Best Documentaries
by MtcRead | created - 19 Jul 2015 | updated - 1 day ago | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. The Source Family (2012)
TV-14 | 98 min | Documentary, Music
A charismatic leader founds a commune in Los Angeles in the early '70s based on natural food, spiritual practices and psychedelic rock. This short-lived era is recreated with archival material and the memories of participants.
Directors: Maria Demopoulos, Jodi Wille | Stars: Ahom Aquarian, Isis Aquarian, Don Bolles, Elena Michaels
Votes: 1,466
2. The Imposter (2012)
R | 99 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
A documentary centered on a young man in Spain who claims to a grieving Texas family that he is their 16-year-old son who has been missing for 3 years.
Director: Bart Layton | Stars: Adam O'Brian, Nicholas Barclay, Carey Gibson, Bryan Gibson
Votes: 50,469 | Gross: $0.89M
3. Stuck (II) (2013)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary
A documentary that follows four children from three different countries on their individual voyages from orphanages to their new homes with families in the United States.
Director: Thaddaeus Scheel | Star: Mariska Hargitay
Votes: 145
4. Bill Cunningham New York (2010)
Not Rated | 84 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A profile of the noted and extraordinarily cheerful veteran New York City fashion photographer.
Director: Richard Press | Stars: Bill Cunningham, Anna Wintour, Michael Kors, Editta Sherman
Votes: 5,670 | Gross: $1.51M
5. Saving Face (2012)
Not Rated | 40 min | Documentary, Short, Drama
Plastic surgeon Dr. Mohammad Jawad returns to his native Pakistan to help those left horribly scarred by acid attacks.
Directors: Daniel Junge, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy | Stars: Sarkar Abbas, Mohammad Jawad
Votes: 1,512
6. The Paw Project (2013)
58 min | Documentary, History, News
The Paw Project chronicles the David and Goliath story of a tiny grassroots movement taking on big veterinary corporations in an effort to ban the de-clawing of cats.
Director: Jennifer Conrad
Votes: 240
7. It's a Girl! (2012)
Not Rated | 64 min | Documentary
Every year in India and China, millions of babies are killed, neglected or abandoned simply because they are girls.
Director: Evan Grae Davis
Votes: 535
8. And the Oscar Goes to... (2014 TV Movie)
87 min | Documentary, History
The history of the Academy Awards.
Directors: Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman | Stars: Anjelica Huston, Billy Crystal, Tom Hanks, Cher
Votes: 1,525
9. Love Me (I) (2014)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary, Comedy, Drama
Is there such thing as love before first sight? This doc explores the mail-order bride industry, chronicling on a group of Ukrainian women and the Western men they marry, in a search for modern love.
Director: Jonathon Narducci
Votes: 1,436
10. Hot Girls Wanted (2015)
TV-MA | 84 min | Documentary
A 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.
Directors: Jill Bauer, Ronna Gradus | Stars: Tressa Silguero, Riley Reynolds, Rachel Bernard, John Anthony
Votes: 18,490
11. Atari: Game Over (2014)
TV-14 | 66 min | Documentary
A crew search for all of the old Atari 2600 game cartridges of "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" that were tossed into a landfill in the 1980s.
Director: Zak Penn | Stars: Zak Penn, Joe Lewandowski, Robert Rentschler, Paul Sanchez
Votes: 6,094
12. Video Games: The Movie (2014)
Not Rated | 101 min | Documentary, History
Learn how video games are made, marketed, and consumed by looking back at gaming history and culture through the eyes of game developers, publishers, and consumers.
Director: Jeremy Snead | Stars: Sean Astin, Al Alcorn, Peter Armstrong, Cliff Bleszinski
Votes: 5,594 | Gross: $0.02M
13. Indie Game: The Movie (2012)
Not Rated | 103 min | Documentary, Drama
A documentary that follows the journeys of indie game developers as they create games and release those works, and themselves, to the world.
Directors: Lisanne Pajot, James Swirsky | Stars: Jonathan Blow, Brandon Boyer, Renaud Bédard, Anthony Carboni
Votes: 21,442
14. The Culture High (2014)
TV-14 | 120 min | Documentary, News
Scours the deep-seated roots of this morally induced Marijuana campaign and reveal the fascinating path it has taken to get to where it is today.
