The Top 11 Charlie Minn Documentaries (updated 2024)

Charlie Minn creates docs on tough subjects like mass shootings and disasters.

Here are the 11 docs from him including an interview with a TV show on a new Minn doc due to come out soon.

Charlie Minn directed or produced all of the docs I list below.

I rank them in order with best first (I hate those lists that make you scroll to the bottom to see #1!).

I usually say “enjoy” at this point.

But these Charlie Minn docs are heavy. They involve a lot of human loss.

So I don’t know what to say.

Here they are:

1) The Kids of Santa Fe: The Largest Unknown Mass Shooting

The doc “The Kids Of Santa Fe” feels like “Bowling for Columbine” meets “3½ Minutes, Ten Bullets”… with an aftertaste of poignant despair.

Director Charlie Minn dives into May 18, 2018… when bullets robbed life from ten souls and wounded thirteen at Santa Fe High School.

Students recount their trauma, loss, and bravery.

Names you’ll remember: Kimberly Vaughan, Angelique Ramirez, Christopher Stone… Heroes and victims, both. One moment stands out… an echoing “Surprise!” before shots fire.

You might squirm? Those craving neat answers… Minn’s doc raises hard questions, leaves them hanging… on bureaucratic inertia and quiet injustice. It’s raw, unapologetic, maybe even infuriating.

Watch it (with ads) on Roku, Tubi or Run Time. See the options here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-kids-of-santa-fe-the-largest-unknown-mass-shooting

2) Miracle on 4th Street

November 5, 2017. Sutherland Springs… Texas’ deadliest church shooting. 26 killed, 20 injured. Fifth deadliest in the U.S.

“Miracle on 4th Street” (Charlie Minn directs) is a doc with heroics like Stephen Willeford. Barefoot, he is nearby and hears gunfire and chases the shooter… rifle ready. They exchange shots and get in a car chase. Amazing Samaritan heroics.

Another story: a 5-year-old… shot five times, survives. Fast forward: karate lessons, first pitches at San Antonio Mission games. Another? Shot seven times… He walks at his La Vernia High graduation.

Watch Miracle on 4th Street (with ads) on Roku, Vudu, Tubi or Plex. See the details here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/miracle-on-4th-street.

3) Parkland: Inside Building 12

You can watch the trailer below (you just have to click through to YouTube):

Cecilia da Fonte directed Parkland (Charlie Minn produced).

The doc covers the horrifying events of February 14, 2018, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.

“Building 12”. That’s where it all went down. Da Fonte puts us right there. You’ll hear survivors’ stories, feel their pain, and see their resilience.

Students (like 16-year-old Jamie) sheltering…waiting…hoping. Teachers, becoming barriers between bullets and their students.

This doc is raw — it’s got a large amount of firsthand accounts and actual footage.

Watch Parkland: Inside Building 12 on Roku or Tubi ( both with ads) and you can also rent it on Amazon and AppleTV. See options here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/parkland-inside-building-12

4) Mexico’s Bravest Man

“Mexico’s Bravest Man” focuses on Julian Leyzaola, a former police chief in Ciudad Juárez and Tijuana.

Leyzaola is known for standing up to the drug cartels that have wreaked havoc across Mexico.

The doc delves into Leyzaola’s controversial tenure.

He employs militaristic tactics, often blurring the lines between law enforcement and vigilantism.

His efforts significantly reduced crime rates, but his methods have also led to accusations of human rights abuses.

The interviews include not only Leyzaola himself but also his colleagues, critics, and ordinary citizens affected by his policies.

One powerful moment in the film is Leyzaola’s recounting of a near-fatal attack.

The doc touches on the corruption within local governments and the police force.

I wish the doc spent more time on the long-term effects of Leyzaola’s policies.

It mentions that mmediate crime rates dropped.

But you’re left wondering what’s the true cost of such aggressive tactics?

You can watch “Mexico’s Bravest Man” for free on Hoopla (with library card); for free on Tubi, PlexTV and Freevee (all with ads) or on Amazon’s Prime Video.

Check out the latest streaming options on https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/mexicos-bravest-man.

5) The 13th Man

2:42 a.m., November 18, 1999… Texas A&M’s tradition turns nightmare. The massive 59-foot Aggie Bonfire collapses. Twelve lives are lost; 27 others injured.

Key players: John Comstock—the last survivor pulled, now a symbol of resilience. James Gibson of Steely Lumber Co.—honored for his fearless rescue efforts.

The aftermath? Global media coverage, with 50 news trucks descending on campus. Students rally—joining hands, singing “Amazing Grace” at a touching memorial service. Lit candles… 40,000 in silent tribute, marking the bonfire’s intended burn date.

In an emotional twist, the Aggies clinch a 20-16 victory against the Texas Longhorns soon after.

Critics argue. Was it all worth the risk? Was tradition valued over safety?

