The best documentaries of 2025
The top 3 according to 18 votes from people: Cover-Up · Predators · Mr. Scorsese. (Updated Aug 4, 2026.)
The non-fiction films critics loved most in 2025 (Variety, Rolling Stone, RogerEbert.com, Deadline).
Top 10
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1
Cover-Up
Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus on investigative reporter Seymour Hersh.
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2
Predators
A hard look at the TV show To Catch a Predator.
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3
Mr. Scorsese
Rebecca Miller's five-hour portrait of Martin Scorsese.
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4
My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow
Julia Loktev follows independent female journalists in Putin's Russia.
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5
The Perfect Neighbor
A fatal neighbourhood dispute rebuilt only from doorbell cameras, police bodycams and 911 calls. Sundance directing award.
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6
Come See Me in the Good Light
A poet facing terminal cancer, one of the year's most moving films.
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7
Stringer
Who really took the «Napalm Girl» photo? An investigation.
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8
Endless Cookie
An animated documentary by two half-brothers, full of humour.
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9
Coexistence, My Ass!
An Israeli comedian's activism on stage and off.
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10
The Tale of Silyan
A Macedonian farmer and a stork, a festival favourite.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
Is something missing?
Comments (2)
Mr. Scorsese is five hours and I wanted more.
The Perfect Neighbor is the most disturbing thing I watched all year, all from real footage.