15 Best Documentaries On Netflix 2026

Explore our hand-picked selection of 15 titles. Ratings, reviews, and streaming options included.

If you're hunting for the best documentaries on netflix 2026, this curated list pulls together must-watch titles across crime, history, and reality formats. From the eerie true-crime recounting in Murder Comes to Town (2014) and the recent The Investigation of Lucy Letby (2026) to the uplifting Becoming (2020), these are the top best documentaries on netflix 2026 you'll want to queue now. As a listicle, each entry includes a concise synopsis, genre tags (documentary, crime, game-show, reality-tv, history), runtime and why it stands out. Expect quick viewing notes, critical context and tips on streaming availability so you can pick the right doc for your next watch night.

Table of Contents

1. Murder Comes to Town
2. Alone
3. The Investigation of Lucy Letby
4. Secret Mall Apartment
5. Miracle: The Boys of '80
6. The Perfect Neighbor
7. Becoming
8. Apollo 11
9. Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing
10. Free Solo
11. American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders
12. Cover-Up
13. Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich
14. In the Moment
15. Unknown Number: The High School Catfish

1. Murder Comes to Town

Year: 2014 | Rating: 7.2/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, crime

A world of true crime with an authentic Americana tone, style and attitude. Each episode brings a gripping tale of betrayal and murder, told by friends, family and neighbors. It's stories of crime from America's heartland.

Available on: Netflix, Hulu, Max

Directed by: Geoffrey Proud, Elizabeth Fisher, Lauren J. Przybyszewski, Scott Colthorp

2. Alone

Year: 2015 | Rating: 8.4/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, game-show, reality-tv

Hardcore survivalists are put by themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness, without camera crews, teams, or producers – on a single mission to stay alive for as long as possible.

Available on: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu

Directed by: Jeff Kay

3. The Investigation of Lucy Letby

Year: 2026 | Rating: 5.6/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, crime

An engaging and thought-provoking look at Lucy Letby, the former nurse serving life in prison after being convicted of the murders of seven infants and the attempted murders of seven others.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Dominic Sivyer

4. Secret Mall Apartment

Year: 2024 | Rating: 7/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary

In 2003, eight Rhode Islanders created a secret apartment inside a busy mall and lived there for four years, filming everything along the way. Far more than a prank, the secret apartment became a deeply meaningful place for all involved.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Jeremy Workman

5. Miracle: The Boys of '80

Year: 2026 | Rating: 7.9/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, history, sport

This is the story of the “Miracle on Ice,” when the 1980 US Hockey Team beat the USSR in the Olympic semi-finals at the height of the Cold War to bring home a gold medal. Their iconic underdog story is told with never-before-seen 16mm footage and firsthand reflections from the players who were brought back to the scene of their historic victory.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Max Gershberg, Jacob Rogal

6. The Perfect Neighbor

Year: 2025 | Rating: 7.1/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, crime, drama, thriller

Police bodycam footage reveals how a long-running neighborhood dispute turned fatal in this documentary about fear, prejudice and Stand Your Ground laws.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Geeta Gandbhir

7. Becoming

Year: 2020 | Rating: 7.1/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, biography

Join former first lady Michelle Obama in an intimate documentary looking at her life, hopes and connection with others.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Nadia Hallgren

8. Apollo 11

Year: 2019 | Rating: 8.1/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, history

A look at the Apollo 11 mission to land on the moon led by commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Todd Douglas Miller

9. Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing

Year: 2026 | Rating: 7.5/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, sport

Delves into competitive ice dance's intense world, where deep partnerships, total dedication, and raw emotions merge in the pursuit of Olympic gold.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Katie Walsh

10. Free Solo

Year: 2018 | Rating: 8.1/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, adventure, sport

Follow Alex Honnold as he attempts to become the first person to ever free solo climb Yosemite's 3,000 foot high El Capitan wall. With no ropes or safety gear, this would arguably be the greatest feat in rock climbing history.

Available on: Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus

Directed by: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

11. American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders

Year: 2024 | Rating: 6.7/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: crime, documentary

Follows journalist Danny Casolaro's mysterious death while probing an alleged conspiracy called "The Octopus" linking spy software theft, unsolved murders and major 20th-century scandals.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Zachary Treitz

12. Cover-Up

Year: 2025 | Rating: 7.5/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary

Seymour Hersh has been at the front lines of political journalism in the United States. Hersh's breakthrough reportage has brought to the public's attention many of the most damning constitutional wrongdoings and cover-ups.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Mark Obenhaus, Laura Poitras

13. Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich

Year: 2020 | Rating: 7.1/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, crime

Stories from survivors fuel this docuseries examining how convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein used his wealth and power to carry out his abuses.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Lisa Bryant

14. In the Moment

Year: 2026 | Rating: 5.8/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, comedy

Mo Gilligan takes on Hollywood — and lives to tell the tale. In this lively special, the Londoner dishes on fame, family and being British in America.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Chris Howe

15. Unknown Number: The High School Catfish

Year: 2025 | Rating: 6.7/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, crime

Vulgar, taunting texts blow up the phones of a teen and her boyfriend. Who's sending them — and why? This twisty documentary reveals the shocking answer.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Skye Borgman

Wrapping Up

This roundup delivers a diverse selection—from hard-hitting crime like The Perfect Neighbor (2025) and Secret Mall Apartment (2024) to historical and inspirational titles such as Miracle: The Boys of '80 (2026), Apollo 11 (2019) and Becoming (2020)—covering multiple genres and quality ratings. Together these picks make up the best documentaries on netflix 2026, offering a balance of investigative depth, storytelling variety and binge-ready runtimes. Bookmark or share this guide and return often: the list is regularly updated with fresh content and availability changes. Explore the individual entries below or check streaming availability in your region to queue your next documentary.

Last updated: February 8, 2026