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.

The Redeem Team

1. The Redeem Team

Documentary
7.4
20221h 38min

Overview

Using unprecedented Olympic footage and behind-the-scenes material, The Redeem Team tells the story of the US Olympic Men's Basketball Team’s quest for gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing following the previous team’s shocking performance four years earlier in Athens.


Nothing Compares

2. Nothing Compares

Documentary Music
7.6
20221h 36min

Overview

Since the beginning of her career, Sinéad O’Connor has used her powerful voice to challenge the narratives she was surrounded by while growing up in predominantly Roman Catholic Ireland. Despite her agency, depth and perspective, O’Connor’s unflinching refusal to conform means that she has often been patronized and unfairly dismissed as an attention-seeking pop star.


Moonage Daydream

3. Moonage Daydream

Documentary Music Biographical Documentary Music Biopic
7.6
20222h 15min

Overview

A cinematic odyssey featuring never-before-seen footage exploring David Bowie's creative and musical journey.

Themes

Fame pressure, Archive-inspired creativity, Transdisciplinary reinvention, Geographic-cultural dialogue, Visual art as narrative engine, Collaboration dynamics

Available on

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

Fire of Love

4. Fire of Love

Documentary Nature & Wildlife Documentary
7.6
20221h 33min

Overview

A doomed love triangle between intrepid French scientists Katia and Maurice Krafft, and their beloved volcanoes.

Themes

Volcano driver, Archive footage witness, Tectonic plates under pressure, Scientist hero perspective, Female scientist dedication, Biographical lens on science

Available on

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

The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes

5. The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes

Documentary
6.2
20221h 41min

Overview

This documentary explores the mystery surrounding the death of movie icon Marilyn Monroe through previously unheard interviews with her inner circle.


Polar Bear

6. Polar Bear

Documentary Family
6.9
20221h 24min

Overview

A new mother’s memories of her own youth prepare her to navigate motherhood in the increasingly challenging world that polar bears face today.


Navalny

7. Navalny

Documentary Biographical Documentary
7.7
20221h 38min

Overview

Follows the man who survived an assassination attempt by poisoning with a lethal nerve agent in August 2020. During his months-long recovery, he makes shocking discoveries about the attempt on his life and decides to return home.

Themes

Assassination attempt pressure, Russian secret police control, Chemical poisoning risk, Political opposition resilience, Russian politics influence, Poisoning exposure risk

Available on

HBO Max
HBO Max Amazon Channel
HBO Max  Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Return to Space

8. Return to Space

Documentary Biographical Documentary
7.3
20222h 8min

Overview

The inspirational rise of SpaceX as well as Elon Musk's two-decade effort to resurrect America’s space travel ambitions.

Themes

Long term effort, National space ambition, Technological progression, Private space industry, Exploration drive, Ambitious ascent

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film)

9. OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film)

Music Documentary
7.2
20221h 16min

Overview

Grammy® winner singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo takes a familiar road trip from Salt Lake City, where she began writing her debut album “SOUR,” to Los Angeles. Along the way, Rodrigo recounts the memories of writing and creating her record-breaking debut album and shares her feelings as a young woman navigating a specific time in her life. Through new live arrangements of her songs, intimate interviews and never-before-seen footage from the making of the album, audiences will follow Olivia along on a cinematic journey exploring the story of “SOUR.”


The Tinder Swindler

10. The Tinder Swindler

Documentary Crime True Crime Documentary Con Artist Crime
7.1
20221h 54min

Overview

Posing as a wealthy, jet-setting diamond mogul, an Israeli conman wooed women online then conned them out of millions of dollars. Now some victims plan for payback.

Themes

Online dating deception, Financial manipulation through gifts, False persona construction, Threat-based coercion, Ponzi-scheme exploitation, Victim debt pressure

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.