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Best Documentary TV Shows

Non-fiction series that pull you into real stories.


These documentary series are ranked by IMDb score — the ones that audiences worldwide have voted, re-watched, and recommended. Refine by era or cross-reference with another genre. The list begins with the best.
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Showing 40 of 40

  1. 01.
    Planet Earth

    Planet Earth

    2006·9.4

    David Attenborough celebrates the amazing variety of the natural world in this epic documentary series, filmed over four years across 64 different countries.

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  2. 02.
    Planet Earth II

    Planet Earth II

    2016·9.4

    David Attenborough presents a documentary series exploring how animals meet the challenges of surviving in the most iconic habitats on earth.

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  3. 03.
    Cosmos: A Personal Voyage

    Cosmos: A Personal Voyage

    1980·Created by Carl Sagan·9.3

    Carl Sagan covers a wide range of scientific subjects, including the origin of life and a perspective of our place in the universe.

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  4. 04.
    Blue Planet II

    Blue Planet II

    2017·9.3

    There is nowhere more powerful and unforgiving yet more beautiful and compelling than the ocean. Join us and explore the greatest yet least known parts of our planet.

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  5. 05.
    Cosmos

    Cosmos

    2014·Created by Ann Druyan·9.2

    Famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson provides clarity for the vision of the cosmos as he voyages across the universe with never-before-told stories that delve into the scientific concepts of the laws of gravity and the origins of space and time.

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  6. 06.
    Our Planet

    Our Planet

    2019·9.2

    Experience our planet's natural beauty and examine how climate change impacts all living creatures in this ambitious documentary of spectacular scope.

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  7. 07.
    The World at War

    The World at War

    1973·9.2

    A documentary series that gives a historical account of the events of World War II, from its roots in the 1920s to the aftermath and the lives it profoundly influenced.

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  8. 08.
    Life

    Life

    2009·Created by Martha Holmes·9.1

    David Attenborough looks at the extraordinary ends to which animals and plants go in order to survive. Featuring epic spectacles, amazing TV firsts and examples of new wildlife behaviour.

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  9. 09.
    The Vietnam War

    The Vietnam War

    2017·9.1

    An immersive 360-degree narrative telling the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never before been told on film. Featuring testimony from nearly 80 witnesses, including many Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides.

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  10. 10.
    Frozen Planet

    Frozen Planet

    2011·9.0

    David Attenborough travels to the end of the earth, taking viewers on an extraordinary journey across the polar regions of our planet.

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  11. 11.
    Apocalypse: The Second World War

    Apocalypse: The Second World War

    2009·Created by Isabelle Clarke·9.0

    A six-part French documentary about the Second World War composed exclusively of actual footage of the war as filmed by war correspondents, soldiers, resistance fighters and private citizens. The series is shown in color, with the black and white footage being fully colorized, save for some original color footage. The only exception to the treatment are most Holocaust scenes, which are presented in the original black and white.

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  12. 12.
    The Blue Planet

    The Blue Planet

    2001·Created by Andy Byatt·9.0

    Sir David Attenborough narrates this critically acclaimed series that dives deep into the marine environment of Planet Earth. Although two-thirds of the world's surface is covered with water, scientists know less about the oceans than they do about the surface of the moon. This limited series travels from various coasts to the poles to examine watery denizens ranging from the gigantic blue whale to microscopic coral polyps.

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  13. 13.
    The Last Dance

    The Last Dance

    2020·Created by Michael Tollin·9.0

    A 10-part documentary chronicling the untold story of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty with rare, never-before-seen footage and sound from the 1997-98 championship season – plus over 100 interviews with famous figures and basketball’s biggest names.

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  14. 14.
    Human Planet

    Human Planet

    2011·Created by Dale Templar·9.0

    A cinematic experience bringing you the most amazing human stories in the world. Humans and wildlife surviving in the most extreme environments on Earth.

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  15. 15.
    The Civil War

    The Civil War

    1990·9.0

    A documentary on the American Civil War narrated by Ken Burns, covering the secession of the Confederacy to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

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  16. 16.
    The Beatles: Get Back

    The Beatles: Get Back

    2021·Created by Peter Jackson·8.9

    The three-part documentary series, compiled from over 60 hours of unseen footage, captures the warmth, camaraderie, and creative genius that defined the legacy of music's most iconic foursome. The series also includes – for the first time in its entirety – The Beatles' final performance at London's Savile Row.

