Buzz
Once considered a niche category, documentaries have surged in popularity, becoming a mainstream favorite. Thanks to Netflix's dedicated acquisition team, viewers now have access to hundreds of gripping films covering everything from shocking true crime stories to dramatic sports scandals. To simplify your search, we’ve curated a list of 20 standout titles from their library that promise to astonish, move, or even leave you speechless.
1. Is That Black Enough for You?!? (2022)
Esteemed film critic Elvis Mitchell delves into the rich history and transformative journey of Black representation in film, tracing its roots from early Hollywood to the groundbreaking genre films of the 1970s. Initially conceived as a literary work, Mitchell later adapted his vision into this compelling documentary.
2. Capturing the Killer Nurse (2022)
Set in early 2000s New Jersey, nurse Amy Loughren grows suspicious of her coworker, Charles Cullen, fearing he might be hastening patients' deaths. This documentary pairs perfectly with the 2022 Netflix film The Good Nurse, forming a haunting duo. Both are based on Charles Graeber's 2013 book, The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness, and Murder.
3. Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It (2021)
This inspiring documentary, narrated by Rita Moreno herself, traces the extraordinary life of the actress and EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) winner, known for her iconic role in West Side Story. With over seven decades in the entertainment industry, Moreno's achievements include two Emmys from her appearances on The Muppet Show.
4. My Octopus Teacher (2020)
This Academy Award-winning documentary tells the touching story of an unlikely bond formed between filmmaker Craig Foster and an octopus off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa. Over time, their mutual understanding deepens. Foster collaborated with directors Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed over several years to create this remarkable film.
5. The Battered Bastards of Baseball (2014)
Kurt Russell stars in this documentary revisiting the Portland Mavericks, an unconventional baseball team that made waves in the 1970s. The team was led by Russell’s father, Bing, who, despite being an actor, grew up close to the New York Yankees’ training grounds and maintained a lifelong passion for the sport.
6.
The Anthrax Attacks: In the Shadow of 9/11 (2022)
In the aftermath of 9/11, America faced another tragedy when anthrax spores were sent through the mail. This documentary examines the enigmatic attacks, with Clark Gregg (The Avengers) depicting key suspect Dr. Bruce Ivins in dramatic reenactments.
7. Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
This documentary by Morgan Neville delves into the extraordinary life of television icon Fred Rogers, the beloved host of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Notably, Rogers' mother, Nancy, hand-knitted all of his iconic sweaters.
8. Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (2022)
Brace yourself for a gripping and unpredictable story about Gerry Cotten, a cryptocurrency magnate, whose case took shocking and sinister turns. Initially scrutinized by Reddit communities, the mystery eventually captured national headlines.
9. Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (2019)
Sun, models, and alcohol were part of the grand promises made by aspiring entrepreneur Billy McFarland for his 2017 music festival. Instead, attendees were left with little more than cold cheese sandwiches. The event, which amassed significant revenue from ticket sales and other profits, ended in chaos, stranding hundreds on an island. Pairing Netflix’s deep dive into the disaster with Hulu’s take on the events creates a compelling double feature, though it may leave you with more questions than answers.
10. Mercury 13 (2018)
During the peak of the 1960s space race, a private initiative aimed to train women as astronauts. Despite women often outperforming men in cardiopulmonary and sensory deprivation tests, the program was thwarted by the era’s prevailing sexism. This documentary sheds light on this overlooked segment of space exploration history.
11. White Hot: The Rise and Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch (2022)
This documentary explores the cultural impact of Abercrombie & Fitch, a dominant force in mall culture. It delves into how the brand captivated young fashion enthusiasts through controversial marketing strategies and exclusionary hiring practices. (At one point, the store did not stock women’s jeans above size 10.)
12. Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy (2021)
This documentary provides a detailed account of the devastating impact of the 1980s crack cocaine epidemic, as told by dealers, users, law enforcement, and community leaders who experienced it firsthand. Director Stanley Nelson, a Harlem resident at the time, shares his personal recollections of the crisis as it unfolded.
13. Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond (2017)
When Jim Carrey took on the role of the late comedian Andy Kaufman for Miloš Forman’s 1999 biopic Man on the Moon, he didn’t just mimic Kaufman—he fully embodied him. This transformation was captured in behind-the-scenes footage, hidden away for years and unveiled here for the first time. Studio executives worried Carrey’s behavior—constantly staying in character and oscillating between charm and provocation—would make him seem difficult to work with. Yet, Carrey’s contemporary reflections on his immersion into Kaufman’s persona, even off-camera, offer a compelling exploration of artistic dedication and the fluidity of identity.
14. Wham! (2023)
This heartwarming retrospective traces the rise of the iconic pop duo Wham!, featuring insights from Andrew Ridgeley and the late George Michael. With hits like “Last Christmas” and “Careless Whisper,” the pair dominated the pop scene, though George Michael’s eventual solo career was always on the horizon.
15. Icarus (2017)
Bryan Fogel’s Oscar-winning documentary exposes the intricate battle between anti-doping agencies and athletes seeking an edge. As Fogel delves into professional cycling and its political ties, the film reveals how widespread doping has become, suggesting that athletes aren’t necessarily cheating—they’re striving to compete on a level playing field.
16. Team Foxcatcher (2016)
John du Pont, scion of the du Pont family, dedicated much of his time and wealth to amateur wrestling. However, his obsession took a dark turn when he felt betrayed by Olympic champion Dave Schultz, leading to tragic consequences. (Steve Carell played du Pont, and Mark Ruffalo starred as Schultz in the 2014 film Foxcatcher, a dramatized version of these events.)
17. 13th (2016)
Ava DuVernay’s Oscar-nominated documentary offers a searing critique of the U.S. justice system, highlighting how incarceration and sentencing perpetuate systemic inequality. Through DuVernay’s perspective, it becomes evident that the scales of justice are often skewed in favor of privatized, profit-driven prisons.
18. The Martha Mitchell Effect (2022)
This Oscar-nominated documentary from 2022 chronicles the story of Martha Mitchell, the wife of a Cabinet member, who courageously spoke out during the peak of the Richard Nixon Watergate scandal.
19. Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (2020)
Executive-produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, this documentary tells the story of a 1970s summer camp in New York designed for individuals with disabilities. The camp fostered a culture of inclusivity, inspiring many attendees to later become influential advocates for disability rights.
20. They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)
Directed by Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings series), this remarkable documentary revisits World War I through colorized archival footage, offering a vivid new perspective. Jackson restored over 100 hours of footage from the Imperial War Museums, ultimately preserving the entire collection for future generations.
