Top 10 Most Shocking Celebrity Documentaries You Need to Watch

True to its title, director Marina Zenovich’s film does its absolute best to determine what made comedic genius Williams, who took his own life in 2014, tick. Along the way, the audience hears from Williams’ friends, family, and coworkers, who describe Williams as being the consummate showman in public — yet shy and quiet in his most personal moments. Most heartbreakingly of all, we learn about the legendary comedian’s troubled final years, which saw him struggle with diagnoses for both Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. Williams’ efforts to put on a brave face while concealing his illnesses go a long way in humanizing a beloved giant of a man.

Model and actress Smith was controversial for the majority of her 39 years — and from early on, too. Smith, born Vickie Lynn Hogan in 1967, married 89-year-old billionaire J. Howard Marshall in 1994. This led Smith, who had been named Playboy’s 1993 Playmate of the Year, to public scrutiny, as well as accusations of gold digging. Further scandals ensued over the years, such as Smith’s battle to claim what she felt she was owed from Marshall’s estate, as well as the tragic passing of her son Daniel — shortly before her own. Ursula Macfarlane’s “You Don’t Know Me” attempts to untangle Smith’s relationship with scandal, and serves as a helpful primer for those who wish to learn more about Smith’s life.

Is this the most consequential one second in the history of live broadcasting? While the jury is out on that particular accolade, it’s inarguable that the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show had farther-reaching consequences than anyone could possibly have imagined. “Malfunction” was released as an edition of “The New York Times Presents,” which had previously been a vessel for the widely-publicized “Framing Britney Spears” documentary. The doc breaks down the intense controversy that followed in the wake of “Nipplegate,” as well as shocking new allegations that Justin Timberlake had helped to engineer the stunt — as a means of getting back at Britney Spears.

Based on Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian’s 2018 book “Tiger Woods,” this two-part HBO doc focuses on the life and career of the man some have deemed the greatest golfer of all time. Directors Matthew Heineman and Matthew Hamachek painstakingly piece together a version of the iconic athlete’s life — that is, without Woods’ input. Despite this setback, “Tiger” will leave your jaw on the floor for multiple reasons. Heineman and Hamachek’s docuseries truly puts you in Woods’ golf shoes: from the crushing pressure his father placed on him to succeed, to the overwhelming media scrutiny he faced in the wake of multiple extramarital affairs in the late 2000s, “Tiger” shines an uncomfortable spotlight on the dark side of celebrity.

Documentary filmmaker Erin Lee Carr was among the first prominent voices in the media to examine the pop superstar’s controversial conservatorship. Over the course of two years, Lee Carr researched the arrangement, and “Britney vs Spears” demonstrates that her efforts paid off. While the documentary itself received polarized reviews, particularly with regard to its approach, its focus on exposing Spears’ conservatorship as inhumane was the subject of praise. Writing for IndieWire, Kristen Lopez lauded “Britney vs Spears” as “[feeling] like a movie not searching for scandal but a genuine desire to help, to say something to Spears, to remind us why we love her and how we failed her.”

The media circus surrounding this acrimonious celeb divorce, between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, birthed this British mini-docuseries. Produced for the UK’s Channel 4 and distributed worldwide by Netflix, “Depp v. Heard” eschews the interviews and talking heads normally associated with documentary and instead opts for a bird’s eye view account of the events leading up to, during, and following the competing defamation trials of Depp and Heard. “Depp v. Heard” ultimately received mixed-to-negative reviews, but proves rewarding for those seeking to learn more about the case, as well as those who need their fix of juicy celeb drama. A fair word of warning: its ugly moments can get really ugly.

Aired over the course of two March evenings in 2022, “Phoenix Rising” follows Evan Rachel Wood as she attempts to initiate legal reform surrounding domestic violence cases in California. Specifically, the documentary highlights Wood’s efforts to get the Phoenix Act off of the ground: the proposed bill would extend the statute of limitations afforded to those affected by assault. Wood unfortunately had first-hand experience that led to her activism; that would be her tumultuous relationship with now-disgraced rock musician Marilyn Manson, whom she accused of several kinds of abuse. “Phoenix Rising” documents Wood’s healing process as she comes to terms with the trauma and hardships she faced while involved with Manson — while demonstrating how difficult that process can be.

As you might’ve pieced together by now, the early 2020s were marked by a flood of documentary films and series that highlighted serial abusers and efforts to have them apprehended and brought to justice. Likely the result of public interest in the

King of Pop Michael Jackson’s stunning fall from grace in the early 1990s will surely be studied for decades. The world of the uber-talented multi-hyphenate was rocked by scandal when he was accused of inappropriate relations with young boys, a mark on his squeaky-clean public image that haunted Jackson for the rest of his life until his untimely 2009 passing. “Leaving Neverland” specifically chronicles claims of abuse touted by Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who both allege that the “Billie Jean” singer took advantage of them, leading to lifelong trauma. The documentary was subject to heavy backlash at the time of its release: this ranged from protests by Jackson’s fans, to legal action against HBO for airing it. Watch it and decide for yourself.

“Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields”
Shields Opens Up About Surviving Hollywood As a Child Star

“Kid 90”
“Punky Brewster” Star Soleil Moon Frye Unveils Her Heartrending Home Movies

“Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck”
The Inner Turmoil of the Legendary Nirvana Frontman, Expressed in His Own Words

“Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond”
Jim Carrey Went to (Almost) Career-Ending Lengths to Embody Andy Kaufman

“Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me”
A Raw, Unfiltered Look Into What It Means to Be Extremely Famous

Possibly the most impactful documentary on our list, this Lifetime series is credited with almost single-handedly ending R&B star Kelly’s 30-year recording career. And that’s not without good reason — the singer was charged with and subsequently arrested on federal racketeering and human trafficking charges. “Surviving R. Kelly” reignited public interest in Kelly’s scandal-ridden years in showbusiness, leading to further legal investigations which eventually resulted in his conviction. Although its contents are harrowing, “Surviving R. Kelly” is a painfully effective reminder of the ways that systemic injustices persevere and fester.

What’s the most shocking celebrity documentary you’ve seen? Are there any we missed? Let us know in the comments!