`It seems like a new kind of documentary is out so often these days, with Netflix's Halftime being the most recent to trend. While these work for folks looking to binge something on a streaming service, there are also so many that would be ideal to add to your personal home collection.
For those who are looking for that, there are plenty of options available for purchase on Amazon. Documentaries about sports, mother nature, musical artists, and so much more can be bought. There are even some boxed sets for those still searching for an addictive binge-watching experience.
Won't You Be My Neighbor?
As great as 2018's Won't You Be My Neighbor is, a lot of people may have overlooked it because a year later, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood came out. The 2019 one is a film where Tom Hanks plays Mister Rogers, while the former is a documentary on the man.
As the creator and host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, the titular man was beloved by millions of kids growing up over the years. This film was met with widespread acclaim and won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Feature.
Nine Innings From Ground Zero
While the events of September 11th, 2001 changed the lives of millions of Americans forever, things were at their hardest in the immediate aftermath. Not many people know this but a big aspect of helping people heal came from the world of baseball.
Nine Innings from Ground Zero tells that story, showcasing how the first major gathering after the attack was at a New York Mets game. Then, the documentary takes you through the incredibly dramatic 2001 World Series that took place in the Bronx and how that impacted New Yorkers.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts
When it was announced that a reunion of the cast from the Harry Potter franchise was happening, longtime fans rejoiced. The special aired on HBO Max initially but any fan of the Wizarding World can now own Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts at home.
Getting to see the vast majority of the cast interact and catch up was fantastic. Nearly every scene was heartwarming, revealed some new insights about the filmmaking process, and was endearing to fans everywhere. It's basically a must-own for anyone who loves the franchise.
Seven Worlds: One Planet
Documentaries focusing on planet Earth have kind of become all the rage in recent years. That's part of what makes Seven Worlds: Our Planet such a hit as the series spotlights each of the seven continents in individual episodes, giving them all the time they deserve.
Part of why these are so popular now is because of how stunning they can be on a visual level. Each frame of documentaries like this is gorgeous and owning them in 4K makes them an incredible thing to see. Add in music from the likes of Sia and Hans Zimmer and this is a spectacular documentary.
30 For 30
It's hard to narrow this down to just one because ESPN's 30 for 30 series features so many great episodes. Many of them are available on Amazon so you can watch them whenever you want without having to subscribe to ESPN's streaming service.
Each episode covers something monumental in the world of sports. There are installments about the O.J. Simpson chase, Reggie Miller's feud with director Spike Lee, Michael Jordan's time playing baseball, the Red Sox winning the World Series in 2004, and so much more.
NOVA: The Planets
If you think that documentaries about aspects of nature are gorgeous, then you're going to adore this one about the solar system. Presented by PBS, Nova: The Planets takes a deeper look at each of the planets in this solar system and provides tons of information about them.
It's interesting because these are updated takes on the original The Planets episodes from the '70s. With modern technology and so much new information available, it means that each story about these planets can have so much more going for them.
Three Identical Strangers
Hands down, there aren't many stories in the world that are wilder than Three Identical Strangers. It's the tale of Edward Galland, Robert Shafran, and David Kellman, a set of identical triplets who found each other when they were adults.
The documentary does a deep dive into their lives and the discovery that they were adopted as infants by three separate families as part of an undisclosed scientific experiment. It's the kind of story that grabs you but the unknown element of it all is also rather chilling.
Amy
British star Amy Winehouse is one of the most accomplished and acclaimed musical artists of her generation. Her tragic passing at the young age of 27 from substance abuse rocked the world in 2011. The documentary Amy covers the story of both her life and death.
As expected, it's a heartbreaking tale that will leave the viewers in tears but it's also important to watch, especially if you're a fan of the star. It won a ton of accolades including the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Film.
Free Solo
The concept of free solo climbing in general is enough to stop most people in their tracks. The idea is to climb rocks without harnesses or any protective equipment. Free Solo is the documentary that best illustrates this as it centers on a climb that will have the viewer biting their nails throughout.
The story focuses on Alex Honnold and his attempt to climb the legendary El Captain at Yosemite National Park. Another Best Documentary Feature Academy Award winner, Free Solo was an instant hit that needs to be seen to fully grasp the experience.
The Last Dance
While ESPN has always done a great job with their 30 for 30 series, it feels like their greatest work ever is the 10-part documentary series, The Last Dance. Released early into the COVID-19 pandemic, the show became appointment viewing every weekend.
The miniseries centers on the final season of Michael Jordan's tenure with the Chicago Bulls while also going back and looking at the life and career of the players on the team. The Emmy-winning series is must-see as even those who don't like basketball will appreciate the '90s nostalgia.