This Week In Documentary
Theatrical & Streaming Releases - New & Recommended - December 26, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Due to the holidays, we haven’t seen a lot of new documentaries coming out in the next week. Still, we’ve got the first of the month/year approaching this Thursday, so there’s still plenty to highlight on the streaming services, particularly The Criterion Channel. Unrelated to that, one of the best documentaries of 2025 makes its streaming debut this Friday, and one of the best documentaries of all time is airing on cable this Sunday. Our Pick of the Week, however, is one of the films on our list of the best documentaries of last year.
Before we get to all that, I want to highlight the song. “Salt Then Sour Then Sweet” by Sara Bareilles from the Apple TV documentary Come See Me in the Good Light is on the Oscar shortlist for Best Original Song. Watch the official lyric video below.
Without further ado, below are this week’s documentary highlights, including capsule reviews of new nonfiction films and series. They are followed by daily listings for all known notable releases and broadcasts, plus a brief look at what’s coming soon for doc fans. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to receive more in-depth highlights and reviews in the future, plus access to special posts like our best of 2025 and most anticipated of 2026 lists, and to give me more time to watch more (if not everything) available. If you have a doc in need of coverage or a mention in our listings, you can reach me at christopherbartoncampbell (at) gmail.
Nonfics Pick Of The Week: Pictures Of Ghosts (2023)
With the ongoing success of The Secret Agent, now is a great time to celebrate the prior work of Brazilian filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho. The Criterion Channel is jumping on the idea with a spotlight on Filho starting January 1, so even though his documentary Pictures of Ghosts isn’t new to the streaming service, I think it’s worth noting anyway. The film ranked well on our list of the best documentaries of 2024, but this is an excerpt from our review in one of the first editions of the newsletter:
“A love letter to his childhood home, his neighborhood, and the now-shuttered cinemas of his city, Recife, using new and archival footage, the latter including clips from his narrative films shot in his apartment and the surrounding area. Not only is this the most cohesively focused documentary of its kind in years, but it’s also, as its title indicates, a bewitching reminder of the ways that film can serve as both a time machine and a way to see the spirits of the past.”
Pictures of Ghosts is currently available to stream on The Criterion Channel and Metrograph at Home.
Other Documentary Highlights
Cover-Up (2025)
This was our Pick of the Week just last week, and it’s on our list of the best documentaries of 2025. Here’s an excerpt from our review of Cover-Up:
“The film follows the life and career (mostly the latter) of investigative reporter Seymour Hersh, who is one of those writers who best exemplify the need for true journalists. He broke the My Lai massacre story during the Vietnam War, was an integral part of the Watergate scandal coverage, and exposed the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuses, among his most significant efforts. He also has a certain charm and wit, despite also being a rather peevish person. Add him to the list of reluctant but relatively cooperative and thorough documentary subjects. He’s a good storyteller and does well talking about his personal and professional lives. Just don’t ask him about his sources, apparently.”
Cover-Up begins streaming exclusively on Netflix on Friday, December 26.
Critical Incident: Death At The Border (2025)
For another documentary about journalism and cover-ups, Critical Incident: Death at the Border is worth watching, even if it’s nowhere near as engaging as the highlight above. The film is directed by Rick Rowley, who earned an Oscar nomination 12 years ago for Dirty Wars, which followed a journalist’s investigation of the U.S.’s covert wars. This time, Rowley follows journalist John Carlos Frey as he investigates cover-ups within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency regarding people dying in their custody. The documentary specifically focuses on the case of Anastasio Hernández-Rojas, who was beaten by agents at the border in 2010.
While essential coverage of this story, Critical Incident, unfortunately, feels like old news, especially given how much worse the Department of Homeland Security has been operating in the past year, and how much more obvious the cover-ups are becoming. I recommend finding any of the several uploads of last week’s poorly buried 60 Minutes segment “Inside CECOT,” which looks at a notorious El Salvador prison where the U.S. sent Venezuelan deportees. But deaths in ICE’s custody have also increased substantially since Frey investigated the issue, with this month being particularly high for detention deaths, and 2025 now holds the record for worst yet.
