I love HBO documentaries; I think they’re the best around. I can personally recommend Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind, McMillion$, Tickled, The Jinx, Nathan For You, How to with John Wilson and Diego Maradona. I’ve gathered the award winning and critically acclaimed documentaries that scored 7 or higher on IMDb to find out what I should add to my watchlist.
WYALAN star rating explained:
- 5 stars – Highly enjoyed and would highly recommend as a must watch
- 4 stars – Enjoyed and would watch again in the future
- 3 stars – Glad I watched it once, but I’ll probably never watch it again
- 2 stars – Watched to the end, but I wouldn’t watch it again
- 1 star – DNF (did not finish)
More best documentary lists:
Documentaries on Apple TV+ ~ Documentaries on BBC iPlayer ~ Documentaries on Amazon Prime Video ~ Documentaries on Netflix ~ Documentaries on Sky and Now TV ~ Documentaries and Docuseries on Disney+ ~ Football Documentaries ~ Sports Documentaries on Netflix ~ A24 Documentaries
The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst (2015) – True Crime/Investigative
For fans of Capturing the Friedmans, I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, and McMillion$
A chilling portrait of Robert Durst, blending interviews and evidence. Winner of multiple Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996) – True Crime/Investigative
For fans of The Case Against 8, Murder on Middle Beach, and The Stroll
Groundbreaking documentary on the West Memphis Three case. Winner of a Peabody Award and multiple Emmys.
No End in Sight (2007) – Investigative/Political Documentary
For fans of The Forever Prisoner, In the Same Breath, and After Truth
Examines the U.S. government’s mismanagement of the Iraq War. Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary.
The Crime of the Century (2021) – True Crime/Investigative
For fans of The Inventor, Catch and Kill, and Love Has Won
Exposes the opioid crisis and pharmaceutical corruption. Winner of a Peabody Award, Emmy‑nominated.
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (2015) – Investigative/Religion & Power
For fans of The Way Down, Welcome to Chechnya, and The Truth vs. Alex Jones
Reveals the inner workings of Scientology through testimony and evidence. Winner of a Peabody Award and multiple Emmys.
At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal (2019) – True Crime/Investigative
For fans of I Am Evidence, The Janes, and The Stroll
Documents the abuse scandal within USA Gymnastics. Winner of the Emmy Award for Outstanding Investigative Documentary.
Hostages (2022) – True Crime/Political History
For fans of Four Hours at the Capitol, The Forever Prisoner, and In the Same Breath
Explores the Iran hostage crisis of 1979–81. Emmy‑nominated series.
Welcome to Chechnya (2020) – Investigative/Human Rights
For fans of Nuclear Family, The Case Against 8, and True Justice
Follows activists risking their lives to expose anti‑LGBTQ persecution in Chechnya. Winner of a Peabody Award, shortlisted for the Oscars.
The Forever Prisoner (2021) – True Crime/Investigative
For fans of No End in Sight, The Crime of the Century, and The Line
Examines the CIA’s detention and interrogation of Abu Zubaydah. Emmy‑nominated documentary.
Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God (2023) – True Crime/Investigative
For fans of The Way Down, Going Clear, and Catch and Kill
Profiles the controversial cult led by Amy Carlson, known as “Mother God.” Emmy‑nominated series.
Mind Over Murder (2022) – True Crime/Investigative
For fans of Paradise Lost, Murder on Middle Beach, and The Jinx
Explores the 1985 murder of Helen Wilson and the wrongful convictions that followed. Emmy‑nominated series.
Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children (2020) – True Crime/Investigative
For fans of Last Call, The Stroll, and The Case Against 8
Investigates the disappearance and murder of dozens of Black children in Atlanta during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Emmy‑nominated series.
Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York (2023) – True Crime/Investigative
For fans of Welcome to Chechnya, The Stroll, and I’ll Be Gone in the Dark
Documents the murders of gay men in New York in the 1990s and the community’s fight for justice. Emmy‑nominated series.
The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin (2021) – True Crime/Investigative
For fans of Love Has Won, Going Clear, and The Truth vs. Alex Jones
Examines Gwen Shamblin’s weight‑loss church and its transformation into a cult. Emmy‑nominated series.
After Truth: Disinformation and the Cost of Fake News (2020) – Investigative/Media & Politics
For fans of In the Same Breath, The Truth vs. Alex Jones, and The Crime of the Century
Explores the spread of conspiracy theories and disinformation in U.S. politics. Emmy‑nominated documentary.
