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I absolutely love a good documentary, but with so many streaming options at my fingertips nowadays, I usually end up spending the majority of my night searching for what to watch, instead of actually just watching something. To get in more movie-watching and less searching,I've compiled a list of the best documentaries on Amazon Prime.
Whether it's a groovy musical exploration like Jonas Brothers: Chasing Dreams that you can sing or dance along to, a 100-minute special about how sugar affects the body (which I suspect some of us won't want to hear—myself included) or Star Wars Empire Of Dreams—the ultimate documentary for anyone who is major fan of the franchise, you'll walk away from these films thoroughly entertained and perhaps a little more knowledgable.
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The Top 10 Movies on Netflix Right This Second
1. 'Jonas Brothers: Chasing Happiness' (2019)
Run Time:1 hour and 36 minutes
Cast/Who's In It:Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas (aka the Jonas Brothers)
Director: John Lloyd Taylor
OK, it’s not every day we dedicate two hoursto learning about the famed boy band, who recently reunited after splitting up back in 2013. However, if you’ve ever wondered how they went from wearing purity rings on The Disney Channel to achieving international stardom as adults, this documentary will take you through the good, the bad and the ugly. (Warning: Even haters will gain mad respect for the Jo Bros.) I've personally been a huge fan of the Jonas Brothers since I was a preteen, so I enjoyed getting a behind the scenes perspective on their fame and what a "normal" day in the life looks like for them.
2. 'Dior And I' (2015)
Runtime 1 hour and 29 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Raf Simons, along with celebrity appearances by Marion Cotillard, Isabelle Huppert, Jennifer Lawrence and Sharon Stone
Director: Frédéric Tcheng
The film is written and directed by Frédéric Tcheng and immediately gained recognition when it first premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at the debut season of Christian Dior’s former creative director Raf Simons, who parted ways with the fashion house back in 2015. It’s a must-watch for fashion mavens. "Iam obsessed with 'Dior and I.' It actually made me tear up, the collection Raf Simons shows at the end of the film is just so so stunning. That collection is one of my favorites ever shown," says PureWow editor Abby Hepworth. "It's a great documentary for anyone interested in fashion, whether you consider yourself a fashion historian or just like looking at beautiful clothes."
3. 'Gleason' (2016)
Runtime 1 hour and 51 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Steve Gleason, Michel Varisco and Rivers Gleason
Director: Clay Tweel
Steve Gleason played for the New Orleans Saints before retiring in 2008. In 2011, he was diagnosed with ALS (or Lou Gehrig’s disease) at age 34. The doc follows the former NFL player as he battles the terminal illness, all while becoming an advocate for helping others adapt to unfortunate circ*mstances. While it’s unbelievably inspirational, it’s also a full-blown tearjerker (but still one of the best documentaries on Amazon Prime). You’ve been warned.
4. 'The Act Of Killing' (2012)
Runtime 2 hour and 46 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Anwar Congo, Herman Koto and Syamsul Arifin
Director: Joshua Oppenheimer
The film gives an in-depth look at the people responsible for the mass killings that took place in Indonesia from 1965 to 1966. Not only wasthe movie nominated for theOscar for Best Documentary Feature at the 2014 Academy Awards, but it was also ranked number 19 on the British Film Institute’s list of the best documentaries ever made. NBD.
5. 'That Sugar Film' (2014)
Runtime 1 hour and 41 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Damon Gameau, along with celebrity appearances by Hugh Jackman, Stephen Fry and Zoë Gameau
Director: Damon Gameau
If you’ve ever wondered exactlyhow sugar affects the body,you’ve come to the right place. Similar to Super Size Me, the documentary follows Damon Gameau as he consumes a high-sugar diet for 30 days, and the results are astonishing. Oh, and did I mention that this was Australia’s highest-grossing documentary film until May 2023 when it was surpassed by John Farnham: Finding the Voice?
6. 'Cropsey' (2009)
Runtime 1 hour and 24 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Joshua Zeman, Barbara Brancaccio and Bill Ellis
Director: Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio
As two Staten Island natives, filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio grew up hearing about the story of Cropsey, a real-life boogeyman linked to the disappearance of five children. In an attempt to face their childhood fears, the pair investigate the murders and uncover spine-chilling details that will make you want to sleep with the light on.
