Netflix: The Absolute Best Documentaries to Watch

Netflix documentaries have been unbelievable since without end, however with many various exhibits to select from, it may be onerous to make a choice. That is why we have made this record.

We’re beginning with the the perfect new documentaries launched prior to now 12 months. After that we have divided the rest of our picks by style. We’re up to date for January.

There’s loads to get by means of. Seize some popcorn and joyful watching!

The Best New Documentaries on Netflix

Netflix

Pepsi, The place’s My Jet? is considered one of my favourite sorts of documentary. It is an offbeat documentary on a weird subject with a forged of really charismatic and insane individuals. 

The premise: Within the mid-’90s Pepsi had a degree system designed to encourage individuals to drink extra Pepsi. One advert confirmed off a Harrier Jet you may purchase with 7 million of those factors. John Leonard, a 21-year-old enterprise pupil, discovered a loophole that allowed him to purchase factors for 10 cents and tried to pressure Pepsi to make good on their advertising and marketing promise. Chaos ensues.

Netflix

An enchanting documentary on an extremely compelling topic, Pamela, A Love Story is a reevaluation of Pamela Anderson, probably the most compelling celebrities of 90s. Directed by Ryan White it combines diary readings, interviews with Anderson herself alongside time spent with Anderson’s sons to create an unbelievable portrait of a misunderstood human being. Should watch stuff.

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Nearly as good as Netflix documentaries are, there’s been an inclination to drag out true crime into these bloated multiepisode collection. Fortunately Our Father is the other of that. It is a lean, completely executed documentary centered on Donald Cline, an Indiana fertility physician who used his personal sperm to inseminate a ridiculous variety of ladies in opposition to their will.

That is an unbelievable piece, a kind of tales that simply escalates and escalates to the purpose the place your jaw drops in disbelief. 

Netflix

Break Level is the newest in what seems like a zillion documentaries exploring the on daily basis drama of sports activities. You already know those I imply — All or Nothing, Drive to Survive. Cricket has one, AFL has one — there’s even a golf one approaching Netflix later this yr.

Break Level focuses on Tennis and — fortunately — picks the perfect athletes to concentrate on. Watch this for the legendary Nick Kyrgios on the very least.

Netflix

With the Qatar World Cup actually happening proper now, there could not be a greater time to get caught into FIFA’s murky behind-the-scenes habits. This can be a really stunning documentary. Be warned: The allegations listed below are so wild you would possibly even really feel compelled to cease watching the World Cup.

Netflix

Untold is the newest from the oldsters behind Wild Wild Nation.

It is a sports activities documentary collection, with every episode going in-depth on controversial sports activities subjects. The first episode focuses on Malice on the Palace, the infamous basketball match the place Ron Artest waded into the group and wailed on followers again in 2004.

Untold is now in its second season, and it’s absolute must-watch stuff. The new episodes are arguably higher than the stellar first season. Possibly the perfect sports activities documentary collection on Netflix

Netflix

Hold Candy: Pray and Obey (2022)

There are lots of Netflix documentaries about cults gone mad, however Hold Candy: Pray and Obey may be probably the most disturbing of the lot. Not like Homicide Among the many Mormons, which nearly handled its subject like a screwball comedy, Hold Candy is a really grim story a few grim human being in Warren Jeffs. It is a unbelievable documentary, and among the many greatest Netflix has produced, however it comes with a really hefty content material warning.

Netflix

Keep on Board: The Leo Baker Story (2022)

Skateboarding as a sport makes for a terrific documentary subject. Dogtown and Z Boys, All That Mayhem — completely legendary.  Keep on Board: The Leo Baker Story is one other in a protracted line of classics.

It focuses on Leo Baker, the skater who got here out as trans and had to stop competing on the Olympics within the course of. Superb, should watch stuff. 

Michael Putland/Getty Photos

Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story (2022)

It is virtually unattainable to overstate how well-known Jimmy Savile was within the UK — notably within the Eighties. He was past a family identify, in some ways he felt like an eccentric uncle to the nation.

