Documentaries are truly great. In a day and age where information about any topic can be reached with the click of a button, documentaries still represent one of the most credible means to acquire said information. And you can truly find amazing ones, ranging from health to war to biographies. When it comes to documentaries, there is truly something for everyone, with the added bonus that you might stumble upon something you didn't even know you cared about!
Even though there are thousands and thousands out there, and usually, credit is given where credit is due, some seem to have slipped through the cracks, not earning the recognition they truly deserved by audiences, even after being critically acclaimed. So, with this in mind, we decided to rank the 10 most underrated documentaries of the last two decades. Take a look!
The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young
Have you ever tried running a marathon? Have you at least tried to run 15 consecutive minutes on a treadmill without gasping for air? Whether you're a seasoned runner or you hate anything to do with moving your legs too fast, The Barkley Marathons is something you definitely want to watch.
Exploring what is the hardest marathon in the world (even though few have heard about it), this 2014 documentary takes you through the history of this strange yet fascinating cult-like endeavor, introduces the founders, and profiles several of the people who've attempted to participate. In 25 years, only a dozen people made it to the end. Do you think you can handle it?
Tickled
We don't even know where to begin with this documentary, but one thing's for sure - if you want to so much as try and understand it, you have to watch it. It all begins with journalist David Farrier's attempt to find out more about the world of competitive tickling. It is exactly what it sounds like, but that's far from being the weirdest part.
we don't want to give away too much, but just know that by the end of 2016's Tickled you'll be questioning just how weird and shady the weirdest and shadiest parts of the human world can get. A very strange and unpredictable mix of feelings and emotions, this documentary will keep popping into your mind weeks after watching it.
Trouble The Water
Unless we've been through it in some way, shape, or form, attempting to understand the turmoil that follows a natural disaster is simply impossible. However, the best way to at least try is to witness it through the eyes of someone who's had to endure some of the most tragic and convoluted moments propelled by such a disaster.
Trouble The Water is a 2008 documentary that consists mostly of the compilation of a series of scenes during Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans. Kimberly Rivers Roberts and her husband Scott recorded everything that went down during an after their city was hit, in a powerful documentary that unveils the ugliness behind politics.
Searching For Sugar Man
Searching For Sugar Man is a great example of a documentary that received stellar reviews and critical acclaim but still managed to fly under the radar amongst audiences. Perhaps the fact that this is a documentary that chose to follow a relatively unknown artist for American and European audiences has something to do with it.
Either way, Searching For Sugar Man is a beautiful narrative that follows two huge fans of the South American musician Sixto Rodriguez, trying to figure out what happened to this once great man, tragically lost to suicide. It's packed with surprises and incredibly touching moments that definitely deserve a watch.
Reversing Roe
Netflix is no stranger to producing incredible documentaries. Granted, not all of them are absolute masterpieces, but here and there, you can find incredible gems. And Reversing Roe is a fantastic example. Released in 2018, it follows the pivotal historic moments surrounding the abortion debate in America.
With a particular focus on the 1973's Roe vs Wade Supreme Court decision, Reversing Roe is a powerful tale of one of the most complex and controversial topics in Women's Rights history, and a must-watch for those who seek to understand all the points of view and steps taken both against and for it.
Just For Kicks
Many documentaries have been made over the years that enjoy taking a look at some of the most interesting cultural phenomenons out there. And make no mistake, there's plenty to go around, considering the human mind and its preferences never cease to amaze us.
Just For Kicks is such a documentary, that takes a deep look into the world of sneaker collecting. You'll see many familiar faces, including the likes of Missy Elliott, and you might just be surprised at how much the history sneaker has influenced other aspects of modern culture, and revolutionized different streams of thought.
An Honest Liar
It's almost criminal how much this documentary has managed to fly under the radio, both for audiences and critics in general. Originally released in 2014, An Honest Liar is both one of the most entertaining and eye-opening documentaries of its time.
You might not know who James Randi, one of the most famous magicians and entertainers ever, is. But what makes this documentary so special isn't his career as a magician, but rather his unbent and unbroken will to debunk fake healers and psychics that came out once he retired. What's better than a former magician that dedicates his life to exposing fake people?
Feminists: What Were They Thinking?
There are many amazing documentaries out there done about the history of women's rights. But Netflix went a step further when it released Feminists: What Were They Thinking? just last year, another criminally underrated piece.
It's not like this documentary presents a fresh view on anything related to the topic, but rather it gathers everything that one could possibly want and need to understand where women were, what's already been done, and what still remains to be done, through the gathering of several historic footages and interviews with some of the greatest feminist icons of all time.
Everybody Street
It doesn't really matter if you're into photography or not, Everybody Street will always be a phenomenal watch. It was released in 2013, and it didn't manage to grab all the attention that it truly deserved.
At its core, it follows the lives and creative processes of New Yor City's most prolific photographers. But in all honesty, it's a beautiful, deep dive into the lives of all sorts of people who end up inspiring the works of these artists, against the backdrop of one of the most interesting cities in the world.
Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan
It's fairly easy to label the 2016's Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan documentary as just another film about dance. But it's so much more than that. It's a beautiful tale of struggle and passion, and figuring out life as you go, with all the unexpected challenges that come along with it.
Wendy Whelan is an inspiration but as a dancer and a human being, and her struggle with scoliosis and career as a ballerina is nothing short of moving poetry.