There’s no doubt that Netflix is one of the most popular streaming services in the world, and its catalog could feel endless. However, in recent years, the streaming platform has produced some top-notch documentaries. From hard-hitting stories to light-hearted narratives, Netflix has something for everyone.
The streaming service holds a variety of masterful non-fiction stories in its catalog, but it can be difficult for viewers to figure out where to begin. Well, we are here to make things easier for you. We have selected a handful of documentaries that will keep you on the edge of your seats. Without any further ado, here are the best documentaries streaming now on Netflix.
Athlete A
One of the best documentaries produced in recent years, Athlete A chronicles the journey of the US Gymanstics team. Initially, viewers might think that it will feature all the accolades they have won. However, it takes a darker turn when it focuses on the abuse these athletes suffered at the hands of Dr. Larry Nassar.
The documentary further shows how corruption ruins the sport and the ones playing it. Several Olympic medal-winning athletes came forward with horrifying claims against the doctor and shocked the entire nation. The documentary exposes the dark side of the sporting world.
The Great Hack
We all know how big tech companies use our data and change our political mindset. In The Great Hack, we see an investigative journalist going through the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica Scandal and finding shocking details.
However, things turned scary when people got to know the organizations used this data to influence the 2016 presidential elections. It meticulously dissects how these big companies earn billions of dollars by feeding people lies and influencing their political perspectives. The film received a lot of praise from the critics as well as the audience and received several accolades.
The Social Dilemma
If you are thinking about quitting social media, then you should definitely watch The Social Dilemma. Why? Because by the end of the movie, you’d just want to detach yourself from virtual reality.
The documentary is about how social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter use psychologically manipulate users to keep them hooked. It also shows how these organizations watch and track the online activities of their users to increase usage. Some aspects of the documentary are so shocking that people refuse to believe them. It received a lot of praise for showing how social media can be addictive and force you to believe anything and everything. Truly, one of the best documentaries streaming now on Netflix.
Circus of Books
This weirdly entertaining documentary chronicles the journey of Karen and Barry, who earned their livelihood by running a gay bookstore in West Hollywood. However, the best aspect of the documentary is that none of their relatives, friends, and not even their daughter knew about their business.
Directed by Karen and Barry’s daughter, Rachel Mason, the film serves as a tribute to the legendary Circus of Books store and LGBTQ+ community. The documentary received universal acclaim and currently holds a rating of 98% on the review site Rotten Tomatoes.
13th
There have been a lot of debates around the 13th Amendment. This particular amendment abolished slavery, except as a punishment for a crime. With this documentary, filmmaker Ava DuVernay tries finding answers about how the US became the country with highest number of incarcerations. Moreover, renowned activists and politicians in the film discuss in interviews how many have misused the 13th Amendment.