Critical Incident: Death at the Border premieres on HBO and HBO Max on Monday, December 29.
Documentaries About Actresses
Another one of The Criterion Channel’s programming spotlights for January is titled “Actresses Unfiltered,” and it’s a curation of five documentaries profiling specific screen stars or generally glimpsing into being a woman performer in the business. Romy: Anatomy of a Face features French-German actress Romy Schneider, who is best known for starring in the Sissi trilogy and Jacques Deray’s The Swimming Pool. All by Myself: The Eartha Kitt Story profiles the titular singer and actress, famous for playing Catwoman in the Batman TV show, giving Tony-winning performances on Broadway, and voicing the Disney villain Yzma in The Emperor’s New Groove.
Tally Brown, New York looks at the titular opera and blues singer who also starred in underground films in the ‘60s and ‘70s, including some directed by Andy Warhol. Fassbinder’s Women focuses on the women who had personal and/or professional relationships with German filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder, including actresses Irm Hermann and Hanna Schygulla, both of whom worked with him on several movies. Finally, Be Pretty and Shut Up! features interviews with many film actresses discussing expectations of women in their profession, including Jane Fonda, Ellen Burstyn, Louise Fletcher, and Cindy Williams. Only All by Myself has been available to stream (via Kanopy and VOD) before being added to this curation.
All five of these films debut on The Criterion Channel on Thursday, January 1, four of them exclusively.
Grey Gardens (1975)
This classic documentary by the Maysles brothers, with Ellen Hovde and Muffie Meyer, turned 50 years old this year. It’s one of those films that’s so close to my heart that I haven’t been able to write a concise appreciation yet. But I will highlight it anytime I have an excuse to do so. Grey Gardens is a riches-to-rags profile of a now iconic mother and daughter duo — cousins of Jackie Kennedy, no less — living in a dilapidated mansion in the Hamptons. I am constantly surprised at how many people, arts and movie-loving types included, haven’t even heard of this film. Most hardcore cinephiles are familiar with it, at least, thanks to it being in the Criterion Collection and occasionally being shown on Turner Classic Movies.
Grey Gardens airs on TCM on Sunday, December 28.
I’m Chevy Chase And You’re Not (2025)
Is Chevy Chase so disliked in the industry, and especially within the Saturday Night Live camp, that his documentary had to wait until the show’s 50th anniversary year was over to be released? They could have given him the final week of 2025, when fans of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation might be more interested in a film about its star, but instead, I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not is the first highlight of the new year. Anyway, I wasn’t excited to seek this one out after the disappointment of the recent Eddie Murphy documentary. Even with it being directed by Marina Zenovich, who has made great films about Richard Pryor and Robin Williams (however, she’s best known for her two films about Roman Polanski). I’m highlighting it for her.
I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not premieres on CNN on Thursday, January 1.
Awards Highlights
Critics Group Winners
Last week, a few more regional critics groups revealed their picks for Best Documentary of 2025. The Black Film Critics Circle and the Boston Online Film Critics Association, and the Online Association Of Female Film Critics selected The Perfect Neighbor (now streaming on Netflix), the Kansas City Film Critics Circle chose Secret Mall Apartment (VOD), and the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle picked Grand Theft Hamlet (Mubi), with Orwell 2+2=5 (VOD) as their runner-up.
The Florida Film Critics Circle picked the lesser-known films Sabbath Queen (in theaters) and BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions (in theaters), the latter being their runner-up. The Women Film Critics Circle went with Mariska Hargitay’s My Mom Jayne (HBO Max) as the Best Documentary by or About Women.
