100 best documentary series

List of the best TV series in the documentary genre, selected by visitors to our site: The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin, The Rehearsal, Allen v. Farrow, 100 Foot Wave, The Crime of the Century, What Happened, Brittany Murphy?, The Vow, The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children, Earth's Tropical Islands
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Markimdb: 8.8
Genredocumentary
CountryUnited Kingdom
Duration01:00

Wonders of the Solar System is an award-winning 2010 television series co-produced by the BBC and Science Channel, and hosted by physicist Brian Cox. Wonders of the Solar System was first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 7 March 2010. The series comprises five episodes, each of which focuses on an aspect of the Solar System and features a 'wonder' relevant to the theme. The series was described as one of the most successful to appear on BBC Two in recent years. On 31 March 2011, the series won the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award for excellence in documentary film-making.

Explore how the late Gwen Shamblin Lara, who founded the controversial Remnant Fellowship Church and created the Christian weight loss program "The Weigh Down Workshop," rose to fame as a diet guru and church leader.

Markimdb: 8.7
Genrecomedy, documentary
CountryUSA

In a uniquely hilarious odyssey of self-discovery and cultural observation, documentary filmmaker and self-described “anxious New Yorker” John Wilson covertly and obsessively films the lives of his fellow New Yorkers while attempting to give everyday advice on relatable topics. The awkward contradictions of modern life are eased by Wilson’s candid, unpolished commentary. Building upon Wilson’s previously released “how to” short films, each episode takes wildly unexpected turns but is grounded in John’s refreshing honesty.

Markimdb: 9
Genrecomedy, documentary
CountryUSA

Nathan Fielder gives people a chance to rehearse for their own lives in a world where nothing ever works out as expected.

Markimdb: 8.6
Genredocumentary, military, history
CountryRussia

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Markimdb: 6.5
Genredocumentary, detective, biography
CountryUSA

The story of one Hollywood's most notorious and public scandals: the accusation of sexual abuse against Woody Allen involving Dylan, his then 7-year-old daughter with Mia Farrow; their subsequent custody trial, the revelation of Allen’s relationship with Farrow’s daughter, Soon-Yi; and the controversial aftermath in the years that followed.

Markimdb: 8.1
Genredocumentary, biography, sport
CountryUSA

The decade-long odyssey of surfing pioneer Garrett McNamara, who, after visiting Nazaré, Portugal in hopes of conquering a 100-foot wave, pushed the sport to ever-greater heights and alongside locals helped transform the small fishing village into the world’s preeminent big-wave surfing destination.

Markimdb: 8.3
Genredocumentary, crime
CountryUSA

A searing indictment of Big Pharma and the political operatives and government regulations that enable over-production, reckless distribution and abuse of synthetic opiates.

Markimdb: 6.5
Genredocumentary, crime, detective, biography
CountryUSA

An in-depth, intimate character portrait exploring the life and career and mysterious circumstances surrounding the tragic death of 90’s actress and rising star, Brittany Murphy. The series goes beyond the conspiracy theories and headlines, featuring new interviews by those closest to Brittany and new archival footage.

Markimdb: 7
Genredocumentary, crime
CountryUSA

The docuseries follows people deeply involved in the group NXIVM — which is faced with various charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy — over the course of several years.

Markimdb: 8.1
Genredocumentary
CountryUnited Kingdom, USA

Exploring some of the world's most isolated and iconic tropical islands.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genredocumentary, crime
CountryUSA

This docuseries explores the period between 1979 and 1981 when at least 30 African-American children and young adults disappeared or were murdered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Markimdb: 8.6
Genredocumentary, crime, detective
CountryUSA
Duration01:00

Robert Durst, scion of one of New York’s billionaire real estate families, has been accused of three murders but never convicted. Brilliant, reclusive, and the subject of relentless media scrutiny, he’s never spoken publicly—until now. During interviews with Andrew Jarecki, he reveals secrets of the case that baffled authorities for 30 years. In 2010, Jarecki made the narrative film All Good Things based on the infamous story of Robert Durst. After Durst saw the film, he contacted Jarecki wanting to tell his story. What began as a feature documentary ultimately became a six-part series as more and more of his incredible story was revealed.

Markimdb: 8.6
Genredocumentary
CountryUSA, United Kingdom

Experience the wonders of our world like never before in this epic docuseries from Jon Favreau and the producers of Planet Earth. Travel back 66 million years to when majestic dinosaurs and extraordinary creatures roamed the lands, seas, and skies.

Markimdb: 7.9
Genredocumentary
CountryUSA

Embark on a global cultural journey into street food and discover the stories of the people who create the flavorful dishes.

Markimdb: 6.6
Genredocumentary, biography, sport
CountryUSA, Brazil

Beloved worldwide but also a lightning rod for criticism, Neymar shares the highs and lows of his personal life and brilliant football career.

Markimdb: 7.4
Genredocumentary, crime
CountryFrance

When their 4-year-old son is murdered, a young couple fights a twisting and arduous battle trying to identify a frustratingly elusive killer.

Markimdb: 7.7
Genredocumentary, crime
CountryBrazil

Brazilian TV personality and politician Wallace Souza faces accusations of masterminding the violent crimes he reported on and rallied against.

