Why you should watch: The Howard and Glazer-founded Imagine Documentaries have released a string of critically acclaimed factual films, including The Dynasty, Judy Blume Forever and - most recently - Disney+’s Jim Henson: Ideas Man. Their take on such an iconic political leader is a must-see for history boffs.

Available December 4

Why you should watch: Adding to Netflix’s top tier catalogue of sports documentaries, Polo presents the seemingly-exclusive polo as a sport like any other, requiring drive and passion to succeed. While it’s unclear as to whether polo enthusiast Prince Harry will appear in the series, he’ll certainly be mentioned in this unprecedented glimpse into his world.

Available December 10

Why you should watch: The Elvis Presley Comeback Special was a seminal moment in music history, and this documentary offers new in-depth interviews about how it came to be. With access to Elvis and his manager Colonel Tom Parker’s personal files, plus rarely seen footage of the ‘68 special and its rehearsals, Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley offers a fresh new insight into the singer, his ambitions, and the chaos of the 1960s.

Available November 13

Why you should watch: The story of the Mucutuy siblings shocked the world in June 2023, when they were discovered by indigenous patrols deep in the Amazon. Their plane, filled with the bodies of all the adults on board, had been found a month earlier. This documentary is a must-see story of human success, celebrating the remarkable teamwork and love shared by the siblings - which ultimately led to their incredible survival.

Available November 14

Why you should watch: Due to the extensive media coverage in Spain, it’s hard to get a full and accurate picture of what happened to Anabel Segura and her kidnappers. This documentary series is a great place to start, offering never-before-heard recordings of the kidnappers and piecing together their movements and motives.

Available November 22

Why you should watch: It's another tear-jerker, but sweet too. This is currently in the highest-rated Netflix documentary film on the Rotten Tomatoes website. Chad Morris, who was involved in the doc, told Tudum earlier this year: "The film is really a tool for conversations: a tool for reflection, a tool for understanding, and a way to have insight into the fact that we're all breathing the same air out here." It's also been described as "poignant" and "beautiful" (FilmWeek). An important documentary, well worth watching.

Available now

Why you should watch: This is another documentary with a rare 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, and is the winner of several awards. It was also named in the National Board of Review’s Top 5 Films of 2022, which is high praise indeed. The doc has been described as “infuriating” and “enlightening” (Deadline Hollywood Daily), which should be enough of a selling point for you to put 109 minutes aside to delve in.

Available now

Why you should watch: The numerous award nominations speak for themselves. The feature-length film 13th was nominated for eight Emmys in 2017, winning three of them. It was put up for an Academy Award too. The doc has been widely praised by critics, with The Guardian branding it "fiercely intelligent" and The New York Times describing it as "powerful, infuriating, and at times overwhelming". It's incredibly moving, and reveals the nation's history of racial inequality.

Available now

Why you should watch: With an Academy Award under its belt, as well as an impressive 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this heartwarming movie is unmissable. It has rightly been described as "gorgeous" (Variety) and "moving" (The Guardian). The 85-minute film is a must for nature lovers, and a bit of a tear-jerker too. Watch in wonder as Craig Foster is taught "to feel that you're part of this place, not a visitor". Mesmerising.

Available now

Why you should watch: Another Academy Award-winning documentary, this film won Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars in 2019. The amount of awards it has been nominated for and won has its own Wikipedia page - that's how good this Netflix original film is considered to be. It also ends up "capturing a cross-cultural car wreck in slow motion" (Rolling Stone).

Available now

Why you should watch: Chronicling her life between her 2018 stadium tour and the release of her album, Lover in 2019, this should be a must-watch for all 'Swifties'. Featuring never-before-seen footage of the star, including some of her more vulnerable moments, this is a documentary that brings fans even closer to the star, who continues to reach stratospheric heights year on year. It's also widely regarded as a pivotal moment in Taylor's career.

Available now

Why you should watch: Whether you're a fan of Beckham or not, if you're into football, you should definitely give this series a watch. And even if you're not into football, it's an insightful look at one of Britain's most famous faces. It's worth the price of admission just to see the hilarious David and Victoria "working class" moment (which won a BAFTA earlier this year). Okay, so it's arguably the side of them they wanted us to see, but that alone is a compelling insight.

Available now

Why you should watch: It is harrowing subject matter, yet it's a story full of hope, showcasing the depths of a father's unwavering love for his daughter. With a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, To Kill a Tiger has been described as being "heavy but necessary" (Variety) and it doesn't pull any punches, no matter how devastating and anger-inducing. The central question is: "How far would you go to get justice for someone you love?"

Available now

Why you should watch: With a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Tinder Swindler should not only scratch your true-crime itch, but might scare you off from using social media for a long time. The film was nominated for an Emmy back in 2023, and has been described by The Guardian as being "snappy and smart and leaves you wanting more". You'll be gobsmacked by the audacity of Israeli conman Simon Leviev, and left with compassion for his victims.

