25 Best Full Length Documentaries To Watch on YouTube For Free

If you love documentaries but are not interested in fancy subscription streaming services like Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) and Hulu, then take a look at our list of the 25 best full length documentaries to watch on YouTube for free. There is much more to YouTube than just funny videos and music.

I think we will never be able to fully appreciate the benefits that Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL)’s YouTube has given us. It introduced us to a whole new world of content that is available in just a few clicks. I remember I had to spend hours searching for music from lesser known acts or some sports highlights before YouTube. Just when I would think I was on the right track, the download link would be removed or something similar. Now everything is neatly uploaded on YouTube and almost everything I look for I can find there. YouTube is saving us a lot of time and stress.

Of course, it is crazy to assume that everything can be found on YouTube. There are people who are reluctant to let their hard work be available to others for free, and I respect that. As soon as they see their work published on YouTube without their consent, they report it and it either gets taken down, or the ad revenue generated from the video is sent to the rightful copyright holder. This is how YouTube works, and we are accustomed to the fact that one day we may be able to see or hear something and tomorrow it is nowhere to be found. This is especially the case with movies, TV shows, and documentaries. YouTube has begun renting HD videos of new movies and other content to viewers, in an effort to further capitalize on its 1.3 billion-strong userbase.

Each documentary is almost always a passion project for the filmmaker and there is alot of effort put into it. So, it is only fair that people would like to generate revenue from their documentary by getting it to the cinema or through DVD sales. There is, however, one thing I don’t quite understand and it is related to documentaries that market themselves as eye-opening and awareness-raising pieces. If the goal of your documentary is to make a difference, wouldn’t you want it to reach as many people as you can? Wouldn’t it be logical to put it out for free (or at least turn your head away if someone else does it) so more people could see the message? There are still people who would pay to see the documentary to support the filmmakers and the cause they are focused on, while for those who aren’t willing to pay for it, they could at least still see it and maybe through that begin to want to support it. Of course, you don’t have to agree with me, but it’s an opinion that has some merit. Now, before we continue with our list of top free documentaries, in case you opted for a Hulu subscription, you may want to check out our list of the 37 Best Documentaries on Hulu Right Now.

In order to create our list of best full length documentaries to watch on YouTube for free, we decided to use the IMDb documentary category as our starting point. We then used the option to rank all the documentaries in IMDb’s database according to their IMDb rating. Starting from the best rated ones, we checked each for their availability on YouTube. The ones that had less than 50 ratings or didn’t fit our needs (music concerts, foreign documentaries without titles, documentaries shorter than 30 minutes, and similar) were not considered. Using this methodology, our list took shape. Now, let’s check it out. You better be quick if you like some of the entries on the list, since you never know if they will be there for long.

25. Failure Is Not an Option

IMDb rating: 8.7

You have probably had the chance to see many documentaries that talk about the missions to send a man into space. This one covers the same subject but takes a different approach. It examines the history of these missions from the point of view of those who were responsible for Mission Control.

24. My Sergei

IMDb rating: 8.7

Sergei Grinkov and Ekaterina Gordeeva were a perfect match. They took 2 Olympic gold medals in pairs skating competitions and had a successful marriage. Unfortunately, Sergei died of a heart attack at the age of 28. The documentary explores their relationship as athletes and in their private lives, featuring interviews with Ekaterina and their friends and family.

23. Earthlings

IMDb rating: 8.7

The first documentary on our list that talks about animal cruelty and explores the industries that use animals for profit. The filmmakers used hidden cameras to record the cruelty towards animals in dog breeding factories, pet stores and meat factories, among others. The documentary is narrated by Joaquin Phoenix.

22. Alone in the Wilderness

IMDb rating: 8.8

This documentary tells the story of Dick Proenneke, a man who decided to leave civilization and build himself a cabin in the wilderness. The documentary follows his activities through the first year of this quest.

21. Constantin si Elena

IMDb rating: 8.8

I have deep respect for the filmmakers of this documentary. They not only uploaded the documentary on YouTube themselves, they also provided subtitles in various languages since the original language of the documentary is Romanian. The documentary follows an elderly couple through their everyday activities, while exploring their relationship.

20. People in Motion

IMDb rating: 8.9

This documentary follows a group of people who practice parkour and explores their motivations to engage in such an activity. If you like to watch people jumping and doing escapades, don’t miss this one.

19. Mr Jinnah: The Making of Pakistan

IMDb rating: 8.9

Muhammad Ali Jinnah has gone down in history as the man who founded Pakistan. He was often viewed as a controversial figure, so this documentary will give you better insight into his personal life. The documentary features a handful of never-before-seen interviews and archival footage.

18. Radium City

IMDb rating: 8.9

Radium City talks about women who suffered from radium poisoning in the early-20th century in Illinois after working in a factory where they were directly exposed to the chemical element. The documentary features interviews with the women that survived the poisoning and explores their battle for justice.

17. Hillsborough

IMDb rating: 8.9

The Hillsborough disaster was the worst tragedy in the history of British sports. In 1989, during a soccer game between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, the stands became overcrowded, leading to 96 deaths and close to 800 injuries. The documentary that ranks 17th in our list of best full length documentaries to watch on YouTube for free talks about the event but also follows the attempts to find out who was responsible for the tragedy.

