20 Documentary Movies You Must See Before You Die

9. Bowling For Columbine (2002)

Michael Moore is considered to be something of a joke nowadays, but there's no denying that Bowling For Columbine - arguably his most famous film - is a documentary that absolutely everybody should see. In the film, which centres around the Columbine school massacre that occurred in 1999, Moore explores the relationship between Americans and their guns, and asks whether the country paved the way for such a thing to happen.

Moore takes a somewhat heavy-handed approach at times and there are a few cringe-inducing moments scattered throughout. And yet it is hard to call this documentary anything other than a "pop cultural milestone" - not only did it influence the style of countless other documentaries and help to fashion a new irreverent style, but - even more so than many of the "better" films on this list - it has lodged itself into the public conciousness.

Everybody knows Bowling For Columbine, even if they haven't seen it: if you're yet to lend an ear to Moore's argument, it's about time you experienced this film.