best travel documentaries 2022

• Best Fountain Pens
• How to Smoke a Cigar
• Best nerf guns for adults
• The best Netflix movies
• Best Ernest Hemingway books

72 Dangerous Places to Live, Dark Tourist, and more: Sate your wanderlust with the best travel shows and documentaries on Netflix

You'll love these amazing travel documentaries.

Traveling is something that many people wish they could do more of. Whether you lack the time, money, or know-how to travel the world, though, it can be comforting to watch others do it from the comfort of your couch. A great travel show or documentary can be a wonderful escape and a reminder that the world is much bigger than the tiny slice of it you live in every day. What’s even better is that many great travel documentaries on Netflix, if you’re willing to go looking for them.

These documentaries will deliver stunning panoramic shots of the U.S. National Parks , as well as plenty of international wonders, and a little bit of good food as well. If you like all kinds of docs, travel or not, we’ve got you covered with Netflix documentaries (or maybe you’re just really into crime docs and action flicks). We also have an overall guide on the best Netflix movies and the best Netflix shows .

72 Dangerous Places to Live (2016)

• The best Netflix movies to stream in March
• These are the best Disney Plus shows to add to your watch list in March
• Malignant, His House, and more: The 8 best horror movies to stream on Netflix right now

Down to Earth with Zac Efron (2020)

The chef show (2019), street food collection (2020), tales by light (2015), dark tourist (2018), midnight asia: eat dance dream (2022), jack whitehall: travels with my father (2017), lorena, light-footed woman (2019), the world's most amazing vacation rentals (2021), our planet (2019), salt fat acid heat (2018), editors' recommendations.

• Yellowstone, Suits, The Office, and more: The best shows to binge on Peacock in March
• The best shows on Netflix to stream in March
• The best shows on Amazon Prime to binge in March – Vikings, Good Omens, The Boys, and more
• From food to true crime and sports, here are the 14 best Netflix documentaries to stream right now
• BoJack Horseman, Disenchantment, and more: Netflix cartoons that are binge-worthy shows adults will love
• The Best Shows and Movies to Stream on Netflix Right Now

The best sci-fi shows are able to capture the imagination of audiences with the perfect amount of realism, while also dissociating from reality enough to entertain and thrill. There are plenty of sci-fi movies on Netflix that are well worth checking out, but if you’re in the mood for something that will take a little bit longer to consume, you may be looking for a series. To find the best show for you, we've done the hard work of looking through all of Netflix's many options to find the best options. Below are the greatest sci-fi TV shows on Netflix. Once you’re done watching any of these sci-fi TV shows, you may want to check out the best sci-fi movies of all time.

Dark (2017)

Have you ever found yourself looking through all the movies on Netflix, only to find that actually choosing one to watch is very taxing? That's not even mentioning all the Netflix shows to dig through. If you know you're looking for a particular kind of movie, that can help, but even then, there can be too many movies to choose from. Luckily, we've been watching tons of great sci-fi movies and have already determined which ones rise to the top of the pile on Netflix. So if you're looking for the best sci-fi movies on Netflix this year, you've come to the right place. If you're looking for Netflix movies that will keep you occupied for a whole weekend or an evening, you can also check out our list of the best sci-fi series on Netflix right now.

What is the definition of an action movie? Can there even really be a complete explanation of the genre? Some feature the kinds of stunts that no mere mortal would ever dare to attempt, while others attempt to be more grounded. Still, others have outlandish premises that take us to new, far-off worlds. It's a genre that contains multitudes, but what makes an action movie great is its ability to thrill and captivate its audience. Over the course of its history as a streaming service, Netflix has been home to a number of great action titles. Some are funny, and others are deadly serious. The only thing we know for sure, though, is that the best action movies on Netflix are sure to please. We've also rounded up some of the best action movies on Amazon Prime worth watching if you've seen all these, as well as a few great action movies available on Hulu. Looking for even more films to stream online? We've found the all-around best Netflix movies, Amazon Prime movies, Disney Plus movies, and movies on Hulu to watch this month.

Uncharted (2022)

23 Binge-worthy Travel Documentaries on Netflix (2023)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: February 3, 2023

If you enjoy watching travel shows (whether for inspiration or research) you are in for a treat with this selection of the best travel documentaries on Netflix in 2023

This eclectic list of Netflix travel documentaries and series will take you across every continent to meet the people, cultures, history and geography, natural wonders and wildlife that make up our beautiful planet.

Chosen by travel bloggers this is a selection of the best travel documentaries available on Netflix around the world.

Please bear in mind that not all these shows may be available on Netflix in your location ! If you would like unrestricted access to 15 Netflix libraries around the world (including Germany/USA/UK) we recommend Surfshark VPN. You only need 1 subscription to cover every gadget in your house. Click here for more information about Surfshark

Taco Chronicles

With surfshark vpn you can, dark tourist, down to earth, grand tours of the scottish islands, expedition happiness.

• Chef's Table

Somebody Feed Phil

Extreme engagement.

• Joanna Lumley's India

Chasing Coral

Magical andes, cuba and the cameraman, jack whitehall travels with my father, restaurants on the edge, tales by light, christiane amanpour: sex & love around the world, the serpent, the dawn wall, my octopus teacher, anthony bourdain: parts unknown, street food series (latin america and asia), more tv shows & movies from countries around the world, 23 best travel documentaries on netflix.

If you didn’t love the idea of eating tacos in Mexico City already, Taco Chronicles will make sure you do! In fact, you’ll discover that there’s even more to authentic Mexican tacos than you ever knew about.

In Taco Chronicles, you’ll go on a taco journey to Mexico City and beyond, to discover the unique types of tacos eaten in Mexico’s various regions and states. The show does start off in Mexico City, with the king of Mexican tacos — the taco al pastor.

From Mexico City, enjoy a virtual Mexican culinary food tour to its neighbouring state of Hidalgo, home of barbacoa (BBQ) tacos. Beyond Central Mexico, this food and travel documentary takes you all over Mexico.

In subsequent episodes of this two-season show, you’ll discover cochinita pibil (slow-roasted suckling pig) tacos in the Yucatan Peninsula, fried fish tacos in Baja California state on the west coast, cabrito (goat) tacos in Northern Mexico, and more.

Places/countries featured – Mexico

Chosen by Shelley of Travel Mexico Solo

DO YOU WANT TO WATCH THE GREAT SHOWS LISTED IN THIS GUIDE?

✅ With Surfshark VPN you get unrestricted access to the Netflix libraries of 15 countries.

✅ Access to the US, UK and German Netflix libraries (plus a further 12 countries)

✅ Access 13 Amazon Prime libraries including the USA and UK

✅ 1 subscription covers every gadget in your house

Click here for all the info!

Over recent years, the public’s fascination with dark tourism destinations has boomed. Sites such as Chernobyl and Auschwitz draw in thousands of tourists every year. With so many of the population sharing a fascination for dark history, it is no wonder that so many have tuned into Netflix’s ‘Dark Tourist. 

The show follows journalist David Farrier as he travels around hoping to experience the most macabre destinations that the world has to offer. Farrier’s quest to unearth the morbid takes him to several high profile dark tourism destinations, including the site of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, on a JFK assassination tour and he even witnesses an exorcism in Mexico City.  

Although Farrier sometimes comes across as a mediocre Louis Theroux, this thought-provoking travel show succeeds in its aim and transports you into the unknown. The result is an interesting series that explores the darker side of life (and death).

Chosen by Sheree   of Winging the World

In the Netflix series Down To Earth , actor Zac Efron and wellness author Darin Olien travel across the globe learning about the wellness and sustainability efforts being made in numerous destinations.

Each of the eight episodes focuses on a different location and aspect of sustainability or personal wellness.

In the first episode, you’ll learn all about harnessing the earth’s energy in Iceland. From there, travel to Paris to see their efforts to reduce bottled water impacts, learn about sustainability in Costa Rica, and nutrition in Sardinia.

Also included in the series are food education in Lima, post-hurricane sustainability in Puerto Rico, London pollution reduction efforts, and Iquitos wellness in the Peruvian Amazon.

In one of the most intriguing segments, they learn about tap water differences from a water sommelier. The series lends a glimpse into some beautiful destinations and what locals are doing to keep them beautiful for decades to come.

Chosen by Samantha of PAonPause.com

More to watch!

• Best Scandinavian and Nordic Noir Netflix series to watch in 2021 and beyond
• Best Danish TV series to watch on Netflix
• Best Italian TV series on Netflix
• Best German TV series on Netflix
• Best Australian TV shows to watch before you visit Oz
• 16 binge worthy Turkish series on Netflix

Historian and film-maker Paul Murton brings you on a fascinating journey to many Scottish islands over four seasons. He meets with locals; finds hidden gems; and explores the rich, unique, and sometimes tragic history of each of the islands. 

You may be surprised to find yourself binge-watching this relaxing travel documentary series. You will get caught up in Murton’s contagious curiosity about its people and his great admiration for its beauty. Every episode is filled with stunning scenery. The high production quality and engaging soundtrack heighten the enjoyment of the show. Fans can follow this up with his three other Scottish travel series.  

Queue up, Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands to enjoy some dreamy armchair travel or to gain a deeper understanding of the islands as you plan your trip to Scotland .  

Places featured: Isle of Skye , Islands of Loch Lomond, Hebridean Islands, Orkney Islands, and many more

Contributed by Erica at Trip Scholars

Expedition Happiness is a home movie/travelogue that follows the story of a German couple as they give up their life in Germany to do an epic road trip in the Americas with their dog Rudi.

The couple, whose names are Selima and Felix, purchased a yellow school bus in Florida for 9500 USD. After working on it for three months, they transformed it into their “Loft on Wheel”, a comfortable, spacious, and well-equipped adventure bus. 

The itinerary was to start in Alaska near Denali National Park , drive all the way down to Central America, cross over to South America, and finish in Argentina.

On their adventure, they documented all the incredible landscapes they saw, the people they met, and more.

Whether they were able to finish their epic adventure or not, you will have to find out on Netflix! 

Chosen by Sean of Living out Lau

Chef’s Table

Even if you’re not a foodie but love to travel, be sure to watch Chef’s Table on Netflix. This documentary series features renowned Chefs from around the world who are creating inspired culinary experiences.

Now in its 6th season with 30 episodes, the series doesn’t just showcase a chef’s creations, but takes you on a journey through each of their personal stories that has led to their creativity.

World renowned chefs like Italy’s Massimo Bottura will inspire you with how he came from humble beginnings to being on the world culinary stage. But one chef in particular has inspired us to travel for her food — Chef Ana Rôs, owner of  Hiša Franko restaurant  in Kobarid, Slovenia. 

After initially pursuing a career track in business, she spent years honing her craft and experimenting with the local foods of her native Slovenia. Today, she is now one of the top chefs in the world, Hiša Franko is one of the 50 Best Restaurants in the World and newly Michelin-rated — and our dinner there on my birthday might possibly be the best meal of my life.

Watch the series and decide where your next culinary adventure will be.

Chosen by Lori of travlinmad.com

In “Somebody Feel Phil”, the creator of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Phil Rosenthal, travels the world to indulge in the scrumptious local cuisine and to learn more about the culture of these destinations.

There are currently four seasons on Netflix and each episode features a different city around the world. This documentary does a great job of portraying local customs and traditions and viewers will feel like they’re actually in that city with the locals.

Phil has a childlike wonder to him when he’s learning about the different cultures and he answers basically any potential questions the viewers could have about the destination. One of the best parts about the documentary is watching Phil turn the strangers he meets into his family. 

Places featured – Bangkok, Saigon, Tel Aviv, Lisbon, New Orleans, Mexico City, Venice , Dublin, Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Cape Town, New York City, Marrakesh, Chicago, London, Seoul, Montreal, Rio De Janeiro, San Francisco, Singapore, the Mississippi Delta, and Hawaii. 

Chosen by Disha of Disha Discovers

While most people get engaged and then begin planning their perfect wedding, Tim and PJ, stars of the Netflix show Extreme Engagement, do anything but that. Instead, Tim and PJ get engaged and then set out on a worldwide exploration of marital traditions around the world. 

The couple journeys to places such as Mongolia, Brazil, China, Nigeria, and Papua New Guinea facing challenging experiences along the way that has them questioning their relationship and each other. 

You get to see a glimpse inside the cross-cultural challenges associated with a new romance along with an interesting insight into how other cultures celebrate love and marriage. 

Chosen by Michelle Snell from That Texas Couple

International travellers Scott Wilson and Justin Lukach cross the world and push their limits on an expedition to find genuine, unforgettable experiences.

DEPARTURES is an international award-winning and inspiring television travel series that will take you on the journey of a lifetime and beyond. From epic landscapes to unforgettable culture, learn what it takes to make it all happen through personal successes, crushing disappointments and memorable new friendships that could only be made by travelling abroad.

With two episodes for every continent, DEPARTURES will arm and reassure your wanderlust with hours of riveting programming that captures the beauty, drama, wonder and humor of taking a leap abroad.

DEPARTURES covers every aspect of world travel, showing you exactly what to expect at destinations around the globe. From beaches in Bali and cruising in the South Pacific Islands, to trekking on Mt Kilimanjaro and sailing up icebergs off Greenland, DEPARTURES takes you straight into a location’s unique atmosphere… giving viewers insight into a whole new way of life.

Places featured – Nearly 30 countries around the world including Japan, New Zealand and Russia

Chosen by Casandra of Karpiak Caravan Adventure Family Travel

Joanna Lumley’s India

Joanna Lumley is a British actress probably most well-known for her role as the outrageous Patsy of Absolutely Fabulous. What is perhaps less known about her is that she was born in Kashmir, India, in 1946, and the descendent of British colonists in India going back to 1777.

Originally aired in 2017 with three episodes, Joanna Lumley’s India takes viewers on a personal trip across the country where she explores modern India and finds connections to members of her own family and the experience of being and speaking English in India .

Lumley has also hosted travel shows on Japan, the Silk Road, the Caribbean, and the Trans-Siberia express train.

Places featured:  Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Gujarat, Mumbai, Ranthambhore National Park, Delhi, and Srinagar, Kashmir.

Chosen by Mariellen of Breathedreamgo

Chasing Coral is a fascinating documentary about the disappearance of coral around the world. In this chasing coral, a team of divers, researchers and photographers set out on an ocean adventure to document the bleaching of Coral in warming seas. This phenomenon is when corals lose their beautiful and vibrant colors to become white, dying shortly after. 

The point of this documentary is to show that the coral’s death is the result of climate change and the rise in temperatures that are absorbed by the oceans. 

The documentary takes us to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world such as the Florida Keys, Hawaii and the Bahamas. More than that, this documentary also shows the important damage climate change has done to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. 

I definitely recommend this documentary to anyone who wants to really understand the impact of human activity on the ocean’s ecosystem. 

Chosen by Camille from Everything Yoga Retreat

Magical Andes is one of the best travel documentaries on Netflix if you are looking to learn about the natural gems of South America. When searching amongst the 100’s of other documentaries you’ll find this particular docuseries created by Luis Ara and Alexandra Hardorf concentrates solely on the magical landscape of the Andes mountain range. 

This docuseries not only shows you all about the longest continental mountain range in the world, but talks about the wildlife, lakes, and forests, deserts, volcanoes, and other Mother Earth creations that exist in that region. 

Magical Andes focuses on truly stunning imagery and gives you a look into some of the  best places to visit in South America  that you simply wouldn’t see passing through in a car.

Places featured  – In season one, the Netflix documentary features spectacular views from Argentina and Chile. Then from the Aconcagua desert in Bolivia over to some of the more ancient cultures in Peru. The lush mountain of Colombia and Ecuador are also featured.

Chosen by Daniel of LayerCulture.com

If you’ve ever thought of visiting Cuba there are many Cuban movies and documentaries to help you to research your trip, but none are as epic as this one. 

Many people believe that Cuba is a country frozen in time, but this Netflix documentary features Jon Alpert’s travels to Cuba over a span of nearly five decades. 

And while the relationships between the United States and Cuba has been fragmented at times, he visited each time as an American journalist. It starts in 1970s, just over a decade since the Cuban revolution when the country was thriving. 

Instead of giving his perspective on Cuba, he interviews three families who share their own stories of every day life. He continues to visit Cuba to find these families to update their stories. Over the decades the political situation and relationship with the United States changes quite dramatically.

And while he also interviews Fidel Castro, most of the film is really about everyday Cubans and their highs and lows.

Chosen by Ayngelina of Baconismagic.ca

Jack Whitehall is a British comedian who attended private school and has a somewhat disjointed relationship with his father Michael because of this. Jack also never got to take a gap year before going to university so season one of Travels with my Father is all about Jack finally embarking on a traditional ‘gap year’ trip to Southeast Asia. The twist is he takes his father with him so they can strengthen their bond.

The series takes place in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and highlights some of the gap year activities that can be done including full moon parties on the beach and visiting Angkor Wat. By the end of their travels, they reflect on what they have learned about each other and themselves.

The show continues in a similar fashion in the subsequent seasons where Michael takes Jack on a culture and history tour around Europe, Jack shows Michael everything the US has to offer, and both his mother and father join him for a road trip in Australia.

Chosen by Steph from Book It Let’s Go!

If you love travel, design and food, Restaurants on the Edge needs to be on your Netflix list. In each episode, the show highlights a restaurant in a stunning location. 

The restaurants get a makeover from a design expert and the menu often gets an upgrade from the show’s chef, the goal is to take struggling restaurants and make them sustainable for the business owners. 

There are currently two seasons of Restaurants on the Edge on Netflix, with locations throughout the world. 

In season one, you’ll be treated to beautiful ocean views in Malta, as well as stunning architecture. The views continue with a cliff side restaurant in Costa Rica. 

Season two will take you around the world again, with restaurants in Finland, St. Croix and Arizona. 

Not only is it fun to see the upgrades these restaurants go through, but it’s also inspiring to see the impact the changes have on each person’s life making this show a must-watch. 

Chosen by Alenis of seasaltandfog.com  

If you are a fan of Italy, Italian art and History, then watch the gorgeous and surprisingly brutal history of the famous Medici’s of Florence.

The Netflix show is so well done with gorgeous cinematography, beautiful costumes and stage settings. The show includes all the surrounding countryside and historic sites that document the Medici Family and their major influence on Florence, Venice, and even Rome (two popes were related to the Medici family).

It also showcases early Catholic power and greed. The Pope had absolute power and a religious mission that seemed corrupt whichever person was Pope and ruler. 

The Medici focus really hits the major sites of the city and also the start of the Renaissance period in Italy. The crowning of the main dome in the cathedral was a major achievement during this time frame and it was really fascinating to see how this was depicted and shown in development and the struggles of the Medici family to get this undertaking done.

Also, it was interesting to see how easy it was during that time frame to create wealth and also lose it depending on your affiliations and business relationships with the pope and other influential rulers of that time.

Watch the Medici’s on Netflix and if you visit Florence, you’ll gain a better understanding of the Medici fame and fortune in the area.

Chosen by Noel of Oahu Travel Now

Below Deck is a series of reality TV shows. Each show is set on a luxury yacht which is rented out by wealthy charter guests, but the real action is with the young yacht crew, or yachties, who serve them, the characterful captains who lead them and the stunning locations. The original Below Deck was so successful that it rapidly gained two spin offs, Below Deck Mediterranean and Below Deck Sailing Yacht.

The original Below Deck saw the crew sail around Sint Maarten in the Caribbean, followed by seasons in the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, the US Virgin Islands, Tahiti, Thailand and Antigua.

Below Deck Mediterranean’s locations have included Mykonos in the Greek Islands, Split and Cavtat in Croatia, the Amalfi Coast in Italy, the Cote d’Azur in the south of France and Mallorca in Spain’s Balearic Islands. Below Deck, Sailing Yacht has only had one series, set in Corfu.

Contributed by Helen of HelenOnHerHolidays.com

The documentary series “Tales by Light” follows renowned professional filmmakers and photographers as they visit worldwide destinations and capture fascinating content which highlights different features of the natural world. 

Every episode focuses on a different subject such as wildlife, the oceans, landscapes, adventure activities, or cultural practices and traditions. The distinct approaches of the featured photographers really help to bring the stories to life and this program presents many less well-known countries and regions in a compelling way using panoramic landscapes and stunning visuals. 

The first season explores multiple destinations per episode, with visits to Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Alaska and Colorado in the United States, Vanuatu, the Himalayas, Antarctica, Ethiopia and Uganda.

The second season covers Kenya, Norway, Brazil, the Bahamas, India and Namibia, and the third season highlights Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Australia.

This series presents a journey across the globe and is sure to inspire travellers who are looking for their next adventure.

Contributed by Claire from  Claire Pins Travel  

In this cultural travel show, CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour (who in the past has covered major stories from countries like  Iran , Rwanda, and Pakistan) travels to six different cities around the world to explore women’s love lives across multiple cultures. She talks to experts in the field as well as everyday people — revealing facts and details that give a very insightful glimpse into the culture and values of women around the world. 

Christiane is a natural at asking just the right questions and at shining a spotlight on the stories of the women in each city.

While this show focuses heavily on love and sex, viewers will get to learn a whole lot about the overall mentality and life approach of each country — making this a perfect travel show that fosters deeper cultural appreciation.

Places featured – Tokyo (Japan), Delhi (India), Beirut (Lebanon), Berlin (Germany), Accra (Ghana), Shanghai (China)

Chosen by Jiayi of The Diary of A Nomad

Released at the beginning of 2021, The Serpent is not a travel show in and of itself, but it will inevitably allure travelers into visiting the many places explored by the main characters.

Aired on Netflix, the series tells the real story of Charles Sobhraj, a French serial killer of Indian and Vietnamese origins who in the mid-1970s drugged, robbed and killed a large number of backpackers travelling between Thailand, India and Nepal. 

Sobhraj and his Quebecoise girlfriend Marie-Andrée Leclerc were finally identified as the authors of the crimes thanks to the work of Dutch diplomat Herman Knippenberg, who, albeit the many reservations of the Dutch ambassador to Thailand, set to investigate the disappearance of a Dutch couple and through a series of lead eventually managed to uncover the culprits.

Places featured: Over the course of 8 episodes you will be taken to Bangkok, the coast of Thailand, the peaks of Nepal, the streets of several Indian cities and even to Paris .

Chosen by Claudia Tavani of My Adventures Across The World

When Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson free climbed the Great Wall of the El Capitan rock face in the Yosemite National Park in 2018, the news spread like wildfire.

Dawn Wall is a US documentary about this story of perseverance and adventure.

Cameras follow these legendary free climbers as they undertake this nearly impossible task. It took Cadwell 7 years to reach the goal and we are given a detailed look into the events that led to this decision and the struggles that were involved throughout the journey.

There’s one constant theme that runs throughout the story and that is the strength of the human spirit.

This captivating documentary with great visuals should not be missed. The documentary is in English, but subtitles are available in different languages that include Spanish, French, and Chinese. 

Places featured : Yosemite National Park

Chosen by Rai from A Rai of Light

My Octopus Teacher is an award-winning and very heart-touching documentary on Netflix that covers how a filmmaker spent a year trying to capture a wild octopus on camera and also form a friendship with it. 

For about a year, Craig Foster films a wild octopus he came across while trying out free-diving through an underwater kelp forest in South Africa.

Over the period, Craig and the octopus develop a bond with the octopus almost showing Craig around and not being uninhibited by his presence as he follows it.

Craig watches as it protects itself, loses an arm to an attack and then regrows it too. At the end of the documentary, the octopus naturally passes away after mating and trying to protect its eggs. 

Filmed entirely near Cape Peninsula in South Africa, this beautiful documentary is not to be missed as it covers an offbeat relationship between man and nature. 

Places featured – A kelp forest off False Bay near Simon’s Town in South Africa

Chosen by Lavinia of Continent Hop

For the foodies of the world, who travel the world, and are strident realists about the world, “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” is an absolute must-watch.

Rugged, painfully honest, internationally renowned chef Anthony Bourdain travelled the globe in search of authentic food, people and life experiences. With no time for nonsense and all the time in the world for simple food done to perfection, he takes the viewer to eating establishments from tiny street food stalls to the finest of fine dining.

In his search for amazing food in amazing places, he guides you from the brutality of the Bornean jungle to the madness of Seoul’s foodie nightlife and the pure joy of a perfectly cooked steak in an Argentinian steakhouse accompanied by a glass of locally bottled Malbec. 

Parts Unknown leaves you an appetite for dinner and a bigger one for travel. Wanderlust is baked into every episode.

Chosen by Rosie of the Flying Fluskeys

The Street Food series is one for foodie lovers around the world to enjoy! Each episode follows the story of a local chef and how they started their now-famous street food shops.

From family restaurants to cultural fusions, you learn about a destination through food from the people who make it possible.

Volume one takes place in various Asian destinations, such as Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Delhi (India), Seoul (South Korea), and others.

The second volume takes place in Latin America, highlighting food in Salvador (Brazil), Bogota (Colombia), Lima (Peru), Oaxaca (Mexico), and more.

It is a delicious docuseries that will keep you salivating and also inspire you to understand how food and travel are one. Street Food will also encourage you to get out of your comfort zone if you normally avoid street food!

It is the ideal blend of travel and food for everyone to indulge in from home.

Chosen by Sojourner of Sojournies.com

📺 If you are looking for more travel inspiration on Netflix check out these posts:

• 39 Very Best Travel Movies to Inspire Your Wanderlust
• Best Spanish Series on Netflix (Binge-worthy TV for 2021)
• 10 best movies about South Africa to watch before you visit
• Best Netflix series set in Denmark
• 15 best Scandinavian & Nordic Noir Netflix series you can’t miss
• Best French series on Netflix

📖 If you enjoy reading about a country before you visit check out these posts

• A Complete Guide to the Best Books from Around the World
• Best books about Croatia (or set in Croatia)

Love and Road

The 20 Best Travel Shows on Netflix to Watch in 2024

Some of our links are affiliated, we will earn a commission when you buy a service or product. This will have no extra cost for you. For further info please refer to our Privacy Policy

Whether you’ve been missing the thrill of traveling or are currently feeling inspired to pick the destination for your next adventure, travel shows can help. Netflix has no shortage of cool travel documentaries and shows, but we’ve decided to pick 20 of the best travel shows on Netflix.

If you’re traveling right now, or if some of these shows are not available in your country, use a VPN to access them without any restrictions. To play the shows, open up your VPN app and select a server located in a different state. If the show is available in your country, but you’re currently traveling internationally, choose the server of your home country to enjoy the show. 

Now let me tell you why these Netflix travel shows are worth watching and don’t blame me if you get hooked on some (or all) of them.

The best travel shows on Netflix

Before we start, let me tell you that this list is in no particular order. It’s up to you to choose the one you want to watch first, but we recommend watching them all. At home, traveling for a holiday, or at a new destination, these Netflix travel shows and documentaries will set you in the mood for discovering new places, tasting exotic food, maybe even cycling, driving, or just staying at home until you finish all the seasons. Lol 

The list is divided into travel shows or documentaries focused on nature, food, dark tourism, cycling and cars, photography, family travels, and specific destinations. Enjoy it!

