Documentaries you can stream right now

Concert films count as documentaries, and none is better than “Stop Making Sense.” Directed by Jonathan Demme, the movie features the band Talking Heads at its peak of creativity. It’s just a concert film, pure and simple, but it is also so much more. If you have any interest in Talking Heads, even the slightest, you have to see “Stop Making Sense.” You can watch it on Amazon Prime or check it out on Vudu or Pluto TV with ads.

Andy Kaufman dedicated himself to a bit, often to the detriment of his friends and loved ones. The film “Man on the Moon” is a solid biopic about his life and untimely death. Jim Carrey stars as Kaufman, and he too dedicated himself to the process. “The Great Beyond” is about Carrey’s attempt to get, and stay, in character as Kaufman for the film. It’s about how far creative people will go to commit to their craft and the damage that can do. This movie is on Netflix.

Asif Kapadia had two films on our sports documentary list. He appears here as well with “Amy,” a film about Amy Winehouse. Winehouse was a tremendously talented and troubled musician, whose alcoholism took her life far too young. It’s a hard story at times, but Kapadia knows how to craft a documentary. You will also find “Amy” on Showtime, Fubo, Hoopla, and Kanopy.

Who doesn’t love a food documentary? If you want something relaxing, like, say, if you are feeling stressed for some reason these days, “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” could be perfect for you. It’s a contemplative, quiet documentary about a sushi expert who has dedicated his life to perfecting sushi. The film is beautiful and could help ease your mind a bit. Check it out on Hoopla, or on Tubi with ads.

Orson Welles, the director of “Citizen Kane” and a Hollywood legend, spent the end of his life trying to make the movie “The Other Side of the Wind.” While that was happening, he was also having the process documented. In conjunction with the release of a sort-of version of “The Other Side of the Wind,” Netflix produced this companion documentary. If we’re being honest, “They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead” is better than the movie it’s about.

Cunningham is one of the most successful photographers in the world. The man has been taking fashion photos in New York for decades and has had two style columns in The New York Times. Want to watch a genius at work? Then watch “Bill Cunningham New York” on Kanopy or Fandor, or check it out with ads on Vudu, Tubi or Pluto TV.

Edward Snowden went from an unknown man to one of the most wanted people in the world when he blew the whistle on the NSA’s spying tactics. It really changed the world and also Snowden’s life. You can see the fallout happen in real time in “Citizenfour,” which is not something you see cataloged often. “Citizenfour” is on Hoopla, or you can see it with ads on Tubi or Pluto TV.

James Baldwin became one of the most prominent writers in the country for his willingness to write unapologetically about being black in America. He never finished the manuscript for his final book, “Remember This House,” but it is used in part to tell the story of Baldwin and also continue the conversation about being black in the United States today. The film is available on Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, or with ads on Tubi.

The Stooges, with frontman Iggy Pop, were at the forefront of the punk movement. They were known for their intense, visceral shows, and to this day it feels like Pop has never put a shirt on. “Gimme Danger” is directed by Jim Jarmusch, a talented filmmaker who has made narrative films like “Paterson” and “Ghost Dog.” You can watch the movie on Amazon Prime.

The Maysles brothers, Albert and David, are two of the preeminent names in documentary making. They were at the forefront of cinema verite, a style that simply tries to, well, document life without getting the directors involved too much. The Maysles turned their camera on Iris Apfel, who was 93 when the film was made and had spent decades as a figure in the New York fashion scene. You can stream it on Hoopla, Kanopy or, with ads, on Tubi.

This is kind of the opposite of cinema verite, and you won’t find many documentaries twistier than this. How much are we being played, and who is playing us? We don’t want to say anything more, because this is one of the rare documentaries that can truly be spoiled. Find it on Hulu if you want to take the ride.

Let’s end with something uplifting. You can probably use it. “Apollo 11” was made for the 50th anniversary of one of the biggest events in the world: man landed on the moon. You know the story. You’ve probably even seen footage. And yet you should still check out “Apollo 11.” Watch it now on Hulu.

Even if you didn't grow up in the New Jersey area, you might know about Action Park. In the '80s, the water park was know for, well, not exactly being stringent about safety. The documentary, which is new to HBO Max, is a mix of nostalgia and the somber reality that there were serious consequences to the insanity.