Docs to Watch

by wallyschamber | created - 31 Jan 2014 | updated - 11 Jan 2020 | Public
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1. The Staircase (2004–2018)

TV-MA | 629 min | Documentary, Crime, Drama

The high-profile murder trial of American novelist Michael Peterson following the death of his wife Kathleen Peterson in 2001.

Stars: Michael Peterson, David Rudolf, Ron Guerette, Martha Ratliff

Votes: 27,197

2. Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore (2010 Video)

Not Rated | 106 min | Documentary

Gory, Gory, Hallelujah! Take an outrageous ride through the wild world of exploitation films with this often-hilarious documentary, HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS, THE GODFATHER OF GORE!

Directors: Frank Henenlotter, Jimmy Maslon | Stars: Mal Arnold, John Bloom, Duane Carney, Roger Christensen

Votes: 393

3. Bus 174 (2002)

R | 122 min | Documentary, Crime

83 Metascore

On June 12, 2000, a young man with a gun took the passengers aboard Bus 174 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil hostage. This documentary examines the event itself, the resulting media frenzy, the police response, and the perpetrator's background.

Directors: José Padilha, Felipe Lacerda | Stars: Sandro do Nascimento, Rodrigo Pimentel, Luiz Eduardo Soares, Anonymous

Votes: 8,617 | Gross: $0.22M

4. The Great Happiness Space: Tale of an Osaka Love Thief (2006)

Not Rated | 76 min | Documentary

Osaka's top host club owner trains boys to excel in the underground love scene. They learn to fake relationships with girls, their income source.

Director: Jake Clennell

Votes: 1,472

5. The Kids Grow Up (2009)

Unrated | 90 min | Documentary

61 Metascore

A humorous and deeply moving look at father-daughter relationships, modern-day parenting, marriage and the looming empty nest.

Director: Doug Block

Votes: 168 | Gross: $0.01M

6. The Corporation (2003)

Not Rated | 145 min | Documentary, History

73 Metascore

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

Directors: Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott | Stars: Mikela Jay, Rob Beckwermert, Christopher Gora, Nina Jones

Votes: 21,782 | Gross: $1.88M

7. Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)

R | 127 min | Documentary, Crime, History

61 Metascore

An examination of the social costs of corporate interests pursuing profits at the expense of the public good.

Director: Michael Moore | Stars: Michael Moore, William Black, Jimmy Carter, Elijah Cummings

Votes: 43,862 | Gross: $14.36M

8. Tao of Peace (2010)

100 min | Documentary, Adventure, Drama

13 people on a road-trip from Jerusalem to Tripoli looking for peace.

Director: Anton Pichler | Stars: Mohammad Alarja, Ray Benson, Gil Fogel, Lauren Frayer

Votes: 84

9. Chasing the Shadows (2009)

Documentary

Do you believe in ghosts? A recent Gallup poll suggests that 1/3rd of Americans swear they exist. A second poll from the UK suggests that there are now more people in the UK who believe in ... See full summary »

Director: Timothy Schultz | Stars: Vicki Monroe, Timothy Schultz, John Zaffis

Votes: 15

10. Solartaxi: Around the World with the Sun (2010)

76 min | Documentary, Adventure

What began as a childhood dream is now an epic 18-month adventure that spans the globe. More than a few have embarked on an 'around the world' adventure; some have even completed it, but no... See full summary »

Director: Erik Schmitt | Stars: James Cameron, Larry Hagman, Jay Leno, Ted Levine

Votes: 30

11. Lolita: Slave to Entertainment (2003 Video)

56 min | Documentary

This Provocative and Revealing must-see documentary uniquely addresses man's relationship with wildlife. It speaks not only to animal lovers and activists, but to anyone at all who may have... See full summary »

Director: Tim Gorski | Stars: John Crowe, Lolita, Richard O'Barry, Russ Rector

Votes: 62

12. King Kaufman: The Passion of Lloyd (2008)

45 min | Documentary, Biography

What happens when Toronto filmmaker Shauna Jaeger sets out to discover what's behind the mad-genius of Lloyd Kaufman - president and founder of Troma Entertainment and the creator of The ... See full synopsis »

Director: Shauna Jaeger Kartt | Stars: Lloyd Kaufman, Jessica Dublin, James Gunn, Daniel Hanna

Votes: 88

13. Hot Coffee (2011)

Not Rated | 88 min | Documentary

How the infamous McDonald's hot coffee lawsuit and similar cases were exploited as part of a right wing crusade to weaken civil justice.

