17 Must Watch VR Documentaries
One of the best ways to learn about something quickly is to watch a documentary, and while watching it in 2D can be very exciting, stepping it up to virtual reality is a whole new experience. Even if the documentary genre is still something new in VR, and if there is much to be explored, there is already a plethora of VR documentaries out there that are worthy of your time.
What are the Best VR Documentaries?
Because we want the best for our readers, we have selected 17 VR documentaries that are a must-watch for every fan of the genre.
These VR documentaries are informative, shocking, intense, heartbreaking and triumphant. They will not only educate, but put you through a rollercoaster of emotions using the power of VR and immersive storytelling.
Civil War 1864
This is the future of war movies!
Civil War 1864 is a Youtube VR documentary that tells the story of the American Civil War. It’s a documentary that very much plays like a movie.
Experience what war is like behind the trenches. See what horrors face these soldiers by being there first-hand. And experience the fear of being helpless whilst as gunfire and cannonballs rain down on your squad.
This is a must watch for those who enjoy war movies.
Note On Blindness
One of the best VR documentaries ever produced is Note On Blindness. As the title suggests, it will make you experience blindness through virtual reality based on John Hull’s sensory and psychological experience. It is a documentary like no other, and it is a suggested watch even to those who usually find documentaries boring as it is just that well done.
Traveling While Black
Racism is a serious topic, and while there have been many uprisings against it in history, the issue persists even today. In this VR documentary, you will experience the history of black Americans and how it feels to be in their shoes. By watching Traveling While Black, you will most certainly get a better understanding of racism and the restriction that black Americans faced in their everyday life.
Home After War
Another topic that is very serious and unfortunately common today is war. In this VR documentary, you will travel to Fallujah, a city overtaken by ISIS. The documentary speaks how even if the war against ISIS is over, the city is still not safe, and many fear returning to the place they once called home. A virtual reality documentary like this one is like no other, and it can be quite disturbing to some viewers.
Inside Covid19
While the pandemic is slowly getting behind us, it is not too late to learn more about it. Inside Covid19 follows Dr. Josiah Child, an emergency department doctor, and physician. While responding to the pandemic, he is infected with the then-new coronavirus, which is the main focus of this virtual reality documentary.
The Waiting Room VR
It is quite rare that someone gets to tell their story about facing breast cancer, but The Waiting Room VR is exactly that. The documentary will put you into the role of a bystander that will spectate the last session of radiotherapy after a nine-month period of breast cancer treatment and how it affects the patient’s body and life. The documentary is very well made, and it uses real captured footage, as well as some CGI parts.
Clouds Over Sidra
Another VR documentary that focuses on the topic of war is Clouds Over Sidra. In this VR experience, you will follow a 12-year-old girl from Siria that is living in the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan for more than a year. The documentary shows the situation that the refugees are living in, but it tells it from the child’s perspective, which manages to put some positive in such a harsh and very real situation.
Waves Of Grace
Before the pandemic of Covid19, there was another outbreak. Waves Of Grace talks about the Ebola outbreak in Liberia, and it follows the story of Decontee Davis, who is a survivor of this horrible disease. Because of her survival, she developed a good immune defense against the disease, and she uses her immunity to help orphans in her village.
Even if the Ebola pandemic in Liberia lasted from March 2014 to June 2016, the disease is still more than relevant, as even in 2022, there are still outbreaks occurring in certain countries, which makes this documentary very relevant, even today.
The Protectors
Follow the path of rangers that walk through the Garamba National Park, where they do their best in order to fight against poachers who want to claim the tusks of elephants. The documentary speaks about the harsh reality of the human race and how it will make certain animals extinct just so they can use some of their parts as trophies, a very emotional piece of virtual reality media.
The Real Thing
A documentary that might make some people question the state of virtual reality itself is The Real Thing, which is a documentary that focuses on things that are fake yet real in real life. There are imitations of famous architectural pieces from various cultures all over the world in China, and the documentary talks about how those fake imitations have impacted certain neighborhoods as they are trying to simulate other places.
Colette
In this VR documentary, you will follow the story of Colette Marin-Catherine, who survived World War II and fought against the Nazis as a member of the French Resistance. While telling her story, she revisits the labor camp where her brother was killed while accompanied by a history student. The documentary is quite emotional, and it tells about the horror of World War II in its own unique way.
Everest VR –The Movie Experience
Immerse into this astonishing experience that follows Sherpa Tenji, a climber that attempts to conquer Mt. Everest without using bottled oxygen. While he conquered this challenge in the past, watch the documentary to see if he can do it again in order to honor his deceased friend Ueli Steck. While the climb begins with ease, once Tenji and the cameraman Jon Griffith reach bigger heights, they race against time with the little oxygen that the area offers.
Junior
Follow Chris Eubank Jr. on his journey as he prepares for the boxing match against Arthur Abraham. The documentary follows his preparation in the gym, from the workouts to the sparring sessions. See the sweat and exhaustion that the former world champion is going through before the big fight.
Border: A VR Ride
Another interesting and unique take on the VR documentary genre is Border: A VR Ride. As the name suggests, the documentary puts the viewer into the seat of a motorcycle driver that rides his bike through some mesmerizing locations that Ireland has to offer while bringing up important questions about political landscapes like borders.
V aRe Panda
Follow the life of a panda keeper, Mei Yan, from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. Learn what it takes to take care of panda cubs, like their diet, and what it takes in order for them to have a healthy life. It is an interesting documentary that shows just how much effort it takes to keep this species from going extinct.
Goliath: Playing With Reality
Now, this is an interesting one because instead of using the traditional documentary format, it uses animation and storytelling in order to tell the story of a man who loses his parents and is diagnosed with schizophrenia. It is a very interesting VR experience, and while it does not follow the traditional documentary formula, it just had to make this list due to the impact it had on us, and if you watch it, we guarantee it will have an impact on you too.
We Met In Virtual Reality
After so many serious documentaries, time to talk about one that has a brighter side behind it. We Met In Virtual Reality represents exactly what VR is all about, which is to socialize and meet people from all around the world like you never could before. The documentary takes place in one of the most popular VR games, VRChat, and it explores the relationships developed among users on the platform during the pandemic.
Lastly, a special mention goes to “The Key,” an immersive Oculus Quest storytelling experience that might not be a documentary in itself, but documentary-lovers are guaranteed to enjoy this. In my opinion, it’s the most well done out of all the ones on this list – so please give it a try!
Make sure to also check out these 30 story-driven VR experiences.