Best Television Documentary
Updated Daily
Planet Earth is a 2006 nature documentary miniseries produced as a co-production involving several international broadcasters. Filmed in high definition after five years of production, it was the most expensive nature documentary series commissioned by the BBC at the time. The series garnered numero...
Cosmos: A Personal Voyage was a 1980 television series created by Carl Sagan and collaborators. It explored scientific subjects, primarily cosmology and its relation to life’s beginnings. The series gained prominence through a companion book and soundtrack sharing the same name, often referred to si...
The Last Dance is a documentary miniseries examining Michael Jordan’s professional career, primarily through the lens of the 1997–98 Chicago Bulls season. It incorporates previously unseen footage from the team’s film crew alongside interviews with key figures such as teammates and coach Phil Jackso...
Clarkson’s Farm documents Jeremy Clarkson's attempts to run a large farm in the Cotswolds of England. The series offers an honest look at the challenges and rewards of modern farming practices. It is primarily for viewers interested in rural life, agriculture, or British television documentaries. Th...
The Beatles: Get Back is a documentary miniseries examining the creation of the *Let It Be* album. Utilizing extensive archival footage and audio, the project spans approximately 21 days of studio work as documented by Peter Jackson. The series expands upon Michael Lindsay-Hogg’s earlier 1970 film r...
Cosmos: Possible Worlds is a 2020 science documentary series produced for National Geographic. It builds upon the legacy of *Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey* and its earlier iteration from 1980, featuring astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. The production team includes Ann Druyan, Brannon Braga, Seth Ma...
Histoire(s) du cinéma is an eight-part video project created by Jean-Luc Godard between 1988 and 1998, totaling 266 minutes. It explores the history of cinema’s concept and its connection to the 20th century, functioning as a critical reflection on that period. The work is generally regarded as Goda...
Chef’s Table is an American television documentary series focusing on influential chefs from around the world. Each episode offers an in-depth look at a chef's unique career trajectory and innovative culinary approach. The show highlights significant figures within high-end gastronomy and provides i...
American Masters is a PBS series presenting biographical documentaries focusing on influential American writers, artists, musicians, and filmmakers. Produced by WNET in New York City, the program began airing in 1986. It explores the lives and legacies of figures who have significantly impacted U.S....
Formula 1: Drive to Survive is a documentary series produced by Netflix and Formula One that offers an inside view of the sport’s drivers, teams, and races. Eight seasons have been released since 2019, focusing on rivalries within the Formula One Championship. The show has contributed to increased g...
Globe Trekker is a British television series created by Pilot Productions that originated from Lonely Planet travel guides. Beginning broadcasts in 1994, the show documented journeys across more than 40 countries and six continents. It garnered over 20 international awards, including multiple Americ...
The television series examines popular music albums—primarily from pop, rock, and heavy metal genres—that are recognized for their significance or represent key periods in musical history. Each episode analyzes a specific album’s construction, including its recording process and artistic context. Th...
Wild Wild Country documents the establishment of Rajneeshpuram, a commune led by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his associate Ma Anand Sheela, in Wasco County, Oregon. The series explores the community’s development and subsequent conflicts with local authorities and residents. It premiered on Netflix i...
Penn Jillette and Teller’s “Bullshit!” is a Showtime television series examining extraordinary claims through a skeptical lens. The show investigates paranormal assertions, magical performances, and other unusual beliefs. Penn & Teller, known for their libertarian viewpoints, present evidence-based...
Genius is a television series presenting biographical dramas focusing on significant historical figures. Each season examines the life and achievements of an influential individual, offering detailed portrayals of their intellectual pursuits and impact. The show explores complex narratives surroundi...
The Untold History of the United States is a 2012 documentary series examining key events in American history. It focuses on the Cold War’s origins, the justification for deploying atomic weapons against Japan, and subsequent shifts in U.S. foreign policy following the collapse of Soviet influence....
Seconds from Disaster examines historically significant disasters—both man-made and natural—from the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The program analyzes specific incidents through a combination of re-enactments, interviews, and computer generated imagery. It details the events leading up to and...
Who Do You Think You Are? is a British genealogical documentary series created by Wall to Wall and broadcast on the BBC since 2004. The show features celebrity guests researching their family lineage, attracting large audiences. Over a dozen international versions of the program have also been devel...
60 Minutes is a long-running American news magazine broadcast by CBS News. The show’s notable investigative journalism format, pioneered in 1968, features in-depth reporting on significant events and individuals within the United States. It’s primarily for viewers seeking detailed examination of cur...
Explained is a television documentary series from Vox Media that presents complex topics in short, accessible formats. Each episode, usually around 20 minutes long, investigates a different subject using expert narration and engaging visuals. The show’s concise style makes it ideal for viewers seeki...
The Future Is Wild is a 2002 miniseries examining hypothetical ecosystems across three future time periods – 5 million, 100 million, and 200 million years. Presented in the style of a nature documentary, it investigates potential evolutionary developments within fictional environments. The series ai...
Wheeler Dealers is a British television series documenting the restoration of classic and older vehicles. The show follows mechanics as they undertake complex repairs and modifications on cars intended for sale. It’s notable for its realistic approach to automotive work and provides insight into the...
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness is a documentary series examining the life of Joe Exotic, a former zookeeper convicted of crimes. The initial season, released in 2020, explored the relationships between Exotic, Carole Baskin, and other big cat conservationists involved in disputes regarding a...
The BBC’s “Big, Bigger, Biggest” explores extraordinary engineering projects within the United Kingdom. Each episode investigates a monumental construction – often historical – detailing the challenges and innovative solutions involved in their creation. The series examines ambitious undertakings, p...
How to Become a Tyrant is a Netflix documentary series featuring narration from Peter Dinklage. The show draws upon insights from the 2011 book, *The Dictator's Handbook*, exploring the strategies and motivations behind authoritarian rule. It examines the principles of effective political control as...
MegaStructures is a television documentary series examining the creation of monumental stone constructions. Dr. Neil Oliver leads viewers through the engineering feats of ancient and historical structures primarily focusing on United States projects. The show details the techniques used in stone mas...
Life After People explores the potential future of Earth following humanity’s disappearance. Scientists and engineers examine the environmental consequences and remaining traces of human civilization. The series, initially launched in 2009 after a 2008 History Channel special, features narration by...
Breaking the Magician’s Code examines the techniques employed in magic illusions. The series features a masked magician performing tricks within a U.S. warehouse with assistance from non-masked performers. These individuals demonstrate various methods behind the illusions without speaking or reveali...
Marvel Studios: Assembled is a docuseries examining the production of various Marvel Studios projects for Disney+. Each special focuses on the creative teams involved in MCU television series and films, detailing their development processes. The series provides insight into the making of content wit...
Marvel Studios: Legends is a docuseries examining Marvel Comics characters and objects featured within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Episodes utilize footage from previous MCU films and Disney+ television series to present significant instances of these elements’ appearances. The series explores co...