Which made revelations that he had sexually assaulted a whole lot of underage women and boys all of the extra horrific. This was an individual the entire of Britain had invited into their properties. 

Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story does a terrific job of going by means of the archives, combining footage that’s totally weird in hindsight, and including unbelievable interviews with a number of the main gamers in British TV throughout Savile’s heyday. An enchanting, albeit disturbing documentary. Be warned: This can be a tough watch. 

Netflix

Our Nice Nationwide Parks (2022)

Barack Obama is making a beeline for David Attenborough’s job. And we do not hate the thought!

Our Nice Nationwide Parks is a world-class nature documentary within the type of nice BBC exhibits like Planet Earth. They’ve nailed it right here. In the event you’re a fan of that kind of present, that is fully unmissable.

Netflix

The Most Hated Man on the Web (2022)

Netflix has been on fireplace with its documentaries recently, and The Most Hated Man on the Web is the newest. From the producers of Tinder Swindler and Dont F**ok with Cats, it is a three-part documentary that tells the story of Hunter Moore, probably the most infamous purveyors of “revenge porn.” Positively price watching this one. 

Netflix

The Woman within the Image (2022)

The Woman within the Image is the newest true crime documentary from Netflix. It is up there with the service’s best possible work.

It seems like, after a interval of needlessly bloated multiepisode documentaries, Netflix has began trimming the fats, releasing lean, extremely compelling documentaries once more. First Hold Candy: Pray and Obey and Our Father, now this.

The Woman within the Image tells the story of a younger woman, murdered at age 20. To say an excessive amount of would spoil the influence, however it is a layered, brutal documentary with infinite twists. It wants to be seen to be believed.

Netflix

The Tinder Swindler (2022)

A documentary centered on Shimon Hayut, aka the “Tinder Swindler,” a conman who used relationship apps to defraud a number of ladies throughout Europe to fund a lavish life-style.

A barely completely different subject in contrast to most true crime documentaries on Netflix. Positively price a gander.

True crime

Netflix

I’ve watched loads of true crime documentaries on Netflix, however nothing has come shut to The Keepers. A staggering story, instructed throughout generations, that is respectful of the victims, but compelling all through.

It is a story in regards to the unsolved homicide of Catherine Cesnik, a nun who taught at a Catholic college in Baltimore, however The Keepers goes additional than you would possibly count on and exposes a possible coverup of intercourse abuse allegations.

Netflix

The true crime documentary style is totally saturated at this level, however The Staircase stands out. 

Specializing in Michael Peterson and the loss of life of his spouse Kathleen, The Staircase is greater than only a homicide thriller. It is a drawn-out epic that takes place over literal many years, a documentary that follows Peterson and examines his each transfer, however one way or the other nonetheless stays goal. 

It is a good time to watch or revisit this one, since HBO Max has simply launched a drama miniseries based mostly on it.

Netflix

Home of Secrets and techniques: The Burari Deaths (2021)

One of many more moderen true crime documentaries from Netflix, it is a good one.

Specializing in the weird deaths of 11 members of the family in a single home in Burari, Delhi, India in 2018, Home of Secrets and techniques delves into the theories behind of the strangest suicide/homicide circumstances in latest reminiscence. Unmissable stuff. 

Netflix

This Is a Theft is about Netflix because it will get. A four-part collection specializing in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, that is primarily a documentary about an artwork heist. Bear in mind Evil Genius? (Which can also be on this record.) This Is a Theft could be very a lot in that type. The first episode takes some time to get going, however be affected person — this one has a payoff.

Netflix

Homicide Among the many Mormons (2021)

A few of Netflix’s more moderen true crime documentaries have been a bit bloated and… sorta unhealthy?

Fortunately Homicide Among the many Mormons is a return to type. Positively watch this one. 

Netflix

Who Killed Little Gregory (2019)

Who Killed Little Gregory is a documentary centered on the horrific homicide of Grégory Villemin. It is arguably the perfect true crime documentary on Netflix. It is a few homicide, and makes an attempt to remedy that homicide, however it’s additionally a lesson in media illustration and the horrific sexism Grégory’s mom had to face within the wake of her son’s homicide. 