7. 'Perfect Bid: The Contestant Who Knew Too Much' (2017)
Runtime 1 hour and 12 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Ted Slauson, Bob Barker and Roger Dobkowitz
Director: CJ Wallis
Think you’re capable of winning on The Price Is Right? Well, meet Ted Slauson, the man responsible for helping a contestant accurately guess every answer on a 2008 episode of the popular game show. (Seriously.) The film walks viewers through Slauson’s story, beginning with his childhood fascination withThe Price Is Rightand concluding with the strategy that went into his legendary win.
8. 'Sriracha ' (2013)
Runtime 33 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? David Tran, Randy Clemens and Adam Holliday
Director: Griffin Hammond
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably familiar with the Thai chili sauce Sriracha, which can be found in just about every restaurant and household. While it seemingly rose to popularity overnight, that wasn’tactually the case. The movie explores the origin story of the famed hot sauce and how Huy Fong Foods made Sriracha into an international cult sensation.
9. 'McQueen' (2018)
Runtime 1 hour and 51 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Lee Alexander McQueen, Janet McQueen and Gary McQueen
Director: Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui
Long before he revolutionized the fashion industry, Alexander McQueen dreamt of launching his own label. How did his empire come to be? The movie explores McQueen’s life, career and legacy, from his days as a teenager to working as a designer for Givenchy. The fact that it’s told through the lens of his friends and family is just icing on the cake. "The McQueen documentary is another one great for fashion lovers of all kinds. It allows the viewer a much better understanding of Alexander McQueen's true genius and stunning artistry. It's dramatic and beautiful and, of course, tragic—a real emotional rollercoaster," says Hepworth.
10. 'The Tillman Story' (2010)
Runtime 1 hour and 35 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Pat Tillman, Josh Brolin and Mary Tillman
Director: Amir Bar-Lev
In 2002, Pat Tillman turned down a multimillion-dollar contract with the NFL to join the Army. Two years later, he was tragically killed in a friendly fire accident while serving in Afghanistan. The movie explores his family’s journey to uncover the truth about his death, which wasn’t due to the Taliban as initially reported.
11. 'The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story ' (1996)
Runtime 1 hour and 26 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Al Hirschfeld, Julie Andrews and Lauren Bacall
Director: Susan Warms Dryfoos
This movie follows the life and career of accomplished artist Al Hirschfeld, who is best known for drawing caricatures of celebrities for theNew York Herald Tribune and The New York Times in the ’20s.
12. 'Missing Mom' (2016)
Runtime 1 hour and 24 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Robert McCallum and Chris Byford
Director: Robert McCallum and Jordan C. Morris
Twenty-five years after the mysterious disappearance of their mother, Rob McCallum and Chris Byford are fed up with the unknown. So, they make it their mission to find out the truth and turn to members of their own family for answers. However, they soon unlock secrets that no one saw coming. To say this award-winning movie is “suspenseful” is a total understatement.
13. 'Fed Up ' (2014)
Runtime 1 hour and 35 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Michele Simon and Katie Couric
Director: Stephanie Soechtig
Just when we thought we knew everything about our health, this happened. Fed Up walks viewers through a 30-year (and counting) scandal in which the food industry, along with the U.S. government, has been misleading consumers. The documentary provides an eye-opening look at several factors that are contributing to America’s growing obesity epidemic, so buckle up, folks.
14. 'Life Off Grid ' (2015)
Runtime 1 hour and 25 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Jonathan Taggart
Director: Jonathan Taggart
From 2011 to 2013, Jonathan Taggart visited 200 different people in Canada alongside his producer, Phillip Vannini. The catch? These individuals have chosen to live “off the grid,” which means they’ve found alternate ways to create electricity. Who knows, the fascinating inventions might even convince you to temporarily go “off the grid.”
15. 'The Biggest Little Farm ' (2018)
Runtime 1 hour and 31 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? John and Molly Chester
Director: John Chester
When a couple purchases a sustainable farm 200 acres outside Los Angeles, they embark on a real-life We Bought a Farm adventure. While they soon learn that cultivating livestock is no easy task, the documentary explores their successes and failures as they transform the farm into a profitable business.
16. 'Illuminated' (2019)
Runtime 1 hour and 16 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Johnny Royal and Josef Wages
Director: Johnny Royal
Although not much is known about the Illuminati, writer and directory Johnny Royal is doing everything in his power to uncover the truth about the secret society. The filmmaker interviews historians and Illuminati experts in an attempt toprovideclarity aboutthe group, which has left the public with one major dilemma: Is the Illuminati real or fictional?
