Documentaries are a great way to learn something: an easy, no-stress way to absorb information. Nowadays, there have been documentaries made for just about anything you can think of – from musical biographies to controversial exposees, and human interest pieces to historical storytelling. Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth and Michael Moore’s Bowling For Columbine are controversial shows that were much hyped in the media, but we’ve curated a list of off-the-beaten-path documentaries that the average viewer might not have seen:
Dark Days – A visually stunning portrayal of New York City’s “mole people” – the homeless population living in the city’s abandoned underground tunnels. With a fascinating take on one experience of city life, the filmmaker lived with his subjects for a period of several months before filming. This David and Goliath tale will have you rooting for the little guy as you explore parts of the city you never knew existed and meet a colorful cast of characters.
The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst – (Mild Spoiler Alert) A groundbreaking miniseries that went down in history when it ended in an accidental, unplanned gotcha moment that had real life repercussions for the subject. The Jinx is a daring documentary detailing “The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst” that digs deep into the past to find answers to questions that have remained a mystery for decades. Even if you’ve never heard the name Robert Durst before, each episode will have you on the edge of your seat.
Man On Wire – An hour and a half of tightrope walking? Although it doesn’t sound super interesting, Man On Wire will leave you more than just pleasantly surprised. The film tells the beautiful and intriguing story of hirewire daredevil Philippe Petit and his terrifying trip between the towers of the World Trade Center with the help of a seamless combination of actual footage and reenactments. Exit Through The Gift Shop – This creative documentary shows just what happens when you try to pin down the illusive street artist Banksy. Exit Through The Gift Shop is the story of a man and his obsession with graffiti, an amateur filmmaker gets the tables turned back on him when he tries to seek out and befriend the anonymous and controversial artist. If you weren’t a Banksy fan before watching this film, you definitely will be after!
I Think We’re Alone Now – Who doesn’t love 80’s pop sensation Tiffany? For two individuals, this love is a way of life. This oddly engrossing documentary takes viewers inside the lives of two Tiffany superfans, showing how each lives with their obsession. At times sad, funny, and even hopeful, this film is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Blackfish – The award-winning documentary that led to the widespread boycott and financial troubles of the Sea World brand by exposing the behind-the-scenes treatment and abuse of its star animals – the killer whales. Wherever you fall on the animal rights spectrum, Blackfish will have you sucked in right off the bat as it explores the difference between corporate interests and animal treatment.
Grey Gardens – Probably the strangest documentary of all time, Grey Gardens delves into the lives of a pair of Jackie O’s eccentric relatives. An oddball mother and her nutty daughter living in a dilapidated, decaying old family mansion…the story practically writes itself. These kooky characters are full of personality and the film provides and intimate look into their private lives. If you liked this, then definitely check out Fred Armisen and Bill Hader’s parody from their series Documentary Now! The Thin Blue Line – True crime documentaries like Making Of A Murderer and Foxcatcher are a dime a dozen these days, but The Thin Blue Line was one of the first. This informative 1988 film dug deep to portray rampant corruption in the Dallas Police Department through the story of a wrongly convicted inmate. A truly eye-opening and impeccably told true story of police culture in modern day America, it can be hard to watch at times.
Jiro Dreams Of Sushi – 83 year old sushi master Jiro Ono has a lot of wisdom to share. Interesting subjects, careful family dynamics, and Japanese food culture come together for a beautiful film that will have you walking away hungry. And even if you’re not a sushi fan, anyone can enjoy this thoughtful documentary. Trapper Jake – This uniquely charming documentary tells the story of 97 year old trapper, Jake Korell, who muses on the changing world while preparing traps and curing pelts. The film does not take a stance on his trade, but rather uses gorgeous cinematography to tell an unbiased story of a way of life that is all but gone.