Documentaries Everyone Should See
A collection of films on a variety of topics/viewpoints to give you more information about the world around you.
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- DirectorRoko BelicStarsMarci ShimoffEd DienerRichard DavidsonHappy takes us on a journey from the swamps of Louisiana to the slums of Kolkata in search of what really makes people happy.FIND HAPPY!!
- DirectorLouie PsihoyosStarsElon MuskJoel SartoreLouie PsihoyosA documentary that follows undercover activists trying to stave off a man-made mass extinction.
- DirectorRobert KennerStarsMichael PollanEric SchlosserRichard LobbAn unflattering look inside America's corporate controlled food industry.Know what you are eating and the people it affects.
- DirectorSasha Joseph NeulingerStarsSasha Joseph NeulingerHenry NevisonHoward NevisonDigging through the vast collection of his father's home videos, a young man reconstructs the unthinkable story of his boyhood and exposes vile abuse passed through generations.One of the only docs on this subject that fully explores the full cycles and impacts of abuse
- DirectorAdam BoltStarsJennifer DoudnaGeorge ChurchAlta CharoA breakthrough called CRISPR opens the door to curing diseases, reshaping the biosphere, and designing our own children. A provocative exploration of its far-reaching implications, through the eyes of the scientists who discovered it.Disturbing, informative - raises powerful questions
- DirectorJacob KornbluthStarsRobert ReichCandice BergenConan O'BrienA documentary that follows former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich as he looks to raise awareness of the country's widening economic gap.Understand why the economy is bad in the USA.
- DirectorMorgan NevilleStarsFred RogersMargaret WhitmerTom JunodAn exploration of the life, lessons, and legacy of iconic children's television host Fred Rogers.What love across party lines can look like
- DirectorRoger NygardStarsNancy Ellen AbramsRob AdonisAhaFilmmaker Roger Nygard roams the globe to the source of each of the world's philosophies, religions, and belief systems. He interviews spiritual leaders, scholars, scientists, artists, pizza chefs, and others who have influenced, inspired, or freaked out humanity.Open ended and non-bias exploration for beliefs all over the world.
- DirectorAlastair FothergillJonathan HughesKeith ScholeyStarsDavid AttenboroughMax HughesOne man has seen more of the natural world than any other. This unique feature documentary is his witness statement.Beautiful love letter to a dying planet
- DirectorDavis GuggenheimStarsCharles AdamsJonathan AlterRobert BalfanzAn examination of the current state of education in America today.The sadness of education and those who fight for it.
- DirectorMichelle FerrariThe Eugenics Crusade tells the story of the eugenics movement and its long history in the United States, from its beginnings in the study of heredity, to its rise as a popular movement promising to uplift the human race through state sponsored sterilization, to its influence on immigration laws designed to close our borders to groups deemed genetically inferior.
- DirectorJames HoustonStarsJames HoustonRandall BalmerJames BarnwellEvery day in America 10,000 teenagers catch a sexually transmitted disease, 2,400 young girls get pregnant and 55 young people are infected with HIV. LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX takes a revealing look at how American attitudes toward adolescent sexuality impact today's teenagers. Director James Houston takes us on a journey to examine trends in American society as personified by a cast of diverse characters. At a high school for pregnant teens in Los Angeles, young girls are contemplating teen parenthood. In Washington, D.C., where HIV infection rates rival several African countries, community outreach workers are trying to save lives. The film also travels to the Netherlands, where Houston compares European attitudes with those in America, then concludes in Oregon, where the lessons learned in Western Europe are helping to create practical solutions. Real parents and youth, compelling statistics, animation and archival material all combine to paint an urgent picture of American youth in crisis, one that not enough people are talking about.The treatment of Sex in the US vs Europe
- DirectorRachel DretzinJamila EphronStarsAmy AllnuttJack AllnuttHarry BurdickBased on the NY Times bestselling book by Andrew Solomon, Far from the Tree examines the experiences of families in which parents and children are profoundly different from one another in a variety of ways.A beautiful understanding on how all children are unique and a challenge against our misconceptions
- StarsSigourney WeaverDavid AttenboroughNikolay DrozdovA documentary series on the wildlife found on Earth. Each episode covers a different habitat: deserts, mountains, deep oceans, shallow seas, forests, caves, polar regions, fresh water, plains and jungles. Narrated by David Attenborough.Breath-taking, stunning photography that tells the beautiful and often un-captured stories of our environment.
