Top 10 Documentaries of All Time
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- Опубликовано: 25 июн 2024
- We are LONG overdue here at CineFix for a deep dive into documentaries. Having barely scratched the surface of the genre over the years, it's time we take a look at some of the greats. Here are 10 of the best Documentaries of all time!
The Picks:
10 - Shoah
9 - Harlan County, USA
8 - The Quince Tree Sun
7 - The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On
6 - Hoop Dreams
5 - Stop Making Sense
4 - Close-Up
3 - Baraka
2 - Sans Soleil
1 - As I Was Moving Ahead, Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty
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I'm surprised they didn't find a way to put "The Mirror" on the list
Did you watch the video? Look at #2
#1: The Making of the Mirror
Dam, you beat me to it!
@@maximumoccupancy great so i'm not the only one who felt that
@@Carfalog I can't find the movie trailer anywhere. It's called The Mirror? Who made the film?
After years of asking and pleading and begging, they finally did it!
But they slipped educational documentaries?! David Attenborough needs at least an honorable mention :p
@@Gattsu_OG I would agree that the Nature documentary needed its own slot.
WE'VE DONE IT, FOLKS!!!
this list is bullshit,,, don't rely on it.
@@Jzeaser What do you mean? Have you actually seen any of the films in this list?
❤ Baraka. When my daughter was sick I showed it to her. Surround sound and laying on the couch she was mesmerized. Years Iater i stayed home with my other daughter who was home sick, and did the same. They both have not forgotten that experience. I believe you experience Baraka rather then just watch it. Really glad I caught it twice on the big screen.
Sans Soleil is one of the most haunting and unforgettable film experiences I ever had. I walked out of the theater literally light-headed, I had to sit on the sidewalk and collect myself.
That sonds like it was a powerful experience. I hope to see it some day soon.
I kinda missed the categorie "science and nature"
I agree so much
Yeah was really wondering why they left that out!
to save for another video hopefully
Possibly because a lot of the best ones are episodic in nature and don't really fit on a list for the best documentary films?
@@EmperorDoom well shoah was 9 hours long. also almost all major war documentaries are series. And also a lot of Science documents are stand alone.
YES THE EMPEROR'S ARMY MARCHES ON!! ... its so hard to find this documentary but if you can watch it...it's one of the most gut wrenching documentaries i've ever seen..the PTSD that the man experiences is on another level
Thank you CineFix, now I have to add all of these documentaries to the already long list of movies I need to see.
I am so happy that you people included Close-up in this list. It's not a traditional documentary, some might even call it a docu drama but whatever it maybe called, it is glorious. Any cinephile worth a dime should watch it.
As an Indonesian, I'm kinda biased to think that the Act of Killing is the best documentary of all time. But frankly, I don't mind if it lose to Shoah, the precursor of genocide/massacre docs.
Cinefix is known for breaking down a list into certain categories and selecting the best of each. Hence, I perceive their lists not as the best of the best but rather, the top 10 picks not in order. That being said, I still think that the Act of Killing and/or the Look of Silence are the best docs of 21st century.
The experience of watching that film was indescribable. I was transfixed.
Same. The dude that did the actual acts, reenacting them!!
I can’t imagine how you felt watching it, being an Indonesian.
Did you live in the Times these atrocities happened?
Are you now living in a problematic area now?
Peace be with you bro. I hope none of the violence ever finds you, or those you love.
@@CorbCorbin The killing happened 54 years ago and I'm in my 20s, so I live in an era way over that. As for my feeling as Indonesian, well it's not really different than others actually. It's a roller coaster of emotion. Disgust, rage, incomprehensible, but also pity. It's indescribable.
I mean who is actually gonna watch and enjoy some 9 hour art film over the Act of Killing. Act of Killing is one of if not the best docs of the 21st century.
@@CorrectFossa Well, who can "enjoy" the Act of Killing either? lol. Both stories are equally bleak, raw, and inexplicably outrageous.
