Documentary Movies (Top Rated From 1980 to Today), a list by HD Movie Lists

7.3

/213/

67

/4/

3.5

/809/

95

/22/

66

/9/

In the late '90s, Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd had their musical ambitions consistently ridiculed for having the 'wrong' accents, so they went for broke and reinvented themselves as Californian rappers. The duo re-recorded their own tracks with fake accents and turned up in London claiming to be an established duo on the Cali scene as well as childhood friends with Eminem. They quickly bagged themselves a record deal, a hefty sum in advances, and an appearance on MTV... until it all came crashing down.

?

8.6

/34/

With his signature gospel sound on the Hammond B3, Billy Preston doublehandedly elevated the greatest artists of his time – from the Beatles to the Rolling Stones, from Aretha Franklin to Eric Clapton, from Ray Charles to Barbra Streisand to Sly and the Family Stone. In our film, we explore Billy's career and influence on generations of musicians, as he scored several number one hits of his own and became one of the most sought-after musicians in the world. He did all of this as a soul divided -- by his deep roots in the church, in constant conflict with his identity as a gay Black man, searching for a family of his own that would accept him for who he was.

80

?

8.3

/122/

Trakt

3.6

/229/

88

/6/

A mix of a documentary and concert film made using unused footage from Elvis: That's the Way It Is, the film of Elvis' legendary 1970 Summer Festival in Las Vegas and Elvis's road concert film from two years later, Elvis on Tour, that were found during the production of 2022's Elvis.

?

9.7

/92/

The Rose: Come Back to Me is an intimate documentary chronicling the remarkable journey of The Rose — from their humble beginnings as a South Korean indie band to their rise as a global sensation. Irresistibly magnetic, the film captures the band’s enchanting music and the deep bond between its members.

78

50

7.7

/133/

71

/5/

3.9

/1236/

91

/22/

75

/7/

André, a brilliant idiot, is dying because he didn’t get a colonoscopy. His sobering diagnosis, complete irreverence, and insatiable curiosity, send him on an unexpected journey learning how to die happily and ridiculously without losing his sense of humor.

87

38

8.1

/52/

90

/2/

3.9

/538/

100

/17/

Filmmaker Suzannah Herbert takes a sharp look at the American South’s unreconciled history through a Mississippi town that mixes antebellum tourism with a community deeply divided over its past. With an unflinching lens, the film captures the debates, memories, and tensions that are building toward a reckoning.

?

9.5

/34/

Trakt

20

/1/

Standout tells the powerful story of Ben Kjar, born with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare craniofacial disorder. From birth, doctors warn that his life will be overshadowed by limitations. Ben yearns for an ordinary life free from the harsh scrutiny he faces daily. However, each experience of adversity, including relentless bullying and a series of painful surgeries, ignites a fire within him. Wrestling becomes his proving ground, a place where he learns to transform his facial difference into a source of power. Determined to succeed, he pushes himself relentlessly, breaking through physical, social, and even romantic barriers that once seemed insurmountable. But as unexpected challenges arise and ridicule resurfaces, Ben finds himself at a defining crossroads: fade into the background of a “normal” life, or fully embrace his unique path and boldly stand out.

72

63

7.0

/1558/

77

/122/

76

/28/

3.3

/16470/

An inside look at the years of effort and craft that went into the final installment of the Duffer Brothers' generation-defining series.

72

52

7.0

/724/

64

/10/

3.5

/7909/

91

/99/

69

/26/

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.

73

22

7.0

/107/

Trakt

80

/19/

70

/13/

3.6

/287/

Bertie arrives in the Serengeti as the spectacular wildebeest migration kicks off. He’s here to film the fastest land animal on Earth: the cheetah. As he gets close to a mother caring for her tiny cubs and a young group of males executing phenomenal hunts as a team, he learns about the unexpected challenges the species endures.

?

6.3

/91/

65

/2/

A man with a haunted past takes a job repairing an abandoned lighthouse that's only reachable by boat. His feelings of isolation and uneasiness grow as he starts to see the strange apparition of a young girl that he somehow recognizes.

60

50

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

/13/

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.

NEW

?

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

/2135/

78

/137/

71

/18/

3.8

/12933/

86

/19/

3.0

For the past six decades, Seymour Hersh has been at the front lines of political journalism in the U.S. This engaging documentary, released at a crucial moment for the freedom of the press, tells the wide-ranging story of this breakthrough reporter.

81

?

8.1

/83/

90

/2/

3.6

/253/

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

/382/

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

/122/

78

/7/

80

/1/

3.6

/263/

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.

NEW

?

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.

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

/675/

70

/33/

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.

NEW

?

6.2

/6/

The Freedom of Uselessness is an experimental documentary that challenges modern ideas of productivity and purpose. The film presents a static, unchanging scene over an extended duration, inviting viewers to confront time, stillness, and inactivity as meaningful experiences. By rejecting narrative, motion, and traditional structure, it explores the concept of “uselessness” as a form of freedom and quiet resistance to a culture obsessed with efficiency and output.

71

6.9

/984/

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

?

7.7

/111/

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.

74

?

7.7

/164/

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

/11939/

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

/171/

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

/474/

73

/47/

72

/8/

3.5

/368/

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/