Top Documentary Movies


The Top Documentary Movies List is calculated by overall movie ratings and members' "Top Documentary List". Lists are calculated daily.

101. Earth

Year of Release: 2009
Overall Rating: 3.0 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Alastair Fothergill, Mark Linfield
Actors: Patrick Stewart, James Earl Jones

102. Marley

Year of Release: 2012
Overall Rating: 3.1 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Kevin Macdonald
Actors: Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Cedella Marley, Lee Perry, Rita Marley
Plot: Kevin Macdonald's documentary explores reggae legend Bob Marley through his tumultuous life, his exceptional music and his lasting legacy.

103. Gates of Heaven

Year of Release: 1978
Overall Rating: 3.0 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Errol Morris
Actors: Lucille Billingsley, Zella Graham, Cal Harberts, Dan Harberts, Mike Koewler, Floyd McClure
Plot: A documentary about pet cemeteries (successful and not) and the people who both run the business and those who have their pets buried within.

104. Tupac: Resurrection

Year of Release: 2003
Overall Rating: 3.0 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary/Drama
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Lauren Lazin
Actors: Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, Omar Epps, Ice-T, Gene Simmons, Rappin' 4-Tay
Plot: The true story of the life and death of Tupac Shakur, from growing him until his murder.

105. Capturing the Friedmans

Year of Release: 2003
Overall Rating: 3.0 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary/Crime
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Andrew Jarecki
Actors: Arnold Friedman, Elaine Friedman, David Friedman, Seth Friedman, Jesse Friedman, John McDermott

106. Miss Representation

Year of Release: 2011
Overall Rating: 3.1 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Jennifer Siebel Newsom
Actors: Margaret Cho, Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinem, Condoleezza Rice, Rosario Dawson, Katie Couric
Plot: Jennifer Siebel Newsom's documentary explores how women of power and influence are often overlooked, ignored or debased by mainstream media and what this accepted practice means for the average woman in American society.

107. The Look of Silence

Year of Release: 2014
Overall Rating: 3.1 out of 4 stars
Language: Other
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Joshua Oppenheimer

108. Religulous

Year of Release: 2008
Overall Rating: 2.7 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Larry Charles
Actors: Bill Maher, Aki Nawaz, John Westcott, Reginald Foster, George Coyne, Mark Pryor
Plot: A look at the strange, humorous yet completely serious world of religion as only Bill Maher can show.

109. Penguins

Year of Release: 2019
Overall Rating: 3.2 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: G
Director: Alastair Fothergill, Jeff Wilson
Plot: Follows the life of Steven, an Adélie penguin, one among millions in the icy Antarctic who looks to nest, find connection and build a family. But life is not easy out here and between killer whales to leopard seals, Steve has a lot to contend with on his life's journey.

110. Who is Henry Jaglom?

Year of Release: 1997
Overall Rating: 2.8 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Henry Alex Rubin, Jeremy Workman
Actors: Candice Bergen, Karen Black, Peter Bogdanovich, Dennis Hopper, Ron Silver, John Landis
Plot: A documentary on legendary indie filmmaker Henry Jaglom. Interviews with some of the actors he's worked with including Candice Bergen, Andrea Marcovicci, Victoria Foyt, Karen Black, Peter Bogdanovich, Michael Emil, Sally Kellerman, Zack Norman, Dennis Hopper and Orson Welles.

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