Louis Theroux's top 10 best documentaries of all time ranked

Nothing short of a British cultural icon, has created more than 40 , exploring some of the most subjects out there. His appearance, mixed with his softly spoken voice and his facade of ignorance, makes it for a safe space in which people feel they can delve into their honest truths and shed light on undiscovered areas.

Speaking to the Guardian about his early career, Theroux previously said: "Mainly I was distracted by my appearance, voice and how I came across. The way my hair is piled on top of my head. The faint mid-Atlantic twang in my accent... I was definitely a little bit of a tool, but what was harder to know was whether that was an obstacle or part of my gift." Travelling to all corners of the world and tackling new experiences head on, there is little Theroux's documentaries have not covered.

Here are the 10 best Louis Theroux documentaries, as ranked by magazine.

10. Altered States: Love Without Limits (Arron Fellows, 2018)

Louis explores polyamoury in this documentary, which takes him to Portland, Oregon. Here he meets three groups of people all involved in relationships with multiple people to varying extents. Not one to shy away, Theroux often lends himself to his own studies and ends up submerged in a hot tub with a throuple and taking part in a "sensual eating workshop".

9. Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends - Wrestling (Ed Robbins, 1999)

Weird Weekends are a series of Theroux's most iconic documentaries and an ode to some of the world's strangest and most niche passions. This particular episode focused on the world of wrestling from amateur level right through to professional. Theroux rubs shoulders with some of the key players and simultaneously gathers some enlightening thoughts from them. Of course, Theroux decides to get in the ring, and in this case, he is pushed to literal sickness.

8. Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends - Porn (Geoffrey O'Connor, 1998)

In an eye-opening episode, Theroux delves into the porn industry. He interviews both male and female pornstars to find out the truth about the elusive industry. They discuss the many physical issues that come with being in the industry as well as issues with casting. In a PG-friendly pornographic film, Theroux features as a side character.

7. Louis And The Brothel (Geoffrey O'Connor, 2003)

Following on from the pornographic theme, here Theroux takes a deep dive into - at the time - America's newest legal brothel, The Wild Horse Ranch in Reno, Nevada. He spends three weeks immersing himself in the culture of the brothel and makes connections with both the workers and the clientele. Despite being one of Theroux's funniest documentaries, it does have very sad undertones.

6. Louis And The Nazis (Stuart Cabb, 2003)

This is one of Theroux's most popular and hard-hitting documentaries as he gets to know the inner workings within the world of neo-Nazis. He meets with white supremacist Tom Metzger, the founder of the White Arya Resistance in California, and does well to let the group give their view before unreservedly disagreeing with their stance. Theroux comes face-to-face with families encouraging racist hate speech and a damning disgust overwhelms the documentary.

5. Louis Theroux Extreme Love: Dementia (Louis Theroux, Dan Child, 2012)

One of the most sincere of Theroux's documentaries is about living with dementia, which he handles with great sensitivity. He visits people who have the illness and also chats to their family and friends, as well as doctors. It's a poignant insight into the devastation that this psychological condition can cause, but it shows how love can endure such a painful hardship.

4. Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends - Body-building (Alicia Kerr, 2000)

Another episode where Theroux gets hands on is the Body-building Weird Weekends exploration. He travels to California and interviews people towering above him to find out the details of their workout to their bronzing routines. Theroux works out alongside the leading body-building amateur Guy Grundy and also visits a Playboy mansion for female bodybuilders in Connecticut.

3. Louis Theroux: Under the Knife (Emma Cooper, 2007)

Probably one of the more shocking documentaries, Under the Knife takes us to 2007 California and allows us to have a great insight into the medical world of plastic surgery and the lifestyles of people who are having back-to-back procedures. Theroux himself decides to receive liposuction in order to, once again, immerse himself fully into the mindset of those doing the same. Overall, it is a sad look into contemporary society.

2. The Most Hated Family In America (Geoffrey O'Connor, 2007)

This is perhaps Theroux's most famous documentary series of all his works. It follows the lives and relationships of the Westboro Baptist Church, giving insight into its hatred and downfall across several years. He picks apart the groups within this community, one of which a hyper-Calvinist hate group known for its inflammatory pickets against LGTQ+ communities as well as Jews, Muslims and other religious groups. It is a hugely uncomfortable watch but an important one.

1. Louis Theroux Miami Mega Jail (Emma Cooper, 2011)

This impressive two-part documentary goes behind the bars of Miami's 7,000-resident strong mega jail. Theroux explores the jail's oppressive system, highlighting both sides of the argument for and against it. His investigative journalism shines here, as the viewer is left fully questioning their beliefs on such a system. Theroux's confidence in entering the prison and interviewing some of America's most forgotten people is extremely moving.