Sort by Popularity - Most Popular Movies and TV Shows tagged with keyword "history-documentary"
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1. Rise of Empires: Ottoman (2020–2022)
TV-MA | 45 min | Documentary, Drama, History
Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II wages an epic campaign to take the Byzantine capital of Constantinople and shapes the course of history for centuries.
Stars: Cem Yigit Uzümoglu, Tuba Büyüküstün, Alp Ilkman, Ushan Çakir
Votes: 33,344
2. The Vietnam War (2017)
TV-MA | 99 min | Documentary, History, War
A comprehensive history of the United States' involvement in the bitterly divisive armed conflict in Southeast Asia.
Stars: Peter Coyote, Huy Duc, James Willbanks, Duong Van Mai Elliott
Votes: 28,106
3. The World at War (1973–1974)
TV-PG | 50 min | Documentary, History, War
A groundbreaking 26-part documentary series narrated by the actor Laurence Olivier about the deadliest conflict in history, World War II.
Stars: Laurence Olivier, Averell Harriman, Anthony Eden, Albert Speer
Votes: 29,894
4. Grant (2020)
TV-PG | 85 min | Documentary, Biography, History
The documentary-series examines Ulysses S. Grant's life story using his perspective and experiences to explore a turbulent time in history: the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Stars: Francis Chouler, Justin Salinger, Carel Nel, Ta-Nehisi Coates
Votes: 2,198
5. The Bloody Hundredth (2024)
TV-14 | 62 min | Documentary
It honors the heroes of the 100th Bomb Group.
Directors: Laurent Bouzereau, Mark Herzog | Stars: Tom Hanks, Robert Rosenthal, Steven Spielberg, James Stewart
Votes: 1,339
6. Tantura (2022)
94 min | Documentary, History
In the war of 1948 hundreds of Palestinian villages were depopulated. Israelis call it 'The War of Independence. Palestinians call it 'Nakba"'. The film examines one village- Tantura and why "Nakba" is taboo in Israeli society.
Director: Alon Schwarz | Stars: Avigdor Feldman, Yoav Gelber, Teddy Katz, Ilan Pappe
Votes: 1,284
7. They Shall Not Grow Old (II) (2018)
R | 99 min | Documentary, History, War
A documentary about World War I with never-before-seen footage to commemorate the centennial of the end of the war.
Director: Peter Jackson | Stars: Thomas Adlam, William Argent, John Ashby, Attwood
Votes: 38,535 | Gross: $17.96M
8. The Civil War (1990)
TV-14 | 76 min | Documentary, History, War
A comprehensive survey of the American Civil War.
Stars: David McCullough, Sam Waterston, Julie Harris, Jason Robards
Votes: 18,624
9. Prehistoric Planet (2022–2023)
TV-PG | 203 min | Documentary, Animation, History
Travel back 66 million years to when majestic dinosaurs and extraordinary creatures roamed the lands, seas, and skies.
Star: David Attenborough
Votes: 10,725
10. Triumph of the Will (1935)
Not Rated | 110 min | Documentary, History
The infamous propaganda film of the 1934 Nazi Party rally in Nuremberg, Germany.
Director: Leni Riefenstahl | Stars: Adolf Hitler, Hermann Göring, Max Amann, Martin Bormann
Votes: 18,361
11. American Experience (1987– )
TV-PG | 120 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A series showcasing documentaries on American history.
Stars: David McCullough, David Ogden Stiers, Michael Murphy, Oliver Platt
Votes: 2,212
12. Benjamin Franklin (2022)
225 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Exploring the life and work of writer and publisher, scientist and inventor, diplomat and signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution: Benjamin Franklin.
Stars: Peter Coyote, Mandy Patinkin, Josh Lucas, Liam Neeson
Votes: 1,182
13. X-Rated: The Greatest Adult Movies of All Time (2015 TV Movie)
TV-MA | 95 min | Documentary
A look at a plethora of pornographic films ranging from the 1970s to the 2010s and a commentary about their lasting impacts on the adult industry and the world.
