Top 30 Meaningful Documentaries You Should Watch

Into the Inferno, a documentary by director Werner Herzog, takes you on a journey around the world using drone footage and aerial cinematography. The film follows a group of individuals exploring volcanoes worldwide and delves into the rituals of people in different regions. Balancing breathtaking natural scenes with profound philosophical discourse, this documentary enhances our understanding of the vastness of nature and the cultural diversity of humanity in various regions.

The renowned documentary Weiner gains its acclaim through its dramatic storytelling about a flawed hero's journey. This documentary carries a highly personal touch, offering an intimate portrait following the protagonist's triumph in the political arena after a scandalous incident. It leaves an indelible mark, portraying a classic narrative of the admirable wife, Huma Abedin, in the wake of the main character, Weiner. The film provides a genuine insight into the human aspect and the undiscovered depths within the soul, exploring profound aspects buried deep within.

The documentary film, The Birth of Saké, directed by the talented Japanese-American filmmaker Erik Shirai, has earned acclaim for its aesthetically pleasing minimalism capturing the beauty of Japan in every frame. The film closely follows a 144-year-old sake brewery in Japan—one of the few ancient, profit-making, traditional breweries still in existence. It portrays a series of artistically elevated scenes from highly ritualistic ceremonies. The film was shot using Sony F3 and F5 camera systems.

Fire at Sea, produced by director Gianfranco Rosi, opens with the story of a young boy on a European island. This documentary takes us on a journey that could only be portrayed in recent narrative films to best capture the innocence of viewers about the refugee crisis in Europe. The boys featured in this documentary represent the epitome of the audience's innocence regarding the European refugee crisis. What sets this documentary apart from others is the absence of traditional narration or any interviews; instead, it unfolds like a cinematic journey.

The Dangerous Life of John McAfee, directed by Nanette Burstein, is a narrative documentary about the life of John McAfee, a renowned programmer who developed antivirus software. He faced accusations of murder and subsequently went on the run. The film explores the coincidences or intentions of the filmmaker with McAfee's run for the U.S. Presidency, leaving it open-ended. After producing this film, Burstein began receiving threats related to her work on the documentary. Unlike other documentaries, this film has a cinematic quality and is more dramatic due to its staged elements.

Making a Murderer unfolds the story of the documentary's central figure, Steve Avery, who, after 18 wrongful years in prison, complies behind bars for charges of attempted murder and sexual assault. Steve Avery, a robust and sturdy individual with an IQ below 75, has a checkered past with numerous petty crimes. Living in a socially isolated family with dubious relatives, he was pushed into a life of crime. Upon release, he is determined to turn his life around.

The Eagle Huntress is more than just a conventional documentary; it is a visually compelling narrative about an inspiring journey. The central figure is a 13-year-old Mongolian girl, beautiful and passionate, defying societal norms to pursue falconry. Despite the opposition from elders who disapprove of females engaging in falconry, her father, a skilled eagle hunter, approves and imparts all the skills to her. The film showcases impressive scenes from a wild expedition, masterfully captured by director Otto Bell.

Human Planet, consisting of 8 episodes, follows the success of Blue Planet and Planet Earth, produced by BBC. This documentary explores the extraordinary abilities of humans, their exceptional intelligence, and their survival strategies in the harshest environments. Humans directly confront incredibly challenging aspects of nature, facing predatory animals and adapting to extreme conditions for survival.

The World Of War, directed by Thames Television, draws inspiration from the context of World War II, narrating the causes, events, and consequences of this immensely devastating war. Through this documentary, hidden secrets in Germany and Japan are revealed, such as strategies to deal with Hitler, life under the fascist dictatorship, and the exposure of the Jewish population.

Jane Fonda, an American actress, author, social activist, fashion model, and fitness guru, born in 1937, is a two-time Oscar winner. In 2014, she was honored with the AFI Life Achievement Award.

