ADVERTISEMENT

Previously on Bored Panda, we’ve compiled lists of the best Netflix original series and must-watch Netflix films. Today, we will stray away from the lovey-dovey rom-coms, once-in-a-lifetime adventures, spine-chilling thrillers, and nightmarish horrors we’re all aware Netflix has plenty to offer. Every once in a while, everyone needs a reality check or a “serious watch,” not a fictional or a based on a true story-kinda tales, but actual, real people accounts that happened in real life.

Other than successfully adapting some of the greatest novels to films, Netflix does a beautiful job of conveying true accounts that happened to real people to the screen. Netflix documentaries are your way to go if you are looking for retellings of significant historical events, true crime accounts, and other factual stories that matter. Arguably the first Netflix documentary I saw and believe initiated the consequent heavy production of other documentaries on Netflix was Mark Lewis’ documentary Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer.

Arguably one of the best Netflix documentaries, it told the horrific account of the “Internet Killer” that shocked the audiences to the core. This documentary made me, and perhaps many more people, realize that there are far scarier and more disturbing things than those depicted in horror movies. Maybe the reason why these Netflix true crime documentaries are performing so well is because they touch the viewer on levels so deep that no fictional story ever will.

Below, we’ve compiled some of the best documentaries on Netflix that will surely stick in your memory long after you’ve watched them. But don’t worry, we totally get it if you are not a particular fan of true crime and murder stories. Therefore, we’ve also added plenty of good documentaries on Netflix centering around investigation and exploring different yet no less interesting subjects other than homicide. Which documentary on Netflix left a long-lasting impression on you? Let us know!

#1

Our Father

Our Father

6.6/10 IMDb score based on 12k ratings

 

2022 | 1 hour 37 minutes | Directed by Lucie Jourdan
 

Starring Jacoba Ballard, Julie Harmon, Matt White

Our Father is a distressing story about half-siblings who find one another and discover the bitter truth. It turns out that their biological father is their mother's fertility doctor. The documentary doesn't hold anything back. It gives the siblings a chance to express their opinions and explain how this experience has affected their lives in many ways. Very well-made, neatly put together, and brutally honest material. It's one of those documentaries that makes you think, "Oh my God, that's awful," only for it to keep getting worse.

netflix.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
RELATED:
    #2

    Pray Away

    Pray Away

    6.5/10 IMDb score based on 3k ratings

     

    2021 | 1 hour 41 minutes | Directed by Kristine Stolakis
     

    Starring Michael Bussee, Alan Chambers, Ricky Chelette

    Nothing is stronger or simpler to wield against someone than faith. Docu-film Pray Away focuses on five evangelicals who formed a group and claimed that gay people can become straight through prayer and conversion therapy. These Christians previously preached and embodied principles of gay conversion therapy, guiding many with their damaging, heteronormative image of family, faith, and freedom. This way of thinking, which views gay inclinations as a psychiatric issue, a product of trauma, or a holdover from a negative parent-child connection, once gained the support of hundreds of millions of people. Pray Away is about providing the victims of conversation therapy screen time to confirm that it's all just a horrible falsehood.

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #3

    Murder Among The Mormons

    Murder Among The Mormons

    7/10 IMDb score based on 6.5k ratings

     

    2021 | 2 hours 40 minutes | Directed by Tyler Measom and Jared Hess
     

    Starring Dorie Hofmann Olds, Shannon Flynn, Brent Metcalfe

    Murder Among the Mormons retells the little-known case of convicted murderer and forger Mark Hofmann, a former member of the Church of Latter-day Saints. Hofmann terrorized the Mormon community with numerous bombings to end his string of false documents. This three-part series about the sins of one man and how they rocked the Mormon Church to its very core is well-presented and enlightening. The docu-series examines a genuinely unprecedented crime in great detail using extensive modern-day interviews with those intimately involved and a ton of archive material and press reports.

