Best on Netflix › Documentary
Included with subscription · US · updated October 29, 2026
Best documentaries on Netflix right now, ranked
The highest-rated documentaries you can stream with a standard Netflix plan in the US today: 25 movies and 25 series, checked title by title. Titles that need a paid add-on channel, a rental or a purchase aren’t counted.
How this is ranked: when a title has at least 5 ratings from Wochly users, its score is their average (green). Otherwise we use TMDB’s user rating weighted by how many people voted (marked “TMDB, weighted”), so a title with a handful of votes can’t outrank an established favorite. Talk, news and reality shows are left out. Availability comes from JustWatch via TMDB and is re-checked every few hours.
Best documentary movies on Netflix
- 1
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
Documentary
After years of swimming every day in the freezing ocean at the tip of Africa, Craig Foster meets an unlikely teacher: a young octopus who displays remarkable curiosity. Visiting her den and tracking her movements for months on end he eventually wins the animal’s trust and they develop a never-before-seen bond between human and wild animal.
7.5TMDB, weighted
- 2
David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020)
Documentary, Drama
The story of life on our planet by the man who has seen more of the natural world than any other. In more than 90 years, Attenborough has visited every continent on the globe, exploring the wild places of our planet and documenting the living world in all its variety and wonder. Addressing the biggest challenges facing life on our planet, the film offers a powerful message of hope for future generations.
7.5TMDB, weighted
- 3
BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky (2020)
Documentary, Music
Record-shattering Korean girl band BLACKPINK tell their story — and detail the hard fought journey of the dreams and trials behind their meteoric rise.
7.4TMDB, weighted
- 4
Apollo 11 (2019)
Documentary, History, Drama
A look at the Apollo 11 mission to land on the moon led by commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin.
7.3TMDB, weighted
- 5
13th (2016)
Documentary
An in-depth look at the prison system in the United States and how it reveals the nation's history of racial inequality.
7.3TMDB, weighted
- 6
The Social Dilemma (2020)
Documentary, Drama
This documentary-drama hybrid explores the dangerous human impact of social networking, with tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations.
7.3TMDB, weighted
- 7
The Three Deaths of Marisela Escobedo (2020)
Documentary, Crime
After the death of her daughter at the hand of her boyfriend, Marisela Escobedo began to fight for justice not only against the murderer but also against the corrupt Mexican judicial system.
7.3TMDB, weighted
- 8
Miss Americana (2020)
Documentary, Music
A raw and emotionally revealing look at one of the most iconic artists of our time during a transformational period in her life as she learns to embrace her role not only as a songwriter and performer, but as a woman harnessing the full power of her voice.
7.2TMDB, weighted
- 9
Icarus (2017)
Documentary
While investigating the furtive world of illegal doping in sports, director Bryan Fogel connects with renegade Russian scientist Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov—a pillar of his country’s “anti-doping” program. Over dozens of Skype calls, urine samples, and badly administered hormone injections, Fogel and Rodchenkov grow closer despite shocking allegations that place Rodchenkov at the center of Russia’s state-sponsored Olympic doping program.
7.2TMDB, weighted
- 10
Seaspiracy (2021)
Documentary, Crime
Passionate about ocean life, a filmmaker sets out to document the harm that humans do to marine species — and uncovers an alarming global conspiracy.
7.1TMDB, weighted
- 11
HOMECOMING: A film by Beyoncé (2019)
Documentary, Music, TV Movie
This intimate, in-depth look at Beyoncé's celebrated 2018 Coachella performance reveals the emotional road from creative concept to cultural movement.
7.1TMDB, weighted
- 12
Money Heist: The Phenomenon (2020)
Documentary
A documentary on why 'Money Heist' sparked a wave of enthusiasm around the world for a lovable group of thieves and their professor.
7.1TMDB, weighted
- 13
ariana grande: excuse me, i love you (2020)
Music, Documentary
Ariana Grande takes the stage in London for her Sweetener World Tour and shares a behind-the-scenes look at her life in rehearsal and on the road.
7.1TMDB, weighted
- 14
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond (2017)
Documentary, Drama, Comedy
Offbeat documentarian Chris Smith provides a behind-the-scenes look at how Jim Carrey adopted the persona of idiosyncratic comedian Andy Kaufman on the set of Man on the Moon.
