Our team compiled the oscar winning documentaries and here is what they came up with
Documentaries have become increasingly popular and well-regarded in recent years, earning Oscar nominations and wins for the highest quality of film-making. From stories of remarkable individuals to sweeping overviews of global issues, the best documentaries have the power to educate, inform, and entertain. Here are 28 of the most popular and acclaimed Oscar-winning documentaries, along with details of why they were so appreciated.
Here are the 19 oscar winning documentaries to check out on the streaming service.
1. Man on Wire (2008)
This riveting documentary tells the story of Philippe Petit’s daring 1974 high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. With interviews, archival footage, and reenactments, the film chronicles Petit’s incredible feat of courage and skill. MPAA rating: PG-13. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $4.4 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (2009).
2. Hoop Dreams (1994)
This emotionally powerful documentary follows two inner-city Chicago teenagers as they pursue their dreams of becoming professional basketball players. Spanning five years and featuring interviews with the boys’ friends and family, the film presents a complex and inspiring portrait of the American Dream. MPAA rating: PG-13. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $12.5 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (1995).
3. The Cove (2009)
This documentary exposes the brutal practice of hunting and killing dolphins in the small Japanese village of Taiji. Featuring undercover footage, interviews with activists, and a gripping soundtrack, the film shines a light on the issue and galvanizes global support for the cause. MPAA rating: PG-13. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $5.5 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (2010).
4. The Fog of War (2003)
In this acclaimed documentary, former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara reflects on his role in the Vietnam War and other pivotal moments of the 20th century. Featuring archival footage, interviews, and McNamara’s own thoughts, the film is both an exploration of a key figure and an exploration of war itself. MPAA rating: PG-13. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $2.2 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (2004).
5. An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
This documentary focuses on former Vice President Al Gore’s efforts to raise awareness of climate change. Featuring interviews, animations, and Gore’s own tour of the issue, the film is both a stirring call to action and an introduction to the science behind climate change. MPAA rating: PG. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $24.3 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (2007).
6. The Thin Blue Line (1988)
This groundbreaking documentary reexamines the case of Randall Dale Adams, a man wrongly convicted of murdering a police officer in Dallas. Featuring interviews with Adams, witnesses, and suspects, the film’s meticulous research and style of storytelling had a major impact on the documentary genre. MPAA rating: PG-13. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $3.4 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (1989).
7. Taxi to the Dark Side (2007)
This documentary explores the US policy of torture in the war on terror, focusing on the tragic case of an Afghan taxi driver who died in US custody. With interviews, archival footage, and a searing soundtrack, the film presents a gripping and heartbreaking story. MPAA rating: R. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $2.1 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (2008).
8. The Celluloid Closet (1995)
This documentary examines the representation of homosexuality in Hollywood films, featuring interviews with filmmakers and actors, archival clips, and narration by Lily Tomlin. A funny, thoughtful, and revealing look at a long-taboo subject, the film is both an entertaining survey and an invaluable resource. MPAA rating: R. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $1.5 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (1996).
9. The Times of Harvey Milk (1984)
This affecting documentary tells the story of the first openly gay elected official in California, Harvey Milk. Featuring interviews, archival footage, and narration by Harvey Fierstein, the film is both a portrait of a remarkable life and a tribute to Milk’s legacy. MPAA rating: PG. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $2.5 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (1985).
10. When We Were Kings (1996)
This documentary tells the story of the famous 1974 fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, known as the “Rumble in the Jungle.” Featuring interviews, archival footage, and music by Stevie Wonder, the film captures the excitement of the fight and its significance in the history of boxing. MPAA rating: PG. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $7.2 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (1997).
11. Grizzly Man (2005)
This documentary follows the life of Timothy Treadwell, a man who lived with grizzly bears in Alaska for thirteen years. Featuring interviews, archival footage, and narration by Werner Herzog, the film is both a portrait of an eccentric individual and a meditation on the relationship between humans and nature. MPAA rating: R. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $7.5 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (2006).
12. Bowling for Columbine (2002)
This documentary examines America’s culture of gun violence, focusing on the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. Featuring interviews, archival footage, and narration by Michael Moore, the film is both a powerful exploration of the issue and a commentary on the media’s role in it. MPAA rating: R. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $24.2 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (2003).
13. One Day in September (1999)
This gripping documentary examines the 1972 Munich Olympics terrorist attack, which left 11 Israeli athletes dead. Featuring interviews and archival footage, the film is both a powerful exploration of the tragedy and a tribute to the victims. MPAA rating: R. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $3.5 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (2000).
14. The Last Waltz (1978)
This documentary captures the final performance of the legendary rock band The Band, featuring performances by Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and other musical luminaries. With interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, the film is both an entertaining concert film and a heartfelt tribute to a great group. MPAA rating: PG. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $12.7 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (1979).
15. Hearts and Minds (1974)
This powerful documentary examines the Vietnam War from multiple perspectives, featuring interviews with veterans, civilians, and US officials. With its frank and thought-provoking analysis of the war, the film was both a critical and box office success. MPAA rating: PG. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $3.3 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (1975).
16. The Act of Killing (2012)
This documentary follows a group of former Indonesian death squad leaders as they reenact their war crimes for the camera. Featuring interviews, archival footage, and scenes of the men’s reenactments, the film is both a shocking and thought-provoking look at a dark chapter of history. MPAA rating: R. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $3.3 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (2013).
17. Harlan County USA (1976)
This documentary examines a coal miners’ strike in Harlan County, Kentucky. Featuring interviews, archival footage, and music, the film presents a vivid portrait of the strike and its importance in the history of labor rights. MPAA rating: PG. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $2.2 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (1977).
18. The War Room (1993)
This documentary follows the 1992 presidential campaign of Bill Clinton, featuring interviews with Clinton’s strategists and archival footage of the campaign’s major events. With its behind-the-scenes look at a historic election, the film was both an entertaining and informative look at a pivotal moment in US history. MPAA rating: PG. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $14.7 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (1994).
19. Sicko (2007)
This documentary examines the US healthcare system, featuring interviews, archival footage, and narration by Michael Moore. With its powerful and often humorous critique of the system, the film was both a popular and critical success. MPAA rating: PG-13. Box office (adjusted for inflation): $20.4 million. Won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (2008).
These documentaries offer a glimpse into some of the most pressing issues of our time, as well as a chance to explore the lives of remarkable individuals. While their box office success may vary, the impact of these films on our culture and understanding of the world is undeniable. From the inspiring to the shocking, these Oscar-winning documentaries have left an indelible mark on the documentary genre.