Documentaries that are Positively Captivating

A Story Worth Living (2016) 

Six novice riders—father, sons and friends—take on the Colorado backcountry on BMW F800GS adventure bikes to create a film about life, meaning and the longing to be part of something epic that is written on every human heart. 

Roll With Me (2017) 

After hitting rock-bottom, a newly sober paraplegic attempts to save his gang-banger nephew’s life by bringing him along on a 3,100-mile wheelchair trek across the United States. 

The Game Changers (2018) 

A UFC fighter’s world is turned upside down when he discovers an elite group of world-renowned athletes and scientists who prove that everything he had been taught about protein was a lie. 

Giving Voice (2020) 

This film follows the annual August Wilson Monologue competition and the thousands of high schoolers who enter the competition for the opportunity to perform on Broadway. 

Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable (2018) 

After losing an arm to a shark attack at age 13, Bethany Hamilton refuses to give up her dreams of being a professional surfer. 

The Short Game (2013) 

Follow some of the top golfers in the world – who happen to be in elementary school – as they travel to Pinehurst, North Carolina to compete in the World Championships of Junior Golf. 

Love, Gilda (2018) 

Comedian Gilda Radner influenced a generation, and in this sweet documentary about her life and work, fans like Melissa McCarthy, Bill Hader, and Amy Poehler talk about her importance and humor. 

Dolly Parton: Here I Am (2019) 

In this documentary, the life, career and music of Dolly Parton are reflected in interviews with friends and companions and the artist herself, interlaced with clips of Parton’s performances. 

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey (2011) 

Interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O’Donnell, Whoopi Goldberg and others highlight a portrait of Kevin Clash, the man who brings “Sesame Street” muppet Elmo to life. 

Amazing Grace (2018) 

This glorious, previously unseen Aretha Franklin gospel performance will send chills down your spine and put sunshine in your heart. 

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018) 

WARNING: You’ll need a full box of tissues before starting this documentary about America’s neighbor and gentle saint, Mr. Rogers. 

The Black Godfather (2019) 

Follows the life of Clarence Avant, the ultimate, uncensored mentor and behind-the-scenes rainmaker in music, film, TV and politics. 

Kiss the Ground (2020) 

A revolutionary group of activists, scientists, farmers, and politicians band together in a global movement of “Regenerative Agriculture” that could balance our climate, replenish our vast water supplies, and feed the world. 

Miss Americana (2020) 

A Netflix Original: A look at iconic pop artist Taylor Swift during a transformational time in her life as she embraces her role as a singer/songwriter and harnesses the full power of her voice. 

I am Greta (2020) 

The documentary follows Greta Thunberg, a teenage climate activist from Sweden, on her international crusade to get people to listen to scientists about the world’s environmental problems. 

Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011) 

The story of 85-year-old Jiro Ono, considered by many to be the world’s greatest sushi chef at Sukiyabashi Jiro, a 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant inauspiciously located in a Tokyo subway station. Despite its humble appearances, it is the first restaurant of its kind to be awarded a prestigious three-star Michelin Guide rating, and sushi lovers from around the globe make repeated pilgrimage, calling months in advance and shelling out top dollar for a coveted seat at Jiro’s sushi bar. 

I am Bolt (2016) 

The uplifting story of the world’s fastest man – Usain Bolt. Following the sprinting legend as he prepares to go for gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Competing in the 100m and 200m races, Bolt attempts to make history by winning these events for a record third time. 

Homecoming: A film by Beyoncé (2019)

A film by the QUEEN herself. This intimate, in-depth look at Beyoncé’s celebrated 2018 Coachella performance reveals the emotional road from creative concept to cultural movement.

Be Water (2020)

Rejected by Hollywood, Bruce Lee returned to Hong Kong to complete four films. Charting his struggles in two worlds, Be Water explores questions of identity and representation through rare archive, intimate interviews, and his writings.

Rising Phoenix (2020)

The history and current standing of the Paralympic Games, which has grown to become the world’s third largest sporting event.

Down to Earth with Zac Efron (2020)

Follow along and learn as actor Zac Efron travels around the world with wellness expert Darin Olien to find healthy, sustainable ways to live. Join them from the jungle to pubs in Italy while they learn the most sustainable ways to live!