NordVPN has great deals! Check them out here!

The best travel and nature Netflix shows 

Arguably one of the most famous travel documentaries on Netflix, Our Planet takes you on a world tour of earth’s fascinating creatures. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough and filmed in Ultra High Definition, this show takes you to over 50 countries and perfectly captures the wonders of the earth. 

Our Planet is the perfect Netflix travel show to give you some new ideas for your bucket list. Trust us!

Untamed Romania

While most seasoned travelers deeply appreciate Romania’s natural beauty, it is still overlooked in the mainstream media. Untamed Romania is a feature-length film celebrating the country’s immaculate wildlife.

Untamed Romania is one of the best Netflix travel documentaries for those who love nature and want to discover a new destination to travel to.

The best travel and food Netflix shows 

Down to Earth

Down to Earth documentary follows Zac Efron, the actor, and wellness expert Darin Olien as they explore healthy and sustainable practices across different cultures. This documentary showcases the diversity and creativity seen across the globe to make the most of one’s resources.

It’s intriguing and can be inspiring, not only about travel but how we think of sustainability and health. 

Street Food Asia

Sometimes the most accessible way to connect to a different culture is food. Asian food holds a special place in the world regarding street food and is probably one of the most universally beloved cuisines today. Street Food Asia takes you on a food journey across Asia and Southeast Asia’s best food cities, including Bangkok, Delhi, Osaka, and Singapore.

Street Food Asia is one of our fave travel shows on Netflix. We love Asia and Asian delights you can only find from street vendors. If you have never visited this part of the world, watch this show, and it will open your mind to a new world of flavors, aromas, and ways of life. If you are craving an Asia trip, watch it and plan international travel soon. 

Also, read our guides and articles about Asian destinations as they have many travel and food recommendations. Read our guides about Thailand , Vietnam , Indonesia , Malaysia , The Philippines , China , Taiwan, India , and Cambodia .

Ugly Delicious

Ugly Delicious is another food travel show where a star chef David Chang is looking for the world’s most satisfying grub with his buddies. Despite being a professional chef, Chang isn’t pretentious with his picks and takes us on a cross-cultural food trip filled with laughter.

Another great travel and food show on Netflix about food culture.

Somebody Feed Phil

In this series, we follow the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, Phil Rosenthal, as he explores world cuisines and meets the locals. Phil’s upbeat attitude is probably one of the best parts of the Somebody Feed Phil travel show together with a lot of food scenes that will help your plan your future trip to incredible destinations including Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

On this Netflix travel show, you will visit cities like Bangkok , spend days in Mexico City , see Lisbon , and many more. Well-known travel destinations are pictured with flavors and a local touch.

High on The Hog: Culinary Journey From Africa to America

This show explores African American soul food and its long journey from Africa to North America. It has been dubbed the most engaging history of African American cuisine. It traces the process of cultivating, harvesting, cooking, and serving the food that enslaved Africans brought with them to the States.

This Netflix cultural travel and food show will take you on a true gastronomic journey. 

Restaurants on the Edge

As you might be able to guess from the name of the show, these hour-long episodes take us to restaurants that are located in some of the most stunning locations in the world but are struggling with their menus and dishes. They are located on the edge of the world but are also on the edge of closing down.

This travel show on Netflix pictures unique locations and a bit of drama, as you can expect. 

Netflix shows about travel, cycling and cars

Biking Borders

This one is for lovers of slow traveling and less-known countries. Two friends go on a 15,000 km bicycle journey worldwide, including the Balkans, Central Asia, and other countries, to build a school in Guatemala.

Rob and I love cycling, so this Netflix travel documentary series is tremendously appealing to us. Biking Borders is also an excellent travel inspiration for those who dream of traveling by bike or going on a cycling holiday. And if this is you, read our article about cycling on Taiwan’s East Coast and cycling in Spain .

Pedal the World

This is another Netflix travel documentary that portrays a world tour on wheels, but this time our protagonist visits 22 countries during his year-long journey, searching for the meaning in life and discovering something new in each country.

Pedal the World is an inspiring and realistic epic road trip that might give you ideas of how you want to spend your life and what really matters. 

Paul Hollywood’s Big Continental Road Trip

Paul Hollywood studies the ties between popular cars in Europe and their local culture and identity as an actor and a baker. In this short but educational Netflix documentary , Hollywood will visit France, Germany, and Italy.

This isn’t your Netflix show if you are looking for food and baking goods. But if you like cars, speed, a bit of history and traveling in Europe, you will enjoy the ride. 

Netflix travel shows about a specific destination

Katla  

This travel series focuses on Iceland, specifically the volcano Katla , which began constantly erupting just recently. The show has eight episodes and does a wonderful job portraying Iceland’s breathtaking beauty . Katla serves as a great reminder of all that we still don’t know about the earth. 

This Netflix travel show is a powerful trigger for wanderlust, and it will make you want to book a trip to Iceland as soon as possible. 

Magic Andes

A documentary following five characters from the Andes, South America’s breathtaking mountains. It is a fascinating series that highlights real people living in communities located under the mountains and paints a nuanced picture of the region of Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia .

After watching Magic Andes read our Peru travel guides , and for sure, you will want to visit South América. If you are worried about safety, then read our guide to the safest countries in South America , and you will be surprised. 

Guatemala: Heart of the Mayan World

This documentary focuses on Guatemala’s rich landscape and culture, the territory where 2000 years ago, the fascinating Mayan civilization collapsed. The Mayan influence is still all over Guatemala and Central America, and this documentary does an amazing job of connecting the dots between the past and the present.

Guatemala: Heart of the Mayan World is an inspiring Netflix travel documentary that will add interesting facts to your travel knowledge, and it might make you want to explore more of Latin America. 

Zulu Man in Japan

Starring South African rapper Nasty C, this Netflix travel documentary focuses on Japanese culture. The film takes place in Tokyo, where Nasty C explores the city’s go-to places, culture, sounds, and much more.

Zulu Man in Japan was released in 2019. It’s a 44-minute episode, perfect for those days that you want to have just a little dose of wanderlust knowing that you won’t be addicted to long travel series. 

The best Netflix travel show for unusual tourists

Dark Tourist

Filmed by journalist David Farrier, the author of the 2016 hit documentary Tickled, Dark Tourist takes a different approach to tourism. Farrier travels to places associated with death or tragedies that have turned these destinations into tourist attractions. You can expect anything from haunted places, nuclear lakes, and unusual and weird destinations. Those spots might not be on your travel bucket list, but it is interesting to know that they exist so you can avoid them on your next holiday. 

It’s one of the most-watched travel shows on Netflix, so it’s worth trying.

Netflix show for photography and travel lovers

Tales by Light

Created by Abraham Joffe, this show embraces the art of travel photography and film and the people behind them. This is an Australian documentary/reality travel series on Netflix that follows photographers around the globe as they chase that perfect shot.

This Netflix travel documentary is a good match for those who love photography and travel. It’s perfect for inspiring you to travel and photograph more. 

The best Netflix show about traveling with family

Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father

A comedian Jack Whitehall and his uptight father, Michael Whitehall, travel across the world together. The show starts with Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia, with the second season focusing on Eastern Europe. The third season explores the American West, the fourth features Australia, and the fifth is all about the United Kingdom, their homeland. On this last season expect everything from dining with Gordon Ramsay to searching for the Loch Ness monster.

A great Netflix travel show for those thinking of traveling with family. It also sparkes a reflection of our relationships with parents and how travel can be a good way to get together or break apart.

Netflix show that combines travel and design

Cabins in the Wild

This show takes place in Wales and follows engineer Dick Strawbridge and craftsman Will Hardie as they inspect eight unique cabins built for a pop-up hotel in Wales. Their final goal is to construct a cabin of their own.

If you like the British Tv series, chances are you will love Cabins in the Wild as well. If you like architecture and construction shows too. This type of Netflix show combines different elements, from traveling to design, making you want to have a cabin in the wild just for you. 

We end our list of the 20 best Netflix travel shows here. Drop us a comment if you have watched any of them or if you have any other good travel series to recommend. 

Love these Netflix travel shows and documentary ideas? Pin it for later!

4 thoughts on “The 20 Best Travel Shows on Netflix to Watch in 2024”

I’m so glad you mentioned The Latchkees! I’ve been obsessed with their adventures since I saw their episode on Netflix. It’s amazing how they make travel look so effortless and fun. I’m definitely adding some of the other shows on your list to my queue 😍

Such a great show!

I can’t believe I never knew about some of these shows! The Travel Diaries is definitely going on my watchlist. 😍

Glad you enjoyed it!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Accessories
• Camping Gear
• Product Reviews
• How-To Guides

Guide , Travel Store

Top 20+ best travel documentaries 2024.

Are you searching for the best travel documentaries ? Read our reviews below to find inspiration!

Documentaries, like virtually every other cuisine of celebrity, have thrived lately. Chalk this up to streaming solutions old and new pouring billions into initial content to fulfill their readers’ insatiable enthusiasm for new films and shows or just the glut of intriguing stories waiting to be informed. Rarely strikes in the box office, nonfiction narratives are especially well-suited to on-demand screening, nevertheless, offering individuals who invest hours binge-watching milder fare the rare chance to feel as though they’re learning something because they sit on the sofa.

Obviously, an amount never equals quality, so we’re devoting our entire year to seeing as many movies and string to pluck the very best that’ll expand your cognitive and emotional horizons. Below you will discover the top documentaries available in 2024 (such as docuseries, the kind which might have gained more than any other in your streaming revolution). You’ll discover streaming hits, vague treasures, and theatrical props, but all of them share one common attribute: They will help you understand the planet, for better or for worse.

Top 20+ Best Travel Documentaries

Last update on 2024-03-24 / Affiliate links / As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

‘Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution’

• Top 25+ Best Travel Vloggers 2021
• Top 25+ Best Travel Makeup Bag 2021 Review
• Top Best Inflatable Sup 2021

Executive produced from the Obamasthis documentary investigates the milestone motion towards equality and accessibility for individuals with disabilities-and it all began with a bunch of teens in summer camp, only down the street from Woodstock. What starts out as an investigation of a close-knit set of individuals turns to the minute-by-minute documentation of a nation-wide effort. From minute one, you are feeling that the frustration, anger, and jealousy that serve because of the required spark for change.

Murder into Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story

Netflix delivers a fresh look at the event of Cyntoia Brown, a young girl who served 15 years behind bars for murder before being granted clemency in 2018 by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. Celebrity assistance from Rihanna, Kim Kardashian West, and LeBron James attracted attention to and aided her launch. But, Cyntoia didn’t authorize the documentary.

The newest Netflix docuseries ponders why”infants would be the best puzzle.” Infants follow 15 babies during their first year of life since they develop in and find out about the world around them. The documentary stocks extensive interviews with investigators, who discuss the science supporting their development. Prepare for some serious infant fever watching these cute little ones.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)

The beautiful story of Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old world-renowned sushi master using a very small restaurant inauspiciously situated in a Tokyo subway station, the first of its type to be awarded three Michelin stars.

This stunning and thoughtful movie portrays Ono’s lifelong pursuit of devotion whilst investigating the toll that his obsessive devotion exacts on his connections. An intriguing glimpse into Japanese culture.

Chef’s Table (2017)

Each episode of the Emmy-nominated docuseries visits another global location to get an in-depth interview with among the world’s most renowned chefs.

Creator David Gelb also directed the critically acclaimed Jiro Dreams of Sushi, as well as both productions, discuss a similar psychological and artistic sensibility hallmarked by persuasive narratives and mesmerizingly beautiful cinematography. Check out a detailed article on What is cinematography?

Sahara with Michael Palin (2002)

The traveling documentary is a brilliant account of the numerous civilizations and areas dotting the beautiful Sahara desert. In the arid shores in Morocco, refugee camps in Algeria, into the mysterious deserts of Timbuktu and magnificent starlit nights at Nigeria, this 4-episode attribute also considered one of the very best travel documentaries on Netflix ever resides deep to the enchanting African odyssey.

Aside from exploring the different hidden jewels of this fantastic desert, the characteristic also comprises Palin’s rendezvous with numerous Muslim scholars, tribes, and refugees to emphasize the different cultural and religious beliefs that the individuals of this desert abide by.

The documentary not only highlights the vastness of the isolated desert areas but additionally beautifully highlights the many prevalent cultural influences in Africa and practices like polygamy and female genital mutilation.

Antarctica: A Year on Ice (2013)

How can it be like living in the coldest place in the world for a year? The harsh climatic conditions create Antarctica nearly inhabitable and also an enigma for the entire world. This visual masterpiece highlights the inhabitable features of this continent and traverses the audiences through the lifestyles of scientists and technicians living in isolation over the continent, braving the unforgiving winters. If you’re a nature enthusiast, you may love its opulence even in its own bitter hardness.

Traveling isn’t only about pristine beaches, intimate lanes, and lush valleys. Living in a location where the sun does not shine for months and if it will, it forgets to place, is something you ought to encounter. Ever heard of Survival of the Fittest? You need to see one of the very best travel documentaries of all time. Get up, close, and personal with it!

180 Degree South (2010)

180 Degree South is an assimilation of this unforgettable journey undertaken by Jeff while recreating the epic trip hauled off by Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins throughout their road trip in 1968. Jeff’s travel was adventurous as he opted to surf, sail, and scale before eventually making it into Chile.

Watch it to get exciting experiences, gritty travelling, and the proper technique invented before pulling such jobs.

THE BEACHES OF AGNÈS (2008)

‘The North Sea and the sand are the beginning for me…’ states Agnès Varda, prestigious filmmaker of the Nouvelle Vague and photographer of genius, who dated 80 in this autobiographical collage of private memory and atmosphere, takes us into the shores that shaped her youth, her marriage, her artwork and outside.

‘Time passes, except about the shores, which are classic…’ she motives, recalling fondness Belgian sands at La Panne and Middelkerke. And notably the port town of Sète at France’s southern area of Occitanie, where she talks of visiting fishermen at the 1940s dwelling in rough tents on the dunes, canvas walls slung with storm lamps and older pans.

Noirmoutier, the French island in the Bay of Biscay, ” recalls her husband Jacques Demy particularly enjoying, and she movies it in tribute, and using this freshness it is since becoming a destination for lovers of the film. ‘What’s the cinema?’ Varda inquires,’It’s LIGHT coming from someplace…’ We watch her sailing up the Seine at a wooden vessel, directly beneath the Ponts des Arts, the craft painted the sun-flashing yellowish of this Provençal sunflower which Varda always appeared to incorporate in her films.

I had the fantastic fortune to interview Varda if she was 90, only months before she died, and that I took a lot of sunflowers as a gift – she obtained them with a yelp of joy, saying they reminded her of French reds, her eyes hot as landing lights.

Stream on Amazon, Google Play and YouTube

Tokyo Idols (2017)

Fascinating and at times creepy look in the eccentric world of teen idols in Japan and their fanatical middle-aged devotees.

Shows how otaku (pop culture geeks) select the escapist fantasy provided by those budding starlets, some as young as 10, over connections with real girls.

Conan Without Borders (2018)

Late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien hits the street in this show that brings him along with his sense of comedy to far-flung destinations.

Street Food

The founders of’Chef’s Table’ take to the roads at a food-centric show that attracts audiences to some of the planet’s most energetic cities to find the rich tradition of road delicacies. In the hawker stalls of Singapore into the food carts of India,’ Street Food’ highlights the tales of perseverance and civilization which bring life into a nation’s cuisine. This is the best travel and food documentaries Netflix.

Winning an Academy Award for the Best Documentary, Free Solo shares the unbelievably intimate narrative of free soloist climber Alex Honnold along with his unwavering determination in preparing for the growth of his life. From the documentary, Honnold attempts to realize his lifelong dream of scaling the world’s most renowned rock: the 3,200-foot El Capitan at Yosemite National Park… and he plans to do it with no rope. If you’re searching for a gripping adventure story, this is it.

Visible: Outside on Video

Apple TV+ brings this historical documentary about LGBTQ+ representation on tv throughout the previous twenty decades. Essential characters, such as Ellen DeGeneres, Rachel Maddow, and Oprah Winfrey, along with other private first-person interviews illuminate the progress toward approval off and on the little screen.

‘Tiger # ‘ng: Murder, Mayhem and Madness’

This Netflix docuseries was a massive hit (pun certainly intended, sorry). If all your friends have not told you about it, the show covers Joe Exotic, the bizarre polygamist musician and presidential candidate that owned and operated a zoo of large cats. Yes, it is as odd as it seems. Oh, and he is in jail on a murder-for-hire plot, that’s the driving force of the story. The show is presently becoming backlash from a number of the interviewees in addition to animal rights activists, but the deep dip into the mad world of major cat owners, and also the terrible conditions that the animals have problems, was eye-opening for me personally.

Losing Sight Of Shore (2017)

Losing Sight Of Shore is one of the best time travel documentaries of the past ten years. The movie follows four female friends as they train, strategy, then sail (at a rowboat) from California across the Pacific to Australia. It is absolute insanity. The film is harrowing, emotionally wrought, and superbly executed. It keeps you on the edge of your chair as you feel that the wonderful ups and unpleasant downs of traveling on the border.

This is a superb way to spend 90 minutes one of this week also, possibly, it will motivate you to get out there also.

Fire At Sea (2016)

Traveling is not always about Instagram hashtags and wanderlust. At times it’s about success. Fire At Sea delivers a harrowing glimpse into the realities of refugees fleeing Northern Africa to get Europe – especially Sicily, Italy in this circumstance. The film juxtaposes the way the little backwater city became the flashpoint for refugees landing in Europe. It is a stark narrative of humanity, suffering, and soul to overcome and endure.

‘Cheer’# ‘

Another one you might already know of, you need to absolutely run to see Netflix docuseries Cheer. In the event, your friends have not told you all relating to this in gushing terms, here is the gist: The Navarro College Bulldogs Cheer Team is considering if perhaps not the greatest teams in the country. It’s 40 members in total, and being chosen is only the start. The show carries us through”creating the mat,” a.k.a. cto choose team associates to compete at the finals. From the time we reach the National Cheerleading Championship, we have fallen in love with half of the group (Jerry!!). It is a pleasant, feel-good balance to a few of the others on this listing.

‘Miss Americana’

After Taylor Swift took the point in the 2019 American Music Awards, where she had been named Artist of the Decade, she started her operation by singing”The Man” while dressed in primitive white shirt apparel together with all the titles of her six records in large black decoration, reminiscent of a prison uniform’s stripes.

The outfit and tune were a nod to what the singer had disclosed on societal media 10 days before: That Scoot Borchetta and Scooter Braun, founders of significant Machine Tag Team, her former label, were preventing her from performing tunes from her record. Suffice to say, it has been a crazy couple of years from the renowned singer’s lifestyle. Director Lana Wilson was along for the ride, after Swift for its highly awaited documentary premiering on the opening day of the year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Hillary recounts the life and livelihood of the former First Lady and presidential candidate on Hulu. There is lots of time to see before going to the polls to the 2020 presidential election. Obviously, no Hillary Clinton documentary could be complete without touching the contentious 2016 election, yet this account features interviews with Hillary, Bill, Chelsea, and much more to get a private standpoint.

Roll With Me

If there was ever a time to put our problems in view, it is right now. While we might have tendencies to feel sorry for ourselves because we socially space from normality, let us have a second (or even 90 minutes in this instance ) to see the narrative of a newly-sober paraplegic because he tries to bounce back from the stone bottom via a 3,100-mile wheelchair trek across the USA.

See also:  Top 30 Best Travel Items 2024 Review

My Trail Co is your one-stop specialist for everything related to travel and outdoor sports & activities. We share informative content, top tips, and product reviews to help you choose the best gear for your outdoor and travel adventures.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Second-Half Travels

Adventures of a Fifty-Something Cubicle Escapee

13 Best Travel Documentaries on Netflix (2023)

These Netflix documentaries about travel will pacify your wanderlust between trips as you explore the world from the comfort of your couch.

Here are some of the best travel documentaries on Netflix in the US as of July 24, 2023. Many are also available in other countries. Watch them while you can, because content disappears as licensing agreements expire.

Also, don’t miss the bonus list of travel documentaries on Amazon Prime below.

Table of Contents

Netflix Travel Documentaries

1. dark tourist.

Netflix meets Vice in this travelogue by New Zealand filmmaker David Farrier, who sets his sights on the world of dark tourism.

From a nuclear lake to a haunted forest, he visits macabre — and sometimes dangerous — tourist destinations around the world.

Countries : Various

2. Street Food: Latin America

Experiencing street food culture is one of the joys of travel. This mouth-watering docuseries travels to Latin America to meet the local stars of street food.

Countries : Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia

3. Street Food: Asia

This inspiring series from the makers of Chef’s Table is as much about the compelling survival stories of these talented street chefs as it is about their signature dishes.

The first season takes the viewer to nine Asian destinations.

Countries : Thailand, Japan, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam

4. Pedal the World

Over the course of one memorable and adventure-filled year, German-born Felix Starck documents his 18,000-kilometer bicycle journey across 22 countries.

The Oscar-nominated heart-rending true story of the rangers risking their lives to save Africa’s most precious national park and its endangered gorillas.

Country: Congo

6. Chef’s Table

Each episode of this Emmy-nominated docuseries visits a different international location for an in-depth interview with one of the world’s most renowned chefs.

Creator David Gelb also directed the critically acclaimed Jiro Dreams of Sushi , and the two productions share a similar emotional and artistic sensibility hallmarked by compelling narratives and mesmerizingly beautiful cinematography.

7. Magical Andes

No English subtitles available for trailer – but you don’t need them to admire the stunning photography

From Argentina to Colombia, this inspiring documentary follows five characters who share their deep connection to South America’s majestic mountains.

Countries: Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia

8. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Chef David Chang brings his trademark irreverent humor and curiosity to Vancouver, Marrakech, Los Angeles, and Phnom Penh as he explores the culture and food accompanied by various celebrity guests.

Countries : Canada, Morocco, US, Cambodia

9. The Trader (Sovdagari)

At only 23 minutes, this award-winning documentary short provides a fascinating and poignant window into impoverished rural life in post-Soviet Georgia.

The camera follows a traveling trader as he sells secondhand goods in exchange for potatoes. Beautiful cinematography that captures the stark Georgian landscape.

Country: Georgia

10. Ugly Delicious

Smart-ass chef David Chang leads his buddies on a mouthwatering, cross-cultural hunt for the world’s most satisfying grub.

Each episode of this highly original show tackles a topic like tacos, pizza, or dumplings, examining its cultural and culinary history and visiting different countries to compare how it’s made.

Warning: Chang can be obnoxious, and racial and political commentary is liberally sprinkled throughout the show, which may not be to everyone’s taste.

11. Period. End of Sentence.

This Oscar-winning documentary short takes us to rural India, where local women fight the stigma surrounding menstruation by manufacturing low-cost sanitary pads.

Country: India

12. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

Based on Samin Nosrat’s best-selling book, this visually stunning series travels to the home kitchens of Italy, the southern islands of Japan, the heat of the Yucatán, and to Berkeley’s Chez Panisse.

Samin’s contagious laugh and genuine passion for cooking inspire as she explores the central principles of what makes food delicious.

Countries: Italy, Japan, Mexico, United States

13. Taco Chronicles

Note: No English subtitles available for YouTube trailer; click to watch subtitled trailer on Netflix Warning: Don’t watch if you’re hungry. Explore the complex histories of the world’s most beloved tacos in this love letter to the iconic handheld food.

Country : Mexico

Travel Documentaries on Amazon Prime

See below for some of the best travel documentaries on Amazon Prime Video. I’ve indicated whether each is free to Prime members or available for rental.

Note that these films may also be found at your local library.

A Map for Saturday

Classic travel documentary that follows a variety of solo budget travelers — from teens to seniors — through 26 countries on four continents.

Young filmmaker Brook Silva-Braga trains his inquisitive lens on backpackers lending a hand to tsunami victims, trekkers forming brief but intense relationships, and fascinating moments of self-discovery and adventure.

Available for rental on Amazon Prime .

This inspiring documentary follows the record-breaking round-the-world voyage of Dutch teen Laura Dekker, youngest person ever to sail around the world alone.

Available for free to Prime members on Amazon Prime.

This beautifully filmed docu follows adventurer Jeff Johnson as he retraces the epic 1968 journey to Patagonia of his heroes Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins, legendary founders of The North Face and Patagonia sportswear and pioneering conservationists.

Along the way Johnson gets shipwrecked off Easter Island, surfs the longest wave of his life, and attempts to climb a Patagonian peak.

Available for free to Prime members on Amazon Prime .

Countries: Mexico, Chile

You may also like:

• Travel Essentials You Never Knew You Needed
• Netflix TV Shows and Movies Filmed in Morocco
• Best Russian Shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime
• German TV Series on Netflix and Amazon Prime

About Ingrid

Ingrid left software engineering at age 43 to devote herself to language learning and travel. Her goal is to speak seven languages fluently. Currently, she speaks English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, and is studying Italian.

Reader Interactions

July 5, 2018 at 3:56 pm

Definitely going to start ploughing my way through some of these before I head off next!! 🙂

July 5, 2018 at 10:38 pm

Definitely… Netflix travel shows provide some of my best inspiration! 😉

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

• Inspiration
• Destinations
• Places To Stay
• Style & Culture
• Food & Drink
• Wellness & Spas
• News & Advice
• Partnerships
• Traveller's Directory
• Travel Tips
• Competitions

The best travel documentaries to stream right now

By Condé Nast Traveller and Antonia Quirke

There are films that make you want to travel . But that’s easy. Just point a camera at an April meadow or a Sicilian back street and most of us salivate. And then there are films that make you feel like you have actually, physically travelled to a place. That leave you suffused with the sensations of its air and sounds. As though the camera lens has been your own eyes, noting details of light against brick, hills stepping inland, fruit and cigarettes on a table, springs gushing out of rocks, courtyards hanging with people and flowers, shirts on a line across a high, unstable balcony. So much that it can begin to feel spooky: you muddle the movie’s memories with your own.

Passing Stromboli on a boat one summer I thought, ‘Been there.’ I hadn’t. I’d just seen the movie, and more recently Ingrid Bergman’s own cine-film footage of the shoot (see below.) But still, I got off, and walked around. And it was true. I had been there already. The mesmerising, almost drugging déjà vu! Here are some more of the best travel documentary films that have that very singular effect.

My Octopus Teacher (2020)

Be immersed in the wonders of nature with this uplifting Netflix original, which won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at the 2021 Academy Awards. Directed by Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed, it follows the unexpected friendship between filmmaker Craig Foster and a wild octopus in a South African kelp forest. After swimming in the remote location near Cape Town and discovering this curious marine animal, Foster decided to visit the same spot every day to learn and understand more about the creature and subsequently form a strong bond with it.