McMillion$ (2020) – True Crime/Investigative
For fans of Catch and Kill, The Inventor, and The Jinx
A six‑part series uncovering the McDonald’s Monopoly fraud scheme. Multiple Emmy nominations. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (2022) – Documentary/Art & Activism
For fans of The Crime of the Century, Welcome to Chechnya, and The Truth vs. Alex Jones
Nan Goldin’s story of art and activism against the Sackler family and the opioid crisis. Winner of the Golden Lion at Venice, BAFTA winner, Oscar‑nominated.
Four Hours at the Capitol (2021) – Documentary/Political History
For fans of In the Same Breath, The Forever Prisoner, and The Case Against 8
Chronicles the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol through eyewitness accounts. Winner of a News & Doc Emmy Award.
In the Same Breath (2021) – Documentary/Investigative
For fans of After Truth, The Forever Prisoner, and Welcome to Chechnya
Examines the COVID‑19 pandemic and government responses in China and the U.S. Winner of a Peabody Award.
The Case Against 8 (2014) – Documentary/Legal & Social Justice
For fans of The Times of Harvey Milk, True Justice, and The Janes
Follows the legal battle to overturn California’s Proposition 8 banning same‑sex marriage. Winner of a Peabody Award, Emmy‑nominated.
I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth v. Michelle Carter (2019) – True Crime/Legal Case
For fans of The Jinx, Murder on Middle Beach, and Mind Over Murder
Explores the controversial case of Michelle Carter and the “texting suicide” trial. Emmy‑nominated documentary.
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark (2020) – True Crime/Investigative
For fans of The Jinx, Paradise Lost, and Murder on Middle Beach
Based on Michelle McNamara’s book, chronicling the hunt for the Golden State Killer. Emmy‑nominated series.
Murder on Middle Beach (2020) – True Crime/Personal Investigation
For fans of Capturing the Friedmans, Mind Over Murder, and McMillion$
Madison Hamburg investigates his mother’s unsolved murder. Emmy‑nominated series.
The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (2019) – True Crime/Corporate Fraud
For fans of McMillion$, Catch and Kill, and The Crime of the Century
Profiles Elizabeth Holmes and the Theranos scandal. BAFTA winner, Emmy‑nominated.
Catch and Kill: The Podcast Tapes (2021) – True Crime/Investigative Journalism
For fans of The Inventor, The Truth vs. Alex Jones, and Love Has Won
Ronan Farrow’s reporting on Harvey Weinstein and the culture of silence. Emmy‑nominated series.
Nuclear Family (2021) – Documentary/Family & Legal Case
For fans of The Case Against 8, The Janes, and True Justice
Explores a landmark custody battle involving a lesbian couple and their children. Winner of a Peabody Award, Emmy‑nominated.
40 Years a Prisoner (2020) – Documentary/Justice & Activism
For fans of True Justice, The Murder of Fred Hampton, and Eyes on the Prize
Documents the fight to free MOVE members imprisoned after a 1978 police raid in Philadelphia. Emmy‑nominated documentary.
Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest (2006) – Documentary/Civil Rights History
For fans of True Justice, The Murder of Fred Hampton, and The Janes
Part of the landmark Eyes on the Prize series chronicling the civil rights movement. The series overall won a Peabody Award.
Hearts and Minds (1974) – Documentary/War & Politics
For fans of The Fog of War, Vietnam: The War That Changed America, and In the Same Breath
A searing look at the Vietnam War’s impact on U.S. society. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary.
Harlan County, U.S.A. (1976) – Documentary/Labor & Social Justice
For fans of Capturing the Friedmans, The Janes, and 40 Years a Prisoner
Barbara Kopple’s portrait of a coal miners’ strike in Kentucky. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary.
White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (2007) – Documentary/War & History
For fans of The Bloody Hundredth, The Fog of War, and Nuclear Family
Survivors recount the atomic bombings of Japan. Winner of the Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking.
The Times of Harvey Milk (1984) – Documentary/Political Biography
For fans of The Case Against 8, Visible: Out on Television, and The Stroll
Chronicles the life and assassination of San Francisco politician Harvey Milk. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary.
When We Were Kings (1996) – Documentary/Sports & History
For fans of Boom Boom: The World vs. Boris Becker, Stephen Curry: Underrated, and The Dynasty
Captures Muhammad Ali’s legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” fight. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary.
