We love a binge watch, especially one of the variety where you learn something from the hours spent on the couch. Documentaries are the educational, fascinating, tangent-inducing features and series' that get us talking and thinking about topics we may not usually seek out. While a definitive list of the best documentaries appears a daunting task, we've tried our hardest to narrow it down to the cream of the crop in our guide. Across 10 categories we had to narrow it down somehow these are 20 of the best documentaries to add to. your watch lists over the coming weeks.
Accompany your viewing of McQueen with a box of tissues as you will be taken on a journey from the designers young years through to his death. With commentary from fashion industry insiders and an in-depth exploration of how McQueen cut his teeth at Saville Row, his interpolation of technology into his work and creative directorship at Givenchy.
Valentino Garavani has lived numerous lives within his 90 years, from dressing Jackie Kennedy in the 60s, Naomi Campbell in the 90s and still remaining an industry icon to this day. Valentino: The Last Emperor follows Garavani as he prepares to retire from designing in 2007, the lead up to his final show and the interest of a global corporation in purchasing the House. Featuring many fantastic moments with Giancarlo Giametti, Co-Founder of Valentino.
A four-part series where each episode is feature-length, Get Back is the ultimate immersive experience in understanding the final days of The Beatles as they were. Its George Harrison quitting the band and Paul McCartney concocting the tune of Get Back in mere moments. Its John Lennons mastery and eccentricity on show, and Ringo Starrs fantastic wardrobe rotation for all to fawn over, and truly one of the best music documentaries ever produced.
Amy Winehouses career as an artist continues to live on in the playlists of many, her ability to sing cross-genre unique to the singer. In Amy, we hear insights from those closest to Winehouse, including her producer Mark Ronson, and view intimate footage of Winehouse from her childhood through to her final days.
A Compilation of the best documentaries would not be complete without a mention to Sir David Attenborough. In Life on Our Planet, Attenborough discusses how humanities destruction of nature may one day render the planet degraded and barren, uninhabitable and biodiversity populations will crash. While this doesnt sound the most uplifting a documentary, it is a prescient and timely account of what is likely to happen if we dont take immediate climate action.
A multi-series documentary rather than a standalone feature, Professor Brian Coxs Wonders of the Universe is an ideal choice for those with a penchant for stargazing and musing on worlds outside of our own. Discussing various parts of the universe, the series looks at the nature of time, human life cycles and the effect of gravity across the universe.
Released in the first half of 2022, The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes takes a similar format to the Andy Warhol Diaries through employing archival footage of the actor alongside reenacted scenes to emulate her experiences. It focusses on the life and untimely death of Monroe, and how she continues to be a cultural icon.
Featuring insights from filmmakers including Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson and David Fincher, Hitchcock/Truffaut centres on Truffauts book of the same title and its impact on cinema. The French New Wave director interviewed Hitchcock over eight days in 1962 at the Universal Studios offices while composing the text. First screened at the 2015 Toronto Film Festival, the feature is narrated by Bob Balaban.
A four-part series, Bobby Kennedy for President follows is 83-day-long campaign for presidency, cut short by his assassination in June 1968. The series examines the Bobby Phenomenon of the 1960s and the influence Kennedy still has decades after his death. Kennedy confidantes and staffers offer intimate insights through the series.
Dame Helen Mirren retraces the life of Anne Frank through the pages of her diary and the lives of five women who were also deported to concentration camps as young girls, yet escaped.
Whatever Ryan Murphy touches turns to gold, and the Andy Warhol Diaries is no different. The documentary series employs an AI bot to provide the voice of Warhol himself, reading aloud passages from his diary, as scribed by Pat Hackett. Featuring insights from Jeff Deitch, Bob Colacello and Hackett herself, the series is a harrowing account of Warhols later years and his death.
Following the renowned performance artist Marina Abramovic while she is preparing for a retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Furthermore, the documentary explores how the Serbian artist redefined the understanding of her medium and how she continues to permeate the zeitgeist today.
This 2017 documentary film chronicles Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, both prominent figures in the gay liberation and transgender rights movement in New York City from the 60s to the 90s. Centring on Victoria Cruzs investigation into Johnsons death in 1992, it is a harrowing account of what was initially ruled a suicide by police despite suspicious circumstances.
An iconic exercise in documentary filmmaking, Paris is Burning focuses on New York Citys 1980s drag queens, their houses and the fashion balls still legendary in contemporary drag culture. The film also tackles pressing issues including racism and poverty and the shunning many queens faced socially as a result of performing and is one of the best documentaries produced.
One of the most well-known lawyers in the history of the United States, this 2019 documentary looks at the career of Roy Cohn and its trajectory from working with Senator Joseph McCarthy to future President Donald Trump. The title itself is alleged to be taken from a Trump quote, as he discussed Attorney general Jeff Sessions recusal from the Mueller Investigation.