Director: Brett Harvey | Stars: Snoop Dogg, Joe Rogan, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama
Votes: 3,756
15. African Cats (2010)
G | 89 min | Documentary, Adventure
Meet Mara, an endearing lion cub striving to be like her mother; Sita, a cheetah and single mother of five; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion.
Directors: Keith Scholey, Alastair Fothergill | Stars: Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Stewart
Votes: 6,731 | Gross: $15.42M
16. The Last Lions (2011)
PG | 88 min | Documentary, Family
Fifty years ago there were close to half-a-million lions in Africa. Today there are around 20,000. To make matters worse, lions, unlike elephants, which are far more numerous, have ... See full summary »
Director: Dereck Joubert | Star: Jeremy Irons
Votes: 4,375 | Gross: $0.64M
17. Dante: The Divine Comedy (2002 Video)
50 min | Documentary
An introduction to the greatest work of medieval literature, which draws upon new dramatic filmed sequences, contemporary images and the work of artists inspired by Dante's epic voyage of ... See full summary »
Votes: 28
18. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)
Not Rated | 95 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
A filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend's ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son.
Director: Kurt Kuenne | Stars: Kurt Kuenne, Andrew Bagby, David Bagby, Kathleen Bagby
Votes: 40,733 | Gross: $0.02M
19. Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends (1998–2000)
Not Rated | 60 min | Documentary
Louis Theroux documents some of the US's most bizarre happenings, events and rituals, by getting involved himself.
Stars: Louis Theroux, David Paul, J.J. Michaels, Randy James
Votes: 3,332
20. Twinsters (2015)
PG-13 | 89 min | Documentary, Biography
Adopted from South Korea, raised on different continents & connected through social media, Samantha & Anaïs believe that they are twin sisters separated at birth.
Directors: Samantha Futerman, Ryan Miyamoto | Stars: Skylar Astin, Anaïs Bordier, Jacques Bordier, Patricia Bordier
Votes: 4,870
21. Life Story (2014–2015)
TV-PG | 60 min | Documentary
David Attenbourough narrates on the greatest of all adventures - the journey through life.
Stars: David Attenborough, Rolf Steinmann, Emma Napper, Sophie Lanfear
Votes: 2,338
22. Living on One Dollar (2013)
TV-14 | 56 min | Documentary, Adventure, Drama
Four young friends set out to live on just $1 a day for two months in rural Guatemala. Armed with only a video camera, they battle hunger, parasites, and extreme financial stress as they attempt to survive life on the edge.
Directors: Zach Ingrasci, Sean Leonard, Chris Temple | Stars: Chris Temple, Zach Ingrasci, Sean Leonard, Ryan Christoffersen
Votes: 4,883
23. Born Into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids (2004)
R | 85 min | Documentary, Biography, News
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: 18,009 | Gross: $3.41M
24. Mortified Nation (2013)
84 min | Documentary
Adults share their most embarrassing teenage writings and art in front of total strangers at Mortified stage shows across the country, as the filmmakers explore what the show's popularity says about all of us.
Director: Michael Mayer | Stars: Renee Albert, Jenny Bergman, Alexander Burke, Cecil Castellucci
Votes: 1,017
25. Kumaré (2011)
Not Rated | 84 min | Documentary
A documentary about a man who impersonates a wise Indian Guru and builds a following in Arizona. At the height of his popularity, the Guru Kumaré must reveal his true identity to his disciples and unveil his greatest teaching of all.
Director: Vikram Gandhi | Stars: Vikram Gandhi, Toby, Greg, Molly
Votes: 5,198 | Gross: $0.13M
26. March of the Penguins (2005)
G | 80 min | Documentary, Family
In the Antarctic, every March since the beginning of time, the quest begins to find the perfect mate and start a family.
Director: Luc Jacquet | Stars: Morgan Freeman, Romane Bohringer, Charles Berling, Jules Sitruk
Votes: 59,957 | Gross: $77.44M
27. Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist (2014)
PG | 96 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport
Documents Marco Pantani's battle with addiction after winning Tour de France and Giro d'Italia in 1998 until his death from cocaine poisoning six years later.
