Documentary Movies (Top Rated From 1980 to Today), a list by gentle_salesman

6.1

/2608/

67

/268/

63

/36/

2.6

/14752/

Unravel the case of Utah therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, whose child abuse arrest with parenting YouTuber Ruby Franke exposed a twisted tale of manipulation.

?

9.0

/8/

70

/1/

10 drivable LEGO Formula 1 cars. 400,000 bricks each. 20 F1 drivers. One unforgettable Miami moment. A behind-the-scenes special revealing how the LEGO Group and Formula 1 pulled off a world-first at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix 2025.

60

?

5.9

/165/

70

/6/

52

/5/

Revisits the 2010 death of Anastasio Hernández-Rojas, an undocumented Mexican immigrant who died while in custody at the border. When eye-witness video emerges, it sparks a far-reaching investigation from a border checkpoint to Washington D.C. CRITICAL INCIDENT chronicles journalists’, lawyers’, and family members’ efforts to explore the Border Patrol’s involvement in the incident, ultimately pointing to cover-ups, and uncovering the existence of a little-known unit inside the agency that had been involved in other border related incident.

61

?

7.0

/47/

56

/8/

90

/1/

The "unsinkable" floating palace set sail from Southampton on 10th April 1912 on her maiden voyage to New York. An iceberg ended this monumental journey 5 days later. Only 705 of the passengers and crew survived. This program features an exclusive look at the Sea City Museum Titanic Exhibit in Southampton, interviews from both survivors and the cast of the blockbuster film.

63

28

7.5

/84/

75

/63/

60

/1/

3.6

/2373/

Popcorn

20

/2/

An enthralling and fast-paced four-part documentary feature that covers the making of one of the last major Hollywood epics; Titanic. Cast and crew speak on setting the sinking of the ship against a classic romance. The feature also examines casting and the young couple headlining the film, DiCaprio's and Winslet's on-set friendship and their differing acting styles, the expansive sets and filming locations, the authenticity of the recreated ship, James Cameron's work and dedication, and budgeting. And many more aspects of the film are overviewed.

?

7.7

/14/

60

/1/

Judi Dench, perhaps our greatest Shakespearean actor, puts acting to one side as she turns detective to solve a mystery from her family’s past. Did Judi’s ancestor meet her hero William Shakespeare?

70

IMDb 32

7.5

/6965/

76

/290/

75

/53/

3.4

/43465/

77

/188/

Popcorn

97

/1744/

61

/45/

1.5

age 13+

Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it's never too late to find love and follow your dreams.

?

8.0

/15/

CBS News celebrates the life and legacy of Hollywood legend Rob Reiner, featuring interviews with Kathy Bates, Albert Brooks and more.

68

28

7.3

/774/

76

/57/

58

/10/

3.4

/2201/

Told in his own words, the definitive story of Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway goes deep on his NFL dreams, heartbreaks and Super Bowl redemption.

76

7.5

/2222/

77

/142/

71

/20/

3.8

/13350/

86

/19/

3.0

He's devoted his career to uncovering stories the powerful want buried. From My Lai to Abu Ghraib, dig into the life's work of journalist Seymour Hersh.

81

?

8.1

/83/

90

/2/

3.6

/255/

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange battled extradition to the U.S., where he could've faced a lengthy sentence for publishing classified documents. His case, centered on press freedom, took unexpected twists as it unfolded.

61

6.8

/1245/

71

/67/

62

/15/

3.4

/4495/

49

/6/

2.0

age 16+

In 1975, as America faced social and political upheaval, filmmakers turned chaos into art.

47

?

3.9

/218/

48

/34/

2.7

/383/

After failing to fulfill his wife's dying wish, a series of unexplainable, horrific events leads a man to believe she's returned to get revenge on him and his pregnant mistress.

?

7.6

/12/

100

/1/

Mary Berry celebrates Christmas traditions, including delicious food, Christmas lights, carols and picking the Christmas tree, with Alison Steadman, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Zoe Ball.

76

?

7.7

/123/

78

/7/

80

/1/

3.6

/264/

A dazzling live celebration marking the 25th anniversary of global superstar Christina Aguilera’s beloved holiday album My Kind of Christmas – culminating in an unforgettable visual spectacular; channeling fantasy, grandeur, and theatrical wonder.

?

7.8

/7/

It all started with a simple question: Is it possible to travel to the oldest and newest places on Earth? YouTuber, author and filmmaker Joe Scott looked into it, and it turned into the trip of a lifetime. It's a journey across 4 billion years of geologic history that explores the past and present of our remarkable planet, the absurd immensity of deep time, and our tiny but important place in it.

?

