Netflix: The Very Best Documentaries to Watch

Netflix documentaries are greatest within the enterprise, however with so many to select from, it may be exhausting to select. That is why we have made this record.

We’re beginning with one of the best new documentaries launched previously 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. Seize some popcorn and blissful watching!

The greatest new documentaries on Netflix

Netflix

Pepsi, The place’s My Jet? is one in all my favourite sorts of documentary. It is an offbeat have a look at a weird matter with a forged of really charismatic and insane individuals. 

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

Netflix

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

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Pretty much 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 alternative of that. It is a lean, completely executed documentary targeted on Donald Cline, an Indiana fertility physician who used his personal sperm to inseminate a ridiculous variety of girls towards their will.

That is an unimaginable piece, a type 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 each day 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 12 months.

Break Level focuses on Tennis and — fortunately — picks one of the best athletes to deal with. Watch this for the legendary Nick Kyrgios on the very least.

Netflix

On the heels of the Qatar World Cup, there could not be a greater time to get caught into FIFA’s murky behind-the-scenes conduct. This can be a really surprising documentary. Be warned: The allegations listed here are wild.

Netflix

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

It is a sports activities documentary collection, with every episode going in-depth on controversial sports activities matters. 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 one of the best sports activities documentary collection on Netflix

Netflix

Hold Candy: Pray and Obey (2022)

There are a whole lot of Netflix documentaries about cults gone mad, however Hold Candy: Pray and Obey could be essentially the most disturbing of the lot. In contrast to Homicide Among the many Mormons, which nearly handled its matter like a screwball comedy, Hold Candy is a really grim story a couple of grim human being in Warren Jeffs. It is a improbable documentary, and among the many greatest Netflix has produced, nevertheless it comes with a really hefty content material warning.

Netflix

Keep on Board: The Leo Baker Story (2022)

Skateboarding as a sport makes for an awesome documentary matter. Dogtown and Z Boys, All That Mayhem — completely legendary.  Keep on Board: The Leo Baker Story is one other in an extended 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. Wonderful, must-watch stuff. 

Michael Putland/Getty Photos

Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story (2022)

It is nearly not possible to overstate how well-known Jimmy Savile was within the UK — notably within the Nineteen Eighties. He was past a family title, 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 houses. 

Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story does an awesome job of going by the archives, combining footage that’s totally weird in hindsight, and including improbable interviews with a few of the main gamers in British TV throughout Savile’s heyday. A captivating, albeit disturbing documentary. Be warned: This can be a troublesome watch. 

Netflix

Our Nice Nationwide Parks (2022)

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

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

Netflix

The Most Hated Man on the Web (2022)

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

Netflix

The Lady within the Image (2022)

The Lady 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 Lady within the Image tells the story of a younger lady, murdered at age 20. To say an excessive amount of would spoil the impression, however this can be a layered, brutal documentary with infinite twists. It wants to be seen to be believed.

Netflix

The Tinder Swindler (2022)

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

A barely totally different matter in contrast to most true crime documentaries on Netflix. Undoubtedly 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, informed throughout generations, that is respectful of the victims, but compelling all through.

It is a story concerning the unsolved homicide of Catherine Cesnik, a nun who taught at a Catholic college in Baltimore, however The Keepers goes additional than you may 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 demise of his spouse Kathleen, The Staircase is greater than only a homicide thriller. It is a drawn-out epic that takes place over literal a long time, 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, this can be a good one.

Specializing in the weird deaths of 11 relations 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 instances 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 basically a documentary about an artwork heist. Bear in mind Evil Genius? (Which can be on this record.) This Is a Theft may 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. Undoubtedly watch this one. 

Netflix

Who Killed Little Gregory (2019)

Who Killed Little Gregory is a documentary targeted on the horrific homicide of Grégory Villemin. It is arguably one of the best true crime documentary on Netflix. It is a couple of homicide, and makes an attempt to remedy that homicide, nevertheless 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 a whole lot of true crime documentaries on the market (and on this record) however American Homicide: The Household Subsequent Door stands proud. 

