Need binge-worthy Netflix shows to add to your watchlist? From gripping criminal investigations to explorations of society and culture, these top 14 docuseries are guaranteed to keep you hooked.
With stories ranging from infamous cult leaders to tales of American quarterbacks, our list of the best documentary series will ensure an exciting binge-worthy experience for all!
Here is our list of the Top 14 Docuseries to Add to Your Watchlist for 2024:
- American Nightmare (2024)
- Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street (2023)
- Quarterback (2023)
- Waco: American Apocalypse (2023)
- Arnold (2023)
- How to Change Your Mind (2022)
- Murder Among the Mormons (2021)
- History 101 (2020)
- The Last Dance (2020)
- How to Become a Cult Leader (2023)
- Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer (2019)
- The Mind, Explained (2019)
- Wild Wild Country (2018)
- Making a Murderer (2015)
American Nightmare (2024)
Netflix’s recent release of American Nightmare examines the Gone Girl-esque story of the 2015 kidnapping of Denise Huskins. The new true crime docuseries revolves around the real-life events of Huskins and her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn, and their violent encounter with an intruder. The incident sparked serious speculation from the police, leading investigators to question: did the couple stage the incident?
Watch the Official Trailer
‘American Nightmare’ Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
You can watch the “American Nightmare” series on Netflix: Watch on Netflix
Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street (2023)
The largest Ponzi scheme in history was a whopping $65 billion by New York criminal financier, Bernie Madoff, affecting the lives of thousands of people during the 2008 economic recession. Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street walks you through Madoff’s life, revealing his lowly beginnings and unwavering thirst for success and approval.
Featuring fictional reenactments and testimonies from victims of one of the most notorious white-collar criminals, this is one of the best crime documentaries on Netflix.
‘Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street’ Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 90%
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
You can watch the series on Netflix: Watch on Netflix
Quarterback (2023)
What is the life of an NFL player like? Quarterback delves into the experiences of football icons including Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and Atlanta Falcons’ Marcus Mariota, offering exclusive insights into their lives both on and off the field.
The 2023 Netflix Sports Documentary Series captures intimate moments with family members, and the behind-the-scenes of NFL training, and reveals the personal struggles and triumphs of the dedicated athletes.
Quarterback Sneak Peek Netflix
‘Quarterback’ Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 89%
IMDb Rating: 8/10
You can watch the series on Netflix: Watch on Netflix
Waco: American Apocalypse (2023)
In 1993, David Koresh, the leader of the lesser-known religious sect called the Branch Davidians, led his followers into a 51-day standoff against the FBI near Waco, Texas. The three-part Netflix Docuseries, Waco: American Apocalypse, recounts the story behind the siege with never-before-scene archival footage, including raw news clips, FBI recordings, and interviews with former members of the sect.
Watch the Official Trailer
‘Waco: American Apocalypse’ Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 84%
IMDb Rating: 7/10
You can watch the series on Netflix: Watch on Netflix
Arnold (2023)
You’d be right to call Arnold Schwarzenegger a jack of all trades. From rigorous bodybuilding to a successful career as a Hollywood actor, and eventually governing the state of California, Schwarzenegger has led quite a multifaceted life.
Netflix’s Arnold Documentary Series follows Arnold Schwarzenegger’s life through personal stories and unveils never-before-seen moments throughout his career, tracing his journey from his childhood in Austria, to his embodiment of the American dream.
Watch the Official Trailer
‘Arnold’ Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 70%
IMDb Rating: 8/10
You can watch the series on Netflix: Watch on Netflix
How to Change Your Mind (2022)
This trippy Netflix series will give you a new perspective on drugs. In How to Change Your Mind, American filmmaker Alex Gibney and author Michael Pollan explore the history of psychedelics, such as LSD, MDMA, psilocybin, and more.
The jaw-dropping four-part documentary is based on Pollan’s 2018 novel, How to Change Your Mind, as it explores the different uses of these drugs and their potential benefits regarding mental health and addiction.
