The best documentaries on Netflix right now
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Almost every streaming service has a thriving documentary selection, but few can offer the sheer volume that Netflix can. Netflix not only funds and produces a large number of documentaries of its own, but it also aggressively loads up with preexisting documentaries, including a few on loan from other studios like Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief.
Also among this month’s offerings are a moving documentary about prisons and their affects on families in Daughters, and a unique look at the Russian doping scandal in Icarus. But if you want something truly heartwarming, Inside of the Mind of a Dog should fit the bill. These films are just a small selection of the best documentaries on Netflix right now, which you can find below.
We’ve also rounded up the best documentaries on Amazon Prime Video and the best documentaries on Hulu if Netflix doesn’t have what you’re looking for.
Inside the Mind of a Dog (2024) [New]
IMDb: 7.2/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 75m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Rob Lowe
Directed by: Andy Mitchell
Although the name of this documentary suggests sweeping insights into canine psychology, that’s not really what Inside the Mind of a Dog is about. Instead, it touches on the history of domestication and how dogs evolved from wolves. A great deal of emphasis is also placed on the bonds between humans and dogs, especially for the canines who are chosen to become service animals. If you love man’s best friend, you’ll enjoy this film.
Daughters (2024) [New]
Metacritic: 84%
IMDb: 7.7/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 108m
Genre: Documentary
Directed by: Angela Patton, Natalie Rae
This film may be called Daughters, but it’s about their incarcerated fathers as well. Prison walls may keep families apart, but the chance to spend any time with their daughters has given a group of fathers something to strive for, even if they have to undergo a counseling program just to have the right to attend a father-daughter dance.
The film also focuses on a few of the daughters as they eagerly prepare for their big day with their fathers. It’s questionable how much these kids know about how and why their dads can’t be a part of their daily lives, but it is clear just how much they need their fathers, even if it’s only for a short time. Under these circumstances, even a good day can end with tears when the children and their fathers are separated again.
Icarus (2017) [New]
Metacritic: 68%
IMDb: 7.9/10
Duration: 121m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Bryan Fogel, Dave Zabriskie, Don Catlin
Directed by: Bryan Fogel
The myth of Icarus is about a man who flew too close to the sun, and his melted artificial wings sent him crashing back down to Earth. Icarus isn’t about that story, but it is about a similar obsession with being the best at all costs. Director and star Bryan Fogel begins the movie with modest ambitions as he befriends Grigory Rodchenkov, a Russian scientist and the head of his country’s anti-doping program.
Soon enough, Rodchenkov becomes the real story of the film as he blows the whistle on Russia’s attempts to get away with doping up its athletes. And it’s hard not to imagine the program continuing even beyond this movie.
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (2015) [New]
Metacritic: 80%
IMDb: 8.0/10
Duration: 120m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Paul Haggis, Jason Beghe, Alex Gibney
Directed by: Alex Gibney
Although Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief was made by HBO Films almost a decade ago, it hasn’t lost any of its power. This documentary offers a closer look at Scientology, the religion created by sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard that appears to have transformed from a cult of personality to a worldwide organization.
The history of the group is explored here, but the most damning accounts come from former Scientologists including director Paul Haggis and Mark Rathbun, who used to have a high-ranking position in the church. When you head Haggis, Rathbun, and the rest of the former members speak about their experiences, you’ll never look at Scientology the same way again.
How to Rob a Bank (2024)
Metacritic: 6%
Rated: R
Duration: 87m
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Stars: Jordan Burtchett, Mark Biggins, Susan Dodd
Directed by: Stephen Robert Morse, Seth Porges
Despite its name, How to Rob a Bank is not an instructional documentary that will show you how to be an outlaw. But it will show you how Scott Scurlock became one of the most successful bank robbers of the early ’90s. Scurlock’s nickname with law enforcement was “Hollywood,” because he had a theatrical flair for disguise and his robberies were largely impeccable.
The documentary features rare home video footage of Scurlock and examines what we know about the man who could have escaped the outlaw life without a hitch. But true to the Hollywood movies that inspired him, Scurlock’s temptation for one last score was too great to ignore.
Remembering Gene Wilder (2024)
Metacritic: 62%
IMDb: 8.0/10
Duration: 93m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Gene Wilder, Mel Brooks, Harry Connick Jr.
Directed by: Ron Frank
As anyone who has seen Young Frankenstein, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Blazing Saddles, and more knows, Gene Wilder was one of the greatest comedic performers of his generation. Wilder passed away in 2016, but Remembering Gene Wilder does just that with exclusive interviews featuring the men and women who knew him best, including his wife, Karen Wilder, Mel Brooks, Alan Alda, Carol Kane, Dick Cavett, and more.
There’s also home video footage of Wilder himself, and an examination of his struggle with Alzheimer’s disease during the last years of his life.
Mysteries of the Terracotta Warriors (2024)
IMDb: 6.9/10
Duration: 78m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Dr. Hui Ming Tak Ted, Dr. Li Janice Xiuzhen, Zhu Sihong
Directed by: James Tovell
Five decades ago, the discovery of the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, revealed the Terracotta Army that was carved to serve as his protectors in the afterlife. It was one of the most important archaeological finds in Chinese history. Mysteries of the Terracotta Warriors attempts to add more context to the site with reenactments and historical accounts of the era. There’s still a lot that we don’t know about this time in history, but this remains a unique look back at creatures that date back to approximately 210-209 BC.
Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal (2024)
Metacritic: 55%
IMDb: 6.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
At what point do crimes of the heart become actual crimes? It isn’t illegal to have an affair, and the dating site Ashley Madison built a niche market by encouraging men and women to cheat on their spouses. Despite the infamous 2015 data hack, Ashley Madison remains in business as of 2024.
Netflix’s Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies and Scandal takes a look back at the impact that the site has had, and the devastation it left behind after the data hack exposed Ashley Madiosn’s unfaithful clientele to their partners and the entire world.
