Netflix
Netflixs brochure of documentaries is so substantial its almost overwhelming. Thats why weve made this list. Indulge in our exceptionally appropriate picks for the really finest documentaries Netflix has to offer!Heres how were breaking things down. Were starting with the absolute best up top, then the rest listed by genre. Best of luck and delighted watching!The Best Documentaries on Netflix
Keep Sweet: Obey and pray
This Oscar-winning documentary is an outright belter. Icarus starts out as an expose on the effect performance-enhancing drugs have on sports efficiency, but a series of events drags director Bryan Fogel into a web of geopolitics and conspiracies. To say more would spoil it, but Fogel eventually has actually produced a documentary that had an extremely real influence on our perception of sports as a whole. In that respect, Icarus is a literal game changer.
Ive viewed plenty of true criminal offense documentaries on Netflix, but absolutely nothing has come close to The Keepers. A shocking story, informed across generations, thats considerate of the victims, yet compelling throughout.Its a story about the unsolved murder of Catherine Cesnik, a nun who taught at a Catholic school in Baltimore, however The Keepers goes even more than you may expect and exposes a potential cover up of sex abuse allegations.
As great as Netflix documentaries are, theres been a propensity to drag real criminal offense out into these bloated multi episode series. Thankfully Our Father is the opposite of that. Its a lean, perfectly carried out documentary concentrated on Donald Cline, an Indiana fertility Doctor who used his own sperm to inseminate an absurd quantity of women against their will.This is an unbelievable piece. Among those stories that simply intensifies and escalates to the point where youre jaw is dropping in shock..
Who Killed Little Gregory is a documentary focused on the horrific murder of Grégory Villemin. Its arguably the best true criminal activity documentary on Netflix. Its about a murder, and tries to fix that murder, but its also a lesson in media representation and the dreadful sexism Grégorys mother needed to face in the wake her own kids murder..
Formula 1: Drive to Survive.
Netflix.
Netflix.
The true criminal offense documentary genre is utterly saturated at this moment, but The Staircase stands apart. Focusing on Michael Peterson and the death of his other half Kathleen, The Staircase is more than simply a murder secret. Its a drawn-out legendary that occurs over literal years, a documentary that follows Peterson and examines his every relocation, but in some way still stays unbiased. Its a great time to view or review this one, because HBO Max have actually just released a drama mini series based on it.
There are a great deal of Netflix documentaries about cults freaked, however Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey may be the most troubling of the lot. Unlike Murder Among the Mormons, which nearly treated its topic like a screwball comedy, Keep Sweet is a very grim story about a grim human being in Warren Jeffs. Its a wonderful documentary, and amongst the very best Netflix has produced, but it features an extremely large material caution.
In 2020, in the middle of a pandemic, Netflix dropped this piece of sports doc excellence. The Last Dance focuses on the Chicago Bulls throughout their 97-98 NBA title winning season, but actually its a jumping off point for a documentary that informs the life story of its central star, Michael Jordan. As an outcome, many slammed it for being a little too Jordan-focused, but The Last Dance was an event documentary that measured up to the hype..
Who Killed Little Gregory (2019 ).
The absolute gold requirement for long running sports documentaries. This show is excellent at elevating the characters that occupy the sport.
Netflix.
Netflix.
Netflix.
Netflix
Netflix.
Netflix.
Netflix.
Barack Obamas is making a beeline for David Attenboroughs job. And we dont hate the idea!Our Great National Parks is a world class nature documentary in the style of terrific BBC shows like Planet Earth.
13th by Ava Duvernay is an incredible documentary that informs the story of American slavery and its lasting impacts, a number of which still resonate today. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter motion, this ought to be mandatory watching.
The Tinder Swindler (2022 ).
Netflix.
One of the more current real criminal activity documentaries from Netflix, this is a good one.Focusing on the bizarre deaths of 11 member of the family in one house in Burari, Delhi, India in 2018, House of Secrets digs into the theories behind of the strangest suicide/murder cases in recent memory. Unmissable things..
My Octopus Teacher (2020 ).
Sports.
With the swathe of real criminal activity documentaries and podcasts that can be found in its wake, its easy to forget that the world as soon as lost its cumulative mind over Making A Murderer. In a great deal of ways it developed the design template that many Netflix documentaries now follow. A real initial.
