What Documentary Movies to watch on Tubi
Find what to watch on Tubi including the latest releases. Filter by movies, TV shows, release years, genres and more.
Padre Padrone
Follows the story of young, barely literate shepherd boy Gavino who lives under the thumb of his tyrannical peasant father. He is ultimately rescued from his family and his isolated lifestyle by a call to military service, eventually emerging as a brilliant linguist and scholar. Based on the book by Gavino Ledda.

- 1977
Enlighten Up!
Film-maker Kate Churchill is determined to prove that yoga can transform anyone. Nick Rosen is skeptical but agrees to be her guinea pig. Kate immerses Nick in yoga, and follows him around the world as he examines the good, the bad and the ugly of yoga. The two encounter celebrity yogis, true believers, kooks and world-renowned gurus. Tensions run high as Nick's transformative progress lags and Kate's plan crumbles. Ultimately, what they find is not what they expected.

- 2008
The World of Vija Vetra
This documentary tells the fascinating story of Vija Vetra, a world-renowned Latvian dancer, choreographer and teacher. At the age of 84, Vetra remains a vital and creative force, and her tale offers inspiration for both artists and lovers of the arts. In a career spanning seven decades, she has mastered diverse styles ranging from ballet to traditional Indian dance, and her talent has won her acclaim as a 'spirit in human form' and 'the bridge between East and West.' Her life is a celebration of the power and beauty of the art of dance, but is also a powerful story of struggle, loneliness and sacrifice. Her creative , positive spirit stands alone against a materialistic world that is constantly changing. Her wise soul, her point of view and criticism towards the modern world push us to think about secret meanings, symbols and the simplicity of life.

- 2008
The Arrested Development Documentary Project
Everything you ever wanted to know and more about what some consider to be the most creative, hilarious, and most subversive show ever to air on television.

- 2013
Nicholas and Alexandra
A fascinating look at the last, tragic Russian monarchs; the kindly, indecisive Czar Nicholas and his reclusive, fear-haunted Czarina.

- Metascore57
- 1971
Gorging
Canyoneering is the sport of descending canyons by means of hiking, climbing, rappelling and swimming. Relatively obscure, the sport was brought to the mainstream in 2003 with the news of Aron Ralston who had severed his own arm while trapped in a canyon. Experiencing an overnight spike in popularity by the late 90s - a result of information appearing on the internet - the sport became inundated with thrill-seekers of all backgrounds and skill levels. Facing a new era of off-the-couch recreationalists, three influential participants, a canyoneering instructor, pioneer, and guidebook author each respond to a growing interest in the incredibly dangerous activity. GORGING employs the story of canyoneering to examine larger questions about the pursuit of thrills and the consequences that follow.

- 2013
The Little House That Could
Emmy-Award winning stylist, Patricia Field, has done a lot more than Sex and the City. She has spent several decades saving lives and giving hope to lost outsiders who society frowned upon--transsexuals, club kids, drag queens, gay teenagers, butch-dykes, people who needed to escape from their hometowns because they were never understood. This is the story of a close-knit unconventional family in New York that has single-handedly changed music and fashion for the world several times over. Toronto filmmaker, Mars Roberge, has spent a decade becoming one with them so that their story could be told. In doing so, he becomes part of their family.

- 2013
The Deserter
The Deserter, shot in the style of a silent comedy from the 1920's, takes place during the American Revolution in the late 1700's. A loyal British drummer, one of the thousands of British soldiers stationed in America, accidentally drops his canteen into a stream while trying to fill it. He, by chasing his floating canteen down the stream, puts into motion a series of events which will won't stop until he is dead. For a British officer sees him chasing his canteen and mistakes it for his trying to desert the British army by running away into the woods. The officer quickly orders two of the dumbest soldiers after him. The drummer, after catching up with his canteen gets lost in the woods and can't find his way back to the British encampment. When the two British redcoats catch up with the "deserting" drummer, things go from bad to worse for him, when he finally realizes he is being hunted down for execution. His accidentally killing one of these soldiers doesn't help his case either. The drummer briefly escapes... right into the hands of the Americans! In the meantime, the British forces, back at the encampment, march off to meet the American forces for a grand battle, which will rage for hours. And which all the soldiers hunting down the drummer will conveniently miss. The story doesn't end until the officer and his small band of men sees the deserter hanged, but is that really the end of the story?
- 2003
Adjust Your Tracking
Over 100 collectors, filmmakers, producers, and video store owners express how VHS changed their lives. Some see VHS as worthless plastic, but Adjust Your Tracking shows a vibrant world of collectors and movie fans who are keeping the format, and the movies, alive. Travel back to the days of video rental stores with those who still buy, sell, rent and trade the format that will not die - VHS.

- 2013
The United States of Autism
The United States of Autism weaves the tale of a broad spectrum of American life in all its faiths, disparities, colors, and cultures – and the story of one man’s 40-day, 11,000 mile journey across America to find answers for his family and son.

