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 exactly is a documentary?

A documentary is a non-fiction film that presents information in an engaging way about real events, people, or topics. Typically, the aim of a documentary is to explore and investigate, educate, or raise awareness.

Documentaries will use a range of material, such as live footage, interviews, and extensive evidence-based research to explore the subject. They will often incorporate commentary or narration that provides context and explores the themes in greater depth.

They cover an increasingly wide range of subjects, including history, social issues, relationships, and nature. Over recent years, there has been a growing number of documentaries that blur the line between fact and fiction, incorporating storytelling, animation, and other elements to create something truly unique.

When considering how many people watch documentaries it’s also worth thinking about the variety of themes, angles, and possible approaches that add to their diversity. If documentaries are popular, it’s because they’re evolving and incorporating new production techniques, creative formats, and ideas in intelligent and engaging ways.

What makes documentaries so popular?

In an age that’s dominated by quick soundbites, false news, and viral social stories that often have little basis in fact, there is a growing desire from viewers for grounded and authentic content. Documentaries provide a unique, often in-depth look at the real world, interesting stories, true events, and genuine lives. They explore issues that resonate with the viewers, often providing an unfiltered in-depth insight into areas of life that were previously hidden.

Documentaries can build trust between creators and the audience, providing well-researched, fact-based perspectives that make them a trusted source of information. They can also serve as educational tools, offering viewers the opportunity to learn about a new subject. Documentaries can have direct relevance to tangible issues and debates, making them a key part of wider discussions.

While documentaries may be factual, that doesn’t mean they can’t tell fascinating stories about individuals, events, and communities. These are often less well-known stories, offering universal themes in unexpected places.

Documentaries have never been more accessible. There are now more platforms for people to access documentary films, with sites such as YouTube providing a quick and effective means for filmmakers to reach a wider audience.

Streaming platforms, such as Netflix, are also investing heavily in documentary content recognising its growing appeal to different audiences.

This really is a golden era for documentaries, as the audience grows and the barriers to creating engaging films become less prohibitive.

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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