Run Time: 1 hr 58 min | Director: Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson

The Oscar-winning documentary tells the untold story of the 1969 Harlem Culture Festival, a six-week celebration of Black culture, music, and fashion. During the same summer as Woodstock, the Harlem Culture Festival featured legendary performances from Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, and Gladys Knight & the Pips, just to name a few. Despite its popularity at the time, the documentary explores why the historic festival faded into pop culture obscurity. Part music film and part historical record, Summer of Soul revives the once lost festival for a new generation and stands as a testament to the power of great music in the midst of a tumultuous time in American history, past and present. — Meredith Loftus

Run Time: 1 hr 22 min | Director: Park Jun-soo, Kim Jun-hyung

Cast: TXT, Choi Yeonjun, Soo-bin Choi

Tomorrow x Together: Our Lost Summer documents the very first world tour of the popular Korean boy band Tomorrow x Together, a.k.a TxT. It’s a peek behind the curtain at their preparations and the grueling dance and performance practices they endure in order to put on the best show they can for their dedicated fans. The film features many intimate moments backstage and in between performances when the boys reflect on the way the world tour affects them and how much pressure they put on themselves to put on a good show so they can return the love that their fans have shown them over the years.

Run Time: 1 hr 26 min | Director: David Gelb

Cast: Stan Lee

Stan Lee is a fantastic documentary that follows the spectacular life and amazing career of the face of Marvel Comics. Featuring archival interviews from the man himself and behind-the-scenes footage of Lee throughout the creation of the multimedia empire that Marvel has become since the inception of the brand in the late 1930s, director David Gelb manages to capture the essence of what made Lee such a force in the industry. Though the doc could stand to give a little more credit to Lee’s biggest collaborators Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, it is a wonderfully nostalgic journey through the philosophy of one of the most revered and celebrated creatives in comics. – Tauri Miller

Run Time: 35 min | Director: Cynthia Wade, Sharon Liese

The Flagmakers is a fascinating and insightful exploration of what the American flag means to different people from the perspective of a collection of immigrants and refugees who make them in a factory in Wisconsin. The documentary dives into the lives of these workers, who all had their own version of the American dream when they arrived on our soil, and does an amazing job highlighting the inherent contradictions in the promises associated with American life that often clash with reality. Anyone looking to see the United States through brand-new eyes to examine how the world outside our borders views us should hoist this award-winning short onto their television.

Run Time: 1 hr 25 min | Director: Jun-Soo Park

j-hope in the Box dives into the musical journey of j-hope, a South Korean rapper and member of the global phenomenon BTS. A raw exploration of talent, j-hope in the Box is a documentary sharing the name of the artist’s first official solo album. j-hope in the Box captures the grueling production process, revealing j-hope’s passion and determination to release not only music he’s proud of but also music he created almost entirely on his own. Director Jun-Soo Park exposes the pressure j-hope finds himself under from the industry, the fans, and himself, all leading towards a celebration and performance at Lollapalooza. – Yael Tygiel

Run Time: 1 hr 44 min | Director: John Hoffman, Janet Tobias

Cast: Dr. Anthony Fauci, Bono, Bill Gates, George W. Bush

From National Geographic, Fauci is a documentary film exploring the life of the nation’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci. A revealing and honest portrait of one of the country’s most dedicated public servants, Fauci provides a glimpse into the doctor who has been a leader, researcher, and educator through every epidemic the United States has faced, including AIDS, SARS, Ebola, and COVID-19. Featuring interviews with the man himself, as well as Bono, Bill Gates, and former president George W. Bush, Fauci shares a mildly entertaining overview of the doctor’s career that spanned seven presidents. – Yael Tygiel

Run Time: 40 min

In a deeply moving special from the news program 20/20, Black Panther: In Search of Wakanda allows Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts to explore the history of the comic books, the evolution of the character, and the global impact of the first Black Panther movie. Roberts speaks with director Ryan Coogler about his cinematic masterpieces and how they will honor the late star, Chadwick Boseman. The special also features a sit-down interview between Boseman’s widow, Simone Ledward Boseman, and Whoopi Goldberg. A truly heartfelt investigation that both honors a legacy and looks to the future of the films, Black Panther: In Search of Wakanda is a touching tribute for all fans. – Yael Tygiel

Run Time: 1 hr 19 min | Director: Kevin Connolly

Cast: Kevin Connolly, Wayne Gretzky, Vanessa Jova, John Spano

Not to be mistaken for the Disney+ original series starring John Stamos, Big Shot (30 for 30) is a documentary exploring the devastating scam perpetrated by John Spano, a man claiming to be an entrepreneur from Dallas. The extraordinary scandal at the heart of Big Shot sought to defraud the National Hockey League in the late 1990s, relying on the dreams of the New York Islanders hockey team when their poor performance and disappointing management drove away their once loyal fanbase. Directed and featuring Kevin Connolly (Entourage), Big Shot not only sheds light on the epic scam but also includes the singular interview given by the conman himself regarding the deal. – Yael Tygiel

