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Netflix's Top 15 Documentaries (May 2024)

In addition to producing a number of original TV series and films, Netflix has also bestowed onto the film and television industries a number of documentaries, whether in the form of series or motion pictures. Some of them concentrate on the horrific crimes or the individual who did them, while others provide you a fascinating glimpse into the lives of well-known figures. Here is a great list including some of the finest documentaries on Netflix if you're wondering which ones are worth watching.

1. Beckham

  • Format: TV Series
  • Release Date: October 4, 2024
  • Episodes: 4
  • IMDb: 8.1
Beckham, a four-part documentary by the acclaimed director-producer team of Fisher Stevens and John Battsek, shows the public a previously unseen and unheard side of David Beckham. The documentary also helps his followers understand that he wasn't always liked; in reality, he was and still is a fallible human who committed mistakes throughout his life. Intimate interviews with the guy, his wife Victoria Beckham, his pals, and several acquaintances are also shown to us.In addition to highlighting David Beckham's lifestyle as a football player, the video teaches us a number of other topics we were unaware of. For example, Beckham acknowledged that he had to take a sabbatical from his beloved career because of the physical aftereffects of playing football.

2. American Murder: The Neighbor Family

  • Format: Film
  • Release Date: September 30, 2020
  • Runtime: 1 hour 23 minutes
  • IMDb: 7.2
I wouldn't suggest this documentary to someone with a weak heart. A real crime documentary on Netflix called American Murder: The Family Next Door chronicles the murder of Shanann Watts and her two kids by a person they looked up to. The little girls saw their father as a hero, but in reality, he was the greatest antagonist of their existence. The video also cautions us about the repercussions of using online dating to meet the wrong person.When it was launched, it quickly rose to the top of Netflix's documentary viewership. The documentary's use of authentic camera footage and social media postings to emphasize the events that really happened was what most pleased movie buffs.

3. The Pictured Girl

  • Format: Film
  • Release Date: July 6, 2022
  • Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes
  • IMDb: 7.3
In the beginning, Girl in the Picture could seem to be a simple narrative. But as the narrative progresses, we come to understand that it is much more than that. The horror components of Girl in the Picture's narrative might sometimes make you shiver, and the unexpected twist and turns at the end can also trick your perspective. At first, it reads like a hit-and-run narrative in which the oppressor and victim are the main characters. But the documentary also takes a long time revealing the identity of the girl in the photo.During the first few weeks the documentary was one of the most watched movies on the streaming service because of its enigmatic elements and stunning photography.Use Netflix to watch Girl in the Picture.

4. The thirteenth

13th
IMDb
  • Format: Film
  • Release Date: October 7, 2016
  • Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • IMDb: 8.2
is the image courtesy ofThe documentary 13th, which debuted on Netflix in 2016, is one of those films in the vast catalog of the streaming service that is always in style. It describes the struggles that African Americans face while residing in the United States. More specifically, the movie raises awareness of topics like racism and helps us understand how important equality is. We also learn about the potential for corruption among a nation's politicians.13th is a true masterpiece, directed by the talented Ava DuVernay, who won awards for her roles in the biopics of Martin Luther King Jr. and Selma.

5. BLACKPINK: Make the Sky Shine

  • Format: Film
  • Release Date: September 14, 2020
  • Runtime: 79 minutes
  • IMDb: 7.3
Pop culture is popular among most people these days, and those who are interested in it are undoubtedly captivated with the Korean girl group BLACKPINK. For those who dare to dream of doing great things, this movie is ideal. It also has a number of poignant moments that leave you with lessons to remember for the rest of your life. In addition, the documentary emphasizes the difficulties the females faced prior to becoming well-known in the field.In addition, the raw material obtained directly from the band members who are the favorites of the global fan base attracted a lot of attention.

6. 14 Summits: Nothing Is Unachievable

  • Format: Film
  • Release Date: November 29, 2021
  • Runtime: 1 hour 41 minutes
  • IMDb: 7.3
This Netflix documentary follows climber Nirmal Purja of Nepal as he sets out to conquer the world's 14 most difficult peaks. He may be seen making his way toward the world's most treacherous mountain, Annapurna, at the opening of the documentary. He displayed bravery for his teammates as well as for himself. We also see him serving as an inspiration to other accomplished mountaineers, such as Don Bowie.Nothing in the documentary falls short of being impressive, not even the editing or cinematography. The documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible is another one that shows you how to persevere through the most trying circumstances. Furthermore, every audience member experiences the same highs and lows that Nirmal Purja and his friends do in the movie.

7. Hitler's Career

Hitler: A Career
Picture Source: IMDb
  • Format: Film
  • Release Date: April 4, 2017
  • Runtime: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • IMDb: 7.5
While his crimes against Jews during World War II are well known, not many people are aware of Adolf Hitler's biography or his rise to power as the leader of Nazi Germany. The documentary, however, primarily concentrates on Hitler's psychological makeup and ascent to power. You may also learn the precise circumstances behind the majority of Germans' support for Hitler from the video.Of course, a number of people criticized the movie and called it propaganda since it used authentic material and completely ignored the Holocaust. Having said that, the movie does, in fact, address a number of the "why" issues you may have concerning Hitler.

Eighth Senior.

