Documentaries can encompass a variety of forms, including diaries, profiles, calls to action, exposés, and investigations. While many of us develop a passion for film through fictional narratives, some of the most impactful stories are based on reality. If you’re in search of outstanding documentaries, Tubi is the ideal platform to explore. They truly have an extensive collection. Here are just a few of the top documentaries available on Tubi.
What are the best documentaries on Tubi?
If you’re seeking a streaming service filled with award-winning and critically acclaimed documentaries, you’ll discover them here. Please note that some of these documentaries tackle highly sensitive topics. If you wish to understand more about their themes, reviewing their ratings and content disclosures before viewing is advisable.
Cartel Land (2015)
From filmmaker Matthew Heineman (City of Ghosts, American Symphony, The First Wave) comes Cartel Land, an urgent examination of militias combating cartels in the ongoing war on drugs. The film follows two resistance groups standing against cartel control and violence: one led by an Arizona rancher patrolling the U.S.–Mexico border, and the other by Mexican vigilantes confronting cartels within their communities. Cartel Land was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards.
Gaza (2019)
Directed by Garry Keane and Andrew McConnell, Gaza is a documentary that intentionally avoids political commentary, instead focusing on its subjects and allowing them to express themselves. The result is a profoundly human portrayal of a place often defined by conflict, shaped through the everyday lives of its inhabitants.
Viewed through today’s lens, the film carries additional significance. Much of what is depicted — the streets, homes, and daily routines — no longer exists. By following children, students, fishermen, artists, and families as they navigate life with remarkable resilience, Gaza serves not just as a snapshot in time but as a record of lives and spaces that have been permanently transformed.
Deliver Us From Evil (2006)
Awarded Best Documentary at the Los Angeles Film Festival, Deliver Us From Evil is a harrowing investigation into decades of sexual abuse committed by Catholic priest Oliver O’Grady from the late 1970s through the 1990s, along with institutional efforts to conceal his crimes. Amy Berg guides viewers through this investigation via interviews with survivors, lawyers, theologians, and O’Grady himself. Beyond recounting painful details, Berg’s film also reveals the power structures that permitted the abuse to persist. Deliver Us From Evil also garnered significant critics’ awards from both Boston and New York film critics’ circles.
Blackfish (2013)
You may recall this documentary creating quite a stir (no pun intended) upon its release in 2013. Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Blackfish critically examines the controversy surrounding the practice of capturing marine life for human entertainment. Specifically, it focuses on Tilikum, an orca captured off Norway’s coast and held in captivity at SeaWorld. In 2010, Tilikum pulled whale trainer Dawn Brancheau into the water during a performance; she later died from drowning and blunt force trauma.
Blackfish argues that confining whales causes extreme stress that contributes to unpredictable and violent behavior. Upon its release, this documentary fundamentally altered public perception regarding SeaWorld and the ethics surrounding animal confinement for entertainment purposes. Blackfish won Best Documentary at the 2013 Golden Satellite Awards and received a nomination for the Sundance Grand Jury Prize Documentary.
West of Memphis (2012)
The second documentary on our list from Amy Berg, West of Memphis, produced by Peter Jackson, examines the case of the West Memphis Three — three teenagers wrongfully convicted of murdering three eight-year-old boys in Arkansas in 1993. Revisiting this case years later, the film follows new investigative leads and legal efforts that ultimately led to the exoneration of Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley.
How to Die in Oregon (2011)
Directed by Peter Richardson, How to Die in Oregon offers an intimate exploration of terminally ill patients choosing physician-assisted death under Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act. Through interviews with patients, doctors, and families, this documentary examines the emotional, ethical, and legal complexities surrounding this difficult decision. The film respectfully addresses this sensitive topic without advocating for or against it; rather it highlights the lived experiences of those confronting death. How to Die in Oregon won the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival.
Inside Job (2010)
Inside Job, directed by Charles Ferguson, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2011. This film provides a thorough investigation into policies, deregulation, and conflicts of interest that contributed to the global financial collapse in 2008. Structured in five parts, it traces the history of the American financial industry from early deregulation through to the housing bubble crisis and its aftermath.
The Act of Killing (2012)
This experimental documentary is as controversial as it is unsettling. It focuses on individuals involved in Indonesia’s mass killings from 1965–1966 when alleged communists and others opposing General Suharto’s regime were tortured and executed.
The Act of Killing </span centers on Anwar Congo, a grandfather, national hero, and former executioner responsible for one million deaths during this genocide. Director Joshua Oppenheimer invites Anwar and his associates to reenact their killings in styles inspired by their favorite American film genres — from gangster films to musicals — resulting in deeply strange yet often surreal experiences that are ultimately gut-wrenching.
Citizenfour (2014)
Citizenfour, directed by Laura Poitras, serves as a real-time political thriller documenting one of the most significant whistleblower revelations of our time. The film chronicles her secret meetings with Edward Snowden in a Hong Kong hotel room as he discloses classified information regarding U.S. government surveillance programs worldwide. This documentary won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine (2013)
The brutal torture and murder of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming in 1998 became a defining moment for the LGBTQ+ movement. His death highlighted acts of violence against this community on a national scale. Over time, Shepard has often been remembered symbolically; however, this documentary offers an intimate portrayal of Matt Shepard as a friend, brother, and son. Focusing on love, community healing after profound loss while resisting sensationalism allows it to reframe Shepard’s legacy beyond mere headlines.
How we picked the best documentaries on Tubi
The sheer volume of documentaries available on Tubi pleasantly surprised us. While we anticipated many options, we were unprepared for HBO-level choices available here — not only in quantity but also in quality with numerous award-winning films included. With so many options available to choose from, we focused our selections on films that have made a significant impact as well as those recognized for critical acclaim or particularly relevant today.
