Documentary Programmes on Netflix

Experience our planet's natural beauty and examine how climate change impacts all living creatures in this ambitious documentary of spectacular scope.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 9.3
Netflix ID: 80049832 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This docuseries gives a definitive account of Michael Jordan’s career and the 1990s Chicago Bulls, packed with unaired footage from the 1997-98 season.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 9.2
Netflix ID: 80203144 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Former Scientology members share detailed accounts of alleged abuse and harassment by the Church in this docuseries from actress Leah Remini.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 9.1
Netflix ID: 81229101 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This six-part series chronicles World War II from the rise of the Nazis to the Japanese surrender, with in-depth profiles of key figures on all sides.

Year: 2009
IMDb: 9
Netflix rating: 4.4/5
Netflix ID: 80001114 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Historical footage and interviews with soldiers showcase war stories, unique traditions and unifying principles of the Indian Army’s various regiments.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 8.9
Netflix ID: 81155880 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Detectives and crime lab technicians use the latest and most fascinating procedures to solve crimes in this documentary-style show.

Year: 2000
IMDb: 8.8
Netflix rating: 4.1/5
Netflix ID: 70198116 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This CNN original series has chef Anthony Bourdain traveling to extraordinary locations around the globe to sample a variety of local cuisines.

Year: 2013
IMDb: 8.8
Netflix rating: 4.3/5
Netflix ID: 70304979 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Discover the secrets of the universe in this series that pairs animation with insights on distant planets, black holes and other celestial marvels.

Year: 2007
IMDb: 8.8
Netflix ID: 70143831 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Rare color footage interwoven with firsthand interviews and diary entries bring to life the global sweep of World War II via those who were there.

Year: 2009
IMDb: 8.7
Netflix rating: 4.3/5
Netflix ID: 70212566 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Footage of the most dramatic moments from World War II is restored in color and high definition for this historical documentary series.

Year: 2009
IMDb: 8.7
Netflix rating: 4.2/5
Netflix ID: 70254851 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

From crippling payday loans to cars that cheat emissions tests, this investigative series exposes brazen acts of corporate greed and corruption.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 8.7
Netflix ID: 80118100 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

From the attack on Pearl Harbor to D-Day, the most pivotal events of World War II come to life in this vivid docuseries featuring colorized footage.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 8.7
Netflix ID: 80989924 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Four doctors at New York's storied Lenox Hill Hospital balance their personal lives and their dedication to their patients in this documentary series.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 8.7
Netflix ID: 80201728 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

In the automotive world, John DeLorean rose from engineer to executive to icon. But under the hood of his self-created legend lies darkness and deceit.

Year: 2021
IMDb: 8.7
Netflix ID: 80219915 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Director Allen Hughes ('Menace II Society') traces the rise of music legends Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine and chronicles their groundbreaking partnership.

Year: 2017
IMDb: 8.6
Netflix ID: 80214552 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Drivers, managers and team owners live life in the fast lane -- both on and off the track -- during one cutthroat season of Formula 1 racing.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 8.6
Netflix ID: 80204890 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

The addicts profiled in this Emmy-winning series believe they are being filmed for a documentary until their loved ones stage dramatic interventions.

Year: 2008
IMDb: 8.6
Netflix ID: 70148130 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Finding love can be hard for anyone. For young adults on the autism spectrum, exploring the unpredictable world of dating is even more complicated.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 8.6
Netflix ID: 81265493 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Leading astronomers reveal the latest discoveries about death-trap planets, asteroids, comets and other wonders of the cosmos.

Year: 2008
IMDb: 8.5
Netflix rating: 3.1/5
Netflix ID: 80106338 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Honoring service members whose courage merited the awarding of a Medal of Honor, this docudrama series re-creates their inspiring true stories.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 8.4
Netflix ID: 80169786 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

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.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 8.4
Netflix ID: 80218938 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Years spent recording footage of creatures from every corner of the globe is bound to produce a bit of drama. Here's a behind-the-scenes look.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 8.3
Runtime: 01:03:10
Netflix ID: 81082125 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

These six intimate stories explore the abiding emotional bonds that form between dogs and their caregivers, no matter the circumstances.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 8.2
Netflix ID: 80191036 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This docuseries follows English soccer club Sunderland through the 2017-18 season as they try to bounce back after relegation from the Premier League.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 8.2
Netflix ID: 80207046 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Writer, director and food enthusiast Jon Favreau and chef Roy Choi explore food in and out of the kitchen with accomplished chefs and celebrity friends.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 8.2
Netflix ID: 81028317 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This gripping docuseries follows the ups and downs of Navarro College's competitive cheer squad as they work to win a coveted national title.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 8.2
Netflix ID: 81039393 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Join a group of daring reporters on an unprecedented road trip from Berlin to Tokyo as they experience life-changing adventures and meet unique people.

