Top 20 Best Documentaries of the Century (So Far)

Few documentaries have the impact of “An Inconvenient Truth.” The movie, which chronicles Al Gore’s attempts at raising awareness about global warming, was a massive success in 2006. It won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature and made the climate change phenomena a worldwide talking point. As its title suggests, it introduced many horrific truths to millions of people, and is currently shown in schools around the world. In a joint poll by Oxford University and The Nielsen Company, 74% of respondents said they had altered their daily habits to help curb the ongoing issue. In many ways, “An Inconvenient Truth” helped change the world.

On July 23, 2011, singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse tragically passed away from alcohol poisoning at the age of twenty-seven. Four years later, producer James Gay-Rees released “Amy,” a documentary chronicling her life and unfortunate battles with substance abuse. The documentary touches on many fascinating subjects, including fame, addiction, and the power of music. It also portrays Winehouse as a richly human and ultimately tragic figure. “Amy” is a celebration of an icon, but it also doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of celebrity. It’s all the better, and all the more memorable, for it.

Who knew the 2008 financial crisis could be so entertaining? It’s led to a slew of great material, among them the Oscar-winning “The Big Short.” “Inside Job” documents the financial crisis in detail, and like “The Big Short,” it does so with ease. It’s hard to make complex Wall Street finances easy to understand for the common viewer, and it’s even harder to make it enjoyable to watch. Luckily, “Inside Job” does exactly that. The documentary presents its material with confidence, and its hostile tone is perfect for tearing down (or attempting to tear down) the corrupt financial systems at play. It’s certainly not easy viewing, but it’s essential for anyone with a modicum of interest in finances or the historic crisis.

Produced and directed by Josh Aronson, “Sound and Fury” is a gorgeous documentary about the deaf community. It follows an extended family that suffers from deafness. Brothers Peter and Chris Artinian have deaf children, and they both learn about the possibility of cochlear implants. They and their extended family begin arguing about the benefits of the surgery, the importance of the deaf community, and what getting an implant would mean for the proud deaf culture. The documentary depicts a nuanced debate about a sensitive topic, and does so through the portrayal of a likable and sympathetic family. It has something important to say, and says it with unbridled emotion.

Mass surveillance is one of the biggest talking points of the current generation, and it’s terrifyingly depicted in “Citizenfour.” Part documentary, part political thriller, “Citizenfour” follows Edward Snowden’s whistleblowing of the NSA spying scandal. The documentary has a very “fly on the wall” approach, with producer Laura Poitras meeting Snowden in a Hong Kong hotel room and learning firsthand of the surveillance’s extent. Along the way, Snowden attempts to acquire asylum, and Poitras grows paranoid about being watched. The documentary doesn’t only reveal horrifying truths about government overreach, but does so while presenting a very real and very exciting political spy thriller. There’s no other documentary like it.

Watching “Dear Zachary” is an exercise in frustration, and it certainly tests one’s emotional limits. The doc began as a home movie by Kurt Kuenne, who wished to memorialize his friend Andrew Bagby for Bagby’s son, Zachary. Bagby was killed before Zachary was born, and his ex-girlfriend Shirley Turner became the prime suspect. The story goes in many unexpected directions, and the documentary slowly takes on a bigger and much more substantial life than Kuenne could have possibly envisioned. What begins as a normal home movie honoring a loved one quickly spirals into a heartbreaking tale about mental illness and legal injustice. It’s emotional, it’s powerful, and it’s utterly confounding.

This is a fascinating documentary both about rock climbing and the documentary process itself. Made by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, “Free Solo” chronicles Alex Honnold’s attempt to climb Yosemite’s El Capitan without the use of traditional climbing equipment. This is what the climbing community refers to as a “free solo climb.” The documentary is also about the documentary itself, as the filmmakers discuss things like how to film Honnold without distracting him or interfering in the climb. This unique concoction makes “Free Solo” a refreshing viewing experience, and both the filmmaking and athletic feats on display are nothing short of astounding.