- DirectorDylan AveryStarsOsama bin LadenJohnelle BryantGeorge W. BushAn exploration of the viewpoint that the September 11, 2001 attacks were planned by the United States government.Fascinating
- DirectorLee HirschStarsAlex LibbyLona JohnsonKelby JohnsonA documentary on peer-to-peer bullying in schools across America.Hatred in youth.
- DirectorMaryam HeneinGeorge LangworthyStarsElliot PageBret AdeeDennis CardozaThis documentary takes a piercing investigative look at the economic, political and ecological implications of the worldwide disappearance of the honeybee.A road to human starvation.
- DirectorMichael MooreStarsMichael MooreCharlton HestonMarilyn MansonFilmmaker Michael Moore explores the roots of America's predilection for gun violence.A sad illustration of costly miscommunication between students and those in charge of them.
- DirectorJeff Orlowski-YangStarsTristan HarrisJeff SeibertBailey RichardsonExplores the dangerous human impact of social networking; tech experts sound the alarm on their own creations.
- DirectorPeter ByckStarsRohit T. AggarwalaJerry M. AllumsLela AllumsAn optimistic (and witty) discovery of what people are already doing, what we as a nation could be doing and what the world needs to do to prevent (or at least slow down) the impending climate crisis.Trying hopeful toward a green energy future.
- DirectorDaniel G. KarslakeStarsImogene RobinsonVictor RobinsonGene RobinsonAn exploration of the intersection between religion and homosexuality in the U.S. and how the religious right has used its interpretation of the Bible to stigmatize the gay community.A real look at what the Bible actually says and how it affects people.
- DirectorDavis GuggenheimStarsAl GoreBilly WestGeorge BushFilmmaker Davis Guggenheim follows Al Gore on the lecture circuit, as the former presidential candidate campaigns to raise public awareness of the dangers of global warming and calls for immediate action to curb its destructive effects on the environment.
- DirectorKirby DickStarsKirby DickKimberly PeirceDarren AronofskyKirby Dick's exposé about the American movie ratings board.An explanation of the failure of the entertainment industry when they created an organization to prevent the government from dictating their art.
- DirectorLouie PsihoyosStarsRichard O'BarryLouie PsihoyosHardy JonesUsing state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renowned dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health.The slaughter of thousands that poisons far more.
- DirectorMorgan SpurlockStarsMorgan SpurlockDaryl IsaacsChemeeka WalkerWhile examining the influence of the fast food industry, Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald's food for one month.Why I don't eat fast food.
- DirectorHeidi EwingRachel GradyStarsMike PapantonioLou EngleBecky FischerA documentary on kids who attend a summer camp hoping to become the next Billy Graham.A real life horror movie that is in a word, disturbing.
- DirectorKirby DickStarsBarney FrankJames McGreeveyKevin NaffAn indictment of closeted politicians who lobby for anti-gay legislation in the U.S.Fascinating self-hatred and hypocrisy.
- DirectorRita KotziaStarsRoss McKenzieDavid GoldbloomPeter LevineChallenges conventional wisdom about mental illness and drug therapy through the raw personal journey of a man diagnosed as bipolar.Views on diagnosing mental illness
- DirectorCandida BradyStarsPaul ConnettJeremy IronsEvangelos KalafatisJeremy Irons sets out to discover the extent and effects of the global waste problem, as he travels around the world to beautiful destinations tainted by pollution. This is a meticulous, brave investigative journey that takes Irons (and us) from skepticism to sorrow and from horror to hope.A great threat that is far worse than you think.
