Disney Plus UK has an unending library of documentaries that cater to the audience’s diverse tastes. From historical archives to sports and even contemporary crimes, there’s not a single stone left unturned on Disney Plus UK.
It’s true: we gravitate more towards content from real life because it feels intimate. Documentaries build an immediate connection because we know there’s truth to what we’re seeing; the pre-recorded audios, snippets from the real world… and all the evidence that screams authenticity.
So, it’s nearly impossible to select one documentary out of a sea of incredible documentaries. Here you’ll find a list of the 33 best documentaries on Disney Plus UK (that you shouldn’t miss out on!) in 2023.
The Rescue
Director: Jimmy Chin, and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhrlyi
Writer: NA
Run time: 1 hour 47 minutes
Cast: Bancha Duriyapunt, Apakorn Youkongkaew, Anan Surawan and others
IMDB Rating: 8.3 out of 10
A diverse, dangerous and enthralling rescue mission of 12 boys and their coach is documented in this documentary. With interviews that give an in-depth sense of what was going on in the minds of the people.
The strength and the determination of the rescue team and the professionalism and compassion with which the situation was handled is portrayed in this documentary. It takes a deep dive into the risks involved with mining, bringing them to the forefront.
Free Solo
Director: Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
Writer: NA
Run time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Cast: Alex Hannold, Tommy Caldwell, Jimmy Chin, and others
IMDB Rating: 8.1 out of 10
The story of a solo rock climber who intends to climb the most famous rock. The rock that is 3000 ft. El Capitan, is in the National Yosemite Park.
Free Solo is the most enthralling and nail-biting documentary as it keeps you on the edge of your seats till the end. This climb is the most celebrated athletic feat where Alex Honnold, who is a soloist climber, has set a standard for many to follow. He climbed the rock without the use of any rope and left the world shocked with the feat.
Before the Flood
Director: Fisher Stevens
Writer: Mark Monroe
Run time: 1 hour and 36 minutes
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ban Ki-moon, Alejandro G. Inarritu and others
IMDB Rating: 8.2 out of 10
Leonardo DiCaprio takes the lead in this documentary and leads the viewers to various locations across the globe that are suffering from the adverse effects of global warming. He not only acts as a narrator but in fact, gives out details on the impacts of global warming in the current world.
His memories and analogy of “The Garden of Earthly Delights” that used to hang on top of his crib and how its depiction of the world being ruined is depicted on the final panel are where the world is headed at the moment.
Be Water
Director: Bao Nguyen
Writer: NA
Run time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Cast: Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Linda Lee Cadwell,
IMDB Rating: 7.3 out of 10
This documentary covers the life of Bruce Lee and how he had to struggle to be accepted by Hollywood. In the beginning, he actually got rejected by Hollywood, making him return back to Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, however, luck was on his side as he completed 4 films. His writings, interviews that are very intimate in nature, and other archives help the viewers explore the struggles he had to face that vary from identity to cultural representation.
Summer of the Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
Director: Questlove
Writer: NA
Run time: 1 hour and 58 minutes
Cast: Dorinda Drake, Barbara Brand Acosta, Darryl Lewis, and others
IMDB Rating: 8.0 out of 10
The festival of Harlem Culture in 1969 is covered in this documentary. The lost festival is addressed with a lot of respect, and the producers of the documentary take a deeper look into the festival and what it meant.
With the help of interviews with various attendees of the event to the participants who performed at the event. This documentary covers a lot more than just the festival; it explores the cultural aspects behind it.
Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions
Director: Taylor Swift
Writer: NA
Run time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Cast: Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner, and Justin Vernon
IMDB Rating: 8.3 out of 10
Taylor Swift takes her viewers and followers on the journey of understanding how each of the soundtracks from her album Folklore came into being.
Swift sings each song in the same order and narrates and explains the thought and the concept behind each one of them. Her secrets and personal and private stories are revealed as she explains each one of the 17 songs in the best way a writer, performer, and singer can introduce her work.