A creative mix between documentary and video diary, “This Is Not a Film” was shot by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. Back in March of 2010, Panahi was arrested owing to the content of his films and the government charged him with creating propaganda. Panahi was banned from filmmaking and sentenced to house arrest, and it was here that he made “This Is Not a Film.” Partially shot on an iPhone, the documentary chronicles Panahi’s daily life under house arrest and his thoughts on modern Iranian cinema. Because he was not allowed to make films, “This Is Not a Film” was secretly recorded and smuggled out of Iran on a flash drive. It’s a captivating little documentary about an artist who refuses to be silenced.

Produced and directed by Errol Morris, “The Fog of War” serves as an intimate look into the life and personal philosophies of former Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara. McNamara served under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson and was one of the primary architects of the Vietnam War. This documentary consists of archival footage and a twenty-hour interview with an eighty-five-year-old McNamara. The result is a tantalizing glimpse into one of modern history’s most divisive military figures. It’s both a humanizing story, a treatise on war, and a firsthand glance into the complexities of managing Vietnam.

A cute French documentary, “Faces Places” was created by artists Agnès Varda and JR. The two embark on a trip across rural France and visit numerous small towns, where they proceed to take portraits of the residents. The documentary is many things at once, and it’s a masterpiece because of it. It’s a charming ode to art, the creation process, and the ways in which it brings people together. It’s also a cute road trip movie about two friends, and it’s all bound by the undeniable communal power of small town living. It’s a documentary about communities, both of the artistic and personal varieties.

Arguably Michael Moore’s masterpiece, “Bowling for Columbine” was released three years after the infamous school shooting. In the documentary that made Moore an international star, he explores the nature of violence, the reasons behind Columbine, and the enthusiastic gun culture within the United States. The documentary raises a number of difficult questions surrounding gun violence, many of which were only beginning to be asked around the turn of the millennium. “Bowling for Columbine” also features a number of exceptional sequences, like Moore receiving a hunting rifle from a bank and taking two Columbine survivors to Kmart to refund the bullets lodged in their bodies. No one wants to think about teen violence, but Moore forces us to face the issue head-on with his outstanding documentary.

Back in 2002, an Afghan taxi driver named Dilawar was taken to an American military complex in Afghanistan and tortured for several days, as he was falsely suspected of participating in a rocket attack. Dilawar eventually passed away from his extensive injuries, leaving behind a wife and daughter. Fifteen American soldiers were charged with his mistreatment and death, many of whom were subsequently acquitted. Five years after Dilawar’s passing, “Taxi to the Dark Side” was released chronicling his unfortunate experience. The film not only explores his personal story, but also American torture policy and the glorification of torture in film and television. Many wars receive exceptional documentaries, and for the War on Terror, that documentary is “Taxi to the Dark Side.”

Werner Herzog has directed many wonderful documentaries, including “Into the Abyss” and “Grizzly Man.” The mere presence of his name is a stamp of guaranteed quality. But perhaps his finest work is 2010’s “Cave of Forgotten Dreams,” which chronicles the majesty and history of Chauvet Cave. Found in southeastern France, Chauvet Cave contains world-famous prehistoric art, with many animal paintings going back 30,000 years. The art is some of the oldest ever discovered, and Herzog interviews the likes of historians and scientists to help portray the importance of the site. The 3D photography also proves breathtakingly gorgeous, accurately capturing the subtle contours of the cave that the painters utilized in their art.

Not much is known about street artist Banksy, but he is the person behind “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” a documentary about the wonders and joys of street art. The film follows Mr. Brainwash (real name Thierry Guetta), an LA-based street artist who took major inspiration and guidance from Banksy. Banksy even appears in the film, his face and voice obscured to protect his identity. “Exit Through the Gift Shop” is not only an intimate glimpse into the world of street art, but it contains a fascinating protagonist in Mr. Brainwash, who helps guide us through the interesting subculture with humanity and incredible passion.