I Am Not Your Negro (2016) – Documentary/Race & Culture
For fans of Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, The Murder of Fred Hampton, and True Justice
Based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript, exploring race in America. Oscar‑nominated, BAFTA winner, and multiple critics’ awards.
Freedom on My Mind (1994) – Documentary/Civil Rights History
For fans of Eyes on the Prize, The Janes, and True Justice
Examines the Mississippi voter registration movement of the 1960s. Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary.
Nanook of the North (1922) – Documentary/Anthropology & History
For fans of The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness, Buena Vista Social Club, and F for Fake
Robert Flaherty’s pioneering silent film about Inuit life. Considered the first feature‑length documentary.
The Beales of Grey Gardens (2006) – Documentary/Cultural Portrait
For fans of Paris Is Burning, The Supermodels, and The Last Movie Stars
A follow‑up to Grey Gardens, revisiting the eccentric Beale family. Winner of multiple critics’ awards.
The Murder of Fred Hampton (1971) – Documentary/Political History
For fans of Eyes on the Prize, True Justice, and I Am Not Your Negro
Profiles Black Panther leader Fred Hampton and his killing by Chicago police. Landmark Black documentary, winner at major festivals.
Being Mary Tyler Moore (2023) – Documentary/Actor Portrait
For fans of Jane Fonda in Five Acts, Bright Lights, and The Last Movie Stars
Explores Mary Tyler Moore’s career and cultural impact. Emmy‑nominated documentary.
John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls (2018) – Documentary/Political Biography
For fans of The Newspaperman, Navalny, and True Justice
Profiles Senator John McCain’s life and career. Emmy‑nominated documentary.
True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality (2019) – Documentary/Social Justice
For fans of The Case Against 8, I Am Not Your Negro, and A Choice of Weapons
Follows Bryan Stevenson’s work challenging racial injustice and mass incarceration. Winner of a Peabody Award.
Navalny (2022) – Documentary/Political Biography
For fans of Welcome to Chechnya, The Truth vs. Alex Jones, and In the Same Breath
Follows Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Academy Award winner for Best Documentary.
Tickled (2016) – Documentary/Investigative & Culture
For fans of Nathan for You, How to with John Wilson, and The Stroll
Investigates the bizarre world of “competitive endurance tickling.” Recipient of a Peabody Award, Emmy‑nominated. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Three Identical Strangers (2018) – Documentary/True Crime & Identity
For fans of Capturing the Friedmans, The Jinx, and The Inventor
Explores the shocking story of triplets separated at birth. BAFTA winner, Oscar shortlist. WYALAN Rating – 3/5
Jim: The James Foley Story (2016) – Documentary/War & Journalism
For fans of The Forever Prisoner, The Line, and The Bloody Hundredth
Explores the life and legacy of journalist James Foley. Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking.
The Newspaperman: The Life and Times of Ben Bradlee (2017) – Documentary/Journalism Portrait
For fans of Jim: The James Foley Story, The Forever Prisoner, and The Case Against 8
Profiles Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee, central to the Watergate investigation. Emmy‑nominated.
All That Breathes (2022) – Documentary/Environmental & Human Story
For fans of All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, The Green Planet, and Welcome to Chechnya
Follows two brothers in Delhi who rescue injured birds of prey. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, Oscar‑nominated.
The War Room (1993) – Documentary/Political Campaigns
For fans of The Newspaperman, John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls, and True Justice
Profiles Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign through the eyes of strategists James Carville and George Stephanopoulos. Oscar‑nominated documentary.
Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland (2018) – Documentary/Social Justice
For fans of True Justice, In the Same Breath, and The Case Against 8
Explores the arrest and death of Sandra Bland, sparking national conversations about race and policing. Emmy‑nominated documentary.
Salesman (1969) – Documentary/Social Portrait
For fans of Nanook of the North, Capturing the Friedmans, and Grey Gardens
The Maysles brothers follow Bible salesmen in America, capturing the struggles of everyday hustling. Oscar‑nominated documentary.
Exterminate All the Brutes (2021) – Documentary/History & Colonialism
For fans of I Am Not Your Negro, The Murder of Fred Hampton, and Eyes on the Prize
Raoul Peck’s ambitious series tracing colonialism, genocide, and white supremacy. Emmy‑nominated documentary.
