The best documentary films of 2022, ranked
Our favorite docs of the year, from Moonage Daydream to Fire Of Love, prove filmmaking is in the midst of a nonfiction resurgence
Film Lists Will Vinton
While the merits of streaming and its impact on the theatrical exhibition marketplace can be debated, there’s no doubt that the advent of digital streaming has contributed to a boom in nonfiction filmmaking. Viewers who would never have seriously considered getting in their car, seeking out a theater, and plunking down $10 or $15 to watch a documentary have indulged curiosity in the genre at a massive scale. A lot of this interest, of course, comes in the form of unambitious pop-culture rehashes and true crime rib-pokers—some uninspired or unnecessary (do we really need to hear what Casey Anthony has to say?), some actually elevated or compellingly rendered. But if those types of low-hanging nonfiction fruit are largely driving the market, there is still fascinating work being done. To wit, let’s look at 14 of the best documentaries of 2022, ranked from least to most essential. For The A.V. Club’s overall best films list, click here!)
11 Comments
Yes, I could Google, but my wish for 2023 is that this once-great website reintroduces basic information about where to stream/rent/etc. Doesn’t seem like too much to ask.
Came down here to say exactly the same thing! Such a no-brainer.
Don’t worry darling.
It’s definitely annoying when they don’t include viewing info. Many times they leave us hanging with something that was shown at a festival, but the film doesn’t even have distribution plans yet. Anyway, I use the JustWatch app on my iPad. There’s a website too. They could add a link to there, but maybe there are business reasons they won’t include this info.
In some cases it could be because that kind of info can quickly become outdated, but I’m not sure what the shelf life of “The best documentary films of 2022, ranked” is, anyway.
Jeez, guys. Maybe start writing articles about these docs instead of being an off-brand TMZ. I would think that many of these would actually benefit from being discussed on this site once in a while. I know I would at least more than one of these by name if AVC actually reviewed them.
A fine list, but egregious omissions:All the Beauty and the BloodshedWho We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in AmericaDescendantMidwivesRetrogradeDelikadoLet the Little Light Shine
The title here is ‘The Best….” not the “Most Important….”
Not a movie, but I watched and learned a lot.PBS’s “The US and the Holocaust”.
It’s not out yet, but I can’t wait for This Place Rules by Youtube’s Channel 5. Great to see how screwed we are.
This Place Rules | Official Trailer | HBO – YouTube
docuseries Aftershock: Everest and the Nepal Earthquake