Watching skateboarding videos plays an important role in the life of a skater. They improve their skills while watching other people skateboard. However, that’s not the only reason to watch skateboard videos.
At times, due to having either health-related or city-related issues, I can’t go outside and go skating. So, the first thing that comes to mind is to watch any skateboarding documentary that helps us improve and learn about the deep insights of skateboarding.
This article will discuss the best skateboard documentaries you can watch in light of these issues.
We will get right to the point without wasting any more time.
Best Skateboard Documentaries That You Can Watch In 2023!
1. Dogtown and Z Boys
Dogtown is one of the most famous and iconic skateboarding documentaries, which is great for those who want to learn about the history of skateboarding. The movie was created in 2001, directed by Stacy Peralta, and produced by Agi Orsi.
In this documentary, you get to learn about the impact of a group of teenage surfers/skaters on skateboarding culture throughout history. It goes deeper into the history of skateboarding.
So, it’s worth watching.
2. Skateboard King
The second-best skateboard documentary that is worth watching is Skateboard King. In Skateboard Kings, you’ll see several skaters from the 1970s, including Stacy Peralta, Ray Flores, and Tony Alva, who went on to become superstars.
This skateboard documentary is free to watch. Just go through the Skateboard King link and watch it for free on YouTube.
3. Bones Brigade: An Autobiography?
If you ask me about the best skateboarding doc that you can ever watch, then I’d say, go for Bones Brigade: An Autobiography.
A very personal story about a group of dorky, strait-laced American kids who achieved the impossible through hard work, skill, passion, and belief that nothing is impossible is told in Bones Brigade: An Autobiography, directed by Stacy Peralta (Dogtown and Z-Boys).
Thus, skateboarding has evolved from a fringe activity into a billion-dollar industry filled with gravity-defying feats.
4. We Are Skateboarders
Featuring some of skateboarding’s most illustrious figures, We Are Skateboarders reveals the essence of skating and how that essence has evolved over time, in the opinion of some of the sport’s most inspirational figures.
As you are aware, there are numerous controversies surrounding skateboarding even today. However, this We Are Skateboarders documentary from 2012 discusses all of the controversies as well as its soul.
So it’s worth watching for any skateboarding fan out there.
5. The Devil’s Toy (1966) by Claude Jutra
In this brief documentary from 1966, skateboarding is highlighted in Montreal as the birthplace of the sport. The film is dedicated “to all victims of intolerance.”
As a relatively new hobby, skateboarding provided kids with an exciting sense of speed and freedom that parents and the police disapproved of.
It shows the joy of children and teenagers riding downhill in a free-wheeling manner, the first Canadian documentary about this activity.
6. What’s Stoked: The Rise and Fall of Gator
If you’re keen to watch the best skating documentaries that have a mysterious story, then YOu’d love The stocked: The Rise and Fall of a gator. This is a documentary about the life and career of professional skateboarder Mark “Gator Rogowski”.
This documentary explores his rise to fame in the 1980s and his eventual fall from grace following a murder conviction in 1991.
Gator’s downward spiral is explored in the film, illustrating the shadowy side of skateboarding.
7. Video Vortex: The LOVE Park Story
Video Vortex: The LOVE Park Story is a documentary film that tells the story of LOVE Park, a famous skateboarding spot in Philadelphia, and its impact on skateboarding culture.
The documentary explores the history and significance of the park and the people who skated there, including interviews with famous skaters and footage of legendary skate sessions. This is the best skateboarding documentary that you can watch to learn about the evolution of skateboarding.
8. Rodney Mullen: From the Ground Up
The 8th best skateboard documentary that I have for you is Rodney Mullen, from the ground up.
Rodney Mullen, From the Ground Up, is a 2020 documentary film about the life and career of Rodney Mullen, a legendary skateboarder, and inventor of many skateboarding tricks.
The film focuses on his impact on the sport and his journey from a shy young skater to a pioneering innovator.
9. Blind Video Days
If you’re looking for skateboarding videos from the 1990s, look no further than blind video days. Spike Jonze, who directed the movie, is now a Hollywood producer.
Additionally, this blind video day included brief glimpses of skateboarders in a low-rider Cadillac in addition to rough skateboarding footage.
Watch Gonz do some absurd things and look at Jason Lee, who became a well-known actor in my name is Earl.
10. Hot Chocolate
Are you a women skateboarder? Then you must watch Hot chocolate. This is a documentary about the influential and trailblazing female skateboarders of the 1970s and 1980s.
It sheds light on the overlooked history of women in skateboarding and showcases the pioneering women who paved the way for future generations.
11. The Search for Animal Chin
There is a scene where the Bones Brigade appears in The Search for Animal Chin (1987), a skateboarding movie.
This was one of the first skateboarding movies with a story rather than just a collection of tricks and music videos.
This film tells the story of a group of skateboarders searching for a legendary skateboarder named Animal Chin. The documentary is well-produced and compelling.
12. Tony Hawk: Until The Wheels Fall Off
Who hasn’t heard of Tony Hawk? Every skateboarder on this planet would be aware of him and what he did in the world of skateboarding.
And the document, “Until the Wheels of Fall,” depicts just that. It portrays the life journey and the career of the living legend. If you’re a true fan of skateboarding, then you’ll surely watch this series.
13. Freedom of Space
Freedom of space is another amazing documentary that every skateboarder must watch. It’s actually a tribute to the global skateboarding community and its quest for self-expression and creativity through the sport.
14. The Man Who Souled the World
“The Man Who Souled the World” is 14 the best skateboard documentary film that focuses on the life and career of Rick Rietveld, an American skateboarder, and artist.
The film traces Rietveld’s journey from his early years skateboarding in Southern California to his rise as one of the top skateboarders in the world, and his later transition into a successful artist and designer.
15. Rising Son: The Legend Of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi
The last skateboarding documentary that I have for you is “Rising Son: The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi” which is a documentary about the life and career of professional skateboarder Christian Hosoi. It tells the story of Hosoi’s rise to fame as one of the biggest skateboarding stars of the 1980s and his eventual downfall following a drug arrest in 2000.
So, these are some of the best skating documentaries that you must watch at least once in your life.
Because, I’m sure, you’ll get to learn a lot from them about skateboarding and its deep insights, which you might not be aware of. Now, let me answer some of your frequently asked questions.
FAQ
1) What is the best skate video of all time?
There are many skateboard videos or you can say, documents that are the best of all time. Their names are;
- Dog’s town boys
- Blind Video Days
- Until the wheels off
- The search for animal chin
2) What skateboarder is the best?
In the last Olympics, Huston finished sixth in the street competition and won 19 Street Leagues, 13 X-Games, and one Dew Tour. Currently, he is the highest-paid skateboarder in the world!
Final Words!
You are now aware of the best skateboarding documentaries available for viewing. All of the documentaries mentioned above will teach you a lot about skateboarding and its history. So, make sure you watch them.
That’s all I have for you in this article; if you have any questions related to the topic, just leave a comment down below. I’d love to help you out.
Hi, I am Mian. I am the Owner and Founder Of Skateboard First. I am such a huge fan of skateboarding, and I am here to enhance your experience in skateboarding.