Available now

Why you should watch: Another film that was released to wide-spread critical acclaim, Verunga was nominated for an Oscar back in 2015. The LA Times described it as being: "An urgent investigative report and unforgettable drama... a work of heart-wrenching tenderness and heart-stopping suspense." Not only does it follow the plight of the last mountain gorillas, it introduces the charming but embattled team of park rangers - including an ex-child soldier turned ranger.

Available now

Why you should watch: When you talk about true crime documentary series, this was one of the original and remains one of the best. In fact, it's why many of us joined Netflix in the first place. Making a Murderer was a smash hit when it first dropped on the streaming platform in 2015, and the story of Steven Avery captured our imaginations. In 2015, 500,000 people signed a petition that was sent to the White House demanding Avery be issued a pardon. However, he remains in jail. A second series launched in 2018.

Available now

Why you should watch: Are you worried about how much time you're spending on social media? Is your thumb aching from all that scrolling? Interested in finding out how they get you to keep refreshing your news feed? This might be the film for you. Described as "captivating" and "chilling" (SFX Magazine), it asks important questions about the dangerous human impact of social networking. Will it change your ways, though? Probably not.

Available now

Why you should watch: If David Attenborough's silky, knowledgeable narration isn't enough to convince you, then you should definitely watch this for its truly stunning cinematography. As the BBC has said, Our Planet "gives us some of the most dazzling images you are ever likely to view on TV". This is an absolute must-see for nature lovers, and fans of Attenborough's previous documentary series.

Available now

Why you should watch: It's no surprise Tiger King went viral back in 2020. It's a fascinating insight into the somewhat shady world of big cat conservation in the US, but perhaps the biggest draw is the oddball that is Joe Exotic. Come for the tigers, stay for the rise and fall of one of the most controversial characters in recent history. Binge-worthy is an understatement. We can't promise you'll like him, but you won't be able to turn away.

Available now

Why you should watch: The documentary film, released 11 years ago, sparked a huge conversation about keeping orcas in captivity and SeaWorld's role in it all. The feature film had a huge impact on Sea World too, with the company losing £15m the following year (however, they denied this was down to the documentary's brutal exposé). Three years later, they announced they would be winding down their orca breeding programme, and phasing out orca performances. The doc's real world impact alone should be more than enough reason to put it on.

Available now

Why you should watch: This should be a must-watch for fans of basketball, let alone fans of Michael Jordan himself. While it may be a bit overly positive in Jordan's favour, it's still an insightful, entertaining look at one of the best athletes of all time, as well as one of the Chicago Bulls' most iconic seasons. A fascinating look at a living legend, and you don't have to be a fan of the sport to enjoy it.

Available now

Why you should watch: A car crash in slow motion, this documentary film is well worth the watch just to see a cocky businessman's plans go horribly wrong. The doc follows the "greatest party that never happened". It proved to be a hit when it was first released in 2019, with 20 million households watching it within its first month of release. It was also nominated for four Emmys - which is testament to how good it is.

Available now

Why should you watch: Drive to Survive has been widely praised for introducing millions of new fans to Formula 1. The insightful documentary series looks into the drivers and their lives, as well as the high-octane action of race day. It's made this series one to watch with F1 fans new and old.

Available now

Why should you watch: If you want a film that'll keep you on the edge of your seat - and not always in a good way - then The Deepest Breath will be right up your street. Dangerous stunts, and hairy scrapes, this'll tick every thrill seekers box. But it's not all excitement. There are some really sad bits too - with such dangerous undertakings, there is always going to be tragedy nearby… Exhilarating.

Available now

Why you should watch: Fans of Lewis Capaldi will love the closer look they get at the young singer's life and career. Capaldi is known for his humour, yet there are plenty of emotional moments to be found in this movie. As a review from The New York Times said last year, the doc "manages to escape most of the promotional trappings of its ilk, striking a more meaningful note than other pop star docs".

Available now

Why you should watch: This three-part docu-series gives viewers a look at what exactly went wrong with the infamous festival. Featuring testimonies from people who were actually there, this doc has a respectable 88% Rotten Tomatoes score. Woodstock 1969 promised peace and music, but its '99 revival delivered days of rage, riots and real harm. Why did it go so horribly wrong? It's worth watching to find out.

Available now

Why you should watch: Fancy yourself as a detective? Well the people in this documentary series put their skills to the test and managed to catch a killer. It's an insight into the power of the internet and the hard work of a group of people who just wanted to help out. You might want to look away at some of the more disturbing videos, but the story is a fascinating one. The three-part series was one of Netflix's Top 5 most-watched documentaries of 2019.

Available now

Why you should watch: Beyoncé's documentary film Homecoming has been branded "one of the all-time greatest concert docs" (The Guardian), and was named one of the best films of 2019 by numerous news outlets. It was nominated for a whole host of awards, including six Emmys. If you love Beyoncé, you'll love this.

Available now

There's a long list of fan-favourite and new documentaries on this list that will keep you subscribed to Netflix regardless of their back catalogue. From the series that kept us sane during the pandemic, like Tiger King and Making A Murderer to musical greats Beyonce and Taylor Swift - the only question you'll be left with is, what do I watch first?