Mushrooms are the fruiting reproductive bodies of these underground networks of invisible mycelium that interconnect trees and plants through the root systems.
Learn more about the kingdom of fungi and the science of mushrooms for improving human and ecosystem health with these mycology documentaries that shine a spotlight on the world of fungi and mushrooms.
1. Fantastic Fungi
This is my recommendation for the #1 must-watch mushroom documentary. Fantastic Fungi features the work of Paul Stamets and the mind-blowing mushroom time-lapses of legendary cinematographer Louie Schwartzberg. You can watch the full documentary on Netflix.
2. The Kingdom: How Fungi Made Our World
Join legendary Canadian biologist David Suzuki and a team of leading fungi researchers on a fascinating journey through the evolutionary story of how fungi shaped all terrestrial life — including us.
3. Sacred Mushroom: A Lost History
This mind expanding documentary explores the sacramental use of mushroom species since time immemorial, examining the evidence for their use in Ancient Egypt, India, China, and beyond.
4. Know Your Mushrooms
Amateur mycologist Ron Mann investigates the miraculous, near-secret world of fungi by combining material filmed at the Telluride Mushroom Fest with animation and archival footage in one of the best mushroom documentaries you can watch online.
5. The Magic of Mushrooms
English Professor Richard Fortey delves into the fascinating and normally hidden kingdom of fungi. From their spectacular birth, through their secretive underground life to their final explosive death, reveals a remarkable world that few of us understand yet all life on Earth depends on it. Not great quality, but a highly recommended documentary.
6. A New Understanding: The Science of Psilocybin
This documentary film chronicles the treatment of end-of-life anxiety in terminally ill cancer patients using psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in some mushrooms, to facilitate deeply spiritual experiences.
7. Magic Medicine: The Possible Effect of Mushrooms Treating Depression
Can magic mushrooms cure depression? Over two years this Magic Medicine documentary follows the first-ever medical trial of psilocybin (the psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms) being used to treat a group of volunteers suffering from clinical depression.
8. Planet Fungi: The Fungi Photography of Stephen Axford
World-famous photographer Stephen Axford deploys his unique expertise in macro images and time-lapse photography of fungi. The beauty and scientific accuracy of Stephen’s fungi photography have captivated national and international media, fungi experts, and the general public.
9. Discover Mushrooms In The Pacific Northwest
Mushroom Wonderland filmmaker Aaron Hilliard, in association with Kitsap Peninsula Mycological Society, takes you on a mushroom foraging adventure in the fertile temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest.
10. Is Mycelium Fungus the Plastic of the Future?
Plastics have changed the course of manufacturing forever but at a huge cost. Mycelium technology might be the solution and the next big boom. Imagine a sustainable, biodegradable plastic-like replacement with so many uses and new opportunities for products, companies, and profits.
source: THE TOP 10 MUSHROOM DOCUMENTARIES ON FUNGI AND MYCOLOGY