The Pixar Story
Director: Leslie Iwerks
Writer: Leslie Iwerks
Run time: 1 hour and 27 minutes
Cast: Stacy Keach, John Lasseter, Brad Bird, and others
IMDB Rating: 7.7 out of 10
The Pixar Story is a documentary as the name suggests, based on one of the most popular production studios in the world. The Pixar Story covers how Pixar has been able to change the world of cinema of animation movies.
In this documentary, the viewer gets a chance to go behind the screen and see what and how The Pixar Animation Studios came into being.
Empire of Dreams: The Stars Behind the Star Wars Trilogy
Director: Edith Becker and Kevin Burns
Writer: Ed Singer
Run time: 2 hours and 31 minutes
Cast: Robert Clotworthy, Walter Cronkite, George Lucas, and others
IMDB Rating: 8.2 out of 10
This documentary revolves around one of the most popular Sci-Fi trilogies to have ever been produced and that is the Star Wars trilogy. This documentary takes you behind the scenes into the making of the Star Wars trilogy and what personalities played a key role in the making is what it is today.
There are interviews, and other archives shared in the documentary that gives you insight into what goes into making such a Sci-Fi movie, especially such a popular one.
Waking Sleeping Beauty
Director: Don Hahn
Writer: Patrick Pacheco
Run time: 1 hour and 26 minutes
Cast: Roy Edward Disney, John Lasseter, Michael Eisner, and others
IMDB Rating: 7.6 out of 10
Waking Sleeping Beauty is a documentary that talks about the resurgence of the Walt Disney Studios over the Decade from 1984 to 1994. As the Studio was seeing bad days before 1984, and once the year began, the world saw how the studio emerged as one of the biggest animation studios.
Pixar claimed its throne in the best way possible, and from 1984 to 1994—the standard of animation films by the studio went over the top and achieved great success.
Frank and Ollie
Director: Theodore Thomas
Writer: Theodore Thomas
Run time: 1 hour and 29 minutes
Cast: Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, Sylvia Roemer, and others
IMDB Rating: 7.7 out of 10
Frank and Ollie revolve around the lives of the two famous animators from Disney. It talks about the hardships and the turbulent times that came upon Disney with the untimely and unfortunate demise of the Great Walt Disney.
The said documentary also covers the lives of Frank and Ollie and uses archives and interviews of the wives of Frank and Ollie to also understand their journey in the studio and outside. A glimpse at the personal and professional lives of the two.
Science Fair
Director: Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster
Writer: Cristina Costantini, Darren Foster, and Jeff Plunkett
Run time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Cast: Jack Andraka, Anjali Chadha, Serena McCalla, and others
IMDB Rating: 7.6 out of 10
This documentary revolves around the journey of the 9 high school students who have to face a lot of struggles to win the science fair. As there can only be one winner the pressure is on these 9 students.
All of the students coming from different parts of the world have to unite for one cause: to win the Science Fair. Working through rivalries, setbacks, and hormones, they must not drift away from their goal.
Blackpink: The Movie
Director: Su Yee Jung and Oh Yoon-Dong
Writer: Chung Justine, and Lee Mizi
Run time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Cast: Blackpink, Jennie Kim, Jisoo Kim, and others
IMDB Rating: 6.9 out of 10
Blackpink: The Movie revolves around the group BlackPink. Black Pink celebrates the 5th anniversary of the launch of the group BlackPink. It was a dearly beloved group by the world that had a great journey.
This documentary honors and pays tribute to their contributions. The BlackPink group consisted of four members and other teammates such as the management crew, but the main key members were Rose, Jennie, Jiso, and Lisa.
Torn
Director: Max Lowe
Writer: NA
Run time: 1 hour and 32 minutes
Cast: Conrad Anker, Jennifer Lowe-Anker, Alex Lowe, and others
IMDB Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Torn is a documentary that revolves around the lives of the Lowe-Anker family. Along with other climbers and a cameraman, Alex Lowe decided to climb the Shishapangma Mountain.