16. A Century of Living

IMDb rating: 9.0

An interesting documentary that ranks 16th in our list of best full length documentaries to watch on YouTube for free is from 1999. It features interviews with people who have lived 100 years or more. Each of them tells their life story while also recollecting some parts of American history they lived through.

15. Children Full of Life

IMDb rating: 9.0

The 15th entry on our list of the best full length documentaries to watch on YouTube for free talks about Mr. Kanamori, a school teacher in Japan who has a special bond with his students. He doesn’t just teach them stuff from books but also gives them important life advice.

14. Wild Hungary: A Water Wonderland

IMDb rating: 9.0

This nature documentary will show you all the beauty of the wildlife that inhabits the wetlands of Hungary. You will be able to see some never-before-seen footage of animal behavior, including a dancing deer.

13. American Drug War 2: Cannabis Destiny

IMDb rating: 9.0

After his documentary American Drug War: The Last White Hope, director Kevin Booth shifts his attention to cannabis. In this highly acclaimed follow-up, Booth explores the medical benefits of cannabis while also investigating the reasons why some people in power want cannabis to remain illegal.

12. Curse of the Gray Elephant

IMDb rating: 9.1

We will take a break from serious topics on our list of the best full length documentaries to watch on YouTube for free and recommend you a documentary every gamer should watch. It talks about the gaming console Dandy, a clone of the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) and its huge popularity in the Russian Federation. Although the documentary is in Russian, there are English subtitles.

11. Ayrton Senna

IMDb rating: 9.1

There are lots of documentaries dedicated to the F1 legend, but the one from 1995 made by the BBC is available on YouTube. This documentary talks about his legacy and the effects his premature death had on the world of motorsport.

10. The Queen of Trees

IMDb rating: 9.1

This documentary ranks 10th in our list of best full length documentaries to watch on YouTube for free. It talks about the special relationship between fig trees and fig wasps in Africa. You will be able to see how they coexist and get unique insight into the life of fig wasps.

9. Jeremy Piven’s Journey of a Lifetime

IMDb rating: 9.1

You may know Jeremy Piven as Ari from Entourage, but there is no Hollywood drama and flash in this documentary. Instead, he embraces his spiritual side while taking viewers with him on an amazing journey through India.

8. September 11: The New Pearl Harbor

IMDb rating: 9.1

If you have 5 hours free, then why not watch this documentary? It follows the ongoing debate about the events of 9/11 and gives the audience insight into the opposing views about it. The documentary features opinions of those who believe in the official version of the event and those who think they have not been told the whole truth.

7. Richter: The Enigma

IMDb rating: 9.2

This documentary ranks 7th in our list of best full length documentaries to watch on YouTube for free. It is the perfect opportunity to have a closer, more intimate look at the life of Soviet pianist Sviatoslav Richter. The documentary is composed of an interview with Richter alongside archival footage.

6. The Ultimate History Lesson: A Weekend with John Taylor Gatto

IMDb rating: 9.3

One 5-hour documentary wasn’t enough? No worries, we have another one. This one talks about the history of public schooling in the United States. John Taylor Gatto, a former School Teacher of the Year in New York, introduces the audience to both the good and bad sides of the current public schooling system while also giving remarks on how to make it better.

5. The Transcendental Object at the End of Time

IMDb rating: 9.3

Directed by Peter Bergmann, this documentary that ranks 5th in our list of best full length documentaries to watch on YouTube for free represents a collection of Terence McKenna’s teachings and works. Terence McKenna was an American author and lecturer who advocated the use of psychedelics coming from nature.

4. Jiu Jitsu vs. the World

IMDb rating: 9.4

We also have a martial arts documentary on our list of the best full length documentaries to watch on YouTube for free. How great is that? This documentary talks about the Brazilian martial art of Jiu Jitsu, exploring its impact on those who practice it. The athletes devoted to Jiu Jitsu explain how they got involved in it and how it changed their lives.

3. Great Wide Open

IMDb rating: 9.4

This is a series of five shorter documentaries, but they are all available on YouTube, so we decided to feature it on our list of best full length documentaries to watch on YouTube for free. The documentaries are directed by Jared Leto (the guy who failed as Joker) and talk about the National Parks in the United States. Each part of the documentary features different adventurists who guide viewers through the Parks and share their impressions.

2. Scientism Exposed

IMDb rating: 9.5

Scientism Exposed is rather controversial and may not sit well with some of our readers, but people obviously think it is a good documentary (whether that’s because the majority of reviews are from biased people who already have that mindset, you’ll have to deduce for yourself; suffice to say its approval rating on YouTube is much lower). Scientism Exposed basically trashes science in favor of religion and claims that the only truth we should accept comes from God (except none of us know whether anything has EVER come from God, all we have are ancient books claiming that they are the Word of God). It also claims the earth is flat…yeah, we’re still not done hearing about that nonsense yet…

1. The Flip Side: A Truth That Could Not Reach You

IMDb rating: 9.6

We have come to the end of our list of the best full length documentaries to watch on YouTube for free. This documentary talks about Asumal Sirumalani, also known as Asharam Bapu or just Ashram, a “Self-Realized Saint” from India who teaches about the existence of “One Supreme Conscious”. His story is told from the perspective of two filmmakers. They each spent 20 days in his ashram (a type of monastery) talking with the people who reside there and following Asharam Bapu’s teachings and activities. The documentary also partially covers allegations that he sexually assaulted a young girl.

Disclosure: None