When you consider Netflix documentaries, most would instantly consider among the extra fashionable releases, resembling Making a Murderer (2015) or Tiger King (2020) (top-of-the-line Netflix documentaries of all time). Since Netflix has begun pushing out a number of documentary titles, viewers are commonly discovering themselves blown away by Oscar-worthy takes on corruption, homicide, thriller, or one thing in between.
Because of the wealth of content material accessible on the streaming big, it may be robust to slender down the nice, the unhealthy, and the ugly. Luckily, Rotten Tomatoes has are available in clutch, producing the highest-rated Netflix documentaries — serving to you decipher precisely what your subsequent watch needs to be.
Updated on May 10, 2023, by Hannah Saab:
The lineup for the finest new Netflix movies this May 2023 is not made up completely of characteristic movies, as there are upcoming documentaries like Victim/Suspect that proceed to spotlight the streaming big’s desire for the style. The listing of Netflix’s highest-rated documentaries on Rotten Tomatoes not often modifications, although, with solely the easiest managing to snag a spot.
15 ‘My Octopus Teacher’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
You’ve seen bonds between individuals from all totally different walks of life — now, put together your self for the bond between a person and an octopus. My Octopus Teacher, directed by Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed, follows filmmaker Craig Foster, as he paperwork his experiences free diving in South Africa. In time, he meets a younger octopus that captured his consideration, and their rising bond is documented over a few years.
The movie, which was awarded the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature on the 93rd Academy Awards, is a transferring examination of the connections that people have with animals and the pure world. Those who’ve a comfortable spot of their hearts for animals will not need to miss out on the allure that’s My Octopus Teacher.
14 ‘thirteenth’ (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
Ava DuVernay directed the award-winning documentarythirteenth, which tackles the complicated connections between racism and mass imprisonment within the United States. The movie gained a number of awards for its incisive commentary, because it boldly delves into the thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America and the impact that it has had on the continued institutional oppression of Black individuals within the nation.
The documentary does not pull any punches and gives a sobering have a look at how slavery and institutionalized racism have been ingrained into the social material of the nation. By displaying insightful interviews with lecturers, activists, and politicians, it seeks not simply to higher inform viewers but additionally to push for change and racial justice.
13 ‘Disclosure’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
Disclosure is an insightful documentary directed by Sam Feder that delves into the historical past of transgender illustration in Hollywood productions. It affords a portrait of a flawed leisure trade stuffed with obstacles and unfair challenges by means of the usage of archival footage and interviews with famend transgender actors, activists, and consultants.
The thought-provoking documentary brings up considerations about gender, identification, and the affect that media representations might have on how the overall inhabitants views transgender people. It’s simply as related as ever, and deserves to be seen by a wider viewers.
12 ‘Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
Written, government produced, and directed by Beyoncé herself, Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé gives followers with a uncommon and intimate glimpse behind the curtains. Focusing on one of the vital influential musicians on the planet right now, the documentary revolves round Beyoncé’s intense preparation for her now-iconic 2018 Coachella efficiency.
The documentary highlights Beyoncé’s unbelievable expertise, dedication and creativity as a performer. Even viewers who aren’t followers of the Queen B will have the ability to admire the way in which the live performance movie shows the ability of magnificence, resilience and tradition in impacting the world.
11 ‘Circus of Books’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
Chronicling the legendary story of the household behind Circus of Books, the titular documentary depicts the meteoric rise of an notorious homosexual porn retailer and cruising spot in Los Angeles that was in enterprise for over 30 years. By exploring the household’s personal journeys inside the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and juxtaposing these with the evolution of the motion over time, it manages to color a compelling portrait of the historic location (that’s greater than only a place).
Not solely is Circus of Books a transferring and considerate account of the household’s experiences, but it surely’s additionally an informative and entertaining deep dive right into a small however vital piece of American cultural historical past.
10 ‘Knock Down the House’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%
Knock Down the House is a fiery political documentary that follows the daring marketing campaign of 4 progressive girls, certainly one of whom is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (then working for the United States Congress within the 2018 midterm elections). With unique interviews and uncooked behind-the-scenes footage, viewers get an inside have a look at the intricacies behind planning such campaigns, particularly when the chances are stacked in opposition to them.
Undoubtedly a polarizing movie, with a near-perfect 99% Tomatometer however a stunning 11% viewers rating, it isn’t a documentary for everybody. Those who imagine within the energy of grassroots campaigns and are occupied with how bizarre residents can obtain nice heights ought to undoubtedly give it an opportunity.
9 ‘Shirkers’ (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%
In 1992, filmmaker Sandi Tan shoots a street film referred to as Shirkersalong with her mentor Georges Cardona. After taking pictures wrapped, Cardona disappeared with the footage and was by no means seen by Tan once more. When the footage is ultimately recovered in 2011, Tan decides to digitize the footage and used it to make a documentary concerning the technique of acquiring, then shedding, the footage for the movie.