17. 'Paradise Lost: The Child Murders At Robin Hood Hills' (1996)
Runtime 2 hours and 28 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Tony Brooks, Diana Davis and Terry Wood
Director: Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky
This movie documents the trial of the West Memphis Three, three teenagers who were accused of murdering three young boys in 1993 in Arkansas. The questionable evidence has rocked investigators for years, so prepare the popcorn."It's a gruesome, heartbreaking story from all angles that exposes the impact of '90s satanic panic. But since it's been more than 30 years since the trial and conviction, so much more has unfolded in the case," says Executive Editor, Dara Katz. So, if you're riveted by the first installment,be sure to check out the next two parts of the trilogy,Paradise Lost 2: RevelationsandParadise Lost 3: Purgatory.
18. 'Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight' (2014)
Runtime 1 hour and 27 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? John Kastner
Director: John Kastner
The film tells the story of four psychiatric residents at Brockville Mental Health Centre in Canada, which specializes in violent crimes. Director John Kastner chats with his subjects about their fears about returning to society. Although it’s not the most lighthearted flick, the movie might make you feel more inclined to give someone a second chance.
19. 'The Space Movie' (1979)
NASA/Getty Images
Runtime 1 hour and 19 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Yuri Gagarin
Director: Tony Palmer
If true crime isn’t your thing, look no further than The Space Movie. The flick is an hour-plus-long tribute to the Apollo 11 moon landing. NASA specifically requested that a movie be made in honor of the 10th anniversary of the momentous occasion, so yeah, it’s a pretty big deal.
20. 'The Road To Guantanamo' (2006)
Runtime 1 hour and 35 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Ruhel Ahmed, Asif Iqbal and Shafiq Rasul
Director: Michael Winterbottom and Mat Whitecross
In 2001, a group of British Muslim friends decide to travel to Afghanistan while visiting Pakistan for a wedding. When they’re forced to flee to Kabul, they’re wrongly accused of terrorism and thrown into the notorious Guantanamo Bay base in Cuba, where they’re held prisoner for three years.
21. 'All In This Tea' (2007)
Runtime 1 hour and 9 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? David Lee Hoffman, Werner Herzog and Song Diefeng
Director: Les Blank and Gina Leibrecht
David Lee Hoffman is a world-renowned tea expert, who has dedicated his life to finding the best-ever handmade teas. The movie follows him as he travels to remote regions of China, where he taste-tests and learns tea-making secrets that have been passed down for generations.
22. 'The Panama Papers' (2018)
Runtime 1 hour and 40 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Elijah Wood
Director: Alex Winter
Remember the infamous Panama Papers scandal? Well, director Alex Winter takes an in-depth look at the global corruption incident in thisinformational doc, which explores the chain of events that lead to the 11.5 million confidential documents being leaked as a result of Jürgen Mossack and Ramón Fonseca’s illegal transactions. The Panama Papers scandal is actually the biggest global corruption scandal in history, which is something I didn't know before watching this. There's plenty of other interesting tidbits in the doc as well.
23. '4 Little Girls' (1997)
Runtime 1 hour and 42 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Maxine McNair, Walter Cronkite and Chris McNair
Director: Spike Lee
Director Spike Lee offers a detailed look at the 1963 bombing of a church in Alabama, which took the lives of four young girls: Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley. The movie usesinterviews and archived footage to look at how the incident inspired America’s civil-rights movement, so be prepared to share a few tears while watching. "Spike Lee's '4 Little Girls' is both really insightful and so heart-wrenching. He does a phenomenal job of honoring the victims while shedding light on how the bombing affected their families, as well as the Black community," says PureWow's Associate Editor of News and Entertainment Nakeisha Campbell.
24. 'Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About His Father' (2008)
Runtime 1 hour and 33 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Kurt Kuenne and David Bagby
Director: Kurt Kuenne
In 2001, Dr. Andrew Bagby was shot and killed by his ex-girlfriend, who fled to Canada and walked free with Andrew’s child, Zachary. The movie doubles as a message to the young boy from Andrew’s estranged family, so he can better understand who his biological dad was. "'Dear Zachary' is so tragic, to be honest I wouldn't have watched it had I known (but I'm also a total whimp)," explains Hepworth. "Folks who like true crime and family drama won't be able to look away, but be warned: there is no happy ending here.
25. 'Kon-Tiki' (1951)
Runtime 59 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Thor Heyerdahl, Herman Watzinger and Erik Hesselberg
Director: Thor Heyerdahl
The movie documents Norwegian writer and explorer Thor Heyerdahl’s now-famous journey across the Pacific Ocean by raft. The film might feel a bit dated, but as the Oscar winner for Best Documentary Feature at the 24th annual Academy Awards, it's a historically significant and all-around really cool flick.
