Some real-life stories are so twisted and unexpected that a measly movie just falls short of revealing the things that truly happened. Enter documentary TV shows - a series’ worth of plot twists, unbelievable stories, and an appropriate time allowance for those events to unfurl before your very own eyes. After all, what's more exciting than life itself? If you agree with us, try these documentary series that we've handpicked for you.
Some of these docu-series, the most harrowing and gripping ones indeed, talk about mysterious murder cases or disappearances. However, if you're not that much into the grim stuff, others, like Love On The Spectrum, will melt even the most hardened heart. Still others, like Alone, are more along the lines of reality TV series, but most of them are unscripted, and the chilling, or on the other hand - hilariously funny events that you are witnessing are completely real.
So, get ready to immerse yourself fully into these unbelievable real-life stories by picking a docu-series from our list! They are just, as usual, a bit further down, and the ten topmost are provided with short descriptions. Vote for the best, and share this article with your friends!
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Two Shallow Graves: The McStay Family Murders
2022 | 7 episodes
Two Shallow Graves: The McStay Family Murders is a crime documentary series following the mysterious murders of The McStay Family: a perfectly ordinary family from Fallbrook, California, up until the point they disappeared from their home in 2010, their bodies to be found three years later in the desert near Victorville, California. A truly harrowing story with many sinister details unfurling before your very own eyes in Two Shallow Graves.
My coworker was a juror on this case. It was insane when she could finally talk about it.
Love On The Spectrum U.S.
2022 - | 6 episodes
Love On The Spectrum U.S. is a spin-off of the original Australian reality TV/docu-series Love On The Spectrum. Same as before, the show follows people on the spectrum navigating love, relationships, and life - a really thoughtful look into their world, all the while raising autism awareness. Love On The Spectrum U.S. is a truly heartwarming series about the warmest people.
The Staircase
2004 - 2018 | 13 episodes
The Staircase is a French-produced, English-language documentary miniseries following the high-profile murder trial of American novelist Michael Peterson after the death of his wife. And it's a bonafide courtroom thriller delivering more plot twists than any possible fiction - a gripping and chilling look into a murder and trial proceedings. This exceptional quality series won a Peabody Award given to the "most powerful, enlightening, and invigorating stories on television, radio, and online media," and that's a great guarantee for any miniseries.
Love On The Spectrum
2019 - 2021 | 9 episodes
Love On The Spectrum is an Australian reality television series/docu-series following young adults on the autism spectrum as they try to navigate love, relationships, life, and everything in between. Love On The Spectrum is a compassionate celebration of differences and, most importantly, love. So, if you are looking for something heartwarming and inspiring, Love On The Spectrum should be on the top of your list.
Somebody Feed Phil
2018 - | 27 episodes and counting
Somebody Feed Phil is a travel documentary series presented by Phil Rosenthal, following him traveling the world (like Bangkok, Tel Aviv, and New Orleans), sampling local food, and getting to know local traditions. All with a dash of good humor! Somebody Feed Phil stands out from this category of series thanks to Phil himself - he's a vibrant and eccentric personality, and his sense of humor is of undeniable quality.
Clarkson's Farm
2021 - | 8 episodes and counting
Clarkson's Farm is a British documentary series about the legendary Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson's newest endeavor as a farmer in Cotswolds. Once Jeremy took over the farm, it was renamed Diddly Squat, meaning, basically, "the least amount," as such an amount of produce was expected from it. And, since it's mister Clarkson, you can expect loads of original swearing, unexpected events, and hilarious plot twists in his story of taking on the role of a landowner.
Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy
2021 - | 10 episodes and counting
Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy is a travel and food show hosted, as the name suggests, by the iconic actor and filmmaker Stanley Tucci. In the series, Stanley travels across Italy, sampling the delights of each region and sharing the secrets of food making with the viewers. Due to the series' high aesthetic qualities, your outlook on the food you eat might change forever, so be warned!