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  17. 17.
    Africa

    Africa

    2013·8.9

    Africa, the world's wildest continent. David Attenborough takes us on an awe-inspiring journey through one of the most diverse places in the world. We visit deserts, savannas, and jungles and meet up with some of Africa's amazing wildlife.

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  18. 18.
    Nathan for You

    Nathan for You

    2013·Created by Nathan Fielder·8.9

    Self-proclaimed business expert, writer, director and comedian Nathan Fielder helps real small businesses turn a profit with marketing tactics that no ordinary consultant would dare to attempt. From driving foot traffic to an off-the-strip souvenir shop by using Hollywood flair and a Johnny Depp impersonator, to creating a rebate that can only be redeemed by climbing a mountain, to founding a coffee shop called "Dumb Starbucks,” Nathan has always gone to the limit to make his ideas come to life. With his unorthodox approach to problem solving, Nathan’s genuine efforts to do good often draw the real people he encounters into an experience far beyond what they signed up for.

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  19. 19.
    How To with John Wilson

    How To with John Wilson

    2020·Created by John Wilson·8.7

    In a uniquely hilarious odyssey of self-discovery and cultural observation, documentary filmmaker and self-described "anxious New Yorker" John Wilson covertly and obsessively films the lives of his fellow New Yorkers while attempting to give everyday advice on relatable topics. The awkward contradictions of modern life are eased by Wilson’s candid, unpolished commentary. Building upon Wilson’s previously released "how to" short films, each episode takes wildly unexpected turns but is grounded in John's refreshing honesty.

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  20. 20.
    Long Way Round

    Long Way Round

    2004·Created by Ewan McGregor·8.6

    In 2004 Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman embarked on an epic challenge to bike 20,000-miles across 12 countries and 19 time zones in just 115 days. Watch as two friends ride around the world together and, against all the odds, realize their dream.

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  21. 21.
    Greatest Events of World War II in Colour

    Greatest Events of World War II in Colour

    2019·8.6

    Using highly advanced colourisation techniques, critical moments from World War II, from Stalingrad to The Battle of Britain, are shown in a whole new light.

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  22. 22.
    The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst

    The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst

    2015·Created by Andrew Jarecki·8.6

    Robert Durst, scion of NY's billionaire real-estate family, has been accused of three murders but has evaded justice for over 30 years. Durst speaks in this true crime series, revealing secrets of a case that has baffled authorities.

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  23. 23.
    Through the Wormhole

    Through the Wormhole

    2010·Created by Geoffrey Sharp·8.6

    Hosted by Morgan Freeman, Through the Wormhole explores the deepest mysteries of existence - the questions that have puzzled mankind for eternity. What are we made of? What was there before the beginning? Are we really alone? Is there a creator? These questions have been pondered by the most exquisite minds of the human race. Now, science has evolved to the point where hard facts and evidence may be able to provide us with answers instead of philosophical theories. Through the Wormhole brings together the brightest minds and best ideas from the very edges of science - Astrophysics, Astrobiology, Quantum Mechanics, String Theory, and more - to reveal the extraordinary truth of our Universe.

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  24. 24.
    Formula 1: Drive to Survive

    Formula 1: Drive to Survive

    2019·Created by James Gay-Rees·8.5

    Drivers, managers and team owners live life in the fast lane — both on and off the track — during each cutthroat season of Formula 1 racing.

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  25. 25.
    The Rehearsal

    The Rehearsal

    2022·Created by Nathan Fielder·8.5

    With a construction crew, a legion of actors, and seemingly unlimited resources, Nathan Fielder allows ordinary people to prepare for life's biggest moments by "rehearsing" them in carefully crafted simulations of his own design. When a single misstep could shatter your entire world, why leave life to chance?

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  26. 26.
    Making a Murderer

    Making a Murderer

    2015·Created by Moira Demos·8.5

    Filmed over 10 years, this real-life thriller follows a DNA exoneree who, while exposing police corruption, becomes a suspect in a grisly new crime.

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  27. 27.
    The Defiant Ones

    The Defiant Ones

    2017·8.5

    A four-part documentary series that tells the stories of Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre -- one the son of a Brooklyn longshoreman, the other straight out of Compton - -- and their improbable partnership and surprising leading roles in a series of transformative events in contemporary culture.

