenced him, showcasing the artistry and innovation of Italian cinema. Scorsese shares his personal connection to these films, explaining their lasting impact on filmmaking. This film offers a unique look at Italian cinema from the perspective of a master director, appealing to both film enthusiasts and general audiences.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.6 - 322
Why We FightMovie · 2005 · 98m · Documentary, HistoryJarecki's sharp and insightful argument suggests that American foreign policy is driven by a focus on military power, and that the military has grown overly influential in the United States.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.5 - 323
Where to Invade NextMovie · 2015 · 121m · Documentary, ComedyTo explore what the United States could gain from other countries, Michael Moore journeys to several nations, observing their approaches to various issues.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.2 - 324
A Decade Under the InfluenceMovie · 2003 · 110m · DocumentaryThis documentary explores the 1970s as a pivotal decade for American film. Contemporary acclaimed filmmakers share insights with the influential directors who shaped cinema during that era.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.9 - 325
Into Great SilenceMovie · 2005 · 162m · DocumentaryThis film offers a personal look at the daily routines of Carthusian monks living in the Grande Chartreuse, nestled in the French Alps. The project was first suggested to the monks in 1984, and they requested time to consider it. Sixteen years later, they contacted Gröning to express their willingness to allow the film to be made, provided he remained interested.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.8 - 326
PromisesMovie · 2001 · 106m · DocumentaryJustine Shapiro and B.Z. Goldberg journey to Israel to speak with Palestinian and Israeli children, aged 11 to 13, about their experiences growing up in a society marked by violence, division, and extreme religious and political beliefs. This 2002 Oscar nominee for Best Documentary culminates in a remarkable day when Israeli and Palestinian children meet at a refugee camp.IMDb 8.3TMDB 7.5 - 327
Return to HomsMovie · 2013 · 87m · DocumentaryOver three years, this film follows two young men in Homs, Syria, from their initial hopes for freedom to the point where they are compelled to alter their paths. Basset, a 19-year-old national football goalkeeper, evolves from a demonstration leader to a revolutionary singer, eventually becoming a militia leader. His friend Ossama, a 24-year-old citizen journalist and committed pacifist, experiences a similar shift in perspective, ultimately leading to his detention by the army's secret service. The film offers an intimate look at a city widely reported on but rarely understood, capturing the reality of war through the eyes of its youth. It’s a modern epic about young people navigating conflict.IMDb 7.6TMDB 6.7 - 328
Seymour: An IntroductionMovie · 2015 · 84mEthan Hawke directs this personal documentary film about Seymour Bernstein, a renowned figure as a classical pianist, composer, author, teacher, and respected thinker.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.3 - 329
Night Will FallMovie · 2014 · 75m · DocumentaryIn 1944-45, as Allied forces liberated Nazi concentration camps, army and newsreel cameramen documented the horrific discoveries, revealing the full extent of the atrocities. Sidney Bernstein of the Ministry of Information (later founder of Granada Television) gathered British, Soviet, and American footage to create a documentary providing lasting proof of the Nazis' crimes. He assembled a team of prominent British figures, including editor Stewart McAllister, writer Richard Crossman (who later became a cabinet minister), and Alfred Hitchcock as a treatment advisor. Despite initial backing from the British and US governments, the film was shelved for decades. Now, 70 years later, the Imperial War Museums have restored and completed it under its original title: "German Concentration Camps Factual Survey."IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.6 - 330
Our Daily BreadMovie · 2006 · 92m · DocumentaryThis film offers a look inside Europe's industrial food production system and high-tech farms. Set to the sounds of machinery, it presents a detached view of these vast, almost surreal facilities. The environment is cool and industrial, with little room for personal expression.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.7 - 331
The Fury of a Patient ManMovie · 2016 · 92m · ThrillerJose, a reserved man, begins to court Ana, a cafe worker. However, she remains oblivious to his motives, which extend beyond simple romantic interest.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.6 - 332
Glen Campbell: I'll Be MeMovie · 2014 · 116m · Documentary, MusicThis documentary follows Glen Campbell during his farewell tour as he battles Alzheimer's disease.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.6
