Are you searching for the best documentaries on Netflix? You’re in the right place. The way we watch TV has completely changed, thanks to streaming platforms. We’ve moved from scheduled programming to a world where we can watch what we want, when we want.
This shift has been amazing for genres that didn’t always get the spotlight on traditional TV. You can find incredible horror movies or deep sci-fi shows. But one of the biggest winners has been the documentary.
Netflix has become a powerhouse for nonfiction storytelling, covering everything from sports and crime to historical series and music. They are constantly adding new films and series that get everyone talking. Here is the ultimate list of the best documentaries on Netflix you can stream right now.
35 Best Documentaries on Netflix of All Time
1. Pamela Anderson: A Love Story
This film offers a deeply personal look at one of the world’s most famous blondes. Directed by Ryan White, it uses Pamela Anderson’s own diaries and recordings to let her tell her own story. You get to see her journey from a small-town girl to an international sex symbol and activist.
It covers her high-profile romances and the infamous sex tape scandal, providing her perspective that was often missing from the headlines. The documentary gives a humanizing view of a life lived in the public eye.
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2. Pepsi, Where’s My Jet?
This fun and quirky docuseries dives into a legendary marketing stunt from the 90s. It tells the story of John Leonard, a college student who took a Pepsi commercial literally and set out to claim the grand prize: a Harrier jet.
PepsiCo insisted it was a joke, but Leonard found a loophole and sparked a fascinating legal battle. The series has been a hit with critics, even earning a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes for its entertaining look at this wild David vs. Goliath story.
3. Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed
Bob Ross is a beloved pop culture icon, but this documentary reveals a darker story behind the happy little trees. Directed by Joshua Rofé, the film explores the intense legal battle over the Bob Ross empire that took place after his death in 1995.
His son, Steve, speaks out against what he calls a “shameful” theft of his father’s legacy by their former business partners. It’s a surprising and sad look at the fight to control the name of a man who brought so much joy to so many.
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4. Stutz
In this unique film, actor Jonah Hill sits down with his therapist, Phil Stutz, for a session that flips the script on the typical doctor-patient dynamic. The documentary, shot mostly in black and white, feels incredibly intimate and vulnerable.
Hill and Stutz explore “The Tools,” a set of visualization techniques Stutz developed to help patients. It’s a funny, moving, and refreshingly honest look at mental health and the therapeutic process.
5. BECKHAM
This four-part series gives you an inside look at the life of global soccer icon David Beckham. Directed by Academy Award winner Fisher Stevens, it traces his journey from working-class East London to becoming one of the most recognized athletes in the world.
The series uses personal archive footage and interviews with David, his wife Victoria, and former teammates to tell a story of immense ups and downs. It explores his drive to win and the challenge of balancing ambition with family life.
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6. David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet
Known as his “witness statement,” this documentary is a powerful reflection from the celebrated naturalist on his incredible life. David Attenborough looks back at his 60-year career to show how drastically the planet has changed.
He reveals that in his lifetime, the planet’s wild areas have shrunk from 66% to just 35%.
But this film isn’t just about the damage. It offers a hopeful vision for the future, outlining the steps we can take to restore biodiversity and save the planet. It’s a critical and breathtaking message for everyone.
7. Athlete A
This gripping documentary uncovers the shocking sex abuse scandal that rocked the world of USA Gymnastics. It follows the investigative journalists from The Indianapolis Star who broke the story of Dr. Larry Nassar’s abuse.
Directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, the film shines a light on the brave gymnasts who spoke out, including Maggie Nichols, who was known as “Athlete A” in the initial reports. It’s a devastating but essential story about the fight for justice and the courage of survivors.
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8. Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King
This is a wild true-crime story for the digital age. It follows a group of investors who are trying to solve the mystery of Gerry Cotten, the founder of the QuadrigaCX cryptocurrency exchange.
Cotten died suddenly, taking the passwords to over $250 million of his investors’ money with him. The documentary, directed by Luke Sewell, explores the conspiracy theories surrounding his death, including the very real possibility that he faked it all to run away with the cash.
9. Jennifer Lopez: Halftime
This documentary offers a backstage pass to Jennifer Lopez’s life as she prepares for her iconic 2020 Super Bowl Halftime Show. Directed by Amanda Micheli, it also reflects on her entire career.
The film gives a glimpse into her work ethic and her vulnerability, particularly as she deals with the media frenzy around her Oscar campaign for the film *Hustlers*. It’s an inspiring look at an artist who continues to redefine her career at 50.
10. The Social Dilemma
This film will make you want to put your phone down. *The Social Dilemma* explores the dangerous impact of social networking, with tech experts from companies like Google, Facebook, and Twitter sounding the alarm.
One of the key voices is Tristan Harris, a former Google design ethicist, who explains how these platforms are designed to manipulate human psychology. The documentary is a chilling wake-up call about how social media is reshaping our world.
