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Best Documentaries & storytelling videos, as recommended on Hacker News

171 videos about documentaries & storytelling that Hacker News commenters keep recommending, mentioned between 2009 and 2026. Mostly documentary, explainer, other. Channels that come up most: Tom Scott, Mark Rober, BobbyBroccoli, VICE. Sorted by how consistently HN recommended them over the years.

The most recommended is The Century of the Self (Full Adam Curtis Documentary): HN recommends it often and strongly as an eye-opening account of marketing psychology and the engineering of consumer society.

• documentaryThe Century of the Self (Full Adam Curtis Documentary)David Lessig · 13 HN recommenders · 2016–2026
• documentaryVideo explains the world's most important 6-sec drum loopLandon Proctor · 15 HN recommenders · 2011–2026
• documentaryJames Burke Connections, Ep. 1 "The Trigger Effect"DRS_Education · 12 HN recommenders · 2019–2026
• documentaryAlphaGo - The Movie | Full award-winning documentaryGoogle DeepMind · 10 HN recommenders · 2020–2025
• documentaryTIMELAPSE OF THE FUTURE: A Journey to the End of Time (4K)melodysheep · 13 HN recommenders · 2019–2025
• documentaryThe Century of the Self - Part 1: "Happiness Machines"JustAdamCurtis · 13 HN recommenders · 2017–2025
• documentaryDick Proenneke in Alone in the Wildernessswererbob · 10 HN recommenders · 2012–2023
• documentaryThe Secret WarSergio IQ · 4 HN recommenders · 2019–2025
• podcast8. The Sumerians - Fall of the First CitiesFall of Civilizations · 7 HN recommenders · 2020–2023
• documentary1. How Buildings Learn - Stewart Brand - 1 of 6 - “Flow”Stewart Brand · 8 HN recommenders · 2013–2020
• documentaryPowers of Ten™ (1977)Eames Office · 9 HN recommenders · 2012–2025
• documentaryTempleOS | Down the Rabbit HoleFredrik Knudsen · 7 HN recommenders · 2019–2022
• documentaryMichael Moore Presents: Planet of the Humans | A Film by Jeff Gibbs | Full DocumentaryMichael Moore · 7 HN recommenders · 2020–2024
• explainerI promise this story about microwaves is interesting.Tom Scott · 9 HN recommenders · 2021–2026
• documentaryThe House I Live In Official Trailer #1 (2012) Drugs Documentary Movie HDRotten Tomatoes Trailers · 4 HN recommenders · 2013–2015
• documentaryHyperNormalisation 2016crisalist · 6 HN recommenders · 2016–2020
• documentaryMoleman 2 - Demoscene - The Art of the Algorithms (2012)Vakondok (Moleman) · 6 HN recommenders · 2015–2023
• documentaryJames Burke Connections, Ep. 4 "Faith in Numbers"DRS_Education · 4 HN recommenders · 2020–2026
• documentaryFarewellEtaoinShrdluDrinks and Dice · 6 HN recommenders · 2017–2026
• documentaryThe Spectacular Failure of the Star Wars HotelJenny Nicholson · 4 HN recommenders · 2024–2026
• documentaryHappy People | Spring (part 1) [Happy People Documentary | Spring in Siberia Part 1Дмитрий Васюков · 4 HN recommenders · 2015–2023
• explainerEngland: South Sea Bubble - The Sharp Mind of John Blunt - Extra History - Part 1Extra History · 6 HN recommenders · 2018–2025
• documentaryThe man who almost faked his way to a Nobel PrizeBobbyBroccoli · 6 HN recommenders · 2022–2023
• explainerAlexander Pope Wrote a 35-Page Takedown of a HistorianCGP Grey · 5 HN recommenders · 2021–2025
• documentaryNetscape Mozilla Documentary 1998 - 2000 ProJect Code Rush - creative common licenceznoopy2k · 5 HN recommenders · 2011–2013
• documentaryDisney's FastPass: A Complicated HistoryDefunctland · 7 HN recommenders · 2021–2024
• podcastNeuromancer (BBC radio play adaptation ) William GibsonMichael McGrath · 3 HN recommenders · 2018–2025
• documentaryFree to PlayValve · 5 HN recommenders · 2014–2022
• documentaryThe Great Wave - Part 1David Bull · 4 HN recommenders · 2020–2026