I haven't seen too many doc's, but this is my Top 10 of all time!
10.Going Clear
9. Close-Up
8. Hearts of Darkness
7. OJ Made in America
6. The Jinx
5. Faces Places
4. Dear Zachary
3. Man on Wire
2. F for Fake
1. Man with a Movie Camera
Nice List 👍🏻
My Top 10 Documentary Films..(so far)
1. Crumb
2. Koyaanisqatsi
3. Stop Making Sense
4. The Act of Killing
5. Close-Up
6. Night and Fog
7. Waltz with Bashir
8. The Imposter
9. Baraka
10. Man with a Movie Camera
The Jinx is so engaging. +1 from me.
@@58bobby Agreed! The ending made me fall out of my chair with bewilderment
The tiny flash of "Searching for Sugar Man" made me so happy!! So underrated
That was a brilliant one. I'd have selected it for sure. Also, Imagine and Amy. Guess I lean towards music/musician documentaries. Good to see The Last Waltz, at least mentioned. I also liked the one on Nina Simone. Cheers.
that was great,,, even won an oscar for best documentary.. HELLO
As a musician, I found this to be such a great story. Famous and didn’t even know it
@@willthompson3573 exactly
This is such a good video! Not only do you give your top 10s but listed other docs similar to them. Truly fantastic, exactly what I needed for a binge 🖤🖤🖤
If you havent yet please watch Dear Zachary. Its entirely on RUclips. It made me tear up so many times (sometimes without a reason). Its a besutiful movie
Just about to say this - when i saw Dear Zachary, i searched desperately for weeks to find something else similar to it and i never have. Nothing has made me feel so much intense emotion quite like it. Highly recommend to anyone who hasn't seen it
based on your comment, i went ahead and watched the documentary, and i can easily say that, though it filled my heart with sadness and anger, it is one of the most beautiful documentaries ever. never cried as much watching anything.
@@youmnasherif9424 Thanks for taking the time and watching it man
watched it after reading this comment and thank you it was amazing i cried a lot
Random Shitposter how dare you!!!! I’ve been crying for almost 2 hours!!! May her black soul burn for eternity.
Best mockumentary category?
Was waiting for spinal tap
The Office, Park and Rec
Would Borat count? :D
Gwion Brady Could easily do a new top 10 for it tbh.
I think mockumentaries are more related to fiction than to documentaries ;)
Zelig
LOVED "Stop Making Sense" growing up (still do)! I made my mom rent the VHS so many times that the video store just let us keep a copy after a while. I guess they figured that they got their money's worth with all the rental charges (and late fees). She loved it too, but, the fact that I'd run around with the band, exhausting myself in the process, probably had everything to do with that. Best. Babysitter. Ever!
I love this list. I going to look into a lot of these. Although I think it's a shame that Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father wasn't given a nod. Every time I think about good documentaries, I always seem to come back to it. It's a simple premise with heartfelt intention that absolutely explodes as it goes on in a way that I can only describe as emotional whip lash. The ending is one that really sticks with you. I've never seen editing so emotional and raw before this film. It's part, biographical, auto-biographical, true crime, you name it. Plus, it still gets you even after watching it a thousand times.
Devastating movie. Surely deserved a mention
Surprised Paris is Burning didn’t make it, but these are fantastic picks!
Mentioned at 2:26
Snubbed
I love these lists because it shows me a ton of new movies I’ve barely heard of
and present them in a way we felt like every one of them is a gem about life that we absolutely need to watch
I'll echo a few others, Dear Zachary as an evolving documentary about a friends personal life is incredible, and while it may not be a glimpse over a 30 year period, still more heart breaking and resonate.
This has been in my watchlist for over a year. Finally just got through it, and so happy I did because now I have some documentaries to watch.
You forgot a little something
*NATURE DOCUMENTARIES*
Magalí IB I agree...two brothers or meerkat manor shld be there
It was "Planet Earth"... there.
Earthlings ... how about that 1? Not necessarily about nature but close
Right...with Satoyama as one of them.