Although in a tragic avalanche that took place, all except one life were lost. One person who survived this incident was Conrad Anker. Conrad Anker was Alex Lowe’s best friend, who soon fell in love with his wife and got married. The movie goes through different personal archives and unreleased footage to display their journey as mountaineers and a family.
Queen of Katwe
Director: Mira Nair
Writer: William Wheeler and Tim Crothers
Run time: 2 hours and 4 minutes
Cast: Madina Nalwanga, David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o and others
IMDB Rating: 7.4 out of 10
Queen of Katwe is a documentary based on a 9-year-old girl from Katwe, Uganda. Her life turns upside down when she learns to play chess from the coach at the local center. Soon beating all the contenders, she becomes one of the top players.
She is then taken to play at school-level tournaments in prestigious schools. She succeeds on all levels and loses on some. Her journey across the process of getting her family out of Katwe and moving them to a better place and the culture of Katwe is explored in this documentary.
Black Is King
Director: Emmanuel Adjei, Ibra Ake, Blitz Bazawule, and others
Writer: Beyonce, Yrsa Daley-Ward, Clover Hope, and others
Run time: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Cast: Beyonce, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Jay-Z, and others
IMDB Rating: 5.5 out of 10
Black is King is a documentary created, written, and celebrated by the artist Beyonce. The story of an African prince who gets exiled from the kingdom after the death of his father. He then has to reclaim his throne and make his way back to the kingdom. Along with that, he has to find his own true identity and prove himself worthy to the people of the kingdom.
The Mercy
Director: James Marsh
Writer: Scott Z. Burns
Run time: 1 hour and 52 minutes
Cast: Colin Firth, Eleanor Stagg, Rachel Weisz, and others
IMDB Rating: 6.0 out of 10
This documentary features some of the most fantastic actors in Hollywood. They depict the role of the mysterious Donald Crowhurst. Donald Crowhurst is an amateur sailor who is attempting to circumnavigate the globe.
His journey and endeavors are a mystery and surprise. Full of excitement and passion this documentary is a must-watch. Along with the desperation of the family who wants their father and husband to return home safely.
Elephant
Director: Mark Linfield, Vanessa Berlowitz, and Alastair Fothergill
Writer: Mark Linfield, and David Fowler
Run time: 1 hour and 26 minutes
Cast: Meghan Markle (voice-over)
IMDB Rating: 7.2 out of 10
A documentary on elephants and their journey through life. The trials and tribulations they have to face and navigate to get to the lands they can spend their lives on. This documentary covers the lives of two elephants Shani, the mother, and the son Jomo. These two set out on a journey to travel hundreds of miles. Along with their herd, they cross the Kalahari desert and to the Zambezi River from the Okavango delta.
David Brent: Life On the Road
Director: Ricky Gervais
Writer: Ricky Gervais
Run time: 1 hour and 36 minutes
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Rob Jarvis, Abbie Murphy, and others
IMDB Rating: 6.3 out of 10
The documentary revolves around the former star of the very popular television series “The Office”. The Office was a fictional television series; however, it was very well received by the audiences and was a very popular show.
Now one of the former actors on the show, David Brent, imagines himself to be a rock star and has a camera crew following him around.
More Than Robots
Director: Gillian Jacobs
Writer: NA
Run time: 1 hour and 29 minutes
Cast: NA
IMDB Rating: 6.0 out of 10
This documentary follows the 2020 First Robotic competition to ever be held. There are four teams from different parts of the world competing in the competition. However, soon it becomes very clear that the competition and winning the competition consists of hurdles that have nothing to do with robots.
Hence, they must navigate and find their way to win the competition in a way that satisfies their conscience, and yet wins them the trophy.
