Let’s be real: sometimes you just want to relax and watch a mindless comedy, but sometimes you want something that gets your brain doing a few flips. That’s where documentaries come in, and Netflix is the ultimate playground for anyone who has a passion for real stories that are stranger, deeper, and more moving than fiction. No matter if you’re a social justice warrior, a music lover, or just someone who enjoys a good underdog tale, there’s a documentary for you. Below are 15 of the greatest documentaries you can currently stream on Netflix—each of which will leave you a bit smarter, a bit more inspired, and perhaps even a little bit tear-jerky.
6. American Factory
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a Chinese billionaire reopens a shuttered GM plant in Dayton, Ohio, American Factory is your front-row seat to the drama. Directed by Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, this Oscar-winning documentary dives into the real-life clash between American workers and Chinese management. What begins as a story of economic hope quickly reveals the friction between two very different workplace cultures. The movie touches on issues of globalisation, automation, workers’ rights, and the unseen human toll of industrial advancement.
As reported by Netflix Tudum, American Factory was the first film to be picked up by Higher Ground Productions, the production company started by Barack and Michelle Obama, and it took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2019. With incisive access and evocative storytelling, the documentary doesn’t take sides—it allows the struggles and voices to speak for themselves. The outcome is a compelling, thought-provoking exploration of what occurs when worlds intersect in today’s economy.
5. Icarus
It begins as a doping experiment for director Bryan Fogel on a personal level but soon turns into one of the largest sporting scandals in recent history. Fogel’s investigation deepens as he discovers a huge state-run doping scheme that involves Russian Olympic athletes, transforming his film into a startling investigation with worldwide consequences. The suspense, risk, and surprising alliances set Icarus apart as something more akin to an action-packed thriller than a conventional documentary.
As reported by Netflix Tudum, Icarus received the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award at Sundance and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. It’s a suspenseful, jaw-dropping thrill ride that lays bare how far some will stoop to win—and how potent the truth is when it finally pierces through.
4. Our Planet
Nature programs don’t become any more breathtaking than Our Planet. With Sir David Attenborough’s familiar voice narrating every biome, the series embarks on a grand tour of the world, through snowy Arctic tundras to tropical rainforests and colorful coral reefs. The photography is breathtaking, featuring extraordinary captures of a glimpse into the natural world that seems almost heavenly.
But under the glory is a dire warning. Our Planet never flinches from depicting the ruin that climate change has wrought on the environment. It’s both a feast for the eyes and an appeal to action. Following Netflix Tudum, the show won several Emmy Awards, such as Outstanding Nonfiction or Documentary Series and Outstanding Narrator, testament to both its craftsmanship and its sense of urgency.
3. Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution is not only a nostalgic exploration of a 1970s summer camp—it’s a powerful account of how a band of teenagers with disabilities united and ignited a national movement. New York’s Camp Jened provided its campers with a precious sense of liberty and identity. What were originally carefree summers eventually became long-lasting activism that would redefine American civil rights history.
Directed by Nicole Newnham and James LeBrecht, the documentary weaves together personal narratives and historical footage to illustrate how the campers became pioneers in the struggle for accessibility and equality. It’s inspiring, eye-opening, and deeply moving. Crip Camp first premiered at Sundance in 2020, received the Audience Award, and was nominated for an Academy Award—testaments to its cultural and emotional impact.
2. 13TH
13TH, which was written and directed by Ava DuVernay, is a riveting and unflinching look at how racial inequality has been institutionalized in the United States through the criminal justice system. The film takes its title from the 13th Amendment, which outlawed slavery, except as a punishment for a crime. DuVernay uses this loophole as a prism to follow the threads of mass incarceration, boldly drawing a line from slavery to the prison-industrial complex of the present day.
Blending incisive interviews with experts, activists, and politicians, 13TH presents a riveting story of systemic racism, political expediency, and corporate gain on the backs of human rights. The film compels audiences to see uncomfortable truths about American policy and history. 13TH was nominated for an Academy Award in 2016 and won an Emmy for outstanding documentary, as revealed by Netflix Tudum.
1. Athlete A
This is a hard but necessary watch. Athlete A documents the investigative reporters at The Indianapolis Star, who revealed the institutionalized sexual abuse inside USA Gymnastics. The documentary isn’t just about the reporting; it’s also about the courageous survivors—such as Maggie Nichols—who came forward to expose what happened and fight for accountability. Their actions revealed years of inaction and cover-ups by the very systems that were supposed to look after them.
Not simply a true-crime narrative, Athlete A is a scathing critique of institutional mishap and an urgent reminder of the power of investigative reporting. The film highlights how telling the truth can spark transformation, even in the face of monumental opposition. According to Netflix Tudum, Athlete A was awarded a Critics’ Choice Documentary Award in 2020 for its emotional resonance and social relevance.