11. The Most Hated Man on the Internet
This three-part series tells the story of Hunter Moore, the man behind the infamous revenge porn website IsAnyoneUp.com. In 2010, Moore created a site where people could anonymously post explicit photos of others without their consent.
The documentary focuses on Charlotte Laws, a determined mother who fought to get her daughter’s photos taken down and ultimately helped the FBI bring Moore to justice. It’s a shocking look at the dark side of the internet and the fight against online harassment.
12. The Last Dance
Even if you’re not a basketball fan, this docuseries is a must-watch. It chronicles the incredible career of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls’ dynasty in the 1990s.
The series is built around hundreds of hours of never-before-seen footage from their final championship season in 1997-98. With candid interviews from Jordan, his teammates, and his rivals, *The Last Dance* is an intimate and thrilling look at what it takes to be a legend.
13. Take Care of Maya
A heartbreaking and infuriating story, *Take Care of Maya* follows the Kowalski family’s nightmare. When 10-year-old Maya was admitted to a hospital for a rare condition, she was taken from her parents after they were accused of child abuse.
The film, directed by Henry Roosevelt, explores the family’s devastating legal battle against the hospital and the child welfare system. It’s a powerful look at a family torn apart and their fight for justice, which recently resulted in a $261 million verdict in their favor.
14. The Greatest Night in Pop
This film takes you inside the recording of the iconic 1985 charity single, “We Are the World.” It tells the story of how dozens of music legends, from Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie to Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, came together for one incredible night.
Directed by Bao Nguyen, the documentary uses archival footage and new interviews to reveal the behind-the-scenes moments of this historic event. You’ll see Stevie Wonder helping a nervous Bob Dylan find his voice and Cyndi Lauper’s jewelry causing sound issues.
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15. The Bleeding Edge
This eye-opening documentary from Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering investigates the dangers of the $400 billion medical device industry. It tells the emotional stories of people whose lives were harmed by poorly regulated devices.
The film focuses on several specific products, including Essure birth control, cobalt hip replacements, and vaginal mesh. It’s a powerful and often shocking look at a system that sometimes prioritizes profits over patient safety.
16. Hot Girls Wanted
This documentary provides a raw and unfiltered look into the world of amateur porn. Directed by Jill Bauer and Ronna Gradus, it follows the lives of several young women, ages 18 to 19, who have entered the adult film industry.
The film doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the business, showing both the good and the bad. It sparked a lot of conversation and led to a follow-up docuseries called *Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On*.
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17. Our Father
This is a truly disturbing story. *Our Father* uncovers the crimes of Dr. Donald Cline, an Indianapolis fertility doctor who secretly used his own sperm to inseminate dozens of patients in the 1970s and 80s.
The film follows Jacoba Ballard, one of his biological children, who uncovers the truth through a home DNA test. She discovers she has dozens of half-siblings, and the number is now over 94. It’s a chilling tale of betrayal and the search for identity.
18. Jim and Andy: The Great Beyond
This documentary is a fascinating look at Jim Carrey’s method acting during the making of the 1999 film *Man on the Moon*. Carrey played the eccentric comedian Andy Kaufman and stayed in character as Kaufman for the entire production.
Using behind-the-scenes footage that the studio didn’t want released, director Chris Smith shows how Carrey’s dedication blurred the lines between actor and character. It’s a captivating and sometimes unsettling look at two of comedy’s most unique minds.
19. Icarus
What starts as a film about sports doping turns into an international thriller. Filmmaker and cyclist Bryan Fogel sets out to see if he can get away with using performance-enhancing drugs. His experiment leads him to Grigory Rodchenkov, the head of Russia’s anti-doping lab.
The film takes a shocking turn when Rodchenkov becomes a whistleblower, exposing Russia’s massive state-sponsored doping program.
Icarus won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for its incredible story of bravery and deception.
20. The Staircase
This is one of the classic true-crime docuseries that got everyone hooked. It follows the case of novelist Michael Peterson, who was accused of murdering his wife Kathleen after she was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home in 2001.
The French filmmaking crew was given incredible access to Peterson, his family, and his legal team over more than a decade. The series is full of strange twists and turns that will have you debating what really happened long after you finish watching.
21. The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unpublished Tapes
This documentary re-examines the mysterious death of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. Using previously unheard recordings of interviews with people close to her, the film pieces together the final weeks of her life.
It explores the pressures she faced in her career and the circumstances surrounding her death in 1962. For anyone fascinated by the legend of Marilyn, this documentary offers a fresh and often haunting perspective.
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22. Cheer
Go behind the scenes with the competitive cheerleaders of Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas. This docuseries follows the team and their determined coach, Monica Aldama, as they prepare for the national championship.
It’s a powerful story of passion, teamwork, and resilience. While the first season is full of inspiration, the second season takes a darker turn, addressing serious allegations against a former team member and the challenges of fame.
