The best Netflix documentaries combine storytelling, cinematic filming, and authentic voice overs. At Voice123, we’ve helped thousands of producers and filmmakers hire professional voice actors. So, in this post, we’ll break down the best Netflix documentaries from the best true crime documentaries on Netflix to new documentaries that will inspire your next video project!
What are the best Netflix documentaries?
- Our Planet (2019)
Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, this documentary series features stunning cinematography and a powerful call to action about climate change, making it a powerful form of environmental storytelling. - The Staircase (2018)
Based on the true story of Michael Peterson, this gripping courtroom saga questions the ideals of truth, bias, and justice, setting a gold standard for true crime Netflix documentaries. - The Last Dance (2020)
Michael Jordan stars in one of the best Netflix documentaries chronicling the Chicago Bulls dynasty. This is not just a sports documentary; it’s a story centered around obsession, legacy, and leadership. - Unsolved Mysteries Netflix (2020–2024)
The reboot of the legendary 1987 series brings eerie cold cases and paranormal mysteries to a new generation of true crime enthusiasts. This Netflix series features eyewitness accounts and archival footage from detectives and families. - Miss Americana (2020)
This revealing look into Taylor Swift’s fame and identity is still one of the best Netflix documentaries on music and cultural storytelling, with honest interviews that shed light on the pop star’s celebrity status.
Best documentaries on Netflix 2025
If you’re wondering what new documentaries 2025 are worth your time, here’s the lineup:
- Unknown Number: The High School Catfish
A jaw-dropping true crime Netflix documentary showcases how a catfish scam in a small town spirals into something much darker. - Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever
Exploring the cutting-edge—and sometimes controversial—world of those chasing immortality. This fascinating pick is one of the best Netflix documentaries 2025. - The Menendez Brothers
As one of the best crime documentaries on Netflix, this story revisits the infamous Beverly Hills murder case that shocked America in the ‘90s. - Daughters
This award-winning doc follows young girls preparing for a father-daughter dance inside a prison. It’s tender, raw, and deeply emotional, making it one of the best new documentaries. - Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ben Sullivan
This moving exploration of music, faith, and personal battles highlights how gospel’s hidden figures shaped a generation in these new documentaries 2025.
Best documentaries 2024 Netflix
Here are some of the best documentaries 2024 Netflix that are still being streamed in 20225.
- American Nightmare
The so-called “real Gone Girl” story reveals how media and law enforcement missteps can turn victims into suspects. It is a highlight of the best true crime documentaries on Netflix. - Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult
When viral stardom meets manipulation, this doc proves why Netflix remains one of the best producers of true crime documentaries. - How to Rob a Bank
Inspired by Hollywood, real criminals pull off stylish heists—until reality catches up. A captivating entry in the best crime documentaries on Netflix category. - American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing
This harrowing retelling of the 2013 bombing uses raw survivor accounts and detailed investigative reporting to make one of the best true crime documentaries. - Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley
One of the best documentaries 2024 revisits the life, struggles, and cultural rebirth of the King of Rock & Roll in a unique glimpse at Elvis Presley’s life.
Best true crime documentaries on Netflix
The best true crime documentaries on Netflix bring jaw-dropping twists and unforgettable real-life stories. Here are just a few of them:
This heartbreaking case that captivated the world and a community of online sleuths is told with rare footage and interviews.
The Netflix reboot continues to highlight unresolved cases with chilling detail, making this one of the best true crime documentaries on Netflix.
A disturbing exploration of missing women and the systemic failures surrounding them.
A modern scammer tale where romance turns into financial ruin. This unique take highlights one of the biggest online scams.
Classic cold cases are reopened with modern forensics and storytelling finesse to appeal to true crime followers.
How to make documentaries like Netflix
If the best Netflix documentaries have inspired you, here’s how to shape your own:
1. Create a compelling hook
Every successful documentary, from Daughters to American Nightmare, starts with a compelling, emotional hook. Ask questions like: Why now, why this story? What makes it unique? How can I present the information in a way that audiences will love?
2. Conduct thorough research
The best documentaries 2025 are built on months of interviews, archives, and verification. Accuracy builds trust so take time in the pre-production phase to find eye-witness reports and archived footage to add to your documentary script.
3. Plan with storyboarding
Storyboarding helps you match visuals with narration. We’ve put together a guide to storyboarding essentials that saves editing time and makes narration seamless in documentary filmmaking.
4. Cast the right voice
Whether you need an authoritative narrator, a multilingual dub for global audiences, or a teaser trailer voice, casting is everything. At Voice123, you can hire a documentary voice actor in hours, not weeks.
5. Don’t forget suspense
The best documentaries on Netflix keep tension alive. Use music, pacing, and video editing to heighten suspense and give viewers a reason to watch every single moment.
Final Thoughts
From new documentaries 2025 like Unknown Number to modern classics like Miss Americana, Netflix continues to deliver the best Netflix documentaries that spark conversation.
If you’re planning your own project, remember that the right voice actor shapes how your audience connects with the story. On Voice123, you can find narrators trusted by documentary producers, creative agencies, and filmmakers. Post your next project today!
FAQs
The 2025 front-runner is Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, while older titles like Unsolved Mysteries Netflix still have a high viewership.
The rooftop Netflix documentary is called Skywalkers: A Love Story, and it follows daredevil “rooftoppers” scaling skyscrapers.
Globally, Michael Jackson’s This Is It ($252M) and Fahrenheit 9/11 ($222M) are the most successful documentaries.
Recently, American Nightmare and the American Murder series are considered to be the best true crime documentaries on Netflix.
