- Expository documentaries: These documentaries are objective and factual in their presentation. They use interviews with experts, archival footage, and voiceover narration to tell the story.
- Observational documentaries: These documentaries are more naturalistic and observational. They follow subjects in their natural environments and use little or no narration.
- Participatory documentaries: These documentaries involve the filmmaker more directly in the story. The filmmaker may interview subjects, be present during events, or even participate in the events.
- Subjective documentaries: These documentaries are more personal and subjective in their presentation. They may use poetic imagery, symbolism, and non-traditional narrative structures to tell the story.
- Experimental documentaries: These documentaries break away from traditional filmmaking techniques and structures. They may use animation, collage, or other experimental techniques to tell the story.
Documentary films have been around since the early days of cinema. One of the earliest documentaries is Nanook of the North (1922), which tells the story of an Inuit hunter in the Arctic Circle. Other notable documentaries from the 20th century include The Plow That Broke the Plains (1936), Night and Fog (1955), Woodstock (1970), and Man on Wire (1974).
In recent years, documentaries have become increasingly popular on television and streaming media. Some popular documentaries from the 21st century include Making a Murderer (2015), The Keepers (2017), and Wild Wild Country (2018).
Documentaries can be a powerful way to inform and entertain viewers about important issues in the world. They can also be a tool for advocacy and change.