Netflix.
Netflix.
A few of Netflixs more current true criminal offense documentaries have actually been a bit puffed up and … sorta bad?Thankfully Murder Among the Mormons is a recover. Absolutely watch this one..
The Raincoat Killer (2021 ).
This Is a Robbery has to do with Netflix as it gets. A four-part series focusing on the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, this is essentially a documentary about an art break-in. Keep In Mind Evil Genius? (Which is likewise on this list.) This Is a Robbery is quite in that style. The first episode takes a while to get going, however be client– this one has a settle.
American Murder: The Family Next Door (2020 ).
Netflix.
Seaspiracy follows in the steps of several documentaries focused on the effect of meat consuming on the environment. This time the global fishing industry is in the crosshairs. If Seaspiracy is accurate or fair, as anticipated this one has stirred up a bit of controversy from all stakeholders– PETA, Greenpeace and preservation groups cant seem to agree. View it and make up your own mind.
A documentary focused on Shimon Hayut, AKA “Tinder Swindler”, a conman who used dating apps to defraud several women across Europe to fund a luxurious lifestyle.A a little different subject compared to most real crime documentaries on Netflix. Certainly worth a look.
Murder Among the Mormons (2021 ).
Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story.
Netflix.
True crime.
Nowadays its unusual to enjoy a lean, tidy direct true to criminal offense reveal that doesnt drag things out, or intentionally obfuscate facts for the sake of drama. Thats precisely why The Raincoat Killer is so good, and unique.Its a comprehensive, fantastic look at The Raincoat Killer, a ruthless serial killer in South Korea. Its one of the better real criminal offense documentaries on Netflix.
Its almost difficult to overstate how popular Jimmy Savile was in the UK– especially in the 1980s. He was beyond a family name, in lots of ways he felt like an eccentric Uncle to the nation.Which made revelations he had sexually attacked actually numerous minor women and kids even more horrific. This was an individual the whole of Britain had actually invited into their homes. Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story does a great job of going through the archives, integrating video footage that is absolutely unusual in hindsight, and adding fantastic interviews with a few of the significant players in British TV throughout Saviles prime time. An interesting, albeit disturbing documentary. Be warned: This is a tough watch,.
Netflix.
Netflix.
Michael Putland/Getty Images.
Nature/science.
Time may dull its impact, however when Tiger King was first launched on Netflix, the whole world could not stop speaking about it. Tiger King checks out the strange underbelly of big cat breeding, focusing on a cast of unforgettable (and ultimately hazardous) characters. It drags its audience to strange locations. Season 2 is now offered and while the show has lost a great deal of its bite, its interesting to overtake this cast of wild human beings doing wild, entirely extravagant things..
David Attenborough nature documentaries are so common theyre vulnerable to self parody, but Our Planet is– I think– the high watermark. Just Planet Earth, another Attenborough docu, comes close. However I prefer this one.
Netflix.
My Octopus Teacher follows Craig Foster, a filmmaker who invested a year snorkelling and connecting with an octopus off the coast of South Africa. Its a nature film, sure, but its all at once a documentary designed to motivate wonder in the audience. In short, octopi are extraordinary. Little aliens on Earth, essentially. This is the story of a relationship in between human beings and nature but its also a motivating call to action: Dont neglect the wonder that exists all around you.
Making A Murderer (2015-2018).
Netflix.
Netflix.
Netflix.
Netflix.
There are a lot of true criminal activity documentaries out there (and on this list) however American Murder: The Family Next Door protrudes. It tells the story of Chris Watts, an apparently routine person who killed his spouse and kids. The access to footage is incredible and its edited and produced in a distinct method, utilizing text messages and social networks posts to tell the story. Its a dreadful reminder of the banal, incredibly common presence of domestic violence.
House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths (2021 ).
14 Peaks informs the story of the Nepalese mountaineer Nimsdai Purja and his goal of climbing up all 14 mountains above the height of 8000 metres in one year. Its extraordinary. Need to view stuff.
If youre searching for a somewhat more uplifting documentary, you could do far worse than The Speed Cubers, a look at the world of competitive rubix … cubers? Its brief, but packs an incredible emotional punch. Prepare yourself, this one may break you.
