Best Documentary Movies

This page is updated regularly. Subscribe, so you don't miss new recommendations. The list of "Best Documentary Movies" contains films with the following parameters. Style: humorous, captivating, realistic, funny, educational and fun. Plot: comedian, stand up, stand up comedy, society, stand up comedian, satire, artists and showbiz, live performance, profanity and humour. Genre: Documentary, Comedy and Drama. Country: USA, UK and Canada.
Best Documentary Movies
Best Documentary Movies
TOP Movies: Project Nim (2011), Tom Segura: Completely Normal (2014), Bo Burnham: Inside (2021), The Pervert's Guide to Cinema (2006), City of Ghosts (2017), Chris Rock: Selective Outrage (2023), Louis C.K.: Chewed Up (2008), The Road to Guantanamo (2006), Born in China (2016), 42nd Street Forever, Volume 1 (2005), Van Gogh: Painted with Words (2010), Hamilton, One Shot to Broadway (2017), Kevin Hart: Seriously Funny (2010), Hannah Gadsby: Nanette (2018), Peace One Day (2004), The Fluffy Movie (2014), Bianca Beauchamp: All Access (2007), Sleepless Nights Stories (2011), The Devil and Father Amorth (2017), Tigers of the Snow (1997).

List of Best Movies

Watch Trailers From This List to Choose a Movie
 7.4
 9K
Project Nim (2011)
Genre: Documentary
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 93 min.
Story: From the team behind Man on Wire comes the story of Nim, the chimpanzee who in the 1970s became the focus of a landmark experiment which aimed to show that an ape could learn to communicate with language if raised and nurtured like a human child. ...
Style: touching, sad, psychological, heartbreaking, suspenseful ...
Plot: chimpanzee, human animal relationship, survival, character study, fish out of water, science, experiment gone awry, teaching the ways of the world, confined, society, human nature, power relations ...
Time: 70s, 2010s, year 2011, 20th century, 90s ...
Place: usa, new york
Is relevant ?
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Review (2009)
Genre: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 69 min.
Story: Created by Mike Stoklasa of Red Letter Media, "The Phantom Menace Review" is a thoroughly informative, in-depth look at George Lucas's "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace", told from the perspective of an elderly ...
Style: dark comedy, parody, spoof
Plot: star wars, serial killer, threat, phantom, meme, obsessed fan, titanic, internet, absurd humor, prostitute, filmmaker, essay
Is relevant ?
Tom Segura: Completely Normal (2014)
Genre: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 74 min.
Story: An original stand-up comedy special written and performed by comedian Tom Segura.
Style: humorous, satirical, funny, semi serious, entertaining ...
Plot: stand up comedy, stand up comedian, comedian, humour, satire, stand up
Is relevant ?
Sarah Silverman: A Speck of Dust (2017)
Genre: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 71 min.
Story: In her first comedy special post-health scare, Sarah Silverman shares a mix of fun facts, sad truths and yeah-she-just-went-there moments.
Style: live comedy
Plot: stand up comedy, comedian, talk show, stand up comedian, abortion, religion, topical humor, christianity, intercourse, sexual awakening, flashback, sexuality ...
Is relevant ?
Related movie lists
Bo Burnham: Inside (2021)
Genre: Documentary, Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min.
Story: Stuck in COVID-19 lockdown, US comedian and musician Bo Burnham attempts to stay sane and happy by writing, shooting and performing a one-man comedy special.
Style: thought provoking, funny, satirical, captivating, semi serious ...
Plot: comedian, stand up comedy, humour, music, musician, satire, lifestyle, moving, concert, pop culture, experiment, stoner ...
Time: 2020s
Is relevant ?
The Pervert's Guide to Cinema (2006)
Genre: Documentary
Country: UK, Austria, Netherlands
Duration: 150 min.
Story: The Pervert's Guide to Cinema offers an introduction into some of Žižek's most exciting ideas on fantasy, reality, sexuality, subjectivity, desire, materiality and cinematic form. Whether he is untangling the famously baffling films of ...