Director: James Erskine | Stars: Greg LeMond, Bradley Wiggins, Evgeni Berzin, Piotr Ugrumov
Votes: 2,066
28. Chimpanzee (2011)
G | 78 min | Documentary, Family
Meet adorable young chimp Oscar and his fellow mayhem-creating buddies, who see the world as their playground. Full of curiosity, joy and a love for mimicking others, these are some of the most extraordinary personalities in the jungle.
Directors: Alastair Fothergill, Mark Linfield | Star: Tim Allen
Votes: 6,367 | Gross: $28.97M
29. Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)
TV-14 | 106 min | Documentary
Alex Gibney explores the charged issue of pedophilia in the Catholic Church, following a trail from the first known protest against clerical sexual abuse in the United States and all the way to the Vatican.
Director: Alex Gibney | Stars: Alex Gibney, Terry Kohut, Gary Smith, Pat Kuehn
Votes: 4,086
30. Blackfish (2013)
PG-13 | 83 min | Documentary
A documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.
Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite | Stars: Tilikum, Dave Duffus, Samantha Berg, Dean Gomersall
Votes: 72,462 | Gross: $2.07M
31. Food, Inc. (2008)
PG | 94 min | Documentary, News
An unflattering look inside America's corporate controlled food industry.
Director: Robert Kenner | Stars: Michael Pollan, Eric Schlosser, Richard Lobb, Vince Edwards
Votes: 52,225 | Gross: $4.42M
32. My Own Man (2014)
TV-14 | 82 min | Documentary, Comedy, Drama
When a man discovers he will be the father to a boy, his fear and insecurities send him on an emotional, humorous quest for his own manhood.
Director: David Sampliner
Votes: 464
33. Meet the Patels (2014)
PG | 88 min | Documentary, Animation, Comedy
An Indian-American man who is about to turn 30 gets help from his parents and extended family to start looking for a wife in the traditional Indian way.
Directors: Geeta Vasant Patel, Ravi Patel | Stars: Ravi Patel, Geeta Vasant Patel, Champa V. Patel, Vasant K. Patel
Votes: 3,546 | Gross: $1.69M
34. Making a Murderer (2015–2018)
TV-14 | 60 min | Documentary, Crime
Filmed over a 10-year period, Steven Avery, a DNA exoneree who, while in the midst of exposing corruption in local law enforcement, finds himself the prime suspect in a grisly new crime.
Stars: Steven Avery, Dolores Avery, Laura Nirider, Allan Avery
Votes: 102,874
35. Kids for Cash (2013)
PG-13 | 102 min | Documentary, Crime, Drama
Kids For Cash is a riveting look behind the notorious judicial scandal that rocked the nation. Beyond the millions paid and high stakes corruption, Kids For Cash exposes a shocking American... See full summary »
Director: Robert May | Stars: Charlie Balasavage, Joanne Balasavage, Justin Bodnar, Lisa Griffiths
Votes: 1,997 | Gross: $0.09M
36. Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief (2015)
Not Rated | 119 min | Documentary
A documentary looking at the inner-workings of the Church of Scientology.
Director: Alex Gibney | Stars: Paul Haggis, Jason Beghe, Spanky Taylor, David Miscavige
Votes: 40,914
37. The Unbelievers (2013)
Not Rated | 77 min | Documentary
Renowned scientists Richard Dawkins and Lawrence Krauss cross the globe as they speak publicly about the importance of science and reason in the modern world.
Director: Gus Holwerda | Stars: Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Woody Allen, Richard Dawkins, Daniel C. Dennett
Votes: 6,778
38. Tyke: Elephant Outlaw (2015)
78 min | Documentary
This is the gripping and emotionally charged story of Tyke, a circus elephant that went on a rampage in Honolulu in 1994, killed her trainer in front of thousands of spectators and died in ... See full summary »
Directors: Susan Lambert, Stefan Moore | Stars: Pam Burns, Bryan Akita, Cathy Goeggel, Sally Joseph
Votes: 683
39. Blood Brother (2013)
Not Rated | 92 min | Documentary
Documentarian visits best friend in India to see the mutual unconditional love that keeps his buddy bonded to a village hostel housing AIDS-afflicted children.