Director: Bryn Pryor | Stars: Chanel Preston, Nina Hartley, Raylin Joy, Herschel Savage
Votes: 823
14. Apocalypse: The Second World War (2009)
TV-MA | 60 min | Documentary, History, War
This six-part series traces the Second World War, from the rise of the Nazis to the surrender of the Japanese, with detailed portraits of key figures.
Stars: Mathieu Kassovitz, Martin Sheen, Rudolf Hess
Votes: 14,339
15. Shoah (1985)
Not Rated | 566 min | Documentary, History, War
Claude Lanzmann's epic documentary recounts the story of the Holocaust through interviews with witnesses - perpetrators as well as survivors.
Director: Claude Lanzmann | Stars: Simon Srebnik, Michael Podchlebnik, Motke Zaïdl, Hanna Zaïdl
Votes: 10,587 | Gross: $0.02M
16. Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan (2021– )
TV-MA | 44 min | Documentary, Action, Adventure
An exploration of the warring kingdoms of feudal Japan when several powerful warlords fought to become absolute ruler.
Stars: Hiro Kanagawa, Hayate Masao, Stephen Turnbull, Akiem Ra-Zhì
Votes: 5,193
17. Waltz with Bashir (2008)
R | 90 min | Documentary, Animation, Biography
An Israeli film director interviews fellow veterans of the 1982 invasion of Lebanon to reconstruct his own memories of his term of service in that conflict.
Director: Ari Folman | Stars: Ari Folman, Ron Ben-Yishai, Ronny Dayag, Ori Sivan
Votes: 60,488 | Gross: $2.28M
18. The Last Czars (2019)
TV-MA | 45 min | Documentary, Drama, History
A Chronicled look at the fall of the Romanov dynasty in Russia.
Stars: Robert Jack, Susanna Herbert, Ben Cartwright, Oliver Dimsdale
Votes: 9,704
19. Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror (2021)
TV-14 | 52 min | Documentary, History, War
This unflinching series documents the 9/11 terrorist attacks, from Al Qaeda's roots in the 1980s to America's forceful response, both at home and abroad.
Stars: Mark Fallon, James LaPorta, Michel Paradis
Votes: 11,372
20. The Lost Pirate Kingdom (2021– )
TV-MA | 43 min | Documentary, Adventure, Drama
The real-life pirates of the Caribbean violently plunder, stealing and form a surprisingly egalitarian republic in this documentary series.
Stars: Derek Jacobi, James Oliver Wheatley, Sam Callis, Tom Padley
Votes: 3,465
21. 13th (2016)
TV-MA | 100 min | Documentary, Crime, History
An in-depth look at the prison system in the United States and how it reveals the nation's history of racial inequality.
Director: Ava DuVernay | Stars: Melina Abdullah, Michelle Alexander, Cory Booker, Dolores Canales
Votes: 37,729
22. Bad Faith (2024)
89 min | Documentary
Exposes how Christian Nationalism has become the most powerful anti-democratic force in America. Leaders join forces to defend our country from this march to fascism, but American citizens seem unaware of the threat.
Directors: Stephen Ujlaki, Christopher Jacob Jones | Stars: Steve Schmidt, William J. Barber II, Randall Balmer, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
Votes: 74
23. Hitler's Circle of Evil (2018)
TV-14 | 52 min | Documentary, Biography, History
This is the story of the rise and fall of the Third Reich told like the drama it really was: through the personal relationships of the movers and shakers of the Nazi Party.
Stars: Guy Walters, Alisdair Simpson, Jay Osborne, Michael Lynch
Votes: 5,079
24. Apollo 11 (I) (2019)
G | 93 min | Documentary, History
A look at the Apollo 11 mission to land on the moon led by commander Neil Armstrong and pilots Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins.
Director: Todd Douglas Miller | Stars: Neil Armstrong, Mike Collins, Buzz Aldrin, Deke Slayton
Votes: 27,268 | Gross: $9.04M
25. I Am Not Your Negro (2016)
PG-13 | 93 min | Documentary, History
Writer James Baldwin tells the story of race in modern America with his unfinished novel, Remember This House.
