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Documentaries connect us all. Even in cases where the film's overall focus is narrowed to fit a pre-conceived narrative, there's an unmistakable feeling of intimacy, of being let into a filmmaker's brain for a quick flash. In using snippets of the real world, in a variety of forms, great documentaries use images of universal, familiar existence to impart something tremendously personal. Netflix has a bounty of great documentaries that cover a diverse range of subjects, from true crime to sports to even filmmaking. Below, we've assembled a list of what we believe are the best documentaries on Netflix right now.
For more recommendations, check out our list of the best movies on Netflix or the best documentaries on Hulu and Prime Video.
Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.
Editor's note: This article was updated December 2024 to include Martha.
‘Martha’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.2/10
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Martha
Release Date October 30, 2024
Director R.J. Cutler
Cast Martha Stewart
Runtime 115 Minutes
This fascinating documentary from director R.J. Cutler looks into the professional and private life of Martha Stewart, the famous businesswoman, writer, and television personality. Featuring never-before-seen access into the most private corners of Stewart’s life, including interviews with the woman herself, Martha is a thorough and excellent example of how to craft a documentary around a single subject. Despite Stewart herself exclaiming her frustration with the final cut, Martha is still well worth your time if you’re a fan of the controversial figure or simply documentaries in general. - Jake Hodges
‘Skywalkers: A Love Story’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 72% | IMDb: 7.2/10
Release Date January 18, 2024
Director Jeff Zimbalist
Cast Angela Nikolau , Ivan Beerkus
Following Russian rooftopping couple Angela Nikolau and Vanya Beerkus, Skywalkers: A Love Story is a documentary that climbs to heights not meant for the faint of heart. The act of rooftopping is a death-defying venture to free climb to the peak of towers that often requires this couple to battle against their fears, harsh weather, and the law itself. Filmmaker Jeff Zimbalist (Give Us This Day) dives into the heist-level prep the couple does before sneaking into a new building and weaves a narrative around their fraying relationship as they set off to conquer their white whale: Merdeka 118, the second-highest building in the world.
'Power' (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 5.7/10
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Power
Run Time 1 hr 25 min
Director Yance Ford
Release Date May 10, 2024
Power is a documentary film that explores the centuries-long history of policing in America, directed and narrated by Yance Ford, director of the Academy Award-nominated documentary Strong Island. Through archival footage, expert commentators, and Ford’s own observations, the film forms a clear-eyed visual essay on the very nature of policing, as well as the past, present, and possible future of American police. The documentary had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim. Through the film, Ford draws a clear historical genealogy of modern police that begins with slave patrols and the forced clearing of Indigenous people and evolves through union-breaking and anti-protest brutality during the civil rights movement, nurtured by the bipartisan support of the establishment. Stepping beyond the limits of contemporary conversations, Power reveals the fundamentally oppressive purposes for which the police have been used by those in power across history, underlining the fact that a state must be held accountable for the actions of its police force.
'Sly' (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 7/10
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Sly
Release Date November 3, 2023
Director Thom Zimny
Main Genre Documentary
Sly is a documentary film about film legend Sylvester Stallone and his 50-plus-year career. Directed by Thom Zimmy (The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash), the film explores the journey of Stallone’s humble beginnings in New York to becoming a Hollywood action icon. Produced by Sean M Stuart (The Challenger: The Final Flight), the documentary premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to great reviews from critics.
Now streaming on Netflix, the film has an incredible host of celebrity appearances, from fellow action icon Arnold Schwarzenegger (Terminator) to Academy Award-winning director Quentin Tarantino (Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood), from the multi-faceted Henry Winkler (Happy Days) to the unforgettable Talia Shire (Rocky) and more. Sly also contains interviews with Stallone’s family, as well as archival footage from projects and moments past. The film is a treat for any movie buff who is a fan of Stallone’s classic films like Rocky, Rambo, or Get Carter, as well as his more recent projects like Creed, Tulsa King, and The Suicide Squad.