• documentaryMan Spends 30 Years Turning Degraded Land into Massive Forest – Fools & Dreamers (Full Documentary)Happen Films · 4 HN recommenders · 2019–2025
• documentaryPlagues & Pleasures on the Salton Sea | KQED Truly CAKQED Arts · 4 HN recommenders · 2017–2025
• documentaryThe End of Suburbia - 52 minute documentary on peak oilendofsuburbia · 3 HN recommenders · 2011–2021
• documentaryA NEW Trace! The FULL MH370 Story, so Far..Mentour Pilot · 5 HN recommenders · 2024–2025
• documentaryRiding through Iran on a small motorcycle as British person.c90adventures · 4 HN recommenders · 2016–2021
• documentary13TH | FULL FEATURE | NetflixNetflix · 6 HN recommenders · 2020–2023
• documentaryBBS The Documentary: Episode 1 of 8: BAUD (The Beginning)Jason Scott · 4 HN recommenders · 2019–2025
• documentaryJames Burke Legend Connections 1 The Trigger EffectTim Callinan · 4 HN recommenders · 2022–2026
• documentaryTalking Funny - HBOKen Jones · 3 HN recommenders · 2014–2022
• documentarySmelting Iron in Africa (A DEMONSTRATION)Christopher Roy · 4 HN recommenders · 2015–2024
• documentaryThe Vanishing of Flight 370LEMMiNO · 2 HN recommenders · 2019–2023
• documentaryBritain peak power demand (from BBC TV series: Britain from Above)fiddyschmitt · 4 HN recommenders · 2013–2026
• documentarySurviving in the Siberian Wilderness for 70 Years (Full Length)VICE · 4 HN recommenders · 2014–2023
• documentaryWar - Part Two: Anybody's Son Will Do (1 of 6)Ingsoc75 · 3 HN recommenders · 2013–2017
• commentaryRAT POISON AND BRANDY: THE 1904 ST. LOUIS OLYMPIC MARATHON.Jon Bois · 3 HN recommenders · 2019–2024
• comedyVerbatim: What Is a Photocopier? | Op-DocsNew York Times Opinion · 4 HN recommenders · 2017–2025
• documentaryMoney as Debt I - Revised Edition 2009 (Full Movie)Ethaniel RockX · 4 HN recommenders · 2020–2022
• documentaryMoney as Debt - Full DocumentaryFree Your Mind · 2 HN recommenders · 2017–2023
• documentaryThe Kennedy Assassination: Inside the Book DepositoryLEMMiNO · 5 HN recommenders · 2023–2024
• documentaryThe Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz | full movie (2014)moviemaniacsDE · 3 HN recommenders · 2015–2026
• documentaryOswald Acted Alone: JFK Assassination Solved (Part 1 of 2)Sean Munger · 4 HN recommenders · 2023–2024
• documentaryChernobyl 3828TeleconStudio · 2 HN recommenders · 2014–2019
• documentaryThe Company that Broke CanadaBobbyBroccoli · 3 HN recommenders · 2024–2026
• documentaryKedi - Full Length Documentaryvlogbrothers · 3 HN recommenders · 2018–2022
• documentaryChai Jing's review: Under the Dome – Investigating China’s Smog 柴静雾霾调查：穹顶之下 (full translation)Christopher He · 3 HN recommenders · 2015–2018
• documentaryBirth of BASICDartmouth · 3 HN recommenders · 2021–2024
• documentaryThe Untold Story of Online Gaming on Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis | XBANDWrestling With Gaming · 4 HN recommenders · 2019–2020
• documentaryWhat a Japanese Moving Company in Tokyo is likePaolo fromTOKYO · 3 HN recommenders · 2020–2025
• documentaryTHE MARS UNDERGROUND [HD] Full MovieBlue Mars · 3 HN recommenders · 2014–2015
• explainerWatching This Video Disqualifies You From Jury Duty for LifeCGP Grey · 3 HN recommenders · 2015–2024
• interviewErrol Morris interviews mob lawyer Murray Richman - 1/3Melchi · 3 HN recommenders · 2009–2012
• demoGlitter Bomb 1.0 vs Porch PiratesMark Rober · 3 HN recommenders · 2018–2024
• documentarySHIPBREAKERS | Would you risk your life dismantling the world’s largest ships just to survive? | NFBNFB · 3 HN recommenders · 2022–2024
• documentaryMiniatur Wunderland *** official video *** largest model railway / railroad of the worldMiniatur Wunderland · 3 HN recommenders · 2017–2022
