Best Ukrainian documentary movies
Get ready to binge. We've found a collection of must-watch documentary films from Ukraine, now streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!
Yaremchuk: Matchless World of Beauty (2024)
Yaremchuk: Matchless World of Beauty (2024)
Documentary biographical drama about the life and career of the first Ukrainian pop star - Nazarii Yaremchuk.
The Russian Woodpecker (2015)
The Russian Woodpecker (2015)
As his country is gripped by revolution and war, a Ukrainian victim of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster discovers a dark secret and must decide whether to risk his life and play his part in the revolution by revealing it.
Life After: Chernobyl (2016)
Life After: Chernobyl (2016)
Thirty years after the worst nuclear catastrophe in history, which sent a plume of highly radioactive fallout into the atmosphere, biologist Rob Nelson and anthropologist Mary-Ann Ochota are the first scientists to be granted unlimited access to the Chernobyl exclusion/danger zone to investigate how the environment and the wildlife have been affected after three decades of radiation exposure.
Lady Gaga: One Sequin at a Time (2010)
Lady Gaga: One Sequin at a Time (2010)
Not since Madonna has the pop world experienced a cultural icon like Stefani Germanotta, better known by her stage name, Lady Gaga. From her early years as an aspiring pianist and songwriter, to her time as a Catholic-school outcast, to her first record deal, One Sequin at a Time explores the ups and downs of this highly influential superstar. Her explosive career has continued to grow following the release of two major albums and critically acclaimed tours. With commentary from such stars as Ozzy Osbourne, Akon, and Michael Bolton, see how Lady Gaga is taking on the world--one sequin at a time. Loaded with Exclusive Interviews.
YEAR (2023)
YEAR (2023)
A documentary film-project by Dmytro Komarov. He was the first journalist to witness and film the horrors of the just-liberated towns of Bucha, Irpin and Hostomel. He saw the first emotions of people immediately after the de-occupation of Kyiv region, Kharkiv region, and Kherson region. The documentary is the author's view of the war from angles that you won't see in the news. Unique, rare, exclusive comments from those whose hands and minds are shaping our future victory. The main heroes of documentary are both ordinary Ukrainians who heroically show their strength and power every day for a year and high-ranking officials such as Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov, Major General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk. Initially, "Year" was a series of journalistic reports, later they were edited into a two-part film.
Us, Our Pets and the War (2024)
Us, Our Pets and the War (2024)
Amid violence and war, Ukrainian citizens are coming together to rescue animals that have been left behind by those forced to flee. From cats and dogs in abandoned buildings to lions and tigers in the nation’s zoos, extraordinary rescue efforts are underway to bring them to safety. The film is a tribute to the very best of the human spirit despite the horrors of war.
Roses. Film-Cabaret (2022)
Roses. Film-Cabaret (2022)
Once upon a time in the dressing room of the famous Dakh theatre in Kyiv, seven actresses came up with the Dakh Daughters project. At their first solo show, Roses, they presented the world with a contemporary interpretation of the art of cabaret, which, in its absolute carnival freedom, knows how to entertain the public with the most serious topics. At the same time, Ukraine found itself on the threshold of significant change, not just in society, but also in the consciousnesses of thousands of people. The Revolution of Dignity and the war in the East reveal the nuances of the protagonists’ personalities, worldviews, creative reflections.
The Earth Is Blue as an Orange (2020)
The Earth Is Blue as an Orange (2020)
Single mother Anna and her four children live in the front-line war zone of Donbas, Ukraine. While the outside world is made up of bombings and chaos, the family is managing to keep their home a safe haven, full of life and full of light. Every member of the family has a passion for cinema, motivating them to shoot a film inspired by their own life during a time of war. The creative process raises the question of what kind of power the magical world of cinema could have during times of disaster. How to picture war through fiction? For Anna and the children, transforming trauma into a work of art is the ultimate way to stay human.
The Nightingale Sings (2019)
The Nightingale Sings (2019)
The movie explores the origin of the Ukrainian language and persecution of those who defended its authenticity. Using examples of other countries, creators of the film prove that a nation cannot exist without a language.
War Game: The Making of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 (2024)
War Game: The Making of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 (2024)
WAR GAME: The Making of S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 dives into the profound narrative of creation amidst destruction, chronicling how a Ukrainian video game developer’s quest to complete an internationally anticipated sequel becomes a defiant act of resilience and artistry in the face of attack from Russia. In what is undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges a video game studio has ever faced, the developers at GSC Game World work under the ravaging conditions of war to bring the highly anticipated game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl to life. As they battle the emotional toll of displacement, personal loss, and political upheaval, they must find the strength and resilience to keep their artistic vision alive. With personal stories of sacrifice, determination, and hope, the film offers a powerful insight into the human toll of conflict and the transformative power of creative expression.
We Were Recruits (2024)
We Were Recruits (2024)
A motivational documentary in an artistic style about how ordinary people become professional soldiers, find their true purpose in war and form the newest Ukrainian military culture. Based on real events and key battles of a full-scale war.
Myth (2018)
Myth (2018)
"Myth" was the callsign of Vasyl Slipak, the world-famous Ukrainian opera singer, a soloist of the Parisian National Opera, who left the big stage to become a volunteer, a warrior fighting in the East of Ukraine. The Hero of Ukraine, the Knight of the Order "Golden Star" and the Order "For Courage", Vasyl Slipak gave his life, defending Ukraine. This documentary is a real story of heroism and self-sacrifice, which makes us think over our own lives.