In one hour and 25 minutes of beautiful imagery and filmography, this documentary leaves you feeling sentimental about human connections, our extraordinary interactions with other life – and intrigued about what else lies below the ocean’s surface… By Cordelia Aspinall

'My Octopus Teacher' is available to stream on Netflix now

Cher and the Loneliest Elephant documentary (2021)

Watch the trailer below

Released in the USA on Thursday 22 April to mark Earth Day 2021 , this heart-warming wildlife documentary follows singer Cher’s mission to rescue a captive elephant named Kaavan. Kaavan, a Sri-Lankan born elephant, was sent as a gift to the daughter of the president of Pakistan and ended up, confined, in Islamabad Zoo. After a global petition via Change.org and Twitter received more than 400,000 signatures, a five-year fight for his freedom began, with none other than global pop superstar Cher stepping in after she spotted the campaign online. Having been confined for more than 35 years (the duration of its life) and given the title ‘the loneliest elephant in the world’, the five-tonne animal was relocated across Asia to a 30,000-acre Cambodian wildlife sanctuary.

With teary moments and incredible footage of the massive process involved in the transportation of Kaavan to Cambodia, this is a moving story focusing on the unsettling trauma the elephant was forced to experience, yet it has an uplifting end. Not only does the film with Cher’s narration walk you through this elephant’s long struggle of neglect and maltreatment, it also shines a light on the cruelty that so many animals around the world endure every day. It is a moving yet educational documentary hooked on a powerful true story. Cher co-founded the animal rights organisation Free the Wild as a result and even released the song 'Walls' inspired by her experience. By Cordelia Aspinall

'Cher and the Loneliest Elephant' is available on Smithsonian Channel from Wednesday 19 May 2021

MAN ON WIRE (2008)

‘I remember the vastness of New York . The altitude! It was all so alive!’ Was a city ever so breathtakingly captured as in this celebrated account of the mist-swagged August morning in 1974 when French wire-walker Philippe Petit illegally rigged a cable between the twin towers of the World Trade Center and made eight entirely improbable crossings in 45 minutes. Dressed all in black, his slender figure carrying its long balancing pole occasionally kneels on the thin wire (he even lies down – how your stomach heaves!), saluting the dazzling morning, and his own skill and chutzpah, as the startled pedestrians on the streets far below gaze up weeping and gasping while steam filters up through cracks in the pavement in that quintessential NYC way. Even though the crossings themselves are all in fact captured only in stills taken at the time by Petit’s assistants and friends you somehow remember the whole marvellous incident in moving images. It’s the city itself that’s doing that to you: its inherent dynamism, its irrepressible atmosphere of perpetual motion.

Connor Sturges

Sarah James

James March

We see Manhattan photographed here from so high above (much as we see it in the 1933 King Kong ), the Hudson spreading like glitter – like nitrate itself – in any black-and-white images. And the colour of apricot in colour stills, under blue swags of cloud and summer sky. ‘Everyone was spellbound by the watching of it,’ exhales a policeman dispatched to arrest Petit, who was ultimately charged with trespass and disorderly conduct. But the city embraced him.

Stream on Amazon , Google Play and YouTube

FREE SOLO (2018)

An immense, waning moon stares into a canyon’s abyss of sharp stones. A fierce river below spurts along the valley, wild grasses on the banks rolling in the wind like feathers or fur. All this the free-climber Alex Honnold sees – or does he? Fixed like Spider-Man to the side of a cliff, climber’s white chalk clinging to the back of his blistered hands, as the evening flushes rose right across Yosemite National Park. A film that follows Honnold in 2017 preparing to climb the infamous El Capitan – ‘3,200 feet of sheer vertical granite… the centre of the rock-climbing universe’ – without ropes. You sweat in sickly fear for his safety while also completely revelling in the fresh air every frame seems to blow your way, the bright warmth of sun on boulder, the absurd beauty of distant trees, the sight of a rainbow slicing through the foaming heart of a waterfall. You emerge healthier and freer somehow, just for having watched it. Your own limbs spasm as though you walked all day. Despite it being a compelling story of self-induced terror (what drives the angel-faced Honnold remains a mystery), you remember more the awesome sights, the very visceral sensation of movement.

Stream on All4

SEASPIRACY (2021)

Not one for the faint of heart, this 90-minute Netflix documentary has been hitting audiences hard in quite a few ways. It’s from the team behind C owspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (another in-depth spotlight, this time on the impact of agriculture on our planet), and you can expect to see similar themes, upsetting footage and quite controversial interviews with figures in the global fishing industry. The film, directed and narrated by British filmmaker Ali Tabrizi, sets out to explore the damaging effects of mass-scale commercial fishing on marine life and the levels of pollution in waters around the world. Expect to learn about the importance of dolphins, sharks and whales for our oceans ’ ecosystems, that sustainably sourced seafood might not be all that it seems, and that, ultimately, we should all be reducing our fish consumption. You might very well be off fish by the end, but it’s also worth reading around some more: there are some conflicting views about the film and whether the scientific points it makes are factually out of context. Katharine Sohn

Seaspiracy is available to stream on Netflix now

Chasing Coral (2017)

You may not be able to travel to see the Great Barrier Reef , the subject of this Netflix documentary, for much longer if we don't do something about climate change and ocean warming. The film uses hi-tech camera equipment and time lapses to show the deterioration of the coral as it turns from 'colourful, vibrant ecosystems into barren, lifeless wastelands,' writes Condé Nast Traveler US 's Sebastian Modak. You'll feel truly gutted once the movie's over, but it will have you planning a trip to Australia , and other areas with endangered natural wonders, within minutes of the rolling credits.

Stream Chasing Coral on Netflix

THE WHALEBONE BOX (2020)

Here’s a treat. Andrew Kotting – our most quietly influential experimental filmmaker – released a film online that sweeps us up on a pilgrimage to return a box made of whalebone to a far beach on the Hebridean Isle of Harris, whence the whale bones originally came. So, we cram in a car with Kotting and the psychogeographer Iain Sinclair and rumble north (filming mostly on a camera-phone) all overseen by Kotting’s daughter Eden, who wears a pagan crown of ivy and seems to be conjuring the whole mysterious and somehow healing road trip in a fever-dream. It’s a perfect evocation of that desire to travel. To move, to be en route, to feel twinges of uneasy excitement, to spin out illusionary ideas of a distant location. The place names whirl by: Ardlui, Mallaig. (At one point we suddenly find ourselves in a Templar castle in the Pyrenees.) Inside the car there’s that super-seductive sense of a gang travelling light, seeing what happens and who they might meet along the jagged coastline. ‘There are places you go, to access time,’ Kotting tells us, as the startling white sand of Harris glows in its near-sinister, beckoning way, under racing skies full of clouds like shredded curtains, and sudden glimmers of wet, green Hebridean sunlight.

Streamed exclusively on MUBI

BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB (1999)

A phenomenon as much as a movie, the spectacular success of the Buena Vista Social Club album and film had a limitless impact on the Cuban tourist industry. Some 20 years later, the music you hear on street corners in that city is more likely to be the music of pre-revolutionary Cuba defined in the film, by a cadre of musicians (some in their 70s and 80s) who had long fallen out of favour, only to be made world famous in their dotage.

I especially love when the camera sways out onto the streets of Havana, filming fast and in natural light the life there: the men working on immense old cars observed by stray dogs the colour of a sweet cold beer; the breeze off the sea playing against shirts; children rolling wooden toys before them; the unloading of mountains of bananas; residents of stuccoed tenements easing vast, scratched and defunct Fifties American fridges out of doors past murals of Che, as though demonstrating the very sickness of capitalism that Guevera railed against. Guitarist Compay Segundo recalling how, aged five, he would light his grandmother’s cigars in Santiago. Or baritone crooner Ibrahim Ferrer showing us the wooden carving he has always kept of Lazarus, and the little bowls of honey, rum and perfume he would offer to it, for good luck – which finally came to him after years of penury and shoe-shining in Havana after the film was released. Every frame takes you to that city, that climate. The smoky smell of the pavements as the sun grows stronger.

Stream on Google Play and YouTube

THE BEACHES OF AGNÈS (2008)

‘The North Sea and the sand is the start for me…’ says Agnès Varda, esteemed filmmaker of the Nouvelle Vague and photographer of genius, who aged 80 in this autobiographical collage of personal memory and feeling, takes us to the beaches that shaped her childhood, her marriage, her art and beyond. ‘Time passes, except on the beaches, which are timeless…’ she reasons, remembering with fondness Belgian sands at La Panne and Middelkerke. And especially the port city of Sète in France ’s southern region of Occitanie, where she speaks of seeing fishermen in the 1940s living in rough tents on the dunes, canvas walls slung with storm lamps and old pans. Noirmoutier, the French island in the Bay of Biscay, she recalls her husband Jacques Demy particularly loving, and she films it here in tribute and with such freshness it’s since become a destination for fans of the movie. ‘What is cinema?’ Varda asks, ‘It is LIGHT coming from somewhere…’ We see her sailing up the Seine in a wooden boat, right under the Ponts des Arts, the craft itself painted the sun-flashing yellow of the Provençal sunflowers that Varda always seemed to feature in her movies. I had the good fortune to interview Varda when she was 90, just months before she died, and I took a bunch of sunflowers as a gift – she received them with a yelp of happiness, saying they reminded her of French summers, her wise eyes warm as landing lights.

GRIZZLY MAN (2005)

‘Sometimes images themselves develop their own mysterious stardom…’ narrates German director Werner Herzog, over this his most heart-rending film. Part ‘kind warrior’ part ‘samurai’ the conservationist-activist Timothy Treadwell lived for 13 summers with wild Kodiak bears in remote areas of the Alaskan peninsula, shooting 100 hours of footage of those bears in their natural habitat. Styling himself as a Prince Valiant, his eventual death-by-Kodiak was shockingly violent, and Herzog shapes Treadwell’s sad, strange story as a tribute to ‘wild, primordial nature’ where his subject was truly at home. As you watch, you’re convinced you too can feel the fresh air on your own skin, the nip of mosquitoes, the pelter of rain. The long evenings spent alone, the vast plateau of mountains, the tide flats, the tumbled jags of glaciers, the sensation of Treadwell’s hands calloused like leather, the yelp of light in the mornings, the changing Alaskan sky.

In one scene, little slim foxes (called Ghost and Spirit) wake him by pressing their noses and paws against the walls of his tent, and he runs with them across a flower-studded meadow, delirious with the surprising gift of such companionship and freedom that would make any child’s heart explode. To be friends with the animals! ‘He captures such glorious improvised moments the likes of which studio directors with their union crews could never dream of,’ says Herzog, with patent admiration, himself an absolute master of putting not just nature, but the profound euphoria of travel on film. Think of those moments in Herzog’s Nosferatu the Vampyre, when the hero walks the High Tatra mountains of northern Slovakia, or the Partnach Gorge in the Reintal valley in southern Germany . Rhapsodic.

JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI (2011)

Even though this documentary is almost entirely set inside a 10-seater Tokyo restaurant with no view, its location somehow comes to feel as though the whole history of Japan might be contained within its temple-like walls. Jiro Ono (now 94) is Japan’s most famous sushi master. He left home aged nine to become an apprentice, opening his own restaurant in the 1960s that now has a three-Michelin-star rating, which means (says one food critic) ‘It’s worth visiting that country just to visit the restaurant.’ Jiro is modest and stern, and we glimpse snatches of his past – anecdotes about his harsh infancy or an alluring black-and-white photograph of his father formally seated in 1927 wearing a sheeny kimono, an image with unforgettable resonance and romance, that seems to far, far predate the Taisho era.

Inside the restaurant – a capsule of absorption, firmly sealed in its own private weather – every day proceeds without alteration. The rice is steamed and hand-fanned, the halibut and squid and eel finely sliced and pressed together. ‘Press the sushi like you’re pressing a little chick,’ Jiro advises. ‘The world has turned outside, but he has remained the same,’ someone says, as the camera occasionally takes us outside to the brooding, energetic Tokyo streets, where it always seems to be raining and the crowds hurry. Down to the fish market full of tottering porters and barrow-pushers rhythmically going to and fro, where the best tuna trader drags frowningly on his hand-cupped cigarette, his hair slicked like Elvis, dreaming of the days when the fish were fat as pianos.

Stream on Amazon , and Netflix (US)

THE EPIC OF EVEREST (1924)

Not just one of the most important travel films ever made, but a precious artefact. A time capsule, a relic. If the third attempt to ascend Everest culminated in the sad deaths of the determined English climbers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, the moving image of their expedition (shot by Captain John Noel with a hand-cranked camera sometimes using high-powered telescopic lenses) has thankfully survived. Some of the earliest filmed records of life in Tibet are here, and several frames have been tinted in the original reds and purples of the first screenings in 1924, thanks to meticulous restoration by the BFI.

Every second is a marvel, the images profound. Mallory and Irvine facing the climb of their lives in modest tweed jackets. Tibetan babies in stone villages, their skin slathered in yak butter, lying out happily in the sun. A Tibetan gentleman showing his glimmering ear to the camera, dangling its pendant earring of gold and aquamarine. A baby donkey born during the long march west, expected to walk 25 miles on its first day of life, collapsed in the mud (‘How tired and sleepy he is!’). Ancient castles and monasteries stud the mountains, hermit lamas dwelling in cliff-built cells predicting doom for the mission, climbers snow-blind and in states of collapse or trudging past ice-caves and picking off stalactites, as though they were great jags of lickable sugar on a fairy palace.

The mountain itself – Tibet’s Goddess Mother of the World – seems to physically pulsate with (as a title card tells us) ‘lofty solitude. Grand, solemn and unutterably lonely.’ And then the image of Mallory and Irvine ascending up, and up, and up, only to disappear, eternally out of sight. ‘We may think of ourselves and nature,’ warns the original text on screen, with what feels like definitive prescience. ‘We spring from nature. In life, we defy her.’

Stream on BFI Player

JAZZ ON A SUMMER’S DAY (1959)

Perhaps the ultimate concert film, made during the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival on Rhode Island, headlined by (among others) Thelonious Monk and Dinah Washington, Gerry Mulligan and Chuck Berry. How many times you wish yourself into the frame! To be among that happy, confident, peanut-crunching crowd. Because the camera has such a lovely, casual eye, it’s like a friend describing little moments and scenes, interested, curious, relaxed.

We see Monk take the stage with his bamboo-rimmed dark glasses. Sal Salvador on guitar with a buzz cut, eyes closed in bliss. Anita O’Day singing Tea for Two in a black hat fringed in white feathers, snapping her fingers as she sings, her gloves immaculate. The crowd sways and giggles and sighs, a jewel-box of capri pants and Breton tops. Strappy yellow sundresses and cat-eyed shades, baked shoulders and freckled clavicles draped with hipster cardigans. Well-fed babies are passed down rows to be greeted with kisses by mothers waving choc-ices. Beyond, the water of Narragansett Bay is a sparkling blur dotted with pretty racing boats called Nomad and Pixie. ‘The weather out here is summery, with a smoky haze on the horizon,’ someone thrills over a tannoy, as the camera picks out brown, sandalled feet dangling from a crow’s nests during a race.

Sometimes it feels like everything is reflected in the glistering water of the movie; all of the USA’s post-war reach and ambition. It has the optimism of a Cadillac. The ‘Dionysian potential of American life,’ as John Updike put it; that ‘carnival under the dome of heaven, every fair day.’ To me, this film captures precisely that gorgeous, lost moment in time and place, when Ted Hughes was gazing at his new and glamorous wife, Sylvia Plath, recalled in the poem 18 Rugby Street, ‘So this is America, I marvelled. Beautiful, beautiful America !’

60th-anniversary edition available on DVD

INGRID BERGMAN: IN HER OWN WORDS (2015)

‘I don’t want any roots. I want to be free.’ Ingrid Bergman’s will to travel came from deep within her. Sweden , California , Italy , France, London – she was able to up and move, reinvent herself, leaving lovers and children behind, documenting it all with a cine-camera – and her own footage occupies the majority of this powerfully alluring film. ‘I wanted desperately to get out in the world,’ she said, in letters to friends. ‘It’s as if a bird of passage is living with me.’

And so we follow her through the various stages of her life, with different husbands, and all her pretty infants blowing about like bright petals across the terraces of various villas and hotels (Hotel Raphael in Paris was her favourite). She’s here, driving around Rome in a white convertible, laughing at the paparazzi. Or clambouring with fishermen about the Aeolian island of Stromboli, sweeping shining hair from out of her tear-filled eyes. Or knitting topless in the powerful sunlight, all broad shoulders and witty expression. Diving into a pool in Hollywood, using a magnum of Champagne as a life buoy. And best: her robust, salty skin tanned the colour of rosewood against an unglamorous raincoat on the isolated, harshly granite island of Dannholmen off the Swedish west coast, where she joined the local sailing school, and where her ashes were scattered after she died. ‘I love your island,’ she’d said to her third husband, seeing his modest wooden house in 1958, with its rusted anchor sitting sentinel off the grey and merciless rocks. ‘Good,’ he’d nodded. ‘Let’s get married, then.’

Stream on Amazon

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat (2018)

Chef and food writer Samin Nosrat’s four-part series focuses on the four ingredients she thinks makes food delicious. In Italy she explores fat, in Japan she finds salt, in Mexico it’s acid and in the USA there’s heat. Her smile and spontaneous dancing are irresistible viewing, not to mention the sizzling close-ups of her adventurous, elemental cooking. Meredith Carey

Stream Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat on Netflix

Chef’s Table Pastry (2018)

This is a four-episode-only spin-off from the Emmy award-winning Chef’s Table. The show kicks off with Christina Tosi and her New York Milk Bar empire, an instant hit into the series. Also on the menu: Jordi Roca, Will Goldfarb and Corrado Assenza. Mesmerising and delicious – don't think about watching without sweet snacks to hand. MC

Stream Chef's Table Pastry on Netflix

Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories (2016)

Set in a tiny Tokyo diner that's only open from midnight to 7am, the fictional show follows the Midnight Diner's owner and clientele as they share their trials and joys, all while eating whatever the owner, called Master, dishes up. In the diner, pork miso soup is the go-to, but Master will cook visitors anything they order, as long as he's got the goods to make it. Episodes are a little more than 20 minutes long, so it's the most bingeable of the bunch. Watch with subtitles and don't - seriously, don't - watch while hungry. MC

Stream Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories on Netflix

Travels with My Father (2017)

Follow stand-up comedian Jack Whitehall and his father, Michael, in this six-episode Netflix original across Southeast Asia . The series tracks the duo as they finish the gap year Jack never got to complete, just a few years late (eight, to be exact). MC

Stream Travels with My Father on Netflix

Stephen Fry in America (2012)

In this six-part mini-series, Stephen Fry drives around all 50 US states in a London cab. Football games at the University of Alabama and lobster fishing in Maine are on the menu. Expect a lot of laughs and a surprise appearance from Morgan Freeman. MC

Stream Stephen Fry in America on Netflix

Chef's Table (2015)

If you've ever raised an eyebrow at food as art, set aside some time to watch this Netflix original docu-series. Each 50-minute episode profiles one of the world’s most extraordinary chefs (such as Peruvian Virgilio Martínez, pictured, the owner of Lima's Central restaurant, and Swede Magnus Nilsson) as they create impossibly complicated dishes. MC

Stream Chef's Table on Netflix

Like this? Now read:

23 travel films that will make you feel like you're on holiday

By Antonia Quirke

Best travel books of all time: see our top holiday picks

By Condé Nast Traveller

The best food and travel shows to watch right now

By James Medd

You will be redirected to your dashboard shortly. We will also call you back in 24 hrs .

• 15 Travel Documentaries That Tell Inspiring & Compelling Tales Of Wanderers

“The impulse to travel is one of the hopeful symptoms of life.” – Agnes Repplier

How true. For a die-hard traveler, every bend in the road is a new opportunity vying to be explored. The visceral feeling to flee to a new spot and finding the divine sense of joy in ticking a new destination on the map on your bedroom wall, can only be felt by the hopeless traveler.

Unadulterated and unhampered, travel documentaries showcase the chronicles of travelers and focus on their share of perilous and euphoric moments. Whether it is a planned excursion to a beach or an instinctive venture to a remote location, if you are seeking inspiration for your next travel, travel films can act as the fodder for your famished nomadic soul.

Here I bring you a list of best travel documentaries that will push you out of your boring couch (read; routine) and compel you to move out and travel the world.

Top 15 Travel Documentaries From Around The World

Here is a list of the best  travel documentaries from around the world , read on what these contain and add these to your list of must watch films & documentaries.

• Around The World In 80 Days (1989)-  Excitement Of Venturing
• Baraka (1992)-  A Kaleidoscopic Retreat
• Sahara With Michael Palin (2002)-  Explore The Hidden Gems
• A Map For Saturday (2007)-  A Solo Traveler’s Love
• Antarctica-  A Year On Ice (2013)
• K2- Siren Of The Himalayas (2012)
• Sacred Planet (2004)-  Know The Mesmerizing Places
• 180 Degree South (2010)-  An Epic Tour
• Encounters At The End Of The World (2007)-  All About Fascination
• The Maidentrip (2013)-  A Great Watch
• Hit The Road-  India (2013)
• The Edge Of Never (2013)-  About A Group Of Skiers
• Austin To Boston (2014)-  A Musical Documentary
• Life In A Day (2011)-  An Insight To Amazing Things
• Frozen Planet (2011)-  Fall For The Ice

Looking To Book A Holiday Package?

Book memorable holidays on TravelTriangle with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.

Spellbinding Cochin Family Tour 2D/1N Package @ Rs 2,750

Plan your trip today!

Himachal Family Tour Package 4D/3N @ Rs 8,750

Get quotes from multiple travel experts.

Exciting Andaman Family Trip 5D/4N @ Rs 10,250

Compare & customize quotes before booking.

Gangtok & Darjeeling Tour Package 5D/4N @ Rs 13,000

Have Questions? Talk to our travel experts today.

Wonderful Goa Family Package 3D/2N @ Rs 6,500

Best prices guaranteed.

Riveting Rajasthan Vacation 3D/2N Package @ Rs 6,499

EMI option available.

Enchanting Uttarakhand Tour 4D/3N Package @ Rs 7,199

Explore best destinations with our experts.

Delightful South Weekend Tour 3D/2N Package @ Rs 4,999

Thrilling weekend full of fun.

Marvelous Gujarat Tour 3D/2N Package @ Rs 4,999

Talk to our experts today.

See more at TRAVELTRIANGLE.COM

1. Around the World in 80 Days (1989)- Excitement Of Venturing

Image Source

Runtime: 7 episodes of 52 minutes each IMDb Rating: 8.8 Genre: Globetrotting Filming Locations: 17 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia

Synopsis: Around the World in 80 Days is a 7 part BBC travel series written and presented by actor-comedian, Michael Palin, based on the famous adventure novel by Jules Verne with the same name. Similar to the novel, Palin accepts the challenge to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days and closely follows the road and sea route, as taken by the protagonist in the novel.

The 80 days adventurous voyage showcases the excitement of venturing into new lands and filming exotic locations through numerous gridlocks. Considered as one of the best travel documentaries ever, the series broadcasted in 7 episodes follows Michael Palin’s travel and exploration across 17 countries. He takes you across Europe, Africa, Asia and North America through nearly every possible means of transport, except for the aircraft. This is no doubt one of the must watch  best travel documentary.

What makes it an interesting read for travel lovers: The novel was published in 1873 when there was no air travel and Michael Palin and his crew replicate the same sea and land route. From crossing the English Channel, passing through the Alps, traversing through the arid regions of the Middle East, entering Bombay on a dhow to voyaging through the South China Sea and finally arriving in the United States, Michael Palin shares his adventures of traveling the world in eighty days.

Do you really need more reasons?

Must Read: Scuba Diving In Red Sea: Actualise A Dream And Conquer Your Fears In 2022

2. Baraka (1992)- A Kaleidoscopic Retreat

Runtime: 1 hour 36 minutes IMDb Rating: 8.6 Genre: Nature and philosophy Filming Locations: 150 locations in 23 countries

Synopsis: Baraka, also known as among some of the best travel documentaries ever is non-narrative documentary is a kaleidoscopic retreat into the different hymns of nature and its impact on various cultures. From the cacophonic chants of hundreds of monks huddled together for a cosmic yajna to the frenzied thumping of the whole village, the documentary highlights the phenomena of nature and how it forms the core of various cultures.

Baraka ventures its viewers into the hidden realms of the nature while focusing on the man’s prowess to destroy his countless blessings.

What makes it an interesting read for travel lovers: Baraka is a satirical take on the unabashed human nature with cinematic brilliance featuring the most spectacular pictures, on one hand, would enrich your love for nature and the perils of industrialization and destruction of nature, on the other, move you deeply. Should definitely add this to the best travel documentary series.

Suggested Read: Guide To Egypt In April: The Confluence Of Ancient History And Modern Luxuries

3. Sahara with Michael Palin (2002)- Explore The Hidden Gems

Runtime: 4 episodes of 50 minutes each IMDb Rating: 8.1 Genre: Exploration Filming Locations: 10 countries in Northern and Western Africa

Synopsis: The travel documentary is a colorful account of the various cultures and regions dotting the beautiful Sahara desert. From the arid beaches in Morocco, refugee camps in Algeria, to the mysterious deserts of Timbuktu and spectacular starlit nights in Nigeria, this 4 episode feature also considered as one of the best travel documentaries of all time dwells deep into the seductive African odyssey.

Apart from exploring the various hidden gems of the great desert, the feature also includes Palin’s rendezvous with numerous Muslim scholars, tribes and refugees to highlight the various religious and cultural beliefs which the people of the desert abide by.

What makes it an interesting read for travel lovers: The documentary not only highlights the vastness of the isolated desert locations but also beautifully highlights the various prevalent cultural influences in Africa and practices such as polygamy and female genital mutilation.

Suggested Read: 20 Things To Do In Egypt In 2022 That No Travel Guide Will Ever Tell You About

4. A Map for Saturday (2007)- A Solo Traveler’s Love

Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.9 Genre: Backpacking and Solo Travel Filming Locations: Australia, Thailand, India, London, Brazil and Nepal

Synopsis: Every day is like a Saturday when you are on a long travel around the world. Solo traveling is not only about meandering through unknown lanes of a forbidden place. But it is also a great way to delve deep inside one’s own existence. The story brings out the chronicles of trekkers on four different continents. The documentary also includes interviews from other backpackers and highlights how the road can form unbreakable bonds.