Hans Zimmer: Hollywood Rebel (2022)
IMDb: 7.3/10
Duration: 59m
Genre: Documentary, Music
Stars: Hans Zimmer, Ron Howard, Denis Villeneuve
Directed by: Francis Hanly
Few composers in Hollywood have had the kind of success that Hans Zimmer has enjoyed over the last four decades. He’s scored the soundtracks for numerous blockbuster films including The Dark Knight trilogy, Pirates of The Caribbean, No Time To Die, and more.
Hans Zimmer: Hollywood Rebel pulls the curtain back on the composer and allows Zimmer’s personal story to unfold. Zimmer wasn’t an overnight sensation, but he’s earned his place in cinema history thanks to his endlessly entertaining scores.
What Jennifer Did (2024)
IMDb: 6.1/10
Rated: R
Duration: 87m
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Stars: Fernando Baldassini, Samantha Chang, Alan Cooke
Directed by: Jenny Popplewell
The title of What Jennifer Did may give the game away, but it’s not as if it’s a secret that Jennifer Pan hired men to kill her parents, Huei Hann Pan and Bich Ha Panin, in 2010. And this documentary has already proven to be a sensation on Netflix.
What Jennifer Did features actual police footage of Pan’s interviews with investigators following the attack on her parents. The doc also fills in some details about Pan’s life to understand why she made these plans. Would she have gotten away with her crime if one of her parents hadn’t survived? Hopefully not. Because despite Pan’s propensity for deception, she doesn’t seem to have been a very good liar.
Blackfish (2013)
Metacritic: 83%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 83m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Dean Gomersall, Samantha Berg, John Jett
Directed by: Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Whenever anyone claims that films can’t change the world, point to Blackfish. This exposé on Sea World’s handling of orcas in captivity helped bring about the end of whales being used as live performers in the theme parks. It also brought questions about the treatment of the orcas to the forefront in a way that animal rights activists hadn’t been able to do by themselves.
Blackfish also examines the case of Tilikum, an orca who killed three people during his decades of captivity. It paints a disturbing picture of the way this creature and his fellow orcas were treated, which may explain why he was so aggressive.
The Antisocial Network: Memes to Mayhem (2024)
IMDb: 6.3/10
Rated: R
Duration: 86m
Genre: Documentary
Directed by: Giorgio Angelini, Arthur Jones
How did an innocuous message board site like 4chan become such a hotbed of misinformation? The Antisocial Network: Memes To Mayhem takes a look back at 4chan’s history through interviews with many of the key figures in and around the website. While 4chan wasn’t always a magnet for controversy, it mutated into something that no one could have anticipated. But could it have been stopped? That’s the question you may grapple with.
The Greatest Night in Pop (2024)
Metacritic: 69%
IMDb: 8.0/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 97m
Genre: Documentary, Music
Stars: Lionel Richie, Bruce Springsteen, Dionne Warwick
Directed by: Bao Nguyen
Imagine being in the same room as Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Billy Joel, and Ray Charles. In 1985, at the peak of their stardom, these performers and more came together for a chaotic session to record the charity single, We Are the World.
The Greatest Night In Pop features footage from the all-night session, including the times when the whole thing could have fallen apart. Many of the surviving musicians also share their thoughts about the experience nearly four decades later. And there are even some moments of levity that were sorely needed as egos clashed.
American Nightmare (2024)
Metacritic: 76%
IMDb: 7.5/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Cast: Denise Huskins, Aaron Quinn
American Nightmare lives up to its name for Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn, the couple who were at the center of one. During a home invasion in 2015, Huskins was kidnapped, and Quinn was ordered to remain quiet about it by the kidnapper in order to protect her. The local cops in Vallejo, California, responded by accusing Quinn of killing Huskins.
When Quinn was released, the cops piled on the couple’s ordeal by accusing her of faking the kidnapping. The media even called her “the real Gone Girl.” But that’s because the news accepted everything the police said at face value. Fortunately, not all of the cops subscribed to that narrative on their way to breaking the case.
Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife (2023)
IMDb: 7.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Paolo Macchiarini
If Dr. Paolo Macchiarini’s claims about his esophageal transplants were true then he would have been famous in the medical industry. Instead, he’s infamous for overpromising about his “groundbreaking” procedure that left many of the patients who trusted him dead. The title Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife undersells the full extent of Macchiarini’s crimes, especially for the men and women who lost their lives to his medical malpractice.
Macchiarini’s ex-fiancée, Benita Alexander, is a TV journalist and a direct participant in this documentary series, recounting how she was fooled into believing his lies. Once Alexander realized the truth, her life was already entangled with his.
Chimp Empire (2023)
IMDb: 8.2/10
Rated: TV-PG
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Mahershala Ali
It’s a jungle out there in Chimp Empire, or more accurately, it’s a rainforest. Narrator Mahershala Ali walks viewers through the lives of a large community of chimpanzees living in Uganda’s Ngogo Forest. The alpha male, Jackson, rules over his tribe, but perhaps not for long. A rival community of chimps encroaches on Jackson’s territory, and his power isn’t absolute, even among his brethren. By the end, Jackson’s reign and his survival are in question as challenges come from within and without.
Predators (2022)
IMDb: 7.5/10
Rated: TV-PG
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Tom Hardy
Netflix’s Predators nature documentary series showcases five of the top apex predators in the world: cheetahs, lions, pumas, polar bears, and wild dogs. But just because they’re at the top of the food chain doesn’t mean that these animals don’t struggle to survive.
Each of these animals faces challenges from rival predators, ecological disasters, and even climate change as they struggle to adapt and endure. It’s a battle that never ends, but we can’t take our eyes off of these magnificent beasts. Actor Tom Hardy narrates the series.
Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul (2023)
IMDb: 6.7/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: David Pierce
The Juul electronic cigarette debuted just over eight years ago, which was more than enough time for Juul’s fortunes to dramatically change. Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul chronicles the origin story of the company and its founders, Adam Bowen and James Monsees.
When they first started, Bowen and Monsees claimed that their e-cigarettes could help people stop smoking. Instead of chasing that lofty goal, Juul helped kick-start an era of vaping that proved to be more even popular with teenagers than actual cigarettes. Juul even created more potent forms of nicotine and the company was once worth billions. Once you watch this series, it’s a lot easier to understand how Juul fell so far from its peak.