26. 'Star Wars Empire Of Dreams' (2004)
Runtime 2 hours and 30 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Robert Clotworthy, Walter Cronkite and George Lucas
Director: Edith Becker and Kevin Burns
If you love Star Wars, then feast your eyes on this behind-the-scenes gem. Thedoc provides an in-depth look at how the original trilogy was made, including Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
27. 'Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey' (2012)
Runtime 1 hour and 45 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Jonathan Cain, Deen Castronovo and Arnel Pineda
Director: Ramona S. Diaz
When Journey guitarist Neal Schon discovers Arnel Pineda on YouTube, he presents the Filipino musician with the opportunity of a lifetime as their newest band member. The documentary follows Pineda’s journey to becoming the lead singer of, well, Journey.
28. 'Life After Flash' (2017)
Runtime 1 hour and 33 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Sam Jones, Melody Anderson and Brian Blessed
Director: Lisa Downs
The movie gives a rare look at the impact Flash had on its star, Sam J. Jones, and how the cult film’s success affected his future career. If it's been a while since you've seen Flash Gordon, it would probably be a good idea to give the film a re-watch before diving into this documentary.
29. 'The Other F Word' (2011)
Runtime 1 hour and 39 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Tony Adolescent, Art Alexakis and Tony Cadena
Director: Andrea Blaugrund Nevins
Don’t be fooled by the title, this doc is surprisingly moving. It follows a group of punk rockers, who are facing a milestone life event: fatherhood.
30. 'The King' (2017)
Runtime 1 hour and 47 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Alec Baldwin, Tony Brown and James Carville
Director: Eugene Jarecki
In an attempt to understandthe mindof Elvis Presley, filmmaker Eugene Jarecki embarks on a cross-country road trip in a Rolls-Royce that was once owned by the singer. (Casual.)
31. 'The Road Movie' (2017)
Runtime 1 hour and 10 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? John Hillcoat, Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee
Director: Dmitrii Kalashnikov
If you’re one of those people who can spend hours watching dashcam footage on the internet, we have you covered. This documentary features a compilation of footage taken from populous Russian roads, and we suddenly feel much calmer about our daily commute.
32. 'John Mcenroe: In The Realm Of Perfection' (2018)
Runtime 1 hour and 35 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? John McEnroe
Director: Julien Faraut
The documentary shows John McEnroe competing in the French Open at Roland Garros Stadium in 1984. Shot with a 16-mm camera, the footage captures the professional athleteat the peak of his career. (At the time, he was the world’s top-ranked player.)
33. 'Code Black' (2013)
Runtime 1 hour and 20 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Andrew Eads, M.D.; Jamie Eng, M.D. and Luis Enriquez, R.N.
Director: Ryan McGarry, M.D.
Physician Ryan McGarry makes his filmmaking debut with this candid doc, which offers an inside look at America’s busiest emergency department. Since it details real life-and-death scenarios,this option is not for the fainthearted.
34. 'Trouble The Water' (2008)
Runtime 1 hour and 35 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Michael Brown, Brian Nobles, Scott Rivers and Kimberly Rivers Roberts
Director: Tia Lessin and Carl Deal
An African American couple documents their journey to survival when they’re forced to ride out Hurricane Katrina in a neighbor’s attic. Trouble the Water was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2009.
35. 'Girl Model' (2012)
Runtime 1 hour and 17 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Ashley Arbaugh and Rachel Blais
Director: David Redmon and Ashley Sabin
This film offers an interesting comparison between the thriving modeling industries in Siberia and Tokyo. While they may seem drastically different, the film explores the connection that links the two destinations together.
36. 'Finders Keepers' (2015)
Runtime 1 hour and 23 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? John Wood and Shannon Whisnant
Director: Bryan Carberry and Clay Tweel
Finders Keepers follows an amputee named John Woods, who is forced to compete for his prosthetic leg after a man found it in a grill he bought in an auction. Believe it or not, this real-life story will leave you guessing until the very end.
37. 'Project Nim' (2011)
Runtime 1 hour and 39 minutes
Cast/Who’s in it? Nim Chimpsky and Professor Herbert Terrace
Director: James Marsh
Project Nim tells the story of Nim, a chimpanzee who was the subject of an experiment that resulted in him being raised like a human.
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