Top Documentary Movies


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

121. The Central Park Five

Year of Release: 2012
Overall Rating: 3.0 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, David McMahon
Actors: Raymond Santana, Antron McCray, LynNell Hancock, Kevin Richardson, David Dinkins, Michael Joseph
Plot: In 1989 a woman was raped in Central Park and five black and Latino teenagers were convicted of the crime. After having served between six-13 years in prison, a serial rapist came forward and admitted he was responsible. Ken Burns' documentary looks how racial tension, a rush to judgement and sensationalist media all played a part in upending the lives of five innocent people.

122. TT3D: Closer to the Edge

Year of Release: 2011
Overall Rating: 3.2 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Richard De Aragues
Actors: Guy Martin, Ian Hutchinson, John McGuinness, Michael Dunlop, Keith Amor, Bruce Anstey
Plot: The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy is the ultimate, and most deadly, motorcycle race in the world. It tests a rider mentally and physically - and some cannot take the toll. This documentary examines both legends and the current crop of riders who brave this test and their reasons behind riding.

123. Welcome to Leith

Year of Release: 2015
Overall Rating: 3.2 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary/Thriller
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Michael Beach Nichols, Christopher K. Walker
Actors: Craig Cobb

124. Kedi

Year of Release: 2017
Overall Rating: 3.2 out of 4 stars
Language: Turkish
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Ceyda Torun
Actors: Bülent Üstün
Plot: A journey through an ancient city and the unique citizens who inhabit it as seen through the eyes of a wily and beloved feline.

125. Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé

Year of Release: 2019
Overall Rating: 3.2 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Beyoncé, Ed Burke
Actors: Beyoncé, Jay Z, Kelly Rowland, Solange, Nicholas Stewart, Michelle Williams

126. The Pixar Story

Year of Release: 2007
Overall Rating: 3.0 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: G
Director: Leslie Iwerks
Actors: Stacy Keach, John Lasseter, Brad Bird, John Musker, Ron Clements, Ollie Johnston
Plot: An interesting, informative and surprising look into the history and people of the animation company, Pixar Studios.

127. Grey Gardens

Year of Release: 1976
Overall Rating: 3.0 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary/Comedy
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Ellen Hovde, Albert Maysles, David Maysles and Muffie Meyer
Actors: Edith Bouvier Beale, Edith 'Little Edie' Bouvier Beale, Brooks Hyers, Norman Vincent Peale, Jerry Torre
Plot: Maysles brothers Documentary about the poor side of the family of Jacque O (Edith Bouvier Beale, and her daughter Edie)

128. Into the Abyss

Year of Release: 2011
Overall Rating: 3.0 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Werner Herzog
Actors: Werner Herzog, Michael Perry
Plot: Werner Herzog's intimate look into the mind of killer, the people affected and if capital punishment is the answer.

129. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

Year of Release: 2005
Overall Rating: 2.9 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Alex Gibney
Actors: Peter Coyote, Michael Lugenbuehl, Mark Salzberg
Plot: A documentary about an energy/gas company, which became the 7th biggest industry of its time from humble beginnings. It shows the rise and fall of a huge empire because of human flaws.

130. Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple

Year of Release: 2006
Overall Rating: 2.9 out of 4 stars
Language: English
Genre: Documentary/Historical
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Stanley Nelson
Actors: Rebecca Moore, Janet Shular, Tim Carter, Stanley Clayton, Hue Fortson Jr., Garrett Lambrev

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