How to Become a Mob Boss (2023)
IMDb: 6.6/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Peter Dinklage
If your dream job was to become an organized crime leader, then you should know that How To Become as a Mob Boss is not an instructional series that’s going to land you a prime spot on the FBI’s most wanted list. But it is a look at the history of famous mafia bosses including Al Capone, Frank Lucas, Salvatore “Totò” Riina, John Gotti, and Pablo Escobar.
There are spoilers ahead if you haven’t heard, but the common denominator between these men was either a lengthy incarceration or a violent death. The show does offer some facetious lessons about where they went wrong, but all of these stories tend to end in the same place.
Beckham (2023)
Metacritic: 69%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Alex Ferguson
During his long career in football (soccer), David Beckham was one of the most famous celebrities in the world. And while looking back over his career in Beckham, even Beckham admits that some of his decisions were very selfish, especially when it came to putting himself before his wife, Victoria Beckham.
Both of the Beckhams are extensively interviewed in Fisher Stevens’ four-part documentary series. Beckham isn’t a full warts-and-all approach to a sports icon, but it is surprisingly earnest when dealing with most of his shortcomings while also celebrating a legacy that few will ever match.
Eat the Rich: The GameStop Saga (2022)
Metacritic: 75%
IMDb: 6.3/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Taylor Lorenz, Andrew Left, Abbe Minor
Thanks to the new movie Dumb Money, the GameStop short squeeze of 2021 is back in the zeitgeist. Netflix’s three-part documentary, Eat the Rich: The GameStop Saga, isn’t necessarily the definitive word on what went down. But it will give viewers more insight into how a group of amateur investors briefly drove GameStop stock far beyond its actual value, which led to hedge funds and professional stock traders losing millions because they had bet their own money that the stock would fall.
Unfortunately, GameStop’s inflated value was a bubble. And like all bubbles, this one burst. By the end of this story, there were very few winners.
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (2018)
Metacritic: 70%
IMDb: 7.4/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 88m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Hedy Lamarr, Mel Brooks, Diane Kruger
Directed by: Alexandra Dean
Far too few people remember who Hedy Lamarr was, and for those who do know her name, it’s probably because she was a movie star during the golden age of Hollywood. In the late ‘30s, Lamarr was even billed as “the most beautiful woman in the world.” But she was far more than just an ordinary actress.
Bombshell; The Hedy Lamarr Story looks back at the life of the Hollywood starlet and her escape from Nazi Germany, as well as her rise to stardom. More importantly, it examines Lamarr’s history as a self-taught inventor including her groundbreaking work on frequency hopping.
Untold: Johnny Football (2023)
IMDb: 6.9/10
Rated: R
Duration: 71m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Johnny Manziel
Directed by: Ryan Duffy
The NFL is full of cautionary tales about players who didn’t pan out despite being high draft picks. But there aren’t many players who flamed out harder and faster than Johnny Manziel. Netflix’s Untold: Johnny Football looks at the fall and even further decline of the one-time college football star as he squandered his chances in the NFL through a complete lack of discipline and self-control.
Manziel is one of the commentators for this documentary, and he doesn’t deny that his own choices led him to be drummed out of the NFL after only two seasons with barely any playing time. This was a fate of his own making.
The Saint of Second Chances (2023)
Metacritic: 71%
IMDb: 7.7/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 94m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Jeff Daniels, Charlie Day, Mike Veeck
Directed by: Morgan Neville, Jeff Malmberg
At some point in our lives, everyone screws up. Few more spectacularly than Mike Veeck, the son of former White Sox owner Bill Veeck. In 1979, the younger Veeck organized one of the most infamous promotions in baseball history: Disco Demolition Night. Before the second game of a doubleheader, Veeck and company arranged for a large pile of Disco records to be blown up in front of a rowdy crowd. It quickly led to a riot that forced the White Sox to forfeit the second game.
Netflix’s The Saint of Second Chances is about Mike Veeck’s attempt to reinvent himself and redeem his family legacy after Disco Demolition Night. This is not a baseball story, this is a tale of family and finding a second act in life.
Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine (2023)
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rated: G
Duration: 64m
Genre: Documentary
Directed by: Shai Gal
At first glance, the title of Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine may seem a bit exaggerated. But it is an accurate description of the way that light travels to Earth over the eons. So when we look into the night sky, we really are looking into the past. Unknown focuses on the James Webb Telescope, one of the most powerful telescopes of its kind, and the window it provides us to the history of the universe.
This documentary follows the scientists and engineers as they prepare to launch the telescope into orbit and then reassemble it in space. From there, you’ll get a front-row seat as the telescope begins delivering cosmic visuals that have to be seen to be believed.
Quarterback (2023)
IMDb: 8.3/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, Marcus Mariota
If the only thing that Quarterback did was follow Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, then it would already be must-see TV for NFL fans. Mahomes is literally at the top of his game, and the first season of Quarterback chronicles his march toward his second Super Bowl win. Mahomes may be the best player in the game now that Tom Brady has retired.
However, Quarterback also follows two other players at the position, Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings and Marcus Mariota of the Atlanta Falcons, respectively. Cousins and Mariota are skilled quarterbacks in their own ways, but both of them feel the pressure to deliver as their careers reach critical junctions.
Wham! (2023)
Metacritic: 74%
IMDb: 7.6/10
Duration: 92m
Genre: Documentary, Music
Stars: George Michael, Andrew Ridgeley, Elton John
Directed by: Chris Smith
If you’ve ever tried to escape hearing Last Christmas during the holiday season, you probably know that it’s almost impossible to avoid being “Whamed.” The duo behind Wham! — George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley — met as youngsters and their story is finally told in Netflix’s documentary, Wham!.
Through the use of previously recorded interviews, both Michael and Ridgeley share their accounts of how they met and how they became pop sensations in the 1980s. It’s an intimate look at the friendship and the bond between the duo, and a reminder of why Wham! made such a huge impact.
