Fun
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Curious
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WeirdThe 17 Best Documentaries On Netflix
By Jade Budowski
@jadebudowski
Published
April 16, 2018, 9:00 p.m. ET
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All with 100% Rotten Tomatoes Critic Scores!
Photo: Netflix ; Illustration: Dillen Phelps
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42 Grams
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This intimate documentary tells the story of Jake Bickelhaupt, a chef who goes from running an illegal restaurant in his home to becoming a culinary celebrity of sorts in under a year. The exploration of the toll this takes on his marriage and personal life sets this film aside from other similar chef documentaries and makes it feel totally fresh.
[Stream 42 Grams on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This intimate documentary tells the story of Jake Bickelhaupt, a chef who goes from running an illegal restaurant in his home to becoming a culinary celebrity of sorts in under a year. The exploration of the toll this takes on his marriage and personal life sets this film aside from other similar chef documentaries and makes it feel totally fresh.
[Stream 42 Grams on Netflix]
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A River Below
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
The Amazon is at the center of this sweeping documentary, which follows marine biologist Fernando Trujillo and TV host Richard Rasmussen as they team up in an attempt to save the endangered pink river dolphin with the help of the media.
[Stream A River Below on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
The Amazon is at the center of this sweeping documentary, which follows marine biologist Fernando Trujillo and TV host Richard Rasmussen as they team up in an attempt to save the endangered pink river dolphin with the help of the media.
[Stream A River Below on Netflix]
4 of
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Alive and Kicking
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
A gorgeous look at the wild world of swing dancing, Alive and Kicking follows professionals and enthusiasts as they find joy in the art of the dance and look deeper within themselves in the process. This dynamic, colorful portrait of a cathartic form of expression might leave you wanting to swing dance a little yourself.
[Stream Alive and Kicking on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
A gorgeous look at the wild world of swing dancing, Alive and Kicking follows professionals and enthusiasts as they find joy in the art of the dance and look deeper within themselves in the process. This dynamic, colorful portrait of a cathartic form of expression might leave you wanting to swing dance a little yourself.
[Stream Alive and Kicking on Netflix]
5 of
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Asperger's Are Us
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This unique, moving coming of age documentary follows four friends on the autism spectrum who have connected with one another through their love of humor and perform together as comedy troupe 'Asperger's Are Us'. Before going their separate ways for the future, the group decides to put on one last big show to mark their farewell.
[Stream Asperger's Are Us on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This unique, moving coming of age documentary follows four friends on the autism spectrum who have connected with one another through their love of humor and perform together as comedy troupe 'Asperger's Are Us'. Before going their separate ways for the future, the group decides to put on one last big show to mark their farewell.
[Stream Asperger's Are Us on Netflix]
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Betting On Zero
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Ever heard of Herbalife? So has Bill Ackman, and he's not buying it. The hedge fund giant sets out on a mission to expose the international nutritional behemoth as a massive pyramid scheme and deals with their own accusations about him in the process.
[Stream Betting On Zero on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Ever heard of Herbalife? So has Bill Ackman, and he's not buying it. The hedge fund giant sets out on a mission to expose the international nutritional behemoth as a massive pyramid scheme and deals with their own accusations about him in the process.
[Stream Betting On Zero on Netflix]
7 of
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Breaking a Monster
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This film shakes up the music documentary format by chronicling the breakout year of heavy metal band 'Unlocking the Truth', following its 12 and 13-year-old musicians. As the trio encounter the music the industry and leave behind their own childhood, something truly special happens.
[Stream Breaking a Monster on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This film shakes up the music documentary format by chronicling the breakout year of heavy metal band 'Unlocking the Truth', following its 12 and 13-year-old musicians. As the trio encounter the music the industry and leave behind their own childhood, something truly special happens.
[Stream Breaking a Monster on Netflix]
8 of
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Chasing Coral
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This heartbreaking look at how our planet is deteriorating before our eyes makes clear the things we've feared for years. Coral reefs are disappearing at an unprecedented rate, and this unrelenting display of just how dire the situation is offers a surprisingly emotional viewing experience.
[Stream Chasing Coral on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This heartbreaking look at how our planet is deteriorating before our eyes makes clear the things we've feared for years. Coral reefs are disappearing at an unprecedented rate, and this unrelenting display of just how dire the situation is offers a surprisingly emotional viewing experience.
[Stream Chasing Coral on Netflix]
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Cuba and the Cameraman
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Director Joe Alpert has followed Fidel Castro and three Cuban families affected by his rule for 42 years, and in this enlightening documentary, their stories are finally told. The intimate look at their growth and struggle through the constantly changing climate of Cuba is absolutely gripping.
[Stream Cuba and the Cameraman]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Director Joe Alpert has followed Fidel Castro and three Cuban families affected by his rule for 42 years, and in this enlightening documentary, their stories are finally told. The intimate look at their growth and struggle through the constantly changing climate of Cuba is absolutely gripping.
[Stream Cuba and the Cameraman]
Photo: Netflix
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Democrats
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
In Zimbabwe, where things are incredibly politically unstable, a new constitution is devised by the ruling party of Robert Mugabe and the at-odds opposition. As they try to move forward, conflicts both personal and political get in the way and complicate the process.
