Documentaries are designed to inform. If you're a fan of a good old true story, check out these 10.
Netflix is full of hundreds of films, tv shows, animations, and practically whatever you are looking for. Documentaries are hidden gems within Netflix's catalog (some perhaps not so hidden). Whether you want your mind blown, your opinions challenged, or simply to learn about something you never knew, documentaries are wonderful creations. Here are 10 you should give a try.
There are documentaries about practically everything, from games and music to cows and coral if you want to learn something new about anything you're interested in, you have an endless supply. If you're stuck at home at the moment, why not give these fantastic documentaries a watch?
Blackfish: 8.1
This documentary tells the tale of the famous killer whale. Some know him as Shamu, others Tilikum. Tilikum was a killer whale at Sea-World who took the lives of 3 people.
This is one to watch if you want to open your eyes to something you never thought about as a child. Exploring the huge problems with the sea-park industry, man's relationships to nature, and just how little has been learned about these intelligent mammals and their proper treatment. What makes this film interesting is not only that it is thought-provoking, emotional, and shocking, but it caused something called the Blackfish Effect. Thankfully this documentary had a huge impact on Sea-World and forced it into a spotlight it didn't want to be in.
Chasing Coral: 8.1
A group of divers, scientists, and photographers set out on an ocean adventure to discover why the coral reefs are disappearing at such a dramatic rate.
This one is perfect for nature lovers, although it is guaranteed to be frustrating. Filled with striking and beautiful footage accompanied by extremely interesting facts, this film ultimately calls out for action. It shows just how devastating global warming is to nature and beautiful plant life under the sea. What makes this film wonderful is that although it covers dark and somewhat bleak futures, it is both funny and extremely passionate. It is particularly refreshing to see so many people so passionate about saving such a beautiful and delicate thing.
Don't F**k With Cats: Hunting An Internet Killer: 8.1
After an unknown man posts videos of himself killing kittens, a group of amateur online sleuths comes together to launch an impressive manhunt, leading to events they never saw coming.
This is a must-watch. Although it should be mentioned that there are scenes that are particularly disturbing and the film doesn't leave out the cruelty to the animals. The reason this is so good is that it is just mind-blowingly clever. It leaves you on the edge of your seat at all times and is guaranteed to keep your eyes glued to the screen and making sure that you never know who to believe. Until the end.
Virunga: 8.2
During the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a team of brave individuals risks everything to protect the last mountain gorillas on the range.
In this compelling and dramatic documentary, you are subjected to greed, war, and the seductive power of oil. Ultimately, this is part nature documentary and part exposé. The part-nature, part-war documentary is compelling because of its beautiful scenery and aesthetics, and its ultimate goal, to protect the gorillas. The exposé is based in how they portray the civil war and how dangerous it is for nature as well as humans.
LA 92: 8.2
This documentary explores the acquittal of 4 police officers for beating a black motorist, inspiring days of violent protests in LA soon after.
Heartbreaking, intense, and unique. This film is ultimately there to highlight the racial inequality that America is still experiencing. What makes this documentary worth a watch is its unique way of presenting what happened. There are no interviews, using only archival footage of the riots in 1992. This makes it both terrifying and gripping, as you are placed right in the action while also questioning who, if anyone, was actually in the right in this situation.
Paris Is Burning: 8.2
This classic documentary delves into New York's black and Hispanic drag scene in the '80s as they fight for acceptance and love.
This film is all about drag queens and transsexuals holding balls where they can dress up how they want and feel accepted in an otherwise hate-filled society. In this emotionally-charged and thought-provoking documentary, you are shown real people with particularly real feelings, opinions, and backstories that only serve to make this film even more heartfelt. Ultimately, this is a passion project and is made both better and harder to watch 20 years after when you find out the fate of each beloved person it chronicles.
Wild Wild Country: 8.2
When one of the world's most controversial cult leaders, Bhagwan Shri Rajneesh, decides to build a utopian city deep in the Oregon country, it becomes a national scandal when conflict with the locals escalates.
This tv series provides rare insights into life in a cult as well as apparently portraying this lifestyle practically perfectly. This documentary is exciting to watch and is extremely eye-opening. One thing that is important to note is that although this is about a shocking cult, the filmmaker remains particularly non-partisan and leaves you questioning just who the bad guy is, and whether there are any good guys in this story at all.
13th: 8.2
Referring to the 13th amendment, this film highlights slavery and how post-Civil War society gets around its illegality. This is yet another documentary highlighting the hidden racial inequalities but this time it's in the American prison system in the spotlight.
This in-depth and somewhat controversial documentary has divided many viewers, as some deem it one of the most important documentaries in contemporary society, whereas others deem it biased and propaganda-like. Due to all the divisive opinions and controversy behind 13th, it's a film you must check out and figure out for yourself.
Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret: 8.3
In a rather personal documentary, an aspiring environmentalist tries to find a solution to the most pressing contemporary problems and seeks to find the true path to sustainability.
This documentary is an eye-opening adventure regarding the environmental problems caused by eating meat. Although a controversial subject right now, this film is informative and extremely entertaining. It is worth a watch and is guaranteed to make you think about your own consumption and the effect it is having on the world around you. It may even convince you to ditch meat altogether, but ultimately it leaves you to make your own decisions and draw your own conclusions.
Making A Murderer: 8.6
Unsurprisingly, this is the top-rated documentary on Netflix. All anyone talked about when it first came out, Making a Murderer tells the tale of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey, as they are charged and convicted of murder just a few years after being wrongfully convicted of sexual assault.
Without spoiling anything, this documentary series is thought-provoking, infuriating, and highly addictive. The 2 seasons are somewhat unrealistic in the sense that they are so shocking and unbelievable that it's hard to imagine the events depicted as untrue. If you like true crime documentaries then this is a must-watch purely for its popularity as well as the spotlight it shines on the justice system and the corruption that plagues it.