Netflix

American Homicide: The Household Subsequent Door (2020)

There are lots of true crime documentaries on the market (and on this record) however American Homicide: The Household Subsequent Door stands out. 

It tells the story of Chris Watts, a seemingly common man who murdered his spouse and youngsters. The entry to footage is staggering and it is edited and produced in a singular means, utilizing textual content messages and social media posts to inform the story. It is a horrific reminder of the banal, extremely frequent existence of home violence.

Netflix

Making a Assassin (2015-2018)

With the swath of true crime documentaries and podcasts that got here in its wake, it is simple to neglect that the world as soon as misplaced its collective thoughts over Making a Assassin. In lots of methods it created the template that many Netflix documentaries now comply with. An actual unique.

Sports activities 

Netflix

In 2020, within the midst of a pandemic, Netflix dropped this piece of sports activities doc perfection. 

The Final Dance focuses on the Chicago Bulls throughout their ’97-’98 NBA title-winning season, however actually it is a leaping off level for a documentary that tells the life story of its central star, Michael Jordan. 

In consequence, many criticized it for being just a little too Jordan-focused, however The Final Dance was an occasion documentary that lived up to the hype. 

Netflix

This Oscar-winning documentary is an absolute belter. 

Icarus begins out as an expose on the influence performance-enhancing medicine have on sports activities efficiency, however a sequence of occasions drags director Bryan Fogel into an online of geopolitics and conspiracies. To say extra would spoil it, however Fogel finally has created a documentary that had a really actual influence on our notion of sports activities as a complete. In that respect, Icarus is a literal recreation changer.

Netflix

Components 1: Drive to Survive (2019)

The absolute gold customary for long-running sports activities documentaries. Drive to Survive is so good, and so in style, that it is impressed a complete new degree of curiosity in Components 1, particularly within the US. This present is nice at elevating the characters that occupy the game. Extra exhibits like this, please.

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Athlete A is a good characteristic size expose on Larry Nassar, the crew physician of USA Gymnastics, who had been sexually abusing feminine athletes for many years.

Be warned: This one is harrowing.

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14 Peaks tells the story of the Nepalese mountaineer Nimsdai Purja and his purpose of climbing all 14 mountains above the peak of 8,000 meters (26,000 toes) in a single yr. It is unbelievable. Should-watch stuff.

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Netflix might need burned the true crime documentary into the bottom, however it’s on fireplace when it comes to sports activities. Unhealthy Sport is the newest entry into this burgeoning subcategory, and it is superior. Specializing in unusual controversies in sports activities historical past, Unhealthy Sport is much less about main gamers doing main issues, it is about what occurs when sport goes unhealthy, will get down within the grime. All of those episodes are nice. Hoping for a season 2. 

Netflix

The River Runner is sorta like Free Solo for kayaking. Think about {that a} praise.

Specializing in Scott Lindgren, a kayaking legend who was a pioneer of the game, it is a conventional story of an excessive sports activities star overcoming odds, however it runs just a little deeper than that. Combating in opposition to a mind tumor and his personal private demons, Lindgren is a compelling case examine. Should watch stuff.

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Naomi Osaka has grow to be probably the most well-known and talked-about athletes on the planet. This fascinating documentary explores completely different phases of her profession and presents unbelievable entry into the lifetime of a younger lady combating the pressures of sport and fame. A must-watch.

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In the event you’re in search of a barely extra uplifting documentary, you may do far worse than The Velocity Cubers, a take a look at the world of aggressive… Rubik’s Cubers? It is brief, however packs an unbelievable emotional punch. Put together your self, this one would possibly break you.

Nature/science

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Seaspiracy follows within the footsteps of a number of documentaries centered on the influence of meat consuming on the atmosphere. This time the worldwide fishing trade is within the crosshairs. As anticipated this one has stirred up a little bit of controversy from all stakeholders — PETA, Greenpeace and conservation teams cannot appear to agree if Seaspiracy is correct or truthful. Watch it and make up your individual thoughts.