23. My Octopus Teacher
This beautiful and moving film tells the story of an unlikely friendship. Filmmaker Craig Foster forges a bond with a wild common octopus in a South African kelp forest.
Over the course of a year, he visits her every day, earning her trust and learning about her incredible underwater world. The documentary, which won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, is a stunning look at the intelligence of nature and our connection to it.
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24. Meltdown: Three Mile Island
This four-part series examines the near-catastrophe at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania in 1979. It reveals how America was just minutes away from its own Chernobyl-level disaster.
Through interviews with the chief engineer and whistleblowers, the documentary builds a tense and frightening picture of the events that led to the partial meltdown. It’s a slow-burn thriller that highlights how close thousands of people came to being exposed to dangerous radiation.
25. 800 Meters
This documentary series investigates the 2017 terror attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils, Spain. It explores the difficult question of how a group of seemingly integrated young men could be radicalized to commit such violence.
Using exclusive interviews with investigators and survivors, along with unreleased footage, the series provides a detailed reconstruction of the events. It’s a sobering look at the path to extremism and its devastating consequences.
26. 11 M
This powerful documentary looks back at the horrific terrorist attack that struck Madrid on March 11, 2004. Ten bombs exploded on four commuter trains, killing 193 people and injuring around 2,000.
The film centers on the experiences of the survivors and experts who analyze the attack. It covers the political crisis that followed and the intense search for those responsible for Spain’s deadliest act of terrorism.
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27. Neymar: The Perfect Chaos
This docuseries offers an intimate portrait of one of soccer’s biggest and most polarizing stars, Neymar Jr. The three-part series, directed by David Charles Rodrigues, covers his rise to fame in Brazil, his glory days at FC Barcelona, and the ups and downs with Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazilian national team.
It shows both the hero on the field and the controversial figure off it, providing a close-up look at the man behind the headlines.
28. The Tinder Swindler
This documentary tells the incredible story of a con man who used the dating app Tinder to defraud women out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Posing as a billionaire’s son, Simon Leviev would woo women with a lavish lifestyle before tricking them into giving him money.
The film is a scary look at how easily people can be manipulated online. It follows the brave women who worked together to expose him and fight for justice.
29. Virunga
This Oscar-nominated documentary is a breathtaking and heart-wrenching look at the fight to protect Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is home to the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas.
Directed by Orlando von Einsiedel, the film follows the park rangers who risk their lives to defend the park from armed militias, poachers, and corporate interests trying to illegally drill for oil. It’s a powerful story of courage and conservation.
30. Chef’s Table
This beautiful series is a feast for the eyes. Each episode profiles a world-renowned chef, exploring their personal philosophies and their unique approach to cooking.
Instead of a high-pressure competition, *Chef’s Table* is a meditative and artistic look at the creative process behind some of the world’s most incredible food. It’s a show that treats cooking as a true art form.
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31. I am Georgina Season 2
“Many know my name, but few know who I am.” With that line, this series invites you into the life of Georgina Rodríguez, the partner of soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
The show follows her day-to-day life, from motherhood and her relationship with Cristiano to her travels and career. It’s a personal look at the woman behind one of the world’s most famous athletes.
32. Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened
This documentary chronicles the spectacular disaster of the 2017 Fyre Festival. What was promoted as a luxury music festival on a private island in the Bahamas turned into a chaotic nightmare.
Director Chris Smith tells the story of how founder Billy McFarland’s arrogance and fraudulent planning led to a complete meltdown. It’s a fascinating and sometimes funny look at influencer culture and a scam of epic proportions.
33. Blackfish
This is the documentary that changed the way many people think about marine parks. *Blackfish* tells the story of Tilikum, an orca at SeaWorld who was involved in the deaths of three people.
Filmmaker Gabriela Cowperthwaite explores the dark side of keeping these intelligent and social animals in captivity. The film is a powerful and heartbreaking argument against using animals for entertainment.
34. Making a Murderer
This true-crime sensation had everyone talking. The docuseries follows the story of Steven Avery, a man who was exonerated for a crime after spending 18 years in prison, only to be arrested for a new murder two years later.
The series raises serious questions about the justice system and whether Avery was framed by local law enforcement. It’s a compelling and deeply unsettling case that will leave you with more questions than answers.
35. Amanda Knox
This documentary gives Amanda Knox the chance to tell her own story. The American student was famously accused of murdering her roommate, Meredith Kercher, while studying abroad in Italy in 2007.
After years of legal battles and a media frenzy that painted her as a villain, she was finally exonerated. Through one-on-one interviews, the film explores her side of the story and the intense ordeal she went through.
Final Words
Netflix is a treasure chest of amazing nonfiction stories. From true crime that keeps you guessing to inspiring tales of human achievement, there’s always something new to discover.
This list of the best documentaries on Netflix is just the beginning. So grab your popcorn, get comfortable on the couch, and get ready to learn something new.
