What Documentary Shows and Movies to watch on Plex
Find what to watch on Plex including the latest releases. Filter by movies, TV shows, release years, genres and more.
Worst to First
WORST TO FIRST is a feature-length documentary that portrays the against-all-odds inspirational story of the launch of the iconic and most successful radio station in history, New York City's Z100.

- 2022
Surviving Sandy Hook
This documentary follows three Newtown families as they rebuild their lives after 12/14. Over a year, we follow families of victims, and survivors. Some are taking the lead in community healing, others advocate for a change in gun laws, all are seeking healing. In their journey, some venture out of their 'safe' suburban community with new eyes:- engaging with black urban America; youth from all walks of life coming together to make change; gun proponents; prisoners incarcerated for violent crimes. This film shows the audience how even amidst such a horrific event, people find a way to survive, and brings a unique perspective to the ongoing gun debate. A film about grief, hope, love and guns.

- 2015
Stronger by Stress
When conventional medicine is struggling to keep up with ever increasing stress levels in populations biohackers show us their holistic approach to life which not only increases their resilience against the stress, but also helps them to perform on higher level.

- 2022
IT'S VUCA: The Secret to Living in the 21st Century
We are living in an age of exponentially, accelerating compounding change that bombards us everyday with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity, fear, anxiety and distrust. And there is a name for it: "IT'S VUCA". But, VUCA is not just the problem, it is also the solution. This film is a journey to discover the answers to "what you are going through" and to help you overcome the overwhelm and thrive in VUCA - TODAY and TOMORROW. Featuring some of the world's greatest VUCA experts: Generals, elite Navy SEALs, Delta force commanders, Blue Angels pilots, 10x NY Times best-selling authors, leadership gurus, business professionals, world-renowned futurists, Think Tank wizards, neuroscientists, cognitive therapists, philosophers, high-level thought leaders, and other VUCA masters. You'll learn that you can FLIP THE SCRIPT on VUCA to attain vision, understanding, clarity, adaptability, anti-fragile resilience, and courage to achieve your greatest dreams and untold abundance.

- 2022
When the Bands Stopped Playing
When the Bands Stopped Playing is a bit of a time capsule that gives viewers a detailed glimpse inside of this shattered and shuttered industry through the eyes of its' hardest workers. Famous artists, indie artists on the rise, plus rock and dance acts working the club circuit have all lent their voices to this special project. We also believed it was crucial to hear from the perspective of the president of one of the most successful venues in the U.S.as his story speaks for every other venue that was shuttered for the better part of a year. Every voice was crucial to the telling of this story and in our eyes, they also share an equal amount of importance. They speak openly about the financial hardship, deep depression of losing something that they love so much (even temporarily), and the things that they are doing to help keep their own positivity and hope alive.

- 2021
The Real Taylor Swift: Wild Dreams
Music was a mission in this case. A family affair it certainly was long before the "Swiftie" fan club took root. So Taylor Alison Swift's saga would unfold with her dream-come-true move from a Christmas tree farm in Reading, Pennsylvania to Nashville, Tennessee in 2004. Her parents' careers in stocks, bonds and mutual funds had no interest for this child prodigy. It was her opera singer grandmother, Marjorie Finlay, who inspired Taylor to make music. 200 million albums would eventually follow. There were lessons, auditions and song writing sessions along the way, even a brief stint as a musical model for Abercrombie and Fitch. By age fourteen Taylor left RCA for the independent Big Machine Records where she became the opening act for Rascal Flats. It was 2018 when a 13 year relationship ended bitterly in court. Meanwhile nine albums and five concert tours have been rewarded with 11 Grammy Awards. 12 Country Music, 11 MTV and 25 Billboard Awards. Swift plays four musical instruments including piano, banjo, guitar and ukulele. She is credited with writing 179 songs, 21 that describe old boyfriends. Seven #1 hit singles like "Shake It Off", "Blank Space", "Bad Blood" and "I Knew You Were Trouble" reveal secrets from the past. Be it pop, country or rock, the music traces a life story filled with love and loss, all Taylor-made.

- 2021
Plan Colombia: Cashing in on the Drug War Failure
Directed by Gerard Ungerman, Plan Colombia: Cashing in on the Drug War Failure documents what many believe to be dangerous hypocrisy on the part of the American government. The film gives particular attention to the reasons behind the drug trade (Colombia is the world's biggest cocaine exporter), which include illegal trade funded by radicals, the corrupt government, and the simple fact that most farmers harvest coca because they can't survive on the profits of legitimate food crops. Ungerman also explores the link to America's notorious School of the Americas in Georgia and how targeted aerial fumigation has destroyed perfectly legal natural resources in the mission to eradicate drug crops. The film concludes that the U.S. military-industrial complex is cashing in on the violence they themselves perpetrate, while doing little to actually stem cocaine production.

- 2003
Brothers
Thinly disguised account of the relationship between radical black activist Angela Davis and Black Panther and prison inmate George Jackson, who was killed in a failed 1971 prison breakout.

