Prime Video features a variety of documentaries, including original films and TV shows, that are included with your Amazon Prime membership. This list of the best documentaries on Amazon Prime Video is a good way to find something educational and entertaining to watch on your own or as a family.
Documentaries provide a deep dive into real-life stories, exploring subjects from history to modern culture, true crime, and the human condition. Amazon Prime Video, a popular streaming service, has become a go-to platform for documentary enthusiasts, featuring a plethora of films that cater to a broad spectrum of interests. Be it mental health issues, the global refugee crisis, or intriguing unsolved mysteries, Prime Video’s rich catalog encompasses it all, presenting a vast range of captivating narratives.
This streaming service extends its repertoire beyond the usual, diving into an expansive ocean of truth, unraveling stories often stranger than fiction. It’s an endless summer of learning, discovery, and sometimes, a rollercoaster of emotions. From archival footage-heavy films to the early days of societal revolutions, Prime Video covers a vast array of subject matter. Their collection includes everything from award-winning titles celebrated at the Sundance Film Festival to niche documentaries uncovering untold true stories.
This blog post will guide you through a list of the best documentaries on Amazon Prime Video. From mental illness to the civil rights movement, to the indelible mark of artists on our culture, this list of documentaries and docuseries will keep you riveted. Be prepared to embark on a journey through real people’s stories, history’s turning points, and thought-provoking subject matter.
Generation Wealth
Rated R. 1 hour 46 minutes.
Generation Wealth is an intriguing exploration of society’s growing obsession with wealth. It presents a critical and insightful view into how the dream of riches is driving today’s society.
United States of Tents
Rated all. 1 hour 31 minutes.
This documentary offers a heart-wrenching glimpse into the growing homelessness crisis in the United States. It gives an inside look at the people living in tents and their daily lives, highlighting a pressing issue that often goes unnoticed.
Lu La Rich
Rated 16+. 1 season.
Lu La Rich is a riveting exploration of a controversial multi-level marketing company, LuLaRoe. The documentary delves into the lives of the founders and the impact their enterprise has had on countless women.
Farmland
Rated PG. 1 hour 27 minutes.
Farmland is an intimate and enlightening look at the lives of farmers in the United States. It shows the passion, effort, and challenges these individuals face to keep our food supply going.
Lucy and Desi
Rated 13+. 1 hour 42 minutes.
Lucy and Desi is a heartwarming tribute to the enduring love story of iconic couple Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Featuring home movies and personal project anecdotes, this documentary is a true love letter to their indelible mark on Hollywood.
Cryptopia: Bitcoin, Blockchains and the Future of the Internet
Rated 13+. 1 hour 26 minutes.
Cryptopia offers a comprehensive insight into the world of cryptocurrencies and their potential to reshape the future of the internet. The film explores the origins, controversies, and future of this digital revolution.
Eating Our Way to Extinction
Rated 13+. 1 hour 21 minutes.
This sobering documentary examines how our dietary choices are contributing to the extinction of countless species. It reveals the massive ecological impact of our food system, making it a must-watch for environmental enthusiasts.
Super Size Me
Rated PG-13. 1 hour 38 minutes.
Morgan Spurlock’s groundbreaking documentary Super Size Me is an exploration of the fast-food industry and its impact on our health. Spurlock’s personal journey eating only McDonald’s meals for a month reveals alarming insights into our food culture.
Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!
Rated PG-13. 1 hour 42 minutes.
In this sequel, Spurlock opens his fast-food chicken restaurant, aiming to expose the manipulative tactics of the food industry. It’s an interesting companion piece to the original film, offering a much different role for Spurlock.
Netflix vs. the World
Rated 13+. 1 hour 44 minutes.
Netflix vs. the World is a detailed examination of Netflix’s journey from a DVD rental service to the global streaming giant it is today. The film reveals the challenges and triumphs in Netflix’s evolution, making it an interesting documentary for tech and business enthusiasts.
The Pollinators
Rated 13+. 1 hour 32 minutes.
The Pollinators documentaryfilm illuminates the critical role that bees play in our ecosystem and the threats they face. This environmental documentary attempts to shed light on an important yet overlooked issue.
Shine A Light
Rated PG-13. 2 hours 1 minute.
Shine a Light is a riveting concert film directed by Martin Scorsese that offers an immersive experience of The Rolling Stones’ explosive energy and iconic music. Through a combination of live performances, behind-the-scenes footage, and intimate interviews, Scorsese masterfully captures the timeless appeal of this legendary band, making it a must-watch for music enthusiasts.
One Child Nation
Rated R. 1 hour 28 minutes.
Directed by Nanfu Wang, One Child Nation is a powerful exploration of China’s one-child policy. The film exposes the horrific human rights violations committed in the name of population control, offering first-hand accounts from those affected.
Once is Enough
Rated 16+. 1 hour 14 minutes.
Once is Enough is a personal project by filmmaker Jeffrey James Binney, documenting his attempt to run a 100-mile ultra-marathon following his mother’s tragic death. The film beautifully weaves together his struggles and triumphs, offering a deep exploration of grief and resilience.
The Booksellers
Rated 13+. 1 hour 38 minutes.
The Booksellers is a love letter to the world of rare books and the eccentric characters that inhabit it. This documentary offers an inside look at this unique industry, exploring how it has evolved in recent years.
Judy Blume Forever
Rated 16+. 1 hour 37 minutes.
Judy Blume Forever is a tribute to the celebrated author who changed the face of young adult literature. The film explores her impact, the controversies surrounding her work, and her role in addressing taboo subjects for young readers.
Reggie
Rated PG-13. 1 hour 44 minutes.
Reggie is a fascinating profile of a British man with a unique mission to make the world a better place, one random act of kindness at a time. It’s an uplifting film that showcases the power of compassion and community spirit.
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father.
Rated 13+. 1 hour 33 minutes.
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is an emotional true-crime documentary created by filmmaker Kurt Kuenne as a cinematic tribute to his murdered friend, Andrew Bagby. As Kuenne delves deeper into the circumstances of Andrew’s death and interacts with his loved ones, the film tragically morphs into a gripping testament for Andrew’s son, Zachary, chronicling the chilling legal battle with his father’s accused killer who also happens to be Zachary’s mother.
Grizzly Man
Rated R. 1 hour 44 minutes.
Grizzly Man is an engrossing documentary by acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog that chronicles the life and tragic death of Timothy Treadwell, a self-proclaimed bear whisperer. Herzog masterfully weaves together Treadwell’s own footage and interviews, creating a compelling portrait of a complex man who blurred the line between observing nature and dangerously immersing himself in it.
Val
Rated R. 1 hour 48 minutes.
Val is a profound and deeply personal documentary that provides an inside look into the life of actor Val Kilmer, following his illustrious Hollywood career and his recent battle with throat cancer. The film, filled with home movies and personal accounts, not only charts Kilmer’s journey in the film industry but also his inspiring resilience and reinvention in the face of a devastating health crisis.
Amazon Prime Video offers an extensive collection of documentaries that cater to a variety of tastes. From enlightening true-crime documentaries to poignant depictions of mental health issues, from the history of voter suppression to the unseen consequences of our lifestyle choices, there’s something for everyone.
Whether you’re a documentary veteran or new to the genre, this curated list will guide you to some of the best documentary films available on the platform. So grab your popcorn, sit back, and get ready for a thought-provoking ride into the world of real stories!
And if you didn’t find something here to watch, there are plenty of documentaries on Netflix, Disney Plus and Hulu too!
Or check out Curiosity Stream subscription for many more documentary ideas. Read my Curiosity Stream review to learn why it’s a great option for families.
