Best reality & documentary series streaming, ranked.
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- #1100

Planet Earth
2006– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Family
4 EmmysBest Documentary SeriesA documentary series on the wildlife found on Earth. Each episode covers a different habitat: deserts, mountains, deep oceans, shallow seas, forests, caves, polar regions, fresh water, plains and jungles. Narrated by David Attenbo...
MAX - #3191

Long Way Round
2004–2010 · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Action
Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman embark on a grueling quest to motorbike from London to New York. Going east through Europe, Asia and then to Alaska, they experience different cultures and have to overcome the elements and advers...
Apple TV+ - #3990
Chef's Table
2015–2024 · Series · 7 seasonsDocumentary · Biography
Chef's Table goes inside the lives and kitchens of six of the world's most renowned international chefs. Each episode focuses on a single chef and their unique look at their lives, talents and passion from their piece of culinary ...
Netflix - #4788
The Universe
2007–2015 · Series · 9 seasonsDocumentary · History
This educational show explores many scientific questions and topics about the universe (Big Bang, the Sun, the planets, black holes, other galaxies, astrobiology etc.) through latest CGI, data and interviews with scientists.
Prime Video - #4988
MythBusters
2003–2018 · Series · 15 seasonsDocumentary · Mystery · Reality
The Mythbusters use science (and explosions) to answer every shower thought ever. From testing the myth that coke and pop rocks can explode your stomach, to recreating historical weapons to see how they worked.
Disney+MAXHulu - #5288
LIGHT & MAGIC
2022–2025 · Series · 2 seasonsDocumentary · History
Showcasing the people of Industrial Light and Magic, the special effects division of Lucasfilm, this series takes us back in time as they create the effects for some of the biggest and most successful films of the last 45 years.
Disney+ - #5688

Homicide Hunter: Lt Joe Kenda
2011–2023 · Series · 9 seasonsDocumentary · Crime
Through re-enactments, discussions with investigation teams, and interviews with victims' families and other involved persons, the show highlights Lt. Joe Kenda's successes with his 387 homicide case history and 92% solution rate.
MAXHulu - #6787
The Men Who Built America
2012– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Biography · History
2 EmmysRockefeller, Vanderbilt, Carnegie, Astor, Ford and Morgan. Their names are part of history and synonymous with the American dream. These men transformed every industry they touched: oil, rail, steel, shipping, automobiles, and fin...
HuluPrime Video - #7087
Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War
2024– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary
The series chronicles the creation of the atomic bomb and the spread of nuclear arms over the following decades. It continues past the dissolution of the Soviet Union to Vladimir Putin's ascent and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Netflix - #7187
Jinny's Kitchen
2023– · Series · Korean · 2 seasonsReality
Succeeding 'Youn's Kitchen', Lee Seo Jin will be running a new franchise restaurant abroad that specializes in Korean street food. The show features fellow actors Lee, Jung Yu-mi, Park Seo-joon, Choi Woo-shik and world star BTS V.
Prime Video - #7386
The End of an Era
2025– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary
A behind-the-scenes docuseries event chronicling the development, impact, and inner workings that created the phenomenon that was Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour, as well as providing an intimate look at Taylor's life as her tour made headlines and thrilled fans around the world. The series also spotlights performers, family members, and friends — including Gracie Abrams, Sabrina Carpenter, Ed Sheeran, and Florence Welch — offering never-before-seen insight into what it took to create a phenomenon.
Disney+ - #8686
James May: Our Man in…
2020–2024 · Series · 3 seasonsDocumentary · Action · Comedy
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.
Prime Video - #9085
The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez
2020– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Crime
Filmmaker Brian Knappenberger investigates the tragic death of an 8-year-old California boy who endured horrific abuse by his mother and her boyfriend, along with the fractured and complex systems that failed to protect him.
Netflix - #9885
Culinary Class Wars
2024– · Series · Korean · 2 seasonsReality
Pits 100 renowned chefs and undiscovered talents against each other in a culinary battle. Judged by the esteemed Paik Jong-won and Chef Anh Sung-jae, the show promises to showcase the ultimate clash of culinary skills and creativity.
Netflix - #10185
Sunderland 'Til I Die
2018–2024 · Series · 3 seasonsDocumentary · Sport
Highlights the unfailing passion Sunderland residents have for their beloved football club, taking viewers through the highs and lows of SAFC's 2017-18 season in the Championship following its relegation the previous year.
Netflix - #10885

