Best Documentary on Netflix, ranked by IMDb rating
725 documentary titles on Netflix rate 6.0+ on IMDb — the top 50 are ranked below.
Updated nightly · last refresh 2026-07-15 · minimum 1,000 IMDb votes · nothing under 6.0
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Our Planet (2019)
★ 9.2 IMDb
Experience our planet's natural beauty and examine how climate change impacts all living creatures in this ambitious documentary of spectacular scope.
2
Khawater (2005)
★ 9.2 IMDb
Khawater is a pioneering Saudi documentary series in which Ahmad Al Shugairi explores self‑development, social reform, ethics, and everyday improvement. Through short reflections, real‑world examples, and global observat
3
The Last Dance (2020)
★ 9.0 IMDb
A 10-part documentary chronicling the untold story of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty with rare, never-before-seen footage and sound from the 1997-98 championship season – plus over 100 interviews with famou
4
David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020)
★ 8.9 IMDb 🍅 96%
The story of life on our planet by the man who has seen more of the natural world than any other. In more than 90 years, Attenborough has visited every continent on the globe, exploring the wild places of our planet and
5
My Next Guest with David Letterman and Shah Rukh Khan (2019)
★ 8.7 IMDb
"King of Bollywood" Shah Rukh Khan opens up about his rise to fame, his family and his billions of fans as he and Dave meet up in Mumbai and New York.
6
Greatest Events of World War II in Colour (2019)
★ 8.6 IMDb
Using highly advanced colourisation techniques, critical moments from World War II, from Stalingrad to The Battle of Britain, are shown in a whole new light.
7
Love on the Spectrum (2019)
★ 8.6 IMDb
Seven singles take their first steps into the world of dating; this uplifting four-part documentary follows young adults on the autism spectrum as they explore the unpredictable world of love and relationships.
8
Rafa (2026)
★ 8.6 IMDb
RAFA retraces Nadal's remarkable journey with cinematic scope, combining testimonies from those who know him best—on and off the court—with unseen moments that reveal what lies behind the legend.
9
Lenox Hill (2020)
★ 8.6 IMDb
From birth to brain surgery: This docuseries provides an intimate look at the lifesaving work of four doctors at Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC.
10
BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG (2026)
★ 8.6 IMDb
BTS is back. The iconic group returns to the stage for a live reunion concert to perform legendary hits and unveil brand-new tracks.
11
Daughters of Destiny (2017)
★ 8.6 IMDb
Five girls from India's most impoverished families attend a boarding school designed to create opportunities as they strive for a brighter future.
12
Making a Murderer (2015)
★ 8.5 IMDb
Filmed over 10 years, this real-life thriller follows a DNA exoneree who, while exposing police corruption, becomes a suspect in a grisly new crime.
13
Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019)
★ 8.5 IMDb
Drivers, managers and team owners live life in the fast lane — both on and off the track — during each cutthroat season of Formula 1 racing.
14
Chef's Table (2015)
★ 8.5 IMDb
Meet culinary stars around the world who are redefining gourmet food with innovative dishes and tantalizing desserts.
15
Love on the Spectrum (2022)
★ 8.5 IMDb
In this romantic docuseries, people on the autism spectrum look for love and navigate the changing world of dating and relationships.
16
Springsteen on Broadway (2018)
★ 8.5 IMDb 🍅 96%
Bruce Springsteen shares personal stories from his life and acoustic versions of some of his best-known songs in an intimate one-man show.
17
Emicida: AmarElo - It's All for Yesterday (2020)
★ 8.5 IMDb
Between scenes from his concert in São Paulo's oft-inaccessible Theatro Municipal, rapper and activist Emicida celebrates the rich legacy of Black Brazilian culture.
18
Last Chance U (2016)
★ 8.4 IMDb
In a docuseries set at one of NCAA football's most fertile recruiting grounds, guys with red flags seek to prove their worth on the field and in class.
19
Hip Hop Evolution (2016)
★ 8.4 IMDb
Hip-Hop today is a global culture that has changed music, dance, fashion, language —and even politics. But where did this worldwide cultural movement begin? We trace hip-hop back to its humble beginnings, when the kids o
20
Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War (2024)
★ 8.4 IMDb
With firsthand accounts and access to prominent figures around the world, this comprehensive docuseries explores the Cold War and its aftermath.
21
Time: The Kalief Browder Story (2017)
★ 8.4 IMDb
The story of a teenager wrongfully charged with theft and jailed at Riker's Island prison for over 1,000 days.
22
The Surgeon's Cut (2020)
★ 8.4 IMDb
They're philosophers, storytellers and pioneers in their fields. Four surgeons reflect on their lives and professions in this inspiring docuseries.
23
Abraham Lincoln (2022)
★ 8.4 IMDb
The true story of America's iconic 16th president as told by weaving together both scripted dramatizations of important moments in his life and commentary by authoritative historians and public figures.
24
Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom (2015)
★ 8.3 IMDb 🍅 89%
Over 93 days in Ukraine, what started as peaceful student demonstrations became a violent revolution and full-fledged civil rights movement.