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 novel approach, utilizing textual content messages and social media posts to inform the story. It is a horrific reminder of the banal, extremely widespread 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 a whole lot of methods it created the template that many Netflix documentaries now comply with. An actual authentic.

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 slightly 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 impression performance-enhancing medication have on sports activities efficiency, however a sequence of occasions drags director Bryan Fogel into an internet of geopolitics and conspiracies. To say extra would spoil it, however Fogel in the end has created a documentary that had a really actual impression on our notion of sports activities as an entire. In that respect, Icarus is a literal sport changer.

Netflix

Method 1: Drive to Survive (2019)

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

Netflix

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

Be warned: This one is harrowing.

Netflix

14 Peaks tells the story of the Nepalese mountaineer Nimsdai Purja and his objective of climbing all 14 mountains above the peak of 8,000 meters (26,000 toes) in a single 12 months. It is unimaginable. Should-watch stuff.

Netflix

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

Netflix

The River Runner is sorta like Free Solo for kayaking. Take into account {that a} praise.

Specializing in Scott Lindgren, a kayaking legend who was a pioneer of the game, this can be a conventional story of an excessive sports activities star overcoming odds, nevertheless it runs slightly deeper than that. Preventing towards a mind tumor and his personal private demons, Lindgren is a compelling case examine. Should watch stuff.

Netflix

Naomi Osaka has change into one of the vital well-known and talked-about athletes on the planet. This fascinating documentary explores totally different phases of her profession and gives unimaginable entry into the lifetime of a younger girl combating the pressures of sport and fame. A must-watch.

Netflix

Should you’re searching for a barely extra uplifting documentary, you can do far worse than The Pace Cubers, a have a look at the world of aggressive… Rubik’s Cubers? It is brief, however packs an unimaginable emotional punch. Put together your self, this one may break you.

Nature/science

Netflix

Seaspiracy follows within the footsteps of a number of documentaries targeted on the impression of meat consuming on the surroundings. 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 honest. Watch it and make up your personal thoughts.

Netflix

My Octopus Instructor (2020)

My Octopus Instructor follows Craig Foster, a filmmaker who spent a 12 months snorkeling and interacting with an octopus off the coast of South Africa. It is a nature movie, positive, nevertheless it’s concurrently a documentary designed to encourage awe within the viewer. In brief, octopuses are unimaginable. Little aliens on Earth, basically. That is the story of a relationship between people and nature, nevertheless 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 imagine — the excessive watermark. Solely Planet Earth, one other Attenborough doc, comes shut. However I choose this one.

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

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

Politics/historical past 

Netflix

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

Within the wake of the Black Lives Matter motion, this ought to be obligatory viewing.

Netflix

Within the wake of the Capitol siege, the Fb/Cambridge Analytica controversy nearly seems like historical 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 Faculty Admissions Scandal (2021)

Just lately launched, Operations Varsity Blues: The Faculty 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 Lodge doc, nevertheless it may nonetheless use some trimming. 

Operation Varsity Blues targeted 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 properly price watching. 

Sundance

Knock Down the Home (2019)

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

Netflix

What Occurred, Miss Simone? (2015)

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

Netflix

Overlong and bloated, Wild Wild Nation is however one of the vital 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 basically a intercourse cult, in the USA. 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 imagine. 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 through the Second World Struggle. It wraps their legacies alongside the impression of the battle 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 Greater Floor Productions staff. 

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

Netflix

Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Wealthy (2020)

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

The Cinemart/Hulu

Fyre: The Biggest Social gathering That By no means Occurred (2019)

Hulu additionally has an awesome Fyre competition documentary, however I choose this Netflix one. In contrast to many Netflix documentaries, that are stretched and bloated into multipart episodes, this documentary is sharp, direct and strong gold your complete approach by.

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