Best Episodes
Since it began in 1983, Frontline has been airing public-affairs documentaries that explore a wide scope of the complex human experience. Frontline's goal is to extend the impact of the documentary beyond its initial broadcast by serving as a catalyst for change.
Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 06, 2023.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
A detainee is released from the Guantanamo Bay detention camp after serving 14 years; the struggle to free prisoners who are deemed international terrorists; the history of the prison.
The episode was rated 7.54 from 26 votes.
Inside the fight over the fate of juveniles in prison for murder, following a landmark Supreme Court ruling. The film examines the impact of the order to re-evaluate thousands of juvenile murder cases and follows two of the first convicts to be released.
The episode was rated 7.63 from 16 votes.
An in-depth examination of the partisanship that gridlocked Washington, D.C., during the Obama presidency; the rise of populist anger on both sides of the aisle; the increase of racial tensions throughout the country.
The episode was rated 7.63 from 27 votes.
Accused of mortgage fraud by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., Abacus becomes the only U.S. bank to face criminal charges in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The indictment and subsequent trial forces the Sung family to defend themselves – and their bank’s legacy in the Chinatown community – over the course of a five-year legal battle.
The episode was rated 7.64 from 14 votes.
The intentions and capabilities of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and claims that he ordered the assassination of his brother.
The episode was rated 7.69 from 42 votes.
An examination of the conflict between the Bundy family and the federal government, which has reinvigorated "patriot" groups due to what they see as federal overreach. Beginning in 1993, Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy began grazing his cattle on federal land sans permit. The resulting dispute culminated in a 2014 standoff with federal officials trying to take his cattle. In 2016, his sons led the occupation of a federal preserve in Oregon as a protest against the arson convictions of two ranchers.
The episode was rated 7.69 from 39 votes.
An in-depth examination of the partisanship that gridlocked Washington, D.C., during the Obama presidency; the rise of populist anger on both sides of the aisle; the increase of racial tensions throughout the country.
The episode was rated 7.74 from 42 votes.
Interviews with key players provide insight into the life, character and moments that shaped President-elect Donald Trump.
The episode was rated 7.79 from 43 votes.
Donald Trump's path to the presidency is chronicled including remarks from key players in his campaign.
The episode was rated 7.88 from 25 votes.
Examine Trump advisor Stephen Bannon's war—with radical Islam, Washington, and White House rivals. Learn about his fight to deliver on Trump's promises, with a confrontational style based on his personal crusade to dramatically transform America.
The episode was rated 7.89 from 44 votes.
An examination of the billions spent on housing the poor and why so few get the help they need.
The episode was rated 7.89 from 28 votes.
Inside the battle to defeat ISIS in Mosul, Iraq. Included: combat footage of an Iraqi Special Forces unit that bore the brunt of the fighting. Also: a rare look at airstrikes on Yemen by a Saudi Arabia-led coalition.
The episode was rated 7.95 from 21 votes.
Conservative political forces and causes, including skepticism about climate change, propel Scott Pruitt to become administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The episode was rated 8.04 from 24 votes.
For months, reports of Russian interference in the 2016 election have dominated the headlines. Now, FRONTLINE tells the story of how Vladimir Putin came to see the United States as an enemy — and why he decided to target an American election. In a special, two-part documentary with in-depth reporting from Moscow and Washington, D.C., Michael Kirk and the team behind “The Choice 2016“ examine Putin’s rise, rule and motivations.
The episode was rated 8.10 from 31 votes.
For months, reports of Russian interference in the 2016 election have dominated the headlines. Now, FRONTLINE tells the story of how Vladimir Putin came to see the United States as an enemy — and why he decided to target an American election. In a special, two-part documentary with in-depth reporting from Moscow and Washington, D.C., Michael Kirk and the team behind “The Choice 2016“ examine Putin’s rise, rule and motivations.
The episode was rated 8.13 from 46 votes.
