Net (“the Internet”) + flicks (“films, movies”) gives “Netflix”, which is one of the world’s leading subscription-based entertainment services. It offers a plethora of award-winning TV shows, movies, anime, documentaries, and more on an internet-connected device.
A documentary refers to a non-fictional movie that in some way “documents” or captures reality and gives facts or information about a particular subject for education, entertainment, or preserving a historical record. Want to check out which are the top 10 best documentaries on Netflix? Follow along!
10 Best Documentaries on Netflix in 2024
There are so many amazing non-fiction episodes and films accessible on
Netflix that finding the finest documentaries isn’t difficult. The difficult part is to choose which one to watch, especially if you’re not sure what you’re searching for. This article covers some of the best documentaries on Netflix based on various genres such as sports, music, murder mysteries, fraud, nature, and more.
Release Date: November 9, 2022
IMDb: 7.4/10
The documentary covers the dark side of the world of football, which is still not known to a large number of fans. This Netflix series reveals Sepp Blatter’s involvement in transforming FIFA from a non-profit organization to a multi-million dollar family, corruption in FIFA World Cup bids, the ethical balancing act of the sport itself, and all it takes to host a Football World Cup. You may find it so disturbing that you’ll be embarrassed to admit that you are a football fan!
Release Date: February 2, 2022
IMDb: 7.1/10
It is a British crime documentary film based on true incidents directed by Felicity Morris. The film chronicles the life of Israeli fraudster Simon Leviev, who used the famous dating app “Tinder” to establish relationships with various women whom he then emotionally deceived to financially support his opulent lifestyle under the pretext of requiring the money to get away from his enemies. Soon, his deception is revealed, and the victims plot a strategy to put him in jail.
Release Date: October 8, 2021
IMDb: 7.4/10
The three-episode documentary delves into the hypotheses behind the deaths of eleven members of the same family on June 30, 2018, in Delhi. It looks beyond the ghastly facts to discuss the social and psychological implications of the case. The difficulty of experts from different fields to solve the mystery of this mass suicide makes the documentary more compelling.
Because of a gripping screenplay, the overall effect is frightening, and goosebumps are unavoidable by the end of the series. Directed by Anubhav Chopra and Leena Yadav, the series received an overall rating of 7.4 out of 10 on IMDb.
Release Date: January 30, 2021
IMDb: 7.8/10
It is a music documentary about the unique 50-year-long journey of two brothers, Russel and Ron Mael, members of the pop and rock group
Sparks, and is directed by Edgar Wright. The film received a great response from critics and won the NME Award for Best
Music Film (2022). It differs from other music documentaries which investigate the personal lives of its characters. The film mainly includes conversations with Ron and Russell, as well as brief interviews with other artists such as Steve Jones, Alex Kapranos, Gillian Gilbert, Beck, etc.
Release Date: April 19, 2022
IMDb: 5.7/10
This film was directed by Alison Klayman, and it is based on the huge success and controversies of the Abercrombie & Fitch brand between the late 1990s to 2000s. It shows how the brand reached the peak of popularity when Mike Jeffries was appointed as the CEO and how his actions allegedly resulted in racial discrimination in the employment practices of the company.
White Hot dissects the all-American brand, which acquired credibility by excluding race, class, and pretty much everything else.
Release Date: May 11, 2022
IMDb: 6.6/10
It is an American documentary film directed by Lucie Jordan and proves that truth can sometimes be far more strange and creepy than fiction. The plot revolves around former Indianapolis fertility doctor Donald Cline, who used his sperm to impregnate scores of unknowing patients, resulting in a huge fertility fraud.
There are several shocking moments as we see a woman’s DNA test develop into something far larger and more frightening than anybody could have ever thought. The film received a mixed kind of response from its viewers, but it is worth a watch and serves as a lesson to all of us to be cautious while seeking medical care.
Release Date: January 31, 2020
IMDb: 7.4/10
This is one of the best celebrity documentaries on Netflix. It is based on the life and career of popular singer and songwriter Taylor Swift. It depicts how tough it is to record music and the difficulties that celebrities endure, such as depression, toxic social media culture, media scrutiny, etc. Swift is depicted in the film in an unvarnished and emotionally honest light. One can see glimpses of many unseen incidents from her life and work in the film.
Release Date: September 30, 2020
IMDb: 7.2/10
This is an American crime documentary film directed by Jenny Popplewell. The film portrays the Watts family murder tragedy in Frederick, Colorado, in 2018. It depicts the events using archived materials such as social media posts, police enforcement records, text messages, and home video footage. This documentary covers the disappearance of Shanann Watts and her children, as well as the horrible events that followed, using real, firsthand footage. The film has an IMDb rating of 7.2/10.
Release Date: September 4, 2020
IMDb: 8.1/10
This documentary on Netflix is directed by Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed. It tells the story of filmmaker Craig Foster’s extraordinary friendship with a wild octopus he meets while freediving. Foster discusses the impact of the octopus’ mentor-like relationship with him, giving him a lesson about the vulnerability of life and mankind’s connection with nature.
The film was released on 4 September 2020 on Netflix and was well-received by critics. It won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, the American Cinema Editors Award for best-edited documentary (feature), the British Academy Film Award for Best Documentary, and many other awards.
Release Date: April 16, 2020
IMDb: 7/10
This is a true crime documentary on Netflix about the largest art fraud in American history. The swindle happened when Knoedler & Company unknowingly acquired and marketed forgeries of famous artists in 1994. Barry Avrich has directed the film, and he has also written it along with Melissa Hood. The film captures how art counterfeiting is not only a scandal but also the most bizarre of magic acts.
Conclusion:
From The Octopus Teacher to The Tinder Swindler, we put our efforts together to compile the best documentaries on Netflix. Now, it’s your turn to sit back, relax, and grab some popcorn or your favorite snack to binge-watch something that you found suitable.
Anand is passionate about exploring a wide range of topics, from technology to lifestyle. When he’s not writing, you can find him brainstorming new ideas and taking on fresh challenges. Anand is always eager to learn and grow in his journey as a writer.