The Deepest Breath (2023)
Metacritic: 69%
IMDb: 7.9/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 108m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Alessia Zecchini, Stephen Keenan, David Attenborough
Directed by: Laura McGann
Netflix and A24 teamed up for The Deepest Breath, which chronicles the story of freediver Alessia Zecchini and safety diver Stephen Keenan. Zecchini wanted to break a world record, and she hired Keenan to help prepare her for that pivotal moment. Along the way, it’s clear that Zecchini and Keenan fell deeply in love with each other.
Unfortunately, the story of Zecchini and Keenan does not have a happy ending, and the documentary doesn’t hide the fact that their paths converge in tragedy. But it also celebrates their lives and everything that they stood for while paying tribute to their indomitable spirits.
Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me (2023)
Metacritic: 53%
IMDb: 6.4/10
Rated: R
Duration: 116m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Anna Nicole Smith
Directed by: Ursula Macfarlane
If you lived through the ‘90s, it was next to impossible to miss Anna Nicole Smith. The ex-stripper turned model and actress was everywhere, even if she was never a big Hollywood star. She also married an elderly billionaire named J. Howard Marshall, and had a lengthy court battle to hang on to his money.
The most shocking thing about Netflix’s documentary, Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me, is how much pity and sorrow you’ll feel for Smith herself. This is the story of how the woman who was born Vickie Lynn Hogan got nearly everything she wanted in life, only to lose it all to addiction and self-inflicted tragedies. Anna Nicole Smith’s story is a cautionary tale, but this film shows extraordinary empathy for its subject and her trials. The documentary has already rocketed to the top 10 most popular movies on Netflix, so be sure to check it out.
Amanda Knox (2016)
Metacritic: 78%
IMDb: 6.9/10
Duration: 92m
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Stars: Amanda Knox, Raffaele Sollecito, Patrick Lumumba
Directed by: Rod Blackhurst, Brian McGinn
Much like Anna Nicole Smith, Amanda Knox’s story exposes the dark side of fame. Knox never set out to be notable or famous, but she became infamous when she was accused and convicted of murdering her college roommate, Meredith Kercher, by the Italian courts until she was ultimately acquitted after spending four years in prison.
In the documentary that shares her name, Knox talks about her side of the story and how she lives with the stigma of being accused of a murder that took place nearly two decades ago. Whether you believe Knox or not, this will always be what she is remembered for. But within this film, Knox attempts to take control of her own narrative and she speaks out about being wrongly convicted of a heinous crime.
Victim/Suspect (2023)
Metacritic: 67%
IMDb: 7.0/10
Rated: R
Duration: 90m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Rachel de Leon, Amanda Pike
Directed by: Nancy Schwartzman
The police are meant to protect us … at least that’s what we want to believe. But director Nancy Schwartzman’s documentary, Victim/Suspect, offers up an unsettling look at a disturbing pattern as women who come forward with accounts of rape or sexual assault find themselves charged with making false accusations and even facing prison time.
Journalist Rachel de Leon looks into each case and finds instances of the police using criminal interrogation techniques to get the women to recant their stories while failing to properly investigate the alleged sexual crimes. It’s a disquieting look at the way the law enforcement officers failed these women and ended up protecting the sexual predators instead of their prey.
Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
Metacritic: 85%
IMDb: 8.3/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 95m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Margaret Whitmer, Tom Junod, Joanne Rogers
Directed by: Morgan Neville
In a world full of true crime and tragedy, wouldn’t you like to watch something that is life-affirming? Fred Rogers may be gone, but his alter ego, Mister Rogers, continues to bring joy two decades after his death.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? is a wonderful look back at the life of Rogers and how he created the long-running children’s series, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Rogers’ lessons of kindness and empathy are timeless, and this film serves as a fitting tribute to the man who went out of his way to make sure that all children felt welcome in his neighborhood.
Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal (2023)
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary, Crime
For fans of true crime documentaries, Netflix’s Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal is among the most gripping, shocking, and topical series to watch given recent developments related to the titular family.
This docuseries follows the grisly crimes and controversies surrounding one of the wealthiest and most prominent families in South Carolina. It begins with a lethal boating accident and includes the murders Maggie Murdaugh and her son, Paul. From there, a series of grim revelations of corruption and death force the Murdaugh family under the spotlight.
Chef's Table: Pizza (2022)
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Outside of popular topics like sports, nature, and crime scandals, there are plenty of documentaries to satisfy culinary aficionados as well. Among them is the Netflix original series Chef’s Table, which follows a variety of acclaimed international chefs as they go through their day-to-day lives. It also spotlights the dedication, hard work, and passion that go into their professional lives in the kitchen. Chef’s Table: Pizza has each episode revolve around a different chef fro around the world and what goes into how they make some of the best pizzas in the world.
Full Swing (2023)
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Created by: James Gay-Rees
Netflix is no stranger to hosting compelling sports documentaries that highlight the personal journeys of athletes. One such docuseries is a collaboration between the streamer and the PGA Tour in the form of Full Swing. This documentary takes audiences behind the scenes to follow the lives and careers of high-profile professional men’s golfers in the heat of various tournaments. Similar to what Drive to Survive did for Formula 1, Full Swing should be a compelling watch and exciting new perspective for golf fans.
Stay on Board: The Leo Baker Story (2022)
Duration: 72m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Leo Baker, Tony Hawk
Directed by: Nicola Marsh, Giovanni Reda
The personal stories that come out of professional skateboarding make for fascinating subjects in sports documentaries. In Netflix’s Stay on Board: The Leo Baker Story, audiences are given a deeply personal and raw look at the titular skateboarding talent. It also measures up as an excellent documentary for LGBTQ+ social commentary, as The Leo Baker Story chronicles his life in the professional world while dealing with the stresses of expectations, both sporting and societal. The documentary powerfully sheds light on Baker’s struggles as he navigates through the gender conformities of the world of sports.
The Pez Outlaw (2022)
Duration: 85m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Steve Glew, Kathy Glew, Ridoyanul Hoq
Directed by: Bryan Storkel, Amy Bandlien Storkel
The Pez Outlaw is perhaps one of the most wondrously eccentric documentaries available on Netflix. Its premise almost pushes the boundaries of what a documentary entails, as it revolves around the story of a Michigan man named Steve Glew who traveled to Eastern Europe not long after the Berlin Wall finally came down to hunt down the most valuable Pez dispensers and make money for his family. It’s a story fit for a fictional “fish-out-of-water” movie, and this documentary chronicles a time when the rarest of Pez dispensers could sell for more than gold.
