I love HBO documentaries; I think they’re the best around. I can personally recommend Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind and Diego Maradona. I’ve gathered the award winning and critically acclaimed documentaries that scored 7 or higher on IMDb to find out what I should add to my watchlist.
More best documentaries to watch:
Documentaries On BBC iPlayer ~ Documentaries and Docuseries on Disney+ ~ Documentaries & Non Fiction On Apple TV+ ~ Documentaries on Sky Documentaries ~ Football Documentaries ~ Sports Documentaries On Netflix ~ Documentaries On Netflix
Navalny (2022) – IMDb 8.9 · Political/Investigative
Winner of the 2023 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, this gripping real-life thriller follows Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny as he investigates his own poisoning and challenges Putin’s regime.
One Survivor Remembers (1995) – IMDb 8.6 · Holocaust/Short
This Oscar-winning short captures Holocaust survivor Gerda Weissmann Klein’s harrowing journey through memory, trauma, and resilience.
True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality (2019) – IMDb 8.4 · Social Justice/Biography
Recipient of an Emmy and a Peabody Award, this powerful portrait follows civil rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson’s decades-long battle against systemic racism and mass incarceration.
Life According to Sam (2013) – IMDb 8.3 · Medical/Inspirational
Nominated for two Emmys, this deeply moving documentary follows a teenage boy with progeria and his parents as they fight for time, dignity, and a cure.
White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (2007) – IMDb 8.2 · Historical/War
Winner of a Peabody Award, this sobering account blends survivor testimony and archival footage to confront the human cost of nuclear warfare.
Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (2016) – IMDb 8.2 · Celebrity/Family
This intimate, bittersweet portrait of Hollywood legends Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds was nominated for an Emmy and became a poignant farewell to both stars.
Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1 (2013) – IMDb 8.1 · Mental Health/Short
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject, this urgent film captures the emotional intensity inside a suicide prevention centre for U.S. veterans.
Life of Crime (1984–2020) – IMDb 8.1 · Crime/Social Issues
Spanning 36 years, this Emmy-nominated chronicle follows three Newark residents through addiction, incarceration, and the struggle for redemption.
Being Mary Tyler Moore (2023) – IMDb 8.1 · Biography/Entertainment
This Emmy-nominated portrait explores the trailblazing career and private battles of the television icon who redefined American womanhood.
All That Breathes (2022) – IMDb 8.1 · Environmental/International
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and a BAFTA for Best Documentary, this meditative film follows two brothers rescuing birds in polluted Delhi.
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015) – IMDb 8.1 · Music/Biography
Nominated for seven Emmys, this immersive portrait blends animation, home footage, and raw emotion to explore the brilliance and torment of Nirvana’s frontman.
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (2015) – IMDb 8.0 · Investigative/Religion
Winner of three Emmys, this explosive exposé reveals the inner workings of Scientology through former members’ testimonies and archival footage.
Jane Fonda in Five Acts (2018) – IMDb 8.0 · Biography/Feminism
Nominated for an Emmy, this candid documentary traces Jane Fonda’s evolution from sex symbol to activist to icon across five defining chapters.
Miss You Can Do It (2013) – IMDb 7.9 · Disability/Empowerment
This uplifting documentary follows a beauty pageant for girls with disabilities, founded by former Miss Iowa Abbey Curran to celebrate confidence and inclusion.
Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind (2018) – IMDb 7.9 · Biography/Entertainment
Through rare footage and intimate interviews, this affectionate portrait explores the genius, vulnerability, and legacy of Robin Williams.
The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (2020) – IMDb 7.9 · Music/Biography
Tracing the rise, reinvention, and heartbreak of the Bee Gees, this documentary blends archival footage with emotional insight. It won the Grammy Award for Best Music Film.
Welcome to Chechnya (2020) – IMDb 7.9 · Human Rights/Investigative
Activists risk their lives to rescue LGBTQ+ individuals from persecution in Chechnya, using groundbreaking technology to protect identities. It won a Peabody Award and was nominated for an Emmy.
The Janes (2022) – IMDb 7.9 · Feminism/History
Former members of an underground abortion network recount their fight for reproductive rights in pre-Roe America, blending activism with urgency.
Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures (2016) – IMDb 7.9 · Art/Biography
Provocative and unapologetic, this documentary explores the life and legacy of photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, whose work challenged censorship and convention.
Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012) – IMDb 7.9 · Religion/Investigative
This searing exposé uncovers abuse within the Catholic Church, beginning with a group of deaf men who broke decades of silence. It won three Emmys including Outstanding Investigative Documentary.
4 Little Girls (1997) – IMDb 7.8 · Civil Rights/History
Directed by Spike Lee, this poignant film honours the lives of four girls killed in the 1963 Birmingham church bombing. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
I Am Not Your Negro (2016) – IMDb 7.8 · Race/Essay
Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, this powerful essay film channels James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript into a searing reflection on race in America. It was nominated for an Academy Award and won a BAFTA.
Gimme Shelter (1970) – IMDb 7.8 · Music/Documentary
The Rolling Stones’ 1969 tour ends in tragedy at Altamont in this iconic rock doc that captures the dark side of the counterculture era.
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (2022) – IMDb 7.7 · Art/Activism
Photographer Nan Goldin’s fight against the Sackler family and the opioid crisis unfolds in this intimate, politically charged portrait. It won the Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival.
Capturing the Friedmans (2003) – IMDb 7.7 · Crime/Family
A home video archive reveals the unraveling of a Long Island family accused of child abuse, raising questions about truth, memory, and justice. It won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.
A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness (2015) – IMDb 7.7 · Human Rights/International
This Oscar-winning short follows a Pakistani woman who survives an attempted honour killing and confronts the legal system that nearly failed her.
Diego Maradona (2019) – IMDb 7.7 · Sports/Biography
Asif Kapadia’s kinetic portrait of the football legend captures Maradona’s brilliance, excess, and mythic rise in Naples. It was nominated for a BAFTA and won Best Documentary at the British Independent Film Awards.
Moonage Daydream (2022) – IMDb 7.7 · Music/Experimental
This kaleidoscopic journey through David Bowie’s creative universe blends concert footage, philosophy, and archival material into a cinematic collage. It was nominated for five Emmys and won Best Documentary at the Critics Choice Awards.
Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind (2020) – IMDb 7.7 · Biography/Family
Narrated by her daughter, this personal tribute re-examines Natalie Wood’s life, career, and the mystery surrounding her death.
The Case Against 8 (2014) – IMDb 7.6 · Legal/LGBTQ+
This behind-the-scenes chronicle follows the legal team that overturned California’s Proposition 8, paving the way for marriage equality. It won two Emmys including Outstanding Social Issue Documentary.
Jim: The James Foley Story (2016) – IMDb 7.6 · War/Tribute
A moving tribute to the journalist killed by ISIS, this documentary blends interviews and personal footage to honour his courage and legacy. It won the Emmy for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking.
Mommy Dead and Dearest (2017) – IMDb 7.6 · True Crime/Family
This chilling true crime story unpacks the murder of Dee Dee Blanchard and the twisted web of Munchausen by proxy that led to it.
The Loving Story (2011) – IMDb 7.6 · Civil Rights/Romance
Through archival footage and legal insight, this documentary recounts the interracial couple whose landmark case reshaped American marriage laws.
The Scheme (2020) – IMDb 7.6 · Sports/Corruption
An aspiring basketball recruiter exposes the FBI’s flawed sting operation targeting NCAA corruption, raising questions about power and accountability.
The Swamp (2020) – IMDb 7.6 · Politics/Investigative
This insider look at Capitol Hill follows three Republican congressmen navigating the murky waters of lobbying, partisanship, and reform.
Triangle: Remembering the Fire (2011) – IMDb 7.6 · History/Labour
Survivors and historians revisit the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, illuminating its impact on workers’ rights and safety legislation.
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am (2019) – IMDb 7.6 · Literature/Biography
This lyrical portrait of the Nobel laureate blends interviews, art, and archival footage to celebrate Morrison’s life, work, and cultural impact.
Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches (2022) – IMDb 7.6 · History/Performance
Actors bring Douglass’s words to life in this powerful documentary that traces his evolution from escaped slave to orator and statesman.
Saving Face (2012) – IMDb 7.5 · Human Rights/International
This Oscar-winning short follows Pakistani women who survived acid attacks and the surgeon helping them reclaim their lives.
12th and Delaware (2010) – IMDb 7.4 · Reproductive Rights/Observational
Set on a single street corner, this documentary captures the tense standoff between an abortion clinic and a crisis pregnancy centre.
The Soul of America (2020) – IMDb 7.4 · History/Politics
Based on Jon Meacham’s book, this documentary explores America’s moral struggles through history, offering context for today’s political climate.
