Top 100 Documentary Movies List

#20 Documentary Movie

The Armstrong Lie (2013) R

A documentary chronicling sports legend Lance Armstrong's improbable rise and ultimate fall from grace.

Director:

Alex Gibney

Writers:

Alex Gibney

Stars:

Lance Armstrong, Reed Albergotti, Betsy Andreu

#19 Documentary Movie

Gates of Heaven (1978)

A documentary about a pet cemetery in California, and the people who have pets buried there.

Director:

Errol Morris

Stars:

Lucille Billingsley, Zella Graham, Cal Harberts

#18 Documentary Movie

Batkid Begins (2015) PG

On one day, in one city, the world comes together to grant one 5 year old cancer patient his wish. Batkid Begins looks at the 'why' of this flash phenomenon.

Director:

Dana Nachman

Writers:

Kurt Kuenne, Dana Nachman

Stars:

Teresa Clovicko, Audrey Copper, Katie Cotton

#17 Documentary Movie

The Corporation (2003)

Documentary that looks at the concept of the corporation throughout recent history up to its present-day dominance.

Director:

Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott

Writers:

Joel Bakan, Joel Bakan

Stars:

Mikela Jay, Rob Beckwermert, Christopher Gora

Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills video

#16 Documentary Movie

Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996)

A horrific triple child murder leads to an indictment and trial of three nonconformist boys based on questionable evidence.

Director:

Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky

Writers:

Mark Bowden, Ken Nolan

Stars:

Tony Brooks, Diana Davis, Terry Wood

#15 Documentary Movie

2016 Obama's America (2012) PG

A documentary that examines the question, "If Barack Obama wins a second term, where will we be in 2016?"

Director:

Dinesh D'Souza, John Sullivan

Writers:

Dinesh D'Souza, John Sullivan

Stars:

Jay Bastian, Joe Biden, Cait Brasel

#14 Documentary Movie

It Might Get Loud (2008) PG

A documentary on the electric guitar from the point of view of three significant rock musicians: the Edge, Jimmy Page and Jack White.

Director:

Davis Guggenheim

Stars:

Jimmy Page, The Edge, Jack White

#13 Documentary Movie

The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara (2003) PG-13

The story of America as seen through the eyes of the former Secretary of Defense under President John F. Kennedy and President Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara.

Director:

Errol Morris

Stars:

Robert McNamara, John F. Kennedy, Fidel Castro

#12 Documentary Movie

Gimme Shelter (1970) R

A harrowing documentary of the Stones' 1969 tour, with much of the focus on the tragic concert at Altamont.

Director:

Albert Maysles, David Maysles

Stars:

Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor

#11 Documentary Movie

Bully (2011) PG-13

A documentary on peer-to-peer bullying in schools across America.

Director:

Lee Hirsch

Writers:

Cynthia Lowen, Lee Hirsch

Stars:

Ja'Meya Jackson, Kelby Johnson, Lona Johnson

#10 Documentary Movie

Crumb (1994) R

An intimate portrait of the controversial cartoonist and his traumatized family.

Director:

Terry Zwigoff

Stars:

Robert Crumb, Aline Kominsky, Charles Crumb

#9 Documentary Movie

Woodstock (1970) R

The film chronicle of the legendary 1969 music festival.

Director:

Michael Wadleigh

Writers:

Francis Ford Coppola, Edmund H. North

Stars:

Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jerry Garcia, Carlos Santana, Sly Stone, Joan Baez, Roger Daltrey

#8 Documentary Movie

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)

A filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend's ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son.

Director:

Kurt Kuenne

Writers:

Kurt Kuenne

Stars:

Kurt Kuenne, Andrew Bagby, David Bagby

#7 Documentary Movie

Blackfish (2013) PG-13

A documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.

Director:

Gabriela Cowperthwaite

Writers:

Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Eli B. Despres

Stars:

Tilikum, Dave Duffus, Samantha Berg

#6 Documentary Movie

Exit Through The Gift Shop (2010) R

The story of how an eccentric French shop-keeper and amateur film-maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner. The film contains footage of Banksy, Shephard Fairey, Invader and many of the world's most infamous graffiti artists at work.

Director:

Banksy

Stars:

Banksy, Space Invader, Mr. Brainwash

#5 Documentary Movie

American Movie (1999) R

Documentary about an aspiring filmmaker's attempts to finance his dream project by finally completing the low-budget horror film he abandoned years before.

Director:

Chris Smith

Stars:

Mark Borchardt, Mike Schank, Tom Schimmels

#4 Documentary Movie

The Last Waltz (1978) PG

A film account and presentation of the final concert of The Band.

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Writers:

Martin Scorsese

Stars:

Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Robbie Robertson, Muddy Waters, Neil Young

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse movie

#3 Documentary Movie

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991) R

Documentary that chronicles how Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now (1979) was plagued by extraordinary script, shooting, budget, and casting problems--nearly destroying the life and career of the celebrated director.

Director:

Fax Bahr, George Hickenlooper

Writers:

Fax Bahr, George Hickenlooper

Stars:

Dennis Hopper, Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando

A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies dvd

#2 Documentary Movie

A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies (1995)

Martin Scorsese describes his initial and growing obsession with films from the 1940s and 50s as the art form developed and grew with clips from classics and cult classics.

Director:

Martin Scorsese, Michael Henry Wilson

Writers:

Martin Scorsese, Michael Henry Wilson

Stars:

Martin Scorsese, Allison Anders, Kathryn Bigelow

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy dvd

#1 Documentary Movie

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (2010)

Explore the origins of "dream demon" Freddy Krueger in this award-winning documentary that takes you behind the scenes of the most frightening and imaginative horror franchise in motion picture history!

Director:

Daniel Farrands, Andrew Kasch

Writers:

Thommy Hutson

Stars:

Heather Langenkamp, Wes Craven, Robert Englund

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