Markimdb: 8.2
Genredocumentary
CountryUSA

Writer, director and food enthusiast Jon Favreau and chef Roy Choi explore food in and out of the kitchen with accomplished chefs and celebrity friends.

Markimdb: 9.1
Genredocumentary
CountryUnited Kingdom
Duration00:58

Professor Brian Cox explores the dramatic lives of the eight majestic planets/worlds that make up our solar system.

Markimdb: 7.8
Genredocumentary
CountryUSA

Explore American cinema through the decades and the cultural, societal and political shifts that framed its evolution.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genredocumentary, crime
CountrySpain

New interviews and an up-to-date analysis of evidence shed light on the 1992 murders of three girls in Spain and their profound impact on the nation.

Markimdb: 6.8
Genredocumentary, biography
CountryUSA

An inventive and cinematic approach to biographies of the most iconic figures in society today by using letters written by those whose lives have been changed through their work.

Markimdb: 9.3
Genredocumentary
CountryUnited Kingdom, China, USA, Germany, France

Millions of years ago, incredible forces ripped apart the Earth’s crust creating seven extraordinary continents. This documentary series reveals how each distinct continent has shaped the unique animal life found there.

Markimdb: 7.2
Genredocumentary, crime, history
CountryUSA

A detailed account of the McDonald's Monopoly game scam during the 1990s as told by the participants in the case, including the prizewinners and the FBI agents who caught the security officer who orchestrated the entire scheme.

Markimdb: 8.4
Genredocumentary
CountryUSA

Explore the transformative power of education through the eyes of a dozen incarcerated men and women trying to earn college degrees – and a chance at new beginnings – from one of the country’s most rigorous prison education programs.

Markimdb: 6.3
Genredocumentary, crime
CountryUSA

Soon after his birth-mother contacted him for the first time, Gary L. Stewart decided to search for his biological father. His disturbing identity would force Stewart to reconsider everything he thought he knew about himself.

Markimdb: 7.6
Genrefamily, documentary, history
CountryUSA

A deep nostalgic dive into pop-culture that entertained the masses.

Markimdb: 8
Genredocumentary
CountryUSA

Ever wonder what's happening inside your head? From dreaming to anxiety disorders, discover how your brain works with this illuminating series.

Markimdb: 7.3
Genredocumentary, crime, detective
CountryUSA

Real cases of perplexing disappearances, shocking murders and paranormal encounters fuel this gripping revival of the iconic documentary series.

Markimdb: 6.4
Genredocumentary
CountryUSA

An enigmatic conservative Christian group known as the Family wields enormous influence in Washington, D.C., in pursuit of its global ambitions.

Markimdb: 7.6
Genredocumentary, history
CountryMexico

Archival video and new interviews examine Mexican politics in 1994, a year marked by the rise of the EZLN and the assassination of Luis Donaldo Colosio.

Markimdb: 8
Genredocumentary
CountryUSA

DNA, the very essence of life, can now be altered. Not only by Harvard geneticists and multi-billion dollar corporations, but also by renegade biohackers working out of their garages.

Markimdb: 8.2
Genredocumentary
CountryUSA

Some of the world's most majestic birds display delightfully captivating mating rituals, from flashy dancing to flaunting their colorful feathers.

Markimdb: 7.8
Genrecomedy, documentary
CountryUSA

Through the prism of Jeff Goldblum's always inquisitive and highly entertaining mind, nothing is as it seems. Each episode is centered around something we all love — like sneakers or ice cream — as Jeff pulls the thread on these deceptively familiar objects and unravels a wonderful world of astonishing connections, fascinating science and history, amazing people, and a whole lot of surprising big ideas and insights.

Markimdb: 8.3
Genrecomedy, adventure, documentary
CountryUnited Kingdom

James May embarks on a remarkable journey across Japan, from its icy north to its balmy south. He’ll see the sights, meet the locals, and eat the noodles in a bid to truly understand the Land of the Rising Sun.

Markimdb: 7.8
Genredocumentary, crime, biography
CountryUSA, Canada

After years of silence, Ted Bundy’s long-term girlfriend Elizabeth Kendall, her daughter Molly, and other survivors come forward for the first time in a docuseries that reframes Bundy’s crimes from a female perspective. The series reveals how Bundy’s pathological hatred of women collided with the culture wars and the feminist movement of the 1970s in one of the most infamous crime stories of our time.

Markimdb: 7.7
Genredocumentary
CountryUnited Kingdom

Docudrama factual series that reveals the remarkable true stories behind some of the most gripping and important international spy operations of the last forty years.

Markimdb: 7.7
Genredocumentary, crime
CountryUSA

After his son's tragic death, a Louisiana pharmacist goes to extremes to expose the rampant corruption behind the opioid addiction crisis.

Markimdb: 6.7
Genredocumentary, biography
CountryUSA

Blending in-depth interviews, rare archival footage, and cinematic recreations, this docuseries on the lives of America's most iconic First Ladies is a bold revision of each woman's traditional portrayal, revealing how they were impacted during their time in the White House, and how their achievements fundamentally shaped American and global history.

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