Must-Watch Documentaries Similar to Scandalous

Description: A classic film about investigative journalism uncovering political corruption, demonstrating the painstaking process of following leads and verifying facts in high-stakes reporting.

Fact: The movie depicts the real-life Watergate reporting by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. The famous parking garage scenes were based on actual meetings between Woodward and his source.

Description: This film chronicles the investigative process behind exposing sexual harassment in Hollywood, demonstrating how journalists build trust with sources to break major stories.

Fact: Based on the New York Times investigation that launched the #MeToo movement. The reporters consulted extensively with the filmmakers.

Description: This dramatization of investigative journalism exposes systemic abuse and cover-ups, showing how persistent reporters can bring institutional wrongdoing to light.

Fact: The film recreates the Boston Globe's Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation into Catholic Church abuse. The real Spotlight team consulted on the production.

Description: This real-time documentary captures the unfolding of a major government surveillance scandal, showing the risks whistleblowers take to expose truth and the media's role in disseminating it.

Fact: The filmmaker was in the room when Edward Snowden first revealed NSA surveillance secrets. It won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Description: A historical drama about a newspaper's decision to publish classified documents, exploring the tension between government secrecy and press freedom.

Fact: The film focuses on The Washington Post's publication of the Pentagon Papers. It marked the first collaboration between Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks.

Description: A limited series examining the rise of a controversial media empire and its impact on political discourse, showing how media organizations can shape public opinion.

Fact: The show focuses on Roger Ailes and the creation of Fox News. It was based on extensive interviews with former Fox employees.

Description: A biographical documentary about a legendary newspaper editor who oversaw groundbreaking investigative reporting, emphasizing the crucial role of media in holding power accountable.

Fact: Bradlee was editor of The Washington Post during the Watergate scandal. The film includes rare personal footage from his family archives.

Description: This documentary explores corporate deception and media manipulation, focusing on the rise and fall of a high-profile startup. It shares themes of scandal, investigative journalism, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

Fact: The film delves into the Theranos scandal, where Elizabeth Holmes' blood-testing technology was revealed to be fraudulent. It features never-before-seen footage from inside the company.

Description: A gripping documentary about one of the biggest leaks in journalistic history, exposing global corruption and tax evasion. It highlights the power of investigative journalism to uncover hidden truths.

Fact: The leak involved

Description: This series provides an inside look at the workings of a major newspaper during a turbulent political era, showcasing the challenges and ethical dilemmas faced by journalists.

Fact: The documentary was filmed over a year at The New York Times, capturing their coverage of the Trump administration. It shows real-time editorial decisions being made.