'The Deepest Breath' (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 7.7/10
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The Deepest Breath
A champion and expert safety diver seemed destined for one another. Despite different paths taken, they meet at the pinnacle of the free-diving world, experiencing the thrilling rewards and inescapable risks of chasing dreams through the depths of the ocean.
Director Laura McGann
Release Date July 19, 2023
Runtime 108 minutes
The Deepest Breath is a documentary film that captures the dangers and glory of one of the deadliest extreme sports in the water: freediving. Filmmaker Laura McGann (The 8th) explores the necessary training and undeniable strength needed to compete in the water sport, focusing on an Italian competitor named Alessia Zecchini. The documentary features archive footage of the woman intent on earning the title of woman to free dive deepest, as well as interviews with expert safety diver Stephen Keenan.
The Deepest Breath has received critical acclaim for its treatment of the subject and its spectacular footage of the ocean depths, which is coupled with the story of a real-life tragedy. As any good sports documentary should, The Deepest Breath showcases the passion and skill required to win in such a demanding arena.
'Saint of Second Chances' (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.5/10
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Saint of Second Chances
Release Date September 19, 2023
Runtime 93 minutes
Directed by Jeff Malmberg (Marwencol) and Academy Award-winner Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom), The Saint of Second Chances is a sports documentary that features one of the most famous families in professional baseball: the Veeck family. Patriarch Bill Veeck is a familiar face for fans of the sport, having been the owner (at various times) of the Cleveland Indians, the St. Louis Browns, and the Chicago White Sox. Bill Veeck spent years building a legacy in the sport, but The Saint of Second Chances is the story of his son, Mike Veeck, who was forced into exile from the sport he loved after causing the downfall of his father’s career.
A documentary keen on examining the wild relationship between the father and son at the center of its story, The Saint of Second Chances is a redemption tale akin to sports movies in the fiction world. The film features a playful narrative that adds to its appeal, and it has received widespread critical acclaim. A no-holds-barred look into the rifts between family members and the part that the media can play in such cases, The Saint of Second Chances holds an almost universal relevance to the lives of viewers and can impact how we all view our loved ones.
'Take Care of Maya' (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.5/10
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Take Care of Maya
As a medical team tries to understand 10-year-old Maya Kowalski's rare illness, they begin to question her parents. Suddenly, Maya is in state custody - despite a family desperate to bring their daughter home.
Director Henry Roosevelt
Release Date June 19, 2023
Runtime 103 minutes
Directed by Henry Roosevelt, Take Care of Maya follows the harrowing true story of Maya Kowalski, who was diagnosed with a rare illness and prescribed Ketamine for her pain. The treatment works for a time, but when her symptoms resurface, her new doctors at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital force her into state custody, suspecting her parents of abuse. This kicks off a deeper investigation into the medical system that quickly snowballs to expose much bigger cracks in the American child welfare organization.
The film documents the agonizing experiences of the Kowalski family from their perspective as they recount the moment that would change their lives forever. It’s an exploration of a bureaucratic and medical nightmare, showcasing the toll it takes on the Kowalskis — ultimately leading to one of Maya’s parents committing suicide. Take Care of Maya is not for the faint of heart, but the painful real-life story it explores is one that needs to be heard.
'Wham!' (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.5/10
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Wham!
Release Date July 5, 2023
Runtime
From director Chris Smith (Fyre, Tiger King), Wham! explores the early lives of the titular pop duo George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, the childhood friends who would change the music scene of the 80s before playing their last concert at Wembley Stadium. The band was short-lived, but their legacy remains to this day, from their iconic style and unique sound to George Michael’s eventual outing that reframed his whole career.
WHAM! is a nostalgic deep dive that will jitterbug all of the pop duo’s biggest hits into your brain while gripping your heart with the story of their historic rise to fame. Upon release, the documentary garnered positive reviews from both critics and WHAM! fans. So take a walk down memory lane with the help of never-before-seen archival footage and interviews and see the true origins of some of pop’s greatest legends.
'Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me' (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 38% | IMDb: 6.4/10
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Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me
Director Ursula Macfarlane
Release Date May 16, 2023
Cast Anna Nicole Smith , Daniel Smith
Runtime 116 minutes
Directed by Ursula Macfarlane (Untouchable), Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me is a deep dive into the tragic story of the bombshell model whose life was constantly dissected and publicized by the media despite them never truly understanding who she was. The documentary seeks to reframe the way people see Anna Nicole Smith’s story with never-before-seen footage and a detailed retelling of her meteoric rise and fall, exploring her humble upbringing, her controversial marriage, and the celebrity culture that ultimately led to her death.
Despite receiving largely negative reviews, Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me presents a sad tale that sheds an unflattering light on the way that women are treated by tabloids and the Hollywood machine. The film is a condemnation of sensationalism and voyeurism in the media, and while many critics found the documentary’s execution in that regard somewhat lacking, it’s still worth watching the movie if only to witness an unseen side of a misunderstood figure.
'Becoming' (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 7.0/10
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Becoming
Director Nadia Hallgren
Release Date May 6, 2020
Runtime 89 Mins
Inspired by Michelle Obama’s 2018 memoir of the same name, Becoming is an inspirational documentary from director Nadia Hallgren. An Emmy-nominated chronicling of the former First Lady’s book tour for her powerful autobiography, Becoming brings everyday people along for an up-close and unplugged ride. Along with students and community leaders, Becoming also features moments and interviews with the Obama family, including former president Barack Obama, along with celebrities and media personalities like Conan O'Brien, Oprah Winfrey, and Gayle King.
With Michelle Obama herself narrating this personal and uplifting story, Becoming is a rare and intimate peek behind the curtain of the author and activist’s journey as she meets with communities across the nation to build an authentic connection. The documentary garnered widespread praise from critics and audiences, and it is easily one of the best documentary films that Netflix has ever produced.
'Lewis Capaldi: How I'm Feeling Now' (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.4/10
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Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now
Director Joe Pearlman
Release Date April 5, 2023
Cast Lewis Capaldi , Niall Horan , Dan Nigro
Runtime 96 minutes
Lewis Capaldi quickly proved himself as a brilliant singer and songwriter, but in the documentary Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now, the award-winning rock star reveals more about his personal life and experiences through a deeply intimate experience. Directed by Joe Pearlman, Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now provides viewers with an all-access look at the musician, featuring unflinching, no-holds-barred interviews with its subject.
While many music documentaries have a tendency to feel more like promotional material, Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now manages to strike a more heartfelt chord that has resonated with critics and audiences. The documentary explores both musical and personal sides of the man’s life, highlighted by raw and authentic moments that chronicle the journey of an ambitious and scrappy teenager whose viral performance launched him into stardom.
'The American Meme' (2018)
IMDb: 6.1/10
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The American Meme
Director Bert Marcus
Release Date December 7, 2018
Runtime 98 minutes
In a time when virality and social media influence have become an ever-growing industry, The American Meme is a documentary film that explores the many facets of this world, both the highs and the lows. Director Bert Marcus walks us through the recent history of influencer culture and the way capitalism has created an entire industry that relies on cultivating parasocial relationships that live and die by the like button. The American Meme follows some of the biggest personalities whose careers were built through online buzz, like Paris Hilton, DJ Khaled, and Dane Cook.
With the potential to go viral always feeling like it’s a few clicks away, many people dream of becoming influencers and basking in internet fame. The American Meme takes viewers behind the curtain to show the crushing loneliness, emotional struggles, and lack of privacy that comes with fame. The film received largely positive reactions from critics upon release, with praise for its surprising depth as it explores an industry that’s generally seen as shallow and vapid.