Director: Susan Saladoff | Stars: Chuck Allen, Judy Allen, Jay Angoff, David Arredondo

Votes: 4,015

14. The Union: The Business Behind Getting High (2007)

104 min | Documentary

BC's illegal marijuana trade industry has evolved into a business giant, dubbed by some involved as 'The Union', Commanding upwards of $7 billion Canadian annually. With up to 85% of 'BC ... See full summary »

Director: Brett Harvey | Stars: Adam Scorgie, Chris Bennett, Steve Bloom, Renee Bojee

Votes: 7,833

15. The Lives of Mount Druitt Youth (2010)

60 min | Documentary, Drama

Come with Saad as he visits Mount Druitt & interviews the youth of Mount Druitt about everyday issues like crime, drugs, money & shows how its not all bad in Mount Druitt.

Director: Saad Adam | Stars: Drew Pearson, Saad Adam, Evan Adam, Simon Bodie

Votes: 1,534

16. My Date with Drew (2004)

PG | 90 min | Documentary

51 Metascore

Since the second grade, Brian has had a crush on Drew Barrymore and now 20 years later he wants to fulfill his dream by asking her on a date.

Directors: Jon Gunn, Brian Herzlinger, Brett Winn | Stars: Brian Herzlinger, Drew Barrymore, John August, Stephanie Bedell Quartararo

Votes: 4,735 | Gross: $0.09M

17. Anvil (2008)

Not Rated | 80 min | Documentary, Biography, Drama

82 Metascore

Since 1978, Anvil has become one of heavy metal's most influential yet commercially unsuccessful acts. In 2006, after a fledging European tour Anvil sets out to record their thirteenth album and continue to follow their dreams.

Director: Sacha Gervasi | Stars: Robb Reiner, Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, Tiziana Arrigoni, Scott Ian

Votes: 16,840 | Gross: $0.67M

18. Overnight (2003)

R | 82 min | Documentary

60 Metascore

A documentary on the rise and stumble of Troy Duffy, the bartender-cum-filmmaker who was swept up by Miramax's Harvey Weinstein to turn his script for The Boondock Saints into a feature film.

Directors: Tony Montana, Mark Brian Smith | Stars: Troy Duffy, Jeffrey Baxter, Chris Brinker, Jake Busey

Votes: 4,663

19. Stevie (2002)

R | 140 min | Documentary

72 Metascore

In 1995, director Steve James (of 'Hoop Dreams') returned to rural Southern Illinois to reconnect with Stevie Fielding, a troubled young boy to whom he had been an "Advocate Big Brother" ten years earlier.

Director: Steve James | Stars: Steve James, Stephen Fielding, Tonya Gregory, Bernice Hagler

Votes: 2,742 | Gross: $0.10M

20. The Endless Summer (1966)

Not Rated | 95 min | Documentary, Sport

82 Metascore

The crown jewel to ten years of Bruce Brown surfing documentaries. Brown follows two young surfers around the world in search of the perfect wave, and ends up finding quite a few in addition to some colorful local characters.

Director: Bruce Brown | Stars: Robert August, Michael Hynson, Lord James Blears, Bruce Brown

Votes: 6,217

21. The Road to Guantanamo (2006)

R | 95 min | Drama, War

64 Metascore

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.

Directors: Mat Whitecross, Michael Winterbottom | Stars: Riz Ahmed, Farhad Harun, Waqar Siddiqui, Arfan Usman

Votes: 11,473 | Gross: $0.32M

22. Last Train Home (2009)

Not Rated | 85 min | Documentary, Drama

86 Metascore

A couple embarks on a journey home for Chinese new year along with 130 million other migrant workers, to reunite with their children and struggle for a future. Their unseen story plays out as China soars towards being a world superpower.

Director: Lixin Fan | Stars: Changhua Zhang, Yang Zhang, Suqin Chen, Qin Zhang

Votes: 3,716 | Gross: $0.29M

23. Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005)

R | 96 min | Documentary, Music

73 Metascore

An examination of the heavy metal music subculture that tries to explain why, despite the longevity and popularity of the genre, fans are marginalized and ridiculed for their passion.

