15 Best Documentaries On Netflix 2026

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

If you're searching for the best documentaries on netflix 2026 to stream right now, this curated list brings together the year's most compelling non-fiction films across genres. From investigative dramas like The Murder of Rachel Nickell (2026) and high-stakes storytelling in The Crash (2026) to intimate portraits such as Rafa (2026), these picks represent the top best documentaries on netflix 2026. Expect short synopses, genre tags (documentary, crime, biography, drama, history), runtime and quick notes on why each title deserves your attention. Read on to find the best watch for your mood—whether you want a true-crime deep dive, a historical profile, or artful biography.

Table of Contents

1. The Crash
2. Abraham Lincoln
3. Marty, Life Is Short
4. The Murder of Rachel Nickell
5. Alone
6. Rafa
7. México 86
8. This Is a Gardening Show
9. The Perfect Neighbor
10. Brazil 70 - A saga do Tri
11. Trust Me: The False Prophet
12. The Dinosaurs
13. The Great War
14. Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere
15. The Last Dance

1. The Crash

Year: 2026 | Rating: 6.5/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, crime

A teen slams her car into a building, killing her boyfriend and his friend. What seems like a tragic accident becomes a murder case.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Gareth Johnson

2. Abraham Lincoln

Year: 2022 | Rating: 8.4/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, biography, drama, history, war

The true story of America's iconic 16th president as told by weaving together both scripted dramatizations of important moments in his life and commentary by authoritative historians and public figures.

Available on: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus

Directed by: Malcolm Venville

3. Marty, Life Is Short

Year: 2026 | Rating: 7.7/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary

Martin Short looks back on a life fueled by joy in this documentary with classic clips, fresh interviews and star-studded, never-before-seen home movies.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Lawrence Kasdan

4. The Murder of Rachel Nickell

Year: 2026 | Rating: 7/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, crime

In 1992, a young mother is killed in broad daylight on London’s Wimbledon Common, leaving her two-year-old toddler as the sole witness. Exploring the shocking real events behind the drama series The Witness, this gripping documentary from BAFTA-nominated director Lucy Bowden examines the notorious, years-long police investigation that followed. Featuring exclusive archive footage, first-hand accounts from family members, and insights from leading forensic experts, the film unpacks how a flawed, highly-publicised inquiry led to the wrong man's prosecution, before a stunning breakthrough reignited a family's fight for justice over a decade later.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Lucy Bowden

5. 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, Disney Plus

Directed by: Jeff Kay

6. Rafa

Year: 2026 | Rating: 8.7/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, sport

Delves into Rafael Nadal's illustrious tennis career, offering a behind-the-scenes look at his personal life, unseen archives, and his journey to return to competitive play in 2024 after overcoming injuries in 2023.

Available on: Netflix

7. México 86

Year: 2026 | Rating: 6.9/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, comedy, drama, history, sport

When a last-minute chance to host the 1986 World Cup appears, a cunning Mexican bureaucrat, armed with nothing but guts and audacity, cons his way through FIFA to beat the United States, but in a country of power games, every victory has a price.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Gabriel Ripstein

8. This Is a Gardening Show

Year: 2026 | Rating: 7.6/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, comedy, reality-tv

Follows Zach Galifianakis as he approaches gardening with curiosity and self-effacing humor, blending comedy with appreciation for the planet while providing accessible tools and tips.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Brook Linder

9. 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

10. Brazil 70 - A saga do Tri

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

Genres: documentary, drama, history, sport

Soccer icons Pele, Jarzinho, and Carlos Alberto spearhead Brazil's quest for World Cup glory. Their journey blends on-field brilliance with off-field challenges, capturing the spirit of a nation as they aim for soccer's ultimate prize.

Available on: Netflix

11. Trust Me: The False Prophet

Year: 2026 | Rating: 7.6/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary

A cult expert and her videographer husband embed themselves in a vulnerable FLDS community in Utah, where they discover disturbing evidence about Samuel Bateman, who claims to be the successor to imprisoned prophet Warren Jeffs.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Rachel Dretzin, Jamila Ephron, Rachel Beth Anderson, Elise Coker

12. The Dinosaurs

Year: 2026 | Rating: 7.6/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, history

Explores the evolutionary journey of dinosaurs, unraveling their origins, ecological significance, diversification, and eventual extinction.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Joe Fereday, Nick Shoolingin-Jordan, Amber Cherry Eames, Jolyon Sutcliffe, Darren Williams

13. The Great War

Year: 2024 | Rating: 7.1/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, history, war

A four-hour cinematic documentary covering U.S. involvement in World War I in the critical year of 1918. After three years of horrific battle in the trenches of France and Belgium, the Allies are on the verge of collapse—and Germany the cusp of victory. The United States is forced to rapidly train, arm, and ship millions of young soldiers overseas to Europe for the first time.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Mandla Dube

14. Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere

Year: 2026 | Rating: 7/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary

With rare access and no holds barred, the acclaimed documentarian investigates a growing ultra-masculine network and its controversial influencers.

Available on: Netflix

Directed by: Adrian Choa

15. The Last Dance

Year: 2020 | Rating: 9/10 | Type: Movie

Genres: documentary, biography, history, sport

A 10-part documentary chronicling the untold story of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty with rare, never-before-seen footage and sound from the 1997-98 championship season – plus over 100 interviews with famous figures and basketball’s biggest names.

Available on: Netflix, Disney Plus

Directed by: Jason Hehir

Wrapping Up

This roundup shows why the best documentaries on netflix 2026 span documentary, crime, biography, drama and history, giving you both fresh premieres and standout catalog titles. Each entry is paired with concise ratings, runtime and a note on audience appeal so you can compare quality and tone at a glance. Bookmark or share this guide and check back regularly — the list is updated often as Netflix adds new releases or rotates content. Want more detail? Explore the individual reviews below or verify streaming availability in your region to start watching.

Last updated: June 14, 2026