Buzzfeed Unsolved: True Crime
2016–2021 · Series · 8 seasonsDocumentary · Comedy · Crime
Conspiracy theory enthusiast Ryan deep-dives into mysteries surrounding notorious unsolved crimes, in order to convince his dubious friend Shane that, sometimes, the evidence isn't always as it seems.
HuluPrime Video - #11185

Real Madrid: Until the End
2023– · Series · Spanish · 1 seasonDocumentary · Sport
On their path to one of the most remarkable endings in football history, which resulted in a record 14th Champions League triumph, they overcome the odds and doubters with the support of their ardent fans.
Apple TV+ - #11285
Conan O'Brien Must Go
2024– · Series · 2 seasonsDocumentary · Comedy
2 EmmysAfter years of conversations with listeners from across the world on his podcast Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend (2018), Conan O'Brien sets off on an epic journey to connect with some of his dedicated followers in person.
MAX - #12584
All or Nothing
2016– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Sport
For the first time in history, Amazon and NFL Films present an unprecedented inside look at the lives of players, coaches and owners of a franchise over the course of an entire NFL season. Witness the real life, behind the scenes ...
Prime Video - #13084
Luke Bryan: My Dirt Road Diary
2021– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Biography
Multi-platinum country music superstar and recent Academy of Country Music Awards "Entertainer of the Year" recipient, Luke Bryan, as he experiences the ups, downs, triumphs and tragedies along the road to unprecedented success.
Prime Video - #14983
The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling
2018– · SeriesDocumentary · Biography · Comedy
1 EmmyJudd Apatow presents an emotional two-part in-depth look at the life, career and complex internal struggles of his loving mentor, the influential stand-up comedian and actor Garry Shandling, based on Shandling's personal diaries.
MAX - #15683

Great Barrier Reef with David Attenborough
2015–2016 · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary
David Attenborough revisits the Great Barrier Reef after nearly 60 years. His visit takes him from the most exposed part of the reef as well as down to 300m below the surface discovering corals never seen before.
Paramount+ - #16282

The Dynasty: New England Patriots
2024– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Sport
A 10-part series featuring never-before-seen footage of the New England Patriots' 20-year journey from struggling franchise to football dynasty. In the process, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and Robert Kraft reveal the cost of greatn...
Apple TV+ - #16882
Couples Therapy
2019–2025 · Series · 4 seasonsReality
COUPLES THERAPY unlocks a hidden world: other people's relationships. Far from reality-show caricatures, this is true documentary filmmaking that brings viewers into authentic and visceral experience of weekly therapy with four co...
Paramount+Prime Video - #17582
Kian's Bizarre B&B
2025– · Series · Korean · 1 seasonReality
Kian84 manages an unconventional guesthouse, Kian Bizarre B&B, on Ulleungdo Island, providing a distinctive experience for young guests. The establishment combines elements of healing and humor, presented through Kian84's distinct...
Netflix - #17682
Alma Matters: Inside the IIT Dream
2021– · Series · HindiDocumentary
In a "nation of middle-class" the IIT dream involves clearing the world's toughest public exam for guaranteed lifelong success. Life is not an exam though. It's a hustle, one that nobody trains them for. The result? Eternal tumult.
Netflix - #18182
Headspace Guide to Meditation
2021– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Animation
Over the course of eight animated episodes, Andy Puddicombe—former Buddhist monk and co-founder of the globally beloved Headspace meditation app—takes viewers through the benefits and science behind meditation.
Netflix - #18282

Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All
2023– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Biography
Follows Sheeran's personal life as he discusses how this trying time has affected him and his new music. It will spotlight how an unlikely child with a stutter rose to fame and how his chart-topping hits were born
Disney+ - #19981
Chef's Table: France
2016– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary
Chef's Table, French edition, goes inside the lives and kitchens of some of the world's most renowned French chefs. Each episode focuses on a single chef and their unique look at their lives, talents and passion from their piece o...
Netflix - #20781

Aerial America
2010– · Series · 8 seasonsDocumentary
Helicopter flights above the USA give breathtaking views of the nation's historic landmarks and natural wonders all presented in stunning HD aerial cinematography while narration provides background information and historical cont...
Paramount+ - #22580

Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)
2009– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Biography
A documentary on the history on British comedy group Monty Python. Features interviews with the five surviving members plus other comedians and artists whose careers they have influenced.
Prime Video - #22980
The Third Reich: The Rise & Fall
2010– · SeriesDocumentary · History · War
THIRD REICH: THE RISE & FALL tells the story of Hitler's Germany through rarely seen films of the people who were there. Immersive and evocative, it takes viewers inside the Germany of the 20s, 30s, and early 40s, through the use ...
Disney+Hulu - #25479
Earnhardt
2025– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Biography · History
The untold story of Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s ascent as NASCAR's preeminent figure. His charm resonated beyond the sport, yielding fame and fortune. An intimate exploration of a working-class icon's impact on his family and the racing ...
Prime Video - #25579
Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father
2017–2021 · Series · 5 seasonsDocumentary · Comedy
Follows Jack Whitehall as he embarks on the trip of a lifetime with his father, Michael. The two set off on a journey across South East Asia to partake in a series of adventures, mishaps and escapades with two very different persp...
Netflix - #25779
We Need to Talk About Cosby
2022– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Biography · Crime
Writer/director W. Kamau Bell's exploration of Bill Cosby's descent from "America's Dad" to convicted sexual predator. Comedians, journalists and survivors have a candid, first of its kind conversation about the man, his career an...
Paramount+ - #26179
Orelsan: Never Show This to Anyone
2021–2022 · Series · French · 2 seasonsDocumentary
An unprecedented and intimate immersion into the world and life of Orelsan, one of the most famous and emblematic French rappers of his generation. Tracing his entire career, this original production tells the story of this man wh...
Prime Video - #26779
Into the Unknown: Making Frozen II
2020– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Family
With less than a year until the world premiere of Frozen II (2019), the filmmakers, artists, songwriters and cast open their doors to cameras for a six-part documentary series to reveal the hard work, heart, and collaboration that...
Disney+ - #27479
American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing
2023– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Crime · History
Follows the tragedy in which terrorists detonated a bomb at the Boston Marathon's finish line; they carried out the attack by placing two homemade pressure-cooker bombs that resulted in three fatalities and numerous injuries.
Netflix - #28479
A Cook's Tour
2002–2003 · Series · 2 seasonsDocumentary
The #1 food writer and television host in the world, Anthony Bourdain reinvented the food travel genre. In his groundbreaking first series, Bourdain travels around the world indulging his taste for local cuisine and eccentric char...
Prime Video - #28879
Vietnam: The War That Changed America
2025– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary
A raw, intimate look at the Vietnam War's impact on America. Through personal stories, the series examines the conflict's far-reaching consequences and lasting influence on society as the 50th anniversary of Saigon's fall approaches.
Apple TV+ - #29878
The Confession Tapes
2017–2019 · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Crime
A critical look into some true crime cases where American law enforcement made up for lack of actual physical evidence by using devious psychological tactics during interrogation in order to extract confessions from naive suspects.
Netflix - #30078
The Last Alaskans
2015– · Series · 4 seasonsReality
An eight-part special event that documents the lives of some of the most isolated people in America - the last of their kind - as they struggle and thrive in Alaska's untouched wilderness located hundreds of miles from roads, civi...
Disney+MAXHulu - #30178
60 Days In
2016– · Series · 9 seasonsDocumentary · Crime · Reality
"60 Days In" offers an unprecedented look at life behind bars at Indiana's Clark County Jail. Seven ordinary people volunteer to live among its general population for 60 days, without fellow inmates or staff knowing their secret.
Disney+HuluNetflixPeacockPrime Video - #30378
Sean Combs: The Reckoning
2025– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Crime
A revealing look at Sean Combs' journey from music mogul to controversial figure, featuring footage and insider accounts that expose both his groundbreaking success with Bad Boy Entertainment and the troubling shadows behind his e...
Netflix - #30578
American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson
2025– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Crime · History
Revisits the infamous 1990s murder case and trial that captivated America. With new interviews and insights, it explores the chase, courtroom drama, and cultural impact, offering a fresh look at this pivotal moment in US history.
Netflix - #31078