Directors: Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen, Jessica Joy Wise | Stars: Tom Araya, Gavin Baddeley, Blasphemer, Randy Blythe

Votes: 12,483

24. Murderball (2005)

R | 88 min | Documentary, Sport

87 Metascore

Quadriplegics, who play full-contact rugby in wheelchairs, overcome unimaginable obstacles to compete in the Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Directors: Henry Alex Rubin, Dana Adam Shapiro | Stars: Joe Soares, Keith Cavill, Mark Zupan, Robert Soares

Votes: 10,457 | Gross: $1.52M

25. Reindeerspotting - Escape from Santaland (2010)

Not Rated | 84 min | Documentary

45 Metascore

This documentary tells the story of Jani, a 19-year-old drug addict living on social welfare among with his friends. Tired of his life in a remote city in Rovaniemi, he decides to travel by... See full summary »

Director: Joonas Neuvonen | Star: Jani Raappana

Votes: 3,625

26. My Flesh and Blood (2003)

Unrated | 83 min | Documentary

78 Metascore

Documentary following Susan Tom of Fairfield, California and her 11 adopted special needs children.

Director: Jonathan Karsh | Stars: Susan Tom, Anthony Tom, Faith Tom, Joe Tom

Votes: 1,766

27. Life After People (2008 TV Movie)

108 min | Documentary, Sci-Fi

Visit the ghostly villages surrounding Chernobyl (abandoned by humans after the 1986 nuclear disaster), travel to remote islands off the coast of Maine to search for abandoned towns that ... See full summary »

Director: David de Vries | Stars: Struan Rodger, John Anderson, David Brin, Bill Bruninga

Votes: 3,194

28. Fast, Cheap & Out of Control (1997)

PG | 80 min | Documentary

An exploration of the careers of four unrelated professionals: a lion tamer, a robotics expert, a topiary gardener, and a naked mole rat specialist.

Director: Errol Morris | Stars: Dave Hoover, George Mendonça, Rodney Brooks, Raymond A. Mendez

Votes: 3,981 | Gross: $0.83M

29. Alien Planet (2004 TV Movie)

Not Rated | 94 min | Documentary, Animation, Adventure

The CGI or computer animated drama/documentary takes place on Darwin IV, a planet 6.5 light years from earth, with 2 suns and 60% of Earth's gravity. Having identified Darwin as a world ... See full summary »

Director: Pierre de Lespinois | Stars: Wayne D. Barlowe, Curtis Clark, James Garvin, Jamie Hanes

Votes: 1,667

30. Naqoyqatsi (2002)

PG | 89 min | Documentary, Music

59 Metascore

A visual montage portrait of our contemporary world dominated by globalized technology and violence.

Director: Godfrey Reggio | Stars: Belladonna, Marlon Brando, Elton John, Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Votes: 6,240 | Gross: $0.13M

32. J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life (2007 TV Movie)

Not Rated | 60 min | Documentary

An insight into what life is like for well-known "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling as she finishes the final book in the series.

Director: James Runcie | Stars: James Runcie, J.K. Rowling, Sarah Beal, Neil Murray

Votes: 500

33. Powaqqatsi (1988)

G | 99 min | Documentary, Music

57 Metascore

An exploration of technologically developing nations and the effect the transition to Western-style modernization has had on them.

Director: Godfrey Reggio | Stars: Christie Brinkley, David Brinkley, Patrick Disanto, Pope John Paul II

Votes: 8,874 | Gross: $0.59M

34. Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown (2008)

TV-PG | 90 min | Documentary, Biography

A chronicle of the life, work and mind that created the Cthulhu mythos.

Director: Frank H. Woodward | Stars: Robin Atkin Downes, Neil Gaiman, Peter Straub, Guillermo del Toro

Votes: 2,067

35. The Cruise (1998)

PG-13 | 76 min | Documentary

69 Metascore

Timothy "Speed" Levitch, an eccentric New York City tour bus guide, takes tourists around the island of Manhattan and shares an archive of beautifully distorted information about the city.

Director: Bennett Miller | Star: Timothy 'Speed' Levitch

Votes: 1,932 | Gross: $0.24M

36. Miesten vuoro (2010)

81 min | Documentary

Finnish men in sauna, speaking straight from the heart.

Directors: Joonas Berghäll, Mika Hotakainen | Stars: Timo Aalto, Pekka Ahonen, Aarne Aksila, Mauno Alasuutari

Votes: 2,686

37. Which Way Home (2009)

Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary

"Which Way Home" is a feature documentary film that follows unaccompanied child migrants, on their journey through Mexico, as they try to reach the United States. We follow children like ... See full summary »

Director: Rebecca Cammisa

Votes: 1,198

38. Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (2010 Video)

Not Rated | 239 min | Documentary, Horror

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!