• documentaryAmerica's Nerve Gas ArsenalPeter Klusman · 2 HN recommenders · 2017–2020
• otherWho Killed Captain Alex: Uganda's First Action Movie (English Subtitles & Video Joker) - WakaliwoodOfficial Wakaliwood · 2 HN recommenders · 2018–2023
• documentaryThe Secrets Of Cornwall - Part 1 - CommunicationsMark Thomas · 3 HN recommenders · 2020–2022
• documentaryBlack Wednesday (BBC 1997)batrachious · 3 HN recommenders · 2014–2019
• documentaryFrancis Bacon: A Brush with Violence (2017)Wei Yu · 3 HN recommenders · 2021–2021
• documentaryThe KGB, the Computer, and Me.DragonFartOutLoud · 3 HN recommenders · 2021–2024
• documentaryHow Music Works 1 - Melody - Part 1timegrinder · 3 HN recommenders · 2009–2016
• documentaryThe ascent of Alex HonnoldCBS News · 2 HN recommenders · 2012–2017
• documentaryDan Deacon - Bromst - In The StudioPitchfork · 3 HN recommenders · 2013–2019
• documentaryHow the US Postal Service reads terrible handwritingTom Scott · 4 HN recommenders · 2022–2026
• documentary50 Years Ago, This Was a Wasteland. He Changed Everything | Short Film ShowcaseNational Geographic · 3 HN recommenders · 2018–2022
• documentaryPOLYBIUS - The Video Game That Doesn't ExistAhoy · 2 HN recommenders · 2023–2026
• documentaryPandora's Box, E1: The Engineers' Plotnagualdesign · 3 HN recommenders · 2014–2025
• documentaryPrinces of the Yen | The Hidden Power of Central BanksIndependent POV · 4 HN recommenders · 2015–2022
• documentaryNoam Chomsky - Manufacturing ConsentChomsky's Philosophy · 3 HN recommenders · 2017–2021
• documentaryInside Africa's Food Forest Mega-ProjectAndrew Millison · 3 HN recommenders · 2025–2026
• documentaryModern Times Streetwise - part 1/4 - 1996 BBC Documentary how become a London cabbie.TaxiWarrior · 3 HN recommenders · 2014–2017
• otherThe Greatest Shot In TelevisionMoonEyes Plays · 2 HN recommenders · 2020–2023
• other“I’m Not a Robot” (2025 Academy Award Winner) | The New Yorker Screening RoomThe New Yorker · 2 HN recommenders · 2025–2026
• documentaryThe Cannonball Run Countach: Supercar Legend | Full DocumentaryHagerty Drivers Foundation · 2 HN recommenders · 2022–2023
• documentaryAlways/Never: The Quest for Safety, Control, and Survivability - Part 1Sandia National Labs · 2 HN recommenders · 2021–2026
• documentaryBrian Springer - SpinMasterpieceConCen7 · 2 HN recommenders · 2016–2021
• documentaryFeynman: Take the world from another point of view (1/4)Aaron Scher · 2 HN recommenders · 2009–2023
• documentarySecret Life Of Machines 104 The Washing MachineRetrotv · 2 HN recommenders · 2015–2020
• documentaryThe Fantastic Case of the Missing TeslaRich Rebuilds · 2 HN recommenders · 2019–2019
• documentaryRiot On Documentary (2002)Caroline bruins · 2 HN recommenders · 2016–2022
• explainerI Saved a PNG Image To A BirdBenn Jordan · 2 HN recommenders · 2025–2026
• interviewDavid Carr vs. Some Guys from VICEAudenRaybourn · 2 HN recommenders · 2015–2024
• documentaryInto Eternity - Official trailerDogwoof · 2 HN recommenders · 2011–2023
• documentaryThe People's Republic of The FutureBloomberg Originals · 2 HN recommenders · 2019–2022
• explainerEverything is a Remix Part 3 (Original Series, 2011)Kirby Ferguson · 2 HN recommenders · 2011–2018
• documentaryURBEX | Abandoned Soviet Space Shuttles (Buran) in BaikonurExploring the Unbeaten Path · 1 HN recommender · 2018–2022
• podcastWell There's Your Problem | Episode 28: Goiânia IncidentWell There's Your Problem Podcast · 2 HN recommenders · 2021–2023
• documentaryInternet of food: Arduino-based, urban aquaponics in OaklandKirsten Dirksen · 2 HN recommenders · 2013–2018
• otherFred Dibnah How to climb a chimney overhang at 50+dovecott · 3 HN recommenders · 2015–2025
