Nonfiction entertainment has emerged as a dominant force in the modern media landscape, reshaping audience expectations and redefining content consumption across platforms. Documentary production, once a niche category, now thrives in mainstream entertainment, with streaming content driving a surge in popularity for biographical features, social issue films, and concert films. Reality programming continues to evolve, blurring the line between storytelling and spectacle, while the demand for immersive, real-world narratives fuels unprecedented growth in the industry. As streaming platforms, theatrical releases, and digital distribution models expand their investment in nonfiction, the genre’s influence on global entertainment only continues to rise.
How is the world of nonfiction content expanding?
Nonfiction entertainment extends far beyond traditional documentary filmmaking, encompassing diverse formats that engage audiences through unique storytelling approaches. True crime documentaries and docuseries, such as Netflix’s Tiger King (2020), captivate viewers with in-depth investigations, sometimes revisiting notorious cases with new evidence or perspectives. Biographical features, particularly those focused on public figures, have surged in popularity with films like Becoming, The Andy Warhol Diaries, and Lucy and Desi. Political and historical documentaries, such as Citizenfour, explore significant global events, while social issue documentaries like American Factory and All the Beauty and the Bloodshed provide deep dives into pressing concerns. Observational documentaries, often called "fly-on-the-wall" films, capture real-life events without interference, a style tracing back to Nanook of the North (1922), widely considered the first documentary.
What is driving the rise of documentaries and docuseries?
The rise of documentaries and docuseries over the past two decades can be attributed to several key factors. Production of documentaries has grown significantly, with the British Film Institute reporting an increase from just four films in the UK in 2001 to over a hundred annually today, and the number of annual theatrical releases has more than tripled since 2000. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu have fueled this rise, with the pandemic further accelerating interest in real-life stories, causing documentary content to grow by 120% from 2019 to 2020, making it the fastest-growing genre on streaming services. Documentaries have also gained increased recognition, winning prestigious awards such as the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for All the Beauty and the Bloodshed and the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for American Factory. Blockbuster documentaries like Becoming (2020), Citizenfour, and Tiger King have garnered massive viewership and cultural impact, with Tiger King even surpassing The Mandalorian on Disney+ in 2020. The popularity of nonfiction content can be attributed to its educational value, emotional resonance, real-world storytelling, diverse perspectives, binge-worthy formats, and niche appeal, with Peter Hamilton, executive producer of Season of the Osprey, noting that documentaries are the art form that most captures the zeitgeist today.
What is behind the rise of concert films and the live entertainment revolution?
The growing popularity of concert films is a significant trend in nonfiction entertainment, offering fans the chance to experience live performances from major artists without the high costs of attending in person. These films have seen box office success, with Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour film grossing $160.4 million globally in just two weeks, and BTS’s Yet to Come concert film earning over $20 million internationally, demonstrating the demand for high-quality concert experiences in cinemas. Concert films also enhance accessibility by allowing broader audiences, including those unable to attend live shows, to enjoy these performances, while supporting sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint of large-scale tours. Additionally, watching concert films in theaters fosters a community experience, creating an interactive, immersive environment where fans can engage with the music collectively.
What does the future hold for nonfiction entertainment?
As the demand for real-life storytelling continues to grow, the future of nonfiction entertainment looks increasingly promising. Streaming platforms are investing heavily in original documentary productions, while theatrical releases of concert films and high-profile documentaries prove that audiences are eager for these experiences. Market analysts project continued growth, with the global documentary television market expected to reach $11.65 billion by 2028, with a 5.5% annual growth rate.
A force shaping culture and media
Nonfiction entertainment is no longer just an educational tool or niche category. It has become a powerhouse of mainstream media, influencing culture, shaping conversations, and offering audiences unparalleled access to real-world narratives. As technology and audience preferences evolve, the impact of nonfiction content will only continue to expand, redefining the future of entertainment.
Want to learn more about how documentaries are financed? Check out this Media Services blog here.