22 best Netflix documentaries to watch right now

From true crime to the natural world - there is a plethora of titles to explore on the streaming site
1/15
Emma Clarke24 April 2020

Since launching in the UK in 2012, Netflix has established itself as an authority when it comes to documentaries.

As well as harnessing our obsession with the true crime genre, with Making a Murderer taking the world by storm back in 2015, Netflix has also produced some stellar lifestyle series to boot.

So whether you're a foodie, an animal lover or true crime junkie, there's plenty to keep you entertained.

Here are 22 of the best documentaries on Netflix to watch right now...

True Crime

1. Wild Wild Country

The Duplass Brothers' Wild Wild Country is beyond fascinating
Netflix

Just when you think you've seen it all, the Duplass Brothers serve up this bizarre tale, positively brimming with intrigue.

Focusing on the Rajneeshpuram community, led by controversial Indian guru Bhagwan Shri Rajneesh (later Osho) and his personal assistant Ma Anand Sheela, the six-part series delves into the events that took place between 1981 and 1985, when the group moved to a small town in Oregon, United States.

Not taking too kindly to their new neighbours, the residents of Wasco County consider ways to evict the new tenants on a nearby ranch.

The conflict escalated and saw the cult execute the largest bioterror attack in US history - yet the bleak period remains one of the lesser-known eras of America's past. ​

2. Don't F**k With Cats

A Facebook group formed to track down the infamous cat killer, Luka Magnota, and bring him to justice
Netflix

Comprising of just three episodes, Netflix's Don't F**k With Cats is arguably one of the tumultuous and riveting series you'll ever watch.

The docu-series explores the chilling crimes of cat killer Luka Magnotta, who uploaded videos of his graphic crimes to the Internet.

Outraged Facebook users created a group in the hope they'd identify him and track his whereabouts - but their bid to report him to the authorities did not run smoothly.

Featuring interviews with key members of the group and Canadian authorities, the documentary highlights both the terrifying and the positive sides of the Internet, as the online sleuths solve one of the most heinous crimes in recent history.

3. The Innocence Files

The Innocence Files looks at eight cases which are being reviewed by The Innocence Project
Netflix

The Innocence Files is a brand new series which examines eight cases being reviewed by the non-profit legal organisation, The Innocence Project.

Each episode takes a fresh look at evidence and the alleged crimes of Levon Brooks, Kennedy Brewer, Keith Allen Harward, Franky Carrillo, Thomas Haynesworth, Chester Hollman III, Afred Dewayne Brown and Kenneth Wyniemko - which range from rape to robbery.

4. Tiger King

Joe Exotic once boasted the biggest collection of big cats in the US
Netflix

Uncovering America's big cat obsession, Netflix's Tiger King is centred on Joe Exotic - a mulleted, gun-toting exotic animal park owner in Oklahoma - and his rivalry with Big Cat Rescue founder, Carole Baskin.

If you haven't already seen the much-talked-about show, it's full of plenty of unexpected twists and turns.

And when you're finished, there's also a reunion episode which addresses viewers' burning questions.

5. Surviving R Kelly

R Kelly pictured at a hearing at in Chicago in 2019
AP

R Kelly is currently in federal custody without bail in Chicago, with his racketeering and sexual misconduct trial in New York being postponed until autumn, due to the current coronavirus crisis.

In the devastating 2019 documentary, the women who were allegedly abused by the I Believe I Can Fly singer unite, detailing their experiences with the R&B artist, who has denied the claims made against him.

6. The Staircase

Michael Peterson is currently in prison for the murder of his wife Kathleen
Netflix

In 2001, American novelist Michael Peterson was accused of killing his wife Kathleen, whom he claims tripped on the stairs and hit her head after having a few drinks.

Despite a harrowing audio clip of his 911 call, authorities questioned Peterson and suspected foul play.

Their suspicions heightened when the prosecution learned that a former family friend of Michael's, Elizabeth Ratliff, had previously died from an intra-cerebral haemorrhage, after suffering a head injury from falling down the stairs. Peterson went on to adopt Elizabeth's two young children, raising them as his own.

Another wild story, The Staircase re-examines the tragic death of Kathleen, mentions a 'blow poke' an incomprehensible amount of times, and features a rather entertaining PowerPoint-related meltdown.

7. Abducted In Plain Sight

Jan Broberg was abducted twice by family friend, Robert Berchtold
Netflix

The peculiar and tragic case of Jan Broberg highlighted by Skye Borgman's film is a heart-wrenching tale of a young girl was abducted by a family friend.

