Documentaries have a unique ability to shed light on real-world issues and experiences, often provoking reflection and inspiring change. Whether they delve into social justice, environmental crises, or the intricacies of human behavior, these films often open our eyes to new realities. Here's a list of ten documentaries that will change the way you view the world.

13th (2016)

Director: Ava DuVernay

Topic: Criminal Justice, Race, and Incarceration

Ava DuVernay’s 13th examines the intersection of race and the American criminal justice system, tracing the historical and systemic roots of mass incarceration in the United States. It powerfully connects the abolition of slavery with the rise of prison labor, highlighting how deeply ingrained racial inequality continues to affect the country. This eye-opening documentary will forever change how you view the justice system.

The Social Dilemma (2020)

Director: Jeff Orlowski

Topic: Social Media and Mental Health

The Social Dilemma explores the dangerous human impact of social media, with insights from tech industry insiders who once worked to develop these platforms. The documentary dissects how social networks are designed to manipulate users and shape behavior, ultimately affecting democracy, mental health, and societal cohesion. After watching this, you’ll likely reconsider your relationship with technology and social media.

My Octopus Teacher (2020)

Director: Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed

Topic: Nature, Human-Animal Connection

This heartfelt documentary follows filmmaker Craig Foster’s extraordinary friendship with a wild octopus in a South African kelp forest. Through breathtaking underwater cinematography and tender storytelling, My Octopus Teacher reveals the deep connections we can form with the natural world and encourages viewers to reconsider the often-overlooked intelligence and emotion of animal species.

The Act of Killing (2012)

Director: Joshua Oppenheimer

Topic: War Crimes, Historical Memory

The Act of Killing focuses on the Indonesian genocide of the 1960s but does so in an utterly unique way—by having former death squad leaders reenact their crimes. This documentary explores the lingering effects of impunity, psychological trauma, and how history is often rewritten by victors. It challenges conventional ideas of justice and how we remember dark periods in human history.

Inside Job (2010)

Director: Charles Ferguson

Topic: The 2008 Financial Crisis

Inside Job provides a comprehensive overview of the 2008 global financial crisis, showing how systemic greed and corruption among financial institutions led to one of the worst economic disasters in recent history. This documentary will make you question the mechanisms of the global financial system and understand how deeply its failings impact society.

For Sama (2019)

Director: Waad Al-Kateab, Edward Watts

Topic: War, Motherhood, Syria

For Sama tells the deeply personal story of Waad Al-Kateab, a Syrian woman living through the brutal siege of Aleppo. Filming the conflict as it unfolds, Waad balances her duties as a mother while documenting the horrors of war. This intimate and harrowing film provides a human face to the conflict and illustrates the resilience of people living in war zones.

I Am Not Your Negro (2016)

Director: Raoul Peck

Topic: Race Relations in America

Based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript, I Am Not Your Negro offers a poignant and powerful reflection on race relations in the United States, focusing on the lives of civil rights leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr. This documentary is an unflinching look at the history of racism in America and Baldwin’s enduring legacy in discussions on civil rights.

Cowspiracy (2014)

Director: Kip Andersen, Keegan Kuhn

Topic: Environmentalism, Agriculture

Cowspiracy explores the impact of animal agriculture on the environment, shining a light on the hidden role factory farming plays in deforestation, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. This documentary challenges conventional thinking about environmentalism, calling attention to the drastic changes needed in the agricultural sector to combat climate change.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018)

Director: Morgan Neville

Topic: Kindness, Community

A heartwarming portrait of Fred Rogers, the beloved host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, this documentary dives into the life and philosophy of a man who shaped generations of children with his message of kindness and empathy. Won’t You Be My Neighbor? reminds us of the importance of compassion and decency, offering a refreshing perspective in a time often filled with division.

Human (2015)

Director: Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Topic: Humanity, Empathy, Global Issues

Human is an ambitious documentary that combines stunning aerial footage of the earth with intimate interviews of people from around the world. Through their stories, the film touches on universal themes of love, poverty, war, and happiness. It’s a meditation on what it means to be human and forces us to reconsider the importance of empathy and interconnectedness in a divided world.

Conclusion

These documentaries offer more than just entertainment; they challenge us to think critically about the world around us, confront uncomfortable truths, and, ultimately, broaden our understanding of humanity. Whether through the lens of social justice, the environment, or personal stories, these films will leave you with a new perspective on the complex world we live in.