When a documentary is made by a director who was wronged by a studio, or when it features interviews with traumatized child stars who are now in their 40s, who is really benefiting? Many argue that recent documentaries about the Home Alone cast or the Child’s Play franchise cross the line from "informative" into the exploitation of nostalgia to generate clicks.

So the next time you sit down to watch a fictional blockbuster, ask yourself: I wonder what actually happened on that set? Chances are, someone is already editing that documentary right now. And it’s probably better than the movie. Dive deep into the world of the entertainment industry documentary. From tragic failures to systemic abuse exposés, discover why behind-the-scenes docs are now bigger than the movies themselves.

Streaming platforms now use "brutally honest" documentaries as tentpole marketing events. Consider The Last Dance (about Michael Jordan). While technically a sports doc, it is the gold standard for an industry doc about fame, pressure, and production. It was gripping because Jordan was ruthless. But it was also a piece of brand rehabilitation for Jordan, the Bulls, and the NBA.