- DirectorElliot BerlinJoe FabStarsSandra RobertsDagmar Schroeder-HildebrandTom BosleyAs a part of their study of the Holocaust, the children of the Whitwell, TN Middle School try to collect 6 million paper clips representing the 6 million Jews killed by the Nazis, and grows to include millions of others killed.Inspirational and uplifting.
- DirectorMichael MooreStarsMichael MooreTucker AlbrizziTony BennA documentary comparing the highly profitable American health care industry to other nations, and HMO horror stories including shotgun deaths.The terrible realities of health care.
- DirectorRobert GreenwaldStarsLee ScottDon HunterJon HunterA look at the impact of the retail giant on local communities.Why I do not shop at this store any longer.
- DirectorJill BauerRonna GradusStarsTressa SilgueroRiley ReynoldsRachel BernardA documentary about young women who have been drawn into the sex trade - and how easy it is for a web-savvy generation to end up making porn.The disturbing reality of the independent section of the porn industry
- DirectorJoshua TickellRebecca Harrell TickellStarsAdhemar AltieriGreg AndersonEdwin BlackA documentary that tells the story of America's addiction to oil, from its corporate conspiracy beginnings to its current monopoly today, and explains clearly and simply how we can end it - and finally win choice at the pump.The dirty money of fuel
- DirectorDavid FeigeAfter discovering his daughter has been sexually abused, the most powerful lobbyist in Florida pushes the toughest sex offender laws in the county, with surprising and troublesome consequences.A balanced look at the gray of sex offender laws and how it impacts both sides.
- DirectorKevin MazurStarsJennifer AnistonJennifer LopezSarah Jessica ParkerCelebrity photographer Kevin Mazur gives an all access pass to life behind the velvet rope and in front of the camera.How we all contribute to "celebrity"
- DirectorJoseph SorgeStarsGloria AllredWendy ArcherAlexandra BorgMore money flows through the family courts, than in all other court systems in America combined, over $50 billion a year. Through extensive research and interviews this documentary uncovers how children are torn from their homes.The money behind the over 50% of marriages
- DirectorRobert KennerStarsFrederick SingerNaomi OreskesJamy Ian SwissA documentary that looks at pundits-for-hire who present themselves as scientific authorities as they speak about topics like toxic chemicals, pharmaceuticals and climate change.The scientists that are by corporations to falsify proven scientific fact.
- DirectorKirby DickStarsAndrea PinoAnnie ClarkClaire PotterAn exposé of rape crimes on U.S. college campuses, their institutional cover-ups, and the devastating toll they take on students and their families.Your college is probably on this list
- DirectorMathieu RoyHarold CrooksStarsRonald WrightMark LevineRobert WrightTheorists consider the evolution of human society and question the sustainability of the current paradigm.The realities of our effect on the world
- DirectorJennifer Siebel NewsomStarsJoe HermanMichael KimmelCaroline HeldmanExplores how our culture's narrow definition of masculinity is harming our boys, men and society at large and unveils what we can do about it.Masculinity and its effect on men, and society
- DirectorShaun MonsonStarsJoaquin PhoenixUsing hidden cameras and never-before-seen footage, Earthlings chronicles the day-to-day practices of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit.Hard to watch, but eye opening
- DirectorRobert TateStarsHealthy EmmiePete EvansNora GedgaudasPeople around the globe are combating illness through a paradigm shift in eating. And this simple change -- embracing fat as our main fuel -- is showing profound promise in improving the health of people, animals and the planet.Opportunities your doctor doesn't have time to offer
- DirectorKevin MacdonaldStarsWhitney HoustonEllen WhiteMichael HoustonAn in-depth look at the life and music of Whitney Houston.Realities of what celebrity meant to such a talented woman
