If you’re looking to use your TV time to learn something new, documentaries are your best bet. Nowadays, it seems like there is a documentary covering just about everything. No matter what your interests are, it’s likely you’ll be able to find something to watch that piques your interest.
Netflix is truly a force to be reckoned with when it comes to its original content. From hit original shows likeBridgertonto movies likeTick, Tick…Boom!,Netflix knows how to do original content well. The streaming platform is also home to several original documentary works that really stand out among the competition on other platforms.
Originals aside, Netflix is home to other documentaries as well, which are just as good as the ones Netflix creates in-house. There seem to be new documentaries popping up all the time, and there are still plenty from years prior — so many that it’s likely you missed a few of the really good ones.
So, if you’re looking to learn something new and have access to Netflix, check out these five great documentaries.
5White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch (2022)
People with an interest in the fashion industry, or those who want to rehash the mall days of the ’90s and early 2000s, should check outWhite Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch. It details the once popular store’s immense success, coupled with its many controversies, including its racist and exclusionary business practices.
Abercrombie & Fitch was recognizable for its use of thin, white, objectively hot models and employees. To get hired at Abercrombie, you had to look a certain way — which led to a class-action lawsuit that alleged racial discrimination in the store’s hiring policies in 2003.White Hotdocuments the rise and fall of the retailer, with interviews from former emplyees to really illustrate what working at Abercrombie & Fitch was like at its peak.
4David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020)
Practically everything David Attenborough is involved in is masterful and worth a watch. The wildlife and nature documentaries he narrates are always eye-opening, informative and compelling, and they’re coupled with stunning imagery. Attenborough has been doing this for years, so each time a documentary with his name on it releases, you’d be wise to check it out.
A Life on Our Planetis another great one. It’s meant to act as a witness statement, sharing Attenborough’s concerns for the planet first hand. It covers the harmful impact humans have had on nature, possible solutions and Attenborough’s hopes for the future. It’s one of those nature documentaries that compels you to act and consider what you can do toimprove the state of the planet.
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3Dirty Money (2018-2020)
Dirty Moneyis a docuseries that dives into corporate greed, corruption, fraud, and every other bad thing those in power do with money. Each episode focuses on a different example of “dirty money” and includes interviews from those involved in each story. The docuseries started in 2018, andreleased its second season in 2020.
Dirty Money’sreception has been extremely positive since its release. Each episode serves as a gripping exposè, and it can be truly infuriating to see the schemes high profile executives and corporations try to get away with.Dirty Moneypaints a very revealing picture of the U.S. and shares the gorey details of fraudulent acts that occur both behind closed doors and in plain sight, each with significant global implications.
2The Last Blockbuster (2020)
This 2020 documentary is full of fun and nostalgia. There are a lot of people who grew up going to video stores like Blockbuster on a Friday night, loading up on movies to watch all weekend, and there are even more people who have never seen a Blockbuster and only rent movies through streaming services.The Last Blockbusterbrings nostalgia to the forefront as it tells the story of the last functioning Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon.
The Last Blockbusterdocuments the rise and fall of Blockbuster Video, with interviews from actors including Kevin Smith (Clerks), Jamie Kennedy (Romeo + Juliet) and Doug Benson (Super High Me). However, the true star of the documentary is Sandi Harding, the general manager of the last Blockbuster standing.
It’s not a groundbreaking film by any means, but it provides an entertaining history of the video rental giant, satisfies any cravings for nostalgia, and manages to be a feel-good watch, too. Following the documentary, there’s a sitcom based on the store, titledBlockbuster,in development at Netflix. However, there is no set release date yet.
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1Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes (2022)
This docuseries aired earlier this year and was a massive hit. It documents John Wayne Gacy’s killing spree in ’70s Illinois. True crime documentaries are always popular, but theConversations with a Killerseries is exceptionally unique. Not only does it feature interviews with those close to the case, including survivors, victims' families, and law enforcement, but alsonever-before-heard archived audio tapesfrom Gacy’s time in prison.
This is the second installment in theConversations with a Killerseries; the first beingThe Ted Bundy Tapes, which was released in 2019. This docuseries perfectly blends past events with present day interviews and reflections.Conversations with a Killeris unlike any other true crime documentary out there, and there’s no shortage of documentaries and podcasts in the genre. While it’s based on true events, which can make it extremely chilling and unsettling, it’s a great watch for those looking for something unique and truly engaging from start to finish.
