15 Best Alex Gibney Documentaries

Alex Gibney is one of the most celebrated documentary filmmakers in the world. He is known for his ability to blend investigative journalism with captivating storytelling. Over the years, he has produced various films covering an array of topics, from the fascinating story of Elizabeth Holmes to the Enron scandal and Steve Jobs.

No matter your interests, Alex Gibney has a documentary to match. From the inspiring story of Lance Armstrong to the chilling tale of Enron, his films are educational, entertaining, and thought-provoking.

If you're looking for the best TV shows with Alex Gibney, you're in luck. Here are some of his best movies to check out.

1. The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (2019)

This documentary tells the story of Elizabeth Holmes and the rise and fall of her company, Theranos. The Inventor delves into the inner workings of the tech industry and the darker side of innovation. Gibney's approach to storytelling is excellent, and the documentary is both informative and captivating. Through interviews with insiders, former employees, and victims of the company's fraudulent practices, The Inventor gives a compelling account of a Silicon Valley scandal.

πŸ‘‰ Watch The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley as DVD on Amazon

2. The Crime of the Century (2021)

This one of Alex Gibney's latest documentaries and it examines the ongoing opioid crisis in America. The Crime of the Century is an eye-opener, and it exposes how the pharmaceutical companies contributed to the crisis. The documentary is well-researched and presents a comprehensive picture of the issue, from the government's role to the victims' perspective. It exposes the greed and corruption that led to one of the biggest public health crises in the US.

πŸ‘‰ Watch The Crime of the Century on Amazon Prime

3. Boom! Boom! The World Vs Boris Becker (2023)

If you're a fan of sports and tennis, this is a must-watch for you. This documentary explores the life of tennis legend Boris Becker, and it highlights his rise to fame and the struggles he faced during his career. Gibney captures the tension in the sport and provides exciting footage of Becker's most significant games. The documentary also touches on Becker's personal life and the pressures he faced as a public figure.

Boom! Boom! The World Vs Boris Becker on IMDb.

4. The Forever Prisoner (2021)

This is a 30-minute documentary that highlights the story of Mohamedou Ould Slahi, a prisoner of Guantanamo Bay. The documentary features interviews with Slahi himself and the human rights lawyer Nancy Hollander, who represented him. The Forever Prisoner is an essential story of an innocent man's struggle for freedom, and it's a poignant reminder of the injustices that can occur in the name of national security.

πŸ‘‰ Watch The Forever Prisoner on Amazon Prime

5. Totally Under Control (2020)

This documentary explores the American government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Gibney worked on this documentary during the height of the pandemic, and it presents a detailed and critical look at the government's handling of the crisis. With interviews from medical professionals and government officials, Totally Under Control is a sobering reminder of the importance of transparency and action in times of crisis.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Totally Under Control on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy Totally Under Control as DVD on Amazon

6. Taxi to the Dark Side (2007)

Another fascinating feature is "Taxi to the Dark Side," which was awarded an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2008. This movie examines the death of an Afghan taxi driver while in US custody and the subsequent trial of two soldiers accused of his murder. The film presents chilling evidence of how the American government is complicit in the torture of prisoners.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Taxi to the Dark Side on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy Taxi to the Dark Side as DVD on Amazon

7. Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer (2010)

This documentary directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney takes a deep dive into the rise, fall and redemption of former New York Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. Gibney examines Spitzer's career as a crusader against white-collar crime, his scandals and eventual resignation, and his post-political career as a philanthropist.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer as DVD on Amazon

8. Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (2015)

Alex Gibney's Going Clear: Scientology and The Prison of Belief is a fascinating exploration of the controversial church that has bewildered experts and observers alike. The documentary examines the Church’s dark past, while also delving into the minds of its believers and why they remain devoted to the Church despite its troubling history.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief as DVD on Amazon

9. Zero Days (2016)

Another of Gibney's documentary "Zero Days" is a must-watch film for those interested in artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, and government surveillance. It takes a deep dive into the emergence of the Stuxnet virus and the state of global cyber security.

The documentary also delves into the ethics of zero-day exploitation and the potential for governments to misuse the technology. As the documentary reveals, governments can use these exploits for espionage or for a cyber attack on another nation’s infrastructure.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Zero Days on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy Zero Days as DVD on Amazon

10. We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks (2013)

We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks provides an informative and eye-opening look at the mysterious and controversial world of Wikileaks. Through interviews, insights, and analyzes, the documentary is able to give viewers a comprehensive examination of both the organization and its enigmatic leader, Julian Assange.

It isn't the typical Wikileaks story, but instead a balanced exploration of the many intricate and complex facets of the organization and its activities. Fans of Gibney's previous work, such as Freakonomics, will enjoy this insightful and thought-provoking film.

πŸ‘‰ Watch We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks as DVD on Amazon

11. The Armstrong Lie (2013)

One of Gibney's most remarkable works is a television mini-series about Lance Armstrong. Titled "The Armstrong Lie," it follows the legendary cyclist's rise and fall, highlighting the inspiring story of a man who overcame his own adversities while simultaneously showcasing his eventual downfall. Gibney's intricate exploration of Armstrong's life is one of his best works and sheds light on the complexities of the human spirit.

πŸ‘‰ Watch The Armstrong Lie on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy The Armstrong Lie as DVD on Amazon

12. Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine (2015)

The movie follows Jobs from his early days at Apple working on the Macintosh to his later years and subsequent death in 2011. Along the way, the audience is taken through his successes, failures, and relationships with the people in his life, from his wife and children to his colleagues and competitors. What emerges is a portrait of a complex figure who was driven and passionate, but had difficulties accepting failure and often lacked empathy.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine as DVD on Amazon

13. Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press (2017)

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press is a documentary film executive produced by award-winning director and producer Alex Gibney. The film examines the importance of a free press and media as a cornerstone of a healthy democracy, and how powerful and influential forces are seeking to undermine it.

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press on Wikipedia

14. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)

Gibney also produced the highly acclaimed documentary "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room." This film follows the enormous energy corporation Enron from its heyday as America's most innovative company to its sudden and shocking bankruptcy. The Enron scandal movie on Netflix features interviews with some of the key players, including former CEO Jeff Skilling. For more documentaries on the crimes and scandals of the wealthy, check this link.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room as DVD on Amazon

15. Freakonomics (2010)

When it comes to exploring the hidden side of the economy, Freakonomics is the go-to source. Executive producer Alex Gibney and his team have done a deep dive into the world of economics, uncovering the facts and figures behind the science of it. Gibney examines the incentives that drive people to take certain behaviors and challenges the audience to think more deeply about the root causes behind them.

πŸ‘‰ Watch Freakonomics on Amazon Prime

πŸ‘‰ Buy Freakonomics as DVD on Amazon

Conclusion

These films are some of the best examples of Alex Gibney's work, but they're just the tip of the iceberg. With a deep, unflinching eye for detail, Alex Gibney has provided us with a series of films that help us better understand the complexities of the modern world.

If you’ve never seen any of these Alex Gibney documentaries, check them out now! They’re all thoroughly entertaining, educational, and thought-provoking films that provide a unique insight into some of today’s most important issues.

Alex Gibney documentaries on Netflix: Click here!

Other critically acclaimed Alex Gibney documentaries worth a watch:

  • Agents of Chaos (2020)

  • Crazy, Not Insane (2020)

  • Citizen K (2019)

  • Enemies: The President, Justice and the FBI (2018)

  • The Looming Tower (2018)

  • Dirty Money (2018)

  • No Stone Unturned (2017)

  • Billions (2017)

  • Cooked (2016)

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