Style: intellectual, psychological, philosophical, captivating, humorous ...
Plot: filmmaking, philosophy, social relations, artists and showbiz, society, cause and meaning, creativity, monologue, psychoanalysis, exploitation, conference, human relationship ...
Time: 20th century, 21st century
Is relevant ?
Dumb: The Story of Big Brother Magazine (2017)
Genre: Documentary
Country: USA
Duration: 79 min.
Story: A look at the rise and fall of the subversive skateboarding magazine Big Brother, which rose to prominence in the mid-1990s and had a profound effect on the skating subculture with its unfiltered approach.
Plot: skateboard, disneyland, jackass, profanity, male nudity, female nudity, drug use, feces, publishing, defecation, alcohol, pornography ...
Is relevant ?
City of Ghosts (2017)
Genre: Documentary, War
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min.
Story: With unprecedented access, this documentary follows the extraordinary journey of “Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently”—a group of anonymous citizen journalists who banded together after their homeland was overtaken by ISIS—as they risk their ...
Style: exciting, rough, disturbing, semi documentary, tense ...
Audience: boys' night, chick flick
Plot: journalist, isis, refugee, terrorism, islam, life risking, investigation, danger, youth, rivalry, society, escape ...
Time: year 2017, 2010s, 21st century
Place: syria, middle east, turkey, germany
Is relevant ?
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Chris Rock: Selective Outrage (2023)
Genre: Documentary, Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 69 min.
Story: Chris Rock makes comedy history as he performs stand-up in real time for Netflix’s first global live-streaming event.
Style: hilarious, ironic, funny, entertaining, semi serious ...
Plot: stand up comedy, actor, comedian, public speaking, joke, humour, satire, stand up comedian, social satire, live performance, irony, stand up
Is relevant ?
Louis C.K.: Chewed Up (2008)
Genre: Documentary, Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 61 min.
Story: Profane, vulgar and obscenely funny, Louis C.K. insists on telling the truth, whether you like it or not! Join the Emmy Award-winning stand-up comic and TV star (Lucky Louie) as he shares his thoughts on the stuff everyone thinks about -- male ...
Style: cynical, witty, talky, political, stylized ...
Plot: stand up comedian, stand up comedy, artists and showbiz, society, disorder, politically correct, social problems, physical appearance, lifestyle, couples, gender, sexual relations ...
Time: 21st century
Place: usa
Is relevant ?
The Road to Guantanamo (2006)
Genre: Drama, War
Country: UK
Duration: 95 min.
Story: Part drama, part documentary, The Road to Guantánamo focuses on the Tipton Three, a trio of British Muslims who were held in Guantanamo Bay for two years until they were released without charge.
Style: disturbing, rough, realistic, intense, serious ...
Plot: terrorism, torture, muslim, survival, politics, military, british, pow, injustice, life is a bitch, danger, warning ...
Time: year 2006, 2000s, year 2002, year 2004, year 2003 ...
Place: middle east, united kingdom, latin america, pakistan, afghanistan ...
Is relevant ?
Born in China (2016)
Genre: Documentary
Country: UK, China, USA
Duration: 79 min.
Story: Venturing into the wilds of China, "Born in China" captures intimate moments with a panda bear and her growing cub, a young golden monkey who feels displaced by his baby sister, and a mother snow leopard struggling to raise her two cubs.
Style: nature documentary, educational
Audience: kids, preschool
Plot: nature, panda, animal, birth, wild animal, wildlife, monkey, leopard, climate change, climate, rainbow, mountain ...
Time: year 2016
Place: china
Is relevant ?
42nd Street Forever, Volume 1 (2005)
Genre: Documentary
Country: USA
Duration: 127 min.
Story: DVD consisting of only movie trailers (grindhouse, horror, kung-fu, etc...)
Style: grindhouse
Plot: martial arts, exploitation
Is relevant ?
Van Gogh: Painted with Words (2010)
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Country: UK
Duration: 80 min.