Director: Steve Hoover | Stars: Rocky Braat, Steve Hoover, Anitha, Devi
Votes: 1,664 | Gross: $0.12M
40. The Wolfpack (2015)
R | 90 min | Documentary, Biography
Confined in an apartment from a New York housing project, the six Angulo brothers learned everything they know about the world through watching films and spend their time reenacting their favorite movies with intricate homemade costumes.
Director: Crystal Moselle | Stars: Mukunda Angulo, Narayana Angulo, Susanne Angulo, Bhagavan Angulo
Votes: 13,516 | Gross: $1.30M
41. Religulous (2008)
R | 101 min | Documentary, Comedy, War
Bill Maher's take on the current state of world religion.
Director: Larry Charles | Stars: Bill Maher, Tal Bachman, Jonathan Boulden, Steven Burg
Votes: 60,252 | Gross: $13.00M
42. Holy Hell (2016)
Not Rated | 100 min | Documentary, Drama
An inside look at Buddhafield, a West Hollywood cult formed by a charismatic teacher in the 1980s that eventually imploded.
Director: Will Allen | Stars: Will Allen, Dimitrius Pulido, Phillipe Coquet, David Christopher
Votes: 6,069 | Gross: $0.02M
43. Audrie & Daisy (2016)
TV-14 | 95 min | Documentary, Crime
A look at the effects that online bullying has on the lives of teenagers and their community.
Directors: Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk | Stars: Robin Bourland, Daisy Coleman, Charles Coleman, Melinda Coleman
Votes: 7,028
44. The Propaganda Game (2015)
98 min | Documentary
Granted controlled access by national officials, filmmaker Álvaro Longoria tours North Korea to contrast his findings to the typical Western depiction of the nation.
Director: Álvaro Longoria | Stars: Álvaro Longoria, Simon Cockerell, Kang Hyoin Gyu, Barbara Demick
Votes: 4,536
45. City 40 (2016)
73 min | Documentary, Drama, History
Behind the walls of a forbidden city, the only thing more dangerous than its secrets is the truth.
Director: Samira Goetschel | Stars: Lavrenti Beria, Viktor Fetisov, Mikhail Gorbachev, Sergei Kirillov
Votes: 1,575
46. All Work All Play (2015)
Not Rated | 94 min | Documentary
This Is a documentary about life and struggle of people for becoming professional gamers.
Director: Patrick Creadon | Stars: Judy Barbosa, Søren Bjerg, Michal Blicharz, Jarett Cale
Votes: 812
47. 72 Cutest Animals (2016– )
27 min | Documentary
This series examines the nature of cuteness and how adorability helps some animal species to survive and thrive in a variety of environments.
Stars: Graham Mitchell, Bob Humphries, Kym Illman, Anthony Powell
Votes: 521
48. Pet Fooled (2016)
TV-PG | 70 min | Documentary
An investigative expose of the inner workings inside the commercial pet food industry, which has gone largely unchallenged until now.
Director: Kohl Harrington
Votes: 680
49. The Toys That Made Us (2017–2019)
TV-14 | 46 min | Documentary, Comedy, History
The minds behind history's most iconic toy franchises discuss the rise (and sometimes fall) of their billion-dollar creations.
Stars: Donald Ian Black, Kirk Bozigian, David Vonner, Mark Bellomo
Votes: 6,158
50. The Most Hated Family in America (2007 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 60 min | Documentary
Louis meets the Phelps family, who protest against an America that tolerates homosexuality
Director: Geoffrey O'Connor | Stars: Louis Theroux, Lauren Drain, Steve Drain, Fred Phelps
Votes: 4,837
51. Fyre (2019)
TV-MA | 97 min | Documentary, Crime, Music
An exclusive behind the scenes look at the infamous unraveling of the Fyre music festival.
