The Best Netflix UK Documentaries You Don’t Want To Miss

08 Dec 2021, by Lydia Kah-Pavlou, min. read

Your evening is sorted.

Sometimes it feels like we’re spoilt for choice when browsing Netflix and trying to decide what to watch. It’s no secret that there are some really, really good documentaries on Netflix but not all of them have had the viral treatment. In fact, there are probably a tonne of amazing documentaries on UK Netflix that you’ve never heard of which you need to add to your list ASAP.

So, if you need some inspo here are the best documentaries on UK Netflix currently that you don’t want to miss out on.

1. Making A Murderer

Filmed over 13 years, this documentary follows the story of 2 men accused of a crime they may not have committed. This is a must-watch for any true crime fans and has two seasons, each with ten episodes so you can really get stuck in if you want to binge-watch.

If you want to make your own mind up about the case, there have been several appeals that have taken place and in 2015 after the release of the first season, a petition was released to get the president to pardon Steven Avery for the wrongful conviction.

2. Don’t F**k With Cats

This true-crime docu-series follows a group of amateur internet detectives as they hunt down someone who had shared a graphic video of him murdering two kittens and more animal cruelty acts.

The documentary was the most-watched Netflix documentary of 2019 and there is a lot more to it than what there may seem.

3. American Murder: The Family Next Door

Using raw firsthand footage, this documentary tells the story of the disappearance of Shannon Watts and her children and the events that subsequently followed. 34-year-old Shannon and her two young daughters went missing in 2018 and the documentary was released at the end of last year.

This stand-alone documentary is about an hour and a half long as opposed to a series, so you can watch it in one night.

4. Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich

The four-part documentary features interviews with several survivors as well as former staff of Jeffrey Epstein. The documentary tells the story of the survivors and how he used money and power to manipulate and control them and commit crimes.

Although the documentary was released after his death, it was in production secretly for 9 months before he was arrested.

5. Conversations With A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes

Ted Bundy is one of America’s most notorious serial killers and this documentary uses real footage and interview tapes to piece together a story.

Along with interviews with police, victims and family and friends of Ted Bundy this documentary gives insight into his life, death, arrests and crimes committed.

6. Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened

Who can forget Fyre fest? The 2017 festival was supposed to be that of luxury and was heavily promoted by celebrities and influencers, only for the whole thing to turn out to be a sham.

This documentary explores what went wrong and just how the fraud was covered up.

7. Tiger King

Ok, so you’ve almost certainly heard of Tiger King as this is one of the few Netflix documentaries that went viral and has had the meme treatment, probably due to its release in March 2020 when we were all stuck in our first lockdown.

However, the plot thickens in the second season which has now been added to Netflix. So, if you couldn’t get enough of Joe Exotic, Carol Baskin and all of the drama and shadiness there’s now even more to indulge in.

8. Killer Inside: The Mind Of Aaron Hernandez

Former professional American footballer Aaron Hernandez was convicted of the murder of Odin Lloyd, which happened in 2013 and was sentenced to life in prison.

This documentary explores the case, the trial and other cases in which he was a suspect.

9. Rotten

Rotten explores the corruption in the global food supply chain. The documentary shows the wrongdoings of the food corporations who control the food we eat and the wrongdoings of the governments who oversee the regulations on food.

If you’re interested in food waste, this is a must-add to your list.

10. Our Planet

This David Attenborough documentary explores the planet’s natural beauty and the impact of climate change on living creatures.

It also focuses on humans’ impact on the environment and is the first nature documentary that Netflix has ever made. So, if you’re a fan of David Attenborough’s BBC documentaries this one is definitely one to check out.

11. Abducted In Plain Sight

Abducted In Plain Sight is a true-crime documentary that covers the kidnappings of a teenager who was abducted by her neighbour in the 70s on two separate occasions.

The manipulative neighbour charms the none-the-wiser family and abducts their young daughter twice, and the documentary explores the shocking details which have been shared by a family friend.

12. The Staircase

The Staircase was originally a French TV series released in 2004, which has been later updated with new episodes for Netflix. The series follows the trial of Michael Peterson who was convicted of murdering his wife Kathleen.