• documentaryFour Horsemen - Feature Documentary - Official VersionRenegade Inc. · 2 HN recommenders · 2013–2018
• talkMajor Brian Shul, USAF (Ret.) SR-71 Blackbird 'Speed Check'Jan Johnson · 2 HN recommenders · 2018–2021
• documentaryIt's Quieter in the Twilight | Trailer | SF48Boston SciFi · 2 HN recommenders · 2024–2025
• documentaryFred Dibnah laddering a chimney (Part 1)Matibeos · 2 HN recommenders · 2012–2022
• documentaryTractor Hacking: The Farmers Breaking Big Tech's Repair MonopolyMotherboard · 3 HN recommenders · 2018–2018
• documentaryPart One: The Evergreen Equity CouncilMichael Nayna · 2 HN recommenders · 2019–2025
• documentaryRegreening the desert with John D. Liu | VPRO Documentary | 2012vpro documentary · 2 HN recommenders · 2019–2023
• documentarySecret Billionaire: The Chuck Feeney Storyatlanticphil · 2 HN recommenders · 2018–2023
• documentaryInside Job (2010 Full Documentary Movie)Aditya Shukla · 2 HN recommenders · 2021–2025
• documentaryThe Engines That Came In From The Cold - And how The NK-33/RD-180 Came To The USAMatthew Travis · 2 HN recommenders · 2014–2021
• documentaryThe Dolphin HouseAtrocity Guide · 2 HN recommenders · 2021–2025
• otherBen Marking's Fake BBC Nuclear Attack Broadcast (Full Resolution, Uncut, Unedited)Tooth · 2 HN recommenders · 2022–2025
• demoWho's faster around London: a taxi driver or a GPS?Tom Scott plus · 2 HN recommenders · 2022–2026
• documentaryHow to Become TripAdvisor’s #1 Fake RestaurantVICE · 2 HN recommenders · 2018–2021
• documentaryEverything Is A Remix (Full Film)StarveTheSystem2 · 2 HN recommenders · 2013–2025
• documentaryQuants | The Alchemists of Wall Street | VPRO documentaryvpro documentary · 2 HN recommenders · 2013–2021
• documentaryThe man who faked human cloningBobbyBroccoli · 2 HN recommenders · 2023–2023
• documentaryGOG: Preserving Gaming's Past & Future/noclip · 2 HN recommenders · 2018–2025
• documentaryRockafire Explosion DocumentaryRye & Cole · 2 HN recommenders · 2023–2024
• demo[4k, 60 fps] A Trip Through New York City in 1911Denis Shiryaev · 2 HN recommenders · 2020–2024
• documentaryThe Man With The Seven Second MemoryReal Stories · 2 HN recommenders · 2020–2026
• documentaryFinal Warning Limits to Growthbiopilz · 1 HN recommender · 2017–2020
• documentaryThe History of Tetris World RecordsSummoning Salt · 2 HN recommenders · 2024–2026
• documentaryTaken for a Ride - The U.S. History of the Assault on Public Transport in the Last CenturyPEACE REBEL · 2 HN recommenders · 2015–2025
• documentaryLake Peigneur Drilling Accidentankerssm · 2 HN recommenders · 2020–2026
• documentaryThe Three Rocketeers-2012:BBC-Future of Space travFirstSecondThoughts · 2 HN recommenders · 2012–2015
• talkSingle Point of Failure: The (Fictional) Day Google Forgot To Check PasswordsTom Scott · 2 HN recommenders · 2018–2023
• documentaryPlastic Wars (full documentary) | FRONTLINEFRONTLINE PBS | Official · 1 HN recommender · 2020–2023
• documentaryDouglas Adams - HyperlandUJ ObscureMedia · 1 HN recommender · 2016–2020
• documentaryHypernormalisation | Full Documentary | Adam CurtisAdam Curtis Documentaries · 1 HN recommender · 2024–2026
• otherNuggetsFilmbilder & Friends · 1 HN recommender · 2022–2026
• documentaryForgotten wrecks are a time bomb | DW DocumentaryDW Documentary · 1 HN recommender · 2020–2021
• documentary'The True Cost' - Official TrailerUNTOLD · 1 HN recommender · 2018–2021
• commentaryTHE DUMBEST BOY ALIVE. PRETTY GOOD, EPISODE SIX.Jon Bois · 1 HN recommender · 2021–2025
• explainerThe Artificial Intelligence That Deleted A CenturyTom Scott · 1 HN recommender · 2021–2025
• documentary21st Century Jet - Building the Boeing 777 - Full Episode 1shareoldvideos · 1 HN recommender · 2014–2021