25
Somebody Feed Phil (2018)
★ 8.3 IMDb
"Everybody Loves Raymond" creator Phil Rosenthal travels the globe to take in the local cuisine and culture of Bangkok, Lisbon, Mexico City and more.
26
Abstract: The Art of Design (2017)
★ 8.3 IMDb
Step inside the minds of the most innovative designers in a variety of disciplines and learn how design impacts every aspect of life.
27
Last Chance U: Basketball (2021)
★ 8.3 IMDb
Hit the hardwood in East Los Angeles as a coach with strong convictions leads young men who hope to fulfill major college potential.
28
Our Planet: Behind the Scenes (2019)
★ 8.3 IMDb
Years spent recording footage of creatures from every corner of the globe is bound to produce a bit of drama. Here's a behind-the-scenes look.
29
Headspace Guide to Meditation (2021)
★ 8.3 IMDb
The series shows how meditation can help in your daily life. From tackling stress to embracing gratitude, each episode first teaches the basics and techniques of the practice, and then concludes with a guided meditation.
30
13th (2016)
★ 8.2 IMDb 🍅 97%
An in-depth look at the prison system in the United States and how it reveals the nation's history of racial inequality.
31
World War II: From the Frontlines (2023)
★ 8.2 IMDb
Through vividly enhanced archival footage and voices from all sides of the conflict, this docuseries brings WWII to life like never before.
32
Cuba and the Cameraman (2017)
★ 8.2 IMDb 🍅 100%
This revealing portrait of Cuba follows the lives of Fidel Castro and three Cuban families affected by his policies over the last four decades.
33
The Chef Show (2019)
★ 8.2 IMDb
Writer, director and food enthusiast Jon Favreau and chef Roy Choi explore food in and out of the kitchen with accomplished chefs and celebrity friends.
34
Five Came Back (2017)
★ 8.2 IMDb
Five acclaimed contemporary directors tell the story of five legendary Hollywood filmmakers who enlisted in the armed forces to document World War II.
35
Captains of the World (2023)
★ 8.2 IMDb
From the locker room to the pitch, this docuseries offers exclusive access to all 32 teams as they fight for football glory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
36
The First 48 (2004)
★ 8.2 IMDb
The First 48 follows detectives from around the country during these first critical hours as they race against time to find the suspect. Gritty and fast-paced, it takes viewers behind the scenes of real-life investigatio
37
Attenborough's Life in Colour (2021)
★ 8.2 IMDb
Exploring the vital role colour plays in the daily lives of many species.
38
Chimp Empire (2023)
★ 8.2 IMDb
A vast community of chimpanzees thrives in a forest in Uganda, navigating complex social politics, family dynamics and dangerous territory disputes.
39
November 13: Attack on Paris (2018)
★ 8.2 IMDb
Survivors and first responders share personal stories of anguish, kindness and bravery that unfolded amid the Paris terror attacks of Nov. 13, 2015.
40
WWII in Color: Road to Victory (2021)
★ 8.2 IMDb
Gripping historical footage and expert commentary give detailed insights into the leading figures and decisive turning points of World War II.
41
Dancing with the Birds (2019)
★ 8.2 IMDb
Some of the world's most majestic birds display delightfully captivating mating rituals, from flashy dancing to flaunting their colorful feathers.
42
Alma Matters: Inside the IIT Dream (2021)
★ 8.2 IMDb
In a "nation of middle-class" the IIT dream involves clearing the world's toughest public exam for guaranteed lifelong success. Life is not an exam though. It's a hustle, one that nobody trains them for. The result? Eter
43
America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys (2025)
★ 8.2 IMDb
Team owner Jerry Jones' journey transforming the Cowboys. Leading players/coaches to 3 NFL titles in '90s, becoming innovative sports leader with world's most valuable franchise.
44
Bad Boys (2014)
★ 8.2 IMDb
The Detroit Pistons of the late 1980s and early '90s seemed willing to do anything to win. That characteristic made them loved — and hated. It earned them the title: Bad Boys.
45
Tales by Light (2015)
★ 8.2 IMDb
Behind every powerful image is a powerful story. Uniting exploration, photography and the natural world, Tales By Light follows photographers from Australia and around the world as they push the limits of their craft.
46
Medal of Honor (2018)
★ 8.2 IMDb
Honoring service members whose courage merited the awarding of a Medal of Honor, this docudrama series re-creates their inspiring true stories.
47
Chef's Table: France (2016)
★ 8.2 IMDb
Sample the bold new flavors of France with chefs who are pushing the boundaries of fine dining and reinventing a rich culinary tradition.
48
The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox (2024)
★ 8.2 IMDb
This definitive docuseries chronicles the Red Sox's journey to their first World Series title in 86 years via interviews with star players and personnel.
49
Emergency: NYC (2023)
★ 8.2 IMDb
This gripping docuseries follows New York City's frontline medical professionals as they balance the intensity of their work with their personal lives.
50
Racionais MC's: From the Streets of São Paulo (2022)
★ 8.2 IMDb
Armed with music and a message, influential hip-hop group Racionais MC's turned their street poetry into a powerful movement in Brazil and beyond.