
Social & Political Documentary movies
System-focused documentaries about power, institutions, incentives, conflict, and real-world consequences.

21. The Great Hack
Documentary Social & Political Documentary2019•1h 54min
United States
Director: Karim Amer
Vibe
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
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22. What the Health
Documentary Social & Political Documentary2017•1h 37min
United States
Director: Keegan Kuhn
Vibe
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
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23. Earthlings
Documentary Social & Political Documentary2005•1h 35min
United States
Director: Shaun Monson
Vibe
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
Vibe
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
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25. Waltz with Bashir
Drama Animation War Documentary Tragic Drama2008•1h 30min
Australia, Belgium
Director: Ari Folman
Vibe
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
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26. Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World
Documentary Social & Political Documentary2016•1h 39min
United States
Director: Werner Herzog
Vibe
Werner Herzog's exploration of the Internet and the connected world.
Themes
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27. Sicko
Documentary Comedy Drama Social & Political Documentary Satire2007•2h 3min
United States
Director: Michael Moore
Vibe
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
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28. Behind the Curve
Documentary Social & Political Documentary2018•1h 36min
United States
Director: Daniel J. Clark
Vibe
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
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29. We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists
Documentary Social & Political Documentary2012•1h 33min
United States
Director: Brian Knappenberger
Vibe
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
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30. Restrepo
War Documentary Modern Conflicts Social & Political Documentary2010•1h 33min
United States
Director: Tim Hetherington
Vibe
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.