King in the Wilderness (2018)

The documentary chronicles the final chapters of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life, revealing a conflicted leader who faced an onslaught of criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. While the Black Power movement saw his nonviolence as weakness, and President Lyndon B. Johnson saw his anti-Vietnam War speeches as irresponsible, Dr. King’s unyielding belief in peaceful protest became a testing point for a nation on the brink of chaos.

Honeyland  (2019)

It the Balkan Mountains, we join Hatidže Muratova, one of the last Macedonians to practice ancient beekeeping. Shot over the course of three years, the film discovers an interesting foil to the woman in a young family that moves in nearby. The compelling story, along with breathtaking scenery and wonderful camerawork make this move the bee’s knees.

The Work  (2017)

Within the confines of the infamous Folsom Prison, level-four convicts—prisoners assigned to maximum security—meet for an intensive three-day group therapy session that serves as part of their rehabilitation. The Work follows three outsiders who join the retreat, slowly revealing their own therapy progress as their expectations about both the convicts with whom they interact—and their own notions of masculinity—are completely shattered.

Pina  (2011)

Legendary director Wim Wenders offers a moving portrait of his friend Pina Bausch, an internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer who died unexpectedly in the early days of the production of Wenders’s documentary. Shot in 3D, Pina takes a different approach to documenting a dance troupe…instead of shooting from the audience, the camera is placed amongst the set pieces so the viewer gets to see the action and movement unfold up front and intimately.

The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross  (2013)

Unveiling different religious and social perspectives, a multiplicity of cultural perspectives, and the evolution of the African American people, this series spans five hundred years and two continents as Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. takes viewers on a journey of the Black experience throughout the United States. On the way, he visits historic sites, engages in passionate debates with America’s top historians on African American history, and interviews eyewitnesses who have been on the frontlines of change.

The Overnighters  (2014)

During the oil boom in the midst of the recession, the small town of Williston, North Dakota, saw a huge influx in their population. With jobseekers flocking to the town and overwhelming the housing market, the town’s locals turned against their new neighbors—with the exception one Lutheran pastor who let newcomers stay at his church. This compelling documentary examines what defines a community for those who have lived there forever, and those looking to make something for themselves.

Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened  (2016)

Lonny Price’s dreams came true when he landed one of the lead roles in a brand-new Stephen Sondheim musical, directed by the composer’s frequent collaborator Hal Prince. When Price and his fellow cast members opened Merrily We Roll Along in 1981, they expected it to the first in a long line of career successes. The show, however, was a flop, and a massive disappointment. Years later, Price caught up with his fellow cast members to look back at the start of their careers in this touching examination of how life is full of peaks and valleys—and how we learn the most about ourselves in the face of major setbacks.

Gleason  (2016)

This is the heart-warming/heart-breaking story of Steve Gleason, the former New Orleans Saints defensive back who, at the age of 34, was diagnosed with ALS and given a life expectancy of two to five years. Weeks later, Gleason found out his wife, Michel, was expecting their first child. A video journal that began as a gift for his unborn son expands to chronicle Steve’s determination to get his relationships in order, build a foundation to provide other ALS patients with purpose, and adapt to his declining physical condition-utilizing medical technologies that offer the means to live as fully as possible.

Life, Animated  (2016)

This Oscar-nominated film depicts Owen Suskind who, after being diagnosed with autism at 3 years old, withdrew into a nearly silent state of being. Just as his father and mother are losing hope, they discovered he responded intensely to the world of animated films—particularly those produced by Walt Disney—giving him a new chance to understand the confounding world around him.

Freedom Riders  (2009)

This two-hour documentary tells the story of the summer of 1961 when more than 400 black and white Americans risked their lives traveling together in the segregated South to protest segregation. Committed to the cause of justice and determined to attract attention to the pursuit of civil rights, they boarded buses and trains, calling themselves “Freedom Riders.” Deliberately violating Jim Crow laws, the Freedom Riders were met with bitter racism and mob violence along the way. Still, they continued to ride and find new ways to sustain and expand the movement.

The Up Series  (1964-present)

In 1964, Michael Apted profiled 14 children for his Granada Television special 7 Up, viewing the group as representative of England at large across the country’s socio-economic system. Every seven years, Apted returned to his subjects to see how life changed for each one—and how their dreams, fears, and philosophies evolved with time. The Up Series now includes eight films, and remains a fascinating study of how class plays a major role in British culture, but also how the human experience is one that is ultimately universal, despite the specifics that we encounter as individuals.

