Here’s Discomfort Club approved list of the best documentaries for men. To be more exact, these movies are primarily for ambitious men who want to become better. The movies portray stories of incredible men who push their limits or otherwise do hard things to live a full, rewarding life.
I’ve personally watched all these movies and only selected the ones I found most valuable.
The order is random. I’ll update this page whenever I find new documentaries worth recommending.
Make sure to check Discomfort Club’s list of the best books for men, too.
14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible
A documentary on the mountaineering accomplishments of Nirmal “Nims” Purja. His grit, endurance, and high-altitude performance are out of this world.
The movie mostly focuses on his speed record climbing all 14 mountain peaks above 8,000 meters (26,000 feet) in a record time of six months and six days.
100 Foot Wave
A spectacular series on big wave surfing, mostly focusing on Garrett McNamara who discovered Nazaré, the place where some of the world’s biggest waves form.
Watch how big wave surfers deal with fear as they expose themselves to some of the most dangerous surf conditions in the world.
The Dawn Wall
A documentary on rock climber Tommy Caldwell’s life, mostly focusing on his multi-year project of climbing the world’s hardest big wall route, The Dawn Wall of El Capitan.
Tommy’s meticulous preparation and consistent dedication despite how impossible the task was is very inspiring. It’s by far one of the best documentaries for men who are interested in climbing and the outdoors.
Free Solo
Alex Honnold is one of the world’s greatest rock climbers. The documentary explores his incredible mental fortitude and fear management while climbing without any safety equipment (i.e., you fall, you die). If you’re looking for one of the best documentaries for men, this is it.
The movie focuses on his quest to free solo climb monstrous El Capitan’s 3000 feet (900 meters) vertical wall. It provides a fascinating look into the mind of a person who has a unique relationship with fear.
Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off
A documentary on Tony Hawk’s skateboarding career. His obsession with the sport and his drive to push the limits throughout his life, even after the age of 50, is awe-inspiring.
The documentary shows how Tony’s self-discipline and relentless work ethic when trying to master hard tricks made him the greatest skateboarder in the world.Â