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #4

    Disclosure

    Disclosure

    8.2/10 IMDb score based on 5.5k ratings

     

    2020 | 1 hour 48 minutes | Directed by Sam Feder
     

    Starring Laverne Cox, Bianca Leigh, Jen Richards
     

    Sam Feder delivers a penetrating documentary about the history of trans culture in Hollywood and the largely unfavorable and false representations that have come to be associated with it. Many of the stereotypes, preconceptions, and prejudices that people connect with trans people's lives are debunked by a group of trans people who work in the entertainment industry. They provide their viewpoints on the experiences they've had on screen throughout their lives. Very human, very nicely produced, and very eye-opening. If you've ever questioned whether representation matters, this film demonstrates how both bad and good representation can impact those trying to make their way in life.

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold

    Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold

    7.5/10 IMDb score based on 2.7k ratings

     

    2017 | 1 hour 34 minutes | Directed by Griffin Dunne
     

    Starring Hilton Als, Tom Brokaw, Dick Cheney

    Filmed by actor and director Griffin Dunne, who is also Joan's nephew, Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold is a remarkable documentary about the West Coast writer involved in politics, society, and literature. In this documentary, Griffin Dunne conducts an interview with the fragile, elderly woman with multiple sclerosis, which is how Joan was when the documentary was being filmed. In the documentary, it's clear that Joan was intelligent and that despite being in her 80s at that time, one could still see a spark in her eyes. Only 94 minutes into the documentary, you feel like you've known Joan for a while. You should watch this documentary even if you are learning about Joan Didion for the first time. Literary enthusiasts and fans of Joan's work will find it a charming experience.

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Black Holes: The Edge Of All We Know

    Black Holes: The Edge Of All We Know

    6.6/10 IMDb score based on 2.6k ratings

     

    2020 | 1 hour 39 minutes | Directed by Peter Galison
     

    Starring Shep Doeleman, Stephen Hawking, Andrew Strominger

    The Edge of All We Know is a documentary tracing the investigation into the universe's most mysterious objects - black holes. It's about scientists working together, committing their life to study and furthering human knowledge, and pushing themselves to new limits. The documentary also takes you inside the S. Hawking team and the groups responsible for making the first black-hole image. For anyone who has worked in research, this is more than just entertainment. Black holes pose a mind-bogglingly complex problem to comprehend. It is impressive to see people from all over the world putting aside their differences and cooperating to solve this enigma. The docu-film is fantastic when seen in this light.

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    Miss Americana

    Miss Americana

    7.4/10 IMDb score based on 20k ratings

     

    2020 | 1 hour 25 minutes | Directed by Lana Wilson
     

    Starring Taylor Swift, Andrea Swift, Scott Swift
     

    As one can guess from the cover, this documentary is about Taylor Swift. No need to be a fan of hers or a "Swifty" to watch and actually enjoy this docu-film. We can see Taylor being wholly frank and transparent with no fear of letting the world witness diverse aspects of her success and personal life. She strikes the viewer as an intelligent and kind woman who, despite having achieved enormous success at a young age, nevertheless remains grounded and compassionate. The film covers a lot of what happens in her life behind the scenes and demonstrates that it's not all fun and games. It's for everyone, not just the Swifties, who wishes to comprehend what it implies to live in the public eye for most of your life.

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Alexandra Comeau
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the description sounds like it was written by a swiftie. if it was a real, raw documentation with also showing whats wrong with the whole swift-persona, i might watch it. the description sounds like a praising of her and her being a victim once again. so i'll pass.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #8

    Challenger: The Final Flight

    Challenger: The Final Flight

    7.8/10 IMDb score based on 7.1k ratings

     

    2020 | 2 hours 59 minutes | Created by Steven Leckart and Glen Zipper 
     

    Starring June Scobee Rodgers, William Harwood, Frederick D. Gregory
     

    This documentary recalls the catastrophe of 1986 when the space shuttle Challenger exploded, and its crew was engulfed in a ball of flames. It goes into great length regarding the accident's underlying causes, how they were a well-known problem, and how and why NASA chose to rationalize away the dangers to keep the shuttle program "on schedule." However, this documentary spends just as much time discussing the seven people who died. Many of the astronauts' relatives and friends took part in interviews to provide a deeper understanding of these individuals, what their lives were like before the tragedy, and what they might have been had their lives not been lost. Engrossing, informative, and very much historically significant.