Nathan for You (2013–2017) – Docu‑Comedy/Business Satire
For fans of How to with John Wilson, Tickled, and Painting with John
Nathan Fielder blends absurd business advice with documentary realism. Honoured with a Peabody Award. WYALAN Rating – 5/5
How to with John Wilson (2020–2023) – Docu‑Comedy/Observational
For fans of Nathan for You, Painting with John, and Tickled
John Wilson narrates quirky explorations of everyday life in New York. Peabody Award recipient, Emmy‑nominated. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Painting with John (2021–2023) – Docu‑Comedy/Art & Reflection
For fans of How to with John Wilson, Nathan for You, and Tickled
Artist John Lurie blends painting, storytelling, and dry humour in a meditative series. Widely acclaimed.
Conan O’Brien Must Go (2024) – Documentary/Comedy & Travel
For fans of Nathan for You, How to with John Wilson, and Painting with John
Conan O’Brien blends comedy and cultural exploration in his global adventures. Emmy Award winner.
Pee Wee as Himself (2023) – Documentary/Comedy & Performance
For fans of Stiller and Meara: Nothing Is Lost, Conan O’Brien Must Go, and Painting with John
Profiles Paul Reubens’s iconic Pee‑wee Herman character and legacy. Recognised with the Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special.
Jane Fonda in Five Acts (2018) – Documentary/Actor Portrait
For fans of Tina, Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind, and The Last Movie Stars
Profiles Jane Fonda’s career, activism, and personal life. Emmy‑nominated.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (2024) – Documentary/Actor Portrait
For fans of Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind, Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed, and Navalny
Explores Christopher Reeve’s life, career, and resilience after his accident. Winner at Sundance and SXSW.
The Last Movie Stars (2022) – Documentary/Actor Portrait
For fans of Jane Fonda in Five Acts, Bright Lights, and Being Mary Tyler Moore
Directed by Ethan Hawke, this portrait of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s careers and marriage earned multiple Emmy nominations.
Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (2016) – Documentary/Actor Portrait
For fans of The Last Movie Stars, Jane Fonda in Five Acts, and Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind
Profiles the mother‑daughter relationship of Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. Emmy‑nominated.
Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind (2018) – Documentary/Actor Portrait
For fans of Jim: The James Foley Story, Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed, and The Last Movie Stars
A portrait of Robin Williams’s life and comedy legacy. Multiple Emmy nominations. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed (2023) – Documentary/Actor Portrait
For fans of Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, and Navalny
Explores Rock Hudson’s career and closeted life in Hollywood. Emmy‑nominated.
Six by Sondheim (2013) – Documentary/Musical Biography
For fans of Original Cast Album: Company, Paris Is Burning, and David Byrne’s American Utopia
Profiles Stephen Sondheim’s career through six of his iconic songs. Peabody Award recipient.
Original Cast Album: Company (1970) – Documentary/Musical Recording
For fans of Six by Sondheim, David Byrne’s American Utopia, and Paris Is Burning
Captures the recording session of Stephen Sondheim’s Company. Highly acclaimed, later spoofed in Documentary Now!.
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am (2019) – Documentary/Literary Portrait
For fans of I Am Not Your Negro, A Choice of Weapons, and True Justice
Profiles Nobel laureate Toni Morrison’s life and work. Emmy‑nominated.
Arthur Miller: Writer (2017) – Documentary/Literary Portrait
For fans of Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, The Last Movie Stars, and Spielberg
Directed by Rebecca Miller, this intimate portrait of playwright Arthur Miller was Emmy‑nominated.
Spielberg (2017) – Documentary/Director Portrait
For fans of Mr. Scorsese, Steve Martin: A Documentary in 2 Pieces, and The Last Movie Stars
Explores Steven Spielberg’s career and influence on cinema. Emmy‑nominated.
F for Fake (1973) – Documentary/Essay Film
For fans of The Pigeon Tunnel, Navalny, and The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness
Orson Welles’s playful meditation on art, forgery, and authorship. Critically acclaimed classic.
George Carlin’s American Dream (2022) – Documentary/Comedian Portrait
For fans of Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind, Steve Martin: A Documentary in 2 Pieces, and Mr. Scorsese
Directed by Judd Apatow, this two‑part profile of George Carlin’s career and influence won multiple Emmy Awards.
