It's one of the least successful genres in cinemas, but also the one that contains the most nuggets. Documentary is a genre in a class of its own, always close to reality and sometimes attempting to push the boundaries of simple reporting by creating a true work of cinema. Some filmmakers specialize in this genre, while others alternate between fiction and documentary. In fact, some of the world's greatest directors, renowned for their fiction films, have gone on to produce prodigious documentaries, such as Martin Scorsese, Werner Herzog and Agnès Varda.
There are lots of good reasons to go and see documentaries at the cinema. First of all, it's a great way to learn more about subjects that interest you. Documentaries can give you new perspectives on historical events, fascinating personalities or complex subjects. Documentary is a vast genre and can take many different forms: portraiture, archival illustration, live footage, and more.
They can also make you think about important issues of our time, and help you realize the impact of our actions on the world around us. Finally, watching documentaries in the cinema is a unique, immersive experience that allows you to immerse yourself in a subject in a deeper way than watching a documentary on TV or a computer screen.
Discover below our selection of documentaries currently showing in cinemas and coming soon.
- This list is regularly updated -
Bardot: Brigitte Bardot documentary to be released in December
The documentary Bardot by Alain Berliner and Elora Thevenet traces the life of Brigitte Bardot between cinema and activism. Released in theaters in France on December 3, 2025. [Read more]
À demain sur la Lune (See you tomorrow on the moon): documentary on palliative care
À demain sur la Lune, a documentary by Thomas Balmès, opens in theaters on February 4, 2026. Immerse yourself in a palliative care unit alongside Peyo the horse. [Read more]
A great program to discover without delay!
And if you don't want to miss out on all the latest film news, don't hesitate to consult our other guides to the seventh art.
Which film to see today? Our screening ideas
films to be seen today in Paris and the Île-de-France region. [Read more]
Comedies, thrillers, animated films, horror... Discover the latest cinema releases classified by genre to find the film that's right for you. [Read more]
Which film to see today? Our screening ideas
Cinema releases: films to see in cinemas sorted by genre
