Best Asian documentary movies
A curated collection of popular documentary movies from Asia.
The Gatekeepers (2012)
The Gatekeepers (2012)
In an unprecedented and candid series of interviews, six former heads of the Shin Bet — Israel's intelligence and security agency — speak about their role in Israel's decades-long counterterrorism campaign, discussing their controversial methods and whether the ends ultimately justify the means.
Of Fathers and Sons (2017)
Of Fathers and Sons (2017)
Talal Derki returns to his homeland where he gains the trust of a radical Islamist family, sharing their daily life for over two years. His camera focuses on Osama and his younger brother Ayman, providing an extremely rare insight into what it means to grow up in an Islamic Caliphate.
Control Room (2004)
Control Room (2004)
A chronicle which provides a rare window into the international perception of the Iraq War, courtesy of Al Jazeera, the Arab world's most popular news outlet. Roundly criticized by Cabinet members and Pentagon officials for reporting with a pro-Iraqi bias, and strongly condemned for frequently airing civilian causalities as well as footage of American POWs, the station has revealed (and continues to show the world) everything about the Iraq War that the Bush administration did not want it to see.
BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky (2020)
Burn the Stage: The Movie (2018)
Burn the Stage: The Movie (2018)
Burn the Stage: the Movie is the first movie from BTS, going behind-the-scenes of the BTS WINGS TOUR to reveal the full story of the band’s meteoric rise to fame. This unmissable film provides an intimate look at what happens when the most successful global boy band of all time breaks down barriers and invades the mainstream music scene. Exclusive tour footage and brand-new one-on-one interviews with BTS members give fans an unprecedented glimpse into their lives and an opportunity for everyone to celebrate together worldwide.
Bring the Soul: The Movie (2019)
Bring the Soul: The Movie (2019)
A glimpse into K-pop group BTS’ world away from the stage, featuring intimate group discussions alongside spectacular concert performances from their world tour.
BTS: Permission to Dance on Stage - LA (2022)
BTS: Permission to Dance on Stage - LA (2022)
Purple colors the city of Los Angeles, as BTS brings their "Permission to Dance" concert to SoFi Stadium for the first time in two years. In a stadium radiating anticipation and cheer, splendid performances from "On" to "Permission to Dance" glorify the stage that now comes to life on screen. Be united once again by the power of music.
Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda (2017)
Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda (2017)
Oscar winning composer Ryuichi Sakamoto weaves man-made and natural sounds together in his works. His anti-nuclear activism grew after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, and his career only paused after a 2014 cancer diagnosis.
BLACKPINK: The Movie (2021)
BLACKPINK: The Movie (2021)
In honor of their 5th anniversary, the immensely popular Korean girl group ‘BLACKPINK’ is releasing a worldwide theatrical event to their fans. It features never-before-seen footage and interviews, as well as clips from their shows to give the audience a unique concert-like experience.
BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas (2023)
BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas (2023)
Join RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook in this special cinematic cut, re-edited and remixed for the big screen. Watch new close-up angles and a whole new view of the entire concert, BTS Yet To Come in Busan. Featuring hit songs from across the group's career, including "Dynamite," "Butter" and “IDOL," plus the first concert performance of "Run BTS" from the group’s latest album Proof.
SUGA: Road to D-DAY (2023)
SUGA: Road to D-DAY (2023)
SUGA of the world-renowned group, BTS, works on a new album. He embarks on a journey to find his story to tell through music, while interacting with artists from various cities around the world.
BTS World Tour: Love Yourself in Seoul (2019)
BTS World Tour: Love Yourself in Seoul (2019)
Shot at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul during the BTS World Tour ‘Love Yourself’ to celebrate the seven members of the global boyband and their unprecedented international phenomenon.
j-hope IN THE BOX (2023)
j-hope IN THE BOX (2023)
For 200 days, the daily life of artist j-hope is captured. From his production of solo album "Jack in the Box" and listening party, this documentary follows him all the way to his debut on the stage of "Lollapalooza."