8.8

/61/

"Universe Designed" is a documentary that explores some of the evidences for God's existence with interviews from some of the world's top Christian apologists.

?

8.2

/18/

3.0

At 96, Lawrence Herbert reflects on his life, from his Depression-era Brooklyn upbringing to creating the Pantone Matching System, which revolutionized the worldwide use of color.

NEW

72

49

7.0

/813/

65

/12/

3.5

/10324/

90

/115/

67

/28/

In 1977, former real estate developer Tony Kiritsis puts a dead man's switch on himself and the mortgage banker who did him wrong, demanding $5 million and a personal apology.

84

53

8.9

/1207/

84

/148/

76

/24/

4.5

/24592/

age 11+

Filmed at the end of the tour in Vancouver, B.C., with the entire Tortured Poets Department set.

61

?

8.2

/39/

30

/4/

3.6

/435/

As chart-topping Latin music superstar Becky G embarks on her most personal and ambitious project to date, her debut Mexican regional album, she is prompted to revisit her roots and dive deep into a beautiful and complicated past.

67

?

7.1

/678/

70

/34/

66

/7/

3.1

/373/

Kevin Costner hosts this special exploring the extraordinary journey of Mary and Joseph as they navigate the hardships, trials and triumphs surrounding Jesus Christ's birth, offering an inspiring way to experience the true meaning of Christmas.

69

?

7.3

/217/

71

/25/

62

/4/

3.6

/360/

age 11+

The story behind the Uganda-based YouTube dance sensations who have endured devastating personal loss from famine and war, and use the power of dance and song to overcome hardship.

71

6.9

/1010/

70

/87/

70

/9/

3.2

/4300/

91

/11/

63

/5/

3.0

From his Saturday Night Live beginnings to a string of classic comedies, Chevy Chase has always had huge comedic range. He is also a complex and contradictory human being. Featuring revealing interviews with those closest to him, this documentary digs into the talent, flaws, and humanity that shaped an icon.

63

?

6.8

/77/

67

/7/

50

/5/

3.5

/432/

From the immersive opening shot to the emotional final line, go behind the scenes with director Noah Baumbach, George Clooney, Adam Sandler and more.

?

3.6

/20/

80

/2/

60

/1/

An exploration of the historical event and the culture of conspiracy surrounding the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy.

73

?

7.2

/114/

70

/7/

3.6

/628/

With unprecedented access, this years-in-the-making vérité documentary embeds with Corey Feldman as he mounts a surreal rock tour with a band of lingerie-clad "angels". The tour goes horribly awry, forcing Feldman to confront his long-held allegations about abuse in Hollywood and his own darkest secrets.

?

8.6

/5/

In Mountains of the Moon, world renowned artist and skier, Chris Benchetler explores the unseen connections between sport, life, music, and the living earth—set to the timeless tunes of the Grateful Dead.

74

?

7.7

/165/

70

/14/

77

/4/

American Sasquatch: Man, Myth, or Monster takes audiences on a groundbreaking investigation into one of the world's greatest mysteries. Created by former police detective and best-selling author of the Missing 411 series, Dave Paulides, the film combines cutting-edge science with gripping storytelling - from quantum physics and advanced DNA analysis to the insights of PhD researchers and respected institutions. With startling evidence that blurs the line between folklore and reality, viewers are invited to confront compelling facts that may forever change how we see the legendary hairy biped.

?

6.7

/45/

60

/1/

60

/1/

Swept off her feet by Mexico's most notorious drug lord at just seventeen, Emma Coronel, El Chapo's wife, reflects on her husband's crimes, their tumultuous marriage, and her time in prison, all while grappling with her own accountability.

80

6.8

/154/

55

/5/

70

/1/

3.8

/1844/

100

/22/

92

/9/

4.0

Adapted from Kahlil Joseph’s renowned video art installation, BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions is a distinctive cinematic experience that mirrors the sonic textures of a record album, weaving fiction and history in an immersive journey where the fictionalized figures of W. E. B Du Bois and Marcus Garvey join artists, musicians, Joseph’s family, and even Twitter chats, in a vision for black consciousness.

63

8.2

/73/

20

/1/

3.8

/815/

3.0

Inspired by an unconventional teacher, a group of teenagers in upstate New York in the early 1990s make a student film and uncover a vast conspiracy that is poisoning their community. Thirty years later, they revisit their film and confront the legacy of this transformative experience.

80

IMDb 14

8.1

/12355/

79

/183/

76

/41/

4.2

/197443/

86

/286/

Popcorn

93

/527/

84

/53/

2.5

age 13+

The powerful story of love and loss that inspired the creation of Shakespeare's timeless masterpiece, Hamlet.

?