Wall-E
Director: Andrew Stanton
Writer: Andrew Stanton, Pete Doctor, and Jim Reardon
Run time: 1 hour and 38 minutes
Cast: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, and others
IMDB Rating: 8.4 out of 10
This documentary which is more of a movie was seen by people across the world and appreciated by everyone. It is a story of a waste collection robot, who is responsible for collecting waste on the earth, while the human beings on earth have been moved to a safe spaceship. Their lives have become used to going around the clock of the ship.
However, in an unexpected turn of events, the waste collection robot ends up in space on the spaceship. Now, what needs to be seen is how the future of mankind evolves over the course of these unusual circumstances.
Jane
Director: Brett Morgen
Writer: Brett Morgen, and Jane Goodall
Run time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Cast: Jane Goodall, Hugo Van Lawick, and Hugo Eric Van Lawis
IMDB Rating: 7.8 out of 10
Jane covers and celebrates the life of the primatology scientist who has done a lot of work and done a lot of research on chimpanzees. This documentary does a great job of covering the life of Jane Goodall and her experience in the research. Her contributions to the research community are truly celebrated in this documentary.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Director: Michael Showalter
Writer: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, and Abe Sylvia
Run time: 2 hours and 6 minutes
Cast: Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield, Cherry Jones, and others
IMDB Rating: 6.6 out of 10
The documentary is a tribute and a depiction of the life of Tammy Faye. Her struggles in life to reach a televangelism career. The documentary covers her humble beginnings and how she got into the Television industry.
Her life and her whole career are captured in this documentary and it is worth watching how many people struggle in their journey as a star. She got married to Jim Bakker and this documentary does a great job of covering her personal life details.
African Cats
Director: Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill
Writer: Keith Scholey, John Truby, and Owen Newman
Run time: 1 hour and 29 minutes
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson and Patrick Stewart
IMDB Rating: 7.5 out of 10
This documentary revolves around a family of lions. Where a small cute little cub who is called Mara and her family are striving to remain the leader of the pride.
As we all know, in a lion’s life cycle, there always comes a time when other lions from different feelings of pride try to overthrow the leaders of the other pride. This is a story of the pride leader Fang who is trying his best to protect his pride from outside threats.
Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe
Director: NA
Writer: NA
Run time: 43 minutes
Cast: Axel Alonso, Victoria Alonso, Hayley Atwell, and others
IMDB Rating: 7.3 out of 10
This documentary is the one that will have you engrossed in it for the whole duration. As it discovers and uncovers the stories behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe. How it unraveled and how the storylines came into being.
It has interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and many other anecdotes from a lot of people who play a key role in the making of all these films. Marvel: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Marvel: One-Shot are also not forgotten in this documentary, and it covers those as well.
Science of Stupid
Director: NA
Writer: NA
Run time: NA
Cast: Dallas Campbell, Richard Hammond
IMDB Rating: 6.8 out of 10
This is a series of documentaries that covers the videos that are on the internet. With the host Richard Hammond well known for his appearance in the popular Television show Top Gear, this series is out to discuss the science behind the weirdest and stupid videos on the internet.
The host talks the viewers through the videos that are most watched and loved by viewers and explains the concepts and science behind them and their appreciation from the audience.
The Imagineering Story
Director: NA
Writer: NA
Run time: 1 hour
Cast: Tom Morris, Kevin Rafferty, Angela Bassett, and others
IMDB Rating: 9.0 out of 10
This documentary is based on the Imagineering company of the Walt Disney studios. Walt Disney Studios has a separate Imagineering company that works on the conceptualization of ideas for different stories and characters. The documentary covers the in-depth process of the Imagineering company and how it works.
Dolphin Reef
Director: Keith Scholey, and Alastair Fothergill
Writer: Keith Scholey and David Fowler
Run time: 1 hour and 17 minutes
Cast: Natalie Portman (voice-over)
IMDB Rating: 7.4 out of 10
This documentary revolves around the dolphins living in the Pacific Ocean. It especially follows the life of a young dolphin called Echo. Echo is very interested in exploring the coral reef that it resides in and does not give much attention to the process of learning to survive in marine life.
