If you're looking to learn and stream simultaneously, Netflix has dozens of fascinating documentaries available to watch that touch on a variety of subjects. Whether you're itching to watch an exciting sports documentary [1], a thrilling true-crime documentary [2], or a thought-provoking political documentary [3], there's honestly a doc for everyone. Even though these films are based on true stories, they're often times wilder than fiction, making them just as entertaining as a heart-pounding action flick. If you're an enthusiast of this genre, be sure to check out the best new Netflix original documentaries of 2021 so far. They're sure not to disappoint!
Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer
By the time he passed away in 2013, serial killer Richard Ramirez — widely known as the Night Stalker — was linked to 14 gruesome murders across California, and possibly even more. This wild docuseries follows the hunt to figure out the extent of his killing spree during the '80s.
Watch Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer [5] on Netflix now.
Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy
If you want the scoop on how the crack epidemic began — and how it was hyped and exploited — then you need to check out this documentary that delves into the complex history of this drug that was prominent during the '80s.
Watch Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy [6] on Netflix now.
Surviving Death
No one knows what exactly happens after we die — save for the people who faced death and lived to tell the tale. Based on Leslie Kean's book, Surviving Death, this docuseries investigates the possibility of life after death, as told through personal stories of near-death experiences, reincarnation, and paranormal phenomena.
Watch Surviving Death [7] on Netflix now.
Pretend It's a City
Director Martin Scorsese [8] and writer and humourist Fran Lebowitz teamed up for this series in which Lebowitz gives her very wry take on all things New York City.
Watch Pretend It's a City [9] on Netflix now.
Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel
When a young woman named Elisa Lam vanished at the Cecil Hotel in 2013, YouTubers and bloggers decided to take matters into their own hands to solve the case. However, their investigation ended up having some tragic consequences that this documentary touches on.
Watch Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel [10] on Netflix now.
Pelé
Edson Arantes do Nascimento — better known as Pelé — is a former professional footballer and the all-time leading goalscorer for Brazil. This fascinating documentary takes viewers into the life and story of FIFA's greatest player of all time.
Watch Pelé [11] on Netflix now.
Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell
If you're not familiar with the late New York City MC, then this music documentary that celebrates the life of The Notorious B.I.G. is a must-watch. Follow Biggie Smalls on his journey from hustler to rap legend through rare interviews and footage.
Watch Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell [12] on Netflix now.
Murder Among the Mormons
This thrilling true-crime doc follows Mark Hofmann, an expert forger who faked documents related to the history of the Latter Day Saint movement. When his schemes began to unravel, he planted pipe bombs to silence three people in Salt Lake City. This docuseries tells his wild story.
Watch Murder Among the Mormons [13] on Netflix now.
Seaspiracy
Be prepared to never enjoy shrimp the same way again after watching this investigative documentary that examines the global fishing industry, and the various human impacts on marine life.
Watch Seaspiracy [14] on Netflix now.
Worn Stories
Based on the book of the same name by Emily Spivack, this docuseries (which was adapted by Orange Is the New Black [15] creator Jenji Kohan) profiles real people as they tell the fascinating stories behind their favourite pieces of clothing.
Watch Worn Stories [16] on Netflix now.
This Is A Robbery: The World's Biggest Art Heist
In 1990, 13 works of art were stolen from Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum by two men dressed as police officers. This docuseries dives into the notorious crime and how exactly the thieves managed to pull it off.
Watch This Is A Robbery: The World's Biggest Art Heist [17] on Netflix now.
My Love: Six Stories of True Love
This sweet docuseries follows six long-time couples over the course of a year as they share the secrets and stories behind their decades-long romances.
Watch My Love: Six Stories of True Love [18] on Netflix now.
Why Did You Kill Me?
When 24-year-old Crystal Theobald was killed in a gang-related firefight in 2006, her family vowed to get revenge, and this compelling documentary tells the story of how they used MySpace to track down her killers.
Watch Why Did You Kill Me? [19] on Netflix now.
The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness
This docuseries follows the story of journalist Maury Terry, who spent his career trying to link infamous murderer David Berkowitz [20] (aka the Son of Sam killer) to Charles Manson's satanic cult, leading to a lifelong obsession.
Watch The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness [21] on Netflix now.
Nail Bomber: Manhunt
In April 1999, three homemade nail bombs were detonated over the course of three weekends in London, targeting the city's Black, Bengali, and LGBTQ+ communities. This fascinating documentary dives into the hunt to find the far-right extremist behind the crimes.
Watch Nail Bomber: Manhunt [22] on Netflix now.
Penguin Town
Filmed in a South African town, this docuseries follows a group of endangered penguins as they flock together, find mates, and interact with their surrounding communities.