Director: Raoul Peck | Stars: Samuel L. Jackson, James Baldwin, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X
Votes: 23,552 | Gross: $7.12M
26. Modern Marvels (1993– )
TV-PG | 60 min | Documentary, History
Fast-paced, fun and informative, Modern Marvels is The History Channel's signature series focusing on historical technology.
Stars: Lloyd Sherr, Harlan Saperstein, Adam Richman, William Atwater
Votes: 2,171
27. Greatest Events of WWII in Colour (2019)
50 min | Documentary, History, War
A series of colorized archive footage of important events during World War II.
Stars: Derek Jacobi, Geoffrey Wawro, James Holland, Saul David
Votes: 10,791
28. The U.S. and the Holocaust (2022)
TV-14 | 398 min | Documentary, History
Explores America's response to the Holocaust, and how it challenged the ideals of democracy.
Stars: Peter Coyote, Daniel Mendelsohn, Peter Hayes, Deborah Lipstadt
Votes: 1,601
29. The Men Who Built America (2012)
TV-14 | 37 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Carnegie, Astor, Ford and Morgan. Their names are part of history and synonymous with the American dream. These men transformed every industry they touched: oil, rail, steel, shipping, automobiles, and finance.
Stars: Campbell Scott, H.W. Brands, Mark Cuban, Donny Deutsch
Votes: 4,595
30. Ennio (2021)
156 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A documentary on the legendary film composer Ennio Morricone.
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore | Stars: Ennio Morricone, Silvano Agosti, Alessandro Alessandroni, Dario Argento
Votes: 5,579
31. Forbidden History (2013– )
Documentary, History
Jamie Theakston attempts to uncover the truth about historical mysteries, ancient relics, hidden treasures, conspiracy theories and lost civilizations. Have these stories been omitted from the history books?
Stars: Jamie Theakston, Andrew Gough, Lynn Picknett, Dominic Selwood
Votes: 338
32. Rise of the Nazis (2019–2023)
60 min | Documentary, History
Powerful and resonant series that looks at how Hitler and the Nazis seized power in Germany and ushered in the death of democracy.
Stars: Richard John Evans, Kate Fleetwood, Richard Overy, Heike B. Görtemaker
Votes: 1,178
33. The Untold History of the United States (2012–2013)
TV-MA | 58 min | Documentary, History, War
Oliver Stone 's re-examination of under-reported events in American history.
Stars: Oliver Stone, Alan Shearman, Jim Ward, André Sogliuzzo
Votes: 9,724
34. The Planets (2019)
59 min | Documentary
Welcome to the greatest story that's never been told. In a new, ground breaking series we'll be telling the story of the planets as never before.
Stars: Brian Cox, Fran Bagenal, John Grotzinger, Julie Webster
Votes: 3,864
35. World War II in Colour (2009)
TV-MA | 51 min | Documentary, History, War
Recounts the events of world War II in color.
Stars: Robert Powell, Swaylee Loughnane
Votes: 7,494
36. Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland (2023)
Documentary, History, War
Twenty-five years on from a peace agreement being reached, Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland shares intimate, unheard testimonies from all sides of the conflict.
Votes: 940
37. Walking with Dinosaurs (1999)
TV-14 | 30 min | Documentary, Animation, History
Documentary-style series about the era of the dinosaurs, mixing real locations and CGI.
Stars: Nikolay Drozdov, Kenneth Branagh, Avery Brooks, Craig Sechler
Votes: 6,900
38. Baseball (1994–2010)
TV-PG | 104 min | Documentary, History, Sport
A documentary on the history of the sport with major topics including Afro-American players, player/team owner relations and the resilience of the game.
Stars: Daniel Okrent, George F. Will, John Chancellor, Doris Kearns Goodwin
Votes: 4,755
39. The War (2007)
TV-14 | 124 min | Documentary, History, War
A seven-part series focusing on the many ways in which the Second World War impacted the lives of American families.
