Documentary backdrop

Documentary movies

Fascinating real-life stories, historical accounts, and educational deep dives that reveal the truth about our world.

Subgenres include: True Crime Documentary, Biographical Documentary, Social & Political Documentary.

Supersonic

161. Supersonic

Music Documentary History Music Documentary Concert Film
7.8

20161h 57min

United Kingdom

Director: Mat Whitecross

Supersonic charts the meteoric rise of Oasis from the council estates of Manchester to some of the biggest concerts of all time in just three short years. This palpable, raw and moving film shines a light on one of the most genre and generation-defining British bands that has ever existed and features candid new interviews with Noel and Liam Gallagher, their mother, and members of the band and road crew.

Themes

Class mobility constraints, Family influence on art, Rapid fame dynamics, Collective musical identity, Archival memory and performance, Public spectacle and private fatigue

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Amanda Knox

162. Amanda Knox

Documentary Crime True Crime Documentary
6.9

20161h 32min

Denmark

Director: Rod Blackhurst

This gripping, atmospheric documentary recounts the infamous trial, conviction and eventual acquittal of Seattle native Amanda Knox for the 2007 murder of a British exchange student in Italy.

Themes

Media influence on justice, Tabloid sensationalism, Public perception versus evidence, Legal process scrutiny, Wrongful conviction awareness, Appeals and procedural doubt

Available on

Netflix
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Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

For the Love of Spock

163. For the Love of Spock

Documentary
7.6

20161h 45min

Director: Adam Nimoy

The life of Mr. Spock, as well as that of Leonard Nimoy, the actor who played him for almost fifty years, written and directed by his son: Adam.


Into the Inferno

164. Into the Inferno

Documentary Nature & Wildlife Documentary
7.2

20161h 47min

Canada, Germany

Director: Werner Herzog

With stunning views of eruptions and lava flows, Werner Herzog captures the raw power of volcanoes and their ties to indigenous spiritual practices.

Themes

Indigenous belief vs science, Tradition under threat, Volcanic power and awe, Ethics of exploration, Cultural heritage preservation, Corporate interests vs public safety

Available on

Netflix
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Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: One More Time with Feeling

165. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: One More Time with Feeling

Documentary Music
8.2

20161h 53min

Director: Andrew Dominik

Andrew Dominik's One More Time With Feeling is a remarkable black and white documentary which chronicles the creation of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' album Skeleton Tree. Originally a performance based concept, the film evolved into something much more significant as Dominik delved into the tragic backdrop of the writing and recording of the album. The result is stark, fragile and raw, and a true testament to an artist trying to find his way through the darkness. It documents the writing, recording and performing of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds’ sixteenth studio album, Skeleton Tree.


The Ivory Game

166. The Ivory Game

Documentary
7.8

20161h 52min

Director: Kief Davidson

Wildlife activists and investigators put their lives on the line to battle the illegal African ivory trade, in this suspenseful on-the-ground documentary.


Born in China

167. Born in China

Documentary
7.2

20161h 16min

Director: Lu Chuan

Venturing into the wilds of China, "Born in China" captures intimate moments with a panda bear and her growing cub, a young golden monkey who feels displaced by his baby sister, and a mother snow leopard struggling to raise her two cubs.


Zero Days

168. Zero Days

Documentary Social & Political Documentary
7.7

20161h 56min

United States

Director: Alex Gibney

Alex Gibney explores the phenomenon of Stuxnet, a self-replicating computer virus discovered in 2010 by international IT experts. Evidently commissioned by the US and Israeli governments, this malware was designed to specifically sabotage Iran’s nuclear programme. However, the complex computer worm ended up not only infecting its intended target but also spreading uncontrollably.

Themes

Secrecy vs transparency, State sponsored cyber operation, Investigation under uncertainty, Governance of cyber tools, Collateral disruption risk, Lifecycle of malware

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Life, Animated

169. Life, Animated

Documentary
7.4

20161h 31min

Director: Roger Ross Williams

At three years old, a chatty, energetic little boy named Owen Suskind ceased to speak, disappearing into autism with apparently no way out. Almost four years passed and the only stimuli that engaged Owen were Disney films. Then one day, his father donned a puppet—Iago, the wisecracking parrot from Aladdin—and asked “what’s it like to be you?” And poof! Owen replied, with dialogue from the movie. Life, Animated tells the remarkable story of how Owen found in Disney animation a pathway to language and a framework for making sense of the world.


Tickled

170. Tickled

Documentary True Crime Documentary
7.5

20161h 32min

New Zealand

Director: David Farrier

Journalist David Farrier stumbles upon a mysterious tickling competition online. As he delves deeper he comes up against fierce resistance, but that doesn’t stop him getting to the bottom of a story stranger than fiction.

Themes

Investigative journalism pressure, Cyberbullying ethics, Tickling subculture exploitation, Media power and coercion, Defamation campaigns

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.