Story: A drama-documentary presented by Alan Yentob, with Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role.
Style: sincere, semi autobiographical, thought provoking, disturbing, sad ...
Plot: painter, art, painting, artist, art history, famous painting, obsession, mental illness, depression, anguish, loneliness, genius ...
Time: 19th century
Is relevant ?
Hamilton, One Shot to Broadway (2017)
Genre: Documentary
Country: UK
Duration: 90 min.
Story: It’s the hit musical that changed Broadway forever and brought the genius of Lin Manuel Miranda to the attention of legions of fans across the world. A story of how a group of mavericks made an unlikely marriage of hip-hop and history to create ...
Style: educational
Plot: music history, broadway, playwright, theatre play, historical figure
Is relevant ?
Kevin Hart: Seriously Funny (2010)
Genre: Documentary, Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 72 min.
Story: Fresh off the heels of appearing in movies like Superhero Movie and The 40 Year-Old Virgin, fast-talking comedian Kevin Hart stars in his second live stand-up performance in Cleveland, Ohio, where he makes fun of everything and everybody - ...
Style: humorous, realistic, witty, not serious, suspense ...
Plot: stand up comedian, stand up comedy, disorder, adult virgin, society, artists and showbiz, silly humor, african american, comedian, talk show, concert, black ...
Time: 21st century
Place: ohio
Is relevant ?
Paura: Lucio Fulci Remembered - Volume 1 (2008)
Genre: Documentary
Country: USA
Duration: 225 min.
Story: No overview found.
Plot: exploitation, movie actor, entertainment industry, filmmaker, interview, director, actress, filmmaking, actor, film industry, movie actress, man with glasses ...
Is relevant ?
Hannah Gadsby: Nanette (2018)
Genre: Documentary, Comedy
Country: Australia
Duration: 69 min.
Story: The Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby is taking an anti-comedy stance in her newest special.
Style: funny, inspirational, queer cinema, fun
Audience: chick flick
Plot: sexual identity, lesbian, comedian, stand up comedy, lgbt, lgbtqi, gender, live performance, inspiration, stand up comedian, female empowerment, empowerment ...
Place: indiana, tasmania, australia
Is relevant ?
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 7.6
 148
Peace One Day (2004)
Genre: Documentary
Country: UK
Duration: 80 min.
Story: The story of Jeremy Gilley's attempts to persuade the global community via the United Nations to sanction officially a day without conflict; a ceasefire day; a global day of Peace.
Style: realistic, serious, sincere, uplifting, spiritual ...
Plot: politics, against the odds, follow your dream, society, state affairs, hopes, obsessive quest, lobbyist, anti war, battles, determination, peace ...
Time: september 11 2001, 21st century
Place: africa
Is relevant ?
Ian McKellen: Acting Shakespeare (1982)
Genre: Documentary
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min.
Story: A record of McKellen's one-man Broadway show about the Bard.
Style: one man show
Plot: shakespeare, realism, lecture, filmed play
Is relevant ?
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa .5 (2013)
Genre: Documentary, Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 86 min.
Story: Bad Grandpa .5 gives you a whole new perspective on the world of Irving Zisman with bonus scenes and pranks also featuring Spike Jonze as "Gloria" and Catherine Keener as Irving's wife "Ellie", plus a look at the evolution ...
Style: feel good, funny, captivating, entertaining, humorous ...
Plot: jackass, gossip and rumors, nosy neighbor, neighbor neighbor relationship, noisy neighbor, old woman, senior citizen, lifestyle, neighbor, relationship problems, absurd humor, humour ...
Is relevant ?
The Fluffy Movie (2014)
Genre: Documentary, Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min.
Story: Stand-up comic Gabriel Iglesias delights audiences during his sold-out "Unity Through Laughter" tour, which spans more than 400 cities in 23 countries. During his set, Iglesias -- nicknamed "Fluffy" -- pounces on topics like ...
Style: humorous, witty, realistic, not serious, skit ...
