It's one of the least successful genres in cinemas, but also the one that contains the most nuggets. Documentary is a genre in a class of its own, always close to reality and sometimes attempting to push the boundaries of simple reporting by creating a true work of cinema. Some filmmakers specialize in this genre, while others alternate between fiction and documentary. In fact, some of the world's greatest directors, renowned for their fiction films, have gone on to produce prodigious documentaries, such as Martin Scorsese, Werner Herzog and Agnès Varda.
There are lots of good reasons to go and see documentaries at the cinema. First of all, it's a great way to learn more about subjects that interest you. Documentaries can give you new perspectives on historical events, fascinating personalities or complex subjects. Documentary is a vast genre and can take many different forms: portraiture, archival illustration, live footage, and more.
They can also make you think about important issues of our time, and help you realize the impact of our actions on the world around us. Finally, watching documentaries in the cinema is a unique, immersive experience that allows you to immerse yourself in a subject in a deeper way than watching a documentary on TV or a computer screen.
Discover below our selection of documentaries currently showing in cinemas and coming soon.
- This list is regularly updated -
Iron Maiden : the Burning Ambition documentary hits cinemas today
Burning Ambition, an unreleased documentary marking Iron Maiden’s fifty-year career, hits theaters on May 13, 2026. The film traces the journey of the British heavy metal band through archival footage, testimonies, and rare images. [Read more]
Little Girl Blue on France 4, starring Marion Cotillard
Little Girl Blue, a docudrama by Mona Achache starring Marion Cotillard, is airing on France 4 on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 9:00 PM, following its Cannes 2023 premiere. [Read more]
A great program to discover without delay!
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