Check out the list of Top 10 documentaries to watch on Netflix –
Top 10 documentaries to watch on Netflix
13th (2016)
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, but this harrowing documentary contends that both have only taken on different forms in the years since. The Emmy-winning documentary, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ava DuVernay, chronicles the systematic oppression of Black Americans following the official abolition of slavery in 1865, from segregation to the disproportionate targeting of minorities during the drug war to the prison-industrial complex, from which private contractors profited financially. DuVernay tackles a variety of complex forms of corruption in this film, but 13th is meticulously plotted to show how each act of disenfranchisement leads to another, serving as a riveting rallying cry.
American Factory
This first film from Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company Higher Ground, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, is an objective look at the trials and tribulations of a Chinese-owned windshield factory in Dayton, Ohio. As its domestic workers are assigned to more intensive labor for lower pay, their Chinese employers face culture shock as they adjust to the American way of life. American Factory received glowing reviews, including one from EW’s critic, who stated, “The heart and soul of American Factory, like all American factories, is never really politics, of course; it’s people.” — K.J.
Crip Camp (2020)
Following the success of American Factory, Higher Ground released this Oscar-nominated documentary about Camp Jened, a New York summer camp that served as a refuge for people with disabilities. The film, which includes footage of co-director James LeBrecht’s experiences there in the early 1970s, shows how the campers went on to fight in the late-twentieth-century disability rights movement. Crip Camp gives a more three-dimensional view of this marginalized community than most films, emphasizing the power of advocating for one’s rights while balancing warmth with the urgency of its message. “Like most good storytelling,” wrote EW’s critic, “it takes care to make the political personal.” — K.J.
Dick Johnson Is Dead
In this one-of-a-kind documentary film by celebrated documentary cinematographer Kirsten Johnson (Cameraperson), life and death are inextricably linked. As her father suffers from dementia, Johnson creates fictitious scenarios in which he dies inadvertently, from tripping down the stairs to being hit by a falling air conditioner, which he charmingly acts out for the camera. What may appear morbid in writing is actually a bittersweet meditation on death stigma and a daughter’s unique way of bonding with her father before it’s too late. Come for the absurdly planned schemes, but stay for, as EW’s critic puts it, “the immeasurable love between [the film’s] maker and its muse.” — K.J.
Disclosure (2020)
Similar to the landmark 1995 film The Celluloid Closet, which discussed LGBTQIA+ representation on screen, this documentary focuses on trans characters in Hollywood. Disclosure deftly tracks the evolution of trans acceptance and how far we still have to go, from problematic films like The Crying Game and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective to groundbreaking shows like Orange Is the New Black and Pose. While the footage frequently speaks for itself, the value of this documentary comes from real-life actors and artists discussing how cultural depictions of trans people shaped not only societal perceptions of trans people, but also how they view themselves. — K.J.
Found (2021)
In this rousing documentary, the effects of China’s one-child policy are explored through the stories of three adopted American teenage girls. Each is adopted from China and discovers they are cousins, prompting them to investigate their ancestors. What makes Found fascinating is how it allows for multiple perspectives from the cousins — one feels perfectly at home in America, while another hopes that reconnecting with her roots will bring her some closure. It also recognizes the caregivers who care for orphaned children and the delicate nature of the adoption process. Keep tissues handy while watching. — K.J.
Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé (2019)
Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning documentary, which she wrote, directed, produced, and starred in, is more than just a concert film: it’s an experience in and of itself. Following the superstar’s journey from conception to performance at Coachella in 2018, Homecoming is as much a tribute to Black artistry as it is a celebration of Queen B and her devoted BeyHive. The film, which has been edited with razor-sharp precision to provide the best possible experience, also devotes time to the Black artists and leaders who inspire the singer in between showcasing her own personal challenges with motherhood, all while attempting to get physically and emotionally prepared for the performance. But it’s the main event, now dubbed “Beychella,” that will have you revisiting this documentary in all its glory.
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond (2017)
There’s method acting and then there’s what Jim Carrey did in 1999’s Man on the Moon to play Andy Kaufman. Universal Pictures effectively buried the behind-the-scenes B-roll for the actor’s own benefit, as he remained in character as the avant-garde comedian throughout the entire shoot. This documentary unearths the footage, with Carrey commenting on the effect of trying so hard to imitate his comedy idol. The film was described by EW as “an enthralling look at the artistic process,” particularly in its depiction of an A-lister at the peak of his box-office powers who can get away with anything and everything. —K.J.
Our Father (2022)
Imagine if your entire life changed with the click of a button. That’s exactly what happened to dozens of people who discovered their birth father was very likely (in the 90th percentile) to be the same man. From the early 1970s to 1989, Dr. Donald Cline, a married Indiana fertility doctor, assisted in the medical insemination of women — only his sperm was used. Our Father focuses on the bewilderment, grief, and anger of the affected families, as well as the bonds formed between these half-brothers and sisters. — Diane Johnson
Rolling Thunder Revue (2019)
In this look at Bob Dylan’s eponymous 1975 tour, Martin Scorsese blurs the line between fiction and reality. The director combines archival footage with contemporary interviews from those close to the singer, such as Joan Baez and Sam Shepard, as well as fictional characters played by Sharon Stone and Michael Murphy. This fluid style is reminiscent of Dylan’s 1978 film Renaldo and Clara, which also combines documentary and fictional vignettes. While your enjoyment will vary depending on your tolerance for risk, according to EW’s critic, “The Rolling Thunder Revue was Dylan’s personal magical mystery tour — and in Scorsese’s hands, there’s no shortage of magic or mystery.” — K.J.