Why are documentaries so popular?

This is a golden age for documentary films and filmmakers. There have never been more documentary films produced or watched, with filmmakers now able to find audiences for even the most niche or challenging subjects.

As well as the specialist documentaries that appeal to small, passionate audiences, some documentaries can attract huge audiences through online word-of-mouth, or being featured on streaming platforms.

Some documentaries even become major viewing events, such as viral hits like ‘Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened’, or celebrity documentaries like ‘Beckham’ and ‘Arnold’.

There’s even an international documentary festival held every year in Sheffield. In fact, if you’re interested in becoming a documentary filmmaker, it’s never been easier to find an audience for high-quality work.

How many people watch documentaries and what is contributing to their current popularity?

What makes documentaries so popular?

There’s a reason audiences are increasingly drawn to documentaries; it’s the fresh combination of authenticity, impact and human connection. At Eight Engines we see several powerful threads that make this genre resonate so deeply.

1. Real stories, real people.

Documentaries shine a light into lives, places and issues that are often hidden or overlooked. They capture genuine moments—human struggles, triumphs, transformations, that instantly feel relatable and honest.

2. Expand-your-mind entertainment.

Unlike a purely fictional blockbuster, a great documentary can educate, challenge and stir emotion, all in one. Whether you’re exploring a truth, building an argument or simply getting to know someone you wouldn’t normally meet, the appeal lies in things felt as well as seen.

3. Challenging assumptions & uncovering new perspectives.

Sometimes the most gripping part of a documentary is seeing something you thought you understood, flipped on its head. They invite curiosity, spark conversation and broaden horizons by showing us the world from unexpected angles.

4. Platform ready for today’s audience.

We’re in what Eight Engines calls a “golden age of documentary video production”; technology, travel, access and distribution have aligned to make real-life storytelling more feasible (and visible) than ever. That means more stories, better production and reach beyond traditional broadcast.

In short: well-crafted documentaries meet a hungry audience, people who want more than just escapism. They want to engage, reflect and feel something meaningful.

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How many people watch documentaries?

While it may be difficult to quantify exactly how many people watch documentaries, the market is growing. Streaming platforms report a growing engagement with documentary content. The world’s largest streaming platform, Netflix, with over 220 million subscribers reports that 70% of its audience watches documentary content. Documentaries also attract paying audiences to cinemas and are still a staple of traditional TV channels.

Platforms such as YouTube have also made documentaries more accessible, for both viewers and creators, with shorter content being particularly popular.

Create engaging documentaries and find your audience

At Eight Engines, we’re working with a growing number of ambitious documentary filmmakers helping them to realise their vision and tell their stories. While documentary filmmaking has become accessible, it’s also grown harder to get noticed. To compete, you need to have a documentary that not only tells a fascinating story but also has high production values.

As one of the leading documentary film production companies in the UK we produce industry-quality documentaries for a wide range of clients. Unlike other production companies, our clients retain all the rights to the material we produce for them, meaning that your completed documentary is yours and yours alone.

Do you have a great story to tell, an idea for a documentary, or a burning passion to explore a subject? Then we’d like to hear from you.

Contact us to learn how we can help you find your audience.

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