1. Fahrenheit 9/11

A lot of people don't like Michael Moore, but there is no doubt that he is a dedicated maker of documentaries. This work should be included among the must-see documentaries, as we need filmmakers who ask tough questions and aren't afraid to tackle controversial political subjects. You can learn more about its release and historic background on the official Fahrenheit 9/11 documentary page.

2. Man on Wire

Most of us couldn't begin to contemplate a feat like the one achieved by Philippe Petit, a tightrope walker who crossed the space between the Twin Towers in 1974. That takes extraordinary courage! If you love suspenseful cinema or movies to watch when your day sucks, this daring artistic heist is bound to lift your spirits. Read the full history on the Man on Wire film overview. It's probably best not to watch this if you suffer from severe vertigo though!

3. Touching the Void

Even if you're not typically a fan of survival stories, this movie is an absolute standout. I didn't think I'd enjoy this, but to my surprise, I was totally gripped from start to finish. It tells the harrowing true story of two mountaineers in the Peruvian Andes, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, where one had to make the agonizing decision to cut himself loose and abandon his trapped friend. For background on the real expedition, read the Touching the Void historical records.

4. Triumph of the Will

This is regarded as one of the best documentaries ever made in cinematic history, in spite of its infamous purpose as a propaganda piece for the emerging Nazi regime. It has been later assessed by film scholars in terms of its groundbreaking technical brilliance and innovative camera techniques, without ignoring the fact that its original intentions were to show the overwhelming power of the Nuremberg Rallies. The film is deeply compelling if we look at it in its historical context and study how cinema can be wielded to manipulate public opinion.

5. Buena Vista Social Club

Directed by Wim Wenders, this uplifting music documentary shows how legendary American musician Ry Cooder reunited some of Cuba's legendary veteran musicians and brought them together to record the iconic album of the same name. Watch this to hear the fabulous, soul-stirring music, and see how this magical project came together against all odds. Learn more about the production on the Buena Vista Social Club reference page.

6. Earth

Some of the most captivating documentaries are about nature and wildlife, as they teach us that we still have so much to learn about our own planet. If you've not been lucky enough to see the superb television series "Planet Earth", then try this documentary, which is a feature-length film version of the landmark series. It's definitely among the essential movies you should watch before you die if you appreciate majestic planetary storytelling.

7. Super-Size Me

What would happen to your physical and mental health if you only ate fast food for an entire month? This is what independent filmmaker Morgan Spurlock set out to discover in his famous social experiment, and the results were, unsurprisingly, alarming. Read more on the Super Size Me documentary page. You'll probably go right off fast food burgers after watching this eye-opening documentary!

8. Heart of Darkness: a Filmmaker´s Apocalypse

There are documentaries on every possible subject – after all, real life has no shortage of interesting topics – and this cool documentary is about the chaotic making of Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece, Apocalypse Now. Basically, everything that could go wrong during production in the jungle did go wrong. So if you've seen the original movie, this fascinating look behind the scenes makes an essential companion piece.

These are just some of the many intriguing documentaries made over the years – obviously it's a matter of personal opinion as to which ones are the absolute best documentaries. It's truly worth exploring this exciting genre though, as you can learn so many new perspectives and discover incredible real-world stories. What do you consider are the must-see documentaries on your personal watchlist?