Watch it on Tubi (with ads) or rent it on Amazon. Options are here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-13th-man-2019

6) One October: A Nightmare in Las Vegas

“One October: A Nightmare in Las Vegas” is about the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

On October 1, 2017, Stephen Paddock, perched in his 32nd-floor suite at the Mandalay Bay, fired over 1,000 rounds into a crowd of 22,000 attending the Route 91 Harvest music festival.

The attack lasted ten minutes, from 10:05 to 10:15 p.m., resulting in 60 deaths and approximately 867 injuries, with 413 directly hit by gunfire.

Interviews with survivors, journalists, and attorneys depict the chaos as concertgoers, initially mistaking gunfire for fireworks, faced the terrifying realization.

Security guard Jesus Campos and first responders played crucial roles in the immediate aftermath.

Paddock was found dead in his hotel room from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The doc captures the community’s strength and resilience, forever united under #VegasStrong.

You can watch “One October: A Nightmare in Las Vegas” for free on Tubi (with ads) or rent it on Apple TV ($3.99 last I checked).

Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/2018-3

7)Where is Robert Fisher?

Watch the full “Where is Robert Fisher?” documentary for free on YouTube here:

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCKat0hHzKU

“Where is Robert Fisher?” is a 2011 documentary on the disturbing case of Robert Fisher.

Fischer is the man who became one of America’s most wanted fugitives after allegedly murdering his family in 2001.

The film, running at 1 hour and 24 minutes, explores the brutal murders of Fisher’s wife and two children.

It also covers the subsequent disappearance of Fisher himself.

Charlie Minn’s film features interviews with various individuals involved in the case, including:

  • Robert Caldwell
  • John Hook
  • T.J. Jiran
  • Adam Klawon
  • Joe LeDuc
  • Tammy Leitner
  • Hugh Lockerby
  • Wade Rencsok
  • Phil Rust
  • Carrie Shubert
  • Mike Watkiss
  • Tom Zoellner

The doc aims to shed light on this chilling still-unsolved, with Fisher’s whereabouts still unknown.

You can also watch it on Amazon Prime, Hoopla (free with library card) and Tubi, Freevee and Vudu (all free with ads).

Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/where-is-robert-fisher

8) 49 Angels

“49 Angels” sheds light on a tragic event that occurred on June 5, 2009, in Hermosillo, Mexico.

It explores the devastating fire that ravaged through a daycare center, claiming the lives of 49 children and babies.

The documentary highlights the story of a young girl who lost nine of her fingers in the fire, serving as a stark reminder of the long-lasting effects of the incident.

The doc raises questions about prevention and accountability, suggesting that the fire could have been avoided.

Moreover, it tackles the issue of justice, or lack thereof, in the years following the incident.

Like many of Charlie Minn’s works, the documentary has faced some criticism for its approach.

Some viewers might find the emotional intensity overwhelming, and others may question the balance in presenting different perspectives on the incident

Watch 49 Angels for free on Tubi at https://tubitv.com/movies/357455/49-angels (I didn’t notice any ads while I watched it (though Tubi usually shows ads so perhaps I was just lucky!).

If Tubi doesn’t work, check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.yidio.com/movie/49-angels/77669

9) Concert Crush: The Travis Scott Festival Tragedy

November 5, 2021. Houston, Texas. The Astroworld Festival, headlined by Travis Scott, descends into calamity. Eight attendees lose their lives, and countless others are injured in a devastating crowd surge.

At the epicenter: Travis Scott, a rap superstar with a magnetic stage presence, is both scrutinized and defended. There are cries for more artist responsibility; and the concert promoter Live Nation is in the hot seat too.

The doc has interviews with survivors, festival workers, and emergency responders.

A global media frenzy ensues. Was there adequate preparation for the event? Did the organizers prioritize profit over people’s safety?

Watch Concert Crush for free on Kanopy (with library card or student ID) at https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/concert-crush. See options to watch it with ads on Roku, Vudu, Tubi and Plex here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/concert-crush-the-travis-scott-festival-tragedyBuy or rent it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlGAR5GFKh8.

10) El Paso Conquest

Charlie Minn directs this doc on a West Texas high school with an amazing soccer accomplishment:

  • 550 wins
  • 5 Final Fours
  • 2 State Titles

Rent it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/0P53TF685ROSBF2JINOHDQP464/

11) Es El Chapo?

I finally found a trailer for this one! Here it is:

This doc’s provocative movie poster art sub-headline says it all about this film:

“On February 22, 2014, Mexican Marines Arrested Chapo Guzman in Maztalan, MX…But did they?”

Minn asks multiple insiders (like Anabel Hernandez, Author of “Narcoland” whether it was an “honest arrest”.

Many say “I don’t know” or even “no”

Watch it with ads on Freevee at https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B01J2BZKOI/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r or on Tubi, Pluto or Run Time (see https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/is-this-el-chapo for options).

Charlie Minn Documentary Coming Soon

[In Post Production] Charlie Minn is also working on a doc called “77 Minutes: Surviving the Uvalde mass shooting” (the Robb Elementary shooting of May 24, 2022). Here’s a 6-minute interview of Charlie on it:

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHnLUXhqrHo

Originally titled, ¿Es El Chapo?,

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