Run Time: 1 hr 23 min | Director: Amanda Lipitz

Following a group of girls in Baltimore, Step takes place in the world of step – a form of percussive dance popular in African-American culture. The premise is simple: the team wants to achieve its dream of winning a championship and being accepted into college. However, they must overcome many obstacles to get there, and we as the audience are lucky enough to follow their compelling journeys. Step is an empowering and captivating tale, and it’s impossible not to root for its inspiring and ultra-talented subjects. – Taylor Gates

Run Time: 1 hr 30 min | Director: Cristina Costantini, Darren Foster

An engaging and entertaining documentary about a selection of top-tier high school science students, Science Fair explores the fascinating world of academic competition peppered in with adolescent infatuations. Hormones rage in this documentary, which follows nine rival students as they grapple for the title of “Best in Fair.” Directed by Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster (Own the Room), who also wrote the documentary with Jeff Plunkett, Science Fair explores how intellect works hand-in-hand with courage and determination, showcased by these remarkable individuals. – Yael Tygiel

Run Time: 1 hr 16 min | Director: Stacey Lee

This documentary follows young singer Olivia Rodrigo as she reflects on her debut album Sour while driving from Salt Lake City, Utah to Los Angeles, California. In driving home 2 u, Rodrigo’s poignant insight is combined with new arrangements of her songs that show how far the singer has come in the year since her song “driver’s license” propelled her into the spotlight. The vulnerability present in her music continues into the documentary – she’s upfront about how challenging it was to follow the success of her first song. But it’s clear that this experience has given Rodrigo valuable insight and closure. Her youthful perspective gives her a wise outlook on life and relationships that is easy to lose track of as we get older. Even if you’re not a Rodrigo superfan, driving home 2 u is the perfect lowkey watch for all ages. - Brynna Arens

Run Time: 7 hr 48 min | Director: Peter Jackson

Just when you think you’ve seen and heard enough about The Beatles, Peter Jackson comes along. In 1970, the documentary of their album Let It Be was released. Jackson obtained all the hours of unaired footage and cut it down into a three-part documentary. The stress amongst the group is clear, but the musical genius pouring out of them effortlessly is what you can’t look away from. It’s a feeling of being in the room with the most famous band that ever lived as they look inside their instruments and produce some of the most recognizable songs in history. Watching Paul McCartney goofing around on a guitar when suddenly he’s written the titular song, "Get Back," is a moment you won’t regret witnessing. And seeing the band as bandmates, goofy pals, husbands, and fathers is just about as intimate as you ever thought you could get with a band that has always seemed so untouchable. By the time the rooftop concert starts at the end, you’ll feel like you’ve been through something with them and be saddened knowing that this will be the last time they perform together. - Jennifer McHugh

Run Time: 1 hr 46 min | Director: Taylor Swift

Join Taylor Swift at the historic Long Pond Studios for a personal concert in the comfort of your home. Directed by Taylor Swift herself, Folklore: The Long Pond Sessions is an intimate look inside her GRAMMY-winning Album of the Year alongside her co-producers, Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner. It includes stripped-down performances of each track from folklore, which are the first in-person performances since recording the album remotely. Plus, Taylor also takes the time to reveal the creation and intended meaning behind each track. This documentary is not just for Taylor Swift fans but every music lover who wants to know more about the creative process of one of the best songwriters in the industry today. — Meredith Loftus

Run Time: 1 hr 28 min | Director: Leslie Iwerks

The Pixar Story tells the tale about a little start-up company that changed the future of animation and filmmaking forever. Leslie Iwerks’ 2007 documentary chronicles the success story of Pixar Animation Studios from the ground up, featuring interviews from Brad Bird, Tom Hanks, George Lucas, and Steve Jobs. For the studio that inspired a new generation of animators and storytellers, this documentary is a feel-good yet informative watch for movie fans young and old. Fair warning: it will likely make you want to start a Pixar movie marathon afterwards! — Meredith Loftus

Run Time: 1 hr 54 min | Director: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

From the directing duo of the already outstanding Free Solo, The Rescue is a similarly harrowing yet utterly unique look at the perilous mission to rescue a soccer team trapped in a Thai cave that captured the attention of the world in 2018. It is a documentary that cuts through the noise and creates a comprehensive look at the move-by-move planning that went into the rescue itself. Making use of both recreation and a remarkable amount of footage, the more you learn about just how the children were saved the more incredible it becomes. It places you as close as you can get into the minds of those risking everything, capturing the terror of diving into the darkness and not knowing whether you would make it out alive. It is a story told with compassion and grace for all involved, never letting go as you sink deeper into its depths. — Chase Hutchinson