Year: 2013
IMDb: 8.2
Netflix ID: 81443352 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

In this unscripted series, actor and comedian Michael Kessler undertakes challenging expeditions at the behest of his employers at RBB.

Year: 2012
IMDb: 8.2
Netflix ID: 81443378 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

The legacy of comedy group Monty Python, whose irreverent brand of humor has tickled the ribs of millions, is explored in this documentary.

Year: 2009
IMDb: 8.1
Netflix rating: 3.9/5
Netflix ID: 70213237 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

As he tries his hand at baking, brewing and braising, acclaimed food writer Michael Pollan explores how cooking transforms food and shapes our world.

Year: 2016
IMDb: 8.1
Netflix rating: 4.1/5
Netflix ID: 80022456 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This series blends documentary style with dramatic re-creations as actors portraying real detectives recall the cases that will haunt them forever.

Year: 2016
IMDb: 8.1
Netflix rating: 3.1/5
Netflix ID: 80096763 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Explore the remarkable life and private struggles of the late Princess Diana through interviews with her brother and others who knew her well.

Year: 2017
IMDb: 8.1
Netflix ID: 80189024 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

The minds behind history's most iconic toy franchises discuss the rise -- and sometimes fall -- of their billion-dollar creations.

Year: 2017
IMDb: 8.1
Netflix ID: 80161497 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

'Everybody Loves Raymond' creator Phil Rosenthal travels the globe to take in the local cuisine and culture of Bangkok, Lisbon, Mexico City and more.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 8.1
Netflix ID: 80146601 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

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.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 8.1
Netflix ID: 81031373 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Actor Zac Efron journeys around the world with wellness expert Darin Olien in a travel show that explores healthy, sustainable ways to live.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 8.1
Netflix ID: 80230601 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Host Joanna Lumley embarks on a 2,000-mile journey across the islands of Japan to absorb the rich culture and discover its natural wonders.

Year: 2016
IMDb: 8.1
Netflix ID: 81340415 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Joanna Lumley embarks on a journey from Italy to Kyrgyzstan and traces the footsteps of historical figures along the ancient Silk Road.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 8.1
Netflix ID: 81340420 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Legendary crooner Frank Sinatra's life and talent are captured in this documentary series featuring fond memories from friends, family and colleagues.

Year: 2015
IMDb: 8
Netflix rating: 3.9/5
Netflix ID: 80048477 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Murder, fraud, drug-dealing and other illegal offenses that have torn apart once-happy families are the subject of this fact-based crime series.

Year: 2016
IMDb: 8
Netflix rating: 3.1/5
Netflix ID: 80162303 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Accident or murder? After the mysterious death of his wife, author Michael Peterson watches his life go under the microscope.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 8
Netflix ID: 80233441 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Allegations of child sexual abuse in Spain's Catholic institutions are examined in interviews with survivors, clergy, journalists and other experts.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 8
Netflix ID: 80991879 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Embark on a global cultural journey into street food and discover the stories of the people who create the flavorful dishes.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 8
Netflix ID: 80244996 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Ever wonder what's happening inside your head? From dreaming to anxiety disorders, discover how your brain works with this illuminating series.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 8
Netflix ID: 81098586 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Take a trip inside the mind of Bill Gates as the billionaire opens up about those who influenced him and the audacious goals he's still pursuing.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 8
Netflix ID: 80184771 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

From eradicating disease to selecting a child’s traits, gene editing gives humans the chance to hack biology. Meet the real people behind the science.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 8
Netflix ID: 80208910 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

These blockbusters brought us together and gave us the time of our lives. Meet the actors, directors and industry insiders who made them happen.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 8
Netflix ID: 80990849 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II wages an epic campaign to take the Byzantine capital of Constantinople and shapes the course of history for centuries.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 8
Netflix ID: 80990771 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This series offers exclusive unseen content from on and off the field with FC Barcelona, one of the world's most popular and successful soccer clubs.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 8
Netflix ID: 81239373 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

In this vibrant docuseries, Latin American chefs tell their stories and bring a taste of tradition and innovation to their delicious offerings.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 8
Netflix ID: 81249660 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Join historian Dan Jones on a journey back in time to the zenith of Britain's most iconic structures and their infamous inhabitants.