The significant contributions of Jane Fonda, not only to the film industry but also to society from 1959 to the present, are portrayed in the documentary film 'Jane Fonda In Five Acts.' This will undoubtedly be a great source of inspiration for those passionate about the acting profession.

BBC’s Planet Earth is the first part of a documentary series exploring the journey of discovery around our planet. Our Earth is known to be the most beautiful and miraculous planet in the solar system. Therefore, the producers of the documentary series 'Planet Earth' spent a whole 5 years filming it to celebrate the beauty of nature. The 11-episode series showcases different locations on Earth, such as mountains, deserts, seas, and dense forests, providing viewers with a virtual global tour.

Dirty Money is a documentary series that delves into the political and corrupt practices of companies, including Wall Street financial firms. The series consists of six episodes, each lasting one hour, and was streamed on Netflix on January 26, 2018.

Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney boldly explores this sensitive topic in the complex world of Wall Street financial 'predators,' government, and more through interviews with key figures in each story.

Love, Gilda is a documentary about Gilda Radner – the most beloved American comedian of her generation, one of the original seven cast members of NBC's first-ever Saturday Night Live comedy show.

She was born in 1946 and passed away in 1989. Vintage footage, excerpts from magazines, and reminiscences of those who knew and loved Gilda... authentically reflect the life and portrait of the funny, cheerful but tragically short-lived comedian due to ovarian cancer.

A few years ago, a peculiar case puzzled the entire United States when Rachel Dolezal, originally a white woman, was mistaken for a black woman for several years in the town of Spokane, Washington. Concurrently, she was an American civil rights activist.

As local interviews about her spread, discussions and debates surrounding Rachel Dolezal forced many Americans to ponder the issue of one's right to choose their identity. All those pressing issues are somewhat reflected in the documentary film The Rachel Divide.

Wild Wild Country is a Netflix documentary about the Indian spiritual teacher Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, his personal assistant Ma Anand Sheela, and their followers in the Rajneeshpuram community in Wasco County, Oregon.

The documentary was nominated for the TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement In News And Information by the Television Critics Association. Wild Wild Country provides a genuine look into America and serves as a reminder as the trend of forgetting history becomes increasingly prevalent in our society.

The journey of reunion after years of separation for three identical triplets adopted by different families at birth is the story of the documentary Three Identical Strangers. Director Tim Wardle explores and recounts how Robert Shafran, Edward Galland, and David Kellman found each other at the age of 19 and discovered the mystery of their separation.

This impressive documentary was honored with the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Storytelling at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.

Mc Queen is a documentary about the late renowned fashion designer Alexander McQueen. His immense talent and dedication to the global fashion industry are undeniable. His innovative silhouettes, unique material manipulations, exquisite colors, and creativity showcased his masterful transformations that left designers worldwide in awe. Not only did he draw attention to his career, but his death in 2010 also brought infinite sorrow to the fashion industry.

After watching the Mc Queen documentary, you will undoubtedly gain personal insights into life, humanity, talent, and the fashion profession through the conveyed messages of this fashion documentary.

Fred Rogers, the host and creator of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, is the central figure in the documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor?. Officially released in the United States on June 8, 2018, this documentary will evoke a range of emotions, from humor to heartbreak, and convey a meaningful message: reminding us not to forget the mission of bringing goodness to the world.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? received acclaim from critics and audiences in the United States, grossing $22 million and becoming the highest-grossing biographical documentary of all time.

RGB is a term about color in the printing and photography industry, but the content of this documentary is not about that. Instead, the RGB documentary focuses on the life and career of Ruth Bader Ginsburg – a Supreme Court Justice of the United States Supreme Court within the American Judicial Association.

The film depicts the biography of Ruth Bader from her birth in Brooklyn, through college, becoming a law professor, appointed as a federal judge by President Jimmy Carter, to being appointed to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton. After its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival 2018, the film was widely released on May 4, 2018, in the United States.

Joan Jett – a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and also an American actress who has endured notoriety in the public eye for many decades. But is she truly a bad character? The documentary Bad Reputation provides an authentic glimpse into Joan Jett's life.