Run Time: 1 hr 35 min | Director: Sally Aitken

A loving look at the world of sharks as well as its central subject of Valerie Taylor, Playing with Sharks is a documentary that provides insights into both cinema history and the natural world. First shown at Sundance a couple of years back, it follows Taylor herself as she goes from working on films like Jaws to being a marine conservationist and Australian icon. There are some painful moments that don’t shy away from looking at the harm done to sharks though it is all part of the unflinching look at the undersea world. The amount of access director Sally Aitken gets to Taylor herself makes this all the more compelling as it follows her journey to understanding the importance of sharks when she didn’t initially appreciate them as much as she did in later life. Making use of archival footage and more modern interviews, it is a multifaceted documentary that provides a remarkably close look at the misunderstood animal through the eyes of the woman who would become one of their most passionate protectors. — Chase Hutchinson

Run Time: 1 hr 32 min | Director: Don Hahn

Howard Ashman, the lyricist and screenwriter behind some of the most successful films of the so-called Disney Renaissance. But his unparalleled winning streak was tragically cut short when he contracted HIV and died of AIDS before Beauty and the Beast was even released (the film is dedicated to him). Writer/director Don Hahn, who worked with Ashman on Beauty and the Beast and who directed Waking Sleeping Beauty (also on this list) tenderly recounts Ashman’s life, from his childhood putting on shows for his sister using toys as performers to his life as an Off-Broadway wunderkind to his devastating debut on Broadway that helped lead him to Disney. Like with Waking Sleeping Beauty, Hahn stays away from talking head interviews, instead letting new and archival audio interviews run over old footage, photographs and clips from the movies he worked on. (Composer Alan Menken still sounds broken up about Howard’s death.) It’s a story that is told free of sentimentality but one that will, nonetheless, still make you cry buckets. Ashman died so young and worked on so few films; it’s amazing to think what he could have accomplished and how many lives he would have touched if he’d survived. – Drew Taylor

Run Time: 1 hr 47 min | Director: Theodore Thomas

In 1941 the United States government, fearing the Nazi influence, sent Walt Disney and a small team of animators and artists on a goodwill tour of South America. It was a chance for Walt to clear his head. He had just dealt with the animators’ strike that left him feeling betrayed and depressed and the passing of his mother in 1938. He was looking for fun and inspiration and that was just what he got on this whirlwind trip. It would inspire projects like The Three Caballeros and Saludos Amigos and put some gas in the tank for the overworked animators like Mary Blair and Frank Thomas, whose son, Theodore Thomas, wrote and directed this documentary (he is also responsible for the exemplary Frank and Ollie). The South America trip is such an oddball, often overlooked bit of Disney history but there were some pretty profound things that happened during the trip (like the death of Walt’s father) and it had a lasting effect on the company’s output for years afterwards. So if you think you know everything about Walt and the history of the company, seek out Walt and El Grupo. Ole! – Drew Taylor

Run Time: 2 hr 31 min | Director: Kevin Burns, Edith Becker

Empire of Dreams was created for the DVD release of the Star Wars Trilogy back in 2004, and you aren’t going to find a more expansive making-of documentary on George Lucas’ original saga. Clocking in at a whopping two-and-a-half hours, the film interviews virtually every cast and crew member involved in making Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. It’s like sitting through the length of one of the prequels and coming away actually feeling good about your decision.

If you’re a Star Wars fan and you somehow haven’t seen this documentary already, I have no idea what you’ve been doing with your life. It’s the definitive behind-the-scenes look at the original trilogy, and it’s a must-watch for people who love the pew-pews and the laser swords. Now I’m just waiting for Disney Plus to add the truly amazing making-of feature from the Episode One DVD as the perfect companion piece.

Run Time: 1 hr 40 min | Director: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin

Free Solo follows rock climber Alex Honnold as he sets out to do a free climb of Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan. Free climbing, for the uninitiated, is climbing without any harness or safety line. Basically, it’s the scariest activity human beings can engage in that doesn’t involve space travel and/or uncaged lions.

Free Solo won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2018, and it’s easy to see why when you watch it. Honnold’s trip up the 3,000 foot rock formation is dizzying, and if you’re like me, you will spend the entirety of the film with your butt firmly clenched. Relaying the minor spoiler that Honnold is alive and well at the time of this writing might alleviate some of the tension for you, but his quest is still undeniably thrilling to watch.