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 125 results

  • Pangolin: Kulu's Journey

    A devoted human guardian shepherds an endangered baby pangolin back into the wild after the animal is rescued from poachers
    Netflix

  • The Diamond Heist

    A daring heist at the dawning of a new century doesn't go to plan in a three-part documentary series directed by Jessie Vile, which boasts Guy Ritchie as an executive producer. In summer 2000, a gang of south-east London criminals plot to steal the second biggest flawless diamond in the world from the Millennium Dome. The thieves intend to orchestrate the robbery in broad daylight using a bulldozer to ram-raid the venue. If successful, the gang will pilfer gems worth around £350 million. Unfortunately, the Flying Squad are watching and are wise to the gang's plan to escape by speedboat down the Thames. The film features contributions from figures on different sides of the law including Lee Wenham, Beth Wenham, John Swinfield, Martin Heslop KC and Neil Wallis
    Netflix

  • Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing

    A revealing documentary series goes behind the headlines about the relationship between popular internet celebrity Piper Rockelle, her cast of young friends known as The Squad and her mother and manager Tiffany Smith. Starting at the age of eight, Rockelle rose to fame through her YouTube channel and other social media platforms. She amassed millions of followers and at the height of her fame, reportedly earned upwards of half a million dollars per month through various income streams and brand deals. However, former members of The Squad shared stories of exploitation and manipulation masterminded by Smith. Three episodes directed by Jenna Rosher and Kief Davidson expose the dark reality of life through a social media lens and the potential dangers for the next generation of fame-hungry content creators
    Netflix

  • Con Mum

    A chef's life is upended when a jet-setting, champagne-sipping, hotel-hopping woman claims to be his mother. This documentary reveals the untold story.
    Netflix

  • The Twister: Caught in the Storm

    In May 2011, a massive tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri. With pulse-pounding firsthand footage, this documentary goes inside a deadly twister.
    Netflix

  • 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

Authors

Radio Times staff
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