Streaming platforms have revolutionized documentaries. Before streaming, you had to dig deep to find non-fiction content that matched your interests. Now, you have access to a wide range of stories that go beyond entertainment. They inspire and educate while somehow also managing to keep viewers engaged throughout. Regardless of what type of stories you fancy, it’s impossible not to stumble upon something that catches your eye.
The three documentaries below have a big thing in common: they’re all incredibly gripping. Once you press Play, you’ll find it difficult to look away until you devour the entire story. From an unexpected ocean bond to a shocking true crime investigation to an exploration of social media fame and its dangers, they prove that reality is often more fascinating than fiction. And downright unsettling at times.
My Octopus Teacher (Netflix)
My Octopus Teacher centers on a filmmaker who begins diving in a kelp forest off the coast of South Africa. Along the way, he meets a mesmerizing female octopus who casts a spell on him. That’s not an exaggeration, as this wonderful documentary quickly turns from underwater exploration into a heartwarming tale of human-animal friendship. Or mentorship, to be exact. The filmmaker documents the octopus’s life over the course of a year, learning valuable lessons about resilience and adaptability in the process.
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, My Octopus Teacher is more than a story about nature’s grandeur. It’s a meditation on the fragility of life, highlighting the interconnectedness of all species and revealing the many wonders that hide just beneath the surface. Add stunning cinematography into the mix, and you’ll likely shed a few tears before the end credits roll. One of the best documentaries of all time, My Octopus Teacher, is available on Netflix.
The Jinx (Max)
A groundbreaking documentary series, The Jinx examines the disturbing life of Robert Durst. If you’re unfamiliar with the name, Durst was a rich real estate heir who, back when this was initially filmed, was suspected of multiple murders. Filmmaker Andrew Jarecki decided to dig deep into the cases surrounding Durst and uncovered numerous shocking details. Even more shocking, however, was Durst’s own involvement with the series – which you have to see to believe.
When it comes to documentaries, The Jinx is a must-watch not just because of its jaw-dropping reveals but also because it often resembles a bona fide thriller. Delivering slow-burn tension and unexpected twists all throughout, it remains a standout in the true crime genre. Season 1 is subtitled The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst and debuted in 2015. A second season, Part Two, dropped earlier in 2024. You can stream The Jinx on Max.
Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult (Netflix)
If you can stomach one more chilling addition to the true crime genre, Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult will have you glued to the screen from the start. The series looks into the rise of the 7M TikTok cult, an organization that recruited dancers from TikTok under the guise of promoting their careers. Instead of fulfilling that promise, however, they trapped them in a manipulative religious group. How? By isolating them from their loved ones.
The docuseries does an excellent job of showcasing the more insidious part of social media, with a focus on TikTok. You probably already know that not everything you see online is authentic, but you’d be surprised by what actually goes when the camera stops rolling. Featuring powerful interviews and heart-wrenching personal stories, the series reveals the extent of the cult’s influence and the struggle of those trying to escape. It consists of three episodes streaming on Netflix.
Final Thoughts on Streaming Documentaries
With so many documentaries available at your fingertips, you’ll never run out of captivating real-life stories to watch. A lot of the content out there manages to blend compelling narratives with high emotional stakes. They inform and entertain at the same time, and they often take viewers on intense emotional journeys. Once you’re done watching, you’ll have plenty to think about.
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