15 best documentaries to delight or scare

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Beautiful nature filming, crime investigation, science projects and immersion in history.

15. Don’t F ** k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer

• UK, USA, 2019.
• Documentary, detective, crime.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

A creepy real story that emotional people should watch with great care. Once an unknown man posted a video of the killing of kittens on the Internet. Several people who did not know each other on the Internet decided to find out the culprit themselves. But soon things took a more dire turn.

The story of three episodes is built on the principle of a real detective story: the plot does not initially focus on the criminal. And at the same time, the series shows how overly active people can unfairly blame the first person they come across without understanding the details.

14. Night on Earth

• UK, 2020.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

A stunningly beautiful series from British studio Plimsoll Productions explores the life of animals that are active at night. The project makes it possible to observe the hunting of lions and bats, and even dive into the night ocean.

For filming, we used modern cameras that work well in low light conditions. And this made it possible to show incredible night scenes, which previously only dreamed of. The voiceover was read by actress Samira Wiley (Orange Is the New Black).

13. Shock and Awe: The History of Electricity

• UK, 2011.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 4.

Today it is impossible to imagine our life without electricity. It not only provides light in homes, but also provides communication around the world. However, this was not always the case. The BBC project tells how humanity began to use electricity.

The series consists of only three episodes. The first is dedicated to the pioneers of electricity. The second is the era of inventions. Well, in the finale, the action reaches our days.

12. Formula 1: Drive to survive

• UK, 2020 - present.
• Documentary, sports.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

The unique project gives fans the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the world of Formula 1. The series allows you to follow the fight for the championship title, as well as learn more about the life of the drivers and the work of the teams.

The first season is dedicated to the 2018 championship. In the second, the plot tells about the competition of 2019. Moreover, in the continuation, permission to shoot was given by the teams Ferrari and Mercedes, who had previously refused to participate in the series.

11. Creating a killer

• USA, 2015 - present.
• Documentary, crime.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

Stephen Avery was arrested on suspicion of rape. Despite the fact that the testimony of witnesses did not agree, he was imprisoned for 18 years. Once freed, Avery filed a lawsuit against the district leadership and several officials. But the man was soon arrested on murder charges.

The crime series is dedicated to the struggle of a person with the system. The consequences of the wrongful accusation turned out to be tragic: the actions of the authorities turned an ordinary citizen into a criminal.

10. Discovery: Through Space and Time with Morgan Freeman

• USA, 2010-2017.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 8 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

In the legendary Discovery Channel series, the presenter tries to answer many questions related to the origin of man, the secrets of space, and even the likelihood of aliens.

Through Space and Time is one of the most comprehensive documentary series. In it, even fantastic and philosophical questions are analyzed from a scientific point of view, inviting various experts. And the legendary actor Morgan Freeman brings together all the ideas and presents them in a simple and understandable language.

9. Secrets of the billionaire

• USA, 2015.
• Documentary, crime.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 7.

HBO is investigating a case involving billionaire Robert Durst. He was accused of a series of murders, and the defendant even confessed to one of them, but convinced everyone that he was only on the defensive. The authors of this mini-series have found new evidence related to the case.

In this project there is also an exclusive interview with Durst, which he agreed to give, not yet knowing about the revealing materials.

8.30 events in 30 years

• USA, 2009 - present.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

Back in 2009, the cable channel ESPN launched a series of films dedicated to turning events in the world of sports. Each season contains 30 episodes covering important moments in the history of boxing, football, hockey and other popular competitions.

The project has long turned into a huge franchise. In addition to the main episodes, there are also short films, podcasts and specials.

7. Unknown planet Earth

• USA, 2018 - present.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

The series, originally ironically titled "One Strange Stone", is dedicated to the secrets of our planet. The authors talk about unexplored corners of the Earth and the most unusual phenomena.

The project was produced by renowned director Darren Aronofsky. The main text is read by Will Smith. But in addition, the authors invited to tell about the Earth those few who saw it from afar - astronauts.

6. BBC: Blue Planet

• UK, 2001.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 9, 0.

The ocean covers approximately two-thirds of the Earth's surface. But to this day, a lot of the unknown and even mysterious remains in it. The BBC project "Blue Planet" introduces people to the inhabitants of the ocean depths and the unusual phenomena that occur under water.

The eight-episode series has won several Emmy and BAFTA awards. And in 2017, the second part of a large-scale ocean study, entitled "Blue Planet - 2", was released.

5. Invisible plant life

• UK, 1995.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 9, 0.

A lot of documentaries and TV series are filmed about animals. But plant life can be just as exciting. Flowers and trees have to constantly fight for their lives, facing a huge number of difficulties.

From this show, you can learn that plants can travel (for example, with the wind or animals), crawl or even explode.

4. Peace at war

• Great Britain, 1973-1974.
• Documentary, military, historical.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 9, 2.

The only project in the collection, filmed back in the 70s. This is a large-scale study of the Second World War, which includes many interviews with eyewitnesses and participants in the events. ITV invested a lot of money in the series, including color shots, which were rare for that time.

The authors even managed to interview Himmler's adjutant Karl Wolff, who confirmed that he had witnessed large-scale killings.

3. Space: Space and time

• USA, 2014.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 9, 3.

Scientist Neil DeGrasse Tyson "travels" through space and time, telling viewers about scientific discoveries, space, the secrets of the past and the probable future.

This series is based on the 1980 project Space: A Personal Journey, hosted by Carl Sagan. But over the years, science has gone far ahead, and the possibilities of television have greatly expanded. The series has a sequel called Space: Possible Worlds.

2. Our planet

• USA, UK, 2019.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 9, 3.

For four years, a huge film crew of 600 people filmed animals in different parts of the world. The result was an incredibly beautiful eight-part project about the fauna of our planet and the influence of man on nature.

This series was worked on by the same team that created "Blue Planet" and, most importantly, the famous "Planet Earth", which deservedly takes first place on the list.

1. BBC: Planet Earth

• UK, 2006.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 9, 4.

The great BBC project once changed the way documentaries were shot. A record 16 million pounds sterling was invested in it and for the first time such a series was shot in HD. The work went on for over four years.

11 episodes tell about completely different animals living at the North Pole, in the mountains, under water or in deserts. And the history of each of them is amazing in its own way.