Social & Political Documentary backdrop

Social & Political Documentary movies

System-focused documentaries about power, institutions, incentives, conflict, and real-world consequences.

The Great Hack

21. The Great Hack

Documentary Social & Political Documentary
7.0

20191h 54min

United States

Director: Karim Amer

Data—arguably the world’s most valuable asset—is being weaponized to wage cultural and political wars. The dark world of data exploitation is uncovered through the unpredictable, personal journeys of players on different sides of the explosive Cambridge Analytica/Facebook data story.

Themes

Data-driven political influence, Privacy regulation tension, Corporate accountability pressure, Whistleblower exposure, Microtargeting ethics, Public trust erosion

Available on

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

What the Health

22. What the Health

Documentary Social & Political Documentary
7.2

20171h 37min

United States

Director: Keegan Kuhn

Filmmaker Kip Andersen uncovers the secret to preventing and even reversing chronic diseases, and he investigates why the nation's leading health organizations doesn't want people to know about it.

Themes

Industry influence on health, Food industry conspiracy claims, Trust in health institutions, Diet and disease risk, Corporate connections to medicine

Available on

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

Earthlings

23. Earthlings

Documentary Social & Political Documentary
8.6

20051h 35min

United States

Director: Shaun Monson

Using hidden cameras and never-before-seen footage, Earthlings chronicles the day-to-day practices of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit.

Themes

Animal rights, Speciesism critique, Industrial animal exploitation, Surveillance through cameras, Vegan ethics, Parallels to racism and sexism


That Sugar Film

24. That Sugar Film

Documentary Social & Political Documentary
7.4

20141h 37min

Director: Damon Gameau

One man's journey to discover the bitter truth about sugar. Damon Gameau embarks on a unique experiment to document the effects of a high sugar diet on a healthy body, consuming only foods that are commonly perceived as 'healthy'. Through this entertaining and informative journey, Damon highlights some of the issues that plague the sugar industry, and where sugar lurks on supermarket shelves.

Themes

Health risk of sugar, Perceived healthy foods, Bliss point manipulation, Food industry influence, Experimental dieting, Public health implications

Available on

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

Waltz with Bashir

25. Waltz with Bashir

Drama Animation War Documentary Tragic Drama
8.0

20081h 30min

Australia, Belgium

Director: Ari Folman

An Israeli film director interviews fellow veterans of the 1982 invasion of Lebanon to reconstruct his own memories of his term of service in that conflict.

Themes

Memory as defense, War memory fragmentation, Trauma and testimony, Veterans and civilians impact, Witnessing and recollection, Media and memory ethics

Available on

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

Werner Herzog's exploration of the Internet and the connected world.

Themes

Computer history shaping norms, Internet as social engine, Machine presence and human contact, Media ecology and attention, Tech-led social friction

Available on

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

Sicko

27. Sicko

Documentary Comedy Drama Social & Political Documentary Satire
8.0

20072h 3min

United States

Director: Michael Moore

A documentary about the corrupt health care system in The United States who's main goal is to make profit even if it means losing people’s lives. "The more people you deny health insurance the more money we make" is the business model for health care providers in America.

Themes

Bureaucratic denial of care, Cross-border health disparities, Systemic inequality, Advocacy and reform pressure, Profit motive in healthcare, Public vs private systems

Available on

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

Behind the Curve

28. Behind the Curve

Documentary Social & Political Documentary
6.5

20181h 36min

United States

Director: Daniel J. Clark

Meet the growing, worldwide community of theorists who defend the belief that the Earth is flat while living in a society who vehemently rejects it.

Themes

Belief vs evidence, Conspiracy theory appeal, Science literacy gap, Identity through belief, Critical thinking erosion, Online community dynamics

Available on

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

We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists

29. We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists

Documentary Social & Political Documentary
7.2

20121h 33min

United States

Director: Brian Knappenberger

Takes us inside the world of Anonymous, the radical "hacktivist" collective that has redefined civil disobedience for the digital age. The film explores early hacktivist groups like Cult of the Dead Cow and Electronic Disturbance Theater, then moves to Anonymous' raucous beginnings on the website 4chan. Through interviews with current members, people recently returned from prison or facing trial, writers, academics, activists and major players in various "raids," the documentary traces Anonymous’ evolution from merry pranksters to a full-blown movement with a global reach, the most transformative civil disobedience of our time.

Themes

Digital activism, Copyright abuse critique, Online civil disobedience, Decentralized protest dynamics, Privacy vs surveillance, Anti censorship battles

Available on

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

Restrepo

30. Restrepo

War Documentary Modern Conflicts Social & Political Documentary
7.4

20101h 33min

United States

Director: Tim Hetherington

Directors Hetherington and Junger spend a year with the 2nd Battalion of the United States Army located in one of Afghanistan's most dangerous valleys. The documentary provides insight and empathy on how to win the battle through hard work, deadly gunfights and mutual friendships while the unit must push back the Taliban.

Themes

Sacrifice and memory, Brotherhood under fire, Isolation and duty, Trust with local communities, Leadership under hardship, Endurance through danger

Available on

Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.