21 Best Historical Documentaries

Lists

9 Apr

History plays a vital role in shaping our present. Through documentary filmmaking, we can learn and understand the past in a new light with the evidence of these burden-of-proof documentaries. It's said that truth is stranger than fiction, and these best documentaries ever bring forth the untold stories and hidden secrets of our past with widely ranging backgrounds.

Each word spoken, every picture shown, and every dialogue communicated in these films transport us back in time, giving us a deeper appreciation for the present we hold dear. This blog post will closely examine some of the top famous documentaries, the best historical docuseries, and some of the best historical docudramas you should watch to absorb real history.

1. The Lost Lincoln (2020)

One of the good history documentaries focuses on the hunt for newly discovered original photographs of Abraham Lincoln and his burial as well as the lesser-known story of a plot to steal Lincoln's body.

The Lost Lincoln narrates the frantic search for these images by noted Lincoln scholars and the National Archives staff who work tirelessly to preserve our country's history. As part of good historical documentaries, this film takes us on a journey that sets out to unravel a piece of history you never knew existed. If political intrigue enthrals you check out, A Storm Foretold, the 2023 tale of how Trump's presidential period had to find its logical endpoint in The Storm at the Capitol.

👉 Watch The Lost Lincoln - one of the best historical documentaries on Amazon Prime

2. The Kingmaker (2019)

Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines, often referred to simply as the "Iron Butterfly," is the central character in this documentary.

The film explores the aftermath of her family's rule and their rise to power, leaving a dark mark on the country's history. The Kingmaker presents us with relatable stories of people affected by the family's legacy, showcasing a strong connection between the past and present of the Philippines.

👉 Watch The Kingmaker on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy The Kingmaker as DVD on Amazon

3. The Last Hillbilly (2020)

For those interested in the history of Appalachia, this documentary is an excellent option. The Last Hillbilly examines the culture of the region, its history, music, and the clash between the old and the new way of life.

The film approaches the topic with empathy and understanding, highlighting a way of life many people may not know about.

👉 Watch The Last Hillbilly on Amazon Prime

4. The Nabataeans: The Final Days of Petra (2022)

This recently released documentary explores the once-great civilization of the Nabataeans and its downfall. We follow the traces of the past and the attempts to unravel the secrets of the strange structure carved out of solid rock that we know as the city of Petra.

The Nabataeans: The Final Days of Petra on IMDb

5. The Vietnam War (2017)

The Vietnam War is a familiar topic but has never been explored quite like it is in this epic documentary. From the series creators of The Civil War and Jazz, this documentary dives deep into the polarizing years of the war, examining the conflict from all angles, making it an essential watch for anyone interested in the subject. There is additional battlefield documentary series on youtube to explain the story of the war.

👉 Watch The Vietnam War on Amazon Prime - one of the best documentaries on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy The Vietnam War as DVD on Amazon

6. Prohibition (2011)

This Ken Burns independent feature documentary takes a fascinating look at what it was like to live during Prohibition in America, when the temperance movement banned the production, sale, and consumption of alcohol.

The documentary examines this time of weird history with a collection of narratives, including the motives for prohibition, the rise of organized crime, and the conflict between law enforcement and the general public, all within the context of changing views on personal freedom.

👉 Watch Prohibition on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Prohibition as DVD on Amazon

7. Age of Tanks (2017)

Age of Tanks is a powerful documentary that explores the development of tanks in the early 20th century. It takes us on a journey through the evolution of tanks, the technicalities involved, and how countries used it to gain strategic advantages.

Moreover, the documentary features videos and actual footage from World War I and II, along with interviews with historians and experts related to the subject and in the moment commentary. If you're interested in wars, military history or technology, "Age of Tanks" is an excellent documentary for you.

Age of Tanks on IMDb

8. The Greenland Vikings: Land of the Midnight Sun (2020)

The Vikings have become a global phenomenon, and this documentary provides insight into one of their lesser-known settlements. The Greenland Vikings takes us on a journey to the settlement of Brattahlid, which was founded by Erik the Red.

The documentary highlights the challenges they faced during that time and how they survived in isolation. Featuring interviews with modern-day archaeologists and historians, this documentary is a must-watch for all Viking history buffs.

The Greenland Vikings: Land of the Midnight Sun on IMDb

9. Cold War (1998)

This excellent documentary offers an in-depth analysis of the Cold War era. It covers the significant events that shaped the world, featuring footage of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the construction of the Berlin Wall, and the arms race.

The Cold War documentary features interviews with those who were involved in this conflict, including former President Jimmy Carter and Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev. "Cold War" is an ideal documentary to understand how the events of the Cold War have impacted our world today.

👉 Watch Cold War on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Cold War as DVD on Amazon

10. The Assyrians: Empire of Iron (2021)

The Assyrians' Empire of Iron gives an overview of the ancient civilization that was known for their military prowess and cultural achievements.

This documentary takes us on a journey to the heart of the Assyrian Empire, where one can discover that they were a highly advanced civilization. It includes interviews with experts who explore the history, culture, and traditions of the Assyrian people. If you're interested in ancient civilizations, this documentary is worth watching.

The Assyrians: Empire of Iron on IMDb

11. China: A Century of Revolution (1997)

As the world's most populous country, China has a rich and diverse history. The Century of Revolution documentary provides insights into the revolution that led to the rise of China as a communist nation. It covers the major events of the Chinese Revolution, which include the Cultural Revolution and the Great Leap Forward.