- DirectorMichael MazzolaStarsGiancarlo EspositoSteven M. GreerCarl Sagan"Unacknowledged" focuses on the historic files of the Disclosure Project and how UFO secrecy has been ruthlessly enforced-and why. The best evidence for extraterrestrial contact, dating back decades, is presented with direct top-secret witness testimony, documents and UFO footage, 80% of which has never been revealed anywhere else. The behind-the-scenes research and high-level meetings convened by Dr. Steven Greer will expose the degree of illegal, covert operations at the core of UFO secrecy. From briefings with the CIA Director, top Pentagon Generals and Admirals, to the briefing of President Obama via senior advisor John Podesta, chairman of the Hillary Clinton Campaign, we take the viewer behind the veil of secrecy and into the corridors of real power where the UFO secrets reside. The viewer will learn that a silent coup d'état has occurred dating back to the 1950s and that the Congress, the President and other world leaders have been sidelined by criminal elements within the military-industrial-financial complex.Interesting perspective on what the American public may not know
- DirectorSasha KnezevStarsSasha KnezevGregory Alan SmithRiveting look at the politics, big business and the medical industry that has made America the most prescription-addicted society in the world. America is less than 5% of the World's population but consumes 80% of the World's prescription narcotics. We have gone from being the land of the free to the land of the addicted.The drug industry
- DirectorPeter Curtis PardiniStarsVinnie TortorichNina TeicholzGary TaubesHealth expert Vinnie Tortorich exposes the history behind widespread myths and lies regarding healthy eating, fat and weight loss.An expansive look at the misconceptions that have held stake for 50 years.
- DirectorPhie AmboStarsRichard DavidsonEmma SeppalaJohn OsborneIn 1992 Professor Richard Davidson, one of the world's leading neuroscientists, met the Dalai Lama, who encouraged him to apply the same rigorous methods he used to study depression and anxiety to the study of compassion and kindness, those qualities cultivated by Tibetan meditation practice. The results of Davidson's studies at the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, are portrayed in Free the Mind as they are applied to treating PTSD in returning Iraqi vets and children with ADHD. The film poses two fundamental questions: What really is consciousness, and how does it manifest in the brain and body? And is it possible to physically change the brain solely through mental practices?Hope and emotional intelligence for the people in our world that deserve a better set of life skills, including children.
- DirectorAlexander ShebanowStarsFred NelsonLuis TayahuaSuzanne MettlerExecutive produced by news legend Dan Rather, Fail State investigates the dark side of American higher education, chronicling decades of policy decisions in Washington DC that have given rise to a powerful and highly-predatory for-profit college industry. With echoes of the subprime mortgage crisis, the film lays bare how for-profit colleges exploited millions of low-income and minority students, leaving them with worthless degrees and drowning in student loan debt. Director Alexander Shebanow traces the rise, fall, and resurgence of the for-profit college industry, uncovering their Wall Street backing and incestuous relationship with the regulators and lawmakers charged with overseeing them.The failure of higher education and steps to a new system
- DirectorTed BalakerStarsGeorge CarlinAdam CarollaRon CollinsAn examination of Western society's apparent contemporary intolerance of edgy humor by comedians.An argument for free speech and the cost of censorship
- DirectorBert MarcusStarsKirill BichutskyHailey BieberAmanda CernySocial media stars Paris Hilton, Josh Ostrovsky, Brittany Furlan and Kirill Bichutsky hustle to build online empires - and face the pitfalls of fame.Perspective on people's obsession with influencers
- DirectorFisher StevensStarsLeonardo DiCaprioBan Ki-moonAlejandro G. IñárrituA look at how climate change affects our environment and what society can do to prevent the demise of endangered species, ecosystems and native communities across the planet.
- DirectorYance FordStarsNeel ShahExplores how people of color suffer from systemically substandard healthcare in the United States.