The Best Documentaries on Netflix

Netflix

Skateboarding as a sport makes for a fantastic documentary subject. 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 needed to stop competing on the Olympics within the course of. Superb, should watch stuff. 

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Untold is the most recent from the oldsters behind Wild Wild Nation.

It is a sports activities documentary collection, with every episode going in-depth on controversial sports activities matters. The primary 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 should watch stuff. The brand new episodes are arguably higher than the stellar first season. Possibly the most effective sports activities documentary collection on Netflix

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Netflix has been on fireplace with its documentaries these days, and The Most Hated Man on the Web is the most recent. 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, one of the crucial infamous purveyors of “revenge porn.” Undoubtedly price watching this one. 

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

It appears 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 must be seen to be believed.

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There are numerous 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 just about 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 finest Netflix has produced, however it comes with a really hefty content material warning.

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Pretty much as good as Netflix documentaries are, there’s been an inclination to tug out true crime into these bloated multiepisode collection. Fortunately Our Father is the alternative 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 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

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 way of life.

A barely totally different subject in comparison with most true crime documentaries on Netflix. Undoubtedly price a gander.

Michael Putland/Getty Pictures

It is virtually inconceivable to overstate how well-known Jimmy Savile was within the UK — notably within the Nineteen 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 tons of 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 fantastic job of going by means of the archives, combining footage that’s completely weird in hindsight, and including unbelievable interviews with among the main gamers in British TV throughout Savile’s heyday. A captivating, albeit disturbing documentary. Be warned: This can be a troublesome watch. 

Netflix

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. For those who’re a fan of that kind of present, that is utterly unmissable.

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I’ve watched loads of true crime documentaries on Netflix, however nothing has come near The Keepers. A staggering story, advised 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 faculty in Baltimore, however The Keepers goes additional than you would possibly anticipate and exposes a possible coverup of intercourse abuse allegations.

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The true crime documentary style is completely 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 observe or revisit this one, since HBO Max has simply launched a drama miniseries based mostly on it.

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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 instances in current reminiscence. Unmissable stuff. 

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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 may be very a lot in that type. The primary episode takes some time to get going, however be affected person — this one has a payoff.

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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 kind. Undoubtedly watch this one. 

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

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There are numerous 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 kids. The entry to footage is staggering and it is edited and produced in a singular manner, 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.

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

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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 a bit of too Jordan-focused, however The Final Dance was an occasion documentary that lived as much as the hype. 

Netflix

This Oscar-winning documentary is an absolute belter. 

Icarus begins out as an expose on the influence 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 influence on our notion of sports activities as an entire. In that respect, Icarus is a literal sport changer.

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Absolutely the gold commonplace for long-running sports activities documentaries. Drive to Survive is so good, and so common, that it is impressed an entire new degree of curiosity in Formulation 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 function 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 ft) in a single yr. It is unimaginable. Should-watch stuff.

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Netflix might need burned the true crime documentary into the bottom, however it’s on fireplace with regards to sports activities. Dangerous Sport is the most recent 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. 

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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, it is a conventional story of an excessive sports activities star overcoming odds, however it runs a bit of deeper than that. Combating towards 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 one of the crucial 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 lady combating the pressures of sport and fame. A must-watch.

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For those who’re in search of a barely extra uplifting documentary, you may do far worse than The Pace Cubers, a have a look at the world of aggressive… Rubik’s Cubers? It is quick, however packs an unimaginable emotional punch. Put together your self, this one would possibly break you.

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

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My Octopus Trainer 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. In brief, octopuses are unimaginable. 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 weak 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 could uninteresting its influence, however when Tiger King was first launched on Netflix, all the world could not cease speaking about it. 

Tiger King explores the unusual underbelly of massive cat breeding, specializing in a solid 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 numerous its chunk, it is intriguing to meet up with this solid of untamed human beings doing wild, utterly outlandish issues. 

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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 right now. 

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

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

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Not too long ago launched, Operations Varsity Blues: The Faculty Admissions Scandal has a reputation so long as a few of Netflix’s current documentaries. Fortunately, this is not as bloated as, say, the current Cecil Lodge doc, however it might 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 Competition documentary. This is not fairly as compelling, however continues to be properly price watching. 

Sundance

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 main campaigns, it is an insightful have a look at the democratic course of. It is an inspiring reminder that we have to combat to be able to make the voices of bizarre individuals depend.

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Not gonna say a lot right here. Nina Simone is a legend and that is perhaps top-of-the-line documentaries I’ve ever seen. 

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Overlong and bloated, Wild Wild Nation is nonetheless one of the crucial fascinating documentaries I’ve ever watched on Netflix. 

It tells the story of Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, who tried to construct a big 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 like Tiger King, the story plumbs depths you will not consider. At instances it is a slog, however Wild Wild Nation is totally worthwhile.

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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 Battle. It wraps their legacies alongside the influence of the struggle itself into a very compelling story of Hollywood’s golden age.

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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 Common Motors plant. You must watch this film.

Netflix

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

The Cinemart/Hulu

Hulu additionally has a fantastic 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 stable gold all the manner by means of.