When Michael called to report that his wife had fallen down the stairs and died, the authorities immediately disbelieved him and suspected he had killed her, leading to him being charged with her murder. However, the trial uncovered that fact that he may have faked her accident and that he had been engaging in affairs during their marriage. He was convicted for the murder, but whether he did it or not is up to you to find out.

13. Dirty Money

Dirty Money explores corporate corruption, fraud other money related scandals. Each episode focuses on a different story, featuring the subjects of Donald Trump, HSBC money laundering, the Volkswagen emissions scandal and much more.

With 6 episodes per season, it’s the perfect watch if you prefer your documentaries broken up into pieces rather than being in one long instalment.

14. 13th

13th should be on everyones list as it explores the intersection of race, justice and mass incarceration in the US. The documentary explores how slavery has been perpetuated since the end of the American Civil War through criminalising behaviour, the suppression of African Americans and mass incarcerations throughout the late 20th century that have directly impacted communities of colour.

For anyone wishing to further educate themselves or learn more about racism within the US, it’s a must-watch.

15. Blackfish

Blackfish is a documentary exposing SeaWorld and their theme parks over the treatment of orcas. The documentary tells the story of how Tillikum an orca in captivity who killed three people as the direct result of being forced to perform for crowds and being kept in a cage far too small.

The documentary features former employees of SeaWorld as well as witnesses and family members of those who died, all of whom are fighting for the freedom of killer whales and wishing to end both captivity and breeding in captivity.

16. Amanda Knox

Amanda Knox was just 20 when her roommate was murdered while she was living abroad in Italy and she was accused of her murder. She has been both convicted and acquitted twice and the documentary explores the trial, the convictions and the appeals of one of the most talked about murder cases of the 2000s.

17. Casting JonBenet

The murder of JonBenet Ramsey is one of the greatest true-crime mysteries. Any true-crime fan will be familiar with the story, but this documentary not only reenacts it, but also shows the casting process for the reenactment.

Potential would-be actors are interviewed and tested for the roles of the real-life characters and the documentary observes how the case has become a huge focus in pop-culture over the years.

18. Homecoming

BeyoncÃ©’s Homecoming was directed, produced and written by herself and explores an intimate look at her 2018 Coachella performance.

It has been named one of the greatest concert movies of all time, and even won a Grammy so whether you’re a fan or not it’s definitely one to add to your list.

19. Lessons From A School Shooting: Notes From Dunblane

In the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting of 2012, a local clergyman explores his experiences with a priest in Scotland where a similar event happened in 1996.

The Dunblane massacre is the deadliest mass shooting to happen in the UK of all time, and lead to strict gun control laws being passed in the UK as a result. This documentary explores the parallels between the two events, and life afterwards.

20. The Death And Life of Marsha P. Johnson

This 2017 documentary film chronicles the life of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who were prominent figures in the gay and transgender rights movement in New York City in the 1960s-1990s.

The film focuses on an investigation into Johnson’s death which was initially ruled a suicide, despite suspicious circumstances. The film uses archival interviews with Johnson as well as new interviews with friends, family and fellow activists.

21. American Factory

American Factory is a 2019 documentary film about a Chinese company Fuyao’s factory in Ohio. Opened by a Chinese billionaire on an abandoned General Motors Plant and hiring two thousand Americans, it explores what happens when high-tech China clashes with working-class America.

22. Pandemic: How To Prevent An Outbreak

Pandemic: How To Prevent An Outbreak is creepy for one reason, the fact it was released in January 2020 just before the COVID-19 outbreak. Not only does this documentary spookily predict what actually became a reality, but it also shows the day-to-day lives of public health officials and doctors tasked with creating vaccines and controlling outbreaks.

23. Hot Girls Wanted

Hot Girls Wanted follows the lives of 18 and 19 year old pornographic actresses and features interviews from young women about their lives and experiences.

Originally imagined as an exploration of male consumption of pornographic on college campuses, the idea was scrapped when the filmmakers discovered how many people were watching films featuring young women in the industry and they set out to tell their story instead.

24. Disclosure

Trans creatives and thinkers share their perspectives and analysis on Hollywood’s impact on the trans community in this heart-felt documentary.

Featuring many famous transgender actors such as Laverne Cox, Chaz Bono, Jamie Clayton and Alexandra Grey, it takes the audience on a history lesson showing how damaging inaccurate depictions of transgender people can be, and examples of this throughout some of Hollywood’s much loved films.