Directors: Daniel Farrands, Andrew Kasch | Stars: Heather Langenkamp, Stacey Alden, Erika Anderson, Marshall Bell

Votes: 5,190

39. My Kid Could Paint That (2007)

PG-13 | 82 min | Documentary, Family, Mystery

74 Metascore

A look at the work and surprising success of a four-year-old girl whose paintings have been compared to the likes of Picasso and has raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Director: Amir Bar-Lev | Stars: Marla Olmstead, Laura Olmstead, Mark Olmstead, Amir Bar-Lev

Votes: 3,501 | Gross: $0.23M

40. Blue Water, White Death (1971)

G | 99 min | Documentary

Documentary focusing on great white sharks.

Directors: Peter Gimbel, James Lipscomb | Stars: Tom Chapin, Phil Clarkson, Stuart Cody, Peter Lake

Votes: 438 | Gross: $0.54M

41. Still Screaming: The Ultimate Scary Movie Retrospective (2011)

Not Rated | 92 min | Documentary, Horror

A year in the making, Still Screaming is the definitive documentary on the making of the iconic Scream movies. Dive into the fascinating success story of the classic trilogy with on-set ... See full summary »

Director: Ryan Turek | Stars: David Arquette, Brian Avery, Lisa Beach, Marco Beltrami

Votes: 462

42. The Reinactors (2008)

Unrated | 96 min | Documentary

Filmmaker David J Markey interviews people who dress like their favourite movie characters on Hollywood Boulevard.

Director: David Markey | Stars: Gerard Christian Zacher, Christopher Lloyd Dennis, Michael A. Luce, Tiena Marie Johns

Votes: 135

43. Jupiter's Wife (1995)

Not Rated | 87 min | Documentary, Biography, Mystery

Michel Negroponte, a documentary filmmaker, meets Maggie one day in Central Park. Maggie claims to be married to the god Jupiter and the daughter of actor Robert Ryan. Michel gets to know ... See full summary »

Director: Michel Negroponte | Stars: Maggie Cogan, Katina Commings

Votes: 249

44. We Live in Public (2009)

Unrated | 91 min | Documentary

69 Metascore

A documentary focusing on the life of dot-com entrepreneur Josh Harris, and his exploits over the last decade.

Director: Ondi Timoner | Stars: Josh Harris, Tom Harris, Carlos Alvarez, David Amron

Votes: 1,983 | Gross: $0.04M

45. Tarnation (2003)

Unrated | 88 min | Documentary, Biography

87 Metascore

Filmmaker Jonathan Caouette's documentary on growing up with his schizophrenic mother -- a mixture of snapshots, Super-8 film, answering machine messages, video diaries, early short films, and more - culled from nineteen years of his life.

Director: Jonathan Caouette | Stars: Jonathan Caouette, Renee Leblanc, Adolph Davis, Rosemary Davis

Votes: 6,710 | Gross: $0.59M

46. The Rock-afire Explosion (2008)

Not Rated | 72 min | Documentary

A cult fan-favorite documentary that explores the rise and fall of Showbiz Pizza Place, its animatronic rock band, and the origins of Chuck E. Cheese.

Director: Brett Whitcomb | Stars: Chris Thrash, Aaron Fechter, Travis Schafer, Mike Scherpenberg

Votes: 456

47. Cinemania (2002)

Not Rated | 83 min | Documentary

67 Metascore

This documentary about the culture of intense cinephilia in New York City reveals the impassioned world of five obsessed movie buffs. The filmmakers expose this delightfully deranged cult ... See full summary »

Directors: Angela Christlieb, Stephen Kijak | Stars: Jack Angstreich, Eric Chadbourne, Bill Heidbreder, Roberta Hill

Votes: 2,378 | Gross: $0.01M

48. Jesus Camp (2006)

PG-13 | 87 min | Documentary

62 Metascore

A documentary on kids who attend a summer camp hoping to become the next Billy Graham.

Directors: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady | Stars: Mike Papantonio, Lou Engle, Becky Fischer, Ted Haggard

Votes: 28,774 | Gross: $0.90M

49. Superheroes (2011)

Not Rated | 85 min | Documentary, Action, Comedy

A journey inside the world of real life caped crusaders. From all over America, these self-proclaimed crime fighters, don masks, homemade costumes and elaborate utility belts in an attempt to bring justice to evildoers everywhere.

Director: Michael Barnett | Stars: Amazonia, Antiman, Asylum, Urban Avenger

Votes: 1,770

50. The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005)

PG-13 | 110 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

77 Metascore

Daniel Johnston, manic-depressive genius singer/songwriter/artist is revealed in this portrait of madness, creativity and love.