Highway Thru Hell
2012– · Series · 12 seasonsDocumentary · Reality
See how a local heavy recovery firm works through the hard winters helping highway users that have fallen victim to the brutal road conditions. Their essential service keeps the traffic on the highways thru hell moving.
Prime Video - #31378

Edwardian Farm
2010–2011 · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Action
In this 12-part documentary series of Edwardian Farm, archaeologists Alex Langlands and Peter Ginn and historian Ruth Goodman go back in time to the early 1900s to live the lives of Edwardian farmers for a full calendar year.
Prime Video - #32478
I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth v. Michelle Carter
2019– · SeriesDocumentary · Crime
Teen Michelle Carter's actions shocked a nation - but what really happened behind closed doors? This HBO special showcases the prosecution's point of view and alternately the defense's. Which side do you fall on?
MAX - #32978
Secrets of the Bees
2026– · SeriesDocumentary · Action
With the expertise of entomologist and fellow National Geographic Explorer Dr. Samuel Ramsey, the series uses groundbreaking filming technology to reveal the extraordinary world of bees; and uncover their astonishing architecture and intelligence, unlocking their secrets and featuring never-before-filmed moments.
Disney+Hulu - #36177
American Greed
2007–2023 · Series · 15 seasonsDocumentary · Crime
Documentary series focusing on history's largest financial crimes ranging from Ponzi schemes, murder, card counting, generating fake currency and goods, extortion, online dating, identity theft, drug distribution, and insider trad...
PeacockPrime Video - #36477

Exterminate All the Brutes
2021– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · History
Through time, into the darkest hours of humanity, the documentary deconstructs the making and masking of history, digging deep into the exploitative and genocidal aspects of European colonialism, from America to Africa and its imp...
MAX - #36677
Ancient Apocalypse
2022–2024 · Series · 2 seasonsDocumentary · History
What if everything we know about prehistory is wrong? Journalist Graham Hancock visits archaeological sites around the world investigating if a civilization far more advanced than we ever believed possible existed thousands of yea...
Netflix - #37677
Cult Massacre: One Day in Jonestown
2024– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Crime · History
Exploring an idealistic religious movement led by Jim Jones, its utopian community in Guyana spiraled into a mass casualty event leaving 918 dead. Told through survivors, it immerses in the final hours preceding this dark chapter.
Hulu - #38577
Street Food: Latin America
2020– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary
The newest installment will travel to six countries in Latin America and explore the vibrant street food culture of Oaxaca, Mexico; Salvador, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Lima, Peru; Bogota, Colombia; and La Paz, Bolivia.
Netflix - #38677
Inside the American Mob
2013– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Biography · Crime
Documentary film about the Italian Mafia and their organized crime activities in USA, mainly New York, between the '60's to mid '90's. Well documented with plenty of interviews and original footage. Story told by ex-members of Maf...
Hulu - #40177