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Don’t F**k With Cats: Hunting An Internet Killer

    Don’t F**k With Cats: Hunting An Internet Killer

    8/10 IMDb score based on 54k ratings

     

    2019 | 3 hours 7 minutes | Directed by Mark Lewis
     

    Starring Deanna Thompson, John Green, Claudette Hamlin
     

    Watching this, you soon realize that this documentary has nothing to do with cats. It follows an online community's efforts to find a cat killer who later commits murder. The documentary is in-depth and features discussions with online community members and the Canadian police. The director made an excellent decision on how to present and unveil the plot. You receive information in bits and pieces at strategic times that make you think you understand what is occurring. Still, then another piece of information is disclosed that completely blows your mind and makes you doubt everything you have previously assumed. There is a great deal of tension, and it never lets up. It gets you wholly engrossed from start to finish. It is utterly terrifying and gripping.

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #11

    Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend Of Walter Mercado

    Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend Of Walter Mercado

    7.3/10 IMDb score based on 3.3k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ispeak catanese
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Walter Mercado was wonderful. Such a class act, his capes, his manner of speaking and his horoscopes were magnificent. We used to watch his NYE show without fail.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #12

    Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy

    Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy

    6.7/10 IMDb score based on 3.5k ratings

     

    2021 | 1 hour 29 minutes | Directed by Stanley Nelson

     

    Starring Elizabeth Hinton, Nelson George, Alan Charles
     

    The 1980s crack epidemic in the US and its consequences, which had a detrimental impact on inner-city areas of the country, is the main focus of the documentary. It offers a refreshing account of the crack cocaine epidemic's origins that attempts to get beyond the evident suffering and violence to the bigger picture. Stanley Nelson's documentary also brings a social conscience that was lacking at the time. The film brings us both back in time and forwards to a more somber and mature present when we can clearly see how crack transformed society.

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Athlete A

    Athlete A

    7.6/10 IMDb score based on 11k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    #14

    Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich

    Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich

    7.1/10 IMDb score based on 25k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Bubbles and sparks
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've seen this while ago... it's stunning how the colossal spiderweb of intrige and grooming remained unnoticed for such a long time. Wurth to watch it!

    #15

    Tiger King

    Tiger King

    7.5/10 IMDb score based on 80k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #16

    The Last Dance

    The Last Dance

    9.1/10 IMDb score based on 121k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #17

    Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator

    Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator

    6.7/10 IMDb score based on 7.7k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #19

    Rotten

    Rotten

    7.2/10 IMDb score based on 3.8k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #20

    The Keepers

    The Keepers

    8.1/10 IMDb score based on 23k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Bubbles and sparks
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one is a perfect example of how the church protects/protected their own, but only if their own was male... Such a sad story.

    #21

    My Octopus Teacher

    My Octopus Teacher

    8.1/10 IMDb score based on 55k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Bubbles and sparks
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It sounded like a strange title, that's why I watched it a while ago. The man in this documentary "befriends" an actopus and then wonderfull things happen...

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #22

    Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

    Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

    8.3/10 IMDb score based on 26k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    #23

    Trainwreck: Woodstock '99

    Trainwreck: Woodstock '99

    7.4/10 IMDb score based on 16k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #24

    Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened

    Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened

    7.2/10 IMDb score based on 47k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    The Girl In The Picture

    The Girl In The Picture

    7.2/10 IMDb score based on 17k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #28

    Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed

    Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed

    6.9/10 IMDb score based on 6k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    #30

    Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story

    Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story

    6.7/10 IMDb score based on 7.5k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #31

    Wild Wild Country

    Wild Wild Country

    8.1/10 IMDb score based on 31k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    #32

    David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet

    David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet

    8.9/10 IMDb score based on 32k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #33

    Icarus

    Icarus

    7.9/10 IMDb score based on 50k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #34

    The Bleeding Edge

    The Bleeding Edge

    7.6/10 IMDb score based on 2.8k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Creature Cargeaux
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I WISH PEOPLE WOULD WATCH THIS!!!! This doc opened my eyes to things I had a hunch about. It's incredibly important for people in the US to watch this.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #35

    Amanda Knox

    Amanda Knox

    6.9/10 IMDb score based on 25k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #36

    Keep Sweet: Pray And Obey

    Keep Sweet: Pray And Obey

    7.3/10 IMDb score based on 12k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #37

    The Most Hated Man On The Internet

    The Most Hated Man On The Internet

    6.8/10 IMDb score based on 6.1k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #38

    Our Planet

    Our Planet

    9.3/10 IMDb score based on 43k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #40

    What Happened, Miss Simone?