Chernobyl.3828 (2011)
Chernobyl.3828 (2011)
Military people call such places "FRONTLINE", liquidators who worked at the Chernobyl nuclear station called it "ROOF COATING". It was the most contaminated, and therefore the most dangerous, place in the zone. The remains of the roof coating of the 4th reactor. The operation on decontaminating the roof lasted more than five months. We will tell about only two days. About the most important two days in the life of an explorer - dosimetrist Valeriy Starodumov. He participated in this operation until it was over. He himself came out to the roof and led people there. He himself planted the "victory banner" at the level of 75 meters, as the signal for the zone: the roof coating has been decontaminated! Now, 25 years later, Valeriy Starodumov comes back to the zone. Now Chernobyl is a tourist object. But not for him...
Infinity According to Florian (2022)
Infinity According to Florian (2022)
90-year-old architect Florian Yuriev is facing the destruction of his magnum opus: an avant-garde concert hall set to be repurposed as a shopping mall. Florian confronts the powerful real estate developer behind this investment project, and uses his visionary ideas to capture an unlikely victory. This is an architectural documentary with infusions of science fiction and horror film.
Enter Through The Balcony (2020)
Enter Through The Balcony (2020)
An engaging love letter to Ukraine and its people, Enter Through the Balcony examines how architecture can be a curious pathway to a deeper understanding of culture and place.
Ukraine: The People's Fight (2023)
Ukraine: The People's Fight (2023)
Filmmaker Olly Lambert spends two months on Ukraine’s southern frontline with volunteer special forces as they begin the push to capture Kherson. The film follows “Hummer”, an experienced military commander who now finds himself a chaperone to completely inexperienced forces on the frontline.
War Note (2021)
War Note (2021)
Personal videos from the phones, camcorders, cameras and GoPros of Ukrainian soldiers are woven into a surreal journey to the frontline of the war with Russia. The film shows a bizarre world whose laws are quite different from what we are used to. The behaviour is different, the relationships unfold differently and the humour takes on different notes. The heroes wake up and fall asleep, rejoice and cry, always feeling that the recording may end at any moment.
Da Vinci (2024)
Da Vinci (2024)
This is the story of the outstanding Ukrainian warrior and freedom fighter Dmytro Kotsyubailo, who took part in revolution on the Maidan (Kyiv, Ukraine) as an 18-year-old boy, then went to the front to defend the country from the russians.
Soldiers of Song (2024)
Soldiers of Song (2024)
Ukrainian musicians of all genres, from metal to opera, transform their passion for music into devotion to their country in this moving documentary. Beginning on the very first day of the Russian invasion, Soldiers of Song documents how the lives of its cast of Ukrainian musicians have irrevocably changed and how they use their musical talents to support themselves and their communities. Using shocking footage from the frontlines, this film reminds us not only of the ongoing tragedies that continue to happen during this war, but also of the resilience of Ukraine and its cultural forces. Here music functions not only to lift the spirits of the soldiers, but also as a cultural export to raise awareness of the war, a tool for raising humanitarian and military funds, and a valuable cultural artifact for everyday Ukrainians to rally around and protect. The musician’s commitment to their craft reminds us of the real power art has and the impact of beauty under catastrophic circumstances.
The Eternally Dancing Man (2021)
The Eternally Dancing Man (2021)
Monatik burst into the Ukrainian show business swiftly, triumphantly and as if out of nowhere, immediately starting to make music in quality comparable to European and American samples. The documentary project will tell about the artist's life even before he became famous and the most demanded Ukrainian performer.
Following the Paths of Kyiv Beaches (2021)
Following the Paths of Kyiv Beaches (2021)
Sketches from the overcrowded beaches of Kyiv, where a lot of people die every year. The spotlight is on Dmytro, a beach patrol supervisor, who wants to change the horrible statistics. Will he succeed?
Silent Terror (2022)
Silent Terror (2022)
Russian propaganda is doing everything to create a picture of "peaceful life" in Kherson, but in reality it kidnaps and tortures people, leaves them in information isolation and does not allow them to move to other regions. What does the occupation regime really look like and who are its victims?
How Ukrainians Started Speaking Ukrainian (2024)
How Ukrainians Started Speaking Ukrainian (2024)
An educational film about the birth, development, decline, persecution, and flourishing of the Ukrainian language. It shows how it was formed, changed, filled with borrowed words and formed its own neologisms. The film is divided into five historically important periods: Rus, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Hetmanate, the Russian Empire, and the Soviet Union. Each era “spoke” its own language, and here you will hear for the first time how it sounded in different centuries. The presenter, a famous theater and film actor Oleksii Hnatkovskyi, will guide the viewer through the historical periods. In a simple, accurate, sometimes humorous way, he will tell how our language developed during the periods of creation, development, division, fierce wars and total bans.
Episodes: Shadow of Chernobyl (2024)
Episodes: Shadow of Chernobyl (2024)
A documentary about the creation of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. In 2001, young Kyiv developers led by Serhiy Hryhorovych decided to create the most complex game in the world with realistic graphics, an open world and an unusual plot revolving around the Chornobyl zone. With the launch of the promotional campaign, tens of thousands of people around the world were waiting for STALKER, but the developers became hostage to their ambitions. They endlessly improved the game, postponing its release date every year. But at one point, the American publisher's patience ran out.
The Art of Rebirth (2022)
The Art of Rebirth (2022)
Popasna is located in Luhansk in the Donbas region. In 2019, the battle threat is still in the air and many in the population have fled. Still, every morning the children go to one of the few elementary schools that is still open.