'Pamela: A Love Story' (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.2/10
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Pamela: A Love Story
Director Ryan White
Release Date January 31, 2023
Runtime 112 minutes
Pamela: A Love Story is a raw exploration of actress and cultural icon Pamela Anderson, told in her own words. With assistance from director Ryan White, Pamela: A Love Story plainly reveals the harsh realities of fame, life-changing trauma, and tabloid scandals. Highlighting Anderson’s stories are personal diaries, home videos, and hours of previously unreleased footage, as well as interviews with Gregory Butler and Rob Bowman. Anderson recounts her journey from her beginnings as a model for Playboy to her time on the series Baywatch to her turbulent marriage to Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee.
Crafted in the wake of Hulu’s critically acclaimed scripted series Pam and Tommy, the Canadian-born model ultimately took matters into her own hands, deciding to provide viewers with an unfiltered glimpse into her true life. The result is a thought-provoking and humanizing portrait of a legendary celebrity that successfully takes its audience behind the scenes of Pamela Anderson’s life and career. Pamela: A Love Story questions what it means to be a “sex symbol” and reveals what life really looks like when you finally move beyond that status. – Yael Tygiel
'Sr.' (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.3/10
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Sr.
Release Date December 2, 2022
Runtime 89 minutes
Sr. is an honest and personal homage to the late filmmaker Robert Downey Sr., the man behind some of the best countercultural satires of the 1960s and father of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Produced by his son Robert Downey Jr. (Avengers: Endgame) with the assistance of director Chris Smith, Sr. explores the unencumbered career of the progressive director. Through the eyes of an audacious son, Sr. is often touching without hiding harsher realities, allowing friends and colleagues like Alan Arkin (The Kominsky Method) and Norman Lear (One Day at a Time) to share true and sometimes risqué tributes to the visionary who ushered in the comedic counterculture of the 60s and 70s.
The documentary balances an intimate exploration of the father-son bond with a tribute to one of Hollywood’s most influential filmmakers, which has garnered Sr. significant critical acclaim. The film won the National Board of Review Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2023 and is a must-watch for all cinephiles.
'Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich' (2022)
IMDb: 6.0/10
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Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich
Director Maiken Baird , Lisa Bryant
Release Date November 25, 2022
Runtime 101 minutes
Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich is a documentary that explores the truth behind the heinous crimes committed by Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s confidante and co-conspirator who is only now being confronted with criminal charges for her involvement in his years of abuse. Directors Maiken Baird and Lisa Bryant feature interviews with Epstein’s victims, highlighted by archive footage of Maxwell, Epstein, and other powerful people, exploring just how deeply involved Maxwell was in the trafficking of young women.
Considering the widespread media coverage and outrage that the central case elicited, Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich has a lot of horrifying details to unpack. The film spends nearly two hours unfolding the case against the woman at the center of these tragedies, exposing the monster that she is. It’s an informative film that lays out the facts of the case, some of which may be familiar to viewers but are no less stomach-churning. – Yael Tygiel
'Shania Twain: Not Just a Girl' (2022)
IMDb: 7.1/10
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Shania Twain: Not Just a Girl
Director Joss Crowley
Release Date July 26, 2022
Cast Shania Twain , Bo Derek , Orville Peck , Avril Lavigne
Runtime 88 minutes
Directed by Joss Crowley and produced by Mercury Studios, the documentary film Shania Twain: Not Just a Girl takes viewers on a journey through the titular singer’s life, from her childhood in Timmins, Ontario, to her rise to fame. One of the most influential country singers of all time, Shania Twain’s impact on music is undeniable. While there’s a good chance you know at least a few of Twain’s songs – “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” “From This Moment On,” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” are just a few of her long list of hits – you may not know how many obstacles she faced reaching the success she did.
While the film may not be particularly groundbreaking in itself, Shania Twain’s story presents a fascinating look at the struggles the icon faced in her life and career. From the sexism she encountered as a female in the industry to her parents’ tragic deaths, an ugly divorce, and a bout with Lyme disease, things haven’t always been easy. Twain, however, has never given up, making the documentary a riveting and inspiring tale that both reflects on her challenging, trailblazing past as well as looks toward her bright future.
