Something about celebrity documentaries makes them incredibly enthralling. Maybe it's the intimate nature of behind-the-scenes footage, or perhaps it's the narratives that force you to recognise how relatable celebrities can be [1]. Regardless, I'm always here for a Hollywood documentary, and there we've already seen some truly captivating ones come out in 2021. Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell, Kid 90, and Demi Lovato [2]: Dancing With the Devil are all great recent examples of documentaries that shed new light on celebrities we thought we knew — and these are just the tip of the iceberg. Thanks to Netflix and other streaming sites, there's no shortage of celebrity docs available to stream right now. Take a look at some of the most insightful ones ahead.
— Additional reporting by Maggie Panos
Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell
Released on March 1, Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell [3] is the unforgettable tale of The Notorious B.I.G. Using rare footage and interviews from his family about his childhood and adulthood, this Netflix documentary how he grew a rap career out of nothing but pure talent.
Watch Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell on Netflix [4].
Miss Americana
Taylor Swift [5] is an admirable activist and artist, and her documentary Miss Americana [6] shows her experience in both of those areas. In this movie, Taylor gets real about her career in the music industry. Further, she finally publicly discusses how politics play a role in her life [7], a huge milestone for the singer-songwriter.
Watch Miss Americana on Netflix [8].
Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé
Who doesn't need a little Beyoncé [9] in their life? Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé features footage from her 2018 Coachella performance and the emotional road that led to it.
Watch Homecoming: A Film by Beyonce on Netflix [10].
Gaga: Five Foot Two
Gaga: Five Foot Two guides you through Lady Gaga [11]'s and personal life. Besides showcasing her forever-amazing outfits, Lady Gaga bravely shares her struggles in a raw way. Even if Lady Gaga isn't always on your rotation, you'll want to revisit her full catalogueue after watching this.
Watch Gaga: Five Foot Two on Netflix [12].
Framing Britney Spears
An episode of The New York Times Presents on Hulu, Framing Britney Spears [13] is an eye-opening documentary about Britney Spears's conservatorship [14], how she was treated by the press throughout her success and struggles, and more parts of her life as she fights for freedom. This documentary may encourage you to see (and treat) celebrities [15] in a more understanding way.
Watch Framing Britney Spears on Hulu [16].
Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts
If you love RuPaul's Drag Race [17] — or drag culture in general — Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts is a great watch. This documentary details Trixie's journey as a drag queen and music star, with all its ups and downs.
Watch Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts on Netflix [18].
Travis Scott: Look Mom I Can Fly
The intimate documentary Travis Scott: Look Mom I Can Fly shares pieces of Travis [19]'s life. You'll be able to see concert scenes, his experiences as a father, the controversies he faces, and the effects he's had on his fans.
Watch Travis Scott: Look Mom I Can Fly on Netflix [20].
BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky
Simply put: BLACKPINK is a great K-pop band [21]. You may bop along with "How You Like That" on TikTok, but how much do you know about the individual members and their dynamic as a group? Learn more about these women and the battles they overcame in BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky.
Watch BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky on Netflix [22].
Shawn Mendes: In Wonder
Anyone else want to look at and listen to Shawn Mendes [23] for hours? If that's the case for you, check out Shawn Mendes: In Wonder. You'll have the opportunity to see him perform and talk about his future, with clips and details on his relationship with Camila Cabello [24]!
Watch Shawn Mendes: In Wonder on Netflix [25].
Behind the Curtain: Todrick Hall
Sitting at the intersection of the entertainment industry and the in the LGBTQIA+ community [26], Behind the Curtain: Todrick Hall shares how Hall found success as a singer and YouTuber while growing up as a gay man.
Watch Behind the Curtain: Todrick Hall on Netflix [27].
Ariana Grande: Excuse Me, I Love You
For a feel-good celebrity documentary with behind-the-scenes footage, check out Ariana Grande [28]: Excuse Me, I Love You. This movie shows bits of Grande's global concert tour and her emotional backstage moments.
Watch Ariana Grande: Excuse Me, I Love You on Netflix [29].
Amy
On the other hand, Amy is not for the faint of heart. The doc shines a light on Amy Winehouse [30]'s insane talent along with the personal struggles that led to her untimely death [31]. It includes old interviews, fans' emotional reactions to her passing, details about her relationships, and more. This is a documentary that entails commonly triggering topics, such as self-harm and drug use, so keep that in mind before watching.
Watch Amy on Amazon Prime Video [32].
What Happened, Miss Simone?
Have you ever wanted to learn more about the life of singer and activist Nina Simone? What Happened, Miss Simone? shares the details using interviews from her family, plus never-before-heard recordings and rare footage.
Watch What Happened, Miss Simone? on Netflix [33].
Quincy
Quincy provides an exclusive look into Quincy Jones's life and stories. This intimate documentary includes clips of Quincy with other celebrities, his photoshoots, his medical challenges, his childhood years, and more.
Watch Quincy on Netflix [34].
I Am Chris Farley
This 2015 doc takes a look at the life of comedy legend Chris Farley, who passed away at age 33. Interviews with David Spade, Adam Sandler [35], Dan Aykroyd, Bob Saget, Molly Shannon, and more of Farley's contemporaries paint a full portrait of the Saturday Night Live [36] star in this touching doc that, like Kid 90, features lots of footage from the early '90s.
Watch I Am Chris Farley on Amazon Prime Video [37].
Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil
Almost three years after near-fatal overdose [38], Demi Lovato [39] partnered with YouTube to create a four-part miniseries centreed on her mental health. Dancing With the Devil, which premiered on March 23, reveals intimate details of her personal life [40] during and since her struggle to maintain sobriety — including her attempts with moderation.
Watch Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil on YouTube [41].
Kid 90
If you grew up in the '90s, the names Soleil Moon Frye, David Arquette [42], Stephen Dorff, Balthazar Getty, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Brian Austin Green [43], Tori Leonard, and Heather McComb should ring some bells. In her documentary for Hulu, Frye gathered all of her old friends for candid interviews about what life in Hollywood was really like [44] for young stars.
Watch Kid 90 on Hulu [45].