While we often live through the world of fiction when it comes to storytelling, the truth is sometimes even more compelling than make-believe. Seeing these stories brought to light through documentary filmmaking can be some of the most incredible viewing experiences we have. These are just a few of the top documentaries on Netflix.

What are the best documentaries on Netflix?

From true crime stories to profiles of remarkable individuals, to unbelievable stories of resilience under the most unimaginable circumstances, and even heartwarming tales of blossoming love, it’s impossible not to find something here that leaves you in shock, awe, or wonder. Some of these documentaries are feature-length films, some are shorts, and others are docuseries, but all are unforgettable.

13th (2016)

Nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, 13th is directed by filmmaker Ava DuVernay and examines the American prison-industrial complex. The film traces its roots back to the enactment of the 13th Amendment, which formally ended slavery while leaving a critical exception: forced labor as punishment for a crime. 13th argues that slavery has continued in the United States through this loophole, contending that the nation’s prison system disproportionately targets and incarcerates African Americans.

Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (2020)

This truly beautiful documentary takes us to a summer camp in the Catskills, where a group of teens with disabilities form bonds that would last a lifetime. At Camp Jened, these teens are given freedom and independence, something many of them had never seen before, especially considering the time. But most importantly, they found a sense of belonging. What none of them could have known at the time was that these friendships would eventually help spark a disability rights movement that would change the world. Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and was executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama.

To Kill a Tiger (2022)

There’s no way to sugarcoat this. To Kill a Tiger is a difficult watch, but essential. This critically acclaimed documentary feature follows a humble father in rural India who refuses to stay silent after his 13-year-old daughter is brutally assaulted in a gang rape. In a society that pressures victims and their families into silence, his decision to pursue justice is an act of resistance and defiance to the systems that be.

The Last Dance (2020)

There are sports icons, and then there’s Michael Jordan, who exists on a level entirely his own. This miniseries takes us through his early life, meteoric rise to fame, and the cultural phenomenon of his time with the Chicago Bulls’ dynasty of the 1990s. The series includes archival footage with candid interviews, making this every bit as entertaining as you think it would be. But The Last Dance isn’t just about basketball — it’s about obsession and the cost of greatness.

Love on the Spectrum (2022)

Love on the Spectrum is an unscripted romantic documentary series that fills us with every ounce of fuzzy warmth. The series follows people on the autism spectrum as they navigate dating and the search for connection. It’s quietly touching, occasionally awkward — dating always is, even for neurotypical folks — and is genuinely heartwarming without ever feeling exploitative. While Love on the Spectrum might technically walk the line of reality television, it’s so much deeper than that. Our favorite thing about this docu-series is that it treats its subjects with real care.

The White Helmets (2016)

This Academy Award–winning short documentary focuses on the volunteer rescue workers known as the White Helmets, who risk their lives daily to save civilians in war-torn Syria. Amid constant danger and devastation, the film highlights small moments of humanity and hope. It’s a brief but powerful watch.

A Perfect Neighbor (2025)

From documentary filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir, A Perfect Neighbor chronicles a long-running dispute between neighbors that ultimately ended in the fatal shooting of Ajike Owens by her neighbor, Susan Lorincz, in Ocala, Florida. Through bodycam footage and interviews, the film closely examines the events leading up to and following the shooting. Winner of the Best Director award at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, A Perfect Neighbor places conversations around prejudice, fear, and Stand Your Ground laws squarely at the center.

Chef’s Table (2015)

This long-running documentary series is simply a joy to watch. Each episode profiles a different world-class chef, exploring not just their food but the journey behind the auteur. It’s beautifully shot and often surprisingly emotional — we’ve watched more than a few episodes that have left us in tears. Running a restaurant is hard, and don’t believe anyone who’s suggested otherwise. While each episode is an ode to culinary achievement, it’s also about creativity and the discipline required to make it to the top. Even if you’re not particularly interested in food, Chef’s Table has a way of pulling you in. If you’ve made it through the seven seasons on Netflix and are hungry for more, Season 8 drops in April.

Cover-Up (2025)

One of Netflix’s more recent additions, Cover-Up focuses on a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist who brought some of the most shocking government cover-ups in U.S. history into the light. The film revisits investigations into events like the My Lai Massacre in Vietnam and the torture committed by U.S. soldiers at Abu Ghraib during the Iraq War. This feature is meticulous and unsettling, and a great look into the power (and importance) of investigative journalism.

American Factory (2019)

At first glance, American Factory feels like a straightforward story about jobs returning to a struggling town. It’s a lot more than what it seems, though, as this Oscar-winning documentary takes us into the dynamics between American workers and their high-tech employers in the 21st century. Following the opening of a Chinese-owned factory in post-industrial Ohio, the initial hope sparked by new jobs slowly erodes as tensions rise between labor and management. The feature-length documentary film resists the urge to vilify anyone, instead presenting a deeply humanist picture of globalization and the people caught in its middle.

Our Planet (2019)

Narrated by David Attenborough, Our Planet is as breathtaking as documentaries come. The documentary series takes us across jungles, oceans, deserts, and polar ice caps to show the beauty of this remarkable world we live in. Of course, in addition to showcasing the natural world’s incredible beauty, it confronts the devastating impact of climate change. It’s awe-inspiring and sobering in equal measure.

How we picked the top documentaries on Netflix

There are many great ones currently available for streaming, so we narrowed our choices to documentary features and series that have received critical acclaim and audience response. We also tried to offer a mix across genres. Still, this is just a shot list of the best.