6 Documentaries to Lift Your Spirits

We live in difficult times, and sometimes a pick-up is just the thing we need while we’re forced to spend all our time indoors. Films are often the best way to to, and documentaries in particular are a great way to pass the time. While often seen as a more serious genre of film, documentaries can also offer feel-good content to lift your spirits and change your outlook on life.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor

Few people do we associate with childhood as much as Mr. Rogers. This documentary showcases his life’s work: creating enriching television programming for children. The film features animated segments that feel a bit out of place, but the piece is otherwise a fantastically assembled love letter to television, and to one great man behind its growth.

👉 Watch Won’t You Be My Neighbor on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Won’t You Be My Neighbor as DVD on Amazon

Catwalk: Tales From The Cat Show Circuit

This documentary dives into the world of the cat show circuit: events dedicated to showing off beautiful and well-groomed purebred cats. It’s a strange phenomenon, but the film takes on its subject matter with a lighthearted, fun approach.

👉 Watch Catwalk: Tales From The Cat Show Circuit on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Catwalk: Tales From The Cat Show Circuit as DVD on Amazon

Love, Gilda

Comedian Gilda Radner is a widely-overlooked artist whose comedic work influenced a generation of comedians to come after her. In the world of female comedians, Gilda Radner was a trailblazer. The film features many comedians who looked up to Radner’s work, including Melissa McCarthy, Bill Hader, and Amy Poehler. Love, Gilda is currently available for streaming on Hulu.

👉 Watch Love, Gilda on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Love, Gilda as DVD on Amazon

Bathtubs Over Broadway

Bathtubs Over Broadway is another documentary with a quirky premise that could easily be mocked, but is instead portrayed in a way that feels genuine and uplifting. Former Letterman Show writer Steve Young tracks down the wonderful and weird history of Industrial Musicals: created for cooperate audiences to promote the sale of products.

👉 Watch Bathtubs Over Broadway on Amazon Prime

Horror Noire: A History Of Black Horror

This film takes a look into the often-forgotten history of black horror films: a genre that often feels schlocky and B-rated in terms of quality and production. Still, they can be fun on their own merit, and have influenced many a serious screenwriter. You’ll finish the film with a new outlook on the genre.

👉 Watch Horror Noire: A History Of Black Horror on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Horror Noire: A History Of Black Horror as DVD on Amazon

The Botany Of Desire

The Botany of Desire is a film about four plants which have affected human development beyond any others. The film is beautifully shot and surprisingly engaging. It can currently be streamed on Amazon Prime, and is narrated by Michael Pollen: author of Omnivore’s Dilemma.

👉 Watch The Botany Of Desire on Amazon Prime

👉 The Botany Of Desire as DVD on Amazon

 

Which films would you add to our list, and why?

 
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Hidden Gems in the Documentary Genre

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Documentaries by Women, About Women