[Stream Democrats on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
In Zimbabwe, where things are incredibly politically unstable, a new constitution is devised by the ruling party of Robert Mugabe and the at-odds opposition. As they try to move forward, conflicts both personal and political get in the way and complicate the process.
[Stream Democrats on Netflix]
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For the Love of Spock
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Leonard Nimoy's son directs this moving look at the role that defined his father's career with the help of folks like George Takei, William Shanter, Simon Pegg and more.
[Stream For the Love of Spock on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Leonard Nimoy's son directs this moving look at the role that defined his father's career with the help of folks like George Takei, William Shanter, Simon Pegg and more.
[Stream For the Love of Spock on Netflix]
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From This Day Forward
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This moving, unique portrait of a family follows filmmaker Sharon Shattuck, a woman whose father came out as transgender during her middle school years. During the preparations for her wedding, she reunites with her parents and asks them how their love has lasted all these years despite these unconventional changes.
[Stream From This Day Forward on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This moving, unique portrait of a family follows filmmaker Sharon Shattuck, a woman whose father came out as transgender during her middle school years. During the preparations for her wedding, she reunites with her parents and asks them how their love has lasted all these years despite these unconventional changes.
[Stream From This Day Forward on Netflix]
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Growing Up Coy
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
When six-year-old transgender girl Coy is banned from using the girls' bathroom at her school, her parents hire a lawyer to pursue a civil rights case of discrimination. Before they know it, they're thrust into the international media spotlight and their case becomes a landmark event.
[Stream Growing Up Coy on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
When six-year-old transgender girl Coy is banned from using the girls' bathroom at her school, her parents hire a lawyer to pursue a civil rights case of discrimination. Before they know it, they're thrust into the international media spotlight and their case becomes a landmark event.
[Stream Growing Up Coy on Netflix]
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Man On Wire
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Philippe Petit's infamous 1974 high-wire walk between the World Trade Center Twin Towers is documented in this riveting 2008 documentary. The film employs rare footage, reenactments, and interviews to set the film up in the style of a heist flick. Suspenseful and fascinating, there's a reason this documentary is a classic.
[Stream Man On Wire on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Philippe Petit's infamous 1974 high-wire walk between the World Trade Center Twin Towers is documented in this riveting 2008 documentary. The film employs rare footage, reenactments, and interviews to set the film up in the style of a heist flick. Suspenseful and fascinating, there's a reason this documentary is a classic.
[Stream Man On Wire on Netflix]
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Paris is Burning
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This wildly influential documentary chronicles New York City's drag scene in the 1980s and focuses on the tight knit communities of their "house" culture, and the balls attended by the groups from each house that feature dazzling cues from the world of fashion. A stunning, intimate portrait of the time, the controversial flick continues to spark conversation years later.
[Stream Paris is Burning on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This wildly influential documentary chronicles New York City's drag scene in the 1980s and focuses on the tight knit communities of their "house" culture, and the balls attended by the groups from each house that feature dazzling cues from the world of fashion. A stunning, intimate portrait of the time, the controversial flick continues to spark conversation years later.
[Stream Paris is Burning on Netflix]
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Sour Grapes
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
If you love wine and wine documentaries, prepare to find yourself both entertained and infuriated by Sour Grapes. The documentary tells the story of wine fraudster Rudy Kurniawa, who schmoozed with the rich and powerful and sold millions of dollars worth of fraudulent wine through some of the world's most prestigious auction houses.
[Stream Sour Grapes on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
If you love wine and wine documentaries, prepare to find yourself both entertained and infuriated by Sour Grapes. The documentary tells the story of wine fraudster Rudy Kurniawa, who schmoozed with the rich and powerful and sold millions of dollars worth of fraudulent wine through some of the world's most prestigious auction houses.
[Stream Sour Grapes on Netflix]
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Strong Island
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Director Yance Ford investigates the violent 1992 murder of his brother in this painfully personal documentary, examining racism, the judicial system, and societal expectations in the process.
[Stream Strong Island on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Director Yance Ford investigates the violent 1992 murder of his brother in this painfully personal documentary, examining racism, the judicial system, and societal expectations in the process.
[Stream Strong Island on Netflix]
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The Thin Blue Line
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
In 1977, a hitchhiker named Randall Dale Adams was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of a police officer in Dallas. The circumstantial evidence used to convict Adams, however, proved to be extremely flimsy, and director Errol Morris sought to exonerate Adams by interviewing other individuals and conducting an investigation of his own. This gripping look at the corruption of the police department and layers of the justice system is one that will leave you reeling.
[Stream The Thin Blue Line on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
In 1977, a hitchhiker named Randall Dale Adams was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of a police officer in Dallas. The circumstantial evidence used to convict Adams, however, proved to be extremely flimsy, and director Errol Morris sought to exonerate Adams by interviewing other individuals and conducting an investigation of his own. This gripping look at the corruption of the police department and layers of the justice system is one that will leave you reeling.
[Stream The Thin Blue Line on Netflix]