Director: Jeff Feuerzeig | Stars: Daniel Johnston, Mabel Johnston, Bill Johnston, Laurie Allen

Votes: 10,528 | Gross: $0.33M

51. Darwin (2011)

G | 86 min | Documentary, Drama, History

Propelled from society by tragic turns, the isolated community of Darwin, Death Valley (population 35) must now find ways to coexist in a place without a government, a church, jobs, or children.

Director: Nick Brandestini | Stars: Monty Brannigan, Nancy Brannigan, Hank Jones, Connie Jones

Votes: 421

52. Waking Sleeping Beauty (2009)

PG | 86 min | Documentary, Drama, History

70 Metascore

The story of the Disney Renaissance, an incredibly prolific, successful and prestigious decade lasting from 1984 to 1994 that saw the fallen Walt Disney Animation Studios' unexpected progressive triumphant return to excellence.

Director: Don Hahn | Stars: Roy Edward Disney, John Lasseter, Michael Eisner, Don Hahn

Votes: 3,270 | Gross: $0.08M

53. In the Land of the Free... (2010)

84 min | Documentary

Tells the shocking and unbelievable story of Herman Wallace, Albert Woodfox and Robert King, three black men from rural Louisiana who were held in solitary confinement in the biggest prison... See full summary »

Director: Vadim Jean | Stars: Samuel L. Jackson, Daniel Bee, Robert King, Malik Rahim

Votes: 53

54. Talhotblond (2009)

R | 83 min | Documentary, Crime, Thriller

This is the true story of a love triangle that takes place entirely online. Lies lead to murder in real life, as a teenage vixen (screen name 'talhotblond') lures men into her web. ... See full summary »

Director: Barbara Schroeder | Stars: Steve Clement, Thomas Montgomery, Ken Case, Rex Julian Beaber

Votes: 2,910

55. Fully Flared (2007 Video)

89 min | Documentary, Sport

A skateboard film featuring the Lakai team filmed over the course of 4 years.

Directors: Ty Evans, Spike Jonze, Cory Weincheque | Stars: Brandon Biebel, Danny Brady, MikeMo Capaldi, Mike Carroll

Votes: 457

56. Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship & Videotape (2010)

Not Rated | 72 min | Documentary

A documentary analyzing the furore which so-called "video nasties" caused in Britain during the 1980s.

Director: Jake West | Stars: Julian Petley, Marc Morris, Andy Nyman, Xavier Mendik

Votes: 1,324

57. McLibel (2005)

Not Rated | 85 min | Documentary

81 Metascore

McLibel is the story of two ordinary people who humiliated McDonald's in the biggest corporate PR disaster in history.

Directors: Ken Loach, Franny Armstrong | Stars: Helen Steel, Dave Morris, Bruce Alexander, Anita Anand

Votes: 2,168 | Gross: $0.00M

58. Special When Lit (2009)

G | 97 min | Documentary

What made more money than the entire American movie industry through the 50s and 60s? Pinball. Special When Lit rediscovers the lure of a lost pop icon. A product of the mechanical and ... See full summary »

Director: Brett Sullivan | Stars: Roger Sharpe, Rick Stetta, Sam Harvey, Tim Arnold

Votes: 716

59. More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead (2011 Video)

Not Rated | 120 min | Documentary

Retrospective documentary about the making of the horror cult classic "The Return of the Living Dead."

Director: Bill Philputt | Stars: Jules Brenner, Don Calfa, James Dalesandro, J. Trevor Edmond

Votes: 724

60. Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel (2011)

R | 95 min | Documentary

A documentary on DIY producer/director Roger Corman and his alternative approach to making movies in Hollywood.

Director: Alex Stapleton | Stars: Roger Corman, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Paul W.S. Anderson

Votes: 2,674 | Gross: $0.01M

61. Boxers and Ballerinas (2004)

84 min | Documentary

Shot in three countries over a two year period, Boxers and Ballerinas explores the US-Cuba conflict through the eyes of four youths--a boxer and a ballerina in Havana and Santiago de Cuba and a boxer and a ballerina exiled in Miami.

Directors: Mike Cahill, Brit Marling

Votes: 218

62. Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010)

G | 90 min | Documentary, History

86 Metascore

Werner Herzog gains exclusive access to film inside the Chauvet caves of Southern France and captures the oldest known pictorial creations of humanity.

