20 Best Documentary Movies on Paramount Plus 2026
Find standout documentary movies on Paramount Plus, from crime and history to music and comedy picks like Predators, EPiC, and Jackass.
If you’re searching for the best documentary movies on Paramount Plus, this list brings together true stories, music portraits, crime investigations, and a few wild comedy picks. You’ll find newer titles like Predators, The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue, EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, and Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D) alongside earlier standouts such as 2nd Chance, Sid & Judy, and Love Means Zero. There’s also plenty for viewers who want something stranger or louder, including the Jackass films, Cheech & Chong's Last Movie, and Super!. Whether you want history, music, or a tough real-world story, this roundup makes it easy to choose what fits your mood.
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01
Predators
documentary · crime · thriller
In the mid-aughts, Dateline NBC’s To Catch a Predator drew millions of weekly viewers to watch sting operations: men planning to meet minors for sex would instead be confronted by polished host Chris Hansen, then by the police — all on hidden camera.
Why watch: If you like crime documentaries with a tense edge, this one fits that lane with its mix of documentary, crime, and thriller. It should appeal to viewers interested in true-crime stories built around investigation and hidden-camera tension.
Directed by David OsitCast Dani JaydenParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
02
Jackass: Best and Last
action & adventure · comedy · documentary
The fifth and final installment to Jackass franchise where the crew go on one last insane crusade.
Why watch: If you enjoy comedy that leans into reckless stunts, this final Jackass entry is an obvious fit. The action and documentary tags suggest the same loud, chaos-driven energy fans expect from the franchise.
Directed by Jeff TremaineCast Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Jason 'Wee Man' Acuña, Dave EnglandParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
03
The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue
documentary
Grandfather and retired Israeli general Noam Tibon rescues his family from Hamas terrorists invading their home during the October 7, 2023 massacre - a coordinated assault on Israel sparking an ongoing conflict.
Why watch: If you prefer documentary stories centered on urgent real-life events, this rescue story may be the right pick. It seems best for viewers drawn to personal survival accounts and conflict-related history.
Directed by Barry AvrichCast Noam TibonParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
04
2nd Chance
documentary
In 1969, bankrupt pizzeria owner Richard Davis invented the modern-day bulletproof vest. To prove that it worked, he shot himself — point-blank — 192 times.
Why watch: If you like unusual invention stories, this documentary should grab you with its premise alone. It may especially appeal to viewers who enjoy biography-style nonfiction with a surprising real-world twist.
Directed by Ramin BahraniCast Damon RodriguezParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
05
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert
documentary · music
Long-lost footage from Elvis Presley's legendary Las Vegas residency in the 1970s woven together with rare 16mm footage from Elvis on Tour, and 8mm from the Graceland archive, plus recordings of Elvis telling "his side of the story" rediscovered during Baz Luhrmann's research for his 2022 film, Elvis.
Why watch: If music documentaries are your thing, this Elvis title looks like a strong choice. Fans of performance-focused documentaries will likely appreciate the combination of concert footage and archival material.
Directed by Baz LuhrmannCast Elvis Presley, James Burton, John Wilkinson, Charlie Hodge, Jerry ScheffParamount PlusMore details on IMDb →
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06
Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)
documentary · music & musical
Captured during Billie Eilish's sold-out world tour, a concert experience from one of the most celebrated and successful artists of her generation, presented in immersive 3D.
Why watch: If you want a concert film with a documentary angle, this Billie Eilish title fits that mood. The music and immersive 3D setup make it a good pick for fans of live performance experiences.
Directed by James Cameron, Billie EilishCast Billie Eilish, FINNEAS, James Cameron, Maggie Baird, Charli xcxParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
07
Super!
documentary
After his wife falls under the influence of a drug dealer, an everyday guy transforms himself into Crimson Bolt, a superhero with the best intentions, though he lacks for heroic skills.
Why watch: If you like documentaries that blur into comic-book-style absurdity, this one may stand out. Its action and comedy elements suggest it works for viewers open to something unconventional and offbeat.
Directed by Laurent GraenicherTubiAMC+Paramount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
08
Sid & Judy
documentary · biography · history
Explore the dramatic career and personal struggles of the talented and tragically short-lived entertainer Judy Garland through rare concert footage, never-heard-before voice recordings and personal photos.
Why watch: If you’re interested in classic entertainment history, this Judy Garland documentary is a natural match. The biography and history elements make it especially appealing for viewers who like portrait-style films.
Directed by Stephen KijakCast Rob Dodd, Jon Hamm, Jennifer Jason LeighParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
09
Jackass Number Two
documentary · action · comedy
Jackass Number Two is a compilation of various stunts, pranks and skits, and essentially has no plot. Chris Pontius, Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Bam Margera, and the whole crew return to the screen to raise the stakes higher than ever before.
Why watch: If you want one of the earlier big-screen Jackass entries, this is a strong place to start. It should suit anyone who enjoys prank-heavy comedy and stunt-centered documentary filmmaking.
Directed by Jeff TremaineCast Lisa Arturo, Katherine Bailess, Terry Beeman, Michael F. Brooks, Katie A. CampbellParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
10
Love Means Zero
documentary
An in-depth look at famed tennis coach Nick Bollettieri. No other coach has matched his success, his dominance or his fame. His greatness, though, came at a terrible price.
