The Best Movies and Documentaries about the Lives of These Much-Loved Celebrities

You might hae already seen dozens of interviews and talk shows that your favorite celebrity has been a part of, but have you seen any documentaries about them? If not, we highly encourage you give it a go. These following documentaries reveal never seen before footages, stories told from their perspective and the backstage, as well as personal thoughts about their fame. We think you’ll find these both entertaining and heartfelt.

1

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Fred Rogers, François Scarborough Clemmons, Yo-Yo Ma
Morgan Neville
2018

Fred Rogers used puppets and play to explore complex social issues: race, disability, equality and tragedy, helping form the American concept of childhood. He spoke directly to children and they responded enthusiastically. Yet today, his impact is unclear. Have we lived up to Fred's ideal of good neighbors?

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8.4 IMDB
2

Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds

Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, Todd Fisher
Fisher Stevens, Alexis Bloom
2016

An intimate portrait of Hollywood royalty featuring Debbie Reynolds, Todd Fisher, and Carrie Fisher.

8 IMDB
3

Exit Through the Gift Shop

Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Thierry Guetta
Banksy
2010

Banksy is a graffiti artist with a global reputation whose work can be seen on walls from post-hurricane New Orleans to the separation barrier on the Palestinian West Bank. Fiercely guarding his anonymity to avoid prosecution, Banksy has so far resisted all attempts to be captured on film. Exit Through the Gift Shop tells the incredible true story of how an eccentric French shop keeper turned documentary maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner.

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8 IMDB
4

Marley

Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley, Rita Marley
Kevin Macdonald
2012

Bob Marley's universal appeal, impact on music history and role as a social and political prophet is both unique and unparalleled. Directed by Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland), MARLEY is the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, and legend, from his early days to his rise to international superstardom. Made with the support of the Marley family, the film features rare footage, incredible performances and revelatory interviews with the people that knew him best.

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8 IMDB
5

Jane Fonda in Five Acts

Jane Fonda, Tom Hayden, Robert Redford
Susan Lacy
2018

Girl next door, activist, so-called traitor, fitness tycoon, Oscar winner: Jane Fonda has lived a life of controversy, tragedy and transformation – and she’s done it all in the public eye. An intimate look at one woman’s singular journey.

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7.9 IMDB
6

Amy

Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson, Tony Bennett
Asif Kapadia
2015

A documentary on the life of Amy Winehouse, the immensely talented yet doomed songstress. We see her from her teen years, where she already showed her singing abilities, to her finding success and then her downward spiral into alcoholism and drugs.

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7.8 IMDB
7

McQueen

Alexander McQueen, Bernard Arnault, Joseph Bennett
Ian Bonhôte
2018

Alexander McQueen's rags-to-riches story is a modern-day fairy tale, laced with the gothic. Mirroring the savage beauty, boldness and vivacity of his design, this documentary is an intimate revelation of McQueen's own world, both tortured and inspired, which celebrates a radical and mesmerizing genius of profound influence.

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7.8 IMDB
8

Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond- Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton

Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Miloš Forman
Chris Smith
2017

Offbeat documentarian Chris Smith provides a behind-the-scenes look at how Jim Carrey adopted the persona of idiosyncratic comedian Andy Kaufman on the set of Man on the Moon.

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7.7 IMDB
9

Avicii: True Stories

Avicii, David Guetta, Tiësto
Levan Tsikurishvili
2017

Documentary about the arena-packing Swedish DJ, chronicling his explosive rise to fame and surprising decision to retire from live performances in 2016.

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7.6 IMDB
10

Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé

Beyoncé Knowles, Jay-Z, Kelly Rowland
Beyoncé Knowles, Ed Burke
2019

This intimate, in-depth look at Beyoncé's celebrated 2018 Coachella performance reveals the emotional road from creative concept to cultural movement.

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7.4 IMDB
11

Miss Americana

Taylor Swift, Andrea Swift, Scott Swift
Lana Wilson
2020

A raw and emotionally revealing look at one of the most iconic artists of our time during a transformational period in her life as she learns to embrace her role not only as a songwriter and performer, but as a woman harnessing the full power of her voice.

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7.4 IMDB
12

Love, Gilda

Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, Amy Poehler
Lisa Dapolito
2018

Diaries, audiotapes, videotapes and testimonies from friends and colleagues offer insight into the life and career of Gilda Radner -- the beloved comic and actress who became an icon on Saturday Night Live.

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7.4 IMDB
13

Whitney

Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, Cissy Houston
Kevin Macdonald
2018

Filmmaker Kevin Macdonald examines the life and career of singer Whitney Houston. Features never-before-seen archival footage, exclusive recordings, rare performances and interviews with the people who knew her best.

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7.2 IMDB
14

I Am Ali

Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, George Foreman
Clare Lewins
2014

Unprecedented access to Muhammad Ali's personal archive of "audio journals" as well as interviews and testimonials from his inner circle of family and friends are used to tell the legend's life story.

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7.2 IMDB
15

Gaga: Five Foot Two

Lady Gaga, Bobby Campbell, Mark Ronson
Chris Moukarbel
2017

Go behind the scenes with pop provocateur Lady Gaga as she releases a bold new album and prepares for her Super Bowl halftime show.

7 IMDB
16

Travis Scott: Look Mom I Can Fly

Travis Scott, Stormi Webster, Sheck Wes
White Trash Tyler, Travis Scott
2019

While crafting his Grammy-nominated album "Astroworld," Travis Scott juggles controversy, fatherhood and career highs in this intimate documentary.

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6.3 IMDB
17

Katy Perry: Part of Me

Katy Perry, Russell Brand, Shannon Woodward
Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz
2012

Giving fans unprecedented access to the real life of the music sensation, Katy Perry: Part of Me exposes the hard work, dedication and phenomenal talent of a girl who remained true to herself and her vision in order to achieve her dreams. Featuring rare behind-the-scenes interviews, personal moments between Katy and her friends, and all-access footage of rehearsals, choreography, Katy’s signature style and more, Katy Perry: Part of Me reveals the singer’s unwavering belief that if you can be yourself, then you can be anything.

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5.8 IMDB