Director: Chris Smith | Stars: Billy McFarland, Jason Bell, Gabrielle Bluestone, Shiyuan Deng
Votes: 52,058
52. Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (2016 TV Movie)
TV-14 | 95 min | Documentary
An intimate portrait of actress Debbie Reynolds and her relationship with her beloved children, Carrie and Todd.
Directors: Alexis Bloom, Fisher Stevens | Stars: Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher, Todd Fisher, Catherine Hickland
Votes: 3,587
53. The Most Insane Amusement Park Ever (2013)
14 min | Documentary, Short, Comedy
The story of New Jersey's infamous Action Park is retold by visitors and those who worked there in this humorous, short documentary.
Director: Matt Robertson
Votes: 52
54. To Russia with Love (2014 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary, Sport
Leading up to the Olympics in Sochi, a law banning 'propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors' was passed in Russia. Gay Olympians were confronted with a tough decision: ... See full summary »
Director: Noam Gonick | Stars: Jane Lynch, Johnny Weir, Ban Ki-moon, Jason Collins
Votes: 306
55. Janis: Little Girl Blue (2015)
TV-MA | 103 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Musician Cat Power narrates this documentary on Janis Joplin's evolution into a star from letters that Joplin wrote over the years to her friends, family, and collaborators.
Director: Amy Berg | Stars: Cat Power, Janis Joplin, Karleen Bennett, Laura Joplin
Votes: 5,641 | Gross: $0.41M
56. Minecraft: The Story of Mojang (2012)
Not Rated | 98 min | Documentary
The first year in the life of independent game studio "Mojang" following the landmark success of their debut title, "Minecraft."
Director: Paul Owens | Stars: Jens Bergensten, Jonathan Blow, Lewis Brindley, Brent Copeland
Votes: 1,180
57. Wild Wild Country (2018)
TV-MA | 67 min | Documentary, Crime
When Osho, the world's most controversial guru, builds an Utopian city deep in the Oregon country, conflict with the locals escalates into a national scandal.
Stars: Ma Anand Sheela, Philip Toelkes, Jane Stork, George Meredith
Votes: 35,108
58. The Royal House of Windsor (2017)
296 min | Documentary, History
The history of Britain's ruling dynasty, the Windsors, over the last 100 years, starting with the time around the outbreak of WWI.
Stars: Gwilym Lee, Christian Wolf, Piers Brendon, Sarah Gristwood
Votes: 1,755
59. The Ripper (2020)
TV-MA | 49 min | Documentary, Crime
Investigators and witnesses recall how a modern-day Jack the Ripper terrorized the north of England during the late 1970s.
Stars: Alan Whitehouse, Keith Hellawell, Andrew Laptew, Christa Ackroyd
Votes: 10,856
60. The Keepers (II) (2017)
TV-MA | 62 min | Documentary, Crime, Mystery
A seven-part docuseries about the unsolved murder of a nun and the horrific secrets and pain that linger nearly five decades after her death.
Stars: Gemma Hoskins, Abbie Schaub, Virginia Anzengruber, Jean Hargadon Wehner
Votes: 25,065
61. One of Us (IV) (2017)
95 min | Documentary
Penetrating the insular world of New York's Hasidic community, focusing on three individuals driven to break away despite threats of retaliation.
Directors: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady | Stars: Etty, Chani Getter, Ari Hershkowitz, Luzer Twersky
Votes: 7,129
62. Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator (2019)
TV-MA | 86 min | Documentary, Crime
Tracing from his rise in the 1970s to his disgrace in accusations of rape and sexual harassment in more recent years.
Director: Eva Orner | Stars: Larissa Anderson, Francesca Asumah, Sarah Baughn, Bikram Choudhury
Votes: 8,350
63. Prophet's Prey (2015)
TV-14 | 101 min | Documentary, Biography, History
When Warren Jeffs rose to Prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints, he took control of a religion with a history of polygamous and underage marriage. In a short time, ... See full summary »
Director: Amy Berg | Stars: Nick Cave, Elaine Anderson, Sam Brower, Andrew Chatwin
Votes: 1,987 | Gross: $0.01M
64. Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado (2020)
TV-14 | 96 min | Documentary, Biography
Every day for decades, Walter Mercado — the iconic, gender non-conforming astrologer — mesmerized 120 million Latino viewers with his extravagance and positivity.