In 2009, a documentary titled “The Cove” was released, which details Japanese dolphin hunting. It was a big hit and seemed to kick off a string of similar documentaries, one of which was 2013’s “Blackfish.” “Blackfish” concerns itself with captive killer whales, and its theme is told through the personal story of SeaWorld Orlando’s Tilikum. The documentary argues that captivity breeds violence and resentment within the killer whales, and it uses Tilikum as an example, as he was involved in three separate deaths throughout his time as a show whale. While the documentary is exceptionally hard to watch, it is essential viewing for anyone interested in animal rights, and helped permanently tarnish the legacy of SeaWorld and other similar attractions.

Like Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “They Shall Not Grow Old” is a perfect marriage of breathtaking filmmaking and heartfelt storytelling. The documentary serves as a personal glimpse into World War I, using primarily unseen footage sourced from the archives of the Imperial War Museum. Jackson and his team of talented filmmakers cleaned up and colorized the footage while fixing the old-timey frame rate. And by adding realistic sound effects in post, they were able to enliven and modernize century-old film footage. Never before has the First World War been displayed so personally and so beautifully, and the documentary proves Jackson once again as one of the leading filmmaking talents of our time.

Even if you couldn’t care less about sushi, “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” proves an engrossing documentary. It follows Jiro Ono, a Japanese chef who is world-renowned for his delightful sushi. Not only did he innovate various forms of sushi preparation, but he owns and operates Sukiyabashi Jiro, which was the first sushi restaurant to receive three Michelin stars. The documentary is a humanizing glimpse into the life of a sushi master, following his revelatory practices, devoted family, and restaurant management. For many, good food is a form of art. And with this beautiful documentary, Jiro’s art has been captured for posterity. Watching it is almost as good as one of his rolls. Almost.

Ironically named after the Thirteenth Amendment, “13th” makes the argument that slavery has continued into the 21st century through various targetings of the African American community. These include the war on drugs, mass incarceration of African Americans, and convict leasing. The startling documentary was created by “Selma’s” Ava DuVernay, who peppers it with many tragic personal tales and some horrifying statistics. It makes many convincing arguments while telling its story, and it experienced a surge in popularity and topicality in the midst of the George Floyd protests. “13th” is a harrowing documentary about the seemingly endless racial tensions in America, and it is tinged with both sorrow and regret.

On the morning of August 7, 1974, French high-wire artist Philippe Petit made eight trips between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. He was over 1,300 feet in the air, and while the towers were still under construction, Petit was technically trespassing and was arrested following the event. Luckily, these charges were dropped on the condition that Petit perform in Central Park. This brilliant high wire act is captured and dramatized in James Marsh’s “Man on Wire.” The documentary tells its engrossing story through a variety of methods, including dramatizations, archival footage, and retrospective interviews with those involved. “Man on Wire” is captivating, telling a thrilling story about one of New York’s greatest performance pieces.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Super Size Me” (2004)
A Very Popular Documentary About the Dangers of Fast Food

“Food, Inc.” (2008)
A Shocking Glimpse Into the Agribusiness & Nasty Farming Practices

“Waltz with Bashir” (2008)
A Gorgeous Concoction of Animation, Documentary, & War Drama

“I Am Not Your Negro” (2016)
Detailing the History of Racism in America From an Unfinished James Baldwin Manuscript

“Icarus” (2017)
An Eye-Opening and Thrillingly-Told Glimpse Into an International Doping Scandal

Filmmaker Joshua Oppenheimer is dedicated to the Indonesian genocide of 1965 and ‘66, and has made two documentaries about the grotesque subject. The second was 2014’s “The Look of Silence,” which serves as a fantastic companion piece to the iconic original. The hardest stories make for the greatest documentaries, and this is proven by “The Act of Killing.” Oppenheimer’s documentary primarily follows Anwar Congo, an Indonesian gangster who was personally active in the genocide. He’s asked by Oppenheimer to recount his experiences through the expression of film, and he subsequently tells horrifying stories through various styles of home movies. The documentary features both a unique structure and a perplexing villain protagonist who grapples with his violent past. It’s unlike anything else.