STAX: Soulsville U.S.A. (2024) – Documentary/Music History
For fans of 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything, The Bee Gees, and The Velvet Underground
Profiles the legendary soul music label Stax Records. Recipient of a Peabody Award.
David Byrne’s American Utopia (2020) – Documentary/Music Performance
For fans of Bruce Springsteen’s Letter to You, The Bee Gees, and The Velvet Underground
Spike Lee directs David Byrne’s acclaimed Broadway show. Winner of a Peabody Award and multiple Emmys.
The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (2020) – Documentary/Music Biography
For fans of The Supermodels, The Velvet Underground, and 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything
Explores the rise and legacy of the Bee Gees. Grammy‑nominated, Emmy‑nominated.
Tina (2021) – Documentary/Music Biography
For fans of Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over, The Bee Gees, and Little Richard: I Am Everything
Explores Tina Turner’s life and career. Emmy‑nominated.
Little Richard: I Am Everything (2023) – Documentary/Music Biography
For fans of Tina, Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over, and The Bee Gees
Explores Little Richard’s groundbreaking career and cultural impact. Peabody Award winner, Emmy‑nominated.
Monterey Pop (1968) – Documentary/Music Festival
For fans of Woodstock, 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything, and Buena Vista Social Club
Captures the legendary 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. Critically acclaimed.
Buena Vista Social Club (1999) – Documentary/Music Biography
For fans of Monterey Pop, The Bee Gees, and 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything
Profiles Cuban musicians brought together by Ry Cooder. Academy Award nominee.
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015) – Documentary/Music Biography
For fans of The Bee Gees, Little Richard: I Am Everything, and Roadrunner
Brett Morgen’s intimate portrait of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, blending home videos, artwork, and music. Emmy‑nominated documentary. WYALAN Rating – 3/5
Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off (2022) – Documentary/Sports Biography
For fans of Andre the Giant, Stephen Curry: Underrated, and Boom Boom: The World vs. Boris Becker
Profiles skateboarding icon Tony Hawk’s career and influence. Emmy‑nominated.
Andre the Giant (2018) – Documentary/Sports Biography
For fans of Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off, Stephen Curry: Underrated, and Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
Explores the life and career of wrestling legend Andre the Giant. Emmy‑nominated.
Diego Maradona (2019) – Documentary/Sports Biography
For fans of When We Were Kings, The Last Dance, and Boom Boom: The World vs. Boris Becker
Asif Kapadia’s portrait of football legend Diego Maradona, tracing his rise and fall. BAFTA‑nominated documentary. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Any One of Us (2019) – Documentary/Sports & Recovery
For fans of Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, and Andre the Giant
Profiles mountain biker Paul Basagoitia’s recovery from a spinal cord injury. Emmy‑nominated documentary.
Planet Earth II (2016) – Documentary/Nature Series
For fans of Blue Planet II, Frozen Planet, and Seven Worlds, One Planet
David Attenborough narrates breathtaking footage of wildlife across diverse habitats. Winner of multiple Emmy and BAFTA Awards.
Planet Earth (2006) – Documentary/Nature Series
For fans of Frozen Planet, The Green Planet, and Tiny World
A landmark series showcasing the planet’s ecosystems with groundbreaking cinematography. Winner of multiple Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award.
Seven Worlds, One Planet (2019) – Documentary/Nature Series
For fans of Planet Earth II, The Green Planet, and Big Beasts
Explores each continent’s unique wildlife and environmental challenges. Emmy‑nominated and Emmy‑winning series.
Blue Planet II (2017) – Documentary/Nature Series
For fans of Planet Earth II, Frozen Planet, and Earth at Night in Color
David Attenborough narrates a deep dive into ocean life, blending science and spectacle. Winner of multiple Emmy and BAFTA Awards.
The Green Planet (2022) – Documentary/Nature Series
For fans of Planet Earth II, Seven Worlds, One Planet, and Earthsounds
David Attenborough reveals the hidden world of plants and their survival strategies. Emmy‑nominated series.
Frozen Planet (2011) – Documentary/Nature Series
For fans of Planet Earth, Blue Planet II, and The Year Earth Changed
Captures life in the Arctic and Antarctic, from polar bears to penguins. Winner of multiple Emmy Awards.
Fire of Love (2022) – Documentary/Nature & Biography
For fans of Planet Earth II, The Green Planet, and All That Breathes
Chronicles volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft, blending archival footage with a love story. Oscar‑nominated, Sundance winner.
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