Documentaries or docuseries are admittedly not the first choices for many of us, since there are so many works of fiction that trump over the non-fiction ones, but 2021 really did gift us some gems in both genres.

Here are our top 12 picks of this year -- definitely worth a watch:

1. The Rescue

The documentary chronicles the dramatic rescue of 12 Thai boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave that they were trapped inside, in 2018. Rated 8.4 on IMDb, this piece of art was released in select theatres.

2. Flee

Directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Flee—rated 8.2 on IMDb— is a largely animated documentary that focuses on the protagonist's story of how he fled from Afghanistan to Denmark as a refugee. It was released in theaters on Dec. 3.

3. Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain

In this documentary, director Morgan Neville shows Anthony Bourdain and his career as a writer, chef and host. The movie has managed to beautifully capture Bourdain's approach to food, culture and travel. It has been rated 7.8 on IMDb. To watch it, you can rent it on either Amazon or YouTube.

4. Playing With Sharks

The documentary is based on the life of scuba diver Valerie Taylor, who has dedicated her life to exposing the myth surrounding the fear of sharks. Directed by Sally Aitken, it has a rating of 7.6 on IMDb and can be watched on Disney+.

5. Procession

Directed by Robert Greene, "Procession" follows the lives of six men who got together to create a makeshift family after they suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic priests. The movie can be seen on Netflix and has an IMDb rating of 7.0.

6. Murder Among The Mormons

"Murder Among the Mormons," directed by Jared Hess and Tyler Measom, is an American true crime documentary television miniseries about Mark Hofmann, one of the most notable forgers in history. It has a rating of 7.0 on IMDb and you can watch it on Netflix.

7. Framing Britney Spears

Samantha Stark's piece of work follows the pop singer's life, right from the start of her career, to her bitter battle with her father over her estate. You can watch it on Hulu and it has an IMDb rating of 6.9.

8. All Light, Everywhere

Rated 6.9 on IMDB, this film follows the way in which humans physically see the world by focusing primarily on the usage of police body cameras and other forms of police surveillance. To watch this film directed by Theo Anthony, you can rent it via Amazon or Youtube.

9. Allen v. Farrow

This 4-episode series explores the sexual abuse allegation made against Woody Allen in 1992. Directed by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, the series with a 6.4 rating on IMDb is available on HBO Max.

10. A Glitch In The Matrix

Documentary filmmaker Rodney Ascher's "A Glitch in the Matrix" is a part science fiction mind-scrambler, part horror story, which explores simulation hypothesis through the eyes of those who suspect the world is not real. It has been rated 5.3 on IMDb.

An Empty Movie Theater in France
A message concerning the distance measures is displayed on a giant screen inside a movie theatre room in Paris on June 17, 2020, few days before all the movies and theatres will be allowed to re-open, as France eases lockdown measures taken to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic (novel coronavirus). (Photo by THOMAS COEX / AFP) (Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images) (Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images)
RELATED STORIES