The film also features the participation of famous contemporaries such as Iggy Pop, Billie Joe Armstrong, Kathleen Hanna, joining forces with this female artist to recount the ups and downs in her musical journey.

When the film Seeing Allred premiered on January 21, 2018, the #MeToo movement in the U.S. was still at its peak. The movie narrates the journey of women's rights attorney Gloria Rachel Allred, representing her client Summer Zervos against U.S. President Donald Trump for alleged sexual harassment.

The film traces Allred's career through pivotal events in her struggle, not only for her clients but also for the voices of women worldwide.

Casting JonBenet explores a crime from 1990 that remains unsolved, with the true culprit yet to be brought to light. In this documentary, various actors are being cast for the roles of key individuals involved in the murder of 6-year-old JonBenét Ramsey.

The mother, father, siblings, police officers, and many others all dress alike, given the freedom to act, express, and speculate about the murder that shook the entire nation.

We all know Whitney Houston – the incredibly talented singer whose impact resonates through the annals of American music. Whitney Houston's talent is undeniable. This multifaceted artist found success not only as a singer but also excelled in songwriting, music production, acting, modeling, and more. In 2009, the Guinness World Records recognized her as the Most Awarded Female Artist of All Time.

However, her life seemed not as stellar. On February 11, 2012, Whitney Houston was found dead in her suite at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, California. The cause of death was drowning in the bathtub, exacerbated by a heart attack and drug use. Coincidentally, news of her death coincided with the 2012 Grammy Awards, sending shockwaves through the American media and the world. The documentary film Whitney serves as a vivid stream of memories commemorating the life of this incredibly talented artist.

This Netflix documentary delves into the complex case of the murder of young Meredith Kircher. In 2007, Amanda Knox, an American exchange student and roommate of the victim, was later accused. At only 20 years old, she was convicted and spent four years in an Italian prison for a murder she did not commit.

With a gripping combination of archival footage and interviews with those involved, Amanda is ready to share her story with the world.

Prepare for a shocking tale of an evidence-lacking crime. This film takes viewers back several decades to 1976 amidst the mesmerizing landscapes of Iceland. In that year, two men disappeared without a trace. What happens when a case demands culprits, even if falsely accused? In no time, six individuals confessed to the unexpectedly mysterious crime.

Aileen Wuornos, the notorious serial killer, departed this planet with a story yet to be fully illuminated.

In Monster, Aileen, a streetwalker, took the lives of 7 men. After her arrest, she spent 10 years on death row before facing execution in 2002.

With an authentic approach to events and close-up investigations, this documentary takes us inside the courtroom, providing a profound look into the life and death of Aileen Wuornos.

Marsha, an African American queen and activist, fought for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Despite facing challenging situations, she always exuded vitality.

On July 6, 1992, she was found dead in a river, unraveling a mysterious case in need of investigation.

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson, with archival footage and interviews, gradually unveils the truths behind Marsha P. Johnson's death.

Cartel Land is a complex documentary about drug cartels in Mexico and the Mexico-U.S. border. The film follows Dr. Jose Mirele, who decides to combat the cartels by forming a vigilante group, Autodefensas. This group is a response to both the drug cartels and corrupt government officials.

Director Matthew Heineman successfully portrays a documentary with bold and captivating themes that engage the audience.

Cave of Forgotten Dreams is a journey to explore the oldest surviving art in the Chauvet Cave in southern France. The cave paintings, estimated to be around 32,000 years old, vividly depict the surrounding environment.

Despite only a three-person film crew due to legal restrictions in France, Herzog creates a captivating view of the early artistic works of modern humans.

Vivian Maier, once a nanny, gained fame with over 100,000 personally captured and stored photographs.

By delving into the reasons why this photographer kept her work a secret, Siskel and Malagger have created a stunning, suspenseful documentary. An engaging and captivating documentary about this mysterious woman is a delight for art enthusiasts.