The documentary highlights ordinary people and their everyday life, while providing an understanding of the motivations and sacrifices of Chinese people during that time. With stunning archival footage and interviews with historians, "Century of Revolution" offers a better perspective on modern-day China.

China: A Century of Revolution on IMDb

12. Andrew Marr's History of the World (2012)

Andrew Marr's History of the World is a seamless historical record that covers the world’s history, from the dawn of civilization to the present. This first-person, incredible history video takes us on a gripping journey through the significant events that shaped human history, including the discovery of new worlds, nuclear war, the roles of Kings and generals, and the birth of democracy.

This, one of the best history docs, offers an engaging way to explore world history by combining great storytelling and artful filming.

👉 Watch Andrew Marr's History of the World on Amazon prime

👉 Buy Andrew Marr's History of the World as DVD on Amazon

13. The Sumerians: Fall of the First Cities (2020)

This documentary chronicles the rise and fall of the Sumerian civilization, the first urban civilization where massive engineering projects modernized the world. It gives a detailed account of their social structure, writing systems, and trade practices.

One of the most compelling ancient civilizations movies, it delves into their mythology and religious practices, providing a well-rounded perspective of their cultural and societal norms.

The Sumerians: Fall of the First Cities on IMDb

14. Apollo 11 (2019)

The Apollo 11 mission is one of the most significant events in human history. This most popular documentary tells the story of NASA's historic mission to the moon, using never-before-seen footage and audio recordings. It captures the excitement and drama of the mission. It highlights the courage and fortitude of the astronauts involved in the mission, almost elevating it to one of the best cult documentaries.

👉 Watch Apollo 11 on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Apollo 11 as DVD on Amazon

15. Hitler: A career (1977)

This historic documentary details Adolf Hitler's rise to power, the atrocities committed, and the absolute history documented during his reign in Nazi Germany. It provides a comprehensive account of his political ideologies and impact on Western society and world history.

Using raw video footage, the documentary also delves into the cultural history leading up to the Second World War and the role of Hitler in the conflict.

👉 Watch Hitler: A career on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Hitler: A career as DVD on Amazon

16. Unspoken: America's Native American Boarding Schools (2017)

This documentary explores the grim history of Native American boarding schools, racial unrest and the atrocities committed against indigenous communities. It tells the story of division America and how Native American children were forced from their homes, stripped of their culture, and compelled to assimilate into western society.

The film highlights the emotional trauma and cultural losses endured by these communities and the ongoing struggle for justice.

Unspoken: America's Native American Boarding Schools on IMDb

17. Saving the Temples of the Nile (2008)

Egypt is home to some of the world's most valuable historical sites, including the temples of Abu Simbel and Philae.

This documentary tells the story of how UNESCO collaborated with the Egyptian government to relocate the ancient temples to save them from the rising waters of the Nile. It highlights the challenges faced by the team and the importance of preserving our natural world and cultural heritage for future generations.

Saving the Temples of the Nile on DW

18. Richard the Lionheart (2021)

Richard the Lionheart is a new historical documentary that explores the life and legacy of one of England's greatest monarchs. The documentary highlights Richard's military campaigns, his religious beliefs, his many accomplishments during his reign and their effects on the next 500 years.

The film features interviews with historians and experts, as well as dramatic reenactments of tough and thrilling adventures that occurred during Richard's lifetime. This documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in medieval history.

Richard the Lionheart on Top Documentary Films

19. The Life and Crimes of Gilles de Rais (2022)

Gilles de Rais was a French nobleman who was known for his association with Joan of Arc and his later crimes. This new historical documentary explores the life of Gilles de Rais and details the horrific acts that he committed.

The documentary features interviews with historians and experts, as well as reenactments of various events. This documentary is not for the faint of heart, but it provides an interesting glimpse into a lesser-known figure in history.

The Life and Crimes of Gilles de Rais on Top Documentary Films

20. Once Upon a Time in Iraq (2020)

This historical documentary explores life in Iraq before and after the invasion in 2003. The film highlights the experiences of both Iraqis and Americans in this modern war and discusses the political and social ramifications.

The documentary features interviews with soldiers, journalists, and ordinary citizens, and multiple video cameras providing a unique perspective on the conflict. This documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in recent world history.

👉 Watch Once Upon a Time in Iraq on Amazon Prime

21. The End of a Superpower: The Collapse of the Soviet Union (2021)

The collapse of the Soviet Union was one of the defining moments of the 20th century. This new historical documentary explores the factors that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union and its impact on the world.

The film features interviews with politicians, historians, and experts as well as archival footage from the era. This documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the geo-political climate of the 1990s.

The End of a Superpower: The Collapse of the Soviet Union on Top Documentary Films

Conclusion

Historical documentaries are a valuable tool in understanding our world, and this list should give you a great starting point to explore our planet’s rich history. Other in-depth subjects to watch are New Jersey wrestling history, the Blind High School wrestler, and WW2 documentaries.

The films mentioned in this blog post will make you think, feel, and learn about events, America's history, the American experience, communities, and the extent to which we have a moral and just society. So, grab some popcorn, prepare to embark on a journey through ancient worlds with these best-rated documentaries, and keep looking for new genres, new releases, and the best documentaries in 2023. The History Channel schedule of History Channel.com and History.com documentaries are rich resources of some of the best documentaries to stream from the Roman empire to the current day. According to Director Tariq Nasheed, the series of documentaries Hidden Colors 1-5, documents the marginalization of people of African descent in America and across the world. Look out for History Channel new shows 2023 and the best history documentaries on Netflix.