What makes it an interesting read for travel lovers: A Map for Saturday is a beautiful insight into the life of a backpacker. A must watch for people who believe that there is more to life than the confined walls of their office or workstation. It also highlights that if the intent to travel is immense, nothing can deter you in your quest. Looking for best online travel documentaries? Try watching A Map for Saturday! It is one of the best travel documentary  that you should definitely add to your list.

Suggested Read: A 4000 Year Old Tomb In Egypt Has Just Been Opened For Public & It’ll Leave Your Mind-Boggled!

5. Antarctica: A Year on Ice (2013)

Runtime: 1 hour 32 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.6 Genre: Expedition Filming Locations: Antarctica

Synopsis: How is it like living on the coldest place on earth for a year? The harsh climatic conditions make Antarctica almost inhabitable and an enigma for the world. This visual masterpiece highlights the inhabitable features of the continent and traverses the viewers through the lives of technicians and scientists living in isolation on the continent, braving the unforgiving winters. If you are a nature lover, you will appreciate its opulence even in its bitter hardness.

What makes it an interesting read for travel lovers: Traveling is not just about pristine beaches, romantic lanes, and verdant valleys. Living in a place where the sun doesn’t shine for months and when it does, it forgets to set, is something that you ought to experience. Ever heard of Survival of the Fittest? You ought to witness one of the best travel documentaries of all time. Get up, close and personal with it here!

Suggested Read: 9 Most Magnificent Egyptian Monuments That Will Put You In A Trance On Your 2022 Trip

Planning your holiday but confused about where to go? These travel stories help you find your best trip ever!

Real travel stories. Real stays. Handy tips to help you make the right choice.

Ramya Narrates The Story Of 6 Girls On An Extraordinary Trip To Thailand

Bangkok. Phi Phi. Krabi. Why should guys have all the fun?

Sandeep Illustrates On The Best Activities For A Family Trip To Mauritius

Water sports. Cocktail parties. And unlimited fun at Casela.

Nisarg Can't Stop Praising His Honeymoon Trip To Maldives

There was snorkeling, sightseeing, luxury, comfort, & much more!

Sabyacsachi's Romantic Trip Proves Europe To Be The Mother Of All Vacations

For Art, Culture, Luxury, & more...

Srishti Talks Of Her Amazing Trip To Singapore With Her Mother & Niece

A fun-filled destination for ages indeed!

67-Year Old Sridhar Tells How He Beat The Odds & Took A Solo Trip To Dubai

Desert safari. Burj Khalifa. Welcoming locals. Tell me more!

Not Adventure Lovers? Saurabh's Family Trip Proves Hong Kong To Still Be Full Of Fun

Your kids will love Disney Land & Ocean Park!

Ravi's Tale Of A Sri Lanka Family Tour Is All You Need To Know About Ramayana Tour

For the love of Ramayana & Travel!

6. K2: Siren of the Himalayas (2012)

Runtime: 1 hour 15 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.3 Genre: Mountaineering Filming Locations: Mount K2

Synopsis: K2: Siren of the Himalayas is a multilingual travel film shot in English, German, and Nepalese. The travel documentary forays into the dangerous world of high altitude mountaineering and follow a group of mountaineering experts as they venture on this epic journey to mark Duke of Abruzzi’s 1909 expedition. This  best travel documentary is a peep into the mountaineering group as they try to scale the perilous Mount K2 and meander their way through its deathly cliffs, braving the hideous climate.

The spectacularly captured snow-covered mountains pitted against the vast expanse of the blue sky and the exclusive footage from the world’s second highest, yet most challenging peak will leave you out of breath.

What makes it an interesting read for travel lovers: If you want to know why mountaineering is considered as a rewarding activity, then you must watch it.

Suggested Read: 12 Picturesque Beaches In Egypt For A Travel Experience In 2022 You’ll Never Forget

7. Sacred Planet (2004)- Know The Mesmerizing Places

Runtime: 40 minutes IMDb Rating: 6.3 Genre: Biodiversity Filming Locations: Malaysia, Sarawak, Mulu

Synopsis: The earth is a queer place and this documentary encapsulates the beauty of the most mesmerizing places, people and wildlife on the planet in straight 40 minutes. Narrated by Robert Redford Jr., this Walt Disney production will take you up on an enchanting roller coaster ride starting from the ancient ruins of Thailand, canyons of Arizona, deserted lands of Namibia to underwater mysteries of Borneo, white sand beaches of New Zealand and many such exceptional places that our good old earth houses. Sacred Planet is one of the best travel documentary films you have seen in awhile.

What makes it an interesting read for travel lovers: The awe-inspiring odyssey not only takes you deep into the magical realms of the earth but also makes you take a stand for preserving our beautiful planet and its biodiversity.

Suggested Read: A Detailed Guide On Egypt: Gift Of Nile

8. 180 Degree South (2010)- An Epic Tour

Runtime: 1 hour 25 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.7 Genre: Drama, Sport Filming Locations: Chile, Mexico, California, Columbia, Equador, Peru, Pacific, California

Synopsis: 180 Degree South is an assimilation of the memorable journey undertaken by Jeff while recreating the epic tour pulled off by Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins during their road trip in 1968. Jeff’s journey was more adventurous as he chose to surf, sail, and climb before finally making it to Chile.

What makes it an interesting read for travel lovers: Watch it for exciting adventures, gritty traveling, and the proper technique devised before pulling off such endeavors.

Suggested Read: The Mightiest National Parks In Africa For The Love Of Wildlife And Adventure

9. Encounters at the End of the World (2007)- All About Fascination

Runtime: 1 hour 39 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.8 Genre: Documentary Filming Locations: Antarctica

Synopsis: Encounters at the End of the World is a further investigation of McMurdo Station in Antarctica. In the documentary, the filmmaker travels all the way to explore the hidden riches and beauty of the pole, and take a peep into the lifestyle of everyone surviving there. While people at the research station had exciting tales to narrate, the plight of living beings there left the director moved.

A powerful travel film, Encounters at the End of the World features some amazing shots taken by the filmmaker.

What makes it an interesting read for travel lovers: The extreme conditions at the poles, lovely escapades, and exciting tale of survivors make this travel documentary a must-watch.

Suggested Read: 36 Places To Visit In UAE For A Lavish Vacation In 2022

10. The Maidentrip (2013)- A Great Watch

Runtime: 1 hour 22 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.6 Genre: Adventure, Biography Filming Locations: Netherlands, South Africa, Australia, Ecuador, Panama, French Polynesia

Synopsis: One of the best travel documentary series ever, The Trip is a remarkable journey of a 14-year-old who sets to sail around the world and is a great watch. Laura Dekker’s a year and a half journey takes her to St. Martins, Panama, the Galapagos Islands, Australia, and the Cape of Good Hope before getting back to St. Martins. The youngest person ever to sail around the world, Dekker is a true inspiration for all the aspiring travelers.

What makes it an interesting read for travel lovers: Dekker captured the world in her lens, presenting the beautiful places along with all her experiences thus making it an incredible story.

Suggested Read: 8 Pristine Beaches In United Arab Emirates Presenting The Best Of Coastal Gulf

11. Hit the Road: India (2013)

Runtime: 1 hour 20 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.8 Genre: Documentary, Sport Filming Locations: India, Armenia

Synopsis: Recognised by Lonely Planet as one of the best travel documentaries of 2012, this film is a story of two friends participating in rickshaw rally from Chennai to Mumbai spanning for 12 days covering over 2000 km.

The uniqueness of the movie lies in the way both the guys pull off this trip, battling adverse climatic conditions in the difficult terrains. Rickshaw being one of the lightest motor driven vehicles in India turns out to be cost effective and an easy drive. Yes, they had to suffer plenty of breakdowns along the way.

What makes it an interesting read for travel lovers: 2 guys racing through the coast and ghats in southern India driving one of the lightest vehicles make it a rally worth a watch.

Suggested Read: 6 Best Places To Visit In 5 Days In Dubai To Unravel The Magic Of UAE

12. The Edge of Never (2009)- About A Group Of Skiers

Runtime: 1 hour 41 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.3 Genre: Documentary Filming Locations: USA, Canada, France

Synopsis: Shot in the snow clad mountains in the North America region, this travel documentary is about a group of skiers who scale treacherous mountains in the pursuit of accomplishing what was left incomplete by the mentor’s father, who died skiing in Chamonix, France. Full of adventure, thrill, and surreal landscapes, this documentary is for extreme travelers.

What makes it an interesting read for travel lovers: Skiers challenging the biggest and extreme mountains in the world.

Suggested Read: Dubai Summer Surprises 2022: Be A Part Of UAE’s Hottest Fiesta Before It Ends

13. Austin to Boston (2014)- A Musical Documentary

Runtime: 1 hour 12 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.2 Genre: Documentary, Music Filming Locations: USA

Synopsis: The film is a musical documentary, that narrates an exciting tale of a group of bands on the move. They travel thousands of miles from Austin to Boston, and en route live memorable moments. The journey has everything from traveling places, to pulling off adventures, to making memories, and also surviving through the hardships.

What makes it an interesting read for travel lovers: The journey of musical bands spanning over 2 weeks and covering 3000 miles, performing at places, looks like a dream journey. Highly recommended for all the music lovers who travel!

Suggested Read: UAE Tourism Holds An Exclusive Abu Dhabi Week In Kochi And Kolkata For Indian Travelers!

14. Life in a Day (2011)- An Insight To Amazing Things

Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.7 Genre: Drama Filming Locations: Multiple locations across Earth

Synopsis: This travel film is a jukebox of thousand of hours from the lives of as many people on July 24th, 2010. The submitted videos containing beautiful and personal moments that people lead every day gives an insight into amazing things happening around us and how we choose not to acknowledge and celebrate them. This best travel documentary inspires everyone to be more thankful for things around and cherish beautiful moments.

What makes it an interesting read for travel lovers: The assimilation of thousands of video clips containing precious moments from the lives of people make you realize what a beautiful life you have been leading all this while.

Suggested Read: Hotels In Abu Dhabi: Best Of Arabian Hospitality And Luxury

15. Frozen Planet (2011)- Fall For The Ice

Runtime: 1 hour IMDb Rating: 9 Genre: Documentary Filming Locations: Arctic, Antarctica, Greenland, Russia, Norway, USA, Canada

Synopsis: Primarily focussed on the life and environment in the Arctic and Antarctica, Frozen Planet highlights how the climatic change is affecting the earth and its inhabitants. The winner of 4 Emmy award winner TV show has critically put forward the challenges faced by the polar animals like bears and wolves for their survival. Striking the right chord with a grave environmental issue, this mini-series is a must – watch.

What makes it an interesting read for travel lovers: The engrossing narrative, spectacular locales, and enchanting music are all that it takes to charm a discerning traveler. A perfect set-up for travel-lovers!

For those with an insatiable hunger for exploration and action, documentaries are a way to discover what explorers around the world are living and experiencing. The thrill of venturing into the unknown – exclusively shot, felt, and expressed by real people – has an impact on the mind of the viewers that cannot be measured.

Further Read: 20 Best Travel Movies That Will Ignite The Wanderlust In You

With list of best travel documentaries live the adventures of world’s finest explorers and yes, don’t forget to share your favorites from (or outside of) the list!

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Documentaries

Is it feasible to travel during Covid-19?

As the travel industry is opening up slowly, yes traveling is feasible abroad and across India during Covid-19. But make sure you follow the given guidelines and precautionary measures for Covid. Also, remember to read the latest updates for Covid before making any travel plans.

What are the top 5 best travel films?

Other than the above-mentioned list of 15 best travel documentaries and films, here are 5 best travel films that you should definitely watch: The Way, Lion, On The Road, Captain Fantastic, Into The Wild.

Where can you watch the travel films?

You can watch the travel films on various OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Sony Liv, Hotstar, Airtel Tv, and many others. Apart from these platforms you can simply search the films online and find the links on google.

Which are the top locations for film shooting?

Although there are many locations for film shooting, here are the top 8 places for film shooting: Monument Valley, London, Prague, New Zealand, Cape Town, Greystone Mansion, Morocco

Looking To Book An International Holiday?

Trip to Sri Lanka at Rs 13,500/-

Plan Your Vacation Today!

Trip to Singapore at Rs 20,499/-

Get Quotes From Local Experts

Mauritius Holiday Starting at Rs 65,000/-

Talk to Our Experts Today

Maldives Honeymoon Trip at Rs 39,800/-

Pay with easy EMI Option

Europe Trip at Rs 89,999/-

All Inclusive Deals

Vacation in Dubai at Rs 27,499/-

Hong Kong Holiday at Rs 24,999/-

Money Safe Guarantee

Thailand Holiday at Rs 7,999/-

Flights Excluded

People also read :

Travel Movies Travel Bloggers Travel Locations For Movie Fans

Recent Posts

7 Best Spas In Sri Lanka For A Rejuvenating Getaway

10 Cheapest Cities In Europe Where Backpackers Can Travel On A Budget!

Holi In Udaipur 2023: A Royal Affair For All Those Who Love The Festival Of Colors

10 Places To Go Scuba Diving In Greenland Every Adventurer Must Tick Off Their Bucket List!

Go Paragliding In Khajjiar For A Thrilling Weekend Retreat In 2023

The Ever Growing Living Root Bridges, Meghalaya – A Nature’s Marvel In The Northeast

Trending Blogs

20 Mysterious Places In India To Visit In 2023 More Bizarre Than The Bermuda Triangle

10 Scariest Roads In India That Are A Driver’s Nightmare

101 Places To Visit In India Before You Turn 30 in 2024

35 Exotic Places To Visit In December In India 2024 To Enjoy A Surreal Vacation

60 Best Honeymoon Destinations In India In 2024

95 Best Honeymoon Destinations In The World In 2023 For A Romantic Escape!

Best Places To Visit In India By Month

Best places to visit outside india by month.

• TravelTriangle
• topical »
• Tour Packages
• Honeymoon Packages
• Family Packages
• Budget Tour Packages
• Luxury Tour Packages
• Adventure Tour Packages
• Group Tour Packages
• Kerala Tour Packages
• Goa Tour Packages
• Andaman Tour Packages
• Sikkim Tour Packages
• Himachal Tour Packages
• Uttarakhand Tour Packages
• Rajasthan Tour Packages
• Tour Packages From Delhi
• Tour Packages From Mumbai
• Tour Packages From Bangalore
• Tour Packages From Chennai
• Tour Packages From Kolkata
• Tour Packages From Hyderabad
• Tour Packages From Ahmedabad
• Kerala Tourism
• Goa Tourism
• Sikkim Tourism
• Andaman Tourism
• Himachal Tourism
• Uttarakhand Tourism
• Rajasthan Tourism
• Hotels in Kerala
• Hotels in Goa
• Hotels in Sikkim
• Hotels in Andaman
• Hotels in Himachal
• Hotels in Uttarakhand
• Hotels in Rajasthan

• Destinations
• Japan Guides
• Hiking Guides
• Gear Guides
• Wildlife Guides
• About/Contact

30 Best Travel Documentaries & Series To Watch

• by Jonny Duncan
• October 20, 2023 December 7, 2023

We all need a bit of travel inspiration and these are some of the best travel documentaries that will give you some wanderlust, and understanding, of the regions of the world involved.

These are my favourite travel documentaries and series that have inspired my travels.

Disclaimer: I own none of the images in this post, they are used under fair-usage terms to discuss the travel documentaries.

Himalaya With Michael Palin (2004)

Michael Palin is my all-time favourite travel presenter, writer, and hell, just an awesome person in general and his travel documentaries are some of the best you can watch.

His sense of humour, interest in the places he visits, how he interacts with the local people, and the way he presents himself is what makes this travel journey one of the best.

Add to that epic Himalayan scenery and adventure and you have the perfect combination for the best travel documentary.

You can watch it here as well as some of his other travel documentaries.

The Endless Summer (1966)

Surfs up! And also lots of fun, fun, fun, in the sun.

Set in the mid-sixties it follows two surfers from California as they travel around the world, including countries like South Africa, Australia, and Ghana, in search of the ‘perfect wave’. 

It’s very laid back to watch and entertaining and a good insight into surfer travels in the sixties.

I would love to hit up some of the waves they found! If you want one of the best travel documentaries based around surfing and beaches then watch this.

Watch it online here .

Encounters at the End of the World (2009)

Want some cold weather viewing, beautiful scenery in the vast expanse of Antarctica, and some fun with scientists? This is it.

Filmmaker Werner Herzog tackles this perfectly, exploring the desolate and vast wilderness of Antarctica around the US base of McMurdo Station, and the people who live and work there.

This will make you want to go to a remote and cold place.

Watch it here .

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (2013 – 2018)

Anthony Bourdain was one of my travel heroes. He died in 2018. His style of reporting and meeting the people he visits around the world and coming together around a common theme worldwide, food, brought a personal approach to the travel genre.

Parts Unknown is one of the best travel documentaries to watch for food. 

The other series with Anthony Bourdain exploring world cuisine, such as No Reservations is also worth watching.

See it on Netflix here .

Under An Arctic Sky (2017)

This is a short travel documentary coming in at only 40 minutes, but worth the watch for sure.

I had been recommended this by a fellow travel blogger and was glad about it.

It’s beautifully shot in Iceland in winter, following a group of surfers looking for (as usual) the perfect waves. 

But a storm comes through during this time and they have to outrun it.

The first time surfers have been filmed under the Northern Lights.

This has made me want to return to Iceland again to explore more of the country in the Arctic darkness.

See what it’s like surfing under the Northern Lights !

Sahara With Michael Palin (2002)

Yes, another Michael Palin travel documentary. I can’t help it his journeys are just so good.

This time he’s out exploring the Sahara Desert, getting into remote adventures with tribal nomads, and so much more.

This will inspire you for a desert adventure.

Watch the epic Sahara journey here .

180° South (2010)

180° South follows Jeff Johnson, an adventurer who travels across South America to Patagonia to visit the places that Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins had visited in 1968, two people who had inspired him.

Easily one of the best travel documentaries about South America to see.

Chasing Coral (2017)

Chasing Coral is a documentary for anyone interested in the ocean and, given the title, especially coral reefs.

It follows scientists and divers who explore the coral areas to see why they are disappearing and to explain it all to you. A good conservationist documentary as well as one for travel to these beautiful parts of the world.

Billy Connolly’s World Tour of Australia (1996)

Billy Connolly is one of the great all-time stand-up comedians.

He also travels a lot and his ‘world tour’ series has taken him to lots of different countries around the world, with Australia being the best.

It’s a combination of him exploring Australia and what is there, with a great sense of humour for everything, as well as some short clips of his stand-up performances in each area he visits with views and opinions about his experience in Australia.

A must-see travel documentary for anyone interested in Australia with a very amusing outlook on travel there.

It ain’t cheap but if you’re a Billy Connolly fan, or want to give a gift to someone who is, this is the Billy Connolly box set of all his world tours.

Dark Tourist (2018)

For some people (myself included) there’s a strange and weird fascination with some of the ‘darker’ tourist spots to visit and dark tourism has become more popular.

From nuclear disaster zone tours to death-worshipping cults, this travel documentary covers them all.

It can be disturbing given the tragedy behind some of the events, but it is history, and it is part of humanity. 

To escape the ‘normal’ tourist spots this will give you an idea of an alternative travel experience.

Right or wrong it is fascinating.

See it on Netflix .

Given (2016)

This is such a unique and refreshing take on a travel documentary as it’s narrated by a six-year-old boy.

It follows a family from Kauai (part of Hawaii) on a journey through 15 countries around the world.

This a really good insight into family travel and the life-teaching experiences travel can have on young children.

Watch their website for the documentary.

Stephen Fry In America (2009)

Stephen Fry is one of my favourite comedians and in this travel series, he travels across the U.S. in search of what makes America.

Just like Billy Connolly and Michael Palin, there is lots of humour involved.

It gives a great insight into American culture.

This is one of the best travel documentaries to watch if planning a trip to the United States. 

Watch here .

The Eagle Huntress (2016)

One of those interested in Central Asia travel, this documentary is about a 13-year-old Kazakh girl called Aisholopan who wants to be an eagle hunter, the first female in her family for twelve generations to do it.

Beautiful scenery and an inspiring story make this a spellbinding travel documentary to watch.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2010)

Have an interest in sushi and Japanese food? Then this is the ultimate travel documentary for you.

It follows an 85-year-old sushi master called Jiro Ono and how he makes some of the best sushi in the world and tries to teach his son the way and the family business.

It’s one of the best documentaries about Japan to watch.

Baraka (1992)

Out of all the travel documentaries, this is one of the older ones but it has aged well. It’s also one of the most beautiful travel documentaries to watch.

The tagline is “A world beyond worlds”, and after watching it you will see why.

There is no narrative, just epic films from all over the world showing natural environments, cities and everything else.

Personally, I remember watching this in the 90s and being inspired to see the places it showed.

Happy People: A Year in the Taiga (2010)

Happy People: A Year in the Taiga is another Werner Herzog travel documentary that is absolutely brilliant if you have an interest in cold places and Siberia in particular.

It follows the people in a remote village in the Siberian Taiga region and shows the repeated way of life in how they deal with living in a harsh cold environment. It includes footage of some of the native Ket people as well.

Tawai: A Voice From The Forest (2017)

Out of all the travel documentaries, this is one of the best ones taking a look at indigenous people around the world.

Adventurer Bruce Parry explores the forests of the Amazon and Borneo, as well as the Isle of Skye in Scotland where he looks at the ways the native people get on with the nature around them.

Nomad: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin (2019)

Nomad is yet again another one with Werner Herzog and this time it’s a much more personal one.

His good friend Bruce Chatwin, who was a well-known travel writer, died of AIDS in 1989 he left Werner his rucksack as a parting gift. Thirty Years after his death Werner heads out to explore places inspired by his friend’s travel life.

Maidentrip (2013)

Maidentrip will make you want to get a yacht and go on an adventure around the world! It’s about a 14-year-old sailor who leaves home for a 2-year journey around the world alone to become the youngest person to ever achieve such a task.

This is one of the best travel documentaries not just about yachting and boats but also about the determination of the human spirit to achieve something great.

Travel Man (2015 Onwards)

Travel Man is a great travel documentary series where each episode host Richard Ayoade visits a new city with a different celebrity to explore what the city has to offer in the way of tourist attractions and other things.

Lots of fun to watch and one of the best recent travel documentaries to see.

Fishpeople (2017)

Fishpeople is a group of stories about various individuals who have dedicated their lives to the sea. It includes a long-distance swimmer, surfers, and many more.

This is one to watch if you have an interest in anything related to life with the ocean.

Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands (2013 – 2016)

If you love Scotland or really want to go there then this is the ultimate Scottish travel series for you. The presenter is Paul Murton and he explores all around the Scottish Isles.

He also has other shows such as the Grand Tour of Scotland and Grand Tour of Scotlands Lochs. He really gets into the culture of Scotland.

Backpackingman note: I am of Scottish ancestry with my great-grandfather being a proper Scotsman from Aberdeen and I have visited Scotland a few times now and can highly recommend this series.

Rick Steves’ Europe (2000 – Onwards)

Rick Steves’ Europe is one of the longest-running travel documentary series out there, if not the longest.

Given the title of the show, it follows Rick as he travels around Europe showing everything the place has to offer. The series from 2018 focuses on Scotland so goes nicely with the Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands mentioned above.

Desert Runners (2013)

Desert Runners is the ultimate documentary about people who run in some of the harshest environments and in this case the desert.

But the twist to this story is that it explores a group of people who join the hardest ultra-marathon race series on the planet and none of them are professional runners.

Watch this one if you have an interest in deserts and running.

Down To Earth (2020)

Down To Earth is a travel documentary series on Netflix that follows actor Zac Efron to different parts of the world where he looks at the sustainability efforts of each destination.

For example, in Iceland, he learns about the efforts to use the natural energy of Earth for power.

Magical Andes (2020 – Onwards)

Magical Andes a travel documentary series is set in South America and takes a look at the Andes Mountain range, from the mountains themselves to the deserts, forests, and everything else that surrounds them

Highly recommended if you’ve ever wanted to visit South America and in particular the Andes region.

Expedition Happiness (2017)

Expedition Happiness follows a couple who get an old school bus and then drive throughout North America with their dog.

The couple is so lovely it’s worth watching just to see them and their life.

Free Solo (2018)

Free Solo follows Alex Honnold, a professional rock climber, as he attempts to be the first person to free solo climb El Capitan’s rock face.

It’s set in Yosemite National Park and is thrilling to watch not just for the action but also for the scenery. Watch this documentary if you are interested in mountain travel and rock climbing as a sport.

The Dawn Wall (2017)

Following on from Free Solo, The Dawn Wall is also set in Yosemite National Park, and this time follows Tommy Caldwell, a free climber, who tried to climb the Dawn Wall of El Capitan.

As with Free Solo, watch this one for mountains.

Mountain (2017)

The Mountain is one of the best travel documentaries about mountains and is breathtaking to watch.

It explores mountains around the world and tells at the same time the history between humans and mountains.

Notable Mention: BBC Planet Earth 1+2 (2006 + 2016)

The BBC Planet Earth series is absolutely beautifully filmed and epic to watch.

In each episode, they explore different parts of the planet, such as deserts, mountains, oceans, forests, etc.

There are also other travel documentaries by the BBC, like The Blue Planet, Frozen Planet, and a lot more. Each one shows a different side of our planet.

These will get you wanting to get out and see the world!

The Best Travel Documentaries

And that’s the list of the best travel documentaries that will hopefully give you some inspiration for your own travels.

Interested in more travel-related movies? Check out 10 movies to watch before travelling to Japan .

You can find some of the older travel documentaries on places like YouTube. In fact, YouTube is a great place to find new and old travel documentaries in general.

And for some travel reading 20 books to read set in the Arctic and Antarctic .

If you liked this article about the best travel documentaries a share would be appreciated :

Related Posts:

Keep updated with new posts by email (no spam, I promise!)

You have successfully subscribed, 7 thoughts on “30 best travel documentaries & series to watch”.

Hi Jonny, this is Christian from Germany I pic you up from Zagreb 2008 and we travel to Germany by car. Later I visit you in Amsterdam. My speciality is Africa. Like to contact you again cause I cannot find you anymore on Couchsurfing. May I ask for your PM adress? see you Christian

Dark Tourist is the best part of this post ..

Oh, It’s too good. I like this blog very much I also bookmark this.

Pingback:  10 Of The Cheapest Countries To Visit (Around The World)

Pingback:  Best Adventure Books (Tales of Adventure For The Traveller)

Pingback:  Best Movies About Hawaii to Watch Before Your Trip - Trip Scholars

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Pin It on Pinterest

24 Travel Documentaries You Should Watch ASAP

1. 180° south (2010).

Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.6 Filming Locations: Chile, Mexico

2. Encounters at the End of the World (2007)

Duration: 1 hour 39 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.8 Filming Locations: Antarctica

3. Austin To Boston (2014)

Duration: 1 hour 12 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.2 Filming Locations: USA

4. Unbranded (2015)

Duration: 1 hour 46 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.3 Filming Locations: Western America

5. Baraka (1992)

Duration: 1 hour 36 minutes IMDb Rating: 8.6 Filming Locations: 23 countries

6. Hit The Road India (2013)

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes IMDb Rating: 6.8 Filming Locations: India

7. Blindsight (2006)

Duration: 1 hour 44 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.3 Filming Locations: Tibet

8. The Endless Summer (1966)

Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.8 Filming Locations: West Coast of Africa, Australia , New Zealand , Tahiti

9. Life In A Day

Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.7 Filming Locations: 192 countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.

10. Frozen Planet (2011)

Duration: 9 episodes of 1 hour each IMDb Rating: 8.9 Filming Locations: The North and South Poles

11. A Map For Saturday (2007)

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.9 Filming Locations:  Argentina , Australia, Brazil, USA, India, England , Spain , Thailand, Italy

12. Touching The Void (2003)

Duration: 1 hour 46 minutes IMDb Rating: 8.1 Filming Locations: Peru, France , Switzerland

13. Samsara (2011)

Duration: 1 hour 42 minutes IMDb Rating: 8.5 Filming Location: Over 25 countries in 5 continents

14. Riding Solo To The Top of The World

Duration: 1 hour 34 minutes IMDb Rating: 8.2 Filming Location:   Leh, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir

15. The Edge Of Never

Duration: 1 hour 43 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.3 Filming Location: France, USA, Canada

16. Stephen Fry In America 

Duration: 6 episodes of 1 hour each IMDb Rating: 8.0 Filming Location: USA

17. Under An Arctic Sky 

Duration: 39 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.1 Filming Location: Iceland

18. Sacred Planet 

Duration: 40 minutes IMDb Rating: 6.2 Filming Location:   Mulu, Sarawak, Malaysia ,  Namibia, Thailand, British Columbia, Southern Alaska

19. Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father

IMDb rating: 7.7 / 10 Seasons: 3 Episodes: 11

20. Around the World in 80 Days

Duration: 1 hour 59 minutes IMDb Rating: 5.9 / 10 Filming Locations: USA

21. Sahara with Michael Palin

Duration: 60 minutes * 4 episode IMDb Rating: 8 Filming Locations: Sahara Desert

22. Antarctica: A Year on Ice

Duration: 1 hour 31 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.6 Filming Locations: Antarctica

23. K2: Siren of the Himalayas

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.2 Filming Locations: Pakistan

24. The Maidentrip

Duration: 1 hour 22 minutes IMDb Rating: 7.5

This post was published by Yash Saboo

Share this post on social media Facebook Twitter

Related Articles

10 Of the Most Luxurious Experiences around the World to Make Your Bucket List Longer!

These Amusement Parks Are Totally Not Just A Child's Play!

20 Best Scuba Dives in the World for Underwater Adventures

Best Places To Skydive In The World

Backpacking

Best Countries To Visit in South-East Asia

16 Most Dangerous Airports of The World for Runway Thrills!

Best Surfing Spots In The World

Adventure in Your Blood? These Countries Should be Your Next Destination

Experiences

Strangest Museums In The World That Will Leave You Intrigued And A Tad Bit Confused

22 Best Christmas Markets In The World To Ring Your Festivities This Season!

Best Places In The World To Visit

Most Beautiful Places To Go For Your Birthday

Best Theme Parks in the World That You Just Can't Miss!

Best Countries to Visit in August

Places To Visit Before They Disappear From Earth

Art & Culture

12 Oldest Languages In The World Still Widely Used!

Incredible Places to Slackline in the World

10 Most Beautiful Islands in The World

E-Visa for Indians : Countries That Offer Easy Visa for Indians

Top 10 Best Overwater Bungalows In The World

Travel Bucket List Destinations To Up Your Instagram Game

Food & Drink

22 Best Dishes in The World You Must Try Once In Your Life

Fairs & Festivals

Unconventional New Years Traditions Around The World

Unusual Natural Phenomena Around The World: Because Mother Nature Likes Getting Creative Too

Forbidden Places in The World: Places You CANNOT Visit

Family Holidays

7 Best Family Holiday Destinations in the World To Ignite Their Wanderlust!

12 of the World's Most Beautiful Glamping Holiday Destinations

Voluntourism: How & Where You Can Travel While Making a Difference

Must Visit Sports Destinations: A Travel Checklist For The Lover Of Sports

Are you an Art Aficionado? Then this Travel Checklist is for You!

Comments on this post

Browse hotel collections, by star category.

Stunning 7-Star Hotels in the World that Exude Luxury

Recently Published

Get Customized Travel Packages

Compare quotes from upto 3 travel agents for free

• India (+91)

*All prices shown on the website are tentative. Final prices will be shared by our partner agents based on your requirements.

Log in to your account

Welcome to holidify.

Forget Password?

Share this page

• Tickets & Showtimes
• Trending on RT

• Best Movies/TV
• Fan Favorites
• Movies by Genre
• TV by Genre
• Past Winners

Best Documentaries 2022

Documentaries left none of life’s stones unturned in 2022, from scaling up volcanoes to the edge of burning oblivion ( Fire of Love ), to tracking down the last slave ship to arrive in America ( Descendant ), to a son’s tribute to his father (Robert Downey Jr.’s Sr. ). Music played their part, with revealing looks at artists Sinead O’Connor ( Nothing Compares ), Louis Armstrong ( Black & Blues ), and a woman-fronted metal band against the Lebanese revolution ( Sirens ).

The order reflects Tomatometer scores (as of December 31, 2022) after adjustment from our ranking formula, which compensates for variation in the number of reviews when comparing movies or TV shows.

Fire of Love (2022) 98%

Descendant (2022) 100%

The Janes (2022) 100%

All That Breathes (2022) 99%

Navalny (2022) 97%

Nothing compares (2022) 99%.

Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues (2022) 98%

Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down (2022) 100%

Free Chol Soo Lee (2022) 100%

"Sr." (2022) 97%

More golden tomato awards 2022.

Golden Year Award 2023

Best Movies 2022

Best Wide Release Movies 2022

Movie & TV News

Featured on rt.

The Most Anticipated TV and Streaming Shows of 2024: New and Returning Shows We Can’t Wait to See

March 22, 2024

Renewed and Cancelled TV Shows 2024

March 21, 2024

TV Premiere Dates 2024

The Most Anticipated Movies of 2024

Top Headlines

• Box Office 2024: Top 10 Movies of the Year –
• Marvel TV Ranked by Tomatometer –
• Best TV Shows of 2024: Best New Series to Watch Now –
• 30 Most Popular Movies Right Now: What to Watch In Theaters and Streaming –
• Ghostbusters Movies Ranked by Tomatometer –
• How to Watch Ghostbusters Movies In Order –

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, the best documentaries of 2022.

The best documentaries of 2022 reflected a diverse array of voices from around the world. Moving away from the pandemic allowed filmmakers to address new subjects in 2022, leading to a blend of personal, passionate films. The best documentaries continued to find new stories to tell. These are the best documentaries of 2022 with links in the reviews to watch them directly. 

All That Breathes

Brian tallerico.

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed

Glenn kenny.

Niani Scott

Bitterbrush

Peter sobczynski.

Calendar Girls

Robert Daniels

Tomris Laffly

Odie Henderson

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing

Isaac feldberg.

Facing Nolan

Brandon towns.

Fire of Love

Matt zoller seitz.

Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches

Matt fagerholm.

George Carlin's American Dream

Hold Your Fire

I Didn't See You There

Is That Black Enough for You?!?

Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story

The Best Documentaries of 2022

Who received the true story treatment this year? None other than Louis Armstrong, Benjamin Franklin, Willie Mays—and more.

Thankfully, the very best of 2022's slate of documentary films shifted back toward good-intentioned, impartial filmmaking—which feels a bit insane to even have to point out. But here we are, There's Trish Adlesic's A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting , which put the focus squarely on the victims of the tragedy at its center. Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues is can't-miss ode to a man who transcended jazz music. And Good Night Oppy ? Well, that little space rover simply made our hearts melt. So rejoice, documentary obsessives, these are the best of the year.

Sr . wasn't supposed to turn out like this . The film began with Robert Downey Jr. setting out to make a documentary about his father, the great director Robert Downey Sr., but as the elder's health declined the project transformed. The making of the film became a means to keep living for Sr., and a surprisingly affecting portrait of life and death emerged. Add to that Downey Jr.'s candor about his relationship with his dad, and Sr. became about fathers and sons, too. Don't miss it.

Good Night Oppy

In 2004, a rover—named Opportunity, Oppy for short—landed on Mars with a 90-day mission in sight. Lo and behold, Oppy stuck around for 15 years, exploring Mars with a human-feeling level of curiosity. All we'll say about Good Night Oppy from here is: prepare yourself for a Pixar amount of tears and a parasocial relationship with a space rover.

This Place Rules

There are few people on this planet better fit for this moment—whatever this moment is—than Andrew Callaghan . Just learning about the 25-year-old savior of gonzo journalism now? Well, do Esquire a favor and watch a few episodes of Callaghan's web series, "All Gas No Brakes," where he reports from the most batshit front lines of the country, from a Bigfoot hunting expedition to 2019's Area 51 raid. Along the way, Callaghan—with an astonishingly quick wit, or at least quick enough to keep up with Chet Hanks —manages to get people to say the quiet parts out loud. Callaghan's This Place Rules , where he follows the buildup to the January 6 attacks, is a hilarious (and mortifyingly revealing) pulse check for our reeling country.

Releases on HBO December 30 .

A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting

Just over four years ago, the mass shooting at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue devastated the Jewish community—and sparked another wave of the always-raging gun control debates in our country. In her empathetic portrait of the shooting and its aftermath, director Trish Adlesic puts the focus squarely on the victims of the tragedy . The result is a rare, stunning portrait of human resilience in the face of loss.

Fire of Love

Following the careers of famed French scientists Katia and Maurice Krafft, Fire of Love puts viewers up close with active volcanoes—one of Earth’s most destructive and near-apocalyptic forces. The two volcanologists bond over their shared obsession chasing these erupting behemoths as they collect samples of the bubbling and scorched earth that lit a flame for their love in the process.

Say Hey, Willie Mays!

Already missing baseball? Hell, are you a Phillies fan who's already missing baseball? Sheesh. Tough loss. Either way, please accept this gift of Say Hey, Willie Mays! , director Nelson George's great love letter to the Giants icon.

Earlier this year, HBO brought us the true story of the Jane Collective, a group of Chicagoans in the '60s and '70s that helped women find safe abortions in the pre- Roe v. Wade era. Of course, The Janes has only become more relevant since Roe v. Wade was overturned shortly after the documentary's debut—especially as we near a critical midterm election.

Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues

At least once a year, a documentary takes on a once-in-a-generation icon, somehow digs up an astounding amount of archival footage, and delivers something that transcends the genre. This year, that documentary is Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues . Watch. Listen. Meet one of the greatest jazz musicians to ever live.

Light & Magic

Ever wonder how Star Wars , you know, pulled it all off? How about Indiana Jones ? Honey I Shrunk the Kids , anyone? Enter Light & Magic , the ultimate profile of Industrial Light and Magic, the visual effects company behind Hollywood's greatest technological developments of the past 40-odd years. Screenwriting great Lawrence Kasdan directs this six-episode docuseries , in what will absolutely be your nerdiest binge of the year.

NYC Point Gods

Playing point guard—floor general, spiritual leader, physical dynamo—is pure art. Few hoops documentaries has ever captured the spirit of basketball quite like NYC Point Gods , which dove into the very heart of legendary New York City point guards Stephon Marbury, Mark Jackson, Kenny Smith, and more.

Benjamin Franklin

Is there a documentary filmmaker more prolific than Ken Burns? (We've ranked all of his films here , if you want to get lost in a rabbit hole today.) In April, he turned his eye to founding father Benjamin Franklin, to characteristically brilliant results.

Lucy and Desi

For those of you who thought Being the Ricardos wasn't a faithful depiction of the relationship between Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz , then Lucy and Desi is for you. In her feature directorial debut, Amy Poehler set the record straight with what may end up as most enduring portrait of the Hollywood stars.

We Need to Talk About Cosby

Director W. Kamau Bell wrestles with Bill Cosby’s legacy in this four-part docuseries that features extensive interviews with the comedians Cosby influenced, the actors who worked with him, and the many women who came forward in the 2010s to accuse him of sexual assault.

In his review of jeen-yuhs for Esquire , Alan Light described the Netflix docuseries that profiles Ye as “a remarkable, possibly unprecedented chronicle of the making of a major artist.” The series director, Coodie Simmons, began filming West more than 25 years ago, right before he caught his big break producing albums for Roc-a-Fella records. A lot has changed for the artist since then and a lot could still happen. But jeen-yuhs is the best portrait we have to date of the polarizing artist who, like him or not, has changed hip-hop and fashion completely.

Neymar: The Perfect Chaos

A Neymar documentary featuring interviews with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and David Beckham? It's as good as you think. Sounds like the best way to make 2022 the year you finally get into soccer .

The Tinder Swindler

Shimon Hayut is a conman for the digital era. Posing as an heir to a diamond fortune, the 31-year-old Israeli defrauded dozens of women he met on Tinder to the tune of nearly $10 million dollars. Eventually a Norwegian tabloid caught wind of Hayut and began interviewing the victims, helping connect the dots between his crimes. This breezy documentary recounts the whole ordeal from the perspective of the women who eventually brought Hayut down.

Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song

It's all in the title, isn't it? Hallelujah explores Leonard Cohen's curious, culture defining song, which has been covered and replayed an immeasurable amount of times. Trust us: after watching this documentary, you'll only want to listen to the song more.

Navalny, one of our Best Movies of 2022 , recounts the harrowing and surreal assassination attempt of the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The film begins in the immediate aftermath of Navalny’s poisoning and follows the former presidential candidate as he recovers alongside his family and makes disturbing discoveries about the forces behind the hit. Spoiler alert: It was exactly who you think it was.

We Met in Virtual Reality

Haters of virtual reality, the metaverse, clunky Oculus headsets, come hither. We Met in Virtual Reality is the counterargument. The HBO documentary which premieres July 27 is filmed entirely in VR—we don't need to tell you how wild that is—and profiles people who count their virtual lives are as essential as anything in our IRL world.

The Captain

ESPN keeps knocking out the all-timers, one by one. Michael Jordan in The Last Dance . Tom Brady in Man in the Arena . In 2022, New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter saw a fittingly serviceable highlight-reel treatment in The Captain .

@media(max-width: 73.75rem){.css-1ktbcds:before{margin-right:0.4375rem;color:#FF3A30;content:'_';display:inline-block;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1ktbcds:before{margin-right:0.5625rem;color:#FF3A30;content:'_';display:inline-block;}} Best of 2022

The 20 Best Memoirs of 2022

The Best Books of 2022

The 10 Best TV Shows of 2022

The 25 Best Albums of 2022

The Best Nonfiction Books of 2022

The 23 Best Action Movies of 2022

The Best Comedy Specials of 2022

The Best Movies of 2022

The 45 Best Songs of 2022

The 2022 Esquire Spirit Awards

The Best Video Games of 2022 (So Far)

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy . We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The Best Documentaries and Docuseries of 2022

Steve greene.

• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn
• Show more sharing options
• Submit to Reddit
• Post to Tumblr
• Print This Page
• Share on WhatsApp

When thinking about the best documentaries, it’s hard not to have lofty thoughts. These projects span film and TV and invite you to not just think about a specific corner of the world in a new way but see it through someone else’s eyes. Whether fascinating stranger-than-fiction stories or radicalizing tools for empathy, the best documentaries also reinvent non-fiction storytelling, reminding us of its place as a rarefied art form. 

A lot of these stories are self-reflections from the greater world of entertainment. We digest what informs, but it’s also really easy to take lengthy deep dives into why the culture responds to what it does (and who are the people at the center of that). But there are many cases where documentaries invite you to elevate your consciousness and consider an area of life that you never thought could sustain more than a passing fascination, much less many hours of your time.  

As we do every year around this part of December, we tried our best to collect the stories, investigations, and connections that meant the most to us this year. Some are unmistakable favorites, ones that made an immediate impression through craft and the subject. Others are memorable in more abstract or lingering ways, stories that shift perceptions over a longer term. Whether you seek illuminating stories of courage in the face of injustice or raucous portraits of daring artists at the top of their craft, there’s something here to inspire everyone. 

Kate Erbland, Ryan Lattanzio, Eric Kohn, Sarah Shachat, Carlos Aguilar, and Christian Blauvelt also contributed to this article.

“The Andy Warhol Diaries”

Combining perspectives from friends, family, scholars, and contemporaries with those diaries, this is a portrait of an artist and the culture he helped transform. The series uses his own words not as a final unimpeachable statement on Warhol himself but as a clue about where a public life of performance ended and a private life began (or to what extent that delineation really mattered at all). The series makes a case for its subject as a preeminent 20th-century artist because of what he chose to control and what he left to chance. Director Andrew Rossi carefully picks when to present an unvarnished Warhol and when to embrace a more abstract conception of the man. It’s a multimedia exploration, bolstered by Brad Oberhofer’s dreamy score, that balances the specifics of Warhol’s work with the successes and sadness he left more esoteric. Art, love, sex, fame, and solitude: All part of a legacy that endures for many of the reasons it remains elusive. — Steve Greene

“All That Breathes”

In a stuffy maze of rooms underneath their Delhi home, brothers Mohammad Saud and Nadeem Shehzad — along with faithful assistant Salik Rehman — patiently go about their business each day. That business is twinned: On one side of the neat but labyrinthine space, employees make the hand soap dispensers that finance their lives; on the other, the siblings and Salik make their way through healing and rehabilitating a never-ending line of ill birds. Bird lovers since they were just kids, the men have watched the air quality of their hometown steadily decline over the years, impacting not just the black kites they love but, as Shaunak Sen’s lyrical documentary shows us, the men’s own family, too. They have dedicated every free moment to rescuing and saving the large birds of prey.     It’s a Sisyphean endeavor: Every day, there are more birds to heal, boxes upon boxes that arrive in the makeshift rehab center. But the men approach it with love and reverence, just like Sen’s moving documentary. As some things get better — money comes in, and then a new facility is possible — other elements, like the brothers’ relationship, seem to worsen. There are moments of great joy and terrible pain, wonderful humor and incredible frustration, but the clock spins forward, the kites come in and the kites leave, and it’s impossible not to see that progress is indeed being made. It’s a poetic exploration of not just three men and the birds they love, but the very fabric and meaning of life itself: persevering in the face of horrible odds, if only because that’s the only thing that can possibly save us. — Kate Erbland

“All The Beauty and The Bloodshed”

Two towering artists collide to make documentary magic in this colossal work from Laura Poitras about the life and activism of revolutionary American photographer Nan Goldin. A leading figure of New York’s downtown avant-garde art scene, Goldin’s work has always been political, from early photographs of sex workers, drug users, and queers to her best known piece, a harrowing self portrait of domestic abuse. Taking its title from the writing of her late sister, whose early suicide radicalized Goldin at a young age, “All The Beauty and The Bloodshed” contextualizes the artist’s origin story with her present day activism.

Rather than a straightforward biography looking back, the film follows Goldin’s very palpable present day work with PAIN (Prescription Addiction Intervention Now), the advocacy group she founded to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic. Incensed by the hypocrisy of the art world, the group staged many actions calling on art institutions to stop taking donations from the Sackler family, owners of Oxycontin producer Purdue Pharma. Though Goldin and her relatively small group were first ignored and written off, the Sackler name has now been removed from The Met, The Guggenheim, The Louvre and many others.

Though it’s easy to find the guiding principles in an oeuvre as uncompromising as Goldin’s, Poitras layers each pillar brilliantly, crystallizing the artist’s far-reaching legacy in all of its hard-won glory. —Jude Dry

“Bad Axe”

David Siev’s “Bad Axe” is one of the finest documentaries yet made about the ground-level human toll of the pandemic — not in terms of mounting illness or death, but how forces sent already tenuous economic security crashing down for many people, especially immigrants. Case in point: Siev’s own Asian-American family struggling to keep their family restaurant open during COVID-19 in the titular Michigan small town. The Sievs are also up against racism in their own community that has resurfaced amid Trump-era frictions, and David’s father brings his own cross-generational trauma as a survivor of the Cambodian Killing Fields. And while “Bad Axe” works as a pandemic document, it’s also a shrewdly constructed piece of filmmaking that reveals Siev’s own aspirations to be a serious film storyteller using what feels like an intimate home video-style chronicle. —Ryan Lattanzio

“Beba”

Director Rebeca Huntt’s intimate essay film documents her complex relationship to Afro-Latina identity as she looks back on her immigrant parents’ journey in the midst of discovering her artistic identity. The daughter of a Dominican father and Venezuelan mother, Huntt confronts the dual nature of her journey towards some measure of assimilation. 

Through voiceovers, interviews, and immersive collages, she crafts an immersive meditation on her time at Bard, her romantic challenges, and her struggles to reconcile her past and present with poetic clarity. Captured in grainy 16mm imagery, the movie is a subjective plunge into the challenges of facing many first-generation Americans in an increasingly fragmented landscape. 

As Huntt’s relationship to her parents becomes strained, “Beba” is as much a critical look at the filmmaker’s own conflicts as it is about the social fabric that gives rise to them. In that respect, it’s a true movie of the moment. —Eric Kohn

“Cheer”/”Last Chance U: Basketball”

In an era of documentaries with bloated runtimes and longread premises stretched to twice as many episodes as necessary, the overlapping creative teams of these two Netflix sports doc series have found the ideal way to make a team’s season handshake with a show’s season. There’s a patience in these portraits of college squads that somehow balances the individual and the institutional, finding specific case studies for the many ways that athletic dreams manifest themselves.

Some of these cheerleaders and basketball players are driven by an unquenchable need to reach championship heights in a small window. Others have greatness thrust upon them due to their undeniable talent, regardless of whether that same fire burns. The group of directors, camera wizards, and editors, led by showrunner Greg Whiteley, consistently present these stories with care and empathy.

In the case of “Cheer,” this second season also afforded the show the chance for self-evaluation, in the wake of criminal charges against one of the show’s most memorable subjects. By giving Jerry Harris’ victims a significant platform, the show acknowledged unforgivable actions without letting those actions drown out the accomplishments of his former peers. It’s an unsurprisingly thoughtful episode from a storytelling team built to capture and address the unexpected. — SG

“Cow”

Natural life has long been a recurring presence in the films of Andrea Arnold, the English filmmaker behind the piercing character studies “American Honey” and “Fish Tank.” Her first nonfiction film, “Cow,” follows the daily routines of a dairy cow named Luma. Shot over the course of nine years, the film follows Luma from the delivery of her first calf all the way to her unceremonious death. Under the camera’s humanizing gaze, Arnold reveals the animal’s intangible aliveness through the subtle magic of slow cinema.

“Cow” is mostly devoid of dialogue, except for the background murmurings of the farmers who remain mostly out of view. Instead of wide shots of pastoral surroundings, the camera stays focused on Luma’s eyes and face. While it may not be technically fancy, what Arnold accomplishes with such a simple setup is nothing short of astounding. It’s impossible not to feel for Luma after sitting with her throughout her daily routines, and a striking reminder of the camera’s power as a tool for empathy. Such an unusually profound experience could only be achieved by through Arnold’s long, gentle approach. —JD

“Descendant”

On its surface, Margaret Brown’s “Descendant” is about the rediscovery of the wreck of the last slave ship to (illegally) arrive in the United States in July 1860, less than a year before the start of the American Civil War. But the mystery of where the ship was sunk and the process of how it was found again aren’t nearly as interesting to the film as the tension of who will get to benefit from the Clotilda’s recovery. In her careful framing of the documentary, rooted in the perspective of the community of descendants most affected by the history of the Clotilda’s last voyage, Brown is able to bring more than just ancient wood to the surface: She brings out the constant contradictions at the heart of the American experiment.

That would be enough for one documentary, but this is also a beautifully shot film, drenched in the big skies and cicada symphonies of the Gulf Coast. Through the texture of image, sound, and score, Brown and her team create a sense of the community the Clotilda descendants have built in the Mobile, Alabama, suburb of Africatown. Every cinematic choice in “Descendant” feels like it was made to help the audience truly hear this community, and uplift exactly the voices that need to carry the discussions of what we owe to our past. — Sarah Shachat

“Fire of Love”

Sara Dosa’s “Fire of Love” allows you to contemplate life lived at the edge of the abyss, at the precipice of spewing lava and 1200-degree Celsius heat. That pyroclastic connection brought together volcanologists Katia and Maurice Kraftt, whose love story began on a park bench and then erupted on the shores of Stromboli amid a trio of active volcanoes; they would spend the next several decades traveling the world to measure and study the same blasts that the rest of the local population was fleeing. 

Assembled from a truly amazing trove of archival footage shot by its subjects, Dosa’s film seems as if it were handed to her on a hot plate. And yet piecing together this vivid and heart-tugging documentary was no simple task. The filmmakers have restored and re-assembled endless reels and dozens of hours of film and video footage dating back to the late 1960s into a witty portrait, aided amply by appropriately monotone and poetic narration from filmmaker Miranda July, and a soundtrack of go-to, let’s-run-toward-our-future pop classics like Brian Eno’s electronic anthem “The Big Ship.” At an economical 90-minute running time, “Fire of Love” packs a visual and emotional wallop, with enough close-ups on erupting volcanoes — one is called “a bathtub with a hole in it, sowing death all around” — to leave you slack-jawed, terrified, and awe-inspired. —RL 

“George Carlin’s American Dream”

As a largely chronological look at one of the English language’s most prominent comic voices, this two-part, four-hour series excels in its basic goals. It charts Carlin’s many career arcs, from half of a buttoned-down touring act through his many stylistic and philosophical evolutions. A half-century of work, distilled to its massive highs and forgettable lows, will be somewhat oversimplified, but the best parts of this project are from directors Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio tapping into the value of self-reflection.

The idea that Carlin was, at various points, able to take stock of what he and the country at large were missing offers more than just a simple hagiography or checklist of his achievements. It’s neither a scholarly work nor a scorching polemic, and viewers can draw their own conclusions about whether or not that approach is befitting the man. But as a document of an artist who was able to speak to the many decades he bridged as well as planting a flag into the discourse of future ones, “George Carlin’s American Dream” makes a compelling case that there’s still very much a place for him and his body in of work in the American consciousness. — SG

“Hostages”

When crafting a four-part overview of a historic event as world-dominating as the events at the Iranian embassy were through 1979 and 1980, context becomes more than vital. Rather than narrow those 14 months to a single perspective, directors Joshua Bennett, Maro Chermayeff, Jeff Dupre, Abbas Motlagh, Sam Pollard & Saralena Weinfield present a wider view of the individuals directly involved in the hostage situation.