Directors: Cristina Costantini, Kareem Tabsch | Stars: Walter Mercado, Willy Acosta, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Raul de Molina
Votes: 3,484
65. The Rachel Divide (2018)
TV-MA | 100 min | Documentary
Rachel Dolezal becomes a social phenomenon when she passes herself off as an African American and becomes the head of her local N.A.A.C.P. chapter.
Director: Laura Brownson | Stars: Rachel Dolezal, Franklin Dolezal, Izaiah Dolezal, Esther Dolezal
Votes: 2,784
66. Tiger King (2020–2021)
TV-MA | 45 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
A rivalry between big cat eccentrics takes a dark turn when Joe Exotic, a controversial animal park boss, is caught in a murder-for-hire plot.
Stars: Joe Exotic, Carole Baskin, John Reinke, Jeff Lowe
Votes: 86,992
67. Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer (2019)
TV-MA | 62 min | Documentary, Crime, Mystery
A group of online justice seekers track down a guy who posted a video of himself killing kittens.
Stars: Deanna Thompson, John Green, Claudette Hamlin, Anna Yourkin
Votes: 62,276
68. Murder Among the Mormons (2021)
TV-14 | 53 min | Documentary, Crime, History
High-stakes exploits turn deadly - and shake a global church to its core - in the extraordinary true crime story.
Stars: Dorie Hofmann Olds, Shannon Flynn, Brent Metcalfe, Richard Turley
Votes: 7,316
69. Jonestown: Terror in the Jungle (2018)
168 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
Docuseries looking back on the Jonestown Massacre on the 40th anniversary.
Stars: Vernon Gosney, Leslie Wagner-Wilson, Tim Carter, Jim Jones Jr.
Votes: 1,591
70. Waco: Madman or Messiah (2018)
TV-14 | 90 min | Documentary
Told by survivors, news clips and audio recordings of David Koresh. It tells the story of how he rose to power as their "prophet" and then fell from glory in the standoff and fire that made history.
Stars: Mike Caruso, Chris Urquhart, Elizabeth Stuart-Morris, Abbie McDonald
Votes: 1,322
71. Unabomber: In His Own Words (2020)
43 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
The beginning of the Unabomber's campaign of terror from 1978 to 1985; a look into his childhood to discover what might have turned the young mathematical genius with few friends, Ted Kaczynski, into a sociopathic terrorist.
Stars: Joel Moss, Kevin Fagan, David Kaczynski, Peter Vronsky
Votes: 4,269
72. Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath (2016–2019)
TV-14 | 47 min | Documentary, History, Mystery
A series featuring stories from former members of the Church of Scientology whose lives have been affected by the Church's alleged harmful practices.
Stars: Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, Mary Kahn, Claire Headley
Votes: 6,438
73. Colonia Dignidad: A Sinister Sect (2021)
Documentary, Crime
The rise of a poor German lay preacher to one of the mightiest men in Latin America told through the eyes of those who lived in the sect, who endured it, who fought it. All brought to life by unearthed, never before seen archive material.
Stars: Salo Luna, Willi Malessa, Edeltraud Bohnau, Jack Luceno
Votes: 995
74. 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: 27,227
75. Capturing the Friedmans (2003)
Not Rated | 107 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
Documentary on the Friedmans, a seemingly typical, upper-middle-class Jewish family whose world is instantly transformed when the father and his youngest son are arrested and charged with shocking and horrible crimes.
Director: Andrew Jarecki | Stars: Arnold Friedman, Jesse Friedman, David Friedman, Elaine Friedman
Votes: 27,135 | Gross: $3.12M
76. Mommy Dead and Dearest (2017)
TV-MA | 82 min | Documentary, Crime
In this documentary, the murder of Deedee Blanchard by her daughter Gypsy Rose is explored, as well as the circumstances leading up to the event.
