Netflix has been one of the best streaming platforms with close to 170 million subscribers worldwide. And it is no shocker it is so, considering its unique and well-crafted movies. But besides that, the streaming platform also loves well documentaries, as well. It has become one of the most prolific producers of new documentaries around providing tons of choices for documentaries along with other genres. So we wanted to list the best documentary shows on Netflix according to their IMDB ratings so that you can make up your mind easier to stream or skip.

From science to history, mysteries to sports, and more. Here are some of the best documentary shows you can stream on Netflix.

• IMDB Rate: 7,1

Netflix original documentary The Great Hack was produced and directed by Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer, both previous documentary Academy Award nominees as well. It follows the Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal that happened back in 2016. The documentary reveals the breach of online privacy and how a corporation like Cambridge Analytica used the data that was provided to them by Facebook. With the evolution of technology, most people have already started to live their lives publicly, this is the most apparent truth we all know. But what about our private lives that we still wouldn’t want to share anyway? The truth is actually much more than that and we are just seeing what corporations want us to see even if we want to believe the opposite.

Official Synopsis:

“The Cambridge Analytica scandal is examined through the roles of several affected persons.”

• IMDB Rating: 7,4

Have you ever wondered how did a successful and millionaire football player become a cold-blooded murderer? So, you may find your answer from this glossy and controversial Netflix Original documentary. It tells the story of Aaron Hernandez in three episodes while diving into greater depth on his life and examining the potential role of CTE along with salacious interest in his sexuality.

Official Synopsis:

“A three-part documentary series examining what led to the murderous fall and shocking death of former NFL superstar Aaron Hernandez.”

• IMDB Rating: 7,4

This documentary goes back to the earliest times of video games’ creation and development in the 1980s and 1990s by featuring interviews and segments. So if you are a gamer who also likes documentaries and is into their past of occuring, you should definitely watch this one. The series is narrated by Charles Martinet, who is the voice actor for Mario and created by France Costrel.

Official Synopsis:

“Traces the history of classic video games, featuring insights from the innovators who brought these worlds and characters to life.”

• IMDB Rating: 7.6

Wanna dive into the wildest big cat community of America? Then, be our guest. This true-crime documentary series reveals the trials and tribulations of an Oklahoma zoo owner called Joe Exotic along with his nemesis Carol Baskin, who is also an animal rights activist. The documentary shows lions and tigers trapped in cages along with dislikable and downright fascinating people

Sure, it’s a show about lions and tigers trapped in cages. But it’s also a show about some of the most dislikable and downright fascinating people you’re ever likely to come across. It’s dirty, grizzly car crash TV at its very best.

• IMDB Rating: 7,5

Like science and investigating it in every possible way? Here is a science journalist Latif Nasser who provides you that along with more ideas and perspectives as he investigates ways in which we are connected to each other and the universe.

Official Synopsis:

“Science journalist Latif Nasser investigates the surprising and intricate ways in which we are connected to each other, the world and the universe.”

• IMDB Rating: 7,5

If you are a fan of Money Heist, then you must watch this documentary. Well, if you still haven’t. It takes you to the behind-scenes of the beloved series along with taking a look at its global success. It is directed by Luis Alfaro and Pablo Lejarreta, and written by Pablo Lejarreta and Javier Gómez Santander.

Official Synopsis:

“Money Heist: The Phenomenon looks at how Money Heist became a global phenomenon, focusing on its unexpected rise in popularity, its Netflix acquisition, and its impact on culture across the world. It breaks down the production of the series, and includes interviews with the creators, cast, and crew of the show.”

• IMDB Rating: 7,6

This Brazilian educational documentary series was created by YouTuber Felipe Castanhari, who also serves as a presenter. It follows some of humanity’s most intriguing mysteries such as the disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle, time travel, the Bubonic plague, and the possibility of a zombie apocalypse. So if you like the complicated mystery of life and science as they both intertwined each other, you should definitely give this documentary a shot!

Official Synopsis:

“Host Felipe Castanhari explores science, history, mysteries, and marvels, uncovering mind-blowing facts with help from his lab buddies.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBT-OsQq0aY

• IMDB Rating: 7,9

Icarus won the Oscar award for Best Documentary Feature in 2017 with the direction of Bryan Fogel. This documentary film centers on Fogel struggling for doping for an amateur race. As he struggles, he finally finds a Russian link to help him get doping without detected, who are also responsible for many athletes not getting caught as well.

Official Synopsis:

“When Bryan sets out to uncover the truth about doping in sports, a chance meeting with a Russian scientist transforms his story from a personal experiment into a geopolitical thriller.”

• IMDB Rating: 7,9

The award-winning director Davis Guggenheim is here to explore the journey of renowned tech visionary and philanthropist Bill Gates this time. This biographical documentary series follows Gates in both his personal life and his career as well. The real matter seems to be the work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is a charity on a mission to solve some of the world’s most persistent problems. Some of those problems are child mortality in developing countries, battling infectious diseases, and educating vulnerable communities in the US.

Official Synopsis:

“A documentary that tells Bill Gates’ life story as he pursues solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems.”

• IMDB Rating: 7,9

Louis Theroux is a veteran documentary maker, who explores the unseen parts of America’s second-biggest city in this three-part miniseries this time. We witness Theroux as he meets sex offenders, guilty dog owners, and people who are badly on the very edge of death. So Theroux shows us beyond the bizarre or shocking surface of his subjects’ stories and offers us a glimpse into their lives to understate their hopes and motivations.

Official Synopsis:

“Louis Theroux explores three tales on different themes in the city Los Angeles.”

• IMDB Rating: 8,1

The makers of the critically acclaimed American football documentary Last Chance U dive into the jaw-dropping world of competitive cheerleading this time. This Netflix original documentary series follows a cheerleading squad at Navarro College in Texas while they are preparing for their end-of-year routine. You will be watching coach Monica Aldama as she molds a group of high-schoolers from diverse and more.

Official Synopsis:

“In the small town of Corsicana, Texas, hard-driving head cheer coach Monica Aldama demands perfection from her team of competitive college athletes.”

• IMDB Rating: 8,1

Are you into discovering different nations’ history? If so, here’s a Turkish historical docudrama, which was written by Kelly McPherson and directed by Emre Şahin. It consists of 6 episodes dealing with the Ottoman Empire and Mehmed the Conqueror and tells the story of the Fall of Constantinople.

Official Synopsis:

“Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II wages an epic campaign to take the Eastern Roman capital of Constantinople and shapes the course of history for centuries.”

• IMDB Rating: 8,6

After all those struggles for finding out things or getting solved mysteries, here is something chilling for you this time. This documentary series guides you on different methods of meditation, and how to go from not meditating at all to making it a regular part of your life. Each episode takes 20 minutes as they talk about meditation, why it’s good for the body and mind, and the after-effects once you start.

Official Synopsis:

“Over the course of eight animated episodes, Andy Puddicombe—former Buddhist monk and co-founder of the globally beloved Headspace meditation app—takes viewers through the benefits and science behind meditation.”

• IMDB Rating: 9,1

This documentary offers audiences a look at the final season for that great Bulls team along with its household players such as Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and more. It takes you back and forth between 1998 and the late 80s and early 90s to witness Jordan as he came through with using a mixture of archive clips and never before seen behind-the-scenes footage. Even if you have any clue about basketball, it still pulls you into it with the interactions between some huge characters anyway.

Official synopsis:

“Charting the rise of the 1990’s Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, one of the most notable dynasties in sports history.”