Formula 1: Drive To Survive
2019 - | 40 episodes and counting
Formula 1: Drive To Survive is a documentary series providing a look into the behind-the-scenes world of Formula One drivers and races. It gives an in-depth look into the sport, not shying away from the juicy bits of life - rivalries, arguments, conflicts, and blood-curdling crashes on the track. Besides catering to the fans of Formula One, it is known that the series managed to attract new audiences all around the world, who are now, probably, number one fans due to this series!
Deadliest Catch
Alone
2015 - | 89 and counting
Alone is an adventure reality game show following ten survival experts trying to actually survive alone in the Vancouver Island wilderness. The survivalists can only carry a backpack's worth of stuff that might be helpful in building shelter, hunting, and warding off various predators. Later in the series, the locale changed to Alaska and Louisiana, among other harsh places. A truly gripping series with an educational aspect, that being - never go alone to places you don't know!
Nathan For You
2013 - 2017 | 32 episodes
Nathan For You is a docu-reality television comedy series following Nathan Fielder as he uses his business degree to help small businesses turn a profit. However, since most of Fielder's advice is highly unorthodox, the business owners often find themselves in very unexpected circumstances. Full of deadpan humor, Nathan For You might just be the most original docu-series up to this day.
Roman Empire
Air Crash Investigation
Making A Murderer
The Big Conn
I saw this one, it was pretty good actually. It's about a con artist lawyer whose last name just happens to be Conn. He and a judge helped clients in Kentucky swindle the US healthcare system out of millions of dollars.
Ancient Aliens
Those ancient astronaut theorists made you put this here, didn't they?
Dateline
Ghost Adventures
I used to watch endless amounts of TAPS and Most Haunted, not always because they caught good stuff, but because I liked "hanging out" with the crew. This was a period in my life when i was pretty reclusive so it was nice to feel like I was hanging out with friends. Sad, I know.
The Curse Of Oak Island
Life In Color With David Attenborough
This is actually an amazing series!! I'm a fan of most of his work but this was far and away the best one yet in my opinion
Marvel Studios: Assembled
Planet Earth II
Planet Earth
Crime Scene The Vanishing Cecil Hotel
American Horror Story season 5, Hotel. The Hotel Cortez concept, the inspiration for the hotel story, was the Cecil Hotel. It was interesting to see all the different parts of reality that the AHS writers fit into their 5th season. Really great work, both the Cecil docu and AHS season 5.
Dirty Jobs
I used to love this show. Mike's politics kinda soured me on it, but it's quite interesting, to be honest. Most people never think about the disgusting work that has to be done in this world to keep things going.
Men In Kilts: A Road Trip With Sam And Graham
Wild Babies
Don't F**k With Cats: Hunting An Internet Killer
Tiger King
I feel like watching this show is the same as watching amber heard on the today show. There's no need for it.
Benjamin Franklin
The Puppet Master: Hunting The Ultimate Conman
Forensic Files
Our Great National Parks
The Ripper
Sophie: A Murder In West Cork
Lularich
The Keepers
Meltdown: Three Mile Island
Prehistoric Planet
This is amazing! 😍 i loved walking with dinosaurs when i was little and cgi has just got so much better
The Food That Built America
The Way Down
My mother-in-law was into Gwen's program back in the 80s or 90s. Long before I met my husband. But when I told him about the show he rolled his eyes and said his mom had the books and was really into it so he really doesnt want to hear about it because he had to live with that craziness. Yikes!
The World At War
The Vietnam War
Cursed Films
The Social Dilemma
The Last Dance
This was a fantastic series about the Chicago Bulls 1997-98 season, the last one before the dynasty broke up. Very well done, high recommend it!
The French Chef
Cosmos A Spacetime Odyssey
Challenger: The Final Flight
Low effort. Downvoted. These articles are a waste of time unless you provide a synopsis for every entry.
Low effort. Downvoted. These articles are a waste of time unless you provide a synopsis for every entry.