Best Documentary Movies of 2004

The highest-rated documentary films from 2004, ranked by MovieMagicScore based on authentic viewer ratings.

Documentary 2003 Documentary 2005 All Time Documentary

Action Comedy Drama Horror Science Fiction Thriller Romance Animation Fantasy Crime

Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy

2004

From the earliest versions of the script to the blockbuster debuts, explore the creation of the Star Wars Trilogy.

7.7

Fahrenheit 9/11

2004

Michael Moore's view on how the Bush administration allegedly used the tragic events on 9/11 to push forward its agenda for unjust wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

7.1

Dave Chappelle: For What It's Worth

2004

Comedian Dave Chappelle does what he does best in this outrageous and hilarious standup performance, which allows him to push the envelope far beyond what he does on his TV show. Taped in San Francisco at the famed Fillmore, Chappelle lets loose on such topics as black celebrities, what it's like to have raunchy fans of his TV show approach him while he's trying to enjoy Disneyland with his kids, Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant... and crackheads, of course. It's comedy Chappelle-style and, for what it's worth, no one is safe from his barbs. But you already knew that!

7.7

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster

2004

After bassist Jason Newsted quits the band in 2001, heavy metal superstars Metallica realize that they need an intervention. In this revealing documentary, filmmakers follow the three rock stars as they hire a group therapist and grapple with 20 years of repressed anger and aggression. Between searching for a replacement bass player, creating a new album and confronting their personal demons, the band learns to open up in ways they never thought possible.

7.1

Super Size Me

2004

Morgan Spurlock subjects himself to a diet based only on McDonald's fast food three times a day for thirty days without exercising to try to prove why so many Americans are fat or obese. He submits himself to a complete check-up by three doctors, comparing his weight along the way, resulting in a scary conclusion.

6.7

The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing

2004

Documentary about the art of film editing. Clips are shown from many groundbreaking films with innovative editing styles.

7.0

Born Into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids

2004

Documentary depicting the lives of child prostitutes in the red light district of Songachi, Calcutta. Director Zana Briski went to photograph the prostitutes when she met and became friends with their children. Briski began giving photography lessons to the children and became aware that their photography might be a way for them to lead better lives.

6.8

American Pie: Revealed

2004

Documentary about the making of American Pie (1999), American Pie 2 (2001) and American Wedding (2003).

6.0

Thinking XXX

2004

For a book project, photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders took photographs of 30 stars of adult movies, each pair of photographs in the same pose, clothed and nude. This film records the photo shoots and includes interviews with the performers and commentary from eight writers (and John Waters). The actors and writers discuss economics, nudity and exhibitionism, careers, and private lives.

5.4

#10

What the #$*! Do We (K)now!?

2004

Amanda is a divorced woman who makes a living as a photographer. During the Fall of the year Amanda begins to see the world in new and different ways when she begins to question her role in life, her relationships with her career and men and what it all means. As the layers to her everyday experiences fall away insertions in the story with scientists, and philosophers and religious leaders impart information directly to an off-screen interviewer about academic issues, and Amanda begins to understand the basis to the quantum world beneath. During her epiphany as she considers the Great Questions raised by the host of inserted thinkers, she slowly comprehends the various inspirations and begins to see the world in a new way.

5.0

Best Documentary Movies of 2004

This ranking features the top documentary movies released in 2004, sorted by MovieMagicScore viewer ratings. Looking for more? Browse all genres from 2004 or see the best documentary movies of all time.