Year: 2015
IMDb: 7.9
Netflix rating: 3/5
Netflix ID: 80095866 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Comedian and writer Sue Perkins sets off on a 3,000-mile journey up the Mekong River to explore a people and region on the verge of dramatic change.

Year: 2014
IMDb: 7.9
Netflix ID: 80212224 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This documentary series takes us to the mythic landscapes of Europe to explore some of most enduring legends produced by European culture.

Year: 2017
IMDb: 7.9
Netflix ID: 80158649 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

After his son's tragic death, a Louisiana pharmacist goes to extremes to expose the rampant corruption behind the opioid addiction crisis.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 7.9
Netflix ID: 81002576 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This investigative docuseries explores the greed, fraud and corruption that built up — and ultimately brought down — India’s most infamous tycoons.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 7.9
Netflix ID: 80990073 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Applying the laws of life on Earth to the rest of the galaxy, this series blends science fact and fiction to imagine alien life on other planets.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 7.9
Netflix ID: 80221410 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Go behind the scenes at Prince Charles' private realm, a vast estate comprising farmlands, towns and national parks guarded for over 50 years.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 7.9
Netflix ID: 81451167 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This miniseries featuring archival footage and interviews with experts captures the drama of six of history's most iconic presidential campaigns.

Year: 2016
IMDb: 7.8
Netflix rating: 3.1/5
Netflix ID: 80114987 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This documentary series recounts the tumultuous history of Cuba, a nation of foreign conquest, freedom fighters and Cold War political machinations.

Year: 2015
IMDb: 7.8
Netflix rating: 3.2/5
Netflix ID: 80109535 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Some of the world's most awe-inspiring hotels will go to great lengths to create the ultimate experience for their guests. These are their stories.

Year: 2017
IMDb: 7.8
Netflix ID: 80212125 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Present-day interviews, archival footage and audio recordings made on death row form a searing portrait of notorious serial killer Ted Bundy.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 7.8
Netflix ID: 80226612 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Brazilian TV personality and politician Wallace Souza faces accusations of masterminding the violent crimes he reported on and rallied against.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 7.8
Netflix ID: 80217946 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

An enigmatic conservative Christian group known as the Family wields enormous influence in Washington, D.C., in pursuit of its global ambitions.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 7.8
Netflix ID: 80063867 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Dr. Lisa Sanders crowdsources diagnoses for mysterious and rare medical conditions in a documentary series based on her New York Times Magazine column.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 7.8
Netflix ID: 80201543 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This documentary follows one of Australia's most notorious trials involving a former water polo player who was convicted of murdering her newborn baby.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 7.7
Netflix ID: 81147035 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Chef David Chang takes his insatiable curiosity about food, culture and identity on the road, in the convivial company of fun-loving celebrity guests.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 7.7
Netflix ID: 81038022 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This look behind the scenes shows how worldwide camera crews climbed, dived and froze to capture the documentary's groundbreaking night footage.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 7.7
Runtime: 00:59:24
Netflix ID: 81168505 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Powered by candid recollections from esteemed African-American entertainers, this docuseries traces the history of black cinema.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 7.7
Netflix ID: 81243942 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

In 2020, the world changed. This topical series examines the coronavirus pandemic, the efforts to combat it and ways to manage its mental health toll.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 7.7
Netflix ID: 81273378 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

In this docuseries, archive footage and interviews with icons shed new light on the life, passions and pain of music legend Elvis Presley.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 7.7
Netflix ID: 81456722 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This documentary series tells the story of the Germans from their first confrontation with the Roman Empire until King Clovis defeated Rome.

Year: 2007
IMDb: 7.6
Netflix rating: 3.7/5
Netflix ID: 80000597 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Historian Bettany Hughes explores the intellectual landscapes that helped shape the work of Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche and Sigmund Freud.

Year: 2016
IMDb: 7.6
Netflix ID: 80186252 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This documentary series details how Brazil was shaped by centuries of armed conflict, from its early conquerors to its modern-day violence.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 7.6
Netflix ID: 81091385 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

In this documentary series on the tangled history of allegations against musician R. Kelly, women give detailed accounts of sexual and mental abuse.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 7.6
Netflix ID: 81069393 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

In a talk show straight from the heart, actor and producer Reese Witherspoon visits with groundbreaking women to discuss their inspiring journeys.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 7.6
Netflix ID: 81169914 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

A Cleveland grandfather is brought to trial in Israel, accused of being the infamous Nazi death camp guard known as Ivan the Terrible.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 7.6
Netflix ID: 80201488 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Decades after the assassination of African American leader Malcolm X, an activist embarks on a complex mission seeking truth in the name of justice.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 7.6
Netflix ID: 80217478 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Take a breathtaking journey through the vast and diverse ecosystems of Australia and the magnificent wildlife that resides within them.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 7.6
Netflix ID: 81273905 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Dramatic reenactments paired with archival sources artfully illustrate how police brought some of Britain's most infamous killers to justice.