The documentary of the identical identify premiered on the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, profitable the World Cinema Documentary Directing Awards. Achieving a 99% rating on the Tomatometer, it’s clear that Tan’s transformation of outdated footage right into a digitized documentary is extremely regarded, making it a real pleasure to look at.
8 ‘Dick Johnson Is Dead’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%
Filmmaker Kirsten Johnson takes a deep dive into her father nearing the top of his life in Dick Johnson is Dead. Using creative and comical methods to stage his demise, the movie takes black humor to a complete different stage, after a dream of her father in a casket impressed the work.
Premiering on the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, they gained the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Innovation in Nonfiction Storytelling. With an ideal Tomatometer rating, Johnson manages to take the painful lack of a guardian and switch it into an unimaginable life-affirming documentary that may go down in cinematic historical past as one of many greats.
7 ‘The Battered Bastards of Baseball’ (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
An A-team composed of gamers primarily based in Oregon that nobody needed – this shapes the story of the sports activities documentaryThe Battered Bastards of Baseball. The Portland Mavericks had been an impartial workforce – with out a guardian workforce within the main leagues, and this documentary particulars their story – a deal with for baseball followers far and huge.
The movie premiered on the 2014 Sundance Film Festival with a standing ovation – a testomony to its feel-good underdog premise. Directed by Chapman & Maclain Way, its excellent Tomatometer ranking speaks for itself.
6 ‘Giving Voice’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Glee membership meets dramatic efficiency in Giving Voice, through which college students from throughout the United States audition for a spot within the August Wilson Monologue Competition. Inspiration and dedication culminate in a single ultimate spherical on Broadway, the place the stakes are excessive, and the chances are low.
Premiering on the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and profitable the Festival Favorite award, it’s no shock that this nice Netflix documentary is a fan favourite. Giving Voice, directed by James D. Stern and Fernando Villena, has an ideal Tomatometer rating and the power to maneuver you all of sudden.
5 ‘Chasing Coral’ (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Coral reefs are notably weak proper now on account of local weather change, which is one thing that everybody is considering. The documentary Chasing Coral premiered at a time when coral reefs all through the world appear to be disappearing at alarming charges. This documentary, which was directed by Jeff Orlowski, follows a bunch of individuals – together with divers, biologists, and photographers – as they work collectively to unravel the puzzle of why coral reefs are dying out and reveal their findings to the remainder of the world.
The environmental thriller that’s proven in the Netflix unique movie Chasing Coral, which had its world debut on the 2017 Sundance Film Festival and went on to win the Audience Award for US Documentary, has captivated individuals everywhere in the world.
4 ‘A Secret Love’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
There are not any denying instances are a-changing – however for a very long time, secrets and techniques needed to be stored. Amid shifting instances, a former baseball participant. Terry Donahue retains her lesbian relationship secret for seven a long time as she and her companion, Pat Henschel, run a profitable inside design enterprise.
Based on the true story of the nice aunts of director Chris Bolan, the movie captivated audiences while telling a phenomenal story of affection and resilience. The movie sheds gentle on the challenges of LGBTQ+ individuals throughout a interval when their relationships had been usually ostracized and hid from society, and it serves as a homage to their bravery and resilience within the face of adversity.
3 ‘Athlete A’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Everyone remembers the investigation surrounding USA Gymnastics and varied sexual assault allegations that had been made – that is documented by Athlete A. Directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, the sports activities documentary tackles deep points and follows a workforce of journalists from The Indianapolis Star as they broke the story that gripped the nation by its throat.
The phrase “Athlete A” is a nickname that was given to gymnast Maggie Nichols in order that her identification is likely to be protected whereas police investigations had been being performed. Athlete A is a riveting depiction of a interval in USA Gymnastics’ historical past that was fraught with issue.
2 ‘Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend Of Walter Mercado’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
The profession and lifetime of Walter Mercado have been adopted for years. Mercado was an astrologist, and one of the vital influential at that – in each Latin America and the world. Directed by Cristina Constantini and Kareem Tabsch, Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado follows Mercado’s formative years as a gifted little one, in addition to his chronicles with dance, performing, and ultimately, performative astrology utilizing elaborate costumes, colours, and capes.
With a nomination on the 93rd Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature and an ideal Tomatometer rating, it is secure to say that his story makes for an entertaining and intriguing watch.
1 ‘Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
In 1971, Camp Jened happened – a summer time camp in New York that was supposedly a carefree, completely happy camp created for teenagers with disabilities. The movie, directed by Jim LeBrecht and Nicole Newnham, has a give attention to campers who turned themselves into activists for the incapacity rights motion, following their battle for accessibility laws.
With its world premiere on the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and the winner of the Sundance Award, it’s no marvel that this Netflix documentary tops the listing. Thought-provoking and oftentimes stunning, Crip Camp tops the listing of the highest-rated documentaries on Netflix and is unquestionably a strong watch.