Director: Werner Herzog | Stars: Werner Herzog, Jean Clottes, Julien Monney, Jean-Michel Geneste

Votes: 17,786 | Gross: $5.23M

63. Welcome to Nollywood (2007)

Not Rated | 58 min | Documentary

The Nigerian film industry, known as Nollywood, has exploded in the last ten years. Now the most popular cinema in all of west Africa--even more popular than imports of Hollywood or ... See full summary »

Director: Jamie Meltzer | Stars: Izu Ojukwu, Chico Ejiro, Don Pedro Obaseki, Charles Novia

Votes: 79

64. Standard Operating Procedure (2008)

R | 116 min | Documentary, Crime, War

70 Metascore

Errol Morris examines the incidents of abuse and torture of suspected terrorists at the hands of U.S. forces at the Abu Ghraib prison.

Director: Errol Morris | Stars: Megan Ambuhl Graner, Javal Davis, Ken Davis, Anthony Diaz

Votes: 4,112 | Gross: $0.23M

65. The Fog of War (2003)

PG-13 | 107 min | Documentary, Biography, History

87 Metascore

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

Director: Errol Morris | Stars: Robert McNamara, John F. Kennedy, Fidel Castro, Richard Nixon

Votes: 25,045 | Gross: $4.20M

66. Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. (1999)

PG-13 | 91 min | Documentary, Biography

78 Metascore

A cinematic portrait of the life and career of the infamous American execution device designer and holocaust denier.

Director: Errol Morris | Stars: Fred A. Leuchter Jr., Robert Jan Van Pelt, David Irving, Caroline Leuchter

Votes: 5,779 | Gross: $0.50M

67. A Brief History of Time (1991)

G | 80 min | Documentary, Biography

78 Metascore

A film about the life and work of the cosmologist, Stephen Hawking, who despite his near total paralysis, was one of the great minds of all time.

Director: Errol Morris | Stars: Stephen Hawking, Isobel Hawking, Janet Humphrey, Mary Hawking

Votes: 5,912 | Gross: $2.28M

68. The Thin Blue Line (1988)

Not Rated | 101 min | Documentary, Crime

79 Metascore

A film that successfully argued that a man was wrongly convicted for murder by a corrupt justice system in Dallas County, Texas.

Director: Errol Morris | Stars: Randall Adams, David Harris, Gus Rose, Jackie Johnson

Votes: 25,918 | Gross: $1.21M

69. Salesman (1969)

G | 91 min | Documentary, Drama

80 Metascore

Four dogged door-to-door Bible salesmen travel from Boston to Florida on a seemingly futile quest to sell luxury editions of the Good Book to working-class Catholics.

Directors: Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Charlotte Zwerin | Stars: Paul Brennan, Charles McDevitt, James Baker, Raymond Martos

Votes: 5,709

70. Encounters at the End of the World (2007)

G | 99 min | Documentary

80 Metascore

Film-maker Werner Herzog travels to the McMurdo Station in Antarctica, looking to capture the continent's beauty and investigate the characters living there.

Director: Werner Herzog | Stars: Werner Herzog, Scott Rowland, Stefan Pashov, Doug MacAyeal

Votes: 19,248 | Gross: $0.94M

71. Grey Gardens (1975)

PG | 95 min | Documentary, Comedy, Drama

83 Metascore

Meet a mother and daughter, high-society dropouts, reclusive cousins of Jackie O., managing to thrive together amid the decay and disorder of their East Hampton, NY, mansion, making for an eerily ramshackle echo of the American Camelot.

Directors: Ellen Hovde, Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Muffie Meyer | Stars: Edith Bouvier Beale, Edith 'Little Edie' Bouvier Beale, Brooks Hyers

Votes: 15,272 | Gross: $0.03M

72. The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006)

Not Rated | 91 min | Documentary

Utilizing hours of unseen archival footage, The Beales is a new take on the women of Grey Gardens.

Directors: Albert Maysles, David Maysles | Stars: Edith 'Little Edie' Bouvier Beale, Edith Bouvier Beale, Albert Maysles, David Maysles

Votes: 1,340

73. F for Fake (1973)

PG | 89 min | Documentary

87 Metascore

A documentary about fraud and fakery.

Directors: Orson Welles, Gary Graver, Oja Kodar, François Reichenbach | Stars: Orson Welles, Oja Kodar, François Reichenbach, Elmyr de Hory

Votes: 18,289

74. Harlan County U.S.A. (1976)

PG | 103 min | Documentary

80 Metascore

A heartbreaking record of the thirteen-month struggle between a community fighting to survive and a corporation dedicated to the bottom line.

Director: Barbara Kopple | Stars: John L. Lewis, Carl Horn, Norman Yarborough, Logan Patterson

Votes: 6,626

75. Presunto culpable (2008)

87 min | Documentary

Two young Mexican attorneys attempt to exonerate a wrongly convicted man by making a documentary. In the process, they expose the contradictions of a judicial system that presumes suspects guilty until proven innocent.