Documentary Release Calendar 12/26/25 - 1/1/26
Friday, December 26, 2025
Cover-Up (2025) - A documentary feature by Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus about reporter Seymour Hersh. Read our review of Cover-Up. *NONFICS PICK* (In Theaters)
Junk or Jackpot? (2025) - A docuseries hosted by Bobby Berk about collectors. (HGTV)
Match Your Mood with Westinghouse (1968) - A short documentary showing how women can decorate their refrigerators. (TCM)
Murder at the Motel Season 2, Episode 8: “Sportsmans Lodge” - The latest episode of this true-crime docuseries focuses on a murder in Florida. (A&E)
The Unbelievable with Dan Aykroyd Season 3, Episode 8: “Unusual Pastimes” - The latest installment of a docuseries about mysterious and bizarre people and things. (History)
Saturday, December 27, 2025
Accident, Suicide, or Murder Season 6, Episode 6: “Deadly Double” - The latest episode of this true-crime series involves a case of mistaken identity. (Oxygen)
The Golden Years (1960) - A short documentary about bowling innovations. (TCM)
#RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUr the MOVIE (2025) - A concert film starring BTS member Jin during his first solo tour. (In Theaters)
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Adventure in Wonder (2025) - A docuseries following a Texas family as they sail the Croatian seas. (Wonder Project)
Grey Gardens (1975) - A classic feature documentary by the Maysles brothers (and Ellen Hovde and Muffie Meyer) on a mother and daughter (Big Edie and Little Edie Beales) living in a decrepit Hamptons mansion. *NONFICS PICK* (TCM)
Killer Grannies Season 1, Episode 8: “Granny’s Wishing Well” - The latest installment of a true-crime series hosted by June Squibb about elderly woman killers. (Oxygen)
Killer Relationship with Faith Jenkins Season 4, Episode 8: “Deadly Liasons” - The latest installment of a true-crime docuseries about romances gone tragically wrong. (Oxygen)
The Miracle of Sound (1940) - A short documentary showing how sound movies are made. (TCM)
Snapped: Behind Bars Season 3, Episode 8: “Purdie Clark” - The latest installment of a true-crime docuseries featuring interviews with murderers who appeared on the show Snapped. (Oxygen)
Monday, December 29, 2025
Critical Incident: Death at the Border (2025) - A documentary feature about an undocumented Mexican immigrant who died while in custody at the border in 2010. (HBO Max)
Here Come the Irish Season 2, Episode 4: “The Trojans Come to South Bend” - The latest installment of a docuseries that follows the Notre Dame football team. (Peacock)
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Beast Wishes (2012) - A medium-length documentary about well-known movie memorabilia collectors and fans Bob and Kathy Burns. (Blu-ray)
The Birds and the Beasts Were There (1944) - A short documentary that takes viewers to the Rare Bird Farm, the Monkey Jungle, and the Parrot Jungle, three animal parks in Miami. (TCM)
Equestrian Acrobats (1937) - A short documentary in the Pete Smith Specialty series that showcases an equestrian circus act. (TCM)
Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story (2025) - A true-crime documentary about the titular therapist who aided Ruby Franke in child abuse. (Netflix)
Hard Knocks: In Season with the NFC East Episode 5 - The latest installment of a docuseries that goes behind the scenes of NFL teams. (HBO Max)
Italia: Fire and Ashes (2021) - A documentary feature about Italian silent cinema. (Blu-ray)
The Legend of MexMan (2023) - A documentary feature about a filmmaker’s attempt to make his first feature, MexMan. (Blu-ray)
Lions on the Loose (1941) - A short documentary following two escaped lion cubs. (TCM)
Long Live the King (2016) - A medium-length documentary about the enduring appeal of the character King Kong. (Blu-ray)
Mysteries Unearthed with Danny Trejo Season 2, Episode 8: “Secrets from the Skies” - The latest installment of a docuseries exploring hidden worlds. (History)
Nevermore: The Raven Effect (2025) - A documentary feature about the pro wrestler Raven. (Blu-ray)
Trained Hoofs (1935) - A short documentary showing how race horses are trained. (TCM)
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
The Land of Auld Lang Syne (1950) - A short documentary installment of James A. FitzPatrick’s TravelTalks travelogue franchise that explores Edinburgh, Scotland. (TCM)
Thursday, January 1, 2026
All by Myself: The Eartha Kitt Story (1982) - A documentary feature profiling actress Eartha Kitt. (The Criterion Channel)