Watch the Official Trailer
‘How to Change Your Mind’ Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
You can watch the series on Netflix: Watch on Netflix
Murder Among the Mormons (2021)
One of the world’s most shocking crimes is that of Mark Hoffman, convicted con artist and serial bomber of the Church of Latter-day Saints. Murder Among the Mormons is one of the best documentaries on Netflix if you’re looking to dive into the fascinating and mysterious world of criminal masterminds and cunning deceit.
The three-part documentary series follows the 1985 Salt Lake City bombings that killed two people, along with the skillfully forged documents that so deviously manipulated the Mormon community.
‘Murder Among the Mormons’ Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 89%
IMDb Rating: 7/10
History 101 (2020)
Calling all history buffs! This Netflix series is right up your alley. History 101 offers two seasons of mini-lessons on various historical topics ranging from scientific discoveries to impactful social movements. The docuseries is a jaw-dropping watch including archival footage and shocking facts guaranteed to make you think.
Season one of the Netflix series delves into spatial exploration, robots, fast food, and feminism, while the second season discusses topics like GPS, high fructose corn syrup, psychedelics, and credit cards.
History 101 Season 1 Trailer:
‘History 101’ Reviews
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
You can watch the series on Netflix: Watch on Netflix
The Last Dance (2020)
Dive into the life and career of one of the best basketball players of all time, legend Michael Jordan. The Last Dance is a 10-part documentary recounting the Chicago Bulls’ pursuit of a sixth NBA championship during the 1997-1998 season.
The 2020 docuseries is a must-watch for basketball fans, as it offers an in-depth look at one of the greatest athletes in basketball history, with insights into Jordan’s life alongside exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the team.
The Last Dance Trailer
‘The Last Dance’ Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 97%
IMDb Rating: 9.1/10
How to Become a Cult Leader (2023)
Have you ever wondered how infamous cult leaders like Charles Manson and Jim Jones gathered such a devout following? Was it charisma, psychological manipulation, or a combination of the two that compelled dozens of people to follow their ideologies?
How to Become a Cult Leader reveals the guidelines on how to attract faithful followers by examining six well-known cult leaders who succeeded. The 2023 Netflix docuseries features commentary from experts in psychology and testimonies from ex-cult members.
‘How to Become a Cult Leader’ Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 57%
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer (2019)
If there’s one thing this documentary will teach you, it’s don’t f*ck with cats! Netflix’s Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer is a riveting true crime documentary that recounts the story of a group of internet sleuths on a manhunt for a troubled man by the name of Luka Magnotta, following disturbing video posts of animal abuse.
Brace yourself for a chilling journey of a very twisted individual. This documentary is certainly not for the faint of heart.
Watch the Official Trailer
Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 69%
IMDb Rating: 8/10
The Mind, Explained (2019)
What is going on inside your head? Discover just how your brain works in one of the best Netflix documentaries, The Mind, Explained, chronicling the intricacies of various aspects of neuroscience and psychology.
The 2019 series explores topics like memory, dreams, anxiety, psychedelics, and mindfulness in its two seasons. With narrations from award-winning actresses Emma Stone and Julianne Moore, you are bound to keep focus and learn something new.
Watch the Official Trailer
Watch the Season 2 Official Trailer
Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 95%
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Wild Wild Country (2018)
Netflix’s gripping documentary, Wild Wild Country, does a deep dive into the Oregon desert commune led by the charismatic Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh in the 1980s. When conflict sparks between the supposed utopian city and local Oregonians, things take a turn for the worse. Featuring interviews with former members, the documentary raises profound questions about the pursuit of utopia.
Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 98%
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Making a Murderer (2015)
There’s no such thing as too much true crime. The fascinating “Making a Murderer” ranks among the best Netflix documentaries with its recount of the investigation of the murder of Teresa Halbach. From false accusations to later revealed evil truths, the 2015 documentary questions the ethics of law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Do you dare to explore the twists and turns of this mysterious case?
‘Making a Murderer’ Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 84%
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
This completes our list of the best 14 documentary series to watch on Netflix right now. These will surely have you on the edge of your seat.
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