7.1TMDB, weighted
- 15
Man on Wire (2008)
Documentary
On August 7th 1974, French tightrope walker Philippe Petit stepped out on a high wire, illegally rigged between New York's World Trade Center twin towers, then the world's tallest buildings. After nearly an hour of performing on the wire, 1,350 feet above the sidewalks of Manhattan, he was arrested. This fun and spellbinding documentary chronicles Philippe Petit's "highest" achievement.
7.1TMDB, weighted
- 16
Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (2014)
Documentary
Follow the shocking, yet humorous, journey of an aspiring environmentalist, as he daringly seeks to find the real solution to the most pressing environmental issues and true path to sustainability.
7.1TMDB, weighted
- 17
Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom (2015)
Documentary
Over 93 days in Ukraine, what started as peaceful student demonstrations became a violent revolution and full-fledged civil rights movement.
7.1TMDB, weighted
- 18
The Greatest Night in Pop (2024)
Documentary, Music
On a January night in 1985, music's biggest stars gathered to record "We Are the World." This documentary goes behind the scenes of the historic event.
7.0TMDB, weighted
- 19
The Edge of Democracy (2019)
Documentary
A cautionary tale for these times of democracy in crisis—the personal and political fuse to explore one of the most dramatic periods in Brazilian history. With unprecedented access to Presidents Dilma Rousseff and Lula da Silva, we witness their rise and fall and the tragically polarized nation that remains.
7.0TMDB, weighted
- 20
Making Squid Game: The Challenge (2023)
Documentary
Go behind the scenes and witness how the "Squid Game"-inspired reality show transformed from a scripted drama to a cutthroat, nail-biting competition.
7.0TMDB, weighted
- 21
Gaga: Five Foot Two (2017)
Music, Documentary
Follow pop provocateur Lady Gaga as she releases a new album, preps for her Super Bowl halftime show, and confronts physical and emotional struggles.
7.0TMDB, weighted
- 22
Virunga (2014)
Documentary, War
Virunga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa’s oldest national park, a UNESCO world heritage site, and a contested ground among insurgencies seeking to topple the government that see untold profits in the land. Among this ongoing power struggle, Virunga also happens to be the last natural habitat for the critically endangered mountain gorilla. The only thing standing in the way of the forces closing in around the gorillas: a handful of passionate park rangers and journalists fighting to secure the park’s borders and expose the corruption of its enemies. Filled with shocking footage, and anchored by the surprisingly deep and gentle characters of the gorillas themselves, Virunga is a galvanizing call to action around an ongoing political and environmental crisis in the Congo.
7.0TMDB, weighted
- 23
American Murder: The Family Next Door (2020)
Crime, Documentary
Using raw, firsthand footage, this documentary examines the disappearance of Shanann Watts and her children, and the terrible events that followed.
7.0TMDB, weighted
- 24
John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid (2015)
Comedy, TV Movie, Documentary
Armed with boyish charm and a sharp wit, the former "SNL" writer offers sly takes on marriage, his beef with babies and the time he met Bill Clinton.
6.9TMDB, weighted
- 25
Period. End of Sentence. (2018)
Documentary
In an effort to improve feminine hygiene, a machine that creates low-cost biodegradable sanitary pads is installed in a rural village in Northern India. Using the machine, a group of local women is employed to produce and sell pads, offering them newfound independence and helping to destigmatize menstruation for all.
6.9TMDB, weighted
Best documentary shows on Netflix
- 1
The Last Dance (2020)
Documentary
A 10-part documentary chronicling the untold story of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty with rare, never-before-seen footage and sound from the 1997-98 championship season – plus over 100 interviews with famous figures and basketball’s biggest names.
8.0TMDB, weighted
- 2
Our Planet (2019)
Documentary, Family
Experience our planet's natural beauty and examine how climate change impacts all living creatures in this ambitious documentary of spectacular scope.
7.8TMDB, weighted
- 3
Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019)
Documentary
Drivers, managers and team owners live life in the fast lane — both on and off the track — during each cutthroat season of Formula 1 racing.
7.7TMDB, weighted
- 4
Making a Murderer (2015)
Documentary, Crime
Filmed over 10 years, this real-life thriller follows a DNA exoneree who, while exposing police corruption, becomes a suspect in a grisly new crime.
7.4TMDB, weighted
- 5
Money Heist: From Tokyo to Berlin (2021)
Documentary
The filmmakers and actors behind "Money Heist" characters like Tokyo and the Professor talk about the emotional artistic process of filming the series.
7.3TMDB, weighted
- 6
Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer (2019)
Crime, Documentary
A twisted criminal's gruesome videos drive a group of amateur online sleuths to launch a risky manhunt that pulls them into a dark underworld.