Despite being just an hour and a half long, the documentary covers a lot of ground - from how Robert Berchtold groomed Jan, to how he managed to abduct her twice at the ages of 12 and 14, using an alien narrative to coerce the young girl.

At the time of its initial release, many viewers were left angered by how Jan's parents dealt with their daughter's abuser.

Appearing on The View, Jan said of her parents: "I had my moments of being angry and upset. But I knew they had been groomed and manipulated too."

8. The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann

Madeleine McCann's parents (pictured in 2012) are clinging onto hope of finding their daughter
AFP via Getty Images

On May 3, 2007, three-year-old Madeleine McCann vanished from her bed in a holiday apartment her parents Gerry and Kate had rented in Praia da Luz, Portugal.

Her disappearance dominated headlines in 2007 and over 10 years on, Netflix brought the high-profile case, which remains unsolved to this day, back to the forefront of people's consciousness.

As well as re-examining the child's disappearance, the eight-part docu-series highlights the many unsolved kidnapping cases that occurred around the same time, pointing out the disparity between how well resourced the McCann case was compared to others'.

9. Conversations With A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes

Ted Bundy conferring with his defense attorneys
Getty

Throughout the 1970s - and possibly earlier - Ted Bundy claimed the lives of at least 30 women across America.

Despite the horrific nature of his crimes, which included necrophilia, rape and murder, Bundy amassed a huge female following and a fan club of sorts would wait outside courtrooms and send the killer love letters.

The Netflix series, which is made up of 4 episodes, not only examines Bundy's killing spree and the evidence at hand, but also shares chilling audio clips of his confessions from Death Row.

10. Amanda Knox

Amanda Knox spent four years in prison for the murder of Meredith Kercher, before she was acquitted
REUTERS

On November 1, 2007, British student Meredith Kercher was found murdered on her bedroom floor at the apartment where she was living during a year abroad in Perugia, Italy.

Sharing the apartment with Kercher was Amanda Knox, an American exchange student who was accused of the crime, along with her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito.

She spent almost four years in prison before she was acquitted and the documentary examines the case, playing particular attention to the media's depiction of 'Foxy Knoxy'.

11. The Confession Tapes

The Confession Tapes explores the human psyche and why people admit to crimes they have not committed
Netflix

Season one of The Confession Tapes is far better than the follow-up and a must-watch for anyone obsessed with true crime.

While the rest of the show examines a different case in each episode, the first two episodes of season one focus on just one - that of Sebastian Burns and Atif Rafay.

In 2004, the friends were convicted of the triple murder of Rafay's parents and sister at their home in Bellvue, Washington.

The show looks at how the young men were coerced into giving what they claim is a false confession on tape, by policemen using an illegal technique called "Mr Big".

As well as featuring interview with the family members of the accused, the Netflix series goes over evidence and police tactics used with experts on false confessions, exploring the human psyche and what leads people to confess to crimes they have not committed.

12. Making A Murderer

Convicted: Steven Avery is serving a life sentence for murder
Netflix/Rex

According to Business Insider, 2.3 million viewers watched Making A Murderer within a week of its release. After 14 days, the audience leapt to an impressive 5.5million, and after 35 days, a whopping 19.3 million people had devoured the Netflix show.

Indeed, the series dominated headlines for months after it first aired, with a resurgence of interest in the case of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey when the second series dropped on the streaming site in late 2018.

And while the show sparked outrage over the US legal system, with viral campaigns and celebrities appealing for Avery and Dassey's release, many have criticised the documentary for not focusing on the real victim in all this: Teresa Halbach, a murdered photographer who was found dead in 2005.

13. Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator

Bikram yoga became one of the most popular exercise regimes on the planet
Netflix

Bikram Choudhury created his own form of yoga, which comprises of 26 postures in 120 degree heat - lasting around 90 minutes in total.

While the technique became popular around the globe, especially after Choudhury moved to Los Angeles in the '70s, there was something far more sinister going on.

In May 2013, two lawsuits accusing Bikram of rape were filed, with other counts including sexual battery, false imprisonment, discrimination, and harassment. In January 2014, five women accused Choudhury of sexual harassment and assault.

Eva Orner, director of the documentary, says in the footage: “What shocked me is that he’s still doing what he did, that he got away with it.

"I can’t get my head around that a man can be accused of this same thing so many times and that he got away with it, and that everyone knew."