  • Format: Film
  • Release Date: December 2, 2022
  • Runtime: 89 minutes
  • IMDb: 7.2
As everyone knows, Robert Downey Jr., our favorite Iron Man, battled drug addiction before rising to fame as one of Hollywood's greatest performers ever. But not many of us are aware of Robert Downey Sr., the actor's father. Filling that void, the documentary Sr. offers us a comprehensive insight into the life of Robert Downey Sr., focusing on his profession and the complicated connection he had with his son, Robert Jr. Sr. was a remarkable filmmaker of his day, renowned for his creative approach to filmmaking. Nonetheless, the documentary centers on Sr.'s life and was, intriguingly, Robert Downey Jr.'s initiative to get to know his father better. We can see a mirror of his humorous and endearing nature in Downey Jr.

9. Son of a Father Soldier

  • Format: Film
  • Release Date: July 17, 2020
  • Runtime: 99 minutes
  • IMDb: 7.3
I can state with confidence that Father Soldier Son is one of the most exceptional documentaries on military life, even if we have watched a lot of documentaries, TV series, and films about it. The life of Brian Eisch, a former US Army Sgt. First Class, is the subject of the documentary. We are all aware of the psychological toll that serving in the military has on soldiers, but this video goes above and beyond by revealing Brian's whole life.Unfortunate events occurred when Brian was sent to Afghanistan and lost his leg. The documentary demonstrates Brian's approach of coping with that suffering and the effects it had on his three boys and wife. It is an incredible and tragic experience to see how Brian has lived his whole life suppressing his wrath for the sake of his boys.

10. Dying To Tell

\Dying To Tell
  • Format: Film
  • Release Date: June 22, 2019
  • Runtime: 87 minutes
  • IMDb: 6.8
Image Courtesy of IMDb
The documentary Dying To Tell honors these courageous individuals since we are aware of the life that journalists lead, particularly those who are tasked with covering conflicts. It centers on Hernán Zin, an Italian-Argentine war reporter whose encounter with an accident dramatically alters his life. The book Dying To Tell explores the traumatic feelings that a journalist has when confronted with horrific circumstances.In addition, the documentary features interviews with a number of prominent war journalists who discuss their traumas and sacrifices in front of the camera for the first time.

11. The Wild and Untamed Country

The most well-known Indian cult leader to immigrate to the US, Osho, is the subject of the amazing documentary Wild Wild Country. Even in India, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, often known as Osho, caused controversy with his comments on sexuality and his unconventional methods of meditation. Osho and his supporters moved to the US just for that purpose, but things didn't work out for them. Osho began to get a variety of unfavorable remarks from the locals over time.Nobody really knows what happened to Osho in the US, and his life and death have always been mysteries. The Netflix documentary provides an answer to the same question. The show centers on Osho's ascent to prominence and his PA Ma Anand Sheela's fixation with the guru and the cult. I can't promise that seeing the documentary would make you understand Osho a little better, but after you finish the series, you will undoubtedly come to despise Ma Anand Sheela.

12. Talks with a Murderer: The Tapes of Jeffrey Dahmer

  • Format: TV Series
  • Release Date: October 7, 2022
  • Episodes: 3
  • IMDb: 7.3
Although Netflix had to produce two episodes based on the tragic narrative of Dahmer and his murders, I will be discussing the controversial documentary Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes in this piece.In a way, Dahmer was the devil come to earth, taking the lives of around sixteen men only to satisfy his own desires. Dahmer primarily enticed homosexual men and people of color to his flat. He was burned for a number of crimes, including as necrophilia and cannibalism. While most people are aware of his misdeeds, not many are familiar with the guy himself. The confession recordings and old video are used in the documentary series to provide light on Dahmer's mental state. It's interesting that the series also demonstrates how Dahmer targeted Wisconsin's minority population because of the ignorance of the police.

13.

  • Format: Film
  • Release Date: September 30, 2020
  • Runtime: 1 hour 37 minutes
  • IMDb: 6.6
Our FatherMore information on the misdeeds of Donald Cline, the previously most well-liked (and maybe the only) infertility doctor in Indianapolis, is provided by Netflix's Our Father. Cline tricked a great number of his patients by using his sperm to get them pregnant. Following Cline's conviction, it became public that she had 94 children residing in a 25-mile radius who were unaware that Clive was their father.The documentary series demonstrates these individuals' realization of Clive's true nature and how it affects their lives. They were unaware of the relationship between the individual they were walking by on the streets and themselves. This documentary demonstrates how one person's abuse of authority and status may destroy many lives.

14. Unresolved Enigmas

  • Format: TV Series
  • Release Date: July 1, 2020
  • Episodes: 21
  • IMDb: 7.3
We often hear about a number of instances that, for one reason or another, are still unresolved. A recorded version of these actual incidents involving common people or paranormal entities is called Unsolved Mysteries. The producer of the hit sci-fi show "Stranger Things" and the director of the original 1987 "Unsolved Mysteries" are what set this docuseries apart.When reboot efforts are compared to the original ones, devoted franchise fans tend to get disenchanted with them. Netflix disproved the cliché, however, with its documentary Unsolved Mysteries, which managed to retain the classic style while still adding something fresh.

15. Don't F**k with Cats: Tracking Down a Cybercriminal

  • Format: TV Series
  • Release Date: December 18, 2019
  • Episodes: 3
  • IMDb: 8
What transpires when a guy uploads a video on the internet depicting the savage murder of two cats? The world, of course, begins to search for him. The documentary series demonstrates how some unskilled internet users started a global search for Luka Magnotta after he suffocated two cats and uploaded a video of the incident on Facebook.Everyone was aware that Luka Magnotta was a ticking time bomb with the potential to harm people when these tapes became public. That's precisely what occurs when Luka proceeds to savagely knife Jun Lin, an international student studying in Canada, to death. You will dread that you could run across such psychopaths while you're out and feel a great deal of animosity for the guy after seeing this amazing but emotionally devastating documentary series.
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