Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction—and often more captivating. While scripted movies offer an escape, documentaries dive into real stories that deserve to be told without dramatization. Over the past decade, the documentary genre has pushed boundaries, exploring daring topics and giving voice to those who fought for change. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer, these 10 films might just convert you.
10. 'Faces Places' (2017)
This French gem follows legendary filmmaker Agnès Varda and street artist JR as they travel through rural France in a van equipped with a portable photo booth. They plaster giant black-and-white portraits of everyday people on barns and buildings, celebrating the forgotten. The heart of the film is the intergenerational bond between the young, camera-obsessed JR and the aging, visually impaired Varda. It's a charming meditation on aging, memory, and the profound beauty of human connection—proof that art can still bring out the good in the world.
9. 'Summer of Soul' (2021)
Directed by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, this electrifying documentary resurrects the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Featuring restored footage of performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, and Sly and the Family Stone, it's a celebration of Black joy, culture, and the healing power of music. Instead of focusing on the decade's dark times, the film highlights pride and community, putting the festival in the context of the Civil Rights movement. With a rhythmic storytelling style and contemporary interviews, it's a masterpiece that deserved its Oscar.
8. 'Collective' (2019)
This devastating documentary follows the aftermath of a 2015 Bucharest nightclub fire that killed 64 people. Director Alexander Nanau exposes systemic corruption in Romania's healthcare system, where diluted disinfectants led to needless deaths. Through parallel tracks—investigative journalists and a reform-minded health minister—the film becomes a gripping look at the importance of a free press and the dangers of political greed. With a fly-on-the-wall approach and no manipulative score, it puts the power in the viewer's hands, showing how journalists and survivors activated social change.
7. 'My Octopus Teacher' (2020)
Don't let the title fool you—this is a delightful documentary. Filmmaker Craig Foster, battling burnout and depression, begins daily freediving in a South African kelp forest. There, he forms a year-long friendship with a wild octopus, learning about the fragility of life and our connection to nature. The underwater cinematography is sensational, and the philosophical lessons are profound. It's a visual meditation that challenges our boundaries between humans and wild animals, inspiring a desire to dive into conservation.
6. 'The Cave' (2019)
Set in war-torn Syria, this documentary follows a group of female doctors running an underground hospital in a besieged area. Known as "The Cave," the facility becomes a symbol of resilience and humanity amid unimaginable horror. The film captures the doctors' courage as they treat wounded civilians while facing constant danger. It's a harrowing but essential look at the cost of war and the power of compassion.
5. 'Dick Johnson Is Dead' (2020)
Director Kirsten Johnson stages her father's death in a series of playful, fictional scenarios to cope with his advancing dementia. This inventive documentary blends reality and fantasy, exploring grief, memory, and the love between a father and daughter. It's both heartbreaking and hilarious, a unique meditation on mortality that celebrates life even as it confronts loss.
4. 'Free Solo' (2018)
This nail-biting documentary follows rock climber Alex Honnold as he attempts to free solo climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park—without ropes or safety gear. The film captures the physical and psychological intensity of the feat, while also exploring Honnold's personality and relationships. It's a breathtaking achievement in filmmaking and a testament to human determination.
3. 'The Social Dilemma' (2020)
This eye-opening documentary explores the dangerous impact of social media on society, featuring interviews with former tech executives and engineers. It reveals how algorithms manipulate users, spread misinformation, and contribute to mental health issues. With a mix of documentary and dramatized scenes, it's a wake-up call about the hidden costs of our digital lives.
2. '13th' (2016)
Ava DuVernay's powerful documentary examines the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States. The title refers to the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery but allowed for involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. Through interviews and archival footage, the film argues that the prison system has become a new form of racial control. It's a must-watch for understanding systemic inequality.
1. 'Won't You Be My Neighbor?' (2018)
This heartwarming documentary celebrates the life and legacy of Fred Rogers, the beloved host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. It explores his gentle philosophy of kindness, empathy, and the importance of addressing children's emotions. Through interviews and archival clips, the film shows how Rogers used television to teach compassion and confront difficult topics. It's a reminder of the power of simple human decency—and a fitting number one for this list.
For more on the best of entertainment, check out our rankings of The 10 Greatest Thrillers Ever Made and Top 10 Sci-Fi Movie Masterpieces of the Last 50 Years.
