Netflix and documentaries is a weird story. Sometimes they fail to present a compelling story in form of documentaries. But sometimes they hit the right chords and it becomes one of the Best Movies on Netflix. Some of these documentaries still stand and are one of the Best Movies on Netflix right now. Not only movies but Netflix has also adapted some stories in form of a web-series. From crime-drama to feel good, from war stories to sports drama, Netflix has done it all. Netflix might have started shifting towards cinematic documentaries as of now, but there was a time when they were producing documentaries left-right, and center. The authentic feeling that a documentary gives is undeniably one of the best. So, here is a list of not only some of the best documentaries on Netflix right now but some of the Best Movies on Netflix right now.
Best Documentaries On Netflix
Pandemic
The only reason it is so low on the list is because of the timing of the series. The series released just three weeks after the first case of Coronavirus was registered. At that time no one knew that we would be going into a one-month lockdown that will go on for a year. The sheer timing of the series made it so creepy somehow. And now talking about the series, it is good. There are flaws for sure, but and most of the time they weren’t even discussing the pandemic. But given the circumstances and the timing of the release, I couldn’t restrain myself from putting this here on this list.
Crip Camp
This right here is definitely one of the Best Movies on Netflix right now. The series follows the story of people who dedicate their whole lives to fighting for basic human rights. The movie first follows the summer camp of people with disabilities in the 1950s and then follows some of them through the civil rights movements in the 70s. Crip Camp will make you feel so many things in less than 2 hours that most of the movies fail to. That’s when you realize that the authenticity in a movie is so important and so missed. It was a good refresher and you will definitely feel like crying at the end of it.
Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates
Ever wondered what goes inside Bill Gates’s mind. Do you want to know how Bill gates became who he is today? This documentary will take you on his life journey. His early life where he was an arrogant and brash kid to his destination of being one of the biggest philanthropists of the world. There were some questionable decisions in the movie like too much involvement of the director. But it is a good series that will give you a perspective of his life.
Dogs
I don’t know why a documentary about dogs was made but I am grateful it happened. This is one of the most heartwarming and feel-good Best Documentaries On Netflix of all time. Each episode follows a different story of a different person and their dogs. There are so many moments that will make you cry, happy, enraged, and all the emotions you can think of. It is a sweet little docuseries that should definitely be watched. Doesn’t matter if you like dogs or not.
The Keepers
Now, we are in the crime territory. The keepers is one of the most awe inspiring Netflix Crime Stories. It is mind baffling and makes you think about the sanity of the world we are living in. This series is based on unsolved murder of Casey Cesnik. The story starts as a murder solving story but soon turns into something much more. You should watch it, not because it looks interesting, but because it is essential.
World War II: In Color
When Netflix acquired this series I was so excited. And it didn’t disappoint. It was everything that I want in a World War movie. It was so nice to see old footage in color. The series is amazing. And another fact that makes it so much better than every episode is in chronological order. It features all the important and major events that were skipped by the previous versions of the movie. I think you should really give it a watch, not only it is informative but it is interesting too.
Drive To Survive
Usually, I am not into these kinds of docuseries, where we make it unnecessarily intense just because of viewership. But, sometimes, just sometimes it works. It really works. Drive to Survive is a perfect example of that. Netflix with Formula One will present us the behind-the-scenes of the exclusive Formula One Championships. It will show us the rivalry between the teams, the drama that occurs on the track, the tension, and who will come out on top at the end. Other than the overly dramatic premise of the show, it is a good watch. And with season 3 just around the corner, it is the best time to give it a watch.
High Score
I don’t know how, but this is one of the most underrated series on Netflix. It is a beautiful series based on origin story of video games. This series features interviews of people who actually made those games. The journey from arcade games at selected few shops to console and PC is just amazing and mesmerizing. The most amazing thing is that this series is full of depth. They didn’t leave a single screw open. If you are planning to watch it, you won’t regret it even a bit.
The Last Dance
If we are talking about Best Documentaries On Netflix and won’t mention The Last Dance, it won’t be fair. The series is based on the all time basketball great Michael Jordan. It primarily focuses on his last season with Chicago Bulls and all the problems and controversies in that season. They might have covered some important parts of Jordan’s career at this point but the things they show are as much important. This series is for every sport fan and won’t be restricted to basketball fan only.
The Great Hack
This movie is the prime example of why we need more documentary movies. It is one of the Best Movies on Netflix right now. It is based on the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal and how social media sites used the data of their users. The documentary is shot beautifully. It is one of the best-looking Best Documentaries On Netflix I have ever seen. It will show you some of the dark truths of our so-called harmless social media. How our data is not our own, but it should be. Not only informative, but this movie is also intriguing and interesting too.
