Netflix’s documentaries may not get the same attention as the streamer’s original movies, but this is a category that Netflix supports with a high number of films each year. There are almost always a lot of new documentaries coming to Netflix that cover a lot of interesting topics. But it’s not too surprising that true crime has dominated the genre for years.
Even this month’s top pick, Untold: The Murder of Air McNair, fits into true crime. For variety’s sake, the rest do not. Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond is a Hollywood documentary about Jim Carrey and the late Andy Kaufman, and The Only Girl in the Orchestra is about giving a veteran musician her due. One of the more recent arrivals, Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, really is about a man who is doing everything he can to live as long as possible.
You can find these films and the rest of our picks for the best documentaries on Netflix below.
We’ve also rounded up the best documentaries on Amazon Prime Video and the best documentaries on Hulu if Netflix doesn’t have what you’re looking for. Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new movies to stream this week, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.
Blair Marnell has been an entertainment journalist for over 15 years. His bylines have appeared in Wizard Magazine, Geek Monthly, SYFY Wire, Superhero Hype, Collider, DC Universe, and the official sites for Star Trek and Marvel. He also lends his pop culture expertise to Digital Trends on a variety of TV, movie, and streaming features.
A University of Houston graduate in Print Media Journalism, Guillermo has covered sports entertainment and practically all forms of geek culture as a freelance writer.
His young career so far has seen him write about soccer through websites including Read Bundesliga and Bayern Strikes, specializing in FC Bayern Munich. From there he moved on to Comic Book Resources, Game Rant, The Gamer, and Screen Rant to indulge his inner nerd, with over 2 years and counting as a senior writer at the latter.
Guillermo’s interests span video games, movies, TV series, comic books, anime, and manga — and if you’re not careful, will talk your ear off specifically about the last 40-plus years of Batman lore.
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Guillermo studied at Lone Star College in Texas before ultimately completing his Bachelor’s degree.
Michael Bizzaco has been selling, installing, and talking about TVs, soundbars, streaming devices, and all things smart home for the better part of 15 years. He even knows a thing or two about how to fix this stuff when it starts misbehaving (because no tech is perfect!).
Mike has been writing for Digital Trends and several other publications since 2020. Fortunately, he’s still able to write after he got his index finger stuck in a vending machine at the Ramada Inn the summer before fourth grade! From hands-on reviews to best-of roundups, Mike does his best to share his expertise in a friendly and informative way with all readers, and loves staying on top of the latest AV and smart home trends.
When he’s not thanking his father for dislodging his finger from that vile vending machine in New Jersey, Mike enjoys playing guitar, reading, and indulging in horror films with his girlfriend.