    What Happened, Miss Simone?

    7.6/10 IMDb score based on 14k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #41

    Becoming

    Becoming

    6.9/10 IMDb score based on 6.4k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #42

    Salt Fat Acid Heat

    Salt Fat Acid Heat

    7.7/10 IMDb score based on 2.5k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #43

    Misha And The Wolves

    Misha And The Wolves

    6.7/10 IMDb score based on 2.6k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #44

    Five Came Back

    Five Came Back

    8.3/10 IMDb score based on 4.8k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #45

    This Is A Robbery: The World's Biggest Art Heist

    This Is A Robbery: The World's Biggest Art Heist

    6.5/10 IMDb score based on 4.5k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #47

    14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible

    14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible

    7.7/10 IMDb score based on 26k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #48

    Shirkers

    Shirkers

    7.4/10 IMDb score based on 5.2k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #49

    I Called Him Morgan

    I Called Him Morgan

    7.3/10 IMDb score based on 1.8k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #52

    Road To Roma

    Road To Roma

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #53

    American Murder: The Family Next Door

    American Murder: The Family Next Door

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #55

    Audrie & Daisy

    Audrie & Daisy

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #56

    Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond

    Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond

    7.6/10 IMDb score based on 26k ratings

    netflix.com Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #57

    Our Great National Parks

    Our Great National Parks

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #59

    The River Runner

    The River Runner

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #61

    Team Foxcatcher

    Team Foxcatcher

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #62

    The Death And Life Of Marsha P. Johnson

    The Death And Life Of Marsha P. Johnson

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #63

    We Steal Secrets: The Story Of Wikileaks

    We Steal Secrets: The Story Of Wikileaks

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #64

    Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates

    Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #66

    The Great Hack

    The Great Hack

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #68

    Strong Island

    Strong Island

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #69

    Get Me Roger Stone

    Get Me Roger Stone

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #70

    Take Your Pills

    Take Your Pills

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #71

    The Sparks Brothers

    The Sparks Brothers

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #72

    Sad Hill Unearthed

    Sad Hill Unearthed

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #73

    Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story By Martin Scorsese

    Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story By Martin Scorsese

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #74

    Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art

    Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #75

    Gaga: Five Foot Two

    Gaga: Five Foot Two

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #77

    Dick Johnson Is Dead

    Dick Johnson Is Dead

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #78

    Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution

    Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #79

    American Factory

    American Factory

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #80

    Ugly Delicious

    Ugly Delicious

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #81

    They'll Love Me When I'm Dead

    They'll Love Me When I'm Dead

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #82

    Conversations With A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes

    Conversations With A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #83

    Formula 1: Drive To Survive

    Formula 1: Drive To Survive

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #85

    The Raincoat Killer: Chasing A Predator In Korea

    The Raincoat Killer: Chasing A Predator In Korea

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #86

    House Of Secrets: The Burari Deaths

    House Of Secrets: The Burari Deaths

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #88

    Naomi Osaka

    Naomi Osaka

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #89

    The Speed Cubers

    The Speed Cubers

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #90

    Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal

    Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #92

    A Cop Movie

    A Cop Movie

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #93

    The Battered Bastards Of Baseball

    The Battered Bastards Of Baseball

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #94

    Into The Inferno

    Into The Inferno

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #95

    Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster

    Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #96

    The Edge Of Democracy

    The Edge Of Democracy

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #97

    Chasing Coral

    Chasing Coral

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #98

    Miles Davis: Birth Of The Cool

    Miles Davis: Birth Of The Cool

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #100

    Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé

    Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé

    netflix.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST