In an ideal world, everything you watch could teach you something. But this is not always the case. Watch documentaries known for their ability to enlighten, ignite a charge and leave you feeling something. One of life's greatest treasures, Netflix has enough of these movies to keep you entertained all day long. From an intimate look into the life of former First Lady Michelle Obama to a wild tale of how what should have been the greatest party of all time never happened inFire, these 19 documentaries will prevent the possibility of boredom.
[article updated on January 25, 2021]
Becoming (2020)
Based in part on Michelle Obama's memoir of the same name, this document follows the former first lady on her book tour and contains intimate interviews about her life and the most important people in it.
Athlete A (2020)
This document focuses on investigative journalists inIndianapolis Star and their work, revealing the story of Dr. Larry Nassar's decades-long attack on young gymnasts.
Icarus (2017)
This Oscar-winning documentary tells the story of filmmaker Brian Vogel investigating the use of doping in amateur cycling and eventually stumbles across a major international doping scandal.
Voyeur (2017)
V "Voyeur" journalist Gay Talez investigates a notoriously creepy motel owner named Gerald Foos who is spying on his guests from a hidden platform in the motel's attic.
Knock the House Down (2019)
See the origin story of U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and three other amazing women during the 2018 midterms. You already know how it ends for most congressional hopefuls, but the stories of these massive campaigns are all the more inspiring.
Great Hack (2019)
This documentary sheds light on the complex scandal surrounding the Cambridge Analytica data company and the role it plays in the 2016 US presidential election results.
Secret love (2020)
This touching film tells the story of former All-American Women's Professional Baseball League member Terry Donahue and her life partner Pat Henschel, who kept their lesbian relationship a secret from their families for nearly seven decades.
Audrey and Daisy (2016)
This gripping and heartbreaking documentary tells the story of two young women, Audrey Pott and Daisy Coleman, who are victims of sexual assault. The film explores and explores the toxic rape culture with the goal of spreading awareness through the girls' raw stories and stories.
Miss Americana: Taylor Swift (2020)
Swifties everywhere love this documentary for its ability to capture the artist they have admired for so many years. Newcomers will look to this documentary about Swift as a welcome entry into her private world that she's kept hidden for so long. Also, I'm still looking for the backpack she has for her cat for my own furry ball.
Kidnapped in plain sight (2017)
An Idaho girl was kidnapped not once, but twice, from her psychotic neighbor next door after a series of truly bizarre and abnormal events. This is the weirdest true crime story you've ever seen, and I guarantee you'll be wondering who you live next to.
Fyre: The Greatest Party Never Happened (2019)
Back in 2017, your social media feeds were probably brimming with mentions of the Fyre Festival, a music event that was supposed to be the ultimate getaway. When the festival-goers reached the island where the event was to take place, they quickly discovered that all was not as it seemed. Get ready to learn more about the "greatest party that never happened."
Diana: In Your Own Words (2017)
Ten years after her marriage to Prince Charles and five years after their divorce, Princess Diana met Dr James Colthurst at Kensington Palace. These conversations would later help write a biography of Andrew Morton "Diana: her true story » 1992. Here, for the first time, you can hear interviews discussing everything from depression to Charles' connection with Camilla Bowles.
Crip Camp: Disability Revolution (2020)
In the 1970s, a group of disabled teenagers got together for a fun summer at Camp Jened. It was known as the dilapidated "handicapped" camp in the Catskills. The friendship and bond soon transcended campgrounds as they found themselves leading a political movement to bring accessibility to all.
Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator (2019)
You may or may not know about Bikram Chowdhury, the creator of Bikram Yoga, who became famous for his practice of hot yoga in the seventies. When people grow up as fast as Chowdhury, their pretty big fall is around the corner, and that's exactly whatBikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator documents here.
Homecoming (2019)
Just when you thought Beyoncé couldn't surprise you anymore, she writes a documentary about herself. And leads them. And the executive is producing it. It is physically impossible to attend concerts now, butlook they are definitely possible. Get ready to sing along as you stream the Queen B concert documentary of her performance at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival - you won't regret it.
Period. End of Sentence (2018)
If you are a woman, menstruation is not only normal, but also natural. But for some cultures, menstruation is taboo. In this short documentary, a group of Indian women decide it's time to fight the stigma around menstruation and start making sanitary pads.
The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017)
Transgender legend Marsha P. Johnson was found dead on the Hudson River in 1992. At the time, the case was closed and ruled a suicide, but for many, the facts didn't exactly match up. In this film, the filmmakers investigate her death and try to make sense of it.
Wanted Hot Girls (2015)
What was to tell the story of the porn being viewed on college campuses changed when filmmakers Jill Bauer and Ronna Gradus found out more men were watching porn with young women than ever before. Produced by actress Rashida Jones,Hot Girls Wanted looks at five women aged 18 to 25 as they step into the world of amateur porn in Florida.
13th (2016)
In this landmark film, director Ava DuVernay dives deep into the roots of racial inequality in the United States and how it has evolved over the years. Dedicated to American prisons as a shining example of racial disparity, the documentary is a tough call to action not to be missed.