Be Pretty and Shut Up! (1981) - A documentary feature about how actresses are treated in the movie industry. (The Criterion Channel)
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006) - A comedic hybrid film following the fictional title character on a tour of America. *NONFICS PICK* (Hulu)
Cheetas Up Close with Bertie Gregory (2025) - A nature documentary about cheetahs. (National Geographic)
Contemporary Color (2016) - A concert film by the Ross brothers starring David Byrne and celebrating the art of color guard. *NONFICS PICK* (The Criterion Channel)
Crime in Progress (2026) - A docuseries following criminal investigations from start to finish using body cams, dash cams, and surveillance cams. (A&E)
The Cult of the Real Housewife (2025) - A three-part docuseries about Faith Temple Pentecostal Church, made famous by The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosby. (TLC)
Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti (1993) - A medium-length documentary about Haitian Vodou. (The Criterion Channel)
I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not (2025) - A biographical documentary by Marina Zenovich (Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind) profiling the titular actor. (CNN)
Fassbinder’s Women (2000) - A documentary feature about women in Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s personal and professional lives. (The Criterion Channel)
Free Solo (2018) - An Oscar-winning documentary feature by Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin about Alex Honnold’s free solo climb of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Read our review of Free Solo. *NONFICS PICK* (Netflix)
Jackass 2.5 (2007) - A documentary about the making of Jackass Number Two featuring additional footage. (Paramount+)
Jackass 3 (2010) - The third installment of the Jackass film franchise featuring spectacular stunts and pranks. (Tubi and Paramount+)
Jackass 3.5 (2011) - A documentary about the making of Jackass 3 featuring additional footage. (Paramount+)
Jackass Number Two (2006) - The second installment of the Jackass film franchise featuring spectacular stunts and pranks. (Paramount+)
Jackass: The Movie (2010) - The first feature film spin-off of the Jackass TV series featuring spectacular stunts and pranks. (Paramount+)
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013) - A hybrid comedy starring Johnny Knoxville as an old man traveling with his grandson and pulling pranks and stunts on real people. (Paramount+)
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa .5 (2013) - An unrated and extended version of a hybrid comedy starring Johnny Knoxville as an old man traveling with his grandson and pulling pranks and stunts on real people. (Paramount+)
The Land of Auld Lang Syne (1950) - A short documentary installment of James A. FitzPatrick’s TravelTalks travelogue franchise that explores Edinburgh, Scotland. (TCM)
Meditation on Violence (1949) - A short documentary by Maya Deren about a part of the Cloisters museum. (The Criterion Channel)
My Back Pages (2024) - A short documentary about a collector of Bob Dylan memorabilia. (The Criterion Channel)
The Private Life of a Cat (1946) - A short documentary by Maya Deren and Alexander Hammid about a pair of cats and their kittens. (The Criterion Channel)
Romy: Anatomy of a Face (1967) - A documentary feature about actress Romy Schneider. (The Criterion Channel)
Tally Brown, New York (1979) - A documentary feature about the titular actress and singer. (The Criterion Channel)
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018) - A biographical documentary by Morgan Neville about Fred Rogers, star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Read our review of Won’t You Be My Neighbor? *NONFICS PICK* (Prime Video)
Sneak Peek At What’s Coming Soon
1/16 - Shuffle - A documentary feature about insurance fraud in the addiction treatment industry. (In Theaters)
1/20 - Handome Devil: The Charming Killer - A three-part true-crime docuseries about murderer Wade Wilson, known online as the “Deadpool Killer.” (Paramount+)
1/30 - Natchez - A documentary feature about the historical legacy of the titular town in Mississippi. See where the film ranks on our list of the best documentaries of 2025. *NONFICS PICK* (In Theaters)
2/9 - The Librarians - A documentary feature about librarians fighting against book banning. Read our review of The Librarians. (PBS)
3/30 - Lumière, Le Cinema! - A documentary feature directed by Thierry Frémaux (Lumière!) compiling rare films by the Lumière brothers. (In Theaters)