Documentaries

Many documentaries create the appearance of being objective, but they rarely are.  Nowadays, most documentaries have a point of view or something they are trying to persuade their audience to do, think, or change.

Being able to decern between objective reporting, and subjective arguments is a crucial skill to hone as you develop your opinions, beliefs, and understanding of the world around you. Pay attention to how filmmakers use visual rhetoric to make their arguments more persuasive. 

🔥 Social & Political Issues

1. 13th (2016, Ava DuVernay)
   Topic: Mass incarceration and racial injustice in the U.S.
   Bias: Progressive, anti-systemic racism
   Streaming: Netflix
   
   

2. The Hunting Ground (2015)
   Topic: Sexual assault on college campuses
   Bias: Survivor advocacy, institutional critique
   Streaming: Netflix
   
   

3. Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004, Michael Moore)
   Topic: Critique of the Bush administration and war in Iraq
   Bias: Left-leaning, anti-war
   Streaming: Peacock
   
   

4. What Is a Woman? (2022, Matt Walsh)
   Topic: Gender identity debates
   Bias: Conservative, traditionalist perspective
   Streaming: DailyWire+
   
   

🌱 Environmental & Animal Rights

6. An Inconvenient Truth (2006, Al Gore)
   Topic: Global warming and climate policy
   Bias: Pro-climate action, scientific consensus
   Streaming: Netflix
   
   

7. Seaspiracy (2021)
   Topic: Impact of commercial fishing
   Bias: Pro-environment, anti-industry
   Streaming: Netflix
   
   

8. Cowspiracy (2014)
   Topic: Environmental harm of animal agriculture
   Bias: Pro-vegan, critical of mainstream environmental groups
   Streaming: Netflix
   
   

9. The Biggest Little Farm (2018)
   Topic: Regenerative farming as a sustainable alternative
   Bias: Optimistic, pro-organic agriculture
   Streaming: Netflix
   
   

🍔 Health & Food Industry

10. Super Size Me (2004, Morgan Spurlock)
    Topic: Fast food and its health consequences
    Bias: Anti-corporate, pro-health awareness
    Streaming: Netflix
    
    

11. What the Health (2017)
    Topic: Meat and dairy industries’ impact on health
    Bias: Strongly pro-vegan, controversial claims
    Streaming: Netflix
    
    

12. Fed Up (2014)
    Topic: Sugar consumption and childhood obesity
    Bias: Critical of government/corporate ties
    Streaming: Apple TV
    
    

🧠 Media & Technology

13. The Social Dilemma (2020)
    Topic: Dangers of social media addiction and manipulation
    Bias: Anti-tech industry, former insiders speaking out
    Streaming: Netflix
    
    

14. Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media (1992)
    Topic: Media control and propaganda
    Bias: Leftist, anti-corporate media
    Streaming: Kanopy
    
    

15. Page One: Inside the New York Times (2011)
    Topic: Journalism and survival of print media
    Bias: Pro-press freedom, mixed perspectives
    Streaming: Netflix
    
    

🏛️ Education & Economy

16. Waiting for “Superman” (2010)
    Topic: Education reform and charter schools
    Bias: Pro-charter, critical of teachers' unions
    Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
    
    

17. The Cartel (2009)
    Topic: Corruption in public education (New Jersey focus)
    Bias: Libertarian, pro-school choice
    Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
    
    

18. Inside Job (2010)
    Topic: 2008 financial crisis
    Bias: Anti-Wall Street, systemic critique
    Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
    
    

🧩 Miscellaneous & Human Stories

19. He Named Me Malala (2015)
    Topic: Advocacy for girls’ education
    Bias: Inspirational, global education focus
    Streaming: Disney+
    
    

20. Jesus Camp (2006)
    Topic: Evangelical Christian youth culture
    Bias: Observational but controversial; critical tones emerge
    Streaming: Amazon Prime Video