Netflix.
Overlong and puffed up, Wild Country is nevertheless among the most fascinating documentaries Ive ever viewed on Netflix. It informs the story of Indian expert Bhagwan Shree Rajnees, who tried to construct a massive vast commune, for what was essentially a sex cult, in the United States. Its a strange story that somehow ends up being complete stranger with age. Just Like Tiger King the story plumbs depths you will not believe. Sometimes its a slog, but Wild Country is absolutely worthwhile.
Netflix.
Netflix.
Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich (2020 ).
Consider that a compliment.Focusing on Scott Lindgren, a kayaking legend who was an early pioneer of the sport, this is a traditional story of a severe sports star getting rid of chances, however it runs a little deeper than that. Need to enjoy things.
Politics/history.
Netflix.
Netflix.
I absolutely adore this documentary. 5 existing acclaimed directors (consisting of Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola) help tell the story of 5 well-known movie directors from the 30s and 40s who did frontline work throughout the Second World War. It covers their legacies along with the impact of the war itself into a genuinely engaging story of Hollywoods golden age.
Netflix might have burned the True Crime documentary into the ground, however its on fire when it comes to sports. Focusing on unusual debates in sports history, Bad Sport is less about major players doing major things, its about what occurs when sport goes bad, gets down in the dirt.
The Cinemart/Hulu.
By this point all of us have some sort of understanding of Jeffrey Epsteins story but Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich does itself a great service by concentrating on the stories of the survivors of his abuse..
Netflix.
James Bond Movies Ranked, From Sean Connery to Daniel Craig.
Despite your views on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Knock Down The House is an unbelievable underdog story that can not be missed out on. Concentrating on progressive female candidates during the 2018 congressional main campaigns, its an insightful take a look at the democratic process. Its an inspiring tip that we require to eliminate in order to make the voices of ordinary individuals count.
Naomi Osaka has actually become one of the most popular and spoke about athletes in the world. This interesting documentary checks out various phases of her profession and uses unbelievable gain access to into the life of a girl having a hard time with the pressures of sport and popularity. A need to see.
What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015 ).
Netflix.
Netflix.
Hulu likewise has a fantastic Fyre celebration documentary, but I prefer this Netflix one. Unlike lots of Netflix documentaries, which are extended and puffed up into multi-part episodes, this documentary is sharp, solid and direct gold the entire method through.
Knock Down the House (2019 ).
See all photos.
Netflix.
Professional athlete A is a fantastic feature length expose on Larry Nassar, the team doc of United States Gymnastics, who had actually been sexually abusing female professional athletes for decades.Be warned: This one is traumatic.
Netflix.
Another Oscar winner for Netflix, this documentary is the very first produced by Barack and Michelle Obamas Higher Ground Productions team. American Factory informs the story of Fuyao, a Chinese company that built a factory in Ohio that lives in a now-closed General Motors plant. You have to watch this motion picture.
Netflix.
Netflix.
Unknown is the most recent from the folks behind Wild Country.Its a sports documentary series, with each episode going thorough on questionable sports topics. The first episode focuses on Malice at the Palace, the well-known basketball match where Ron Artest waded into the crowd and wailed on fans back in 2004. The second episode focuses on Christie Martin, the female fighter from the 80s who ended up being popular after battling on Mike Tysons undercard. Its launched weekly and, up until now so great. Its extremely 30 for 30– which is an advantage.
Sundance.
In the wake of the Capitol siege, the Facebook/Cambridge Analytica debate almost feels like ancient history, however that doesnt make this documentary any less crucial. If you have not seen it, then watch it.
Netflix.
Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal (2021 ).
Not gon na state much here. Nina Simone is a legend and this is possibly among the finest documentaries Ive ever seen..
Recently released, Operations Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal has a name as long as some of Netflixs recent documentaries. Its director Chris Smith formerly worked on the Fyre Festival documentary.
Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (2019 ).
Great luck and happy watching!The Best Documentaries on Netflix
Netflix may have burned the True Crime documentary into the ground, but its on fire when it comes to sports.
As good as Netflix documentaries are, theres been a propensity to drag real criminal offense out into these puffed up multi episode series. Its probably the best true criminal offense documentary on Netflix. Its one of the better real crime documentaries on Netflix.