Watch Penguin Town [23] on Netflix now.
This Is Pop
From ABBA to T-Pain, this music docuseries celebrates the history and legends of pop music, while also shining a light on the racism, sexism, classism, queer politics, and social injustice that persist within the pop music industry.
Watch This Is Pop [24] on Netflix now.
Murder by the Coast
This Spanish documentary dives into the 1999 murder of Rocío Wanninkhof, a Dutch-Spanish teenager who police believed to have been killed by her mom's estranged ex . . . until DNA found near Wanninkhof's body suggested otherwise.
Watch Murder by the Coast [25] on Netflix now.
Sisters on Track
In this inspiring documentary, three young sisters from Brooklyn attempt to qualify for the Junior Olympics while facing other obstacles at home.
Watch Sisters on Track [26] on Netflix now.
Wonder Boy
This documentary revolves around the life and career of French fashion designer Olivier Roustein, who eventually ascended to the role of artistic director of the Balmain brand.
Watch Wonder Boy [27] on Netflix now.
Sophie: A Murder in West Cork
This docuseries traces the 1996 death of Sophie Toscan du Plantier — a French woman who was found killed near her West Cork holiday home — and the decades-long battle to catch her killer.
Watch Sophie: A Murder in West Cork [28] on Netflix now.
Audible
In this moving documentary, a Maryland School For the Deaf football player prepares for his final homecoming football game while mourning his friend's recent suicide.
Watch Audible [29] on Netflix now.
Heist
In this three-part true-crime docuseries, three of the biggest heists in modern American history are chronicled and explained — by the very people who pulled them off.
Watch Heist [30] on Netflix now.
Private Network: Who Killed Manuel Buendía?
In May 1984, renowned Mexican journalist and political columnist Manuel Buendía — who was recognised largely for his coverage of the CIA's covert operations in Mexico — was mysteriously murdered, and this gripping documentary explores this potentially still unsolved case.
Watch Private Network: Who Killed Manuel Bendía? [31] on Netflix now.
Myth & Mogul: John DeLorean
Combining interviews with never-before-seen footage, this three-part docuseries tells the captivating tale of engineer and inventor John DeLorean, following his epic rise and fall in the American automobile industry.
Watch Myth & Mogul: John DeLorean [32] on Netflix now.
Cat People
This feel-good docuseries tells the story of people around the world who are united by one thing: their shared love of felines.
Watch Cat People [33] on Netflix now.
Pray Away
From executive producer Ryan Murphy, this heartbreaking documentary features interviews with ex-leaders and a survivor of conversion therapy. The doc focuses on the dangerous efforts these facilities often take in order to change someone's sexual orientation and gender identity.
Watch Pray Away [34] on Netflix now.
Shiny_Flakes: The Teenage Drug Lord
If you love the show How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast), then you need to watch this German documentary that tells the true story of the teenager who built a drug empire from his bedroom.
Watch Shiny_Flakes: The Teenage Drug Lord [35] on Netflix now.
Cocaine Cowboys: The Kings of Miami
Lovers of true crime need to check out this docuseries that explains how two high-school dropouts from Cuba — Augusto "Willy" Falcon and Salvador "Sal" Magluta — ended up becoming the most powerful drug kingpins in Miami.
Watch Cocaine Cowboys: The Kings of Miami [36] on Netflix now.
Memories of a Murderer: The Nilsen Tapes
In 1983, Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen was sentenced to life in prison after killing at least 12 young men in the Muswell Hill district of North London over a span of five years. Before his death in 2018, he narrated his life and horrific crimes in a series of audiotapes recorded from his jail cell. This documentary brings those chilling tapes to light.
Watch Memories of a Murderer: The Nilsen Tapes [37] on Netflix now.
Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed
You may know him best as the man who painted happy trees, but this illuminating documentary shows a different side of Bob Ross. It turns out the art instructor and Joy of Painting host was also secretly engaged in a battle for his business empire, and this documentary details these events.
Watch Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed [38] on Netflix now.
Misha and the Wolves
In her 1997 memoir, Belgian Holocaust survivor Misha Defonseca told the story of how, at the age of 7, she escaped the Holocaust and survived by befriending a pack of wolves. Her book became an international bestseller — until people begin to question the legitimacy of her inspiring tale.
Watch Misha and the Wolves [39] on Netflix now.
John of God: The Crimes of a Spiritual Healer
This docuseries from Brazil delves into the life of medium João Teixeira de Faria, who collected a loyal following and rose to international fame. However, his dark history of abuse was exposed by survivors, prosecutors, and the press, all of which this true-crime doc delves into.
Watch John of God: The Crimes of a Spiritual Healer [40] on Netflix now.