Focussing on the 2018 American Congressional midterm elections, Knock Down the House looks at four women who challenged powerful incumbents and won, one of the best documentaries in providing insight to the monumental victories. These include Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amy Vilela, Cori Bush and Paula Jean Swearengin, all who had no corporate support and pulled off a significant upset.
Utilising archival footage and audio recordings of interviews with serial killer and rapist Ted Bundy, Conversations with a Killer trawled more than 100 hours of footage to create the gripping four-part series. In the series, Bundy analyses his own life and motives and prior to his execution in 1989.
A seven-part series exposing the lengths to which the Catholic Church will conceal abuse, The Keepers is an enthralling true crime documentary. Sister Catherine Cesnik of the Archbishop Keough High School in Baltimore disappears and is later found dead, leading many to wonder whether members of the institution are capable of murder.
An exploration of the insidious side of competitive sport, Icarus begins by looking at Lance Armstrongs doping efforts at the Tour de France, the biggest cycling race in the world. Director Brian Fogel meets a Russian scientist while learning about Armstrongs methods, leading him down a much more sordid path than originally anticipated. The film won the Best Documentary Feature at the 90th Academy Awards, making it a clear inclusion on any list of best documentaries.
Much like Wonders of the Universe, Drive to Survive is also a multi-series documentary taking you into the world of Formula 1. Taking in most Grand Prixs per calendar year, the series looks at the ins and outs of professional F1 teams and features insights from the likes of Sir Lewis Hamilton, Australian Daniel Ricciardo and Ferraris Charles Leclerc. Even those unacquainted with the sport will find themselves on the edge of their seats by the end of each episode.
Commissioned by Princes William and Harry, this 2017 documentary film was produced to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the death of the Princess of Wales, retelling the seven days after her death and its impact on the United Kingdom. It is the second documentary commissioned by her sons to mark the occasion, providing raw insights into her untimely death and one of the best documentaries for providing a niche insight into her family.
A docudrama, The Last Czars explores the Romanov family towards the end of their reign over Russia in the early 20th century. The six-episode series employs actors to portray the significant moments in this period of history, interpolating created footage with expert analysis and commentary for historical insight.
Image: Pinterest
The rest is here:
20 of the best documentaries to watch, from music to nature - RUSSH
- NBC Has a Huge Opportunity with Law & Order: SVU's 25th Season - CBR - Comic Book Resources - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Seeding a gay community in LA, the gay liberation revolution - Los Angeles Blade - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Britney Spears's 'Baby One More Time' music video debuted on ... - Yahoo Entertainment - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- 13 Of The Greatest And Most Famous Britpop Bands - Hello Music Theory - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- The top advertising campaigns of 2023 according to Australian ... - AdNews - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- The 25 Best New Movies Streaming in November 2023 - TheWrap - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Jets' Aaron Rodgers 'attacking' rehab, eyes return this season - WABC-TV - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- ESG counteroffensive is missing big guns - POLITICO - POLITICO - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- The increasingly radical climate movement, explained - Vox.com - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Imani Winds inspires with recital celebrating composers of color at ... - EarRelevant - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- The Super Models Tells the Story of the Original Fashion Influencers - AnOther Magazine - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- What constitutes a master? Don't ask Jann Wenner The Daily ... - Daily Free Press - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- The Conviviality of Ivan Illich (Part I) | by O.G. Rose | Oct, 2023 ... - Medium - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- SickKids unveils more future-focused VS campaign to match new ... - The Message - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Top 6 Iconic Classic Rock Bands of the '60s - American Songwriter - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Brent Harold: The renaissance of union logic - Arizona Daily Star - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- German bishops conclude tense gathering with all eyes on Synod ... - Catholic World Report - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Slasher Saturdays: The Hills Have Eyes (1977) Vs. The Hills Have ... - Horror Obsessive - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Listen to Scott Drebit Discuss His New Book A CUT BELOW: A ... - Daily Dead - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Whitney Houston Hairstyles: Tribute to Her Unparalleled Elegance - PINKVILLA - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Frosted Lipstick, Chunky Highlights & Thick Eyeliner: Every Beauty ... - New Zealand Herald - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- From Alphas To Betas: Science Says There Are Three Types Of ... - Evie Magazine - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Russell Brand is a product of the horrifically misogynistic noughties - Prospect Magazine - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- The Enduring Magic of Lorde's Pure Heroine and HAIM's Days Are ... - Paste Magazine - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Climate activists: How far is too far in raising the climate alarm? - Daily Maverick - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Pride Anthems at WHBPAC June 2nd at 8PM - Hamptons.com - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- The illuminating influence of Eric Huntley - Peoples Dispatch - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- Want Sofia Richie Style? Try These Cheap Nordstrom Finds - Who What Wear - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- What will Saudi-Iran rapprochement mean for the Palestinians? - +972 Magazine - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- EU as Arbiter of Ideological Elegance? The European Conservative - The European Conservative - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- Catholic theology yesterday and today: A Thomist's response to Dr ... - Catholic World Report - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- Andy Warhol exhibition coming to College of DuPage - Chicago Tribune - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- COVER STORY | Arlo Parks Embraces the Intimacy of Aliveness - Paste Magazine - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- The Number Ones: The Black Eyed Peas' Boom Boom Pow - Stereogum - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- 7 First-time ASTRA Exhibitors You Don't Want to Miss This June - Gifts & Decorative Accessories - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- Curator Lesley Lokko on the Venice Architecture Biennale: 'It's about ... - Financial Times - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- German revolution of 1848: A precursor to today's democracy - DW (English) - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- The Hoxton, Lloyd Amsterdam to open 21st August 2023 - Hospitality Net - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Ruin America? Joe Manchin is just getting started. | Will Bunch ... - The Philadelphia Inquirer - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- How the MTV logo captured the creative spirit of the 1980s - Creative Bloq - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- I give up I cant do that: The song that made David Crosby want to quit music - Far Out Magazine - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- How We Loved and Lost the Hot Girl Summer - The Swaddle - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- 5 Laid Back Essentials From Faherty Prove The Hype - Fatherly - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- 'How to Blow Up a Pipeline' director Daniel Goldhaber explains the ... - The Real News Network - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- The Totally Rockin' History of Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem - Collider - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Was The Hunger Games Renaissance Planned All Along? - GameRant - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Michael J. Fox Looks Back on Hollywood Triumphs, Setbacks and Why Parkinsons Is the Gift That Keeps on Taking - Variety - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- It's Raining Ramen! A Brief History of Jewish Asian Fusion - Aish - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Ted Weber's Wesleyan Political Theology - Juicy Ecumenism - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- What do the British Royals and Cleopatra have in common? - Firstpost - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Pakistan Army won't bounce back easily this time. Imran Khan ... - ThePrint - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Five years since #MeToo, Tarana Burke is looking beyond the hashtag - Yahoo News - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- After Florence Pugh Freed The Nipple, Olivia Wilde Supported The Movement On New Magazine Cover - CinemaBlend - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Barbara Kay: The Movement to Normalize Pedophilia Hits a Roadblock, but We Mustn't Let Our Guard Down - The Epoch Times - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Is it Time to Decolonize Global Health Data? - Research Blog - Duke University - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Claire Foy Doesnt Think Women Talking Could Have Been Made Before #MeToo - Yahoo Entertainment - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Can the Congress rewrite its chronicle of a death foretold? - Scroll.in - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- We need a strong nationalist as a president - Daily Sun - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- The 19th Century Movement to Canonize Columbus - Catholic Exchange - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Audemars Piguet toasts 50 years of Royal Oak with new watches, book - New York Post - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Claire Foy Doesn't Think 'Women Talking' Could Have Been Made Before #MeToo - Yahoo! Voices - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Best Bets: 6 nights of live music at Wussow's and more - Duluth News Tribune - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Five Burning Questions: Bad Bunny Spends a 13th Week at No. 1 With Un Verano Sin Ti - Billboard - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- San Diego artist uses creativity to uplift Black culture and 'determine how we are seen' - The San Diego Union-Tribune - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- The Premier League at thirty - what should it sound like next? - Broadcast - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Steve Braunias on Peter Ellis case: 'Moral panic, contaminated evidence and an innocent ghost' - New Zealand Herald - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Constituency Statutes: The Overlooked Predecessor to the ESG Movement - JD Supra - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- 10 books to add to your reading list in October 2022 - Los Angeles Times - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- The Multiple Religions Coexisting Within the Catholic Church - Crisis Magazine - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- 2023 Oscar Predictions The Rules of the Game - Awards Daily - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Kathy Sheridan: Brace yourselves for where Giorgia Meloni and Italy end up - The Irish Times - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- The rise and fall of Sir Philip Green, the retail king who fell from grace - Evening Standard - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- The lying flat movement standing in the way of China ... - Brookings - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Namwali Serpell Distills the Disorienting Experience of Grief in 'The Furrows' - Shondaland.com - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Dance & House Music Ruled the Summer. What Now? - Complex - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- It is time to back a new party in the elections - Morning Star Online - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- The empty feminism of Dont Worry Darling - The Guardian - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- Sunburn The morning read of what's hot in Florida politics 9.26.22 - Florida Politics - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- GOP candidate Trevor Lee ran a secret Twitter account that attacked LGBTQ people and Utah Gov. Cox. Now he's been rebuked by Republican leadership. -... - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- Peeling Back the Slasher-Inspired Look of HBO Maxs Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin with Cinematographer Anka Malatynska - Dread Central - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]