mockumentary

American  

[mok-yuh-men-tuh-ree, ‑tree] / ˌmɒk yəˈmɛn tə ri, ‑tri /

noun

Movies,

1. a movie or television show depicting fictional events but presented as a documentary.

---

mockumentary British  

/ ˌmɒkjʊˈmɛntərɪ, -trɪ /

noun

1. a satirical television or radio programme in the form of a parody of a documentary

---

Etymology

Origin of mockumentary

mock + (doc)umentary

Example Sentences

Kudrow’s comedy and the film – a real doc, not a mockumentary – take different approaches to grasping the fear and possibility of AI’s impending takeover.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

And here he is again, starring in NBC’s “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins,” a mockumentary from Robert Carlock and Sam Means, about a disgraced football pro looking to salvage his reputation.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

O’Brien fondly recalled first watching the rock mockumentary “This is Spinal Tap” in college, calling it a “splitting-the-atom moment.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

His output included classic films like 1984's rock music mockumentary "This is Spinal Tap," fantasy gem "The Princess Bride" from 1987, and seminal coming-of-age movie "Stand By Me."

From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025

He cemented his success with the cult mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap in 1984, which he directed and starred in.

From BBC • Dec. 15, 2025