When it comes to documentaries, you know you can never go wrong with Netflix, which boasts a huge collection of fascinating non-fiction content.

From headline-making titles like Tiger King and The Tinder Swindler, to true crime shows like Unsolved Mysteries and What Jennifer Did, there are docuseries for everyone's tastes.

Titles to choose from include thought-provoking film MH370: the Plane That Disappeared, which looks into the theories surrounding the vanishing of the Malaysian flight in 2014. Meanwhile, for those crazy about canines, Gunther's Millions is the story of a German Shepherd said to have inherited $400 million from his countess owner in 1992 – a fortune managed by family friend Maurizio Mian.

If those don't appeal, why not try Homicide: New York, the series that follows detectives and prosecutors as they revisit their most challenging homicide cases? Or how about Can I Tell You a Secret?, an chilling three-part series about the UK's worst cyber-stalking case? Or if natural history is more your thing, then Our Universe narrated by Morgan Freeman should hit the spot.

Whatever you're after, there are so many great documentaries to choose from on Netflix and we've listed our favourites down below for you to start watching.

Meanwhile, for those wanting something a bit different, we’ve also created shortlists of the best Netflix movies and the best Netflix series, as well as the best Netflix comedies.

Showing 1 to 24 of 118 results

  • Chaos: The Manson Murders

    In August 1969, Charles Manson's followers killed seven people on his orders. Why? Explore a conspiracy of mind control, CIA experiments and murder.
    Netflix

  • American Murder: Gabby Petito

    What happened in the final days of Gabby Petito's life? In this gripping true-crime series, her loved ones reveal the untold story of her tragic murder
    Netflix

  • Churchill at War

    Winston Churchill began his first tenure as Prime Minister of UK in May 1940 and he led the country through the turmoil of the Second World War, resisting the German onslaught from across the English Channel. A four-part documentary series directed by Malcolm Venville explores this pivotal period and Churchill's role in the Allies' triumph, told using coloured images and recordings of the statesman's words. Dramatic recreations feature Christian McKay as Churchill and Erica Wessels as his steadfast wife, Clementine
    Netflix

  • The Only Girl in the Orchestra

    This short documentary celebrates trailblazing double bassist Orin O'Brien, the first woman to become a full-time member of the New York Philharmonic.
    Netflix

  • Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey

    A three-part docuseries chronicles a decades-long quest for justice in the JonBenet Ramsey murder case that includes police missteps and a swirling media circus
    Netflix

  • Avicii: I'm Tim

    A documentary portrait of Tim Bergling aka Swedish DJ and record producer Avicii, recounted in his own words. Also Starring Aloe Blacc and Chris Martin
    Netflix

  • Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare

    Kirat falls for a man she meets online, only to get swept up in a virtual relationship that upends her life for years, in this shocking documentary.
    Netflix

  • Our Oceans

    Discover unique creatures and ecosystems in our planet's five majestic oceans. Five-part natural history series narrated by Barack Obama
    Netflix

  • The Manhattan Alien Abduction

    Documentary series about a woman, who claims to have been abducted by extra-terrestrials from her bedroom in Manhattan
    Netflix

  • It's All Over: the Kiss That Changed Spanish Football

    Documentary. In 2023, the Spanish women's football team won the World Cup - a triumph that was overshadowed by Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales forcefully kissing team captain Jenni Hermoso on the lips. New interviews with the players tell the story of the issues faced by the team over a period of years, and the solidarity they achieved in order to force a lasting, positive change.
    Netflix

  • Martha

    Told in her own words, this candid documentary charts the unstoppable rise, sudden fall and hard-won comeback of lifestyle icon Martha Stewart.
    Netflix

  • Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare

    Kirat falls for a man she meets online, only to get swept up in a virtual relationship that upends her life for years, in this shocking documentary.
    Netflix

  • Starting 5

    Venture behind the scenes of the NBA 2023-34 season in the company of Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards, LeBron James, Domantas Sabonis and Jayson Tatum
    Netflix

  • Will & Harper

    Documentary. Actor Will Ferrell and his friend and colleague, the former Saturday Night Live writer Harper Steele, take a road trip across the USA in order to reconnect following Harper's coming out as transgender.
    Netflix

  • Jailbreak: Love on the Run

    In this gripping documentary, an Alabama corrections officer falls in love with a man awaiting trial for murder and risks it all to help him escape.
    Netflix

  • Mr McMahon

    Tiger King filmmaker Chris Smith turns his camera on another controversial figure: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) co-founder Vince McMahon. The entrepreneur transformed WWE from a regional business into a global entertainment phenomenon, home to superstars including Hulk Hogan. A six-part series sifts through over 200 hours of interviews including McMahon himself to chart his rise before allegations of sexual misconduct forced him to tender his resignation. Journalists who covered the case share their insights along with members of the McMahon family, associates and some of the athletes who paraded inside the wrestling ring
    Netflix

  • Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter

    Two-part true crime docuseries about one tenacious mother's search for answers about her daughter, who went missing in 1989
    Netflix

  • Apollo 13: Survival

    Using original footage and interviews, this documentary tells the nail-biting story of Apollo 13 and the struggle to bring its astronauts safely home.
    Netflix

  • Worst Ex Ever

    True crime docuseries of eyewitness testimonies about murder plots and chilling betrayals
    Netflix

  • Untold: Sign Stealer

    In this sports documentary, Connor Stalions addresses the allegations surrounding the Michigan football sign-stealing scandal for the first time.
    Netflix

  • Daughters

    Documentary. Four incarcerated men and their young daughters prepare for an upcoming "Date with Dad" dance, part of a US charitable initiative to reconnect imprisoned fathers with their children.
    Netflix

  • Mountain Queen: the Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa

    Documentary. Former mountaineer Lhakpa Sherpa, who made history as the first woman to reach Everest's summit three times, comes out of retirement to make a record-breaking tenth mount. This portrait follows her latest climb while also exploring Sherpa's previous achievements and the struggles she has endured in her personal life.
    Netflix

Authors

Radio Times staff
Ad
Ad
Ad
Ad