Technology has made non-fiction film easier to make, more available and more popular than ever before. Here, WNYC selects the best documentaries as they come to screens of any size.
'Antidote' profiles a journalist on Russia's wanted list
Antidote (2021) · May 9, 2025
'River of Grass' explores the Everglades
River of Grass (1995) · May 2, 2025
'Drop Dead City' covers New York in the '70s
Drop Dead City (2024) · Apr 25, 2025
'We Want the Funk' moves your mind and body
We Want the Funk! (2025) · Apr 5, 2025
'Secret Mall Apartment' explores a rebellious art project
Secret Mall Apartment (2025) · Mar 28, 2025
'Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse' profiles the cartoonist of 'Maus'
Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse (2025) · Feb 21, 2025
'The Only Girl in the Orchestra' profiles Orin O'Brien
The Only Girl in the Orchestra (2023) · Jan 17, 2025
'Space Cowboy' profiles an aerial stunt artist
Space Cowboy (2023) · Nov 13, 2024
'Soundtrack to a Coup D'Etat' blends music and history
Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat (2024) · Nov 8, 2024
'No Other Land' focuses on the West Bank
No Other Land (2024) · Nov 1, 2024
'Union' follows the labor movement at an Amazon warehouse on Staten Island
The Union (2024) · Oct 18, 2024
'Carville: Winning is Everything, Stupid' profiles the maverick political consultant
Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid (2024) · Oct 11, 2024
'Patrice: The Movie' is a romantic comedy about disability rights
Patrice: The Movie (2024) · Oct 3, 2024
Certifying elections in 'Denial'
Denial (2016) · Sep 27, 2024
Pursuing a surfing record in 'Maya and the Wave'
Maya and the Wave (2024) · Sep 13, 2024
'Look Into My Eyes' profiles psychics in New York City
Look into My Eyes (2024) · Sep 6, 2024
'Happy Campers' on the fleeting pleasures of summer
Happy Campers (2001) · Aug 9, 2024
Trespassing on rooftops in 'Skywalkers: A Love Story'
Skywalkers: A Love Story (2024) · Jul 26, 2024
'Sorry / Not Sorry' looks at Louis C.K.
Sorry/Not Sorry (2024) · Jul 12, 2024
'The Grab' is a journalistic thriller on global politics
The Grab (2024) · Jun 28, 2024
'Copa 71' uncovers a hidden history of women in sports
Copa 71 (2024) · Jun 21, 2024
'The Luckiest Guy in the World' profiles Bill Walton
The Luckiest Guy in the World (2023) · Jun 7, 2024
Collecting records and reviving dreams in 'Flipside'
Flipside (2016) · May 31, 2024
'Queen of the Deuce' profiles the grandmother who ran porn theaters
Queen of the Deuce (2023) · May 24, 2024
Is 'The Contestant' the most bizarre documentary of the year?
The Contestant (2023) · May 3, 2024
'Uncropped' profiles photographer James Hamilton
Uncropped (2024) · Apr 26, 2024
'Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story' profiles a Chinatown hero
Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story (2022) · Apr 19, 2024
'Carol Doda Topless at the Condor' profiles a trail blazer
Carol Doda Topless at the Condor (2024) · Mar 22, 2024
'Frida' profiles the Mexican painter in her own words
Frida (2002) · Mar 15, 2024
'A Revolution on Canvas' profiles Iranian artists in exile
A Revolution on Canvas (2023) · Mar 8, 2024
'Island in Between' looks at tensions between Taiwan and China
Island in Between (2023) · Feb 16, 2024
'Bobi Wine: The People's President' follows a pop star turned politician
Bobi Wine: The People's President (2023) · Feb 9, 2024
'The ABCs of Book Banning' listens to students
The ABCs of Book Banning (2024) · Feb 2, 2024
Covering Ukraine in '20 Days in Mariupol'
20 Days in Mariupol (2023) · Dec 8, 2023
'Deciding Vote' on legalizing abortion
Deciding Vote (2023) · Dec 1, 2023
'The Disappearance of Shere Hite' profiles the controversial sex researcher
The Disappearance of Shere Hite (2023) · Nov 17, 2023
'Another Body' explores deepfake pornography
Another Body (2023) · Nov 3, 2023
'The Pigeon Tunnel' profiles John le Carré
The Pigeon Tunnel (2023) · Oct 27, 2023
'Silver Dollar Road' tells a story of Black resistance
Silver Dollar Road (2023) · Oct 20, 2023
'Reality Winner' profiles a whistleblower
Reality Winner (2021) · Oct 13, 2023
'Joan Baez: I Am a Noise' is a road trip through history
Joan Baez: I Am a Noise (2023) · Oct 6, 2023
Intersex people speak their truth in "Every Body"
Every Body (2023) · Sep 29, 2023
"26.2 to Life" explores a prison marathon
26.2 to Life (2023) · Sep 22, 2023
"The League" remembers a lost era of baseball
The League (2023) · Aug 25, 2023
Going to court over climate change in "Youth v Gov"
Youth v Gov (2020) · Aug 18, 2023
"Stephen Curry: Underrated" profiles the early days of the NBA All-Star
Stephen Curry: Underrated (2023) · Aug 11, 2023
"Kokomo City" gives sex workers a safe space
Kokomo City (2023) · Jul 28, 2023
"While We Watched" profiles Indian journalist Ravish Kumar
While We Watched (2023) · Jul 21, 2023
"Casa Susanna" reveals a hidden transgender history
Casa Susanna (2022) · Jun 30, 2023
"The Stroll" honors a sisterhood of sex workers
The Stroll (2023) · Jun 23, 2023
"After Sherman" reflects on Black Americans returning to the South
After Sherman (2022) · Jun 2, 2023
Conversations with kids in "1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed"
1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed (2023) · May 12, 2023
Exploring audio in "32 Sounds"
32 Sounds (2023) · Apr 28, 2023
"Little Richard: I Am Everything" celebrates a rock 'n' roll pioneer
Little Richard: I Am Everything (2023) · Apr 21, 2023
From Clothing to Conservation in "Wild Life"
Wild Life (2023) · Apr 14, 2023
Van Jones navigates controversy in "The First Step"
The First Step (2023) · Apr 7, 2023
Revisiting the Iraq War in "The Army We Had"
The Army We Had (2023) · Mar 31, 2023
Nan Goldin vs the Sacklers in "All the Beauty and the Bloodshed"
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (2022) · Mar 17, 2023
"Navalny" is a political thriller about an opponent of Vladimir Putin
Navalny (2022) · Mar 10, 2023
Documenting trans lives in "Framing Agnes"
Framing Agnes (2022) · Mar 3, 2023
"Nothing Lasts Forever" looks at the diamond industry
Nothing Lasts Forever (2022) · Feb 10, 2023
"Body Parts" explores how Hollywood treats sex
Body Parts (1991) · Feb 3, 2023
New documentary "Roberta" profiles the soul singer
Roberta (2022) · Jan 27, 2023
Remembering Linsanity in "38 at the Garden"
38 at the Garden (2022) · Jan 13, 2023
"Bad Axe" profiles a restaurant during COVID
Bad Axe (2022) · Jan 6, 2023
Revisiting the Feminist Classic "Joyce at 34"
Joyce at 34 (1972) · Dec 16, 2022
Pursuing the Green New Deal in "To the End"
To the End (2022) · Dec 9, 2022
"2nd Chance" profiles the inventor of a bullet resistant vest
2nd Chance (2022) · Dec 2, 2022
"Descendant" investigates the legacy of a slave ship
Descendant (2022) · Nov 25, 2022
Meet the elder Robert Downey in "Sr."
"Sr." (2022) · Nov 18, 2022
Remembering Sally Schmitt in "The Best Chef in the World"
The Best Chef in the World (2022) · Nov 4, 2022
"An Act of Worship" listens to American Muslims
An Act of Worship (2022) · Oct 21, 2022
Pursuing major league dreams in "The Last Out"
The Last Out (2020) · Oct 14, 2022
Facing mortality in "Last Flight Home"
Last Flight Home (2022) · Oct 7, 2022
Disney confronts Disney in "The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales"
The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales (2022) · Sep 23, 2022
"Moonage Daydream" explores the artistry of David Bowie
Moonage Daydream (2022) · Sep 16, 2022
"We Met in Virtual Reality" explores socializing by avatar
We Met in Virtual Reality (2022) · Sep 9, 2022
Seeking justice in "Free Chol Soo Lee"
Free Chol Soo Lee (2022) · Aug 12, 2022
"Mija" profiles two women in Chicano pop music
Mija (2022) · Aug 5, 2022
"Mind Over Murder" explores memory
Mind Over Murder (2006) · Jul 29, 2022
"Dreaming Walls" Explores the Chelsea Hotel
Dreaming Walls (2022) · Jul 8, 2022
"The Martha Mitchell Effect" Revisits Watergate
The Martha Mitchell Effect (2022) · Jul 1, 2022
"Who Killed Vincent Chin?" on the 40th anniversary of tragedy
Who Killed Vincent Chin? (1987) · Jun 17, 2022
"The Janes" revisits the days of illegal abortions
The Janes (2022) · Jun 10, 2022
"Joe Papp in Five Acts" profiles a theatrical pioneer
Joe Papp in Five Acts (2012) · Jun 3, 2022
No pain, no gain in "Couples Therapy"
Couples Therapy (2020) · May 13, 2022
"Sheryl" explores the highs and lows of a hit maker
Sheryl (2022) · May 6, 2022
"White Hot" Reveals a Scandalous Clothing Company
White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch (2022) · Apr 29, 2022
Former South Bronx Gang Member is profiled in "La Madrina"
La Madrina (2021) · Apr 15, 2022
"When We Were Bullies" Explores Complicity
When We Were Bullies (2021) · Apr 8, 2022
Racing against time in "Sub Eleven Seconds"
Sub Eleven Seconds (2022) · Mar 25, 2022
"Calendar Girl" profiles Ruth Finley
Calendar Girl (2016) · Mar 11, 2022
"Dear Mr. Brody" explores a mysterious millionaire
Dear Mr. Brody (2022) · Mar 4, 2022
"Ronnie's" Explores a Legendary Jazz Club
Ronnie Spector at the BBC (2022) · Feb 11, 2022
"Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back" Profiles a Virtuoso Performer
Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back (2019) · Feb 4, 2022
"American Insurrection" Explores the Legacy of January 6
American Insurrection (2021) · Jan 7, 2022
"Fauci" Examines the Fight Against Pandemics
Fauci (2021) · Dec 31, 2021
Live Theater Returns in "Reopening Night"
Reopening Night (2021) · Dec 24, 2021
"Street Gang" Explores the Origins of Sesame Street
Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street (2021) · Dec 17, 2021
"Takeover" Revisits the Young Lords in Action
Takeover (2020) · Dec 10, 2021
The Documentary 'Listening to Kenny G' Explores Musical Taste
Listening to Kenny G (2021) · Dec 3, 2021
New York City Confronts Covid-19 in "The First Wave"
The First Wave (2021) · Nov 19, 2021
'Hold Your Fire' Reexamines a Hostage Siege
Hold Your Fire (2021) · Nov 12, 2021
Lusia Harris in "Queen of Basketball"
The Queen of Basketball (2021) · Nov 5, 2021
"Becoming Cousteau" Profiles the Undersea Explorer
Becoming Cousteau (2021) · Oct 22, 2021
A History of "The Velvet Underground"
The Velvet Underground (2021) · Oct 15, 2021
"The Rescue" Covers a Dangerous Mission
The Rescue (2020) · Oct 8, 2021
"My Name is Pauli Murray" Profiles a Trailblazer
My Name Is Pauli Murray (2021) · Oct 1, 2021
In "Homeroom," Students Find Their Voices
Homeroom (2021) · Sep 24, 2021
Renouncing Conversion Therapy In "Pray Away"
Pray Away (2021) · Sep 17, 2021
"The Capote Tapes" Profiles the Iconic Writer
The Capote Tapes (2021) · Sep 10, 2021
"In the Same Breath" Investigates Covid Misinformation
In the Same Breath (2021) · Sep 3, 2021
Domino Artistry in "Lily Topples the World"
Lily Topples The World (2021) · Aug 27, 2021
In Search of "The Meaning of Hitler"
The Meaning of Hitler (2021) · Aug 13, 2021
Breaking News in "Whirlybird"
Whirlybird (2021) · Aug 6, 2021
Who Can You Trust in “Enemies of the State”?
Enemies of the State (2021) · Jul 30, 2021
Billy Tipton is "No Ordinary Man"
No Ordinary Man (2021) · Jul 23, 2021
Exploring African-American Cuisine in "High on the Hog"
High on the Hog (2019) · Jun 4, 2021
A Migrant And An ICE Agent In "Five Years North"
Five Years North (2020) · May 28, 2021
Understanding Opioids in "The Crime of the Century"
Crime of the Century (1996) · May 14, 2021
'The Boy From Medellin' Focuses on J Balvin Under Pressure
The Boy from Medellín (2020) · May 7, 2021
Seeking Justice in 'Down a Dark Stairwell'
Down a Dark Stairwell (2020) · Apr 16, 2021
'Tina' Captures the Singer’s Power and Vulnerability
TINA (2021) · Mar 26, 2021
Remembering 'When We Were Kings' Director Leon Gast
When We Were Kings (1996) · Mar 12, 2021
'Made You Look' Tells a Twisting Tale of Art Forgery
Made You Look (2015) · Mar 5, 2021
A Kenyan Journalist Turns to Politics in 'Softie'
Softie (2020) · Feb 19, 2021
Secretaries Rise Up in '9to5: The Story of a Movement'
9to5: The Story of a Movement (2020) · Feb 5, 2021
Breaking Barriers In 'How It Feels To Be Free'
How It Feels to Be Free (2021) · Jan 22, 2021
Uncovering a Bizarre Murder Plot in 'Assassins'
Sniper: Assassin's End (2020) · Jan 15, 2021
Remembering Jamal Khashoggi In 'The Dissident'
The Dissident (2020) · Jan 8, 2021
August Wilson’s Legacy in 'Giving Voice'
Giving Voice (2020) · Dec 25, 2020
Seeking Resolution in '40 Years a Prisoner'
40 Years a Prisoner (2020) · Dec 18, 2020
Frederick Wiseman Looks At Boston In 'City Hall'
City Hall (1996) · Oct 30, 2020
“Titicut Follies” Turns Fifty
Titicut Follies (1967) · Dec 30, 2016