However, with time the family of this young dolphin Echo may be able to encourage him into learning the ways of marine life and how to navigate and measure up to his role in the marine community.
Titanic: 20 Years Later with James Cameron
Director: Thomas C. Grane
Writer: Richard Brehm
Run time: 46 minutes
Cast: Jacqueline Astor Drexel, Robert Ballard, Harold Bride, and others
IMDB Rating: 7.1 out of 10
In the remembrance of the incident of the Titanic on its 20th anniversary, James Cameron revisits the horrible incident and the lives lost.
Even after decades, this incident is one of the most prominent ones on the sea. The documentary revisits the victims and their memories along with the incident itself and how it happened. The ship and the crew aboard are also remembered, and images of the original Titanic are also shown.
Born in China
Director: Chuan Lu
Writer: David Fowler, Brian Leith, Phil Chapman, and others
Run time: 1 hour and 19 minutes
Cast: John Krasinski, Claire Keim, and Xun Zhou
IMDB Rating: 7.2 out of 10
Born in China captures the lives of three different species of wildlife. Their journey and how they must strive to live in the wildlife. Capturing some of the most incredibly sweet and special moments shared between a baby cub of a panda. And the other two species covered in this documentary are the golden monkeys and snow leopards.
The golden monkeys go through the sibling relationship and the highs and lows of it while the mother of snow leopards has to face the issue of raising two cubs.
Apollo: Missions to the Moon
Director: Tom Jennings
Writer: Tom Jennings
Run time: 1 hour and 34 minutes
Cast: Walt Disney, Ward Kimbell, Wernher Von Braun, and others
IMDB Rating: 7.6 out of 10
This documentary further explores the journey of man to the moon. The missions spoken of in this documentary consist of 12 men, and their mission is simply one and considered impossible at the time.
However, this documentary shares archival images, footage, and rare audios that have never been heard or seen before. With these, the journey of a man on the moon is depicted and portrayed in the best possible manner.
The Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Director: NA
Writer: NA
Run time: 40 minutes
Cast: Josh Gad
IMDB Rating: 8.2 out of 10
An exploration into the world of Disney’s Animal kingdom. This is done with the help of biologists, veterinarians, and animal care experts. These people are able to guide the audience about the animals who are kept in the Kingdom and cared for by different people.
Along with Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Epcot’s Sea Base aquarium has also explored the life of animals and how the perfect marine life has been created for marine wildlife.
Secrets of the Whales
Director: NA
Writer: NA
Run time: 3 hours and 11 minutes
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, and Shane Gero
IMDB Rating: 8.5 out of 10
This documentary was filmed over the passage of 3 years. It was also filmed in 24 different locations where the life of whales can be truly experienced and explored.
This documentary has 4 parts, and each one gives a unique and interesting aspect into the life of whales. It discovers and explores the lives of whales and their perspective of love and life.
Brain Games
Director: NA
Writer: NA
Run time: 1 hour
Cast: Jason Silva, Bert Thomas Morris, Apollo Robins, and others
IMDB Rating: 8.3 out of 10
This documentary series is a process of testing and subjecting people to various cognitive tests and seeing the results and examining how the perception of people works.
People are asked to participate in experiments that can be cognitive, illusions, or counterintuitive in nature. The results of each of these tests give out results that can then be analyzed to note people’s behaviors and reactions to all their various testing methods.
Conclusion
Documentaries take us into the complex mind maps of criminals, geniuses, sportsmen, celebrities, and more. It can also be an escape for some people as they see the world through the eyes of another person for a while and observe how they navigate through different scenarios.
Now that you’re at the end, we hope we’ve been of some help, and you have shortlisted some of the best documentaries on Disney Plus UK!