Best Documentaries On Netflix

My Octopus Teacher is a profoundly moving documentary that chronicles a filmmaker's unlikely friendship with an octopus in a South African kelp forest. The film offers an intimate glimpse into the octopus's intelligence, personality, and complex behaviors, fostering a deep emotional connection betw...

American Factory is a poignant documentary that follows the story of a Chinese companys attempt to open a car glass factory in a shuttered General Motors plant in Dayton, Ohio. The film provides a nuanced and often uncomfortable look at the clash of cultures, labor practices, and economic realities...

Crip Camp chronicles the history of Camp Jened, a summer retreat for teenagers with disabilities that fostered a crucial movement for civil rights. The film reveals how this camp served as an incubator for activists and demonstrates the power of community in challenging systemic discrimination. It’s...

This Netflix docuseries is a uniquely disturbing and captivating exploration of how an online community tracked down a man who posted videos of animal cruelty. 'Don't F**k with Cats' showcases the power of the internet for both good and evil, highlighting the collective intelligence and sometimes un...

Beyoncé’s Homecoming is a documentary film charting her electrifying 2018 Coachella performance. The film showcases her innovative return to a theatrical aesthetic inspired by historically black colleges and universities, celebrating Black culture and musical heritage. It offers a compelling look at...

Dick Johnson Is Dead is a 2020 American documentary film directed by Kirsten Johnson. The film functions as a deeply personal cinematic essay, focusing on the director's aging father, Richard, as he navigates the progressive decline of dementia. To process the impending loss and subvert the grief of...

“The Confession Killer” meticulously examines the case of Joe Bowen, a man wrongly convicted of murder based solely on a coerced and fabricated confession recorded by police in 1984, revealing systemic abuses within law enforcement practices.

Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond is a 2017 American documentary directed by Chris Smith and released by Netflix. Using hours of behind-the-scenes footage shot during the 1999 production of Miloš Forman's Man on the Moon, it documents Jim Carrey staying in character as Andy Kaufman both on and off set, i...

Casting JonBenet is a 2017 documentary directed by Kitty Green that examines the 1996 death of six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey in Boulder, Colorado. Rather than investigating the case directly, Green films local actors auditioning for roles in a fictionalized recreation while recording their opinions a...

Procession is a 2021 American documentary film directed by Robert Greene. The film follows six men who survived childhood sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in the Kansas City area as they collaborate with the director to create fictionalized scenes dramatizing their experiences. This dramatic therapy...

"Dirty Money" is a documentary series released on Netflix beginning in 2018, with each episode investigating a different case of corporate fraud, corruption, or financial misconduct. The series features cases including Volkswagen's emissions scandal ("Dieselgate"), pharmaceutical price gouging by Ma...

Dating Around is a Netflix docuseries that premiered in 2019, following a single person as they go on multiple first dates in one city. The program utilizes a naturalistic, unscripted filming style, editing footage from separate dates together to capture varying interpersonal dynamics. Rather than f...

*American Symphony* is a 2023 documentary film directed by Matthew Heineman. It chronicles a pivotal year in the life of musician Jon Batiste as he composes his multi-genre "American Symphony" for a debut performance at Carnegie Hall. Simultaneously, the film documents the experiences of his wife, a...

“Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes” utilizes FBI recordings of interviews with serial killer Ted Bundy to present a chillingly direct account of his confessions and manipulative behavior during police questioning, offering a disturbing glimpse into the mind of a notorious offender.

Simone Biles Rising is a documentary chronicling the gymnast’s journey through mental health challenges and her return to competitive elite sport following a period of withdrawal, showcasing her resilience and determination.

“Killer Inside” meticulously examines the perplexing case of Aaron Hernandez’s murder conviction, presenting forensic evidence and witness testimony alongside explorations of his troubled past and potential psychological factors within the investigation.

Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold is a 2017 documentary film directed by Griffin Dunne, Didion's nephew, and released on Netflix, surveying the life and work of the American writer. The film combines archival footage, photographs, and interviews with Didion and her literary contemporaries to tra...

Shawn Mendes: In Wonder is a 2020 documentary film directed by Grant Singer and released by Netflix. It follows Canadian singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes during a period that includes preparation for and performances connected with his world tour, while also documenting his reflections on songwriting,...

Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks is a 2019 Australian documentary about the history and international influence of Hong Kong martial arts cinema. It examines how kung fu films developed as a screen genre and how their fight choreography, performers, directors, and production traditions reached audiences...