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  28. 28.
    Chef's Table

    Chef's Table

    2015·Created by David Gelb·8.5

    Meet culinary stars around the world who are redefining gourmet food with innovative dishes and tantalizing desserts.

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  29. 29.
    The Angry Video Game Nerd

    The Angry Video Game Nerd

    2004·Created by James D. Rolfe·8.5

    The Angry Video Game Nerd is an adult web television series of comedic retrogaming video reviews created by and starring James Rolfe. The show's format revolves around his commentary and review of older, but unsuccessful video games which are deemed to be of particularly low-quality, unfair difficulty or poor design. The series began as a feature on YouTube and later became a program on ScrewAttack Entertainment before moving to GameTrailers exclusively. The show was renamed The Angry Video Game Nerd to prevent any trademark issues with Nintendo and due to the fact he started reviewing games from non-Nintendo consoles such as those made by Atari and Sega. Rolfe's character, "The Nerd" is a short-tempered and foul-mouthed video game fanatic. He derives comic appeal from excessive and inventive use of anger, profanity, and habitual consumption of alcohol while reviewing video games.

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  30. 30.
    Prehistoric Planet

    Prehistoric Planet

    2022·Created by Mike Gunton·8.4

    Experience the wonders of our world like never before in this epic series from Jon Favreau and the producers of Planet Earth. Travel back 66 million years to when majestic dinosaurs and extraordinary creatures roamed the lands, seas, and skies.

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  31. 31.
    Top Gear

    Top Gear

    1978·Created by Derek Smith·8.4

    Motoring programme featuring reviews of and reports about cars of all types.

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  32. 32.
    An Idiot Abroad

    An Idiot Abroad

    2010·Created by Ricky Gervais·8.3

    An Idiot Abroad is a British travel documentary television series broadcast on Sky1 and Science, as well as spin-off books published by Canongate Books, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant and starring Karl Pilkington. The ongoing theme of both the television series and the books is that Pilkington has no interest in global travel, so Merchant and Gervais make him travel while they stay in the United Kingdom and monitor his progress.

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  33. 33.
    MythBusters

    MythBusters

    2003·Created by Peter Rees·8.3

    MythBusters is a science entertainment television program created and produced by Australia's Beyond Television Productions for the Discovery Channel. The show's hosts, special effects experts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, use elements of the scientific method to test the validity of rumors, myths, movie scenes, adages, Internet videos, and news stories.

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  34. 34.
    Welcome to Wrexham

    Welcome to Wrexham

    2022·8.3

    Documentary series tracking the dreams and worries of Wrexham, a working-class town in North Wales, UK, as two Hollywood stars (Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds) take ownership of the town’s historic yet struggling football club.

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  35. 35.
    Penn & Teller: Bull!

    Penn & Teller: Bull!

    2003·Created by Eric Small·8.2

    This daring original series stars postmodern bad boys of magic Penn & Teller as they question many of our culture's most cherished and widely held beliefs. From the truth about palm readings and TV psychics to the reality behind Feng Shui and Ouija boards, the archly comic masters of misdirection host this eye-opening analysis of the middle-ground between perception and reality.

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  36. 36.
    Beckham

    Beckham

    2023·8.1

    With never-before-seen footage, this docuseries follows David Beckham's meteoric rise from humble beginnings to global football stardom.

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  37. 37.
    Sunderland 'Til I Die

    Sunderland 'Til I Die

    2018·8.1

    This docuseries follows English soccer club Sunderland through the 2017-18 season as they try to bounce back after relegation from the Premier League.

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  38. 38.
    The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez

    The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez

    2020·Created by Brian Knappenberger·8.1

    A boy’s brutal murder and the public trials of his guardians and social workers prompt questions about the system’s protection of vulnerable children.

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  39. 39.
    Dirty Money

    Dirty Money

    2018·8.1

    From crippling payday loans to cars that cheat emissions tests, this investigative series exposes brazen acts of corporate greed and corruption.

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  40. 40.
    Man vs. Wild

    Man vs. Wild

    2006·Created by Steve Rankin·8.1

    Bear strands himself in popular wilderness destinations where tourists often find themselves lost or in danger.

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