Documentaries have the power to transport us into worlds we never knew existed, to show us truths we never considered, and to change how we see our own lives. From the dedication of a sushi master to the shocking realities of marine life in captivity, these films will challenge your perspectives and stay with you long after the credits roll. Prepare to be informed, moved, and inspired by these extraordinary true stories.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a beautifully crafted documentary about Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old sushi master in Tokyo who runs a small but world-renowned restaurant. The film explores his lifelong dedication to perfecting his craft, offering a quiet, meditative look at discipline, passion, and excellence. You should watch it for its stunning visuals, inspiring message, and insight into the relentless pursuit of mastery.
Searching for Sugar Man
Searching for Sugar Man is a documentary about Sixto Rodriguez, a forgotten American musician whose songs unknowingly became a cultural phenomenon in apartheid era South Africa. Two fans set out to uncover what happened to him, leading to an inspiring and emotional journey of rediscovery.
Crip Camp
Crip Camp is a powerful documentary about a summer camp for teens with disabilities in the 1970s that became a launching point for a civil rights movement. Through personal stories and rare archival footage, the film shows how a sense of community sparked activism that led to landmark disability rights legislation.
Shoah
Claude Lanzmann directed this 9 hour documentary on the Holocaust without using a single frame of archive footage. He interviews survivors, witnesses, and ex-Nazis (whom he had to film secretly since they only agreed to be interviewed by audio). His style of interviewing, by asking for the most minute details, is effective at adding up these details to give a horrifying portrait of the events of Nazi genocide. Available as two parts 'Shoah: First era' and Shoah: Second era' due to its 9 hour length.
Blackfish
Blackfish is a gripping documentary that exposes the dark side of keeping orcas in captivity, focusing on Tilikum, a performing whale involved in the deaths of several trainers. Through shocking footage and emotional interviews, it reveals the psychological and physical toll on these intelligent animals and the ethical failures of marine parks. The film sparked a global outcry and became a turning point in the fight for animal rights.
The Cove
The Cove follows activist Ric O'Barry as he investigates the secret dolphin hunts in Taiji, Japan, where dolphins are driven into a hidden cove. Some are sold to marine parks for high prices; the rest are slaughtered for meat, despite toxic mercury levels. The team uses hidden cameras, night missions, and drones to expose the killings. The documentary also criticizes the Japanese government's cover-up and the dolphin captivity industry. It won an Oscar and sparked global awareness, though the hunts still continue.
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
Dear Zachary is a deeply emotional documentary created by filmmaker Kurt Kuenne in memory of his murdered friend, Andrew Bagby. The film is a tribute to Andrew for his son, Zachary, who was born after Andrew's death. The documentary also uncovers a tragic twist when Zachary and his mother, Shirley Turner, die in a murder-suicide. It explores themes of love, loss, and justice, leaving a lasting emotional impact.
Icarus
Icarus is a gripping documentary that starts as a personal experiment in sports doping and transforms into an explosive expose of Russia's state sponsored doping program.
The fog of War
The Fog of War is a documentary featuring Robert S. McNamara, who served as U.S. Secretary of Defense under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Through his reflections, the film explores the moral complexities of war, especially during World War II, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Vietnam War.