Reacher (2022–)
Super Size Me (2004)
Grizzly Man (2005)
The Cove (2009)
Making a Murderer (2015–2018)
Senna (2010)
Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)
Amy (2015)
Man on Wire (2008)
Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Bowling for Columbine (2002)
The Social Dilemma (2020)
13th (2016)
Icarus (2017)
Blackfish (2013)
The Act of Killing (2012)
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
Free Solo (2018)
Planet Earth (2006)
March of the Penguins (2005)
Top 15 Best Documentary Movies of All Time
Ranked by IMDb rating · Updated May 2026
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1
Planet Earth (2006)
The BBC's landmark nature documentary series narrated by David Attenborough. Groundbreaking camera technology captured animal behavior never previously filmed — the highest-rated documentary ever made. ★ 9.4 IMDb
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2
Making a Murderer (2015)
Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos' true crime series about Steven Avery became a global phenomenon. A devastating examination of the American justice system that sparked real-world investigations. ★ 8.6 IMDb
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3
Senna (2010)
Asif Kapadia's portrait of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna is a documentary masterclass. Using only archival footage, it creates an almost unbearably tense and moving sporting biography. ★ 8.5 IMDb
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4
Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
Morgan Neville's warm tribute to Fred Rogers explores what made Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood so quietly revolutionary. A documentary that reminds you of the power of genuine kindness. ★ 8.4 IMDb
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5
The Cove (2009)
Louie Psihoyos' activist documentary exposing dolphin hunting in Japan is also a genuinely thrilling covert operation. It won the Oscar and sparked lasting international controversy. ★ 8.4 IMDb
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6
Free Solo (2018)
Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi's portrait of Alex Honnold's ropeless climb of El Capitan. Some of the most terrifying and awe-inspiring filmmaking ever captured. ★ 8.2 IMDb
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7
The Act of Killing (2012)
Joshua Oppenheimer invites Indonesian death squad leaders to re-enact their killings in film genres of their choice. One of the most unsettling and morally complex documentaries ever made. ★ 8.2 IMDb
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8
13th (2016)
Ava DuVernay's searing examination of racial inequality in the American criminal justice system. Essential viewing that traces the continuation of slavery through the 13th Amendment loophole. ★ 8.2 IMDb
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9
Blackfish (2013)
Gabriela Cowperthwaite's SeaWorld exposé directly led to the company's stock collapse and policy changes. A landmark example of documentary filmmaking creating real-world impact. ★ 8.1 IMDb
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10
Bowling for Columbine (2002)
Michael Moore's provocative examination of gun culture in America following the Columbine massacre. Controversial, confrontational, and winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary. ★ 8.0 IMDb
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11
Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)
Banksy's documentary about street art and its commercialization — and possibly the greatest practical joke ever played on the art world. Whether it's real or fabricated barely matters. ★ 8.0 IMDb
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12
Icarus (2017)
Bryan Fogel's cycling doping experiment accidentally became a geopolitical thriller when he connected with Russian anti-doping official Grigory Rodchenkov. Won the Oscar for Best Documentary. ★ 7.9 IMDb
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13
Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
A quiet meditation on mastery and obsession. Eighty-five-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono's pursuit of perfection is one of cinema's most inspiring portraits of craft and dedication. ★ 7.9 IMDb
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14
Amy (2015)
Asif Kapadia's devastating portrait of Amy Winehouse. Using personal footage and candid interviews, it creates a vivid picture of extraordinary talent consumed by addiction and media scrutiny. ★ 7.8 IMDb
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15
Grizzly Man (2005)
Werner Herzog's examination of Timothy Treadwell, who lived among Alaskan bears for 13 summers before being killed by one. A profound meditation on nature, obsession, and self-delusion. ★ 7.8 IMDb
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Browse all 22 documentary movies
Explore our full catalog with trailers, IMDb ratings, cast details, and streaming availability — updated regularly.
Documentary Movies — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best documentary of all time?
Planet Earth (2006) is the highest-rated documentary ever made by audience score. Among theatrical documentaries, Senna, Free Solo, and Amy are considered artistic peaks of the form.
What are the best true crime documentaries?
Essential true crime viewing includes Making a Murderer, The Act of Killing, Icarus, and The Jinx. These films go beyond entertainment to raise serious questions about justice and truth.
What are the best nature documentaries?
Planet Earth and its sequels (Planet Earth II, Our Planet) set the gold standard. Grizzly Man offers a different take — using nature as a mirror for human psychology.
Can documentaries be as entertaining as fiction films?
Absolutely. Free Solo is more suspenseful than most action films. Exit Through the Gift Shop is funnier than most comedies. Amy is more tragic than most dramas. The best documentaries compete with fiction on every emotional level.
Where can I watch documentaries online?
Netflix and HBO Max have strong documentary libraries. Mubi specializes in art-house and independent docs. YouTube and Tubi have many free classic documentaries. Our catalog lists streaming availability for all 22 titles.