Ugly Delicious  (2008)

The show’s eight-episode first season delves deep into foods like pizza, barbecue, and tacos as host/executive producer/world-renowned chef David Chang investigates what makes a pizza a pizza, or what technically constitutes a taco. But quickly, the show hit upon the idea of charting culture through food—how does a traditional pizza made in Naples become a Domino’s pizza? What does pizza mean to the people of Italy vs. the people ordering delivery? A great, fun series that will leave you ready to come back for seconds. And thirds.

Eyes on the Prize  (1987)

This is the documentary series on the Civil Rights Movement. This award-winning series covers all of the major events of the Civil Rights Movement from 1954-1985, including the Montgomery bus boycott in 1954, the Voting Rights Act in 1965, the birth of the Black Power Movement, and the courageous acts of the crusaders that contributed along the way.

The Truffle Hunters  (2020)

Ever hear of the white Alba truffle? Perhaps not, but it is the most sought-after truffle in the world. Nearly impossible to find, and truly impossible to cultivate, it is hunted by a small group of if Italians who, armed with walking sticks and their truffle-sniffing dogs. And to make sure outsiders never find the source of these fungi, the do all their hunting at night.

No Impact Man  (2009)

“No Impact Man” follows the Beaven family as they abandon their high consumption Fifth Avenue lifestyle in New York City in an attempt to make a no-net environmental impact for the course of one year.

Chasing Trane  (2007)

What drove John Coltrane? This documentary takes a look at the mind of one of the most important musicians in American history. Produced with the full participation of the Coltrane family and the support of the record labels that collectively own the Coltrane catalog.

Score: A Film Music Documentary  (2017)

You know that one movie that has music that just moves you? Well, now you can learn the magic behind that. Tracking the progress of modern-day film score development, this documentary illustrates how the first few notes on a piano keyboard end up in the most dramatic moments of a film’s emotional climax. Turning the spotlight on the creative struggles that make up a major motion picture score, this documentary showcases the way the world’s top soundsmiths solve musical challenges – from the creative to the technical.

Phoenix Lights  (2013)

Every think “we are not alone?” Well, in Phoenix, Arizona in 1997, it might have seemed that way.As darkness fell over Arizona on the evening of March 13, 1997, thousands of people from across the state reported witnessing a silent formation on lights in the sky that stretched a mile wide and glided silently in a v-formation. The next day, the story made headlines across the country, and Dr. Lynne Kitei realized that the bizarre phenomenon she had been documenting for months wasn’t merely a figment of her overactive imagination.

See What I’m Saying  (2008)

Deaf people can do anything but hear. But an all deaf rock band? An international deaf comic famous around the world but unknown to hearing people? A modern day Buster Keaton who teaches at Juilliard but is currently homeless? A hard of hearing singer who is considered “not deaf enough?” “See What I’m Saying” follows the journeys of four extraordinary deaf entertainers over the course of a single year as their stories intertwine and culminate in some of the most important events of their lives.

Seven Worlds, One Planet  (2019)

The latest environmental epic from the BBC’s Natural History Unit was filmed over 1,794 days, with 91 shoots taking place across 41 different countries. But even that doesn’t quite do justice to the sheer scale of this landmark documentary. As the title suggests, this seven-episode series focuses on Earth’s seven continents. The first episode focuses on Antarctica, diving below the sea ice to reveal a thriving, beautiful world.

The Wolfpack  (2015)

Confined to a cramped New York apartment for their entire lives as they were homeschooled, The Wolfpack follows six brothers whose only connection to the outside world were the films their father brought home for them to watch. No. Seriously. With one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting cities right outside their door, the six brothers never saw more than the inside of their apartment for years. But when one of the brothers defies their father’s strict instructions to remain inside, the brothers’ world slowly starts to open up in front of them.

My Kid Could Paint That  (2007)

So you think you’re an artist. When 4-year-old Marie Olmstead’s paint splattered canvases were hailed by critics as prodigious masterpieces, some critics in the art world weren’t entirely convinced. This documentary follows the journey her parents underwent after a news broadcast accused them of fraud, and what steps they took to try and prove that they were telling the truth. Regardless of whether you’re convinced of the toddler’s artistic abilities or not, it’s a fascinating look at what lengths people can go to for their families, as well as the consequences of one too many white lies.