Why watch: If you like sports documentaries about demanding careers and complicated success, this one is worth a look. Tennis fans or anyone interested in coaching pressure may connect with its focus on Nick Bollettieri.
Directed by Jason KohnCast Dee GrahamParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
11
Jackass 3D
documentary · action · comedy
Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, Wee Man and the rest of their fearless and foolhardy friends take part in another round of outrageous pranks and stunts. In addition to standing in the path of a charging bull, launching themselves into the air and crashing through various objects, the guys perform in segments such as "Sweatsuit Cocktail," "Beehive Tetherball" and "Lamborghini Tooth Pull."
Why watch: If you enjoy 3D spectacle and bigger stunt set pieces, this Jackass movie is a good fit. The documentary, action, and comedy mix points to the franchise’s familiar high-energy style.
Directed by Jeff TremaineCast Mike JudgeParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
12
Jackass: The Movie
documentary · action · comedy
Johnny Knoxville and his band of maniacs perform a variety of stunts and gross-out gags on the big screen for the first time. They wander around Japan in panda outfits, wreak havoc on a once civilized golf course, they even do stunts involving LIVE alligators, and so on.
Why watch: If you want to see where the Jackass franchise began on the big screen, this title is an easy choice. It’s best for viewers who like gross-out humor, pranks, and escalating stunts.
Directed by Jeff TremaineCast Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Ryan DunnParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
13
The Fire That Took Her
documentary · crime
The case of Judy Malinowski, a young mother who suffered debilitating burns after being set on fire by a man she had dated.
Why watch: If you prefer serious crime documentaries with a human focus, this one may resonate. It seems suited to viewers who want a case-centered story tied to real harm and legal stakes.
Directed by Patricia E. GillespieParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
14
Jackass Forever
documentary · action · comedy
The Jackass crew, along with some newcomers, returns for one final round of hilarious, absurd, and dangerous stunts.
Why watch: If you like the Jackass formula with a mix of familiar faces and newcomers, this is a good pick. Fans of dangerous stunts and comedy will likely know exactly what to expect here.
Directed by Jeff TremaineCast Luca De Massis, Eric Lee ReynaParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
15
Cheech & Chong's Last Movie
documentary · comedy
Exploring their 5-decade career performing stand-up, making records, and starring in hit films. It covers their lives, comedy partnership, and lasting influence on pop culture.
Why watch: If you enjoy comedy documentaries about long-running partnerships, this one fits well. It should appeal to viewers curious about pop culture influence and a career that spans decades.
Directed by David BushellCast Lou Adler, Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin, Edie McClurgParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
16
Bodyguard of Lies
documentary · thriller
Exposes the tangled web of deception spun by the U.S. government during its 20-year war in Afghanistan, revealing the campaign of lies and misinformation fed to the American public. Through shocking testimonies from government insiders, confidential documents, and private audio recordings of those at the highest levels of the military and elected leadership, this gripping documentary urges a reckoning with the wider implications of government deception on a global scale.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to documentary thrillers about government power and public deception, this is a strong match. It should appeal to viewers who want a serious, investigative angle on recent history.
Directed by Dan KraussParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
17
Larger Than Life: Reign of the Boybands
documentary · music
Highlights boy bands and their rise — and fall — to fame, from The Beatles to Jackson 5 to the Jonas Brothers and One Direction, as well as the K-pop group Seventeen.
Why watch: If pop music history interests you, this documentary offers a broad look at boy bands and their rise and fall. It’s a good fit for viewers who enjoy music docs with a nostalgia factor.
Directed by Tamra DavisCast Donnie Wahlberg, Donny Osmond, Nick Lachey, Zac Hanson, Chris KirkpatrickParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
18
The Pink Pill: Sex, Drugs and Who Has Control
documentary
A documentary that captures a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for complete health care equality, at a time when bodily autonomy hangs in the balance.
Why watch: If you want a documentary tied to health care and bodily autonomy, this could be the right pick. It’s best for viewers who prefer issue-driven nonfiction with a social perspective.
Directed by Aisling Chin-YeeCast Cindy EckertParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
19
Bring Your Own Brigade
documentary
An investigation into our landscape's hidden fire stories and on-the-ground experiences of firefighters and residents struggling through deadly fires.
Why watch: If you’re interested in environmental disasters and firsthand accounts, this documentary should fit well. It may appeal to viewers who want a serious look at fires and the people living through them.
Directed by Lucy WalkerCast ScoteaParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
20
Pay or Die
documentary
Nearly 2 million Americans are held ransom, facing death without insulin. PAY OR DIE portrays families receiving these notes, unveiling life's harsh truth with chronic illness in the world's wealthiest nation.
Why watch: If you like documentaries about health care access and personal stakes, this title is a strong choice. It will likely connect with viewers who want a clear, grounded look at insulin and chronic illness.
Directed by Rachael Dyer, Scott Alexander RudermanParamount PlusMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This guide is built to help you move quickly from browsing to watching, with picks that cover crime, history, music, sports, and offbeat comedy. From emotionally heavy documentaries like The Fire That Took Her and Pay or Die to performance-focused titles such as EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert and Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D), there’s a wide range of styles here. Bookmark this page if you want a simple place to return to when you’re deciding what to stream next. It’s updated regularly, so check back for new additions and fresh recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
Do I need a Paramount Plus subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Paramount Plus. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these documentary movies ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the documentary titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.