8.5

/13/

More than a familiar recitation, the Lord’s Prayer is revealed as the very heartbeat of the Gospel: a bold, revolutionary call to live God’s Kingdom here and now. Each line opens a doorway into the world of Scripture, unveiling the cultural, historical, and spiritual depth behind Jesus’s teaching. Through captivating visuals, exceptional scholarship, and powerful storytelling, viewers will rediscover the prayer’s transformative power. It challenges us not merely to say the words, but to embody them—to shape our lives around trust, surrender, forgiveness, and the pursuit of God’s justice and peace.

63

8

6.7

/172/

68

/12/

50

/1/

3.4

/599/

The story behind the making of the 1985 Chicago Bears' rap anthem and video that became a cultural phenomenon, redefined sports entertainment, and cemented the team's larger-than-life legacy.

?

9.1

/17/

The true story of Joel and Luke Smallbone’s rise from Australia to worldwide acclaim. Through setbacks, struggles, and faith, the brothers reveal how purpose, family, and grace shaped their journey from mowing lawns to selling out arenas, uncovering the heart behind the band like never before.

71

?

7.2

/477/

71

/50/

72

/8/

3.5

/388/

In his most personal documentary yet, Chris Hemsworth turns the camera on his own family after his dad’s recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis. They embark on a road trip into their past, exploring the science of social connection and how it can support memory function. They revisit meaningful places and faces, capturing it all as a home movie, and reviving treasured recollections.

?

8.5

/44/

70

/1/

After claiming he served 20 years in a secret space program, Corey Goode became a UFO icon - then a lightning rod. This documentary follows his rise and the strange intersection of memory, myth, and media in the age of disclosure.

63

15

6.7

/466/

68

/58/

57

/5/

3.3

/699/

Popcorn

57

/11/

Filmed live at the legendary United Center arena in Chicago, Sebastian Maniscalco goes all in on family chaos, aging, and the little things that drive us all nuts—with his one-of-a-kind comedic bite.

?

9.0

/38/

In the ’90s, pop culture icon Susan Powter burst onto the scene with her signature bleach-blonde buzz cut and bold message of health and wellness. After conquering infomercials, becoming a New York Times bestselling author, hosting her own talk show, and seeing her face on thousands of products, she dramatically walked away from Hollywood and into obscurity. Crippling lawsuits with her business partners left her bankrupt, and she has since lived as a total recluse below the poverty line in Las Vegas, where the filmmaker ultimately finds her. This documentary explores the meteoric rise and subsequent fall of Susan Powter while asking what it will take to bring her back to audiences—and whether her message, Stop The Insanity, is still as relevant and powerful today as it was in the early ’90s.

?

5.8

/27/

100

/1/

In the midst of the Civil War, President Lincoln went to Gettysburg. "The Gettysburg Address" investigates the five extant copies of Lincoln's famous speech, separating fact from fiction along the way. Lincoln's greater journey to Gettysburg is chronicled, from his early anti-slavery sentiments as a poor farmer's son to his rousing orations as one of America's greatest leaders.

?

6.2

/2628/

66

/27/

age 14+

A young man's dramatic rescue at sea spirals into accusations he murdered two members of his wealthy New England family.

68

?

6.0

/47/

76

/6/

3.4

/257/

A joyful and surprising journey into the fascinating world of toddler pop, exploring why kids' music is so catchy, can be deeply meaningful, and how AI is taking hold and shaping the industry. Featuring appearances by The Wiggles, Laurie Berkner, and other musicians.

71

?

7.2

/13/

3.5

/217/

An intimate inquiry into the life and work of Fakir Musafar, an influential figure in the queer body-modification community. The film explores his outsized impact and the formation of the “Modern Primitive” movement through decades of archives and interviews with those close to him. Creative treatment of the archives presents them as living texts—photos and video are layered, inverted, and interpolated to bring them new meaning and texture. Angelo Madsen’s sophomore feature is supplemented by seamlessly interwoven personal accounts to craft an portrayal that is loving yet not afraid of critique, embracing both the joy of self-discovery as well as the complex spirituality Musafar came to represent. Through his life and work, the film gives rise to profound questions of bodily autonomy and the body’s relationship to our sense of self.

?

5.9

/19/

Not all asylums are what they seem. Over four years, one team's groundbreaking experiments at Randolph County Asylum reveals a haunting that changes everything.

?

7.4

/5/

Two directors' unexpected joint project explores life, death, imagination and existence, while examining how mental wellness and artistic expression intertwine.

68

6.4

/321/

70

/16/

62

/5/

3.5

/808/

3.0

age 14+

In the city that never sleeps, five families hustle each winter to turn sidewalks into holiday outposts.

79

7.9

/989/

75

/45/

72

/12/

4.1

/4990/

81

/11/