Yeah - Blackfish changed everything about Sea World..
As always a list of classics and till now unknown movies. That's why I like this channel, you never know what to expect.
Teacher Dude Unknown? Most of these movies are pretty well-known and highly acclaimed.
All in with "Stop Making Sense." Brilliantly filmed with awesome music and infectious enthusiasm. Never fails to make me dance around the house.
I still love how it starts with nothing and musicians get added with each song.
Thank You! This is awesome, i have so much to see now!
Some good ones:
Children Underground(2001)
Waste land(2010),
Searching for Sugar Man(2012)
Tim's Vermeer(2013)
Searching for Sugarman is great one indeed
Watch Africa addio
So THAT is the documentary that Documentary Now was spoofing.
I said that to myself a few times while watching this.
Dear Zachary is probably the most heartbreaking doc I’ve ever seen
Edit: one of my favorite sub-sub genres of documentary is the “movies that never were” kind of docs. You mentioned Lost in La Mancha and Jadorowsky’s Dune, but let’s not forget Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey Of Richard Stanley’s Island Of Dr Moreau and The Death Of Superman Lives. I also enjoy the doc Electric Boogaloo which goes over the rise and fall of the legendary schlock studio Canon Films
"Stop Making Sense" is hard to define for me. I have watched it many times and I see something new every time I watch it. It is an amazing film.
I always thought it was trasparently trying too hard
I've been fascinated by documentaries as long as I can remember. This list makes me wanna watch even more documentaries.
I got into films through documentaries. But in the course of time that love got overshadowed by the glitz and glam of narrative films. This video reminded me of my first love, "documentaries". I have some watching to do.
None of the nature documentaries? Planet Earth? The Blue Planet? March of the Penguins? Among the Great Apes?
Cartosa If I’m remembering correctly March of the Penguins was released in theaters.
Le monde du silence.
The Living Desert is another fantastic (if mainstream) nature documentary. I would’ve included them as a category.
Also Cherub of the Mist! About the elusive red pandas
I would have gone with Blackfish personally
Good overview and picks! One of the most uplifting personal doc's I've seen is Laurie Anderson's 'Heart Of A Dog'. I was all prepared for the most depressing story, as there was so much death and sadness around her at the time. But the way she reflects on it, and uses it to move ahead in a positive light I found remarkable.
The "concert" film that I always recommend is Wattstaxx. I liked it for much the same reason that I liked Woodstock in the way that it's not only about the music but also about the Characters (intentional capital C) behind the scenes, in the audience and not even at the actual concert. It captures a moment in time and place that seems totally unique.
Surprised to not see The Thin Blue Line, Crumb, Rivers and Tides, Icarus and Dear Zachary make the list.
Dear Zachary WRECKS ME.... EVERY. DAMN. TIME.
@@Emily-gz4tr I've seen quite a few movies in my life but nothing devastates me as much as Dear Zachary.
RIGHT?! Holy shite that thing has the emotional wallop of an atomic bomb. So tragically powerful!!
@@Emily-gz4tr Part of it's got to do with its manipulative editing but you can't blame him for making it the way he did. It came from a very real place in his heart so one's compelled to overlook it.
He spoke with a very specific voice and organized the narrative to unfold the story the way his heart saw and felt it. I felt it was a perfect way for him to tell the story he was choosing to tell.
your ending summary of the emperors naked army marches on was so beautifully succint
Thank you for this type of content, you make my days :)
I got so excited when you mentioned The Last Waltz under music docs. I think I’ve seen it more times than I’ve seen any other film, it never gets old.
Some of my favorites are Atomic Cafe, The Tower, Burt's Buzz, and Supersize Me.
Like lots of other commenters here, I have to say that I'm astonished that there wasn't a category for nature documentaries. I suppose that I must have a very different association with the term "documentary" than the CineFix team, but, to me, much of the work of David Attenborough is absolutely breathtaking and, if it couldn't be boiled down to a singular entry, is at least worthy of an honourable mention
That being said, I don't think I've seen a single one of your picks, but a lot of them look beautiful and well worth having a look at.