'Stay on Board: The Leo Baker Story' (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 6.7/10
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Stay on Board: The Leo Baker Story
Director Nicola Marsh , Giovanni Reda
Release Date August 11, 2022
Cast Leo Baker , Alexis Sablone , Melissa Bueno-Woerner
Runtime 72 minutes
Stay on Board: The Leo Baker Story is an unexpected journey into an often overlooked sport, following Leo Baker as he ascends to the elite heights of professional skateboarding. Directors Nicola Marsh and Giovanni Reda explore the competitive nature of skate culture, which grew from the neighborhood skate park to the world stage, quickly becoming an exclusive inner circle. The film catches up with Baker in the run-up to the 2020 Olympics, which was the very first time that skateboarding was included in the Summer Olympics.
Through the documentary, Marsh and Reda allow Leo Baker to reveal how his skills took him to the top, forging a path for others to follow while building an inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ community. A Netflix Original, Stay on Board: The Leo Baker Story won the Audience Award for Documentary Feature at the 2022 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival.
'White Hot: The Rise and Fall of Abercrombie and Fitch' (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 64% | IMDb: 5.8/10
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White Hot: The Rise and Fall of Abercrombie and Fitch
Director Alison Klayman
Release Date April 19, 2022
Cast Benjamin O'Keefe , Bobby Blanski
Runtime 88 minutes
Dive into the drama of a peak trend from the late 90s and early aughts with White Hot: The Rise and Fall of Abercrombie and Fitch, a documentary exploring the once-popular store’s rollercoaster ride within American culture. Directed by Alison Klayman (Jagged), White Hot unpacks the all-American brand, which built clout based on the exclusion of race, class, and just about anything else it could. White Hot examines the pop culture phenomenon, dissecting every decision the brand made that allowed it to soar before everything came crashing down.
Through interviews with former employees, executives, and models, White Hot reveals how Abercrombie and Fitch built itself through discriminatory practices, which eventually led to the brand’s downfall. While the film may not have a lot of new details to bring to light, its exploration of a once-beloved brand and its fall from grace is as entertaining as it is informative. White Hot is a fast-paced, thorough documentary that will appeal to every millennial mall rat – whether they wore the brand or not.
'Our Father' (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 6.6/10
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Our Father
Director Lucie Jourdan
Release Date May 11, 2022
Cast Jacoba Ballard , Julie Harmon
Runtime 97 minutes
Shocking, creepy, and – at times – just plain strange, Our Father is a documentary that proves sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. The film exposes former Indianapolis fertility doctor Donald Cline, who used his own sperm to impregnate dozens of his patients – none of whom had any idea that that’s what he was doing. Directed by Lucie Jourdan, Our Father puts the disgraced doctor’s victims at the forefront of its shocking investigation.
There are jaw-dropping moments galore as we see one woman’s at-home DNA test spiral into something bigger and more sinister than anyone ever could have imagined. Our Father received largely positive reviews from critics, capturing popular attention with its disturbing true story and exposé on medical malfeasance.
'Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art' (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 7.0/10
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Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art
Director Barry Avrich
Release Date February 23, 2021
Cast Ann Freedman , M.H. Miller
Runtime 94 minutes
Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art is an enthralling documentary on the largest case of art fraud in American history. Through the film, director Barry Avrich reveals how an ingenious $80 million con was perpetrated through the famous and reputable Knoedler & Company. The question becomes how much did those employed by Knoedler know. Were they duped like their clientele, or did they willingly look the other way because they had become complicit in a profitable scheme?
This is precisely what this captivating con-artist documentary is all about, and Made You Look does an excellent job unfolding this suspenseful real-life crime story. The film received positive reviews for its lively storytelling and the fascinating mystery at its heart. It's low stakes for the viewer (after all, we're probably not wealthy art collectors or dealers), high-stakes for those involved, and thoroughly entertaining from start to finish.
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