- 1977
American Empire
Two men join forces to build a cattle empire, battle rustlers, bad weather and each other.

- 1942
Her Name Is Sabine
Actress Sandrine Bonnaire makes a moving directorial debut in this thoughtful documentary about her younger sister, Sabine, whose autism-related behavioural difficulties went undiagnosed for the better part of three decades. Winner of the Fipresci award at Cannes 2007, this is a powerful statement about the limits of love in the face of chronic debilitating illness.

- 2007
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
Henry is a troubled drifter; a man aimlessly migrating from place to place committing a brutal series of murders one after another. His random pattern of behaviour allows him to act with relative impunity, frustrating any attempts law enforcement might make to connect his numerous crimes and bring him to justice.

- Metascore80
- 1986
The Wild Horse Redemption
At a prison in the high desert foothills of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, hard-core criminals are given 90 days to tame wild mustang horses. Most of the inmates who volunteer for the program have never trained a horse before, or even ridden one.

- 2007
Pay or Die
Nearly 2 million Americans are held ransom, facing death without insulin. PAY OR DIE portrays families receiving these notes, unveiling life's harsh truth with chronic illness in the world's wealthiest nation.

- Metascore75
- 2022
The True Story of Jesse James
The last 18 years in the life of Jesse James, showing his home life in Missouri, his experiences with Quantrill's raiders, his career of banditry with his brother Frank and the Younger brothers, and his attempt to lead a peaceful life after the disastrous attempt to rob the bank at Northfield, Minnesota.

- 1957
Beautiful Darling
Candy Darling was a fixture in the New York Off-Broadway scene in the 60s, in Warhol films such as Women in Revolt and Flesh, and became a prominent personality in Warhol's circles, influencing such noted contemporary artists as Madonna, David Bowie and Lou Reed. This documentary will use a series of interviews, archival footage, and images from Candy's home in Massapequa, NY. Archival footage includes rare 25 year old interviews conducted by Jeremiah Newton with members of Warhol's Factory and Tennessee Williams. The film features interviews with colleagues, contemporaries and friends of Candy, including John Waters, Peter Beard, Holly Woodlawn, Bob Colacello, Geraldine Smith, Pat Hackett and Ron Delsener.

- Metascore69
- 2010
Monsieur Vincent
An Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film, MONSIEUR VINCENT chronicles the remarkable journey of St. Vincent De Paul (PIERRE FRESNAY) who rose from slavery to become a trusted advisor to queens and princes. Director Maurice Cloche's powerful and dramatic biopic reveals how St. Vincent De Paul's unwavering commitment to the poor made him one of the greatest humanitarians in history.

- 1947
Girl 27
The reclusive Patricia Douglas comes out of hiding to discuss the 1937 MGM scandal, in which the powerful film studio tricked her and over 100 other underage girls into attending a stag party, where she was raped.

- 2007
How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It)
Feature-length documentary on renegade filmmaker, novelist, musician and theater impresario, Melvin Van Peebles.

- Metascore70
- 2005
Gunnin' for That #1 Spot
In September, 2006, the top 24 high school basketball players in the nation stepped out on this same court that once saw the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Dr. J to compete in the first annual 'Elite 24' all-star game. GUNNIN' follows eight of these players as they prepare to showcase their skills at the most legendary playground in the world. The film trails these players on the fast track to the NBA, as they are being groomed to be in the spotlight of a multi-million dollar game.

- Metascore59
- 2008
Samurai: Behind the Blade
Explore the grim truth concerning the high price of honor in this documentary exploring the code of the ancient samurai. Drawing on sources from science, literature and history, this look at the complex lives of these elite warriors explores not only their personal thoughts and grim obsession with death, but their remarkable mastery of the fine arts, as well.

- 2008
Mark of the Devil
Udo Kier is a witch hunter apprentice to Herbert Lom. Udo believes strongly in his mentor and in the ways of the church but loses faith when he catches Lom strangle a man to death for calling him impotent. Kier begins to see for himself that the witch trials are nothing but a scam of the church to seduce women, rob people of their land, money, and other personal belongings.

- 1970
The Decline of Western Civilization Part III
A film about homeless youth carrying a strong anti-system and anti-social message. Spheeris interviews groups of 'gutter punks' and street punks living on the streets and in abandoned buildings in Los Angeles-people seeking freedom but trapped by alcohol and drugs. The film also features rare footage and interviews with the bands Final Conflict, Litmus Green, Naked Aggression, and The Resistance.

- Metascore77
- 1998
Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story
Documentary film based on the life of the late Andrew Wood, Singer/Songwriter for the legendary Seattle based band Mother Love Bone, a band that would later become Pearl Jam.

- 2005
Apollo 13: The Untold Story
They were 200,000 miles from Earth when an explosion crippled their spacecraft, stranding them, perhaps forever. Relive the thrilling true story of the catastrophic flight of Apollo 13 and the crew's heroic battle against the odds in this documentary, through first-hand accounts from the pilots, their families, and Mission Control.
- 1992