Stars: Keith David, Katharine Phillips, Tom Hanks, Paul Fussell
Votes: 5,685
40. Barbarians Rising (2016)
TV-14 | 30 min | Documentary, Action, Drama
Rome. The greatest empire the world has ever known. This docudrama tells the story of Rome through the eyes of the empire's many adversaries who battled to see its destruction.
Stars: Michael Ealy, Barry Strauss, Richard Riddell, Julian Kostov
Votes: 2,254
41. How to Become a Tyrant (2021)
TV-14 | 23 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Ruling with an iron fist requires an aspiring dictator to know the playbook for absolute power, as history's despots prove in this sardonic docuseries.
Stars: Peter Dinklage, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, Waller Newell, Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Votes: 11,412
42. The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years (2016)
Not Rated | 106 min | Documentary, History, Music
A compilation of found footage featuring music, interviews, and stories of The Beatles' 250 concerts from 1963 to 1966.
Director: Ron Howard | Stars: The Beatles, John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney
Votes: 13,849 | Gross: $2.93M
43. Meltdown: Three Mile Island (2022)
TV-14 | 43 min | Documentary, History
Insiders recount the events, controversies and lingering effects of the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania.
Stars: Rick Parks, Nicole Remsburg, Paula Kinney, Joyce Corradi
Votes: 5,434
44. Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes (2022)
96 min | Documentary, History
Newly-discovered archive footage and witness accounts to lay bare the tragedy and heroic efforts made to prevent another explosion.
Director: James Jones | Stars: Lyudmila Ignatenko, Oleksiy Breus, Leonenko Vitaliy, Aleksandr Syrota
Votes: 1,884
45. The Central Park Five (2012)
Not Rated | 119 min | Documentary, Crime, History
A documentary that examines the 1989 case of five black and Latino teenagers who were convicted of raping a white woman in Central Park. After having spent between 6 and 13 years each in prison, a serial rapist confessed to the crime.
Directors: Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, David McMahon | Stars: Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Kharey Wise, Raymond Santana
Votes: 7,943 | Gross: $0.27M
46. Lucy and Desi (2022)
PG | 103 min | Documentary, Biography, Comedy
This film will explore the rise of comedian icon Lucille Ball, her relationship with Desi Arnaz, and how their groundbreaking sitcom I Love Lucy forever changed Hollywood, cementing her legacy long after her death in 1989.
Director: Amy Poehler | Stars: Lucie Arnaz, Bette Midler, Carol Burnett, Laura Laplaca
Votes: 3,031
47. 1 (2013)
Not Rated | 112 min | Documentary, Action, History
Set in the golden era of Grand Prix Racing '1' tells the story of a generation of charismatic drivers who raced on the edge, risking their lives during Formula 1's deadliest period, and the men who stood up and changed the sport forever.
Director: Paul Crowder | Stars: Michael Fassbender, Lewis Hamilton, Niki Lauda, Michael Schumacher
Votes: 4,487
48. Woodstock: Three Days That Defined a Generation (2019)
Not Rated | 106 min | Documentary, History
In August 1969, 500,000 people gathered at a farm in upstate New York. What happened there was far more than just a concert. Woodstock tells the story of a legendary event that defined a ... See full summary »
Directors: Barak Goodman, Jamila Ephron | Stars: John Roberts, Joel Rosenman, Joel Makower, Bob Spitz
Votes: 1,968 | Gross: $0.08M
49. Civilisation (1969–1970)
TV-G | 698 min | Documentary, History, Music
Sir Kenneth Clarke walks through the ages exploring the glorious rise of civilization in Western man.
Stars: Kenneth Clark, Ian Richardson, Ronald Lacey, Patrick Stewart
Votes: 1,077
50. Auschwitz: Inside the Nazi State (2005)
48 min | Documentary, History, War
The history of the Final Solution phase of the Nazi Holocaust, particularly with the most infamous of the death camps.
Stars: Linda Hunt, Samuel West, Gert Heidenreich, Horst Günter Marx
Votes: 4,658