American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story
2017– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Biography · Drama
The Amazon Original Series draws from unprecedented access to more than 17,000 hours of footage and over 2,600 scrapbooks from Hefner's personal archives, chronicling the life of an American icon and the history of the brand he cr...
Prime Video - #40277
American Justice
1992– · Series · 16 seasonsDocumentary · Crime · History
Bill Kurtis hosts this documentary series that profiles criminal cases involving high profile murders, serial killers, and organized crime. Each episode culminating with the justice dispensed by the American legal system in each c...
Prime Video - #41676
Island of the Sea Wolves
2022– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Action
Where the Pacific meets the wilderness of Canada lies a mysterious island. But peer a little deeper and we find something even more remarkable: a community full of charismatic animal residents, waiting to show you around.
Netflix - #42376
Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity
2011– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary
Until recently, electricity was seen as a magical power. It could slay the living, revive the dead, and bend the laws of nature. It is now the lifeblood of the modern world, fueling our lives and underpinning every aspect of techn...
Prime Video - #42676

Project Runway
2004– · Series · 21 seasonsReality
2 EmmysAspiring fashion designers compete for a chance to break into the industry in this reality competition. Each week, a designer is eliminated from the competition after exhibiting their work in front of a judges' panel.
Disney+HuluPeacockPrime Video - #44576
The Line
2021– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Crime · War
In covert modern warfare, the line between right and wrong has blurred. This docuseries examines the moral ambiguities of war as embodied by the 2018 case in which a US Navy SEAL platoon accused its chief, Eddie Gallagher, of war ...
Apple TV+ - #45076
This Is the Zodiac Speaking
2024– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Crime
A shocking new series that points to Arthur Leigh Allen as the Zodiac killer. At the heart of the revelations is an unlikely family whose increasingly chilling relationship with Allen promises to connect him to the infamous Zodiac...
Netflix - #45176
Navy SEALS - BUDS Class 234
2000–2002 · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Action
A Six Hour Series for The Discovery Channel that follows 80 candidates of Class 234 and their efforts to become US NAVY SEALS. You WILL feel the pain after watching the physical and mental challenges these candidates are faced with.
Prime Video - #46076
Hunting a Monster
2024– · Series · Spanish · 1 seasonDocumentary
Convicted sex offender Lluís asks filmmaker Carles to make a documentary about his life to fix his image. He agrees, expecting an apology, but realizes Gros remains unrepentant. Carles undigs more of Gros's crimes and fights for j...
Prime Video - #46476

Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini
2024– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Crime
Keith and Sherri Papini's seemingly idyllic life is shattered when Sherri vanishes from their rural California neighborhood, triggering a frenzied search that becomes news around the world. But once Sherri is found, a new nightmar...
Hulu - #46776

Life After People: The Series
2009–2025 · Series · 3 seasonsDocumentary · Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Scientists explore how Earth would transform if humans vanished, from ecosystem recovery to surviving structures and fastest decay. Based on expert analysis of our industrial world without people.
Disney+HuluPrime Video - #47276
Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich
2020– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Crime
Survivors reveal the manipulation, abuse and emotional scars suffered at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Their stories expose a sex trafficking ring of powerful enablers leading up to his 2019 arrest.
Netflix - #49275
Worst Ex Ever
2024– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Crime
Shocking tales of betrayal, violence, and deceit through testimonials, bodycam footage, and reenactments. Exposes the disturbing realities of monstrous past relationships, tapping into the universal fear of not truly knowing one's...
Netflix - #49675
American Murder: Gabby Petito
2025– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Crime
A young couple's cross-country van journey, documented on social media, ends in tragedy when domestic violence shatters their seemingly perfect life. Their story sparks a nationwide investigation and raises questions about family ...
Netflix - #49875

Unabomber: In His Own Words
2020– · Series · 1 seasonDocumentary · Biography · Crime
The beginning of the Unabomber's campaign of terror from 1978 to 1985; a look into his childhood to discover what might have turned the young mathematical genius with few friends, Ted Kaczynski, into a sociopathic terrorist.
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