Sr. (2022)
Duration: 90m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Robert Downey Sr., Robert Downey Jr., Chris Smith
Directed by: Chris Smith
Actor Robert Downey Jr.’s career trajectory has been one of the biggest comebacks in Hollywood. After dealing with substance abuse decades ago, he made his return to acting in a big way, becoming a star in the modern-classic satirical comedy Tropic Thunder and effectively becoming the face of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Tony Stark/Iron Man. However, in Sr., Downey Jr. takes a step back for a more intimate view of the life of his father and filmmaker, Robert Downey Sr. This documentary film has been well-received for shedding an emotionally powerful new light on the director behind films including Putney Swope.
Break Point (2023)
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Tennis is one of the most far-reaching sports in terms of appeal, and Break Point is an excellent documentary TV series for any fans of the game.
Released in parts, Break Point follows the journeys of several high-profile men and women tennis players as they travel across the world to compete in all four of the Grand Slam tournaments, as well as the ATP and WTA tours. The series includes looks into the lives of players including tennis’ “bad boy” Nick Kyrgios, the legendary Novak Djokovic, young Spanish star Paula Badosa, and more.
Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street (2023)
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Cast: Joseph Scotto
For a flavor of corporate-level corruption, the recent Netflix-original docuseries Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street tells the story of the titular financier, business tycoon and the infamously large-scale Ponzi scheme he executed.
A 4-episode series, The Monster of Wall Street uses never-before-seen footage and spotlights the many co-conspirators that Bernie Madoff used to orchestrate this colossal lie. It’s been reported that the scheme itself was worth around $64.8 billion, with the depositions, interviews, and revelations showcased making for a fascinating watch of a real-life financial thriller.
Our Great National Parks (2022)
Rated: TV-PG
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Barack Obama
Many will undoubtedly think of David Attenborough as the king of nature documentaries, but former U.S. President Barack Obama narrated and produced a noteworthy docuseries in the form of Our Great National Parks. A five-part miniseries, Our Great National Parks takes audiences on an awe-inspiring journey across some of the world’s greatest national parks and the wildlife that thrives within them. It’s a welcome spotlight on the various wonders that our planet provides, as well as helping to visualize what humanity should be fighting to preserve.
Stutz (2022)
Duration: 96m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Jonah Hill, Phil Stutz
Directed by: Jonah Hill
Directed by actor Jonah Hill, Stutz is a poignant and intimate exploration of mental health and Hill’s titular personal therapist. It’s a fascinating and even heartwarming film that sees the two long-time friends converse about their lives, mental health, and Dr. Stutz’s approach to his therapeutic work.
He’s been an accomplished therapist for over four decades, treating major business figures and creatives alike, and this documentary also sees Dr. Stutz explain and depict his famous visualization exercises dubbed “The Tools.” Stutz does well to approach sensitive topics with nuance in addition to charming and candid commentary.
David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020)
Duration: 83m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: David Attenborough, Max Hughes
Directed by: Alastair Fothergill, Keith Scholey, Jonathan Hughes
Presenter David Attenborough is celebrated worldwide as one of the biggest voices in documentaries on natural history. That makes a documentary film on the man behind the scenes a natural next step, and that’s what David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet succeeds and excels in doing.
This documentary functions in part as Attenborough’s recollection of his eventful career in this industry, as well as his eloquent and serious takes on the perils facing the natural world around us. It’s a damning indictment of how humanity has devastated the planet, but a necessary and compelling film that’s unlike any other documentary Attenborough has worked on.
Pepsi, Where's My Jet? (2022)
Metacritic: 62%
IMDb: 7.1/10
Rated: TV-Y7
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Cindy Crawford, Curtis Lee Newton, Michael Davis
In 1996, as part of a promotional campaign about redeeming Pepsi points for rewards, Pepsi released a commercial that suggested an AV-8 Harrier II jump jet was available for a mere 7 million points. Pepsi clearly didn’t expect anyone to amass that many points or even to take the offer seriously. But John Leonard not only got the points, but he also took Pepsi to court over the promise of a jet. In Pepsi, Where’s My Jet?, director Andrew Renzi catches up with Leonard and other players from this bizarre tale to share their stories about what happened. One of the interview subjects is Michael Avenatti, a disgraced celebrity lawyer who represented Leonard in the case.
FIFA Uncovered (2022)
IMDb: 7.5/10
Rated: TV-14
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Cast: Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini, Gianni Infantino
Contrary to the beliefs of many Americans, baseball, basketball, and American football are not the most popular sports in the world. That honor belongs to football, or “soccer,” as we call it in this country. But with that popularity has come corruption and vice, as seen in the new Netflix documentary series FIFA Uncovered. FIFA is the governing body for the World Cup and international football leagues. It also has a very dark history that has only partially come to light. This isn’t just a sports documentary, it’s a crime story. And many of the dirtiest players in the game seemingly escape the legal and moral consequences of their actions.
Our Universe (2022)
IMDb: 7.8/10
Rated: TV-Y7
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Morgan Freeman
“The stars connect us all.” That’s not just a nice sentiment, it’s one of the central ideas behind Our Universe. This documentary series lays out the way that the formation of the universe has influenced life on planet Earth in ways that you may not expect. And who better to lead us on our journey of cosmic discovery than narrator Morgan Freeman? His voice carries us through six beautifully shot and realized episodes. You may never look at our world, or even our universe, the same way again.
The Most Hated Man on the Internet (2022)
Metacritic: 58%
IMDb: 6.9/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Hunter Moore
Who is the titular guy in The Most Hated Man on the Internet? Why that would be Hunter Moore, the man who created a revenge porn site that allowed users to upload NSFW pics of their ex-girlfriends online and linked the images directly to their social media. Moore was completely unapologetic about the damage that he caused, and he was too smug about it as well. The documentary follows Charlotte Laws, a mother whose daughter was victimized by Moore’s site. That’s why Laws made it her mission to take down Moore and his site for good.