Director: Erin Lee Carr | Stars: Jessica Thomas, Jim Arnott, David Blanchard, Dee Dee Blanchard
Votes: 11,910
77. The Hunting Ground (2015)
PG-13 | 103 min | Documentary
An exposé of rape crimes on U.S. college campuses, their institutional cover-ups, and the devastating toll they take on students and their families.
Director: Kirby Dick | Stars: Andrea Pino, Annie Clark, Claire Potter, Melinda Manning
Votes: 6,489 | Gross: $0.41M
78. The Invisible War (2012)
Not Rated | 93 min | Documentary, Crime
An investigative documentary about the epidemic of rape of soldiers within the US military.
Director: Kirby Dick | Stars: Amy Ziering, Kirby Dick, Kori Cioca, Jessica Hinves
Votes: 7,084 | Gross: $0.07M
79. Deliver Us from Evil (2006)
Not Rated | 101 min | Documentary, Crime
Documentary about Father Oliver O'Grady, a Catholic priest who was relocated to various parishes around the United States during the 1970s in an attempt by the Catholic Church to cover up his rape of dozens of children.
Director: Amy Berg | Stars: Oliver O'Grady, Thomas Doyle, Adam, Jeff Anderson
Votes: 10,827 | Gross: $30.58M
80. Little Hope Was Arson (2013)
Not Rated | 71 min | Documentary, Crime, Drama
In the buckle of the Bible Belt, 10 churches burn to the ground in just over a month igniting the largest criminal investigation in East Texas history.
Director: Theo Love | Stars: David Mahfood, Peggy Mahfood, Bill Parr, Lee Richards
Votes: 333
81. History of Horror (2018–2021)
TV-MA | 42 min | Documentary, History, Horror
An in-depth look at the history and pop cultural significance of horror films.
Stars: Eli Roth, Alan Maxson, Greg Nicotero, Ariel de Ment
Votes: 2,594
82. American Murder: The Family Next Door (2020)
TV-MA | 83 min | Documentary, Crime
In 2018, 34-year-old Shanann Watts and her two young daughters disappear in Colorado. With the heartbreaking details emerging, the family's story made headlines around the world.
Director: Jenny Popplewell | Stars: Nickole Atkinson, Jim Benemann, Luke Epple, Mark Jamieson
Votes: 32,769
83. Monster in the Shadows (2021)
136 min | Documentary, Crime, Mystery
A true crime documentary about one of Alabama's most horrifying cases. Involving an incestuous family, a sex trafficking ring and the unsolved disappearance of a young mother.
Director: Thomas Leader
Votes: 577
84. Dancing with the Birds (2019)
52 min | Documentary
From ruffling their majestic feathers to nailing im-peck-able courtship routines, birds in paradise flaunt their best moves in hopes of landing a mate.
Director: Huw Cordey | Star: Stephen Fry
Votes: 2,759
85. The Tinder Swindler (2022)
TV-MA | 114 min | Documentary, Crime
Posing as a wealthy, jet-setting diamond mogul, he wooed women online, then conned them out of millions of dollars. Now some victims plan for payback.
Director: Felicity Morris | Stars: Simon Leviev, Cecilie Fjellhøy, Ayleen Charlotte, Karan Pugal
Votes: 73,053
86. In Search of Darkness (2019)
Not Rated | 264 min | Documentary, Horror
An exploration of '80s horror movies through the perspective of the actors, directors, producers and SFX craftspeople who made them, and their impact on contemporary cinema.
Director: David A. Weiner | Stars: Tom Atkins, Doug Bradley, John Bloom, Diana Prince
Votes: 3,761
87. Our Father (III) (2022)
TV-MA | 97 min | Documentary, Crime
After a woman's at-home DNA test reveals multiple half-siblings, she discovers a shocking scheme involving donor sperm and a popular fertility doctor.
Director: Lucie Jourdan | Stars: Jacoba Ballard, Julie Harmon, Matt White, Heather Woock
Votes: 14,483
88. Tickled (2016)
R | 92 min | Documentary, Crime, Mystery
Journalist David Farrier stumbles upon a mysterious tickling competition online. As he delves deeper he comes up against fierce resistance, but that doesn't stop him getting to the bottom of a story stranger than fiction.
