15 Best Documentaries Recommended by Reddit

The adage that truth is stranger than fiction is a testament to the power of documentary filmmaking. But, for those who are new to the genre, it can be difficult to know where to start. Fortunately, Reddit has plenty of recommendations. After scouring several subreddits, here are the 15 best documentaries that Reddit mentions the most.

1. The Act of Killing (2012)

This documentary follows former Indonesian death squad leaders as they re-enact their mass-killings in the 1960s. The Act of Killing was directed by Joshua Oppenheimer and co-directed by Christine Cynn and an anonymous Indonesian.

2. The Thin Blue Line (1988)

This documentary from Errol Morris looks at the murder of a police officer in Dallas, Texas. It examines the story of Randall Dale Adams, a man wrongfully convicted of the murder.

3. The Fog of War (2003)

This Academy Award-winning documentary from Errol Morris features interviews with former United States Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. It looks at his experiences during the Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

4. The Imposter (2012)

This documentary follows the story of a French man who impersonates a missing Texas boy. Directed by Bart Layton, The Imposter is a mix of documentary and narrative fiction.

5. Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996)

This documentary from Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky follows the trial of three teenagers accused of the murder of three young boys in West Memphis, Arkansas.

6. Capturing the Friedmans (2003)

This documentary from Andrew Jarecki follows the story of the Friedman family, who were accused of sexually abusing children in their home.

7. The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)

This documentary from Seth Gordon follows the story of Steve Wiebe, a man who attempts to set a world record score for the arcade game Donkey Kong.

8. Man on Wire (2008)

This Academy Award-winning documentary from James Marsh follows Philippe Petit’s 1974 high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City.

9. The Central Park Five (2012)

This documentary from Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon follows the story of five teenagers who were wrongfully convicted of the 1989 rape of a woman in Central Park.

10. Blackfish (2013)

This documentary from Gabriela Cowperthwaite looks at the captivity of killer whales, particularly one named Tilikum, at SeaWorld.

11. Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)

This documentary from Banksy follows the story of Thierry Guetta, a French immigrant in Los Angeles who becomes obsessed with street art.

12. The Queen of Versailles (2012)

This documentary from Lauren Greenfield follows the story of David and Jackie Siegel, who attempt to build the largest house in the United States.

13. Grizzly Man (2005)

This documentary from Werner Herzog follows the story of Timothy Treadwell, who spent 13 summers living with grizzly bears in Alaska.

14. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)

This documentary from David Gelb follows the story of Jiro Ono, a sushi chef who has dedicated his life to perfecting the art of making sushi.

15. The Square (2013)

This documentary from Jehane Noujaim follows the story of the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 and its aftermath.

Conclusion

These 15 documentaries are some of the best that Reddit has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a story about crime, art, or politics, there’s something for everyone. So, which one will you watch next?