The Best Netflix Documentaries You Need to Watch

Netflix

Following within the very promising footsteps of Netflix documentaries being leaner, tighter and… higher, Trainwreck: Woodstock ’99 is a very horrifying have a look at what actually went on on the infamous Woodstock ’99 pageant. Fast content material warning: Count on to see some really grotesque dialogue of human conduct together with rape, looting and arson. It is a really terrifying watch.

Netflix

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

It is a sports activities documentary sequence, 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. Perhaps the very best sports activities documentary sequence on Netflix

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

Netflix

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

It looks 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 woman, murdered at age 20. To say an excessive amount of would spoil the affect, however it is a layered, brutal documentary with countless twists. It must be seen to be believed.

Netflix

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

Netflix

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

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

Netflix

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

Specializing in Michael Peterson and the dying 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 someway nonetheless stays goal. 

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

Netflix

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

Netflix

This Oscar-winning documentary is an absolute belter. 

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

Netflix

Who Killed Little Gregory is a documentary centered on the horrific homicide of Grégory Villemin. It is arguably the very best true crime documentary on Netflix. It is a few homicide, and makes an attempt to unravel that homicide, but it surely’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. 

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. 

Because of this, many criticized it for being just a little too Jordan-focused, however The Final Dance was an occasion documentary that lived as much as the hype. 

Netflix

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 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 anticipate and exposes a possible coverup of intercourse abuse allegations.

Michael Putland/Getty Photos

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 ladies 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 excellent job of going by means of the archives, combining footage that’s totally weird in hindsight, and including improbable interviews with a number of the main gamers in British TV throughout Savile’s heyday. An interesting, albeit disturbing documentary. Be warned: It is a troublesome watch. 

Netflix

A documentary centered 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 completely different subject in comparison with most true crime documentaries on Netflix. Undoubtedly value a gander.

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One of many newer true crime documentaries from Netflix, it is 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 current reminiscence. Unmissable stuff. 

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

Netflix

A few of Netflix’s newer 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

There are a number of true crime documentaries on the market (and on this checklist) 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 novel method, 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

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

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

Be warned: This one is harrowing.

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

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

Netflix

The River Runner is sorta like Free Solo for kayaking. Contemplate {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, but it surely runs just a little deeper than that. Combating in opposition to a mind tumor and his personal private demons, Lindgren is a compelling case examine. Should watch stuff.

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

Netflix

If you happen to’re in search of a barely extra uplifting documentary, you might 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.

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Seaspiracy follows within the footsteps of a number of documentaries centered on the affect of meat consuming on the surroundings. 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 personal 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, positive, but it surely’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, but it surely’s additionally an inspiring name to motion: Do not ignore the surprise that exists throughout you.

Netflix

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 model of nice BBC exhibits like Planet Earth. They’ve nailed it right here. If you happen to’re a fan of that sort of present, that is utterly unmissable.

Netflix

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

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

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

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 immediately. 

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

Netflix

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

Netflix

Not too long ago launched, Operations Varsity Blues: The School 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, but it surely might nonetheless use some trimming. 

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

Sundance

No matter your views on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Knock Down the Home is an unimaginable underdog story that can’t 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 have to battle so as to make the voices of atypical folks rely.

Netflix

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

Netflix

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

It tells the story of Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, who tried to construct a huge sprawling commune, for what was primarily a intercourse cult, in america. It is a unusual story that someway 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 Warfare. It wraps their legacies alongside the affect of the warfare itself into a very 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 Larger Floor Productions workforce. 

American Manufacturing unit tells the story of Fuyao, a Chinese language firm that constructed a manufacturing unit in Ohio that inhabits a now-closed Basic 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 an excellent service by specializing in the tales of the survivors of his abuse. 

The Cinemart/Hulu

Hulu additionally has an excellent Fyre pageant documentary, however I desire 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 your entire method by means of.