Best Documentary Films List

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Last Updated: 11/22/23
Note: It's simple and straightforward: the best of the best in documentary cinema history. In order to qualify, the film has received a rating of at least '7' from me and then must also meet the following criteria:

1. The names of all people are real.
2. It's as close to the truth.

Nanook of the North fails on both counts and therefore is not a documentary. Multiple parts (i.e. duology, trilogy, etc.) can be put together as one if there's a continuation in the narrative.

These films have shown brilliance in most, if not all, aspects: acting, characters, screenplay, plot, direction, editing, cinematography, and so on. They must also be "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Then, I think about cultural phenomenon, uniqueness, famous movie moments, iconic scenes and/or lines, cinematic power, and timelessness.

The running length doesn't matter. As a general rule, the longer the documentary is, the more informative it is. This list is based on what I have seen so far and is limited to the top 15 with 5 honorable mentions in that order.



  1. Hoop Dreams (1994)
    2.

    Five years in the making, it's powerful stuff with lots of highs and lows. Insights are provided into the hardships of black families who live in poverty while young boys use basketball as a means to get out of it. Because of racism, the Academy Awards voters never gave it a chance to be selected for the Best Documentary category.


  2. Nuit et brouillard (1956)
    3.

    Made a bit more than ten years after the Holocaust, Nuit et brouillard, French for Night and Fog, is one of the earliest documentaries about what happened including the process at various concentration camps with footage of Auschwitz-Birkenau and Majdanek. It's only thirty-two minutes long but packs as much power as Schindler's List.


  3. Triumph des Willens (1935)
    4.

    Leni Riefenstahl was the D.W. Griffith of documentary filmmakers, deserving a rightful place in the history of cinema. Hence, Triumph of the Will provides a rare insight into Nazi Germany at its height of nationalism. Thousands and thousands of Germans throw their arms up in the air just to salute one person and the leader of it all: Adolf Hitler.


  4. Harlan County, U.S.A. (1976)
    5.

    Harlan A magnificent piece of Americana, Harlan County, U.S.A. remains one of the finest documentaries made and serves as the benchmark of how they should be done. You get to see what it's like to work in the coal mines, the dangers surrounding the job, and how it affects the families.


  5. When We Were Kings (1996)
    6.

    Muhammad Ali was larger than life, and When We Were Kings shows why. It relives the famous boxing match that took place in Congo on October 30, 1974: Muhammad Ali versus George Foreman aka "The Rumble in the Jungle." It's a fascinating piece of documentary with rapid editing and plenty of African culture in between.


  6. On Any Sunday (1971)

    7. You're going to see what a motorcycle can do on any terrain possible, and there are plenty of ways of doing it, no matter the weather. If you aren't inspired enough to take up the sport, I suppose nothing else will. Having Steve McQueen on board is a bonus. He does all of his stunts, and they're authentic. Kick back, relax, and enjoy On Any Sunday, one of the fastest and most inspiring films about motorcycles.


  7. Bowling for Columbine (2002)

    8. Just like Roger & Me and Fahrenheit 9/11, Bowling for Columbine is an outstanding documentary, and it's very compelling stuff. Michael Moore tackles the national issues with an open mind and searches for answers before coming up with none just like the two bikers from Easy Rider. Hate him or not, he has guts and makes people talk.


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

    9. "We were in the jungle, there were too many of us, we had access to too much money, too much equipment, and little by little we went insane." If you've seen Apocalypse Now, then you must see Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse, a documentary that chronicles Francis Ford Coppola's journey of making the Vietnam War masterpiece. It would be nice if Marlon Brando participated in the interviews.


  9. The Endless Summer (1965)

    10. An amazing journey of two surfers flying around the world in search of the perfect ride, Bruce Brown's beautiful narration makes it a fascinating documentary. If The Endless Summer doesn't inspire you, then your mind is truly dead.


  10. Sound and Fury (2000)

    11. It's a powerful documentary which consists of an open, healthy clash between two polarizing groups about cochlear implants. The Alexander Graham Bell-Edward Miner Gallaudet debate has been going on for a long time. It starts with a fundamental question: what's the best mode of communication for the deaf? Is it oral or manual? A mix of both? Which comes first: English or American Sign Language? What are the long term advantages and disadvantages?


  11. Do You Believe In Miracles? The Story of the 1980 U.S. Hockey Team (2001)

    12. The number one sporting accomplishment in U.S. history is the Americans' defeat of USSR in the 1980 Olympics hockey semifinal game. The fast one-hour documentary explains how they did it and is a must-see for all ages because it's very inspiring stuff. If you missed what happened or weren't alive at that time, this one will help you to catch up.


  12. Blackfish (2013)

    13. Blackfish exposes SeaWorld for what it is: a giant marine animal abuse factory. Unlike Michael Moore's documentary films, it actually produced changes. SeaWorld no longer have shows with killer whales. The current orcas in captivity will be the last ones as the breeding program has been effectively shut down. The company got caught in a series of lies, refuting everything in the documentary by blaming the decline in revenue on other factors, and was forced to make a $65 million settlement.


  13. Roger & Me (1989)

    14. This is the one that started it all for Michael Moore. Roger & Me is no different from others: arresting, bleak, sad, fascinating, and depressing all rolled into one. Hence, Michael Moore went on to be an important filmmaker, capturing a period of time in America and the price the people pay. The documentary remains the best example of the chasm between the haves and the have-nots in America, thanks to the spirit of the democratic capitalism.


  14. Scared Straight! (1978)

    15. Scared Straight! is a famous Oscar-winning documentary that presents an aggressive in-your-face intervention to wake up juvenile delinquents through harsh talks by real prisoners before they're sent to the big house for future crimes.


  15. The Filth and the Fury (2000)

    16. It's an outstanding documentary chronicling the rise and fall of the Sex Pistols, the most famous band in punk rock history which started the movement and inspired countless musicians. It only released one album: Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols which includes "Anarchy in the UK" and "God Save the Queen." In short, there's nothing like the Sex Pistols.



Honorable Mentions: The Decline of Western Civilization (1981), The Times of Harvey Milk (1984), Sicko (2007), Pumping Iron (1977), and Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)