The fact that you havn't seen a single film on this seminal list tells me one thing...
You just want a camera hanging in the jungle with a wierd, aging jornalist in a wool suit and funny hat whispering about monkies 😇😀
When people say the 80's had no good music, I counter with Talking Heads. My brother sat me down in front of Stop Making Sense when I was a teenager and I will forever be grateful for it opening my world view of music. Hail David Byrne!
This puts so much more perspective on on some of the Documentray Now episodes I was clueless one. THANKS!
Planet Earth ll takes the cake.
AND IT WASN'T EVEN MENTIONED
isn't it a TV series?
@@sena167 Many, many documentaries are presented in multiple parts which were broadcast on TV... like, the two are no where near mutually exclusive
@@RyanDB I understand but I don't think it's the case for any of the ones presented in this video. Or maybe I'm wrong about that.
The soundtrack is AMAZING. Actually all the scores in the Planet Earth and Blue Planet series are outstanding and very moving. The Radiohead and Hans Zimmer collaboration in the newest Blue Planet was perfect for what was being shown on screen.
"If they don't see happiness in the picture, at least they'll see the black."
That hits me so hard.
I'm always happy to see a new video from CineFix. Thank you for all you do.
0:00 Intro
0:24 10 - History
2:14 9 - Society
3:30 8 - Portrait
4:59 7 - Investigation
6:34 6 - Sport
7:56 5 - Music
9:16 4 - Film
10:35 3 - Poetry
12:20 2 - Essay
13:57 1 - Autobiography
15:50 Outro
this list was pretty good and despite missing some of my favorites like Supersize Me and the Mr. Rogers documentary that came out last year I must say based on what you put on your list I'm going to have to redefine what I though a documentary was cause I don't think I understood the full scope of what a documentary could be till now so thanks for that
Watch Africa addio
I like the format of showing a few honorable mentions,then getting to the main course.
I recently saw samsara. That scene in the thumbnail was absolutely breathtaking
So exciting. Looks like I have some good films to watch during quarantine. Thank you!
08:14 I think my tingly might've gone wingly when I saw that shadow and read that title THANKS CINEFIX
How could you choose just 10...Grey Gardens is my favourite film ever and you capture its essence in a few sentences
It's a real good movie (it's even included among the 101 Cult Movies You Must See Before You Die). And I'm sure the narrowing process was difficult.
I can't believe you picked Stop Making Sense. You guys.... are the freaking best!
What I love about cinefix's top ten videos is that I'll always get about 30 movies I haven't heard of that I know I'll love to watch.
My first film class in college was intro to nonfiction film, and we watched a bunch of docs. But the one that messed me up the most was Hearts and Minds. Like, it changed the way I think about history, and storytelling, and humanity. The main part I will never forget is when a Vietnamese man is shot in the head by an American soldier in the middle of the street. That one image of a man falling to the ground with blood spouting from him like a fountain haunted me for weeks. And my professor made us watch that scene (amongst others) twice. I'm not saying it's the best doc ever or anything, but man it messed me up, and I may never be able to watch it a second time but I won't need to because I can never forget it
If it is the on-street execution captured in the iconic photographic, it was not an American soldier who shot him, but an officer of South Vietnam.
And the guy they shot had sabbotaged and killed a bunch of people. But soemhow the photo doesn't tell us that.
Bit surprised that "Woodstock" didn't receive a mention in the music/concert category.