Directors: Roberto Hernández, Geoffrey Smith

Votes: 1,419

76. Promises (2001)

106 min | Documentary

80 Metascore

Several Jewish and Palestinian children are followed for three years and put in touch with each other, in this alternative look at the Jewish-Palestinian conflict. The three filmmakers ... See full summary »

Directors: B.Z. Goldberg, Justine Shapiro, Carlos Bolado | Stars: Moishe Bar Am, B.Z. Goldberg, Shlomo Green, Sanabel Hassan

Votes: 2,723 | Gross: $0.24M

77. Lake of Fire (2006)

Unrated | 152 min | Documentary

83 Metascore

A graphic documentary on both sides of the abortion debate.

Director: Tony Kaye | Stars: Noam Chomsky, Bill Baird, Flip Benham, Dallas Blanchard

Votes: 2,735 | Gross: $0.02M

78. Hearts and Minds (1974)

R | 112 min | Documentary, History, War

68 Metascore

A startling and courageous landmark documentary that unflinchingly confronted the United States' involvement in Vietnam at the height of the controversy that surrounded it.

Director: Peter Davis | Stars: Tin Chan, Chau Diem, Ngo Dinh Diem, John Foster Dulles

Votes: 6,104 | Gross: $0.03M

79. José and Pilar (2010)

117 min | Documentary, Biography

A documentary on Nobel Prize Winner José Saramago and his feelings over his wife, his country and life, as a whole.

Director: Miguel Gonçalves Mendes | Stars: João Afonso, Àngels Barceló, Pilar del Río, Juan Echanove

Votes: 2,490

80. Burden of Dreams (1982)

Not Rated | 95 min | Documentary

A documentary following German auteur Werner Herzog as he deals with difficult actors, bad weather and getting a boat over a mountain, all in an effort to make his film Fitzcarraldo (1982).

Director: Les Blank | Stars: Werner Herzog, Klaus Kinski, Claudia Cardinale, Jason Robards

Votes: 8,131

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

R | 96 min | Documentary

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.

Directors: Fax Bahr, George Hickenlooper, Eleanor Coppola | Stars: Dennis Hopper, Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, George Lucas

Votes: 23,218 | Gross: $1.32M

82. The White Diamond (2004)

Not Rated | 88 min | Documentary

83 Metascore

Engineers attempt daring journey above Guyanese rainforest canopy with airship prototype. Adventure fraught with risks, as previous expedition ended tragically. This is a unique story of exploring uncharted jungle from the air.

Director: Werner Herzog | Stars: Werner Herzog, Graham Dorrington, Dieter Plage, Adrian de Schryver

Votes: 4,952

83. Wheel of Time (2003)

Not Rated | 80 min | Documentary

65 Metascore

Wheel of Time is Werner Herzog's photographed look at the largest Buddhist ritual in Bodh Gaya, India.

Director: Werner Herzog | Stars: The Dalai Lama, Lama Lhundup Woeser, Takna Jigme Sangpo, Matthieu Ricard

Votes: 2,735

84. The Five Obstructions (2003)

Unrated | 90 min | Documentary

79 Metascore

Filmmaker Lars Von Trier challenges Jørgen Leth, the filmmaker behind The Perfect Human (1967), to remake his classic short under circumstances of increasing constraint.

Directors: Jørgen Leth, Lars von Trier | Stars: Claus Nissen, Majken Algren Nielsen, Daniel Hernandez Rodriguez, Jacqueline Arenal

Votes: 9,199 | Gross: $0.09M

85. My Best Fiend (1999)

Not Rated | 95 min | Documentary, Biography

70 Metascore

The love-hate relationship between Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski, the deep trust between the director and the actor, and their independently and simultaneously hatched plans to murder one another.

Director: Werner Herzog | Stars: Werner Herzog, Klaus Kinski, Claudia Cardinale, Eva Mattes

Votes: 12,190 | Gross: $0.10M

86. Pearl Jam Twenty (2011)

Not Rated | 119 min | Documentary, History, Music

59 Metascore

A documentary on the band Pearl Jam that marks their 20th anniversary in the year 2011.