The length of the series allows “Hostages” to follow branches of 20th-century U.S-Iranian relations, even as it provides a succinct timeline around and during the 444 days that people were held against their will in Tehran. There’s a simultaneous clarity and simmering anger that persists over four decades later, coming from those on various sides of the crisis. With those viewpoints combined, this series avoids distilling down to a single cause or a single solution. Instead, it presents a window into the past and asks viewers to consider what details reflect back on our present time. And, as is almost a necessity in portraits like this, “Hostages” examines how this chapter was represented in the American consciousness, with some sentiments redirected against both neighbors and those half a world away. — SG

“The Last Movie Stars”

On the surface, “The Last Movie Stars” has a premise that’s a worthy draw all its own: Ethan Hawke, clearly enamored of the on- and off-screen lives of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, gathers some A-list friends to voice an audio documentary of their lives. But what unfolds in this metatextual exercise is also a fascinating insights into the nature of fame, all while being what is sure to be one of the most enduring time capsules of the pandemic.

There are plenty of times when Hawke seems to embrace the self-indulgent nature of the project and harness it for a greater purpose. (If you have this collection of talent and institutional knowledge at your disposal, why not take full advantage of the ample Zoom room time that you can?). Peppered with a treasure trove of performances — George Clooney and Laura Linney as the central pair anchor the whole thing, but what joy to hear folks like Brooks Ashmanskas and Tom McCarthy really go for it — it’s a loving handshake between Hollywood past and present. The shagginess of candid convos between peers, matched with the polished and researched elements of the series, makes for a doc project with a rhythm all its own. — SG

“Mija”

Two aching dreams converge in this dazzling piece of non-fiction filmmaking “Mija,” the feature debut from director Isabel Castro. One belongs to Doris Anahí Muñoz, a 26-year-old music manager born and raised in California to Mexican parents, and the other to a Latina from Texas, who goes by Jacks Haupt, determined to make a living as a singer. 

Castro implements a music video aesthetic and visual rhythm throughout, portraying Jacks’ transformation on stage in alluring fashion. Dreamlike cinematography, credited to Castro herself with a team of additional camera people, submerges the two leads, on their respective but intertwined journeys, in quasi-magical states. Stories centering Latinos in this country are seldom given this type of evocative treatment.

A tribute to those children of immigrants, especially those in families divided across borders, pulling for their own aspirations while carrying on their backs their parents’ hopes for a life without fear, “Mija” beams with the knowledge that in its specificity it speaks to millions. —Carlos Aguilar

“Mind Over Murder”

It doesn’t take long to see when a true crime documentary is lacking in empathy. It’s pretty easy to see when those stories are presented as blunt instruments of trauma and grief, all in a perversely digestible package. Here, Nanfu Wang helps craft something different, even if it’s presented under the stripped-down guise of what some viewers might be primed for.

This six-part series is not designed for the audience to be amateur detectives and figure out what really happened on one 1985 night in Beatrice, Nebraska. Instead, this series looks at what happens when a family, a community, and the once-accused murderers are left without easy answers over a generation later. With the help of local Beatrice actors and many of the key individuals, “Mind Over Murder” looks at how fragile memories and a desire for something definitive are often at odds with each other. — SG

“Moonage Daydream”

A weird narrative began to take shape around Brett Morgen’s latest and most ambitious music documentary: that it somehow was not a documentary at all, but an experience. As if documentaries can’t be many, many things, including immersive, sensory experiences.

Morgen isn’t to blame for any of this, other than he really did deliver an exceptionally inventive documentary, one that for a moment almost makes you think David Bowie lives again. It’s one of the most present-tense movies of the year, mixing concert footage and TV interviews in a way that feels 2022 even as some of the clips are nearly half a century old. Morgen spent six years unearthing material in the Bowie archives, all remastered with extraordinary clarity, and as such much was made of how “Moonage Daydream” needs to be seen on the big screen. But like all great documentaries, its greatness will translate to any screen on which you see it. And “Moonage Daydream” is a great documentary. —Christian Blauvelt

“Mr. Bachmann and His Class”

One classroom becomes a portal to the world at large in director Maria Speth’s sprawling, inspirational second documentary. The filmmaker presents about six months in the academic life of one of her personal friends, 64-year-old Dieter Bachmann, who teaches a primary school class for immigrant children in a mid-sized German town. On display are mild culture clashes, linguistic barriers, inquiries into religious differences, debates about values and ethics, and many, many musical performances. At three hours and 37 minutes, it’s a daunting plunge, but not an unprecedented one. With her work here, Speth suggests she could be the natural heir to Frederick Wiseman. This is one of the most hopeful movies you’re likely to see anytime soon. —CB 

“Shaq”

As the sports doc subgenre approaches critical mass, very few new entries feel like they tap into the actual energy of the person they’re profiling. Not so with “Shaq,” a thoughtful, rollicking adventure through the life of one of basketball’s expert storytellers, Shaquille O’Neal.

Beginning with O’Neal’s military family upbringing, up through his exploding stardom, and down through his on-the-court decline and many career second acts, Robert Alexander adds life to each anecdote without it feeling like a gimmick. It’s the rare sports documentary with its own real sense of humor, rather than just leaning on funny interview subjects.

Each of the four chapters has its own design flourishes and indulgences, all in service of better understanding the giant personality at its heart. With the exception of one specific topic, O’Neal is a more-than-willing participant, bringing his distinct brand of straightforward showmanship along the way. As “Shaq” warns at the outset, don’t expect 100-percent truth, but that emotional honesty makes these stories feel even more real in the process. — SG

“Take Out with Lisa Ling”

The food appreciation/travelogue corner of the doc world is a popular one, but there’s a growing collection of shows that are adding rich dimensions to that formula. There’s the always-popular Stanley Tucci series (a show with its own future in doubt ) and the fantastic “High on the Hog” (one of our picks for Netflix’s greatest originals ). To that list, add “Take Out,” a show that uses food as an avenue to discuss the experiences of Asian immigrants living in America. Ling is a welcoming guide, bringing in personal perspective from her own life while acknowledging the undiscovered corners of her culinary knowledge. There are some stylistic shake-ups to the usual B-roll/interview/dish-tasting structure, including some animation and poetry sequences. But the series’ best moments feel like an exciting meal: thoughtful in its presentation, waiting for those with open minds and stomachs. — SG

“The U.S. and the Holocaust”

For any number of reasons we can mention here, the Holocaust is a historical chapter filled with lessons for the present day. With the usual Florentine Films style and diligence, Lynn Novick, Sarah Botstein, and Ken Burns’ six-hour documentary makes room for the realities of the time, presented without abstraction. While there is weight here given to the scope of the lives lost and forever altered by Nazi aggression throughout Europe, “The U.S. and the Holocaust” also saves a good deal of scrutiny for those in positions of power and high social standing who abetted or ignored the danger that many faced on a different continent.

In the words of historians, memories of those who lived through that time, and the always-reliable narration of Peter Coyote, this series traces how policy changes and seemingly tiny shifts in public opinion metastasized and had disastrous consequences for those who sought refuge in the United States. Through stories like the passengers of the MS St. Louis and the rhetoric of isolationist demagogues of the day, “The U.S. and the Holocaust” warns of the dangers of pretending that any return to a closed-off, unwelcoming America wouldn’t result in a repeat of history. — SG

“We Need to Talk About Cosby”

It would be an incomplete look at Bill Cosby’s life without consideration of what he meant to millions who saw him purely as a TV figure. And it would be incomplete without an emphasis on his alleged predatory behavior that he used that fame to supplement.

W. Kamau Bell’s overview of Cosby’s legacy isn’t so much a balancing of the two as much as an opportunity to recontextualize the former in light of the latter. In providing a platform for women to share their experiences, the series gives as much time as each needs, without underlining their trauma or using them just as sources of evidence. Through them, we see the parallel lines of fame and damage and what forces enabled both, witting or otherwise. It’s a dissection of one man’s craft and legacy, alongside the lasting questions of what we expect from our idols and what that sometimes allows us to ignore. — SG

Most Popular

You may also like.

Filed under:

• Best of the Year

The 10 best documentaries of 2022

From rock star sagas to pivotal historical moments and majestic volcanic eruptions

If you buy something from a Polygon link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement .

Share this story

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on Reddit
• Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: The 10 best documentaries of 2022

Between social media and gossip sites, it certainly feels like we know everything we need to know about the rich and famous. And yet in 2022’s crop of outstanding documentaries, one dominant theme was celebrity intimacy. People who spend a lot of time in the public eye often lose control of their own story, as the press and the public push them into soap opera narratives filled with romances, betrayals, heroism, and villainy. In film after film in 2022, the celebs pushed back, taking us deep inside their mental-health issues and family traumas, and explaining how hard it is to make fans and critics happy all the time.

It’s possible to make a “10 best 2022 documentaries” list just from those movies: Jennifer Lopez: Halftime (about the stress of putting together a Super Bowl show), Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues (which tells a jazz hero’s story via his private archives), Lucy and Desi (a look back at one of TV’s most volatile couples), Nothing Compares (tracking the rise and fall of Sinéad O’Connor), The Return of Tanya Tucker (about a country-music legend reluctantly getting back to basics), Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (a harrowing glimpse at a superstar’s performance anxieties), Spring Awakening: Those You’ve Known (in which the now-famous stars of a Broadway smash reflect on their youth), Stutz (in which Jonah Hill celebrates both his therapist and his own therapy), Sr. (Robert Downey Jr.’s simultaneous salute to his filmmaker father and lament for the drug-fueled lifestyle they once both led), and Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off (a study of athletic obsession).

As it happens, those all fell just short of the final cut on our list. But their spirit is represented by some of the list-makers below. More importantly, all these films (including the ones above) show how great documentary storytellers find original and illuminating angles on material we think we already know. Whether it’s celebrities, gun violence, systemic racism, addiction, or love, these movies made common problems feel new.

10. The Princess

The British royal family was in the news a lot in 2022, perhaps as much as they’ve been since the very public rise and fall of the romance between the current King Charles III and his late ex-wife, Diana Spencer. Ed Perkins’ surprisingly intense The Princess tells Diana’s story from her first introduction to the public as a bride-to-be to her later embrace of philanthropy and social activism — and then her eventual death while trying to flee relentless paparazzi. Using only news clips and home-movie footage, Perkins emphasizes the pressures of fame, evident in the constant questions and camera-clicks Diana faced. It’s a cautionary tale about what happens when the press and the public turn a real person into a fantasy character.

The Princess is streaming on HBO Max .

9. All the Beauty and the Bloodshed

Photographer Nan Goldin rose to prominence in the New York art world by documenting the communities she lived in throughout the ’70s and ’80s: the queer folks, the punks, the sex workers, and the political radicals. Laura Poitras’ documentary All the Beauty and the Bloodshed is partly about how Goldin’s creative journey was shaped by living among misfits, artists who built their own scenes, then kept them going through the ravages of AIDS and drug addiction. But the movie is also about the stir the artist has caused as an activist by demanding that museums cut ties with the Sacklers, a well-heeled art patron family that made a lot of its fortune thanks to the opioid epidemic. Poitras insightfully connects these pieces of Goldin’s life, showing how grassroots organizing and radical honesty drive her.

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed is currently playing in limited theatrical release.

8. Is That Black Enough for You?!?

This thrilling fusion of cultural history and impassioned personal essay is the work of Elvis Mitchell, a veteran film critic who uses the heyday of 1970s blaxploitation movies like Super Fly and Foxy Brown as a way to dig deeply into the complicated history of Black representation in American cinema. Throughout Is That Black Enough for You?!? , clips from smash-hit action pictures like Shaft alternate with scenes from long-forgotten oddities, all interspersed with commentary by Black showbiz legends like Whoopi Goldberg and Samuel L. Jackson. But the main voice and perspective here belongs to Mitchell, whose vast cinema knowledge and experience allows him to find the larger meaning in even the smallest moments.

Is That Black Enough for You?!? is streaming on Netflix .

7. The Janes

The most obvious selling point for Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes’ thoughtful look back at abortion-rights history is that it’s suddenly relevant, given the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn its previous Roe v. Wade decision. But treating the film like homework would do a disservice to The Janes , which is less about abortion per se than it is about how feminism blossomed in the 1960s, thanks to underground networks that tried to elevate the secrets ladies whispered to each other and make them common knowledge. The surviving members of the clandestine Chicago health care organization JANE tell stories not just about connecting desperate women with helpful doctors, but about how they let those sisters know they weren’t alone.

The Janes is streaming on HBO Max .

6. 2nd Chance

Too many true-crime docs lately just play up the sordid details of sex, violence, and chicanery. And too many are split up into multiple parts in order to fill up programming hours on cable and streaming services. Ramin Bahrani’s strange, surprising 2nd Chance runs a refreshingly zippy 89 minutes, and though its story is full of death and conspiracies, it’s more of a pointed character sketch about a colorful bulletproof vest magnate who sold himself as a friend to law enforcement and the military while his company was putting lives at stake by cutting corners. Though often funny and gripping, this film is really about how we define “criminal,” and about the people we as a society — rightly or wrongly — consider worth saving.

2nd Chance is currently playing in limited theatrical release; it will be streaming in 2023 (date TBA) on Showtime Anytime .

5. Fire of Love

When French volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft died on the job in 1991, they left behind a voluminous archive of notes, tapes, and photographs, which collectively offered insight into the decades they spent risking their lives to understand one of nature’s most dangerous phenomenons. But the Kraffts’ real legacy was their film and video footage, which captures eye-popping images of smoke and lava, dwarfing their fragile human figures. Sara Dosa’s Fire of Love sets those pictures — full of searing color and eerie landscapes, all abstract and alien — to a haunting score by Air’s Nicolas Godin and narration by Miranda July, turning this couple’s romantic adventures into something grandly cinematic.

Fire of Love is streaming on Disney Plus .

4. We Met in Virtual Reality

A welcome counterpoint to alarmist takes about alienation and extremism in the social media age, Joe Hunting’s lively animated documentary We Met in Virtual Reality considers the ways that interacting online has been beneficial to people with physical, neurological, psychological, or logistical limitations. Recorded entirely within the online community VRChat , the movie celebrates the real relationships that have developed within virtual spaces, hailing the creativity and bonhomie that has led users to build so many eye-catching gathering spaces populated by sexy and/or whimsically goofy human-animal hybrids.

We Met in Virtual Reality is streaming on HBO Max .

3. Descendant

Director Margaret Brown is best known for her nuanced nonfiction films about Southern culture, like her outstanding 2008 documentary The Order of Myths. For Descendant , Brown brought her cameras to a coastal Alabama community, where historians and amateur treasure-hunters were looking for an infamous shipwreck. In 2019, the discovery of the Clotilda — the last known slave transport vessel to reach American shores, arriving in the mid-19th century — sparked a lot of interest and conversation internationally. But for this film, what matters is that all the attention gave the Black Alabamans of “Africatown” a chance to reflect on how their ancestors’ stories have largely been erased from the historical record, leaving only folklore and anecdotes as the way the community preserves its truths.

Descendant is streaming on Netflix .

2. Riotsville, USA

In the late 1960s, civil unrest across America led to a national debate about possible solutions, and to two major initiatives — both covered in Sierra Pettengill’s remarkable and revelatory Riotsville USA . In one corner, a bipartisan commission studied the riots’ root causes, and found that the best way to reduce crime and violence would be to improve education, introduce job programs, and acknowledge institutional racism. In another corner, a coalition of military and law enforcement leaders constructed fake city blocks in the middle of nowhere and used them to train soldiers and officers to crack the skulls of hippies and ethnic minorities. Assembled almost entirely from archival film and TV clips, Pettengill’s film is set more than 50 years ago, but feels like it’s about the 2020s.

Riotsville, USA is available for purchase from Amazon , Apple , and Google Play.

1. Moonage Daydream

Don’t come to Brett Morgen’s sprawling, sensational cinematic experience Moonage Daydream expecting to learn the basic facts about the late pop star and experimental artist David Bowie. With the immense help of the Bowie estate — which gave the director access to a vast archive of audio and video — Morgen has produced a kaleidoscopic 140-minute movie, blending old film clips and cranked-up rock music into a dizzying swirl of sound and vision. The film frames its subject’s frequent metamorphoses as a performer and a public figure as the work of a brilliant actor, disappearing into the role of an eccentric celebrity as a way of entertaining his fans while keeping his real life and self partially shielded from view.

Moonage Daydream is available for rent or purchase on Amazon , Apple , and Google Play.

The best horror movies of the year so far, ranked by scariness

The 29 best movies on netflix right now, the best movies of 2024 so far.

Screen Rant

10 best documentaries of 2022, so far, according to metacritic.

Metacritic has everyone covered with their ranking of the best documentaries in 2022, so far, featuring those still yet to come to a wider audience.

2022 marks the first edition of an international documentary film festival. In August, Langkawi Walk The Doc aims to host filmmakers and documentary devotees from around the world in Langkawi, Malaysia.

This will undoubtedly be a great way to meet directors and producers, as well as to get up to date with new releases in the genre. But since not everyone has the means or the time to travel so far, Metacritic has already some of this year's best releases and upcoming documentary features, so far, for everyone to find them closer to home.

Hold Your Fire: 82

Written, directed, shot, edited, and produced by Stefan Forbes, Hold Your Fire premiered at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival and had its theatrical release in May 2022.

Related:  10 Best True Crime Documentaries That Aren’t About Murder

The doc focuses on the 1973 hostage event in Brooklyn, New York, which was responsible for the establishment of modern hostage negotiations that included NYPD psychologist Harvey Schlossberg's guidance of “using words, not guns” to save lives. Among its accolades, the documentary has already received the 2020 Library Of Congress Better Angels Grand Prize for historical film and the Metropolis Grand Jury Prize at the 2021 Doc NYC Film Festival.

The Janes: 83

Directed by Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes, The Janes was released on June 8, 2022, at HBO Max. It tells the story of seven women who were a part of an illegal network for women in need of safe and affordable abortions, who called themselves "Jane." In the spring of 1972, police raided their apartment on the South Side of Chicago, arresting and charging them.

This movie, directed by women and still streaming on HBO Max , is a must-watch and won Best Direction at the Cleveland International Film Festival.

Fire Of Love: 83

From Sara Dosa, this documentary has already been nominated and won several prizes, despite having been released in July.

Fire of Love follows the love story of volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft. After two decades of traveling the globe for research, they lost their lives in a 1991 volcanic explosion. It is a vibrant feature that explores their contribution to the knowledge of this beautiful and dangerous world, paying homage to their legacy.

Babi Yar. Context: 83

Babi Yar. Context was released on April 1st by Atoms & Void in collaboration with the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center.  They used archive footage to show how a Special Unit of the SS, along with the Police Regiment South and the Ukrainian Auxiliary Police, massacred 33,771 Jews in the Babi Yar ravine northwest of Kyiv, Ukraine.

This occurred in September 1941, and the documentary also delves into the consequences of this genocidal episode, highlighting the importance of historical memory. Hopefully, it will erase some of the misconceptions about World War 2 that movies keep perpetuating.

Moonage Daydream: 85

Music lovers are eagerly waiting for the release of this new approach to David Bowie’s creative and musical journey, set to come out on the 16th of September 2022.

Related:  10 Musicians Who Should Make Their Own Documentaries

Moonage Daydream has already been nominated for two Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival 2022. It gets its title from Bowie's song of the same name, and reportedly will publish archival material documenting the iconic singer's life and career. The mere fact that it is the first posthumous documentary to receive approval from his estate proves that it will not be an ordinary feature.

Three Minutes: A Lengthening: 87

Another Holocaust-focused historical documentary,  Three Minutes: A Lengthening will be on the screens on August 19th. In 1938, David Kurtz recorded what would become the only register of the Jewish inhabitants of Nasielsk, Poland, before the Holocaust.

As the title indicates, the footage on which the doc is centered is only three minutes of images, which the documentary intends to analyze with the goal of untangling the stories of the people seen in it. It runs alongside the testimonies of Glenn Kurtz, grandson of David Kurtz, and Maurice Chandler, who appears in the film as a boy. So far, it has earned a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes .

The Territory: 88

Also coming out on the 19th of August,  The Territory shines a light on another current issue and it is shaping up to become one of the best nature documentaries ever.

National Geographic has created a fascinating tour of the Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau people and their struggle against the invasive deforestation brought by farmers and illegal settlers in the Brazilian Amazon. Footage for the documentary has been made over the course of three years, some of it by the Indigenous population themselves, and includes a groundbreaking vision of their misappropriation and mistreatment of the protected Indigenous land.

La Mami: 89

La Mami has been released to soaring critical reviews in April, and it is the second documentary by Laura Herrero Garvín.

It follows Doña Olga, also known as La Mami, who has spent her life attending to the performers of the Cabaret Barba Azul in Mexico City, and her friendship with the newbie, Priscilla. A down-to-heart female perspective that was just awarded the Cinema Tropical Award for Best Film.

Who We Are: A Chronicle Of Racism In America: 89

A multi-awarded and multi-nominated feature was released on January 14th, 2022, focusing on one of the ongoing struggles of the Black American population.

Related:  10 Best Fantasy & Sci-Fi Movies Dealing With Racism

Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America mixes lectures, personal anecdotes, interviews, and revelations to comprise a comprehensive study on the issue of racism in the U.S. It is conducted by Jeffery Robinson, a criminal defense and civil rights lawyer, who provides an interconnected timeline from slavery to the modern day. Its eight nominations for several awards are further proof of its brilliance and relevance.

Mr. Bachmann And His Class: 92

Another Tomatometer-approved documentary ,  Mr. Bachmann and His Class came out in February. It tells the story of Herr Bachmann and his sensible way of dealing with diversity in his classroom.

Despite the historical difficulties of integrating foreigners in Stadtallendorf, the city where this German teacher works, he tries to inspire these newcomers to feel at home there through a comprehensive set of knowledge, fields, cultures, and opinions. It is a heartwarming feature, capable of restoring anyone's faith in humanity.

Next:  The 10 Best Documentaries Of 2021 According To Letterboxd

• facebook-rs

The 13 Best Documentaries of 2022

By David Fear

Gimme some truth, a wise man once said. And the gods of the moving pictures did look down upon us and grant that wish. Soon — very soon — we were up to our ears in cinema verité, TV docuseries, true-crime case dossiers, archival-clip compilations, famous-folk tributes, cultural time capsules, fly-on-the-wall reporting 24 frames (or X amount of pixels) per second, and more. And lo, it was good, even if it was a lot. Some of it, in fact, was great.

We now have such a steady diet of documentaries available to consume, via so many different venues and in such a variety of formats, that trying to boil down an annual “best of” list for nonfiction films and multi-episode series feels like a Herculean effort. (Next up: Our ranked list of 2022’s best sand on the beach.) But not all docs are created equal, and the baker’s dozen we choose for our top picks below represent that work that reminded us why we continue to love what documentarians can accomplish with cameras, boom mics, a vision, and the ability to be at the right place at the right time. The 13 films below may run the gamut from an anything-goes music doc to a many-chaptered, marathon-length revisionist history lesson. All of them, however, made good on their promise to give us some truth.

(Honorable mentions: Cow, Descendant, Donbass, Hold Your Fire, Louis Armstrong’s Black and Blues, Lowndes County and the Rise to Black Power , Mr. Bachmann and His Class, My Old School, The Princess , Retrograde , Tantura , and Nous (We). We’ve also suggested some “bonus viewing” options in various blurbs that complement the entry in question.)

‘The U.S. and the Holocaust’

There have been a number of nonfiction accounts that have tackled the Nazis’ horrific, systematic “Final Solution” — but Ken Burns’ six-and-a-half hour docuseries comes at the subject from a slightly different angle. In addition to chronicling how the rise of Nazism in Germany would lead to Jewish persecution on a mass scale, the filmmaker and co-directors Sarah Botstein and Lynn Novick chart how the response (or lack thereof) of the U.S. would end up adding to the death count. From racism-fueled immigration laws to homegrown antisemitism, pro-isolationist policies to sheer indifference, these three episodes offer a counternarrative to the notion that America was offering refuge to European Jews and opposing Hitler’s plans from the very beginning. It’s a sobering look at how a nation’s inability to recognize or care about what was happening elsewhere turned into benign complicity, and a history lesson that somehow seems more timely than ever.

(Bonus viewing: Three Minutes: A Lengthening, which turns a snippet of pre-WWII footage of a small Polish town into a forensic examination of the damage done; and Who We Are: A Study of Racism in America, which gives a lecture by Jeffrey Robinson on our inability to deal with race the full An Inconvenient Truth treatment.)

‘We Need to Talk About Cosby’

W. Kamau Bell’s four-part docuseries on the good, the bad, the ugly, and the very ugly regarding Bill Cosby’s six decades in the spotlight examines how the comedian constructed his persona of the lovable, family-friendly philanthropist — and then used that same persona to hide the fact that he was serially drugging women and allegedly raping them throughout his career. It’s not interested in dropping bombshells or staging “gotcha” moments so much as sifting through the rubble of this once-beloved figure’s reign as “America’s dad” and asking why we refused to believe that he was capable of such horrifying things for so long. The voices of survivors are given a platform to speak about their trauma, while Bell himself tries to reconcile his (and, by extension, our ) feelings over a personal hero who turned out to be a monster. A tough watch, but a rewarding one.

‘The Janes’

You’d see it on fliers and bulletin boards all around Chicago circa 1969: “Pregnant? Need help? Call Jane.” If you dialed the number, you’d could leave your information on a message machine. Someone would get back to you and, if you so desired, help facilitate the termination of a pregnancy. Directors Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes delve into a relatively unknown corner of the era’s radical political activism, which involved an underground network of women who risked life, limb, family and their freedom to help their fellow females have a say over their own bodies. Featuring interviews with former Janes — and the “doctor” who performed many of the procedures — it’s a history lesson that somehow avoids falling into a talking-heads-old-clips-rinse-repeat rut. These women were outlaws. They were also heroes, and it’s high time more people recognized them as such. This doc is a great start.

‘Is That Black Enough for You?!?’

Journalist and radio-show/podcast host Elvis Mitchell adds “filmmaker” to his resume with this look back at a 10-year period — from 1968 to 1978 — when Black cinema and filmmakers like Melvin Van Peebles completely changed the game. A host of talking heads (Harry Belafonte, Laurence Fishburne, Zendaya) and film clips give it the appearance of a standard history-lesson film doc. Except Mitchell has a knack for embedding a sense of memoir into the mix, and taking some interesting detours in connecting Hollywood’s “onscreen crushing of Black hope” to a revolutionary new moment of representation that came and went — but definitely left its mark. It’s the rare movie-mad documentary that makes the personal political, and vise versa. (Bonus viewing: Sidney , Reginald Hudlin’s equally wonderful biography on Sidney Poitier that covers some of the same ground from an entirely different perspective while paying tribute to an icon.)

‘Marx Can Wait’

In 2016, veteran Italian filmmaker Marco Bellocchio arranged for a large family gathering with all of his surviving elderly siblings. There was one noticeable absence that cast a shadow over the reunion: His twin brother Camillo, who took his own life in 1968. His passing had long haunted the family — particularly the filmmaker, whose career his brother envied. A sensitive yet unsparing excavation of an artist’s family history, this work from the world-cinema legend (had he only made 1965’s Fists in the Pocket, he’d still have earned his place in the canon) weaves in clips from his work and home movies to paint a picture of a personal tragedy. Yet it also chronicles how Marco and his kin truly begin to reckon with this loss and how these late-in-life conversations finally let their healing begin, decades after the fact.

‘Sr.’

When Chris Smith ( American Movie ) approached Robert Downey Jr. with the idea of making a documentary about him, the star pitched a counter-offer: What about a film on my dad? Robert Downey Sr. was recognized as a key underground filmmaker in the 1960s and early ‘70s who’d broke through to what was then considered the mainstream before drugs, some bad decisions and the changing tides of Hollywood waylaid his career. As Smith and his crew began filming the older man, however, Sr.’s health began to decline — and Jr. started to let Smith & co. film their conversations as time runs out. A moving, intimate look at a father and a son both expressing their love for each other and letting go of long-harbored resentments, and a tribute to an artist from someone who picked up more than a few tricks from his pops. (Bonus viewing: Last Flight Home, in which DIG! filmmaker Ondi Timoner captures the final days of her 92-year-old dad as he chooses to die via the state of California’s End of Life Option.)

‘All That Breathes’

In the middle of New Delhi, there is a small clinic devoted to caring for black kites, the hawk-like birds of prey that call the city home. Run by brothers Muhammad Saud and Nadeem Shehzad, along with their friend Salik Rehman, in an underground garage, this sanctuary allows the wounded predators to heal before being released back into the skies. The trio does it out of a sense of respect for nature. But as Shaunak Sen’s free-flowing documentary ably demonstrates, there’s a spiritual element to what they do — an attempt to maintain a sense of balance between all creatures great and small in a vast urban jungle, even when sectarian violence hovers in the background. The rare film to win Best Documentary awards at both Sundance and Cannes, it’s the sort of lyrical nonfiction work that reminds you how activism can take many forms. Ditto kindness and compassion. (Bonus viewing: Invisible Demons, Rahul Jain’s city symphony in D minor that focuses on New Delhi’s pollution problem.)

‘Riotsville U.S.A.’

In 1967, the U.S. military built a model town in Fort Belvoir, a base in Virginia, designed to train police officers and the National Guard on methods to deal with urban rioters. Uprisings were happening with more and more frequency in cities across the country, so the mock-chaos scenarios held in “Riotsville” would teach troops how to control crowds. It was viewed as such a success that a second fake town in Georgia was built. The mere existence of these places would be enough fodder for a documentary, but filmmaker Sierra Pettengill ( The Reagan Show ) uses the footage of the exercises as a jumping-off point to examine how the media covered these uprisings, the report on the phenomenon issued by the Johnson administration, and the way the ‘68 political conventions provided a real-life chance to test the military’s theories on actual citizens. Plus ça change.

‘Moonage Daydream’

Given the blessing of the David Bowie estate and full access to the late, great Thin White Duke’s archives, Brett Morgen could have easily made a standard cradle-to-grave biodoc, buffered with the occasional rare performance clip. Instead, he decided to do something a little bolder: drop moviegoers into something akin to Bowie’s stream of consciousness for over two hours. And on an IMAX-level canvas to boot! You still get to-die-for concert footage, old interviews, and a sense of how rock’s greatest chameleon changed musical styles — and pop music itself — several times over. But as with his Kurt Cobain documentary Montage of Heck , the director takes his cues from the subject himself, blending film clips, fine art, lowbrow sci-fi pulp, and a variety of musical and visual influences to tell the story of the man who fell to Earth and sold the world. (The backstory behind the end result is almost as cracked as the film itself.) You get the sense that if Bowie had ever gotten around to making an autobiography, it would have looked exactly like this.

‘The Last Movie Stars’

For decades, everyone pointed to Joanne Woodard and Paul Newman as the ideal celebrity couple. She liked to knit. He liked to race cars. They made 16 films together. What people tend to ignore, however, was that they also harbored respective resentments over the other’s critical praise and careers, dealt with unflattering gossip, drank too much too often and fought a lot. Ethan Hawke’s extraordinary six-part documentary starts out as a rose-colored look at Old Hollywood royalty and ends up as a real-life Scenes From a Marriage starring actual movie stars — it somehow manages to burnish the mythology of this god-tier acting duo and tear it down at the same time. Even Hawke’s enlistment of actor buddies to read interview transcripts from an aborted Newman memoir quickly goes from gimmicky to graceful, as it gives voice to the highs and lows of screen icons in love. A great example of when not to just print the legend.

‘All the Beauty and the Bloodshed’

Laura Poitras turns a portrait of an artist — photographer Nan Goldin — into a work of protest art, toggling between biography and chronicling how the “Ballad of Sexual Dependency” creator took on the Sackler family and forced art institutions to recognize that philanthropists can also be Big Pharma pushers. As with Poitras’ past looks at whistleblowers and disruptors ( Citizenfour, Risk ), there’s an erasing of the boundaries between the personal, the political and the ethical that enhances both the backstory (notably re: the influence of Nan’s sister Barbara) and Goldin’s back catalog. Some biodocs serve as victory laps or epitaphs. This one feels like a call to arms, soundtracked by shutter clicks.

‘32 Sounds’

Bay Area documentarian Sam Green ( The Weather Underground ) turns his lens on — and his boom mics toward — the subject of sound. Designed partially as an essay film and partially as one element of an immersive live event (though it works wonders either way you view it), this unique look into the role that audio, natural or manufactured, plays in our lives is more than just a deep dive into our great big sonic world. Yes, avant-garde musicians, archivists and experts weigh in on the science of it all. But the film also touches on sense memory, where a snippet of an old disco song can make an ex-pat think of home, or an old phone-message recording can remind someone of an immeasurable loss. And it dares to tackle the question: If a tree falls in the woods, does it really make a sound? The answer is yes, if you hire a professional Foley artist to recreate it. Playful, profound, and probably the only movie to ever turn a Moho braccatus’s mating call into something that could move you to tears.

‘Fire of Love’

Katia and Maurice Krafft bonded over a common obsession: volcanoes. And by the time they’d married in 1970, this scientific duo had already started trotting the globe together to study these beautiful, violent ruptures in the earth whenever and wherever eruptions occurred. Constructed completely out of vintage 16mm footage — much of it shot by the couple themselves — filmmaker Sara Dosa’s valentine to the first couple of volcanology is not only Exhibit A regarding the notion that for every pot, there is a lid. It’s also a gorgeously rendered exploration of what Dosa herself has called “a love triangle” between two people and one natural phenomenon.

And even if you know the ending of this story going in, Fire of Love never stoops to exploit the tragedy of their story. If anything, it’s a testament to how this duo obsessively followed their bliss, made all the more apparent by Miranda July’s oddly uplifting, lyrical narration. (The Me and You and Everyone We Know director’s voiceovers may initially push your anti-twee button, but the more the film winds through the Kraffts’ travelogues, the more her readings add to the overall big picture.) The couple were not idle thrill-seekers nor adrenaline junkies. The respect and awe they have for these forces of nature is part of the respect and awe they have for each other. Going in to this magma cum laude doc, it’s easy to think of the Kraftts as little more than self-destructive eccentrics. Spend 90 minutes with them, however, and you leave thinking of their journey as the greatest lava story ever told.

Seth Meyers Denies 'False Narrative' About Taking Over 'SNL' — or That Lorne Michaels Is Even Leaving

• No Touch Passing
• By Larisha Paul

Sacha Baron Cohen Rejects Rebel Wilson's 'Asshole' Characterization and 'Demonstrably False Claims'

• By Jon Blistein

Things Are Actually Happening With Pete Davidson and Colin Jost's Staten Island Ferry

Rebel wilson reveals 'massive asshole' detailed in her memoir is sacha baron cohen.

• Naming Names

Olivia Colman Talks Pay Disparity: ‘If I Was Oliver Colman, I’d Be Earning a F-ck of a Lot More’

• Gender Pay Gap
• By Althea Legaspi

Most Popular

James marsden, taran killam and stars who signed brian peck letters of support "devastated" drake bell, says dan schneider, how to watch 'quiet on set: the dark side of kids tv' online, body language experts believe this is the reason kate middleton was alone in her cancer announcement video, james madison’s record $53m in student fees tops all public schools, you might also like, michael jackson biopic adds kat graham as diana ross, larenz tate as berry gordy, sarah jessica parker’s best looks through the years, from ‘sex and the city’ to the met gala red carpet, the best yoga blocks to support any practice, according to instructors, isabelle huppert would love to play a ‘real villain,’ even in a marvel movie, ousted cinderellas still cash in after march madness losses.

Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Rolling Stone, LLC. All rights reserved.

Verify it's you

Please log in.

The 19 Best Documentaries of 2022 (So Far)

The best of the best.

Through the past few years of social and political upheaval, documentaries have emerged as one of the best ways to understand how we've gotten to this place. The best documentaries are truly awe-inducing, introducing audiences to impressive stories from the past or new ways to understand influential public figures. 2022 is shaping up to be another year of great documentaries, including some that reexamine the legacy of public figures, and others that present a social issue from a historical lens to show how much—or how little—has changed. (Documentaries debuting at the Sundance Film Festival can be viewed via the festival's many virtual screenings.)

'Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy'

Jeen-yuhs is an inside look at prolific rapper and producer Kanye West from his earliest days. Directed by Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah, West's longtime friends and collaborators, the doc covers more than 20 years of unseen footage of West's years as a musician and entreprenur.

Watch on Netflix

'The Princess'

After a year full of Princess Diana content (including a dramatic season of The Crown and a whole stage musical), 2022 is starting off with a in-depth documentary about the People's Princess. In addition to profiling Diana, this doc will also look at how her royal life and the circumstances of her death have affected public opinions of the royal family for years.

Watch on HBO Max

'We Need to Talk About Cosby'

This doc from comedian and CNN host W. Kamau Bell examines the rise and fall of Bill Cosby, using archive footage and cultural and political analysis. The prescient doc covers his past as a beloved icon and star of The Cosby Show to being convicted for sexual assault.

Watch on Showtime

Stay In The Know

Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.

'The Janes'

In 1972, seven women were arrested in a raid on a Chicago apartment. The crime: running an underground network to get women safe and affordable abortions in a pre- Roe v. Wade America under the collective JANE. Premiering ahead of the Supreme Court decision on the Mississippi abortion ban, The Janes may be the most timely doc of the year.

'Lucy and Desi'

In her documentary debut, Amy Poehler directs this tribute to the professional partnership and marriage between Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

Watch on Prime Video

'Downfall: The Case Against Boeing'

This doc follows the mysterious cases of two Boeing 737 airplanes that fell out of the sky mid-flight in late 2018, as well as the backlash following the crashes. It also reveals the concealment that occurred within the company, and the allure of Wall Street stock prices, that allowed the ultimate cause of the crashes, a faulty part, to go on the planes.

'Gaming Wall St'

Last year, a group of investors on the subreddit r/wallstreetbets took on Wall Street tycoons directly in a battle over the stock price of Game Stop. This two-part docuseries, narrated by Succession 's Kieran Culkin, explains the phenomenon by interviewing some of the traders either truly believed in Game Stop as a company, or just wanted to stick it to the big banks.

'Olivia Rodrigo: driving home 2 u'

This doc follows the newly-minted Grammy winner and "Driver's License" on a road trip from Salt Lake City to LA, while also taking fans behind the scenes of the recording process for her hit debut album Sour .

Watch on Disney+

'The Andy Warhol Diaries'

The Andy Warhol Diaries is an intimate look at the life of the renowned visual artist from a new angle, showing the aftermath of his attempted murder and his entry into the film industry through diary entries he wrote at the time.

'Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off'

This doc shows the personal history and legacy of the skateboarding legend, giving fans who mostly know the skater's ubiquitous brand a look at what fueled him to become a decorated athlete and pop culture icon.

'White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch'

Abercrombie & Fitch went from being the mall clothing brand of the early '00s to a former pop culture phenomenon marred by controversy. This highly-anticipated doc includes interviews from former employees, executives, and models laying out the dark side of the brand, including its problematic former CEO Mike Jeffries.

While preparing for her 2020 Super Bowl Halftime Show performance, Jennifer Lopez looks over her iconic career as a singer, actor, and all-around star, while reflecting on her personal memories throughout her life.

'Janet Jackson'

In this four-part docuseries, pop music icon Janet Jackson looks over the mostly-untold story of her life and career, from her singing debut alongside her famous family at age seven, to the Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction that threatened her career.

Watch on Lifetime

'The Book of Queer'

This five-part docuseries tells the untold histories of LGBTQ+ icons and trailblazers, with star-studded retellings à la Drunk History .

Watch on Discovery Plus

'Not So Pretty'

Narrated by KeKe Palmer, this docuseries investigates health concerns in the cosmetics industry, raising awareness on the dangerous risks of some cosmetic ingredients and procedures. (Don't be surprised if you revamp your beauty routine after watching.)

'Menudo: Forever Young'

This four-part docuseries will cover the rise and fall of the global sensation Menudo, the most iconic Latin American boy band in history, and the abuse and exploitation behind the band.

'A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting'

This poignant documentary on the 2018 Pittsburgh shooting puts the lives of the victims and survivors at the forefront, showing how the resilient community moved forward after the antisemitic attack.

This Oprah Winfrey -produced documentary chronicles the life of Sidney Poitier, who broke through the racial bias of Hollywood and became the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Actor.

Watch on Apple TV+

'Light & Magic'

This six-part docuseries shows the story behind Industrial Light and Magic, the visual effects company behind the technological film developments used in films including the Star Wars franchise, Raiders of the Lost Ark , Terminator 2: Judgment Day , and Jurassic Park .

The 20 Best Drama Movies of 2022 (So Far)

The 25 Best Horror Movies of 2022 (So Far)

Quinci LeGardye is a Contributing Culture Editor who covers TV, movies, Korean entertainment, books, and pop culture. When she isn’t writing or checking Twitter, she’s probably watching the latest K-drama or giving a concert performance in her car.

He was set to do a reading at the ceremony honoring his godfather, King Constantine of Greece.

By Fleurine Tideman Published 22 March 24

World leaders and celebrities alike rushed to offer their sympathies to the princess and her family.

The couple released a short statement hours after Kate revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer.

By Meghan De Maria Published 22 March 24

• Contact Future's experts
• Advertise Online
• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Cookies policy

Marie Claire is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Canada's Documentary Magazine

The Best Documentaries of 2022: A Year in Review

POV's editor and pubisher look back at a great year for docs

Last year , POV’s team enjoyed the rare feat of agreeing on the top docs films of the year: Flee and Summer of Soul . This year, our lists of the best documentaries that 2022 had to offer found even greater consensus. We’ve therefore combined our picks into one list of the best documentaries of 2022. There are festival favourites, Oscar frontrunners, hidden gems, and, in a first, Canadian directors account for half the list. We hope our picks for the year’s best inspire some holiday viewing among our readers.

– Marc Glassman (MG) & Pat Mullen (PM)

The Best Documentaries of 2022

1. All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (dir. Laura Poitras )

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed is not only the best documentary of the year, but also 2022’s finest film. Laura Poitras’ profile of controversial, ground-breaking photographer Nan Goldin is remarkable: political, artistic and emotional. Throughout the film, Poitras uses a parallel structure, moving between Goldin’s on-going fight against the Sackler family, the makers of the devastating addictive drug OxyContin, and her history as a brilliant photographer in New York’s underground scene back in the ’70s and AIDS activist in the ’80s. Her campaign through P.A.I.N. (Prescription Addiction Intervention Now) advocates for the removal of the Sackler name from museums and galleries around the world, where they had sought to create an impeccable reputation though billions in donations. It provides a wonderful counterpoint to Goldin’s tale of becoming an artist and one of the leading voices of a generation that opened up the world to sexual diversity and then suffered through the terrifying pandemic of AIDS. Suffused with images from Goldin’s classic photo slide show Ballad of Sexual Dependency and her compelling ruthlessly honest monologues, Poitras’ film is emotionally triumphant, charting an artist’s path towards victory against a ruthless oppressive forces. It’s a well-earned success in a tragic time. – MG

Poitras outdoes herself by situating Goldin’s activism amid her family history, photography, experience with abuse, and the AIDS crisis. There has been no better articulation that “silence equals death” than this potent essay about holding people in power accountable for their misdeeds. – PM

2. Fire of Love (dir. Sara Dosa )

Fire of Love has just about everything one wants in a film: love, exotic locales, fate, celebrity culture, the media and, of course, death. As Sara Dosa’s sprightly, compelling documentary shows, Maurice and Katia Krafft engaged in a uniquely French ménage à trois : they loved each other—and volcanoes. The most extraordinary element in Fire of Love is the footage of the volcanoes. The shots are literally to-die-for: the Kraffts took crazy risks to get photos and film shoots that no one else would try to make. It made them stars in France and the scientific community. More and more, they studied what is called pyroclastic surges: eruptions of ash and gas that can cause massive deaths in civilian populations if they’re not spotted early enough. The Kraffts went where other volcanologists wouldn’t go, right into the heat of danger in the deadly grey volcanos, which eventually caused their demise at Japan’s Mount Unzen in 1991. This extraordinary film documents the Kraffts’ embrace of love and death and the seductive power of volcanoes .– MG

3 . To Kill a Tiger (dir. Nisha Pahuja)

A project like To Kill a Tiger only comes along when filmmakers truly care about their subjects. After immersing herself in the work of activist Mahendra Kumar to understand the social factors that breed cycles of violence against women in India, Kumar introduced Pahuja to the story of Ranjit, his wife Jaganti, and their daughter. The film observes as the family fights to hold the daughter’s assailants accountable for a violent rape. Pahuja gathers perspectives from parties on all sides and situates one girl’s plight within a larger patriarchal society that conditions men to neglect the rights, needs, and dignity of women, and inspires women simply to accept their fate. This film potently captures the bravery it takes to break the cycle. It’s the best Canadian film of the year. – PM

4 . The Territory (dir. Alex Pritz )

Anyone who wants to wade into the difficult question of authorship and authentic storytelling must see The Territory . American filmmaker Alex Pritz joins forces with members of the Uru-eu-wau-wau tribe to chronicle the story of their fight to protect the Brazilian rainforest. The film is a feat of collaborative and participatory filmmaking that should be studied for years to come. Pritz and company teach members of the tribe to use cameras and document their story, which enables the Uru-eu-wau-wau to keep production going safely when COVID-19 closes access to the territory. In doing so, the film also gets footage that Pritz himself admits he wouldn’t have been able to capture on his own, like the arrest of an illegal logger. This film thrillingly shows the stakes in an urgent fight from the perspectives of players at the front lines. – PM

5 . All that Breathes (dir. Shaunak Sen)

As the world reels through a vast series of ecological disasters, it’s heartening to see people reacting positively in their own ways. Not everyone wants to make speeches or participate in massive political parades. Some make a difference in personal ways. Nadeem and Saud are brothers living in Delhi, who have it made it their mission to save black kites, a carnivorous ancient bird suffering from the appalling conditions in a city that is rampant with pollution. Fundraising constantly, they have spent the past 20 years rescuing 20,000 birds that have been injured due to the environment. Visually a true artistic delight, All that Breathes is winning awards everywhere, from Sundance to Cannes, in London and Hong Kong and from the Asia Pacific to Gotham’s Independent event. Unpretentious and sober, this is a film with an immense emotional impact. Truly, the brothers have dedicated their lives to good deeds in a harsh society and world.– MG

6 . Geographies of Solitude (dir. Jacquelyn Mills )

A visual and aural treat, Geographies of Solitude is truly film art. Any viewer will be struck by the look of this stunning, exotic film. Lovers of documentaries and photo essays set in unique natural locations will be transfixed by it. But Mills has done more than make a great nature doc: she’s created a film that challenges viewers philosophically while seducing us with extraordinary visions. What is clear from the outset is the director’s unteachable poetic eye—Mills has it and we’re the better for it. Set on Sable Island, in the Atlantic Ocean, the film profiles both the natural surroundings and its scientist and main resident, Zoe Lucas. While Mills clearly has come to admire and respect Lucas, her film is more interested in what transpires on Sable among the seals, birds and horses that make up so much of the life on the island. Her approach mirrors that of Lucas, in many ways, a documentarian herself. Geographies of Solitude won three prizes at the prestigious Berlin Festival and two awards at Hot Docs including Best Canadian film. It’s gone on to win accolades in Korea, Canada and Italy. This is a special work, a must see, for those of us who love poetic expression in the arts. – MG

7 . Navalny (dir. Daniel Roher )

There’s nothing better in journalism than a “gotcha” moment. Great docs don’t need a major secret to be revealed in order to be compelling, but it doesn’t hurt. In Daniel Roher’s candid portrait of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, it was generally agreed that Putin’s spies had almost succeeded in assassinating him. But how do you prove it unless someone confesses? With the aid of two investigators, one from the open-source intelligence service Bellingcat and the other from his own team, Navalny and Roher are actually in the room when one of the poisoners is fooled into admitting to the deadly conspiracy while being recorded and filmed. The film gives a good sense of Navalny—a man of optimism and principles—and his warm relationship to his wife and children. Given that Russia is continuing its war against Ukraine and Navalny has been imprisoned, this documentary is must-viewing for anyone interested in the fate of Russia and our imperiled world.– MG

8 . Rojek (dir. Zaynê Akyol)

The question of what inspires a person to take up arms in a holy war fuels Zaynê Akyol’s Rojek. The Kurdish-Canadian filmmaker returns to the scorched fields of Syrian Kurdistan to witness her homeland on fire. There are burning questions as she sits down with members of ISIS to learn about their experiences, motivations, and philosophies. Fuelled by direct-address interviews with men and women of ISIS, Rojek affords the subject the nuance, complexity, and, above all, ethical care it deserves. Questions are permitted to go unanswered, and the tone of inquiry is one of understanding rather than accusation. There are stories of family life, children, and lost freedom. Nobody is named, and nobody is pressed. These are conversations in lieu of interrogations. If only this film received a fraction of the attention that another film on a similar topic unfortunately exploited! – PM

9 . Good Night Oppy (dir. Ryan White )

Forget Lightyear , forget Avatar , forget Top Gun . The wildest adventure of 2022 is Good Night Oppy . Director Ryan White pulls off a dazzling feat of non-fiction wizardry as he and the crew at Industrial Light and Magic create a photo-real representation of the Martian landscape. The meticulously researched VFX sequences bring audiences along for the ride as NASA rovers Spirit and Opportunity explore the surface of Mars. Even more impressive than the technical bravura of Good Night Oppy , though, is the human heart at its centre. Thanks to the extensive archival material, White seemingly unfolds the rovers’ mission in the present tense. As the scientists and researchers revisit their story in contemporary interviews that are spliced between the archives, White captures the genuine connection that these people made with robots while working with them intimately for 15 years. Few films this year are as deeply moving. – PM

10. Eternal Spring (dir. Jason Loftus )

Canada has a long documentary tradition rivalled by few countries. It’s astounding that it took us 50 years to submit a documentary in the Oscar race for Best International Feature. Eternal Spring also gets historic firsts as our only animated submission to date and first Mandarin submission. This year’s Hot Docs Audience Award winner finds its spark through the collaboration between director Jason Loftus and subject Daxiong. The artist works with Loftus to tell his story of confronting censorship by the Chinese government. He does so by recreating his tale in beautiful animation. The sequences of Daxiong’s animation work twofold as they underscore the absence of archival materials and, in some cases, witness testimonies as participants are no longer around to tell their tale. The film notes the history lost to oppressive governments, but also the voices that find inspiration in the face of adversity. – PM

Marc’s Honourable Mentions

Moonage Daydream (dir. Brett Morgen )

Rock docs are the mutant children of the non-fiction form. Revelling in great performances and loud music, they’re based on spectacle, not quiet revelatory truths. Brett Morgen, who managed to be thoughtful and extravagant in his Kurt Cobain doc, does a terrific job in exploring the enigma that is David Bowie. Released in IMAX, the format one should view this film if at all possible, Moonage Daydream captures one of the most brilliant rock legends in several of his incarnations: as a glam rock icon, an artistic recluse in Berlin and an extraordinary British gentleman singing with other stars. No one will ever know what made Bowie tick, but Morgen does wonderfully well in presenting this consummate performer at his absolute best.

Mis dos voces (dir. Lina Rodriguez)

Lina Rodriguez has made an essay film about women who have immigrated to Canada from Latin America, but does so in a challenging and rewarding manner. Rodriguez refuses to show the women—Ana, Claudia, and Marinela—on screen. She instead relies instead on their disembodied voices to tell their tales. In doing so, she disrupts the standard liberal approach to making a documentary about workers from another culture and society. As viewers, we’re not allowed to adopt an all-too-easy sympathetic gaze. By rendering them invisible, as they are to most people, Rodriguez has turned the camera on us. Rodriguez has stated her intention: “By refusing to provide a clear correspondence between sounds and images, I built the film around an ongoing tension between what we see and what we hear.” In doing so, she’s made a perceptive art film that does what docs do best: show humanity with precision and purpose.

Unloved: Huronia’s Forgotten Children (dir. Barri Cohen )

Unloved is an intensely personal film that succeeds on both an intimate level and as an investigative look at a tragic chapter in the history of Ontario. Cohen’s film is set in the now closed Huronia Regional Centre for intellectually disabled children, one of three institutions that housed thousands of purported “imbeciles and idiots,” for over 125 years. As early as the Sixties, journalists including Pierre Berton exposed Huronia and the others as places that caused neglect, harm, and abuse, but it took another 40 years for them to be closed down. Cohen’s half-brothers Alfred and Louis died there, as did so many others over the decades. While covering her story, Cohen follows survivors of Huronia, who were involved in a successful multi-million-dollar class action suit and apology from the province. The film builds to an appropriate climax, with the reclamation of long hidden graves on Huronia’s site. Cohen has made a powerful documentary, which moves seamlessly from the personal to the political and historical.

Pat’s Honourable Mentions

Casa Susanna (dir. Sébastien Lifshitz)

The story of a 1960s’ commune for transgender people receives an affectionate appreciation from people who found a safe haven at a time when it was a crime to be themselves.

Framing Agnes (dir. Chase Joynt )

A genre-bending, gender-bending feat of documentary that rewrites trans narratives through performance.

A House Made of Splinters (dir. Simon Lereng Wilmont)

This poignant observational doc takes audiences inside a home for Ukrainian children “orphaned” by war when their parents can no longer care for them. It’s an essential snapshot of the human toll in an immediate crisis.

