By Mark Pukalo
Documentary features can educate, dig deeper into subjects, bring important issues to light or just simply entertain. In 2025, a big group of strong films in this category hit all the right notes and stirred emotions.
There were several excellent music documentaries on artists I knew and didn't know. Others made you think, made you furious or made you laugh.
The extended 2020 Oscar year of movies had several strong documentaries. I put three in my top 30 films overall - "The Bee Gees: How to Mend a Broken Heart," "Crip Camp" and "Collective." I broke out 12 from that year which were extraordinary.
None of the documentaries in 2025 quite made my top 25, but at least 10 and perhaps as many as 12 will end up in the top 100 when that is completed in a few weeks. The top six stand out above the rest - three on music and entertainment and three more serious. Put them in any order, make it a six-way tie for first. They are all terrific - top 55 overall for the year.
However, I tend to lean toward the entertainment side, so I put two excellent films about deceased artists at the top of the mountain.
Jeff Buckley was one of those shooting stars that came and went in the music industry, a darling of critics but virtually unknown to the general public. It was great to learn his story. Go see it (right) on HBO Max.
John Candy is one of the greatest comedic actors of all time, yet there was so much more to learn about him from his Second City TV days to the movies through CFL ownership. You can see it free if you have Prime.
The "Alabama Solution" (HBO Max) and the "Perfect Neighbor" (Netflix) are just emotionally, gutting documentaries that are exquisitely made. I loved the new wave band Devo growing up and was fascinated by their story on Netflix. I kept looking for myself in "Secret Mall Apartment" (now on Netflix) because I visited the parking garage where it was filmed a few times during that period in Providence.
Those half dozen I can fully recommend. About 16 or so more that I have seen are well worth watching.
There are also several well-reviewed documentaries I have not viewed yet, including Oscar nominees "Mr. Nobody Against Putin," "Come See Me in The Good Light" and "Cutting Through Rocks." In addition, "Videoheaven," "Megadoc," "2000 Meters to Andriivka," "BLCKNWS: Terms and Conditions," "Art for Everybody," "Seeds," "Palestine 36," "Zodiac Killer Project" and "Apocalypse in the Tropics" are well-reviewed docs.
We are not counting the SNL Documentaries around the 50th anniversary, which were all fantastic. I will leave out the thorough and interesting "Billy Joel: And So It Goes" doc as well because it came out in two sections.
Since "OJ Made in America" was nominated despite being a several part series in 2017, the Academy has seemed to shy away from including docs that are long or have several parts. No doubt the "Mr. Scorcese" doc will be a good watch and "My Undesirable Friends Part 1: Last Air in Moscow" - at 324 minutes - should be interesting about young independent journalists in Russia. Hope to see those at some point down the road.
However, until I see more in the next few years, here is my rating of the best documentaries in 2025. Like I said, six could be one and two could be five.
Top 20 Documentaries
1. It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley - Fascinating music film about the deceased singer/songwriter, who produced one of the great debut albums of all time "Grace." The story of an artist I knew little about, except having "The Last Goodbye" on my Itunes, is told quite well and brings a tear to your eyes.
2. John Candy: I Like Me - In depth study of the life and times of one of the greatest comedic figures of the last 50 years. Everybody enjoyed his work, but didn't have time to get to know him. This film lets you know more about the Canadian icon.
3. The Alabama Solution - The story of the disgusting treatment of prisoners in the state of Alabama, told through phone messages from inmates. The directors did an amazing and dangerous job putting the film together.
4. Devo - Another wonderful music documentary this year about the new wave rock band, named after a sort of political movement - De-evolution. Learned so much about the activism of the group, which started during the Kent State shootings. Are We Not Men? Put them in the Hall of Fame.
5. Secret Mall Apartment - The story about a group of artists in Providence who film while they build an apartment in a vacant space between the mall and its parking garage. I was in that parking garage during this period! It's unique and entertaining.
6. The Perfect Neighbor - Incredible footage of a racist woman's continued calls to the police about her neighbors before and after tragedy strikes. One of the best edited documentaries I have ever seen.
7. Pavements - A unique look at the alternative 90s band Pavement, which I had never heard of. The story is told alongside the making of a fake biopic and a strange musical about the band. Sneaky good.
8. Sly Lives! - Interesting, informative documentary on the under-appreciated Sly Stone. Some great interviews in this one bring out his talent and faults of the late Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
9. Clemente - The story of the great Roberto Clemente, whose Hall of Fame baseball career and life were cut short by a plane crash. The interviews, highlighted by Francisco Lindor, and the footage are outstanding.
10. Predators - The story of the television show "To Catch a Predator" and its spinoffs is shocking at times and puts the process on trial. It brought back memories. I thought it could have hit the show even harder, though.
11. Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery - Wonderful documentary about the three-year Lilith Fair Music Festival, started by Canadian superstar Sarah McLachlan. The footage and interviews are tremendous, including a few scenes (I think) from a show I went to in Hartford.
12. The Tale of Silyan - A farmer in Macedonia (left) adopts an injured stork and nurses him back to life while he tries to sell his land. It is poignant and compelling. In other years, it might be top five.
13. STANS - Documentary about Eminem through the eyes of fans. I thought it was an interesting way to tell the story of Marshall Mathers.
14. Becoming Led Zeppelin - Documentary on the legendary rock band, which examines the birth of the foursome through two albums. Might have worked better as a three-part series on a streaming service. I wanted more on the rest of the band's career.
15. Cover-Up - Netflix documentary about investigative reporter Seymour Hersh, who has helped uncover many government atrocities. It is a good look at what goes into this type of work.
16. The Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately? - Unique look at the band who rocketed to stardom after a big debut album despite the lead singer's mental illness. Adam Duritz created some great music and dated both Courtney Cox and Jennifer Anniston. Talk about a Daily Double.
17. Surviving Ohio State - A very strong documentary about a disgusting coverup at Ohio State. It's Larry Nassar, but perhaps even worse. How can people be such uncaring cowards? The story from the referee in the locker room about doctor Robert Strauss is horrifying while Ohio Representative and former OSU assistant wrestling coach Jim Jordan's response was despicable.
18. Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story - A very good documentary about the making of Jaws in 1975. I loved the way they used thoughts about different parts of the film from a long list of today's great directors.
19. Luther: Never Too Much - Learned a lot from this documentary about one of my favorite voices of all time. Luther Vandross (right) did much more than I even thought.
20. Wick is Pain - More interesting than expected documentary on the making of the John Wick series. It's long, but I stuck with it throughout.
OTHERS (18)
aka Charlie Sheen - Off the wall documentary about the life of the damaged actor, who has been in and out of drug hell. The interviews about him are better than his revelations.
Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything - Detailed story about the long-time talk show host. It is amazing the range of people she was able to interview.
Cheech & Chong's Last Movie - A humorous film about one of the great comedy duos of all time. It's a linear look at their career together. Good. Not great.
Depeche Mode: M - More of a concert video than anything, blending in some things about Mexican culture during their tour. The Hall of Fame band has a unique sound.
Every Time You Lose Your Mind: A Film About Failure - The story of a band that I never heard of - to be perfectly honest. It seems they could have been an alternative form of Nirvana, but drug abuse ended their rise.
Grand Theft Hamlet - Perhaps I need to be a Gamer to understand the film (left) more, because it went a bit over my head. However, it was quite inventive, unique and technically strong. During the pandemic, a group attempts to put on a performance of Hamlet within the game.
The Idaho Student Murders - One of several takes on the gruesome murder of four classmates and friends. There are no real twists, just a detailed examination.
In Waves and War - Strong story about former Navy Seals, going through PTSD after many missions, who undergo experimental psychedelic treatments in Mexico.
My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay - Informative documentary about Jayne Mansfield. It was an education and I did not know that Captain Benson was her daughter. The last 30 or so minutes are riveting.
One to One: John & Yoko - Stylish film about John Lennon and Yoko Ono when they moved to New York, concentrating on their social activism.
Orwell: 2+2=5 - A comprehensive look at George Orwell's writings about propaganda and authoritarianism that are still true in today's broken society. Yes, "1984" was a vision of 2016-26. It's interesting, but a bit of a jumble.
Paradise - Documentary about Joe Hollis, who is a famous gardener living on the edge of the Eastern mountains cultivating edible plants. It's thought-provoking at times.
Sally - Interesting look at the life of Sally Ride, the first woman to be launched into space. She was pretty amazing and this doc reveals something few knew about her.
Selena y Los Dinos: A Family's Legacy - Informative story on the wonderful Mexican singer's rise to stardom and tragic end.
Sunday Best, The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan - Historic take on the great Ed Sullivan and how he welcomed so many black performers on his show from 1948-71. Very educational.
Tom Petty: Heartbreakers Beach Party - Cameron Crowe rejiggers a documentary he worked on in the 80s with great inside stories and interviews with Tom and the band. Petty is so missed.
Untold: The Fall of Favre - Nothing new here, although it went in depth with Jenn Sterger. We learned a little from her. Needed more stuff on the Mississippi scandal.
We Bury Our Secrets - HBO Max documentary about a family that finds their father buried under the house after 56 years. The mystery of his death is sort of interesting, but not super compelling.
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