Year: 2015
IMDb: 7.5
Netflix rating: 3/5
Netflix ID: 80091689 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Fact meets fiction in this docudrama chronicling the journey of a spacecraft crew as it embarks in 2033 on a mission to colonize the red planet.

Year: 2016
IMDb: 7.5
Netflix ID: 80144355 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

As more women come forward with harrowing accusations against R. Kelly, his criminal case gains momentum in this follow-up to the powerful docuseries.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 7.5
Netflix ID: 81269343 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Survivalist Andrew Ucles explores the jungles, rivers and plains of three continents with the residents who knows them best: the local animals.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 7.5
Netflix ID: 81464379 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This investigative series explores social and political issues and trends across Asia, from China's social credit system to Malaysia's tahfiz schools.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 7.5
Netflix ID: 81477630 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This series looks at true cases of women and men whose happiness, freedom and even lives have been jeopardized by someone's obsession with them.

Year: 2015
IMDb: 7.4
Netflix rating: 3.1/5
Netflix ID: 80109160 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Historian Bettany Hughes travels to India, Greece and China to explore the lives and times of Buddha, Socrates and Confucius.

Year: 2015
IMDb: 7.4
Netflix ID: 80185801 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

A contextual, acculturated dive into how adults in six, big global cities celebrate love and accentuate sex. CNN's Christiane Amanpour reports.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 7.4
Netflix ID: 81011682 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

The history of military tanks unfolds in a documentary series that traces their role in history and geopolitics from World War I to the 21st century.

Year: 2017
IMDb: 7.4
Netflix ID: 80208213 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This documentary adaptation of John Grisham's only nonfiction book raises troubling questions about two murder cases in Ada, Oklahoma, in the 1980s.

Year: 2018
IMDb: 7.4
Netflix ID: 80187030 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Follow the Chinle High basketball team in Arizona's Navajo Nation on a quest to win a state championship and bring pride to their isolated community.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 7.4
Netflix ID: 80245353 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

When their 4-year-old son is murdered, a young couple fights a twisting and arduous battle trying to identify a frustratingly elusive killer.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 7.4
Netflix ID: 80222157 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Henry Lee Lucas rose to infamy when he confessed to hundreds of unsolved murders. This docuseries examines the truth -- and horrifying consequences.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 7.4
Netflix ID: 80213588 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Via interviews with friends, players and insiders, this docuseries examines how Aaron Hernandez went from an NFL star to a convicted killer.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 7.4
Netflix ID: 81062828 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Real cases of perplexing disappearances, shocking murders and paranormal encounters fuel this gripping revival of the iconic documentary series.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 7.4
Netflix ID: 81026055 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

This docuseries traces the history of classic video games, featuring insights from the innovators who brought these worlds and characters to life.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 7.4
Netflix ID: 81019087 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Journalist Louis Theroux takes aim at controversial topics and embeds himself in volatile situations in America, Africa and the West Bank.

Year: 2007
IMDb: 7.3
Netflix rating: 4.4/5
Netflix ID: 70283173 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

When social upheaval sweeps Russia in the early 20th century, Czar Nicholas II resists change, sparking a revolution and ending a dynasty.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 7.3
Netflix ID: 80211648 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Were ancient humans really behind some of the most important technological advances in civilized history, or did they have extraterrestrial help?

Year: 2010
IMDb: 7.3
Netflix ID: 70178604 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

In this docuseries, soccer great Diego Maradona comes to Culiacán, the heart of the Sinaloa Cartel, to save the local team, the Dorados, and maybe himself, too.

Year: 2020
IMDb: 7.3
Netflix ID: 81034946 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Twenty years after their debut, join the beloved members of Arashi on a new journey as they showcase their lives, talents and gifts to the world.

Year: 2019
IMDb: 7.3
Netflix ID: 81219073 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb

Researchers add context and clarity to UFO mysteries and conspiracy theories as they unpack clues in a trove of files covering decades of sightings.

Year: 2014
IMDb: 7.3
Netflix ID: 81271145 · Watch on Netflix · IMDb