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Narration can make or break a documentary; whether too quiet, too loud, or just not enthusiastic enough, a lack of a good narrator can truly hurt an otherwise well-made documentary. Luckily, the value of a narrator has not been lost by many – and that’s why so many of the greatest actors of our time have been employed to ensure that these chronicles of life, nature, and the history of the world are voiced with power and grace.
Actors make some of the best narrators out there; many of them share our enthusiasm for the subjects at hand, and it makes documentaries even more fun to watch. Netflix‘s Five Came Back, narrated by Meryl Streep, is set to hit the streaming service later this month, and her Academy Award-winning talent is fully on display, even if only through her voice. She’s part of a rare group of actors able to act as the backbone of a film using just their vocals. Here are 10 great documentaries narrated by famous actors.
'I Am Not Your Negro'
The generally expletive-loving Samuel L. Jackson delivers some of the most moving work of his career with just his voice in this riveting documentary. Utilizing the unfinished writings of James Baldwin and drawing from the lives and deaths of Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Evers, and Malcom X, director Raoul Peck examines the racial narrative currently at play in America in I Am Not Your Negro.
'Dogtown and Z-Boys'
Sean Penn narrates this look back at the history of skateboarding in Southern California. Directed by Stacy Pealta, the film uses a mix of interviews and footage of the Zephyr skateboard team (the Z-Boys) to tell the story of the way these teenage skateboarder/surfers influenced skateboarding culture as a whole. This already-fun documentary benefits supremely from Penn’s laid-back, occasionally giddy narration.
'Anne Frank Remembered'
Narrated by Kenneth Branagh and Glenn Close, this moving documentary won the Academy Award in 1995 for Best Feature Documentary – and it’s easy to see why. Close lends her voice to read parts of Frank’s diary, while Branagh narrates the events that take place over the course of the film. Shot in the actual locations of Frank’s life, the film is harrowing and emotional, and the vocal talents of this duo make it even more riveting.
'March of the Penguins'
Do we even have to say it? Morgan Freeman‘s iconic vocal timbre and well-timed humor makes him one of the greatest narrators of recent history. While instant recognition of his voice may be seen as a negative by some, the notion that Freeman gains just as much enjoyment from watching penguins as we do makes this documentary even more fun to watch.
'Before the Flood'
Leonardo DiCaprio stars and narrates this devastating look at how climate change is affecting our planet. His passion for the topic shines through – the team travels all over the world to capture the catastrophic effects of global warming and climate change, and bring up many issues not frequently thrown into the discussion when the subject comes up. DiCaprio’s role functions as a call to action, as he emphatically pleads with viewers to take steps to eradicate this problem and save our planet.
'Brooklyn Dodgers: Ghosts of Flatbush'
Liev Schreiber has narrated a TON of documentaries, but his work in this HBO documentary chronicling the last 10 years of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ tenure in New York, Jackie Robinson’s achievement in racially integrating Major League Baseball, and the emotions surrounding the Dodgers sudden departure to Los Angeles in 1957. Schreiber delivers the narration in an enticing, smooth tone, and sort of makes you wish he could read you stories before bed.
'Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War'
Tom Hanks narrates this compelling PBS documentary from Ken Burns chronicling the lives of a couple named Waitstill and Martha Sharp. Waitstill, a Unitarian minister, traveled with his wife from Wellesley, Massachusetts in 1939 to aid refugees and others in their escape from the Nazis in Eastern Europe. Told through letters and with the help of prominent Holocaust scholars, Hanks delivers the narration and letter-reading with a nuanced sensitivity that helps the documentary pack an emotional punch.
'Inside Job'
Narrated by Matt Damon, this critically-acclaimed deep dive into the financial crisis of the late 2000s is split into five parts. The patient pacing, detailed research, and relentless interviews with the people involved in the frankly criminal activity that occurred leading up to the big crash all culminate in a fascinating, one-of-a-kind documentary. Damon’s vocal political leanings and fire for this subject make him the only man for the job – and he does it incredibly well.
'Planet Earth' (U.S. Version)
While Sir David Attenborough‘s stunning narration of Planet Earth certainly did not require a replacement, if there had to be one, we’re happy it was Sigourney Weaver. Through rain, shine, snow, on mountaintops and in deserts, Weaver delivers unique performances for each setting. The actress’ iconic vocal prowess, enthusiasm for the nature on display, and acting skills distinguishable even just through her narration makes her take on the series a memorable one.
'Five Came Back'
Iconic American actress Meryl Streep beautifully narrates this fascinating 3-part documentary series that takes viewers on a journey through the eyes of five iconic modern directors: Steven Spielberg, Guillermo Del Toro, Lawrence Kasdan, Paul Greengrass, and Francis Ford Coppola. These five examine the documentary work of Frank Capra, John Ford, John Huston, George Stevens, and William Wyler during World War II and their influences on modern cinema.