7.3TMDB, weighted
- 7
Life on Our Planet (2023)
Documentary
Life's extraordinary journey to conquer, adapt and survive on Earth across billions of years comes alive in this groundbreaking nature docuseries.
7.2TMDB, weighted
- 8
Arnold (2023)
Documentary
This intimate docuseries follows Arnold Schwarzenegger's multifaceted life and career, from bodybuilding champ to Hollywood icon to politician.
7.2TMDB, weighted
- 9
Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes (2022)
Documentary, Crime
Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer confesses to his gruesome crimes in unguarded interviews, offering an unsettling view into a disturbed mind.
7.2TMDB, weighted
- 10
Unsolved Mysteries (2020)
Documentary, Drama, Mystery
Real cases of perplexing disappearances, shocking murders and paranormal encounters fuel this gripping revival of the iconic documentary series.
7.1TMDB, weighted
- 11
Wild Wild Country (2018)
Documentary, Crime
When a controversial cult leader builds a utopian city in the Oregon desert, conflict with the locals escalates into a national scandal.
7.1TMDB, weighted
- 12
Down to Earth with Zac Efron (2020)
Documentary
Actor Zac Efron journeys around the world with wellness expert Darin Olien in a travel show that explores healthy, sustainable ways to live.
7.1TMDB, weighted
- 13
Beckham (2023)
Documentary
With never-before-seen footage, this docuseries follows David Beckham's meteoric rise from humble beginnings to global football stardom.
7.1TMDB, weighted
- 14
Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (2019)
Documentary, Crime
A unique look inside the mind of an infamous serial killer with this cinematic self-portrait crafted from statements made by Ted Bundy, including present-day interviews, archival footage and audio recordings from death row.
7.1TMDB, weighted
- 15
Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer (2021)
Documentary, Crime, Mystery
Beneath the sunlit glamour of 1985 L.A. lurks a relentlessly evil serial killer. In this true-crime story, two detectives won't rest until they catch him.
7.1TMDB, weighted
- 16
Rise of Empires: Ottoman (2020)
Documentary, War & Politics, Action & Adventure
Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II wages an epic campaign to take the Byzantine capital of Constantinople and shapes the course of history for centuries.
7.0TMDB, weighted
- 17
The Dinosaurs (2026)
Documentary, Animation
From the first dinosaurs to the last, this epic documentary series examines their 165 million years on Earth and the forces that shaped their evolution.
7.0TMDB, weighted
- 18
The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez (2020)
Documentary, Crime
A boy’s brutal murder and the public trials of his guardians and social workers prompt questions about the system’s protection of vulnerable children.
7.0TMDB, weighted
- 19
Greatest Events of World War II in Colour (2019)
Documentary, War & Politics
Using highly advanced colourisation techniques, critical moments from World War II, from Stalingrad to The Battle of Britain, are shown in a whole new light.
7.0TMDB, weighted
- 20
The Staircase (2004)
Documentary, Crime
Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, presents a gripping courtroom thriller, offering a rare and revealing inside look at a high-profile murder trial. In 2001, author Michael Peterson was arraigned for the murder of his wife Kathleen, whose body was discovered lying in a pool of blood on the stairway of their home. Granted unusual access to Peterson's lawyers, home and immediate family, de Lestrade's cameras capture the defense team as it considers its strategic options. The series is an engrossing look at contemporary American justice that features more twists than a legal bestseller.
7.0TMDB, weighted
- 21
Captains of the World (2023)
Documentary
From the locker room to the pitch, this docuseries offers exclusive access to all 32 teams as they fight for football glory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
6.9TMDB, weighted
- 22
High Score (2020)
Documentary
This docuseries traces the history of classic video games, featuring insights from the innovators who brought these worlds and characters to life.
6.9TMDB, weighted
- 23
Night on Earth (2020)
Documentary
This nature series’ new technology lifts night’s veil to reveal the hidden lives of the world’s creatures, from lions on the hunt to bats on the wing.
6.9TMDB, weighted
- 24
World War II: From the Frontlines (2023)
Documentary, War & Politics
Through vividly enhanced archival footage and voices from all sides of the conflict, this docuseries brings WWII to life like never before.
6.9TMDB, weighted
- 25
Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes (2022)
Documentary
He dined with the powerful. He preyed on the vulnerable. Beneath a smiling exterior was the horrifying darkness of a sadistic serial killer.
6.9TMDB, weighted
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