Best Documentary Movies Books of 2026

The Broadway Musical Trivia Book is a fun-filled reference book that explores the history of American musical theatre. The book begins with a series of multiple-choice and true or false questions that test the reader's knowledge of the precursors of musical theatre throughout the world, and then narrows down to Manhattan. Each chapter is filled with quirky anecdotes, fun facts, and important records to add to the reader's knowledge of Broadway theatre. This book is a must-have for Fosse fans, Golden-Age gals, and anyone who loves American musical theatre.

The Faith of Elvis by Billy Stanley is a compelling account of Elvis Presley's Christian journey. As a stepbrother and one of Elvis's closest confidants, Stanley provides a first-hand perspective on how Elvis wove his faith into every aspect of his life. The book shares touching family stories, insights into the ups-and-downs of life on the road, and examples of Elvis's profound influence on others. This book offers a unique glimpse into the personal life of one of the most iconic figures in American music history and is a must-read for fans and anyone interested in the intersection of faith and fame.

Elvis '68 Comeback: The Story Behind the Special is a must-read book for every Elvis fan. Written by Steve Binder, the show's director, the book takes readers on a behind-the-scenes tour of the NBC television special that marked Elvis Presley's return to the stage. The book includes exclusive content, full-color photographs, and detailed commentary on the show's development and production. The foreword by Baz Luhrmann, a noted film director, adds to the book's value. Overall, Elvis '68 Comeback is an excellent addition to the shelf of every Elvis fan, providing unique insights into one of the King of Rock's most iconic performances.

I'm Your Huckleberry: A Memoir is a captivating autobiography of Val Kilmer, a legendary actor, and star of the upcoming sequel Top Gun: Maverick. In this book, Kilmer shares his remarkable career journey, including his notable roles in Top Gun, Batman, and The Doors, as well as his high-profile relationships with stars like Cher and Cindy Crawford. He also reveals his spiritual journey, belief in Christian Science, and his recent battle with throat cancer. With vivid prose, rarely-seen photos, and snippets of poetry, Kilmer's memoir is a must-read for his fans and anyone interested in the entertainment industry.

Black Rodeo: A History of the African American Western by Mia Mask is a fascinating survey of African American westerns and their evolution throughout cinema history. The book explores the transformation of Black western heroes and their representation in film, from Woody Strode to Jim Brown and Fred Williamson. It also delves into the groundbreaking work of Sidney Poitier and the unconventional roles for women in Buck and the Preacher. Moreover, the book sheds light on the blaxploitation westerns and the all-Black rodeo documentary. This is a carefully crafted academic treatment that enhances library shelves with its rich research and insightful commentary on African American film history and the western.

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die is a comprehensive guide to the greatest films of all time, featuring over a century of movie history. Authored by a team of international film critics, each profile is packed with details, production notes, plot summaries, and little-known facts about the films' history. The book includes a checklist so readers can check off each film as they watch it, making it the perfect gift for any movie lover. The updated edition covers recent Oscar nominees like Mad Max: Fury Road, and classic films such as The Maltese Falcon and Cool Hand Luke. Overall, this curated collection is a must-have for any film buff looking to curate their personal continuous film festival.

TCM Underground is a must-read for any movie lover seeking the weird, wonderful, and campy. This book provides insightful reviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and subgenre sidebars for 50 of the most unforgettable cult films. From crime films like The Honeymoon Killers to horror films like Hausu, and oddities like Mac and Me, this compendium has it all. The authors, Millie De Chirico and Quatoyiah Murry, provide a fresh perspective on each film and highlight the stars, filmmakers, and stories behind them. Overall, TCM Underground is a fantastic guide to late-night cinema and a celebration of the strange and unforgettable movies that have graced the screen.

Documentary Storytelling is a must-read for anyone looking to make a mark in the global documentary marketplace. This fifth edition, revised and updated by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and author Sheila Curran Bernard, offers valuable insights into the art of nonfiction storytelling. The book is packed with practical advice and new tools for understanding how documentaries are structured, how they convey complexity and how they can entertain without sacrificing integrity. The author also includes new conversations with filmmakers and educators, making this book an essential resource for writers, producers, directors, cinematographers, and anyone committed to reality-based filmmaking.

The Story of Film is a comprehensive and accessible history of cinema that covers the major epochs of silent, sound, and digital films, as well as world cinema. The author, Mark Cousins, explores how filmmakers are influenced by the historical events of their time and each other, and how cinematic ideas and techniques cross national boundaries. The book is illustrated with over 400 stills, including sequences explaining how scenes work. The Story of Film is an essential read for both film students and moviegoers, providing a clear understanding of cinematic technique and its effects on the audience.

The second edition of Making Documentary Films and Videos is a comprehensive guidebook that provides readers with the knowledge and confidence to produce their first documentary film. The book covers all the steps from concept to completion, with chapters on visual evidence, documentary ethics, budgeting, assembling a crew, and editing for the audience. The new edition includes updated advice on how to get started in documentary filmmaking, an expanded section on researching and writing the proposal, treatment, and script, and an exhaustive list of resources. Written by Barry Hampe, a writer-director and film/video teacher, this book is a practical guide that can help aspiring filmmakers bring their documentary ideas to life.