The 12 Best Netflix Documentaries, Ranked: Real-Life Stories Guaranteed to Intrigue

Bonnie Siegler

December 13, 2023 at 6:30 PM·5 min read

Documentary filmmaking is one of the most powerful art forms. They can teach us about political causes, history, pop culture and so much more — you name it, and there's probably a documentary on it! In recent years, documentaries have blown up on streaming services, offering a much-needed break from binging TV episodes and edifying us on a fascinating array of topics. There are so many documentaries to stream, it can be hard to know which one to watch first. With this in mind, we've ranked the 12 best Netflix documentaries, all of which are sure to make your next movie night way more enlightening.

12. Heroin(e) (2017)

The opium epidemic has had a devastating impact on West Virginia. In this powerful documentary short, three courageous women — a fire chief, a judge and a street missionary — work to tackle this problem and help those suffering from addiction. While the film runs just 39 minutes, it offers a powerful glimpse into one of today's most pressing issues.

Watch Heroin(e) now.

11. My Octopus Teacher (2020)

In this documentary, filmmaker Craig Foster forms a friendship with an octopus living within the South African kelp forest. Being friends with an octopus may sound strange, but the Oscar-winning film does a beautiful job of the complex relationship between humans and the natural world.

Scene from 'My Octopus Teacher,' 2020 — Craig Foster and the octopus in *My Octopus Teacher* (2020), best Netflix documentariesNetflix

Watch My Octopus Teacher now.

10. A Trip to Infinity (2022)

Have you ever asked yourself if infinity actually exists? This fascinating documentary brings the world’s most brilliant scientists and mathematicians together to see if we can actually experience the infinite. The film isn't just for math geeks — the questions it poses are deeply philosophical, and will give any viewer some serious food for thought.

Watch A Trip to Infinity now.

9. The Elephant Whisperers (2022)

This Indian documentary is both a touching story of the bond between animal and human and an exploration of Indian culture and the tradition of environmental conservation. An indigenous couple, Bomman and Bellie, devote their lives to caring for an orphaned baby elephant named Raghu, ultimately forging a familial relationship like no other. The film, which features gorgeous photography, won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short in 2023.

Watch The Elephant Whisperers now.

8. Sly (2023)

Sylvester Stallone has been a tough-guy Hollywood icon for decades. In this documentary, we learn the inspiring story of how Rocky catapulted Sly to stardom and get a revealing look at where he came from and some of the personal battles he fought. The documentary features rare footage from various points of Stallone's life along with interviews with Henry Winkler, Quentin Tarantino, Talia Shire and more.

Sylvester Stallone in 'Sly,' 2023 best Netflix documentaries — Sylvester Stallone in *Sly* (2023), best Netflix documentariesNetflix

Watch Sly now.

7. Icarus (2017)

In this Oscar-winning documentary, filmmaker Bryan Fogel explores the scandalous world of doping to win an amateur cycling race and happens upon a major international doping scandal. During Fogel’s investigation, he connects with a Russian scientist and Putin’s most wanted whistle-blower. The film is just as intense and captivating as any thriller.

Watch Icarus now.

6. The Return of Tanya Tucker: Featuring Brandi Carlile (2022)

Tanya Tucker has spent most of her lifetime in the country music spotlight, becoming an icon for female singers. In this film, Tucker, now in her 60s and rocking pink hair, goes back into the studio to record While I’m Livin’, her first album in a decade. The film offers a poignant look at how women can inspire each other across generations as a younger country star, Brandi Carlile, helps craft her comeback.

Watch The Return of Tanya Tucker: Featuring Brandi Carlile now.

5. Depp v. Heard (2023)

This three-part documentary on the high-profile court case between actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is ripped from the headlines. The documentary shows not only the testimonies from the two stars but also the ensuing scandals and social media frenzy around the case, and it raises major questions around how we handle celebrity controversies.

Watch Depp v. Heard now.

4. American Murder: The Family Next Door (2020)

In 2018, 34-year-old Shanann Watts and her two young daughters disappeared. It turned out they were murdered by Watts' husband, Chris, who gave no clear motive for his despicable acts. The family’s horrors made global headlines, and this true crime documentary expertly weaves social media posts, recordings, text messages and home videos to give viewers a look into the events that unfolded.

Watch American Murder: The Family Next Door now.

3. Miss Americana (2020)

Taylor Swift is a force of nature capable of selling out arenas, setting records on the music charts and even revitalizing the economy. This documentary offers an intimate look behind the veil of megastardom, showing Swift's creative process and how she's handled the many challenges that come with being in the spotlight. Her tenderness, wit and intelligence are on full display, and it's captivating to see what she's like offstage.

Watch Miss Americana now.

2. Ordinary Men: The "Forgotten Holocaust" (2023)

With all the hate and violence in the world today, looking back at painful moments in our history is an important, if difficult, act. This is one of the more shocking Netflix documentaries that examines how and why thousands of ordinary Germans carried out mass atrocities as members of Nazi police squads during the Holocaust, giving us a harrowing understanding of the banality of evil.

Watch Ordinary Men: The "Forgotten Holocaust" now.

1. David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020)

Coming in number 1 in our list of best Netflix documentaries is a master of nature. Now in his 90s and still going strong, David Attenborough is an influential scholar of the natural world. Over many decades, he has visited every continent, exploring the wild places of our planet and documenting the world in all its diversity and amazement. In this unique documentary, he reflects upon both the defining moments of his lifetime as a naturalist and the devastating changes he has seen. If you're interested in our planet's constant evolution and the impact humans have on nature, this honest and revealing look from a true master on the subject is a must-see.