Celebrity

14. Miss Americana

Watch Taylor Swift's journey to becoming one of the most successful artists of all-time
AP

Watch Taylor Swift as you've never seen her before in this fly-on-the-wall documentary that observes the highs and lows of one of the most successful artists of all-time.

Whether or not you're a fan of Tay Tay and her music, Miss Americana is a gripping film, covering her rise to fame, *that* Kanye West AMAs moment and how the star has dealt with media attention along the way.

At times hard to watch, the film sees Taylor show her vulnerability and speak about the impact fame has had on her mental health, while documenting how she reestablished herself post-Reputation.

15. Homecoming

Queen Bey's 2018 Coachella performance will go down in history (Getty Images)
Getty Images for Coachella

For those who didn't have cash to splash on Coachella tickets two years ago, Netflix has thankfully granted us access to Beyoncé's iconic 2018 performances.

As well as featuring footage of her concerts (the festival takes place twice a year nowadays) at the California event, the documentary includes exclusive interviews with Queen Bey, in which she describes how difficult her pregnancy with twins was, and how her firstborn, Blue Ivy, is following in her and dad Jay-Z's footsteps.

Lifestyle & Food

16. Chef's Table

Chef's Table is a feast for the eyes
Netflix

With five seasons to get through, Chef's Table is the perfect binge for foodies.

While the cuisine isn't exactly the kind of food you can rustle up at home (especially on lockdown rations), there's something fascinating and inspiring about watching these masters plate such elegant and ground-breaking creations, and hearing about their journeys to becoming some of world's most established chefs.

Including names such as Tim Raue, Ivan Orkin, Christina Martinez and Christina Tosi, Chef's Table is a feast for the eyes and guaranteed get you dreaming about post-lockdown trips to restaurants.

17. Abstract: The Art of Design

Abstract features some of the world's best designers
Netflix

Interviewing a series of creative geniuses - from world-class interior designers to famous photographers - Abstract is possibly one of the most awe-inspiring documentaries on offer.

Learn from masters such as costume designer Ruth Carter, graphic designer Paula Scher and Platon photographer Colin Powell, as they not only provide fascinating insights into their artistic approaches, but reveal their incredible journeys to becoming some of the most prevalent creatives in the world.

18. Cheer

All stars: the Navarro College team (Netflix)
Courtesy of Netflix

Directed by Greg Whiteley​, this six-parter follows the intense training of the Texas-based Navarro cheerleading squad.

A far cry from Bring It On, the series highlights the passion, drive and resilience of these young men and women as they strive to be the best.

Whether you're an avid cheer fan, used to be the captain of the team, or are a complete novice, the doc will grab you within minutes.

19. Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened

The absolute legend that is Andy King
Netflix

A wild ride from start to finish, Fyre catalogues the disastrous festival of the same name, set up by entrepreneur Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule.

With an impressive line-up, idyllic Bahamas location and promotional video featuring Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner, the event was due to be influencer paradise.

If it sounds a little too good to be true, then that's because it was. Even if you think you're familiar with the tale, Netflix's no-holds barred examination will present multiple shocking new details.

It has also inspired one of the best memes of all-time. Yes, Andy King, we're looking at you.

20. Dark Tourist

David Farrier explores the darker side of tourism, as he tries out macabre excursions
Netflix

New Zealand journalist David Farrier (who bares an uncanny resemblance to Louis Theroux) explores the dark side of tourism in this gripping series.

From visits to the radioactive wasteland of Fukushima, to New Orleans' murder tours and vampire experiences - there's something to be said about humankind's lurid obsessions with the macabre.

Nature

21. Blue Planet

Anything by Sir David Attenborough is a good choice
PA

The critically-acclaimed Blue Planet is currently available to stream on Netflix, along with Our Planet, Planet Earth and other Attenborough classics.

As the name suggests, Blue Planet dives into the depths of the ocean, exploring some of the world's most fascinating marine life.

Despite the fact that two thirds of the globe is made up of water, it is a habitat that is still, for the most part, shrouded in mystery.

And who wouldn't want to listen to the dulcet tones of Sir David?

22. Night On Earth

Night On Earth grants viewers access to the incredible world of nocturnal creatures (Netflix)

Narrated by Orange is the New Black's Samira Wiley, Night on Earth serves up stunning cinematography and video footage of some of the most private and reserved species on our planet.

Using ground-breaking technology, the crew documents the behaviour and activities of nocturnal creatures, granting viewers a rare glimpse into the natural world.