Icarus
It is definitely one of the most mind-baffling movies I have ever watched. Icarus is based on sports and politics surrounding it. It also gives a deep insight tour on the Russian doping scandal. The movie features most-probably the biggest scandal in any sports history and they have made it wonderfully. If you have watched the scandal live, you will know how big it really was. Not a single fan or player was left unaffected. This documentary had me glued to my screen throughout. One of the Best True Crime Stories on Netflix that all of you should watch no matter what.
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness
Tiger King took the world by surprise when it came out last year. Every single episode is a wild ride. The series follows the story of Joe Exotic and his daily life. And somehow his daily life is far more fictional than an actual fictional movie. It gets wild and weird with each passing episode. One of the funnies documentary you will ever watch. You can say that it is the most funniest presendtial bid you will ever see in your life.
American Factory Netflix Documentary
We are back in the territory of Oscar-winning Best Documentaries On Netflix. The movie is produced by Michelle Obama and Barack Obama. It features a Chinese company that opens a manufacturing plant in America. The movie features the struggles of the Chinese adapting and dealing with White culture and vice-versa. It really gives you a deep insight into China and its work culture. It is one of the Best movies on Netflix that you should really watch.
Crack: Cocaine, Corruption, and Conspiracy
A documentary on drugs is always interesting to watch. It follows the story of the 1980s ‘Gold Rush’ when millions of pounds of drugs were just wandering on an American street. It is an interesting story and the involvement of the CIA just makes it far more interesting.
My Octopus Teacher
Remember, when I say that The Great Hack is one of the most beautiful-looking Best Documentaries On Netflix? Well, My Octopus Teacher is 10 times better in terms of direction. It is an enjoyable series that will make you feel things and will definitely leave you teary-eyed at the end of it. There were some inconsistencies for sure but nothing that can’t be ignored. The way it captured all the sea animals leave everyone mesmerizing.
Five Came Back Netflix Documentary
Five Came Back is definitely a top-tier series that will remain at the top of the ladder for a very long time. It adapted John Harris’s book by the same name. Five Came Back follows the story of five filmmakers during World War II, who were part of the war in a different way. It is a perfect example of masterful storytelling and is visually stunning. I was completely stunned by those five filmmakers that went into World War, to film something. No contemporary director will do that. And just for the efforts alone, I think everyone should watch it.
The Ted Bundy Tapes
Now, we are in the big leagues. Isn’t it weird that true documentary classics are usually Crime based? And Ted Bundy is the purest example of that. It is one of The Best True Crime Stories on Netflix. The way it unfolds will truly shock you and will send chills down your spine. It does a commendable job of showing us how a sociopath thinks. If you don’t know about Ted Bundy you have to go and watch it now.
When They See Us
Now, As I mentioned earlier. I am not a fan of cinematic Best Documentaries On Netflix, but this one really amazes me. I don’t know how it doesn’t get enough mentions. It is one of the most purest series out there. It does every job it wanted to perfectly. If you don’t feel something while watching it, there might be something wrong with you.
Amanda Knox Netflix Documentary
Now, this is where things get really serious. Have you ever heard a story that shook’s you down to your core? Makes you question humanity all over again? Amanda Knox is one of that story. The way the investigation unfolds and reveals one detail after another is shocking nonetheless. It is a cold-blooded murder story that will leave you stuck to your screen, even after it has ended.
The Speed Cubers
Let’s take a deep breath here and lighten the mood a little bit. How much can you get affected in mere 40 minutes? Speed Cubers will completely change that perspective for you. It is one of the most positive, uplifting, and motivational stories. The show follows the friendly rivalry of competitive Rubix cube solver Feliks Zemdegs and Max Park. It won’t be wrong to say that it is one of the best Netflix movies.
American Murder: The Family Next Door
Now, back to the dark things. I seriously don’t know what is wrong with our world. American Murder is one of the Latest Crime stories on Netflix that will completely change your perspective of looking at the world. It follows the story of disappearance of Shannan Wats and her children. It is dark, gritty, gruesome and definitely thought provoking.
Abducted in Plain Sight
This is the most sickening story I have ever watched. It is the Best True Crime Stories on Netflix and it ain’t even close. It tells us the story of Jan Borgman who was abducted by her neighbor twice. Sometimes watching this movie it feels like that it ain’t real. But sadly every bit of it is real. It makes you question everything that you know in life. It so shocking that it somehow breaks you. In less than 2 hours, it achieves something that very few movies can achieve. It makes people think!!
Some Honorable Mentions
- Out Of The Thin Air
- Miss Americana
- Knock Down The House
- Ugly Delicious
- They Will Love Me When I am Dead
So, here is our list of best documentaries right now. These are some of the Best movies on Netflix and series too. If you think we have missed something, let us know down below.