It's a significant movie, certainly one of the most significant music doc's ever (up there with Gimme Shelter) - (Both are included among the 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die) - but IT'S THEIR LIST NOT YOURS - good god, why is every other narcissistic comment some critic who's oh so "surprised" that not every list matches yours?!
oh man... im a total noob when it comes to documentaries. Thanks to you guys I now have a 10 picks guide to where to start. I haven't seen any of the picks but a few of the other ones mentioned like waltz with bashir. im eager to watch now Sho and the one on 2nd position. Such an awesome work for you guys. keep it up
Ken Burns' Baseball is my favorite documentary of all time. Such a thorough story over many different chapters.
one of my favourites is child of rage, a heartbreaking story of abuse and how it affects victims long after its stopped. it depicts how the cycle of abuse continues through victims, but is ultimately a positive story of healing
You guys should just make a list of about a 100 movies that should be in everyone’s collection. I seem to be pausing your videos and jumping to Amazon, and other sites, to get these titles. So far you’ve not led me astray.
But damn, you’ve put a dent in my wallet.
Not my personal picks, but two you absolutely nailed are Stop Making Sense and Hoop Dreams... such brilliant pieces of cinema.
I'm so happy you at mentioned "Leviathan!"
I love how everybody is like "I can't believe so and so isn't on here" lol appreciate the damn video
lol, right, a lot of people haven't caught on by now that these lists are just a vehicle to explore and appreciate all the different aspects of film.
For real like stfu people
fuck you... they're right... this list is bullshit.. i could name a few that should be there.
I really appreciate how they choose more niche and unknown films.
The purpose of these lists is to instigate conversation. What would be the point if people didn't also provide their own opinions about the films that didn't make it? I love to scroll the comments to find discussion of docs I'd either forgotten or didn't know about - and that weren't brought up in the video.
Samsara. The photography in that documentary was (is) phenomenal
Loved this so much! I know have a lot more films to go see...
Wish you would have included a category for nature documentaries as well! Those are definitely their own category and can rise to amazing artistic heights.
This is a GREAT list - well done! I´ve seen a good number of these but thank you for flagging so many others - a treasure trove...
Dear Zachary should have been mentioned. It's heartbreaking
This, more than any of your lists (I've watched all of them) has added films to my queue. But my favorite doc isn't mentioned. I don't think I've ever been moved by a documentary as much as I was by "Promises"
I've become a huge fan of Cinefix over the last couple of years....this vid shows why.
This is a wonderful video. I want to watch everyone of these documentaries!
Damn dude - you had me tearing up on #1, much the same way I did the first time I watched Schindler's List. I took me years before I could watch it again with a more mature outlook. That time period until I watched it the 2nd time was 25 years. I'm 60 now.
Watch Africa addio
mad cool that y'all gave the music doc to Stop Making Sense!
i think Exit Through The Gift Shop should've at least been mentioned for the 8th spot, or maybe the last. definitely a unique/entertaining/powerful/educational/bizarre documentary taking place in what is a secret world to most people.
regardless, another great list by y'all!
It was hoax
the dude probably was, but that makes it all the better
Exit through the gift shop sucks
Stop Making sense is just the best. So happy to see it included on this list! It really is the best concert film ever made. If any of you haven’t seen it I couldn’t recommend it more
Your vids have shown me so many movies and films I would’ve otherwise never seen. I appreciate it
I can't believe I'm this early in the video. Didn't see it yet, but for sure it has better choices than whatever watchmojo might come up with.
Life of Brian is the best documentary ever made.
😊
Thank You. For the video ,For the generous description of sources and putting the list in description. YT Creators are trying to get views by any means and you sir , have provided a decent description of the video that may be useful without even watching the whole video. So , I Thank You for that. Please keep doing it.
This channel is a gift
no nature documentaries? like "our planet" series? and science documentaries, like "Cosmos"... I think, a part 2 is required.
Planet Earth is #1 in my book. Really because it tells a story rather then simply,explaining things. (Plus excellent camerawork, narration, editing ect)
I’ve only seen like 3 of the documentaries you listed...
should have given man on a wire an honourable mention
Came running here after watching the remastered release of Stop Making Sense. It was an amazing concert and im so happy I got to see it in imax.
Thank you for mentioning "Murder Ball". That one blew me away.