• documentaryWe Went To North Korea To Get A HaircutBoy Boy · 1 HN recommender · 2022–2026
• documentaryWhat Went Wrong in the South Korean Ferry Disaster? | The New YorkerThe New Yorker · 1 HN recommender · 2020–2024
• commentaryAdam Curtis - Oh DearismUKNewsMediaBlog · 1 HN recommender · 2014–2020
• documentaryThe odd accent of Tangier VA - American Tongues episode #3People Like Us - The CNAM Channel · 1 HN recommender · 2010–2025
• explainerHow A London Orchestra Broke International Law12tone · 1 HN recommender · 2020–2022
• documentaryGuerrilla Public Service 2011Richard Ankrom · 1 HN recommender · 2018–2025
• documentaryBBC How They Dug the Victoria LineGraham W · 1 HN recommender · 2017–2024
• documentaryForest ManWilliam D McMaster · 1 HN recommender · 2014–2021
• documentaryInside a Secret Chinese Bitcoin MineMotherboard · 1 HN recommender · 2017–2017
• documentaryI.O.U.S.A.: Byte-Sized - The 30 Minute VersionIOUSAtheMovie · 1 HN recommender · 2009–2016
• otherI can't ride a bike. How fast can Mike Boyd teach me?Tom Scott plus · 1 HN recommender · 2021–2025
• documentaryWhy the World’s Best Mathematicians Are Hoarding ChalkGreat Big Story · 1 HN recommender · 2019–2023
• talkFlash Mob Gone Wrong | Tom Scott | IgniteIgnite Talks - Smart Ideas From Around the World · 1 HN recommender · 2012–2020
• interviewAsking Hunter-Gatherers Life's Toughest QuestionsFearless & Far · 1 HN recommender · 2021–2023
• demoBike Thief 2012CaseyNeistat · 1 HN recommender · 2013–2024
• documentaryHow to Make a $1500 Sandwich in Only 6 MonthsHow To Make Everything · 1 HN recommender · 2016–2021
• documentaryThe Superhuman World of Wim Hof: The IcemanVICE · 1 HN recommender · 2016–2024
• demoGlitterbomb Trap Catches Phone Scammer (who gets arrested)Mark Rober · 1 HN recommender · 2021–2022
• documentaryDoing Time Doing Vipassana - Full official versionKaruna Films LTD · 1 HN recommender · 2018–2020
• demoGlitter Bomb 2.0 vs Porch PiratesMark Rober · 1 HN recommender · 2022–2024
• documentaryNo Béarla Series 1, Episode 1.An Ghaeilge · 1 HN recommender · 2020–2025
• documentaryFuture Shock Documentary (1972)Jamie Clay · 1 HN recommender · 2017–2026
• other[60 fps] A Trip Through Paris, France in late 1890s / Un voyage à travers Paris, 1890Denis Shiryaev · 1 HN recommender · 2020–2024
• demoGlitterbomb 3.0 vs. Porch PiratesMark Rober · 1 HN recommender · 2020–2024
• explainerThe Truth Behind Calorie LabelsCaseyNeistat · 1 HN recommender · 2016–2022
• newsPeople who remember every second of their life | 60 Minutes Australia60 Minutes Australia · 1 HN recommender · 2022–2025
• explainerThe Most Dangerous Stretch of Water in the World: The Strid at Bolton Abbey, YorkshireTom Scott · 1 HN recommender · 2016–2023
• explainerMaking an international standard cup of teaTom Scott · 1 HN recommender · 2018–2023
• demoA Boy And His Atom: The World's Smallest MovieIBM · 1 HN recommender · 2013–2025
• explainerThe city of golf cartsTom Scott · 1 HN recommender · 2020–2022
• documentaryRunning out of Time | Documentary on Holistic ManagementSavory Institute · 1 HN recommender · 2018–2021
• documentary15. The Nabataeans - The Last Days Of PetraFall of Civilizations · 1 HN recommender · 2022–2024
• documentaryWalt Disney's E.P.C.O.T film (1966)The Original EPCOT · 1 HN recommender · 2014–2019
• comedyBBC: Spaghetti-Harvest in Ticino | Switzerland TourismSwitzerland · 1 HN recommender · 2016–2023
• otherUTOPIA | OmeletoOmeleto · 1 HN recommender · 2022–2026
• documentaryHyperNormalisation by Adam Curtis HD Full [2016] [Subs]L33T GUY · 1 HN recommender · 2019–2026
• documentaryThe Sackler Family – A Secretive Billion Dollar Opioid EmpireColdFusion · 1 HN recommender · 2019–2021