Directors: David Farrier, Dylan Reeve | Stars: David Farrier, Dylan Reeve, David Starr, Kevin Clarke
Votes: 20,735 | Gross: $0.61M
89. The Staircase II: The Last Chance (2013)
Not Rated | 130 min | Documentary, Crime, Drama
Explosive developments - implicating both the forensics laboratory of the police department of North Carolina, and Duane Deaver, its chief - recently saw the convicted subject of 'The ... See full summary »
Director: Jean-Xavier de Lestrade | Stars: Caitlin Atwater, Bradley Bannon, Freda Black, Lori Campbell
Votes: 2,369
90. Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey (2022)
TV-MA | 49 min | Documentary, Crime
Examines the rise of Warren Jeffs in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and his shocking criminal case.
Stars: Mike Watkiss, Elissa Wall, Rebecca Musser, Ruby Jessop
Votes: 16,104
91. Lucy and Desi (2022)
PG | 103 min | Documentary, Biography, Comedy
This film will explore the rise of comedian icon Lucille Ball, her relationship with Desi Arnaz, and how their groundbreaking sitcom I Love Lucy forever changed Hollywood, cementing her legacy long after her death in 1989.
Director: Amy Poehler | Stars: Lucie Arnaz, Bette Midler, Carol Burnett, Laura Laplaca
Votes: 3,019
92. An Apology to Elephants (2013)
TV-PG | 40 min | Documentary, Short, Drama
Narrated by Lily Tomlin, this documentary short traces mankind's long history with elephants and explores the many problems that arise when they are brought to live in captivity in zoos and circuses.
Director: Amy Schatz | Stars: Lily Tomlin, Pat Derby, Colleen Kinzley, Jeff Kinzley
Votes: 605
93. Planet Earth II (2016)
TV-G | 50 min | Documentary
David Attenborough returns with a new wildlife documentary that shows life in a variety of habitats.
Stars: David Attenborough, Chadden Hunter, Gordon Buchanan, Elizabeth White
Votes: 158,304
94. Grizzly Man (2005)
R | 103 min | Documentary, Biography
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: 61,909 | Gross: $3.17M
95. Evil Genius: The True Story of America's Most Diabolical Bank Heist (2018)
TV-MA | 48 min | Documentary, Crime
The extraordinary story of the "pizza bomber heist" and the FBI's investigation into a bizarre collection of suspects.
Stars: Trey Borzillieri, Jerry Clark, Jason Wick, Lamont King
Votes: 31,024
96. Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996)
Not Rated | 150 min | Documentary, Crime
A horrific triple child murder leads to an indictment and trial of three nonconformist boys based on questionable evidence.
Directors: Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky | Stars: Tony Brooks, Diana Davis, Terry Wood, Dick Clay
Votes: 18,153
97. The Return: Life After ISIS (2021)
90 min | Documentary
Shamima Begum and Hoda Muthana made it into worldwide headlines when they left their countries as teenagers to join ISIS. Now they want to return but their countries don't want them back.
Director: Alba Sotorra | Stars: Shamima Begum, Hoda Muthana
Votes: 281
98. De kinderen van Ruinerwold (2021)
227 min | Documentary
The Dutch village of Ruinerwold becomes world news when a hidden farm is discovered, where a family lived secretly and unregistered for years. The four oldest children tell their story.
Stars: Israel van Dorsten, Mar Jan van Dorsten, Edino van Dorsten, Shin van Dorsten
Votes: 135
99. For Sama (2019)
TV-PG | 100 min | Documentary, Biography, War
FOR SAMA is both an intimate and epic journey into the female experience of war.
Directors: Waad Al-Kateab, Edward Watts | Stars: Waad Al-Kateab, Sama Al-Khateab, Hamza Al-Khateab, Afra
Votes: 12,823 | Gross: $0.04M
100. Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror (2022)
Not Rated | 225 min | Documentary, Horror
A documentary telling the story of LGBTQIA+ horror and the relationship between queer audiences and horror, and the queer horror community as a whole.
Stars: Carmen Maria Machado, Kimberly Peirce, Briana Venskus, Emily St. James
Votes: 469
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