Netflix

My Octopus Instructor (2020)

My Octopus Instructor follows Craig Foster, a filmmaker who spent a yr snorkeling and interacting with an octopus off the coast of South Africa. It is a nature movie, certain, however it’s concurrently a documentary designed to encourage awe within the viewer. Briefly, octopuses are unbelievable. Little aliens on Earth, primarily. That is the story of a relationship between people and nature, however it’s additionally an inspiring name to motion: Do not ignore the surprise that exists throughout you.

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David Attenborough nature documentaries are so pervasive, they’re susceptible to self parody, however Our Planet is — I consider — the excessive watermark. Solely Planet Earth, one other Attenborough doc, comes shut. However I choose this one.

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Time might boring its influence, however when Tiger King was first launched on Netflix, the complete world could not cease speaking about it. 

Tiger King explores the unusual underbelly of huge cat breeding, specializing in a forged of unforgettable (and finally harmful) characters. It drags its viewers to bizarre locations. Season 2 is now accessible and whereas the present has misplaced lots of its chunk, it is intriguing to meet up with this forged of untamed human beings doing wild, fully outlandish issues. 

Politics/historical past 

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thirteenth by Ava Duvernay is a staggering documentary that tells the story of American slavery and its long-lasting impacts, a lot of which nonetheless resonate at present. 

Within the wake of the Black Lives Matter motion, this needs to be necessary viewing.

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Within the wake of the Capitol siege, the Fb/Cambridge Analytica controversy virtually seems like historic historical past, however that does not make this documentary any much less essential. If you have not seen it, then watch it.

Netflix

Operation Varsity Blues: The School Admissions Scandal (2021)

Just lately launched, Operations Varsity Blues: The School Admissions Scandal has a reputation so long as a few of Netflix’s latest documentaries. Fortunately, this is not as bloated as, say, the latest Cecil Resort doc, however it may nonetheless use some trimming. 

Operation Varsity Blues centered on the FBI investigation into school admissions that put actress Felicity Huffman into jail. Its director, Chris Smith, beforehand labored on the Fyre Pageant documentary. This is not fairly as compelling, however remains to be effectively price watching. 

Sundance

Knock Down the Home (2019)

No matter your views on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Knock Down the Home is an unbelievable underdog story that can not be missed. Specializing in progressive feminine candidates throughout the 2018 congressional major campaigns, it is an insightful take a look at the democratic course of. It is an inspiring reminder that we want to combat so as to make the voices of strange individuals depend.

Netflix

What Occurred, Miss Simone? (2015)

Not gonna say a lot right here. Nina Simone is a legend and that is perhaps the most effective documentaries I’ve ever seen. 

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Overlong and bloated, Wild Wild Nation is nonetheless probably the most fascinating documentaries I’ve ever watched on Netflix. 

It tells the story of Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, who tried to construct a huge sprawling commune, for what was primarily a intercourse cult, in america. It is a unusual story that one way or the other turns into stranger with age. Very similar to Tiger King, the story plumbs depths you will not consider. At occasions it is a slog, however Wild Wild Nation is completely worthwhile.

Netflix

I completely adore this documentary. 5 present acclaimed administrators (together with Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola) assist inform the story of 5 well-known film administrators from the ’30s and ’40s who did frontline work throughout the Second World Conflict. It wraps their legacies alongside the influence of the warfare itself into a really compelling story of Hollywood’s golden age.

Netflix

An Oscar winner for Netflix, this documentary is the primary produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Increased Floor Productions crew. 

American Manufacturing unit tells the story of Fuyao, a Chinese language firm that constructed a manufacturing facility in Ohio that inhabits a now-closed Normal Motors plant. You could have to watch this film.

Netflix

Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Wealthy (2020)

By this level all of us have some type of understanding of Jeffrey Epstein’s story however Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Wealthy does itself a terrific service by specializing in the tales of the survivors of his abuse. 

The Cinemart/Hulu

Fyre: The Best Get together That By no means Occurred (2019)

Hulu additionally has a terrific Fyre pageant documentary, however I choose this Netflix one. Not like many Netflix documentaries, that are stretched and bloated into multipart episodes, this documentary is sharp, direct and stable gold the complete means by means of.

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