An American Murder Mystery: The Staircase (2018)
Metacritic: 95%
IMDb: 7.4/10
Rated: TV-14
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Diane Dimond, Diane Fanning
Over two decades ago, novelist Michael Peterson was accused of murdering his wife, Kathleen Peterson, after her body was found at the bottom of the family’s staircase. Peterson invited a French documentary team to follow him around as his family rallied to his defense and he went on trial. But as the cameras rolled on The Staircase, Peterson’s closely held secrets began to unravel and his wife’s daughters from her first marriage began to suspect that Peterson had in fact done the crime. It’s a compelling story in its own right, and it inspired a dramatic retelling of these events on HBO Max. But this is what really happened.
Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed (2021)
Metacritic: 55%
IMDb: 6.9/10
Duration: 92m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Bob Ross, Steve Ross, Vicky Ross
Directed by: Joshua Rofé
Rest assured that Bob Ross, the beloved host of The Joy of Painting, was just as good and wholesome as you wanted to believe. In his TV show, Ross shared his love of painting with the world. Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed largely focuses on what came after Ross passed away. Ross’ business partners, Annette and Walt Kowalski, assumed sole ownership of Bob Ross Inc., and used his image and reputation to expand an art supply empire. However, Ross’ son, Steve Ross, and Ross’ half-brother, Jimmie Cox, were named in Ross’ will as his beneficiaries. This led to an ugly court battle to determine who would control the name and legacy of Bob Ross.
Miss Americana (2020)
Metacritic: 65%
IMDb: 7.3/10
Rated: R
Duration: 85m
Genre: Documentary, Music
Stars: Taylor Swift, Joe Alwyn, Todrick Hall
Directed by: Lana Wilson
Mess with Taylor Swift at your own peril. Swift is not only one of the top recording artists of her era, she is passionately outspoken and unafraid to strike back when someone crosses her. Taylor Swift: Miss Americana chronicles a period in Swift’s life during which she tried to be everything to everybody and kept her political opinions to herself. Over the course of this documentary, Swift comes into her own as she refuses to let anyone else define who she is or what she stands for. Swift is more than just a musician, she’s a woman who is willing to use her stage and her celebrity to fight for LGBT rights and other social causes.
White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch (2022)
Metacritic: 48%
IMDb: 5.7/10
Duration: 88m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Benjamin O'Keefe, Moe Tkacik, Lindsey Rupp
Directed by: Alison Klayman
You may not realize it, but Abercrombie & Fitch has been around for well over a century. But it’s largely known as a teen fashion and line of stores that haven’t fully recovered from the company’s precipitous drop over a decade ago. White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch focuses on the company’s transformation in the ‘90s, which included its use of highly sexualized pictures of models to sell its clothes. It does not go unsaid that almost all of those faces and bodies were white, nor does the documentary shy away from examining other examples of exclusion within the company. This is a highly focused look at the root causes of the company’s decline, and it’s not a pretty picture to look at.
Pray Away (2021)
Metacritic: 76%
IMDb: 6.5/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 101m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Julie Rodgers, Randy Thomas, Yvette Cantu Schneider
Directed by: Kristine Stolakis
Surely you’ve heard the expression “pray away the gay.” It refers to conversion therapy; which frankly, does not work, nor has it ever worked. And who better to illustrate this point than the men who popularized conversion therapy in the ‘70s? Pray Away allows the leaders of the initial conversion therapy movement to confess that they never stopped being gay; and it also explores the terrible consequences that their “treatment” had for LGBT people all over the world.
Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes (2022)
IMDb: 7.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Cast: John Wayne Gacy
Created by: Joe Berlinger
John Wayne Gacy is one of America’s most notorious serial killers. The aspiring politician, popular contractor, and part-time clown-for-hire was a monster hiding in broad daylight, responsible for the murder of 33 young men between 1972 and 1976. He buried most of them under his house in a quiet Chicago suburb. Fifty years later, DNA scientists are still working to identify all his victims. This astonishing docuseries uses more than 60 hours of unearthed audio between Gacy and his defense team to bring a fresh perspective to Gacy’s narcissism and how he killed with impunity for so long.
Meltdown: Three Mile Island (2022)
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
In 1979, the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania experienced a meltdown that nearly became catastrophic. This limited series follows the events leading up to the near disaster through the lens of chief engineer and whistleblower, Richard Parks, as well as the community around the plant.
Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (2022)
IMDb: 6.4/10
Rated: R
Duration: 90m
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Directed by: Luke Sewell
A decidedly modern tale, this documentary follows the panic and outrage of crypto investors after the young founder of a collapsing cryptocurrency exchange suddenly dies. However, there’s more to his death than meets the eye and they’re determined to figure out what has really happened.
Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives. (2022)
Metacritic: 72%
IMDb: 5.8/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Cast: Sarma Melngailis, Allen Salkin, Ilze Melngailis
Sarma Melngailis became known as the “Vegan Queen” for her visionary vegan cooking and recipes that spawned a small cooking empire. However, in 2011, she meets a man named Shane Fox who claims he can make her and her dog immortal. Soon, her life becomes careening towards becoming the “Vegan Fugitive.”
Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019)
IMDb: 8.6/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 4
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Pérez
Created by: James Gay-Rees
Formula 1 isn’t remotely as popular in the United States as it is in the rest of the world, but this high-octane series has slowly been capturing the attention and imagination of American viewers. The docuseries gives viewers extraordinary access to the people behind one of the world’s most popular — and most dangerous — sports. Diving deep into the battle for the heart, soul, and direction of the multibillion-dollar business, you’ll see the drivers, teams, and decision-makers in their element and learn what kind of madness you have to have to drive 235 mph around winding tracks against dozens of other cars.
The Tinder Swindler (2022)
IMDb: 7.2/10
Rated: R
Duration: 114m
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Stars: Shimon Yehuda Hayut, Kristoffer Kumar, Pernilla Sj?holm
Directed by: Felicity Morris
Simon Leviev is the son of diamond mogul Lev Leviev, leading a jet-setting, privileged life of a billionaire. It’s no wonder he does so well on Tinder. Except that he’s not actually the son of a diamond mogul or a member of high society at all; he’s just an extraordinary con man who has swindled women into paying for his extravagant lifestyle. And now some victims want payback.