The Pixar Story  (2007)

Pixar changed animated movies forever with the release of Toy Story, which ushered in a new generation of family films that were fun for kids and compelling for adults. This doc offers a look at the team of designers and creatives who made it happen—and is a delightful look at the creative mind.

Cheer  (2020)

You might think it’s “just cheerleading” but what these athletes do to prepare—and dominate will change your mind. The series follows the cheerleading squad at Navarro College in Texas as they prepare for their end-of-year routine.

Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates  (2019)

This 3-part documentary takes viewers through Gates’ upbringing, marriage and the creation of Microsoft. However, what the filmmakers really are exploring is the work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a charity that is on a mission to solve some of the world’s most persistent problems – from battling infectious diseases and child mortality in developing countries to educating vulnerable communities in the US.

Slow TV: Train Ride Bergen To Oslo  (2009)

Got 7 hours and 14 minutes to kill? Well, here’s one of the stranger, most interesting, beautiful ways to do so. It takes seven hours and 14 minutes to get from Bergen to Oslo by train. It’s a slow, meandering route through beautiful, snow-covered mountains and pristine, lake-adorned valleys. The whole journey is filmed from a single camera position fixed to the front of the train – in some respects it’s more of a lullaby than a documentary, but it somehow makes for oddly compelling viewing. Gaze in wonder as droplets of rain run down the window. and gasp as you emerge from a long, dark tunnel to look upon another stunning mountain vista. It’s a wild ride.

The Dawn Wall  (2017)

Climbing film Free Solo may have won an Oscar, but this ascent is equally as gripping. The Dawn Wall follows the journey of two athletes, Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson, as they attempt to scale the 3,000 feet of rock that make-up one side of Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan. The 2015 climb saw both Caldwell and Jorgeson live on the rock for two weeks as they slowly made vertical progress on the first attempted climb of the rock face. As well as charting their death-defying progress, the film also looks back at the years of preparation that went into the effort.

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat  (2018)

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, hosted by the delightful Samin Nosrat, is a charming look into how some of the world’s most inventive dishes are made, from Italy to California. Each of the four episodes explores one of the four elements. This film shows that a good documentary doesn’t have to delve deep into a serious subject. All it needs is the right ingredients to be interesting.

Maiden  (2019)

Maiden is the story of how Tracy Edwards, a 24-year-old cook in charter boats, became the skipper of the first ever all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World in 1989.Although blessed with tremendous self-belief Tracy was also beset by crippling doubts and was only able to make it through with the support of her remarkable crew. With their help she went on to shock the sport world and prove that women are very much the equal of men.

Blindsight  (2006)

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Himalayas, “Blindsight” follows the gripping adventure of six Tibetan teenagers who set out to climb the 23,000-foot Lhakpa Ri on the north side of Mount Everest. The dangerous journey soon becomes a seemingly impossible challenge–made all the more remarkable by the fact that the teenagers are blind. The resulting three-week journey is beyond anything any of them could have predicted.

Ken Burns’ Baseball (1994 – 2010)

There might not be baseball games being played right now, but this will get any sports fan’s heart pumping. The miniseries, like many from Ken Burns, made deft use of still photos, interviews and archival footage to give the past a wonderfully nostalgic air of years truly gone by, and it effectively documented racism’s toll on the national pastime in the first half of the 20th century.

Amazing Grace (2019)

Concert footage from 1972 of Aretha Franklin performing songs from the best-selling gospel album at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

Three Identical Strangers  (2018)

Three strangers are reunited by astonishing coincidence after being born identical triplets, separated at birth, and adopted by three different families. Their jaw-dropping, feel-good story instantly becomes a global sensation complete with fame and celebrity, however, the fairy-tale reunion sets in motion a series of events that unearth an unimaginable secret — a secret with radical repercussions for us all.

Kedi  (2017)

A film about the hundreds of thousands of cats who have roamed the metropolis of Istanbul freely for thousands of years, wandering in and out of people’s lives, impacting them in ways only an animal who lives between the worlds of the wild and the tamed can. Cats and their kittens bring joy and purpose to those they choose, giving people an opportunity to reflect on life and their place in it. In Istanbul, cats are the mirrors to ourselves.