Director: Cameron Crowe | Stars: Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, Cameron Crowe

Votes: 8,184 | Gross: $0.45M

87. Route 66: Ein amerikanischer Albtraum (2004)

Not Rated | 104 min | Documentary

Three German provincials are searching for hollywood. So they take the most American values, they can picture: an absurdly vast car, full of fastfood, bottles of oil and camera equipment on... See full summary »

Director: Stefan Kluge

Votes: 92

88. Route 66: Return to the Road with Martin Milner (1998 Video)

158 min | Documentary, History

Thirty years after the ending of his famous TV series, Martin Milner once again climbs into a classic red Corvette and drives down Route 66, the "Mother Road", from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Director: John Paget | Star: Martin Milner

Votes: 26

89. Hoop Dreams (1994)

PG-13 | 170 min | Documentary, Drama, Sport

98 Metascore

A film following the lives of two inner-city Chicago boys who struggle to become college basketball players on the road to going professional.

Director: Steve James | Stars: William Gates, Arthur Agee, Emma Gates, Curtis Gates

Votes: 28,013 | Gross: $7.83M

90. Triumph of the Will (1935)

Not Rated | 110 min | Documentary, History

The infamous propaganda film of the 1934 Nazi Party rally in Nuremberg, Germany.

Director: Leni Riefenstahl | Stars: Adolf Hitler, Hermann Göring, Max Amann, Martin Bormann

Votes: 18,318

91. Baraka (1992)

Not Rated | 96 min | Documentary

A collection of expertly photographed scenes of human life and religion.

Director: Ron Fricke | Star: Patrick Disanto

Votes: 40,974 | Gross: $1.33M

92. Born Into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids (2004)

R | 85 min | Documentary, Biography, News

78 Metascore

Two documentary filmmakers chronicle their time in Sonagchi, Calcutta and the relationships they developed with children of prostitutes who work the city's notorious red light district.

Directors: Zana Briski, Ross Kauffman | Stars: Kochi, Avijit Halder, Shanti Das, Manik

Votes: 18,002 | Gross: $3.41M

93. Broken Rainbow (1985)

70 min | Documentary, History

Documentary chronicling the government relocation of 10,000 Navajo Indians in Arizona.

Director: Victoria Mudd | Stars: Martin Sheen, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Burgess Meredith, Laura Nyro

Votes: 281

94. Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey (2000 Video)

PG | 100 min | Documentary, Action, Biography

A documentary showing the life of Bruce Lee up-close.

Directors: John Little, Bruce Lee | Stars: Bruce Lee, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Peter Archer, Sun-Man Bae

Votes: 3,293

95. Dream of Light (1992)

133 min | Documentary, Biography

82 Metascore

The artist Antonio López tries to capture the sunlight hitting his quince tree all autumn, but the struggle seems futile.

Director: Víctor Erice | Stars: Antonio López, María Moreno, Enrique Gran, María López

Votes: 2,122

96. TT3D: Closer to the Edge (2011)

Not Rated | 104 min | Documentary, Sport

76 Metascore

Motorcycle racers reveal their motivation to participate each year in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, the most dangerous and deadliest event in the sport.

Director: Richard De Aragues | Stars: Guy Martin, Ian Hutchinson, John McGuinness, Michael Dunlop

Votes: 6,627

97. Donor Unknown (2010)

Not Rated | 80 min | Documentary

JoEllen Marsh is 20 years old, and has never met her father. As she goes in search of her paternity, her path to Donor 150 becomes an exploration into identity and the complex permutations ... See full summary »

Director: Jerry Rothwell | Stars: JoEllen Marsh, Danielle Pagano, Fletcher Norris, Rachelle Longest

Votes: 150

98. Grizzly Man (2005)

R | 103 min | Documentary, Biography

87 Metascore

A devastating and heart-rending take on grizzly bear activists Timothy Treadwell and Amie Huguenard, who were killed in October of 2003 while living among grizzly bears in Alaska.

Director: Werner Herzog | Stars: Timothy Treadwell, Amie Huguenard, Werner Herzog, Carol Dexter

Votes: 61,866 | Gross: $3.17M

99. More Than a Game (2008)

PG | 105 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport

59 Metascore

This documentary follows NBA superstar LeBron James and four of his talented teammates through the trials and tribulations of high school basketball in Ohio and James' journey to fame.

Director: Kristopher Belman | Stars: LeBron James, Dru Joyce, Romeo Travis, Sian Cotton

Votes: 5,663 | Gross: $0.94M

100. Touching the Void (2003)

R | 106 min | Documentary, Adventure, Drama

82 Metascore

The true story of two climbers and their perilous journey up the west face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985.

Director: Kevin Macdonald | Stars: Simon Yates, Joe Simpson, Brendan Mackey, Nicholas Aaron

Votes: 38,088 | Gross: $4.59M



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