- 2013
High: The True Tale of American Marijuana
Beyond the hysteria of Reefer Madness and past the deceptive lessons of "Just Say No", HIGH exposes the true story of America's war on drugs. Using government statistics, expert interviews and a large dose of humor, HIGH takes a fresh look at this hot button issue and asks just how much this "war" costs Americans in money, stress, and even lives. There's a violent drug treatment program that tortured children; an overbearing drug czar that doesn't care for the people he hurts in his quest; patients who are being denied the medications they need; doctors being prosecuted for trying to help them; and a substance that we all know of, but nobody wants to talk about.

- 2008
The Fall of Berlin
Over 40 Army cameramen from the 1st Belorussian and the 1st Ukrainian Fronts contributed footage of this remarkable documentary of the fall of Berlin, including captured German footage.

- 1945
Koyaanisqatsi
This experimental film looks at the world and more specifically the effect that humankind has had on the landscape and the environment. Without narration or story, the film shows the world in a pristine condition and untouched: blue skies, beautiful landscapes, and endless vistas. The human-made world is much less appealing. Essentially a montage using a variety of film techniques to provide a visually stunning variety of images.

- Metascore72
- 1982
The Royal Hunt of the Sun
The Spanish explorer Pizarro captures the Inca god-chief Atahualpa and promises to free him upon the delivery of a hoard of gold. But Pizarro finds himself torn between his desire for conquest and his sense of honor after friendship and respect develops between captive and captor.

- 1969
USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage
The harrowing true story of the crew of the USS Indianapolis, who were stranded in the Philippine Sea for five days after delivering the atomic weapons that would eventually end WWII. As they awaited rescue, they endured extreme thirst, hunger, and relentless shark attacks.

- Metascore30
- 2016
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
A few decades after the destruction of the Inca empire, a Spanish expedition leaves the mountains of Peru and goes down the Amazon river in search of gold and wealth. Soon, they come across great difficulties and don Lope de Aguirre, a ruthless man who cares only about riches, becomes their leader. But will his quest lead them to "the golden city", or to certain destruction?

- 1972
Comfort Girls
In this disturbing, satirical K-pop music video, a new idol band of four sisters called the Comfort Girls, encouraged by their parents, undergo dramatic surgical transformations and are subjugated by a historical cast of male imperialists, all while singing and dancing to a modern, infectious Korean pop song.
- 2014
Just About Famous
JUST ABOUT FAMOUS shines a spotlight on the often overlooked side of celebrity: the lookalikes.

- 2015
Von Richthofen and Brown
Germany's greatest pilot, Baron von Richthofen, is killed in midair by a Canadian, marking the end of a war in which officers were gentlemen and glory and honor reigned.

- 1971
3 Hikers
'The Three Hikers' tells the story of three Americans (Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal) who went hiking in Northern Iraqi Kurdistan in July 2009, and were captured and held as political hostages by the Iranian Government for more than two years. Set against the backdrop of the complex geopolitical stalemate between the United States and Iran and the emergence of their crisis as an international news story, the documentary chronicles Sarah, Shane, and Josh's time in prison while also telling the the very personal story of three families and their unyielding efforts to get their loved ones home.

- 2015
Priest of Love
In his first starring role, Sir Ian McKellen gives a sensational performance as D.H. Lawrence, working alongside Hollywood legend Ava Gardner and director Christopher Miles. PRIEST OF LOVE provides a beautifully shot portrait of one of the great artists of the 20th century.

- 1981
The Passion of Joan of Arc
Giovanna is taken to the Inquisition court and continues to pray in ecstasy after she's accused of blasphemy. A friar thinks that she's a saint but the solders take him away. Giovanna sees a cross in the shadow and feels comforted. She is not considered a daughter of God but a daughter of the devil and is sentenced to torture. Giovanna D 'Arco says that even if she dies she will not deny anything. The eyes are twisted by terror in front of the torture wheel and she faints and is taken to a bed, where she bleeds. When she feels that she is about to die, she asks to be buried in a consecrated area. While devoted ladies cry, Giovanna burns at the stake.

- Metascore98
- 1928
The Return of Martin Guerre
During the middle of the 16th century, Martin Guerre returns to his village in southwestern France, after being away in the war for almost a decade. The villagers who knew him as a young man suspect he is not Martin, but he seems to know all about his friends, his family and his wife, even the most unusual things. Is this man really Martin Guerre?

- 1982
The 99%
This film documents the breadth and depth of Occupy Wall Street and how it quickly grew from a small park in lower Manhattan to an international movement. From a 22 years old business administration graduate Occupier to a 92 years old grandmother, the film explores why people from diverse age, ethnic and financial backgrounds support the movement. The economist Jeffrey Sachs connects the dots between issues that the movement brings to light and how they can be addressed through fair taxation and a reallocation of resources for a more just and sustainable future. Russell Simmons highlights the necessity of removing private money from politics in order to reduce the corporate influence of the legislative process that has undermined democracy.

- 2013