Instruments of a Beating Heart (2024)
Instruments of a Beating Heart (2024)
First graders in a Tokyo public elementary school are presented with a challenge for the final semester: performing "Ode to Joy" at the ceremony for the new incoming first graders. Ayame, who often struggles to keep up with the group, is determined to play a major part — the big drum.
Break the Silence: The Movie (2020)
Break the Silence: The Movie (2020)
K-pop sensation BTS embark on their 2019 'Love Yourself: Speak Yourself' Tour, as the seven members begin to candidly tell personal stories they have never voiced before.
John Williams in Tokyo (2024)
John Williams in Tokyo (2024)
30 years after his last visit to Japan, John Williams has returned for a special concert – making his debut with the world-famous Saito Kinen Orchestra in renditions of his beloved film scores and reuniting with his longtime friend, world-renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa (1935-2024). Captured live on record at Suntory Hall last year, John Williams In Tokyo is now being be released by Deutsche Grammophon and follows his acclaimed concert albums, The Berlin Concert and John Williams in Vienna, which topped charts around the globe.
Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus (2023)
Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus (2023)
"Ars longa, vita brevis" – art is long, life is short. This is one of Japanese music icon Ryuichi Sakamoto's favorite quotes, and the message that he leaves for viewers at the end of his final concert film, shot before he succumbed to cancer in March 2023. Consisting of only Sakamoto and his piano, Opus features the final live performances of 20 songs that Sakamoto meticulously curated to encapsulate his distinguished 40-year career.
JUNG KOOK: I AM STILL (2024)
JUNG KOOK: I AM STILL (2024)
Jung Kook of BTS ascended to global stardom with his debut solo album GOLDEN. Through exclusive, unseen interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, alongside electrifying concert performances, this film showcases Jung Kook’s eight-month journey, capturing his unwavering dedication and growth. Join Jung Kook as he shares his remarkable rise to fame and heartfelt moments with ARMY around the world.
BTS Permission to Dance On Stage - Seoul: Live Viewing (2022)
BTS Permission to Dance On Stage - Seoul: Live Viewing (2022)
Join us as BTS and ARMY become one once again with music and dance in this unmissable live concert experience broadcast from Seoul to cinemas around the world! 'BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE' is the latest world tour series headlined by 21st century pop icons BTS, featuring powerful performances and the greatest hit songs from throughout their incredible career.
2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III (Final Chapter): The Wings Tour in Seoul (2017)
2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III (Final Chapter): The Wings Tour in Seoul (2017)
The second worldwide concert tour headlined by the South Korean boy band BTS to promote their second Korean studio album, Wings.
Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert (2025)
Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert (2025)
Conversations with collaborators and friends, alongside special live performances from Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena and beyond, from the dunes of the Arabian Desert, to the heights of the Burj Al Arab.
BTS: Yet to Come in BUSAN (2022)
BTS: Yet to Come in BUSAN (2022)
BTS returned to the live stage on Oct. 14, 2022 in an effort to help South Korea’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo. The superstar K-pop group — Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook — partnered with Weverse to livestream the festival-style show at Asiad Stadium in Busan, South Korea. BTS’ free event, titled "Yet to Come in Busan", marked the the boy band’s first live performance since announcing in June of 2022 that its seven members would take a break from active group duties to pursue solo projects.
The Eagle Huntress (2016)
The Eagle Huntress (2016)
Follow Aisholpan, a 13-year-old girl, as she trains to become the first female in twelve generations of her Kazakh family to become an eagle hunter, and rise to the pinnacle of a tradition that has been typically been handed down from father to son for centuries.
Period. End of Sentence. (2018)
Period. End of Sentence. (2018)
In an effort to improve feminine hygiene, a machine that creates low-cost biodegradable sanitary pads is installed in a rural village in Northern India. Using the machine, a group of local women is employed to produce and sell pads, offering them newfound independence and helping to destigmatize menstruation for all.
Born in China (2016)
Born in China (2016)
Venturing into the wilds of China, "Born in China" captures intimate moments with a panda bear and her growing cub, a young golden monkey who feels displaced by his baby sister, and a mother snow leopard struggling to raise her two cubs.
The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013)
The Elephant Whisperers (2022)