Cheer (2020)
Metacritic: 81%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Monica Aldama, Gabi Butler, Morgan Simianer
When you think of Texas, you probably think of football before cheerleading. But Cheer will make you question which sport is really more demanding. The original docuseries follows Corsicana, Texas, cheer coach Monica Adams as she works to create the perfect competitive cheer program from a tiny pool of college athletes. It might remind you of Dance Moms or other popular reality series, but Cheer is a lot more intense.
Seaspiracy (2021)
IMDb: 8.2/10
Rated: R
Duration: 89m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Ali Tabrizi, Sylvia Earle, Richard O'Barry
Directed by: Ali Tabrizi
The follow-up to Cowspiracy, Seaspiracy takes to the sea to illuminate the truths about the widespread, human-caused environmental destruction of our oceans. Filmmaker Ali Tabrizi set out to create a film celebrating the ocean, but soon found his narrative dragged toward the irreparable damage caused by humans to the seas. From plastics polluting the water to illegal fishing and hunting practices, humanity continuously ravages the oceans, making it exceedingly difficult for the planet to cope. A challenge to the very idea of sustainable fishing and an examination of how sustainable human existence is, Seaspiracy is not for the faint of heart.
Heist (2021)
Metacritic: 68%
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Cast: William Guirola, Kate Watson, Emree Franklin
Netflix has become a master of true crime television. In this dramatized docuseries, they take it up a notch, telling stories about ordinary people getting away with extraordinary heists. From a career criminal using hypnosis to pull off a theft to a family man convincing his buddies to help him steal the world’s most expensive bourbon, Heist is a fun thrill ride that might just make you wonder if you could pull something off, too.
Cat People (2021)
IMDb: 6.3/10
Rated: TV-14
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Created by: Glen Zipper
There are dog people and there are cat people. But while you see all kinds of movies about dogs saving people, being loyal partners, or just being totally lovable — cats tend not to get the same treatment. However, to some people, cats are just as loyal and essential allies. And no, they’re not just crazy people as we’ve been led to believe. In Cat People, you’ll meet some of the most interesting “cat people” in the world in a quest to undo the negative stereotypes associated with being a cat person while revealing the true power of the bonds people make with these independent pets.
Penguin Town (2021)
IMDb: 7.9/10
Rated: TV-G
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Patton Oswalt
This heartfelt nature documentary takes you to a picturesque South African town where the coolest kids on the block are an eclectic group of endangered penguins. Narrated by comedian Patton Oswalt, the series takes a humorous look into the lives of the penguins as they try to find mates, raise families, and mix with the local humans.
Black Holes: The Edge of All We Know (2020)
IMDb: 6.5/10
Rated: TV-PG
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Sheperd Doeleman, Stephen Hawking, Sasha Haco
Black holes are paradoxes, replete with complexity and yet surprising simplicity. To astrophysicists, they seem to represent the boundaries of knowledge itself. This documentary follows two scientific collaborations, one led by Stephen Hawking striving to show that black holes do not annihilate the past, and another group working in the world’s highest-altitude observatories to capture the first imagery of black holes. In this scientific search to demystify black holes, the documentary takes audiences to the pinnacle of human discovery.
This Is a Robbery: The World's Biggest Art Heist (2021)
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Cast: Shelley Murphy, Anne Hawley, Dick Ellis
On the night before Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1990, two men dressed as cops conned their way into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. After subduing the guards, they spent nearly an hour and a half walking around the museum, slashing millions of dollars’ worth of art out of their frames. The notorious crime is history’s largest art heist and remains unsolved to this day. In this investigative series, filmmaker Colin Barnicle examines some of the most likely subjects and connects with amateur sleuths and professional art thieves alike to help demystify the case.
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
Metacritic: 82%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: TV-PG
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Craig Foster, Tom Foster
Nature has much to teach us, and that is abundantly evident in 2020’s My Octopus Teacher, winner of the Oscar for best documentary. Burned-out filmmaker James Reed retreats to the southwest tip of Cape Town, South Africa, to recharge and go diving in the beautiful underwater kelp forests he visited when he was growing up. While he’s escaping the stressors of the real world and diving in the chilly waters, he strikes up a surprising companionship with an unusually docile octopus in a kelp forest. Following this almost supernatural lead, the filmmaker delves further into the mysteries and wonders of the ocean.
Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal (2021)
Metacritic: 70%
IMDb: 7/10
Rated: R
Duration: 100m
Genre: Documentary, Crime, Drama
Stars: Matthew Modine, Roger Rignack, Jillian Peterson
Directed by: Chris Smith
For decades, college counselor Rick Singer ran a “side-door” hustle designed to get the children of extremely wealthy families into top American universities. Unlike a “back-door” donation of an entire building, Singer’s side doors paid college coaches and athletic directors to pass off wealthy applicants as athletic admissions and supplied students with fake scores and credentials, all for the tidy price of a few hundred thousand dollars. Through reenactments based on wiretapped phone conversations and court documents, this compelling documentary sheds light on just how corrupt America’s university system is and how wealth really does buy access.
Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator (2019)
Metacritic: 68%
IMDb: 6.7/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Cast: Larissa Anderson, Francesca Asumah, Sarah Baughn
Bikram is a household name these days as the yoga craze has officially gone mainstream. But many don’t know the story of the hot yoga founder, Bikram Choudhury. Based on the 30 for 30 podcast miniseries, director Eva Orner takes a deep dive into the rise and fall of Choudhury, who was considered near-divine by many of his followers before disturbing revelations came to light about his predatory impulses.
The Social Dilemma (2020)
Metacritic: 78%
IMDb: 7.6/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 94m
Genre: Documentary, Drama
Stars: Skyler Gisondo, Kara Hayward, Vincent Kartheiser
Directed by: Jeff Orlowski
One of the more shocking documentaries of 2020, The Social Dilemma shines a light on something most of us already suspect: Big tech and social media are potentially extremely dangerous. Blending drama and documentary, The Social Dilemma is driven by tech experts who have created many of the systems that drive our current social networking-obsessed age. But they’re not promoting their work, they’re sounding the alarm of what it can do.