Plot: performer's life, society, friends, artists and showbiz, on the road, stand up comedy, talk show, comedian, profanity, cross country, theater, stand up
Time: 21st century
Place: usa
Is relevant ?
Bianca Beauchamp: All Access (2007)
Genre: Documentary
Country: Canada
Duration: 85 min.
Story: Documents the sub-culture of latex fetishism. ALL ACCESS offers a visit inside the private and public circles of a fetish icons. It follows Bianca Beauchamp through three days and three nights during one of the Montreal Fetish Weekend. A party at ...
Style: independent film, non fiction
Plot: latex, fetish, behind the scenes, fetishism, nudity, bondage, sex, female nudity, breasts
Is relevant ?
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Sleepless Nights Stories (2011)
Genre: Documentary
Country: USA
Duration: 114 min.
Story: Director Jonas Mekas travels through New York nights, through apartments, studios, backstage rooms, galleries, bars, and clubs. Encountering old acquaintances like Ken and Flo Jacobs, Yoko Ono, friends, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. Mr. ...
Style: experimental
Plot: drinking, lizard, poetry, tree, camera, drinking wine
Is relevant ?
The Devil and Father Amorth (2017)
Genre: Documentary
Country: Italy, USA
Duration: 68 min.
Story: William Friedkin attends an exorcism with Father Gabriele Amorth, as he treats an Italian woman named Cristina for the ninth time. Prior to filming, Cristina had purportedly been experiencing behavioural changes and “fits” that could not be ...
Style: suspense, scary, disturbing, suspenseful, rough ...
Audience: boys' night, teens
Plot: catholic church, priest, catholicism, christianity, exorcism, catholic priest, religious, supernatural ability, supernatural, danger, teenager, youth ...
Place: italy
Is relevant ?
Tigers of the Snow (1997)
Genre: Documentary
Country: USA
Duration: 56 min.
Story: There are only about 300 remaining Siberian Tigers in the wild, restricted to a section of far Eastern Russia, near the coast. Wildlife biologists risk life and limb to track the tiger and research its movements and habits. They sedate the animals ...
Plot: captivity, endangered species, conservation, animal death, tiger, tranquilizer dart
Place: siberia, russia
Is relevant ?
 7.7
 927
89 (2017)
Genre: Documentary, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 91 min.
Story: 89 tells the incredible story of one of football’s greatest triumphs: when against all odds Arsenal snatched the Championship title from Liverpool at Anfield in the last minute of the last game of the 1988/89 season. It’s a universal tale of a ...
Style: factual, captivating, tense, sentimental, exciting ...
Audience: boys' night
Plot: soccer, football, football team, sport team, sports history, football player, playing football, sporting event, athlete's life, sport competition, celebrity interview, interview ...
Time: 20th century
Is relevant ?
Polar Bears: Ice Bear (2013)
Genre: Documentary
Country: Canada
Duration: 51 min.
Story: An enthralling look at the Arctic's biggest predator on ice, capturing rarely-seen behavior, and featuring breathtaking cinematography shot over 12 months in the Canadian Arctic.
Plot: bear cub, abandoned, abandonment, family abandonment, abandoned baby, abandoned by mother, bear, polar bear, arctic, killing an animal
Is relevant ?
Russell Peters: Outsourced (2006)
Genre: Documentary, Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 72 min.
Story: Russell’s last DVD and CD, Outsourced, was taped before a sold out audience at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, and gives viewers and listeners an excellent overview of Russell’s comedic genius.
Plot: stand up comedy, comedian, stand up comedian, live performance, comedy club, concert, stand up, canadian humor
Is relevant ?
He Stands in a Desert Counting the Seconds of His Life (1986)
Genre: Documentary
Country: USA
Duration: 149 min.
Story: A film collage tracing the story of the lives, loves, and deaths within the artistic community surrounding Jonas Mekas.
Style: independent film, experimental, avant garde, underground film
Plot: artist, autobiography
Is relevant ?
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