David Bowie: The Last Five Years (2017) – IMDb 7.4 · Music/Biography
This reflective film explores Bowie’s creative resurgence before his death, focusing on The Next Day, Blackstar, and his stage musical Lazarus.
Four Hours at the Capitol (2021) – IMDb 7.4 · Politics/Breaking News
Eyewitness accounts and security footage reconstruct the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol in this urgent, forensic documentary. It was nominated for an Emmy.
In the Same Breath (2021) – IMDb 7.4 · Pandemic/International
Director Nanfu Wang contrasts Chinese and American responses to COVID-19, exposing propaganda, denial, and human cost across borders.
The Final Year (2017) – IMDb 7.4 · Politics/Foreign Policy
This fly-on-the-wall chronicle follows Obama’s foreign policy team during their final year in office, capturing diplomacy, legacy, and transition.
The Apollo (2019) – IMDb 7.3 · Music/History
This vibrant documentary celebrates Harlem’s Apollo Theater as a cultural epicentre of Black artistry, activism, and legacy. It won the Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special.
The Weight of Gold (2020) – IMDb 7.3 · Sports/Mental Health
Olympic athletes open up about the psychological toll of elite competition in this sobering look at pressure, identity, and support.
Thin (2006) – IMDb 7.3 · Health/Observational
Inside a Florida treatment centre, four women battle eating disorders in this raw, unflinching portrait of recovery and relapse.
537 Votes (2020) – IMDb 7.3 · Politics/History
This fast-paced doc revisits the chaotic 2000 U.S. presidential election in Florida, where just 537 votes changed history.
At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal (2019) – IMDb 7.3 · Investigative/Sports
Survivors of Larry Nassar’s abuse speak out in this powerful exposé of institutional failure and courage. It won a Peabody Award.
Marathon: The Patriots Day Bombing (2016) – IMDb 7.3 · Crime/Survivor
This emotional chronicle follows survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing as they rebuild their lives and seek justice.
The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant (2009) – IMDb 7.3 · Labour/Community
Workers reflect on the final days of a General Motors plant in Ohio, capturing pride, loss, and the end of an era.
They Called Him Mostly Harmless (2023) – IMDb 7.2 · Mystery/Identity
This haunting investigation unravels the story of a hiker who died anonymously, sparking internet sleuths and existential questions.
Spielberg (2017) – IMDb 7.2 · Biography/Film
Steven Spielberg reflects on his career, influences, and insecurities in this intimate portrait of one of cinema’s defining voices.
The Stroll (2023) – IMDb 7.2 · LGBTQ+/History
Trans sex workers recount their lives in 1990s New York, reclaiming history and visibility in this deeply personal documentary.
The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (2019) – IMDb 7.1 · Business/Crime
Elizabeth Holmes’s rise and fall at Theranos unfolds in this cautionary tale of ambition, deception, and biotech hype.
King in the Wilderness (2018) – IMDb 7.1 · Civil Rights/Biography
This reflective portrait captures Martin Luther King Jr.’s final years, revealing his evolving strategy, isolation, and moral clarity.
Nothing Left Unsaid: Gloria Vanderbilt and Anderson Cooper (2016) – IMDb 7.1 · Biography/Family
Mother and son explore legacy, loss, and reinvention in this candid conversation spanning decades of fame and personal upheaval.
The Slow Hustle (2021) – IMDb 7.1 · Crime/Investigative
A Baltimore detective’s mysterious death sparks questions about corruption, loyalty, and the thin blue line.
Wishful Drinking (2010) – IMDb 7.1 · Comedy/Biography
Carrie Fisher’s one-woman show blends Hollywood gossip, mental health, and razor-sharp wit in this adaptation of her stage memoir.
The Princess (2022) – IMDb 7.0 · Biography/Royalty
Using archival footage only, this documentary re-examines Princess Diana’s life through the lens of media obsession and public scrutiny.
God Is the Bigger Elvis (2011) – IMDb 7.0 · Religion/Biography
Dolores Hart left Hollywood stardom to become a Benedictine nun — this short film explores her spiritual journey and quiet legacy. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject.
Showbiz Kids (2020) – IMDb 7.0 · Entertainment/Childhood
Former child actors reflect on fame, exploitation, and growing up in the spotlight in this candid, cautionary documentary.
When We Were Bullies (2021) – IMDb 7.0 · Memory/Reflection
A filmmaker revisits a childhood bullying incident, blending animation and interviews to explore guilt, complicity, and collective memory. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject.