The Ten Best Documentaries of 2025
Because the rise of streaming services has helped the documentary format thrive like never before, I give nonfiction films their own Best-Of list each year. Some of the below titles played in theaters, while others were made to be viewed at home. What they all have in common, though, is excellence. If you are at all interested in the documentary format, the following ten films are must-sees.
Here, presented in alphabetical order, are my picks for the Ten Best Documentaries of 2025:
2000 Meters to Andriivka - A Ukranian platoon tries to make its way through a perilous section of forest to liberate a village from Russian forces. Harrowing on-the-ground footage takes you along with them, to nerve-wracking effect. (Available to rent on VOD)
The Alabama Solution - Inmates at an Alabama prison pass footage of abuses they capture on contraband cell phones to the filmmakers in a six-year effort to instigate much-needed reform. Watching this riveting joint investigation drives home how desperately our incarceration system fails on multiple levels. (Streaming on HBO Max)
Becoming Led Zeppelin - The origin of one of the world’s greatest rock bands is told from the perspective of its members, all of whom cooperated with production. Rare archival footage and creative assembly turn this into a remarkable journey of sight and sound. (Streaming on Netflix; available to rent on VOD)
Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore - The Oscar-winning actress’s career is recounted in Shoshanna Stern’s film, as is her activism on behalf of the deaf community. You come away realizing what a pioneer Matlin has been, as well as what a major influence she’s had on the entertainment business. (On DVD/Blu-ray; available to rent on VOD)
Megadoc - Francis Ford Coppola invited Leaving Las Vegas director Mike Figgis to document the making of his ultra-expensive epic Megalopolis. What he captures helps you understand what a tricky proposition it is when a major artist decides to take a huge, risky swing. Bonus points for scenes of Jon Voight becoming frustrated with Shia LaBeouf. (Available to rent on VOD)
Orwell: 2+2=5 - Raoul Peck simultaneously traces the career of author George Orwell and highlights just how prescient his work – especially “1984” - was to our current political climate. To be honest, the documentary is a little bit scary, but it absolutely helps put things into perspective. (Streaming on Netflix; available to rent on VOD)
Pee-wee as Himself - This two-part documentary gives a thorough accounting of the rise, success, downfall, and resurrection of Pee-wee Herman creator Paul Rubens, but Reubens’ desire to control the narrative ultimately tells you even more about the enigmatic entertainer behind the bowtie. (Streaming on HBO Max)
The Perfect Neighbor - In a 2023 news story that horrified the nation, a white woman named Susan Lorincz shot and killed her Black neighbor Ajike Owens through her apartment door when Owens came to complain about Lorincz harassing neighborhood children. Consisting entirely of police body camera footage, this gut-wrenching movie shows the increasingly tense events during the weeks leading up to that tragic night. This unflinching documentary hits you like a baseball bat to the stomach. (Streaming on Netflix)
Predators - Director David Osit explores the cultural impact of Dateline NBC’s “To Catch a Predator” series and makes an incredibly convincing argument that it did far more harm than good. Predators is guaranteed to leave you questioning the legitimacy of the Chris Hansen-hosted program. (Streaming on Paramount+)
Videoheaven - Video stores no longer exist in real life, so the only documentation we have of their one-time domination comes from portraits in television and movies. That’s the premise director Alex Ross Perry starts from, compiling nearly three hours of such footage to exhaustively – and thrillingly – outline the video store phenomenon. This is like porn for people who miss Blockbuster or their local mom-and-pop rental store. (Unavailable to stream or purchase as of publication)
© 2025 Mike McGranaghan