Excellent choices, especially with so many possibilities! I would also toss in for consideration THE ATOMIC CAFE and D.A. Pennebaker's ORIGINAL CAST ALBUM COMPANY, about the recording session for Sondheim's Broadway musical.
Sad to see Wang Bing is missing. For instance "Til madness do us apart"
I am sure you will love that film, I can bet 100 dollars on that one
never heard of it
Wang Bing is not missing. 0:39 West of the Tracks (2003) a.k.a. Tei xi qu is mentioned.
Africa addio, la causa, operation Odessa, cocaine cowboys. Probably the best ones. Mondo cane too but some of that is just shock value but seeing first hand is documentary at its finest making Africa addio the single best produced doc ever made. The risks involved. It’s hard to watch but you should
Wow, this was heavy, I got chills
My favourite doc is Searching for Sugarman, glad to see it get a very brief mention!
It's nice to see The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On get the respect it deserves. What an insanely-brilliant documentary!
In my opinion, a person who doesn't known cinema at all but wanted to start understand, should begin watching documentaries
Agreed.
Thrilled that Stop Making Sense is in here! Best concert film ever. RIP Jonathan Demme!
You guys are the amazing!!!!!!!!!! Keep the amazing work up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please some do some top ten videos for:
1) Cameos
2) Comic Relief Characters
3) Fourth Wall Breaks
4) Franchises
5) Musicals
amazing, you made it trough the hole video without saying werner herzog even once.
Mackie Messer I mean, they mentioned several of his movies, at least.
I was thinking the same thing.
I did like the brief mention of Les Blank’s “Burden of Dreams”.
Also not hearing more of Errol Morris was surprising.
@@andrewlewis414 I rewatched the Thin Blue Line a few years ago and I was disappointed because it seemed to have aged poorly. I dunno though.
I'd love to see the doc Tarnation in one of your lists! Also, others of note: Searching for the Wrong-eyed Jesus, The Wolfpack
Searching for Sugar Man too
Your videos make me contemplate life and then cry.
Beautiful phrase...”lonely in their irrelevance” 💕💕💕
Next one: Top 10 Road Movies please?
At least three of them would be Wim Wenders' films :)
Akif Akyel or Thelma and Louise
Easy Rider
@@derzulya and the top one would be Paris, Texas
What I actually need more from the 'Top 10 Road Movies' episode is the subgenres that CineFix will find out. They do mention all great movies of a genre, which you'd get anyway from most websites
The first documentary that really, REALLY struck me was "Darwin's Nightmare". The horror of that movie that keeps on getting bigger and bigger and keeps you getting angrier as you move along and it widens the focus all the while just opening up chapter after chapter with more terrible aspects of its tale until we finally come full circle and see the (supposed) complete ugly truth.
Your list is great, but I would have loved to see a mention of it here.
One of my favourite documentaries is Refused Are Fucking Dead, about Swedish hardcore / punk band Refused and how they bitterly split during an American tour that should have been their crowning.
It's absolutely beautiful, moving and it makes you want to pick up a mic and scream your frustration at the world's face.
A must-see for anyone into music.
Such a cool, well narrated and informative channel. Please keep on doin' that thing that you do.
I remember Jonas Mekas' works.
I did my own version of "As I was Moving Ahead Occasionally I saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty" with a Super 8 camera for a film class project.
Although I liked his works, I would just say they are neat feel good random heartwarming granpa' like stuff, I wouldnt think of them as any great piece of film or documentary work.
“Shoah is our favorite history documentary” cool I like those I better check it out! “At 9 and a half hours long...” oh, uh I, that sounds like a lot of commitment
I'm sure yoi binge watch a dozen mindlessly inane episodes of drivel on buttfux. Watxh Shoah in 4 pieces. It's amazing.
Oh, I fully support Jonas Mekas being number one. I watched As I was moving forward in its entirety and it is still to this day one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen.
Anvil needs a shoutout in the music doc category. A simultaneously uplifting and heartbreaking look at chasing your dreams til the bitter end.