Athlete A (2020)
Metacritic: 85%
IMDb: 7.6/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 104m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Maggie Nichols, Jamie Dantzscher, Mark Alesia
Directed by: Jon Shenk, Bonni Cohen
For more than two decades, Larry Nassar was a doctor for the USA Gymnastics national team. Nassar betrayed the trust placed in him, however, by sexually assaulting the young female gymnasts in his care. Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk’s Athlete A follows the journalists from The Indianapolis Star who broke the story that helped send Nassar to jail. More importantly, the film also provides the victims with another opportunity to share their stories about the abuse they endured and the challenges they faced when they dared to break their silence. Their harrowing tales can be difficult to hear, but it’s necessary viewing.
13th (2016)
Metacritic: 83%
IMDb: 8.2/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Jelani Cobb, Angela Davis, Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
The story of race in America is a long, bloody, systemically inequitable one. And that systemic inequality seems hellbent on perpetuating itself, as illustrated in Ava DuVernay’s Oscar-nominated 13th. This doc tells the story of post-slavery America by drawing attention to the 13th Amendment, which — on its surface — appears to abolish slavery. There’s a loophole, however, that permits slavery as punishment for a crime. DuVernay argues, through meticulous statistical research and archival evidence, that the criminal justice system and mass incarceration have become a modern, more insidious means of perpetuating racial inequality and bolstering racial biases, both culturally and systemically. In today’s turbulent political environment, 13th should be mandatory viewing for all Americans.
Chasing Coral (2017)
Metacritic: 86%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: TV-PG
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Andrew Ackerman, Pim Bongaerts, Neal Cantin
Although they only cover less than 2% of the ocean floor, coral reefs are essential to marine ecosystems, providing support for nearly 25% of ocean species. It’s disturbing, then, to see the vibrant reefs of the world turn bone-white and die. Director Jeff Orlowski’s latest documentary, Chasing Coral, follows a team of researchers as they try to document the slow death of the world’s reefs. The documentary is informative, laying out for viewers why coral reefs are important in maintaining healthy oceans, and how increasing ocean temperatures are destroying them. Chasing Coral provides a human element, too. The researchers involved display a great passion for their work, and their zeal may be more persuasive than any facts or figures.
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness (2020)
Metacritic: 76%
IMDb: 7.5/10
Rated: TV-MA
Seasons: 2
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Cast: Joe Exotic, Carole Baskin
Created by: Eric Goode
2020 will forever be known as the year of the coronavirus and the year of Joe Exotic, Tiger King. Eric Goode and Rebecca Chaiklin’s docuseries on the big cat trade in the United States became a bona fide meme and take factory. It’s a documentary for the internet age, somehow consistently re-upping itself with the weirdness and insanity of its characters and stories episode after episode. Joe Exotic is an openly gay, polygamous, country-singing, gun-toting, mullet-sporting redneck who owns and operates a private big cat zoo in Oklahoma. His story is, somehow, even stranger.
The Ivory Game (2016)
Metacritic: 73%
IMDb: 7.9/10
Rated: TV-14
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Ofir Drori
In this Netflix Original, filmmakers Kief Davidson and Richard Ladkani tell the story of elephant poaching and the inner workings of the ongoing ivory trade — from the inside out. The film paints a dire picture of the economies, both political and financial, that have emerged as a result of ivory’s value in regions where legal loopholes allow the black-market commodity to move unfettered. From Africa to China to Italy, the film looks to expose the brutality of the ivory trade and help support those looking to make it extinct. It exists in the same vein as heartbreaking documentaries such as Blackfish and The Cove, and as such, it often feels more like a loudspeaker for animal-rights activists than a work of pure journalism.
American Factory (2019)
Metacritic: 86%
IMDb: 7.4/10
Rated: TV-14
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Junming 'Jimmy' Wang, Sherrod Brown, Dave Burrows
Winner of the 2020 Best Documentary Oscar, American Factory will not make you feel good about the state of American institutions. This look into a defunct General Motors plant in Dayton, Ohio, is the first release from Higher Ground, a production company founded by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. But before that, it was made by Participant Media, who screened it at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, where it also won Best Documentary. The doc depicts the Dayton plant receiving new life when a Chinese billionaire invests in it as a new American glass-making facility for his company, Fuyao. The skilled labor force subsequently struggles as human skill is sacrificed for a few pennies’ worth of savings. American Factory shows the plight of the skilled labor force, both American and Chinese, as they fall victim to the rich and powerful. It’s a good, hard look at the American Dream and whether it still exists.
Our Planet (2019)
Metacritic: 83%
IMDb: 9.3/10
Rated: TV-G
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: David Attenborough
Earth is a living, breathing sphere of air and water, filled with the tallest mountains and the largest oceans. Our Planet is a special collaboration between Silverback Films, Netflix, and the World Wildlife Fund. Taking place over four years, Our Planet takes viewers on a breathtaking journey from the deepest seas to the driest deserts to the thickest jungles. Our Planet not only showcases the majestic wildlife of our world but also highlights the challenges faced, as well as how humans can learn to coexist with the natural world. Our Planet is narrated by David Attenborough (Blue Planet) for English-speaking audiences, and it’s also narrated by Salma Hayek for Latin America and Penelope Cruz for Spanish audiences.
Night on Earth (2020)
IMDb: 9.3/10
Rated: TV-PG
Seasons: 1
Genre: Documentary
Cast: Samira Wiley
Night On Earth is a revolutionary new nature documentary, utilizing state-of-the-art cinematography to view the natural world at night. Even in the pitch blackness of the night, Night On Earth illuminates the land as if the sun were out, showcasing nocturnal creatures and their behaviors under the cover of darkness. This cutting-edge filmmaking unearths an entirely new world that’s rarely seen by humans — but that can now be seen with every detail. Narrated by Samira Wiley (A Handmaid’s Tale), Night On Earth is a mesmerizing experience, bringing to light the world of the dark.
