Uncovering Reality: Documentary Films From The 2000s

Clara Moreau
Clara MoreauDecember 10, 2025
The 2000s was a decade that saw a resurgence in documentary filmmaking, with many talented directors pushing the boundaries of the genre. From explorations of the natural world to examinations of human culture and society, the documentaries of this era offer a unique window into the issues and concerns of the time.

One of the key characteristics of documentaries from the 2000s is their willingness to tackle tough subjects and challenge societal norms. Films like "The Cove" and "Earthlings" shed light on important environmental and animal rights issues, while "Food, Inc." and "Who Killed the Electric Car?" examine the impact of corporate power on our daily lives. Other documentaries, such as "Grizzly Man" and "Tyson", offer intimate portraits of complex and fascinating individuals.

The 2000s also saw the rise of documentary filmmakers who were not afraid to experiment with form and style. Films like "Dig!" and "Metal: A Headbanger's Journey" use innovative techniques to tell their stories, while "Spellbound" and "Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple" use archival footage and interviews to create compelling narratives. Whether you're interested in music, politics, or the human condition, there's a documentary from the 2000s that's sure to captivate and inspire.

The following list represents some of the best documentary films from the 2000s, showcasing a diverse range of subjects and styles. From the deeply personal to the broadly political, these films offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of the past decade. With their thought-provoking themes and innovative storytelling, they continue to resonate with audiences today.
The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing
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The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing

#1

Documentary about the art of film editing. Clips are shown from many groundbreaking films with innovative editing styles.

200498 min
DocumentaryHistory
7.0
109 votes
As I Was Moving Ahead, Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty
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As I Was Moving Ahead, Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty

#2

A compilation of over 30 years of private home movie footage shot by Lithuanian-American avant-garde director Jonas Mekas, assembled by Mekas "purely by chance", without concern for chronological order.

2000288 min
Documentary
7.6
78 votes
Metal: A Headbanger's Journey
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Metal: A Headbanger's Journey

#3

The film discusses the traits and originators of some of metal's many subgenres, including the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, power metal, Nu metal, glam metal, thrash metal, black metal, and death metal. Dunn uses a family-tree-type flowchart to document some of the most popular metal subgenres. The film also explores various aspects of heavy metal culture.

200591 min
DocumentaryMusic
7.6
164 votes
Food, Inc.
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Food, Inc.

#4

Documentary filmmaker Robert Kenner examines how mammoth corporations have taken over all aspects of the food chain in the United States, from the farms where our food is grown to the chain restaurants and supermarkets where it's sold. Narrated by author and activist Eric Schlosser, the film features interviews with average Americans about their dietary habits, commentary from food experts like Michael Pollan and unsettling footage shot inside large-scale animal processing plants.

200894 min
Documentary
7.4
622 votes
Dig!
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Dig!

#5

A documentary on the once promising American rock bands The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols. The friendship between respective founders, Anton Newcombe and Courtney Taylor, escalated into bitter rivalry as the Dandy Warhols garnered major international success while the Brian Jonestown Massacre imploded in a haze of drugs.

2004107 min
DocumentaryMusic
6.7
66 votes
The Cove
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The Cove

#6

The Cove tells the amazing true story of how an elite team of individuals, films makers and free divers embarked on a covert mission to penetrate the hidden cove in Japan, shining light on a dark and deadly secret. The shocking discoveries were only the tip of the iceberg.

200992 min
Documentary
7.9
624 votes
American Hardcore
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American Hardcore

#7

Inspired by Steven Blush's book "American Hardcore: A tribal history" Paul Rachman's feature documentary debut is a chronicle of the underground hardcore punk years from 1979 to 1986. Interviews and rare live footage from artists such as Black Flag, Bad Brains, Minor Threat, SS Decontrol and the Dead Kennedys.

2006100 min
DocumentaryMusic
6.8
56 votes
Deep Blue
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Deep Blue

#8

Deep Blue is a major documentary feature film shot by the BBC Natural History Unit. An epic cinematic rollercoaster ride for all ages, Deep Blue uses amazing footage to tell us the story of our oceans and the life they support.

200383 min
Documentary
6.8
83 votes
Grizzly Man
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Grizzly Man

#9

Werner Herzog's documentary film about the "Grizzly Man" Timothy Treadwell and what the thirteen summers in a National Park in Alaska were like in one man's attempt to protect the grizzly bears. The film is full of unique images and a look into the spirit of a man who sacrificed himself for nature.

2005103 min
Documentary
7.5
892 votes
Earthlings
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Earthlings

#10

Using hidden cameras and never-before-seen footage, Earthlings chronicles the day-to-day practices of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit.

200595 min
Documentary
8.1
321 votes
Who Killed the Electric Car?
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Who Killed the Electric Car?

#11

In 1996, electric cars began to appear on roads all over California. They were quiet and fast, produced no exhaust, and ran without gasoline... Ten years later, these cars were destroyed.

200692 min
Documentary
7.3
195 votes
Spellbound
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Spellbound

#12

This documentary follows 8 teens and pre-teens as they work their way toward the finals of the Scripps Howard national spelling bee championship in Washington D.C.

200297 min
Documentary
7.4
115 votes
Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple
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Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple

#13

Featuring never-before-seen footage, this documentary delivers a startling new look at the Peoples Temple, headed by preacher Jim Jones who, in 1978, led more than 900 members to Guyana, where he orchestrated a mass suicide via tainted punch.

200686 min
DocumentaryHistoryTV Movie
7.1
88 votes
Master, a Building in Copacabana
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Master, a Building in Copacabana

#14

The daily lives and routine of 37 families living in a huge 12-story building in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: their drama, aspirations, intimate revelations, loneliness, dreams...

2002110 min
Documentary
8.1
54 votes
Facing Ali
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Facing Ali

#15

Ten of Muhammad Ali's former rivals pay tribute to the three-time world heavyweight champion.

2009100 min
Documentary
7.5
51 votes

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