Last Flight Home (dir. Ondi Timoner)

Simply devastating. The filmmaker offers an intimate portrait of her father’s journey through the end-of-life process. It’s a work of great compassion and love.

Okay! (The ASD Band Film) (dir. Mark Bone)

Scrappy, screechy, and boisterously off-key, this portrait of a Toronto band comprised of members on the Autism spectrum is a lot of fun.

Extra special mention: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (dir. Dean Fleischer-Camp)

Move over, Spinal Tap ! The new king of the mockumentary is this tale of a talking mollusk with googly eyes. The film ingeniously uses a documentary aesthetic to afford authenticity and realism to Marcel’s world. It’s both impressive and depressing how many people asked me if it’s a “real documentary.” I’ve never seen a shell with shoes on, nor one that talks, but stranger things have happened.

• A House Made of Splinters
• All That Breathes
• All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
• Casa Susanna
• Eternal Spring
• Fire of Live
• Framing Agnes
• Geographies of Solitude
• Good Night Oppy
• Last Flight Home
• Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
• Mis dos voces
• Moonage Daydream
• Okay! (The ASD Band Film)
• The Territory
• To Kill a Tiger
• Year in Review

You might be interested in

20 Days in Mariupol, The Last Repair Shop Win Doc Oscars

Canadian Screen Award Nominees in Documentary and Factual Categories

Oscar Predictions and Picks: Who Will/Should Win the Doc Races

• Latest posts

Pat Mullen is the publisher of POV Magazine. He holds a Master’s in Film Studies from Carleton University where his research focused on adaptation and Canadian cinema. Pat has also contributed to outlets including The Canadian Encyclopedia, Paste, That Shelf, Sharp, Xtra, and Complex. He is the vice president of the Toronto Film Critics Association and an international voter for the Golden Globe Awards.

Hot Docs Programmers Resign En Masse

Coming soon: pov issue #121, 40 documentaries to participate in hot docs deal maker.

• Iris Ng, Raoul Peck to Receive Hot Docs Spotlights

• Marc Glassman

Marc Glassman is the editor of POV Magazine and contributes film reviews to Classical FM. He is an adjunct professor at Toronto Metropolitan University and is the treasurer of the Toronto Film Critics Association.

Revival69: The Concert that Rocked the World Review – Toronto’s Ragtag Revue

Black Screen Office’s ‘Being Seen’ Directives Are a Roadmap for Change

Latest from blog.

Ten members of Hot Docs' programming team resign following reports of international conflict at the documentary

You Can Call Me Bill Review: A Piece of the Shat

William Shatner offers a rambling bit of insight into his career in Alexandre O. Philippe's latest

A preview of POV Magazine's Spring/Summer 2024 edition--our 121st issue!--featuring new documentaries on the spring circuit

Kat Jayme: Born to Film

Filmmaker Kat Jayme looks back on the stories from her life that inspired her and the

Hot Docs announces 40 documentary projects that will participate in the Deal Maker during this year's

The 10 Best Documentaries of 2022

Film critic Robert Abele spotlights the year’s best in non-fiction cinema

The documentary form continued to flex its power in 2022, delivering stories and perspectives of astonishing breadth and sometimes granular artistry. What stood out were the movies that didn’t take their issues or subjects at face value, but rather sought something more resonant about the workings of the world, or even told us more about ourselves and what’s possible. Across these brilliant films, the mysterious is interrogated, the accepted is challenged, and the past is reckoned with, but what we’re always left with is the human heart’s resilience to do all that necessary interrogating, challenging and reckoning.

All That Breathes

The year’s most artful documentary operates on two layers: introducing us to the modest hawk-repairing operation of two Muslim brothers in pollution-choked Delhi, where the birds just fall out of the sky, and showing us how to see the world as they do, with compassion for all creatures, and insight into what a changing environment breeds. Shaunak Sen’s intellectual gaze creates some of the most stunning images in modern non-fiction film, all part of a tapestry of interspecies care that redefines what a nature film can be.

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed

Oscar-winner Laura Poitras’ portrait of acclaimed photographer Nan Goldin is a radical harmonizing of art, activism and recovery. Goldin unpacks a lifetime of tragedy, friendship, abuse and rebellion in revealing audio over a wealth of her lives-lived pictures of marginalized souls. At the same time, we see what her experience has bred: the grit and fight needed to take on the powerful in one of the crises of our time. Unflinching and moving, as necessary a chronicle as can exist of how we change and create change.

Margaret Brown follows up the eerie gentility of her segregation doc “The Order of Myths” with another intricately layered mosaic of race, civilization and memory, centering the lives of the Alabamans descended from those on the last slave ship brought into the US, finally discovered by divers in 2019. A submerged history becomes a freed truth, but will it reframe, much less rewrite, lasting color-line inequalities? The humid poetry in Brown’s act of witnessing makes this pivotal moment vibrate.

Fire of Love

Married French volcanologists Maurice and Katie Krafft lived out their decades-long romance against the dangerous beauty of unsettled earth, always diligent about rolling cameras in these literal hot spots. Years after their deaths (not too hard to guess the circumstance), filmmaker Sara Dosa took the incredible footage of their lava-ffair and, with Miranda July’s narration like a warm accompanying hum, crafted a stunning archival telling of their shared daredevil passion.

My Old School

By turns whimsical, strange and sad, Jono McLeod’s rummage through the memories and realities of a mysterious classmate at his Glasgow school, bolstered by lively testimony from those who knew him, is like a laugh-filled reunion video with a weird edge. Alan Cumming lip-syncs the audio-only interview of the enigmatic figure at the center of this bizarre story, which made a lot of news in the UK at the time.

Sometimes, you just need a documentary to deliver hard medicine, as directly as possible, and this grippingly reported, emotion-filled dispatch about a neglectful maternal health system — where Black and Brown women are three times more likely to die during childbirth — is just that. Co-directors Tonya Lewis Lee and Paula Eiselt unfold heartbreaking stories, efficiently expose the problem’s institutional origins, then leave us with activism and solutions that point a way forward.

At the start of the pandemic, New York–based filmmaker David Siev returned to the rural Michigan town of the title, where his Cambodian dad settled after escaping the Khmer Rouge, married Siev’s Mexican-American mother and opened a family restaurant. An imagined chronicle of reunion and resilience became something else when the country’s societal, racial and political fault lines made them a target of hatred and suspicion. A real-time epic of the personal and the sociological: honest, empathetic, scary, and sobering.

Ramin Bahrani (“Man Push Cart”) makes his first feature documentary, about the swaggering inventor of the modern bulletproof vest, whose shooting himself in the chest 192 times over the course of his life is the least crazy element of this Errol Morris–like portrait of an American eccentric. But as this tale of capitalist greed, deceit and copaganda marketing unfolds, something unexpectedly emotional emerges from the gunsmoke: the kind of aftermath missing from police reports and shooting statistics.

Three Minutes: A Lengthening

Before ones and zeros made recorded lives ubiquitous, to film others was to create a fragile physical record, a fact made exquisitely resonant in Bianca Stigter’s forensic examination of unearthed 16mm footage of a Polish town’s Jewish community in 1938. Three minutes of life before it would be wiped away by the Holocaust — faces, signs and details scrutinized in voiceover by historians and the cameraman’s grandson, the frames repeating for us in a temporal loop that suggests trying to caress a ghost.

I Didn’t See You There

The essayistic meets the experimental in Reid Davenport’s tour of his daily life as a disabled citizen with cerebral palsy, persevering and invisible. Whether wheelchair-ing through Oakland or navigating public transportation, his camera captures a visual/aural perspective on urban existence rarely expressed on film (often beautifully) while the inescapable sight of a nearby circus tent spurs some pointed voiceover about the terrible legacy of the freak show.

And because ten isn’t enough, but space is limited, these wonderful titles can only be mentioned here: “Beba,” “Mija,” “Turn Every Page,” “Retrograde,” “The Territory,” “Tantura,” “Navalny,” “Moonage Daydream,” “The Return of Tanya Tucker – Featuring Brandi Carlile” and “The Janes.”

30 Best Documentaries 2022: Where to Watch Everything From 'Navalny' to 'Fire of Love' Online

Samuel J Harries

Official JustWatch writer

2022 offered a slate of great documentaries covering everything from political activism (All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, Navalny) to unconventional love stories (Fire of Love). In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of the 30 best documentaries from 2022 and where you can stream them.

One of the best documentaries of the year is Navalny, which picked up the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at the 95th Academy Awards. The documentary follows the story of Alexei Navalny, the world-famous Russian politician (and former presidential candidate) who was poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent in 2020. Other contenders in the category included All That Breathes, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, Fire of Love and A House Made of Splinters.

Although it wasn’t an Oscar-nominee, fans could finally enjoy the long-awaited Jackass reunion with another unhinged daredevil doc, Jackass Forever. The year also marked the release of Netflix’s The Tinder Swindler – a stranger-than-fiction story of a group of women who were swindled by a serial online manipulator. It broke Netflix’s viewership records at the time, becoming the streaming service’s most watched documentary ever. Netflix also produced 2022 docs such as Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives. and Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist.

2022 was also the year popular streaming services ramped up their efforts to produce behind-the-scenes documentaries about their original content. For example, Disney+ released Lawrence Kasdan’s Light and Magic, a six-episode series showing the development of Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) and the company’s enduring impact on how movies are made to this day. Netflix followed suit with a behind-the-scenes look at Guillermo del Toro’s award-winning stop-motion animation, Pinocchio. There were also a number of popular music documentaries released in 2022. Director Brett Morgan told the story of rock icon David Bowie with Moonage Daydream, while several international pop stars shed light on what life is like behind the microphone in documentaries such as Olivia Rodrigo: Good 4 U and Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me.

With so many fascinating real-life stories documented on film in 2022, here are the X of the best (and where you can watch them).

Follows the man who survived an assassination attempt by poisoning with a lethal nerve agent in August 2020. During his months-long recovery, he makes shocking discoveries about the attempt on his life and decides to return home.

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed

The life of internationally renowned artist and activist Nan Goldin is told through her slideshows, intimate interviews, ground-breaking photography, and rare footage of her personal fight to hold the Sackler family accountable for the overdose crisis.

Fire of Love

Intrepid scientists and lovers Katia and Maurice Krafft died in a volcanic explosion doing the very thing that brought them together: unraveling the mysteries of volcanoes by capturing the most explosive imagery ever recorded.

Moonage Daydream

A cinematic odyssey featuring never-before-seen footage exploring David Bowie's creative and musical journey.

The Tinder Swindler

Posing as a wealthy, jet-setting diamond mogul, an Israeli conman wooed women online then conned them out of millions of dollars. Now some victims plan for payback.

Jackass Forever

The Jackass crew, along with some newcomers, returns for one final round of hilarious, absurd, and dangerous stunts.

All That Breathes

Against the darkening backdrop of New Delhi's apocalyptic air and escalating violence, two brothers devote their lives to protecting one casualty of the turbulent times: the bird known as the black kite.

The Elephant Whisperers

The Elephant Whisperers follows an indigenous couple as they fall in love with Raghu, an orphaned elephant given into their care, and tirelessly work to ensure his recovery & survival. The film highlights the beauty of the wild spaces in South India and the people and animals who share this space.

Light & Magic

Granted unparalleled access, Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan takes viewers on an adventure behind the curtains of Industrial Light & Magic, the special visual effects, animation and virtual production division of Lucasfilm. Learn what inspired some of the most legendary filmmakers in Hollywood history, and follow their stories from their earliest personal films to bringing George Lucas’ vision to life.

A House Made of Splinters

A temporary house for abandoned children near the front line in eastern Ukraine is run by a small group of social workers determined to provide comfort and safety. It may be humble and somewhat run-down, but this house is filled with love and offers up to nine months of refuge to kids whose fate will be determined by the system. During this short time, the caretakers try to nurture within them a sense of stability and normalcy.

Follow the tender but appropriately irreverent account of the life and career of Robert Downey Sr., the fearless and visionary American director who set the standard for countercultural comedy in the 1960s and 1970s.

After a woman's at-home DNA test reveals multiple half-siblings, she discovers a shocking scheme involving donor sperm and a popular fertility doctor.

Girl in the Picture

A young mother’s mysterious death and her son’s subsequent kidnapping blow open a decades-long mystery about the woman’s true identity, and the murderous federal fugitive at the center of it all.

Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me

After years in the limelight, Selena Gomez achieves unimaginable stardom. But just as she reaches a new peak, an unexpected turn pulls her into darkness. This uniquely raw and intimate documentary spans her six-year journey into a new light.

Trainwreck: Woodstock '99

Woodstock 1969 promised peace and music, but its '99 revival delivered days of rage, riots and real harm. Why did it go so horribly wrong?

Good Night Oppy

The inspirational true story of Opportunity, a rover that was sent to Mars for a 90-day mission but ended up surviving for 15 years. Follow Opportunity’s groundbreaking journey on Mars and the remarkable bond forged between a robot and her humans millions of miles away.

Inside the Mind of a Cat

Cat experts dive into the mind of the feline to reveal the true capabilities of the pouncing pet in this captivating and cuddly documentary.

OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film)

Grammy® winner singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo takes a familiar road trip from Salt Lake City, where she began writing her debut album “SOUR,” to Los Angeles. Along the way, Rodrigo recounts the memories of writing and creating her record-breaking debut album and shares her feelings as a young woman navigating a specific time in her life. Through new live arrangements of her songs, intimate interviews and never-before-seen footage from the making of the album, audiences will follow Olivia along on a cinematic journey exploring the story of “SOUR.”

On a remote coast of the Russian Arctic in a wind-battered hut, a lonely man waits to witness an ancient gathering. But warming seas and rising temperatures bring an unexpected change, and he soon finds himself overwhelmed.

The Beatles: Get Back - The Rooftop Concert

On the 30th of January, 1969, the Beatles performed an unannounced concert from the rooftop of their Apple Corps headquarters at Savile Row, within central London's office and fashion district. Experience the final and unforgettable iconic performance of The Beatles in a special 60-minute presentation, digitally remastered into the image and sound quality of IMAX DMR technology.

Best documentaries of 2022

Often overlooked in favor of narrative features, documentary films can be just as engaging—if not more so. If you're someone who doesn't normally watch documentaries but is curious to check out a few good ones, 2022 was a banner year for nonfiction filmmaking. These include films from all over the world, wide-ranging in content, style, and creator, often award-nominated and award-winning.

You could learn about the assassination attempt on a Russian presidential candidate ("Navalny"), the life of two ordinary dairy cows ("Cow"), or the history of an underground network of women who provided access to low-cost and free abortion ("The Janes"). Documentaries allow us to expand our understanding of the world in a riveting way, opening our minds to something we might never have thought to seek out. It is cinema that offers tangible discovery.

If you're looking to find a great documentary film to throw on, Stacker has you covered with a list of the 25 best documentaries that came out in 2022. Stacker used Metacritic data on all movies released in the U.S. in 2022 to rank the top 25 nonfiction films. Data is current as of Dec. 2, and ties were broken internally by digging deeper into the data from Metacritic.

#25. Nothing Lasts Forever

- Director: Jason Kohn - Metascore: 79 - Runtime: 87 minutes

Taking a close look at a secretive industry, "Nothing Lasts Forever" reveals the unseen conflicts rising within the world of diamonds, and director Jason Kohn ends up discovering a widespread conspiracy that threatens the value of all diamonds. The film won the Sidewalk Film Festival's special jury prize for Best Documentary Feature. Kohn's previous documentary, "Love Means Zero," was nominated for a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Long Sports Documentary.

- Director: Andrea Arnold - Metascore: 80 - Runtime: 94 minutes

This compassionate documentary takes a look at the life of two dairy cows in an attempt to grant humans a greater understanding of this often misunderstood and beautiful creature. The film was nominated for Best Documentary at the BAFTA Awards. "Cow" is director Andrea Arnold's first documentary feature, having previously directed critically acclaimed narrative films such as "Fish Tank" and "American Honey."

#23. Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues

- Director: Sacha Jenkins - Metascore: 80 - Runtime: 106 minutes

The legacy of one of jazz music's founding fathers is chronicled in this documentary exploring the life of Louis Armstrong. Using archival footage, real conversations, and recordings, the film traces Armstrong's roots in this intimate exploration of a titan in American music history. Writing for The Guardian, critic Leslie Felperin described the film as "packed with dynamics, sprinkled with astonishing high notes, and immensely pleasurable."

#22. Tantura

- Director: Alon Schwarz - Metascore: 81 - Runtime: 94 minutes

Unearthing a controversial graduate thesis from the late 1990s, Alon Schwarz co-wrote and directed this revealing documentary that examines the founding of the state of Israel in 1948 ; a battle for land that Israelis refer to as "The War of Independence" and Palestinians call "Nakba," meaning "The Catastrophe." The film takes a look at the village of Tantura and an alleged massacre that was carried out there by Israeli troops. Schwarz won the Jury Award prize for Best Documentary Feature at the 2022 Philadelphia Film Festival.

#21. Master of Light

- Director: Rosa Ruth Boesten - Metascore: 81 - Runtime: 83 minutes

Black Classical painter George Anthony Morton went to prison for a decade on drug dealing charges, but was able to further hone his abilities while inside. Finally released, Morton travels back to his hometown to mend ties and paint his family members, while facing his past and the white-dominated art world. Writing for IndieWire, Robert Daniels wrote that "Master of Life" is "a gentle and graceful film defined by the capriciousness of sight."

#20. This Much I Know to Be True

- Director: Andrew Dominik - Metascore: 81 - Runtime: 105 minutes

Director Andrew Dominik depicts the performing and recording of songs for Nick Cave and Warren Ellis' most recent album, "Carnage," and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' "Ghosteen." The film explores the creative process that binds Ellis and Cave as both artists and fierce friends. Dominik (who also directed the 2022 Marilyn Monroe biopic "Blonde") documented Cave on film once before in 2016's "One More Time with Feeling."

#19. Hold Your Fire

- Director: Stefan Forbes - Metascore: 82 - Runtime: 93 minutes

In 1973, a botched robbery by four Black Sunni Muslims in Brooklyn, New York, led to the longest hostage situation in NYPD history , after a police officer was killed in an exchange of fire. The NYPD had a deadly policy in place for dealing with hostage sieges, but police psychologist Dr. Harvey Schlossberg and the Black community fought to change the system and save lives.

#18. Navalny

- Director: Daniel Roher - Metascore: 82 - Runtime: 98 minutes

In 2020, former Russian presidential candidate Alexei Navalny fell into a coma , later discovered to have been the result of poisoning by a military-grade nerve agent. Navalny's survival and subsequent quest to uncover his would-be assassins are chronicled in this urgent and shocking documentary. At the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, "Navalny" won both the Audience Award for best U.S. Documentary as well as the Festival Favorite Award.

#17. Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché

- Directors: Celeste Bell, Paul Sng - Metascore: 82 - Runtime: 96 minutes

Lead singer of the British punk band X-Ray Spex, Poly Styrene, died in 2011 at age 53 of cancer. Now, her daughter, Celeste Bell, the film's co-director, searches through archival footage and interviews in order to explore the legacy and history that her mother left behind. Lisa Kennedy's review in The New York Times called the film "a thoughtfully finessed filial reckoning."

#16. The Janes

- Directors: Tia Lessin, Emma Pildes - Metascore: 82 - Runtime: 101 minutes

During the pre-Roe v. Wade era, an underground network of female activists who called themselves "JANE" established care and access to 11,000 women seeking an abortion. This riveting documentary honors the heroic women who put their lives on the line so that people could have affordable reproductive care. The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize in the Documentary category at the Sundance Film Festival.

#15. Is That Black Enough for You?!?

- Director: Elvis Mitchell - Metascore: 83 - Runtime: 135 minutes

In this engaging documentary, director Elvis Mitchell traces the history and evolution of Black cinema in America, from its beginnings through the revolutionary films of the 1970s. Mitchell uses a mix of archival footage, interviews with artists like Laurence Fishburne, Whoopi Goldberg, and Samuel L. Jackson, as well as personal history in his cinematic exploration.

#14. Riotsville, U.S.A.

- Director: Sierra Pettengill - Metascore: 83 - Runtime: 91 minutes

This documentary details how the United States took its strange first steps toward police militarization in the 1960s. Director Sierra Pettengill uses unearthed archival footage from a model town for military training purposes called "Riotsville," where law enforcement learned how to respond to civil unrest from the U.S. army. "Riotsville, U.S.A." was called a "transfixing doc [that] unveils the ugly truth of America's riot police" by IndieWire.

#13. Moonage Daydream

- Director: Brett Morgen - Metascore: 83 - Runtime: 135 minutes

Brett Morgen's music documentary attempts an illuminating look at rock icon David Bowie, drawing mostly on his songs from the '70s and using never-before-seen performances and footage. "Moonage Daydream" has already grossed $12.2 million worldwide (as of December 2022), making it the highest-grossing documentary of 2022 .

#12. The Territory

- Director: Alex Pritz - Metascore: 83 - Runtime: 85 minutes

The lives of the Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau people are constantly under attack due to deforestation efforts in the Amazon, despite having been promised protected dominion over their territory. Partially shot by the Uru-eu-wau-wau themselves , "The Territory" looks at these threats and the Indigenous peoples fighting back against the destruction of their home by setting up their own news media team. Writing on the film for the Los Angeles Times, Robert Abele wrote that "your capacity to be both awed and enraged is ultimately well-served by 'The Territory,' a gripping portrait of an endangered community."

#11. Fire of Love

- Director: Sara Dosa - Metascore: 83 - Runtime: 98 minutes

Married volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft were as in love with one another as they are with the subject of their research, some of nature's most beautiful and violent marvels. "Fire of Love" details the Kraffts' two-decade-long search to uncover the mysteries of these eruptions, leading up to their deaths during a volcanic explosion in 1991. The film was nominated for Sundance's Grand Jury Prize for Documentaries.

#10. Bad Axe

- Director: David Siev - Metascore: 85 - Runtime: 100 minutes

In the face of COVID-19 and a growing white nationalist movement, an Asian American family in rural Michigan fights to keep their restaurant in business. "Bad Axe" creates a portrait of a family trying to survive during the pandemic under the Trump administration. At the 2022 South By Southwest Film Festival, director David Siev took home the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature.

#9. All That Breathes

- Director: Shaunak Sen - Metascore: 86 - Runtime: 97 minutes

Two brothers dedicate their lives to saving the black kite, native birds of prey in New Delhi which have increasingly dropped from the skies due to pollution. Meanwhile, the city simmers with civil unrest as the brothers struggle to keep their home animal hospital above water. "All That Breathes" has received a plethora of awards and nominations, including the Grand Jury Prize for World Cinema - Documentary at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.

#8. My Imaginary Country

- Director: Patricio Guzmán - Metascore: 86 - Runtime: 83 minutes

In 2019, more than 1 million people flooded the streets of Santiago, Chile, to demand more democracy and social reform. Director Patricio Guzmán obtains footage of the frontline struggle and interviews with activist leaders to paint a portrait of a society no longer waiting for change. For Variety, Jessica Kiang wrote that "with unassuming, generous elegance, [Guzmán] finds hope and political optimism in his homeland's 2019 protest movement."

#7. A Night of Knowing Nothing

- Director: Payal Kapadia - Metascore: 87 - Runtime: 99 minutes

Exploring university life in India, this doc chronicles letters written by a student named L at the Film and Television Institute of India to her estranged boyfriend. The letters offer insights into their relationship and reveal social changes against religious and caste-based discrimination happening under Narendra Modi. Director Payal Kapadia won the Golden Eye award at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival. Judges noted, "We were all won over by a film with a strong artistic vision, which combines the personal and the political in a hypnotic way. For a first film, that makes it even more amazing."

#6. Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America

- Directors: Emily Kunstler, Sarah Kunstler - Metascore: 87 - Runtime: 117 minutes

Going back from the time of slavery up into our present era, civil rights lawyer Jeffrey Robinson paints a portrait of America as inextricably impacted by white supremacy and anti-Black racism, using his own interviews, personal anecdotes, and lectures. In her review for The Wrap, critic Ronda Racha Penrice writes , "[The film's] existence speaks to the power of cinema to reflect the times by sparking conversations and changing minds."

#5. Aftershock

- Directors: Paula Eiselt, Tonya Lewis Lee - Metascore: 87 - Runtime: 86 minutes

This shocking documentary sounds the alarm on a little-known crisis in America. "Aftershock" takes a look at how the maternal health system in America routinely fails Black and Brown women , leading to a disproportionate number of deaths due to complications during childbirth. Shot during the height of the pandemic, the documentary has a grassroots feel and, to many viewers' surprise, also follows Black fathers whose partners died in childbirth. Speaking to The New York Times, co-director Tonya Lee noted that this wasn't just a women's issue, "It's a family issue. It's a community issue. It's everybody's issue."

#4. Descendant

- Director: Margaret Brown - Metascore: 88 - Runtime: 109 minutes

The remains of the ship Clotilda—the last known illegal slave ship which arrived on the shores of Mobile, Alabama, in 1860—are discovered, and it offers the chance for direct descendants of the ship's passengers, who now live in Africatown, to reconnect with their heritage and seek justice. "Descendant" premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Creative Vision.

#3. Three Minutes: A Lengthening

- Director: Bianca Stigter - Metascore: 90 - Runtime: 69 minutes

A three-minute snippet of home movie footage from 1938, depicting residents of the town of Nasielsk in Poland offers a brief, emotional, and historically precious glimpse of Jewish life right before the start of World War II. In addition to directing "Three Minutes: A Lengthening," Bianca Stigter also served as an associate producer for Steve McQueen's films "12 Years a Slave" and "Widows."

#2. All the Beauty and the Bloodshed

- Director: Laura Poitras - Metascore: 90 - Runtime: 113 minutes

Using Nan Goldin's own slideshows, interviews, and photography, the documentary follows the artist-activist as she works to take down Purdue Pharma owners the Sackler family, who are accountable for the opioid epidemic. The film also covers Goldin's founding of the advocacy group P.A.I.N. (Prescription Addiction Intervention Now). "All The Beauty and the Bloodshed" was named Best Non-Fiction Film by the New York Film Critics Circle and won the Golden Lion for Best Film at the Venice Film Festival.

#1. Herr Bachmann und seine Klasse

- Director: Maria Speth - Metascore: 92 - Runtime: 217 minutes

In a German industrial town, middle school teacher Dieter Bachmann teaches immigrant students from nine different countries. Using unconventional teaching methods that often don't align with the cultural realities of the town they live in, Bachmann forms a close bond with his students as he attempts to instill in them a sense of belonging. In his review for The New York Times, A.O. Scott described the film as "an acknowledgment of the hard work of learning, and the magic of simple decency."

Trending Now

30 best nature documentaries of all time.

Milestones in women's history from the year you were born

Best Law & Order SVU episodes

60 historic photos from American military history