10 Awesome documentaries on Netflix

10. Man on Wire (2008)

Genre: Documentary
Mood: Absorbing, Inspiring, Thrilling, Uplifting

Man on Wire is a true technical masterpiece. You can almost feel the director telling the cameraman what angle to choose, or thinking about the questions that will generate the most resounding answers. However, this does not diminish the story this documentary tells one bit. It’s one that is glorious, riveting, and fun. It’s one where you feel like an insider to a world lived on and below wires, with high-stake risks. Hopefully the edge of your seat is comfortable, because this is where the movie will keep you at all times.

Netflix link : https://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/70084167

IMDb page : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1155592/

9. Samsara (2012)

Genre: Documentary
Mood: Beautiful, Challenging, Gripping, Mysterious, Original, Weird

In the grand tradition of the ethnographic world tours like Mondo Cane, Samsara hits you in the face with the diversity and wonder of human life on earth. Unlike many of its predecessors, which often descended into colonialist gawping, Samara maintains a non judgmental gaze. This film uses no words or narration to travel the world showing you the breathtaking beauty of various countries, cultures, religions, cities, industries and nature. Shot on 70mm film, the definition and clarity has to be seen to be believed.

Netflix link : https://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/70251780

IMDb page : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0770802/

8. Rich Hill (2014)

Genre: Documentary
Mood: Dramatic, Humane, Instructive

A documentary highlighting the challenged lives of three boys living in a small town in the heartland of America. The film follows the boys and their families, honestly portraying them and their dreams–dreams constrained by the realities of a mother in prison, or a father who can’t keep a job, or no father at all. If you liked Boyhood then you’ll love this film. If you grew up in a small town, then you’ll see parts of yourself here. And, at the end of it all, you’ll remember the struggles portrayed and realize that poverty is not solely an inner-city problem.

Netflix link : https://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/70299294

IMDb page : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2548738/

7. First Position (2011)

Genre: Documentary
Mood: Humane

Producer/Director Beth Kargman has put together a wonderful documentary that follows six young ballet dancers to the Youth America Grand Prix, one of the most important of all ballet competitions worldwide. The prizes at the competition include awards of recognition, scholarships, and work with major dance companies. The dancers are in several age ranges and ethnicities. Michaela and her sister were adopted from Sierra Leone, where there was nothing but death and poverty waiting for them. Michaela has been told that blacks make unsuitable ballet dancers — bad feet, too muscular, wrong build, etc. Zamora lives in New York, far away from his family, but his father tells him there is nothing for him in Colombia and he has to go after his dream. Rebecca is a cheerleader and a ‘normal’ kid whose passion is dance, and Aaron doesn’t tell other kids he’s a dancer. All of them have great talents, obvious from their dance routines at the Grand Prix. First Position is a very inspiring documentary about youngsters from different backgrounds and social status with the dream of dancing professionally, and the sacrifices they have made to achieve their goal. The dancing is heavenly; I only wish there had been more of it.

IMDb page : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2008513/

6. 20 Feet From Stardom (2013)

Genre: Documentary
Mood: Beautiful, Instructive, Lovely, Uplifting

20 Feet From Stardom is a movie made with love, and a highly enjoyable take on the compelling yet criminally unrecognized role of backup singers. Like all great documentaries, however, it is is more than its subject matter – it’s also about success, undeserved failure, and regret.

Winner of an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 2013 Academy Awards, the movie itself might just be enough of a compensation to the lack of credit given to the people it portrays.

Netflix link : https://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/70267838

IMDb page : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2396566/

5. Touching The Void (2003)

Genre: Documentary
Mood: Dramatic, Inspiring, Suspenseful, Thrilling

A documentary about two “climbing” friends who attempt to summit Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985. I say climbing friends because they are both somewhat egotistical, yuppie risk takers and seem to be the type who are only friends when their interests align. Nevertheless, they are truly ambitious, driven adventurers. A storm hits and one of the climbers gets injured. They both know that this is a death sentence, and events go on from there. The story is epic and nearly unbelievable, but for the fact that it actually happened. I am not a climber, but the plot and story will speak to any adventurer who must accept inherent risks, including death, in their outdoor endeavors.

IMDb page : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379557/

4. Life in a Day (2011)

Genre: Documentary
Mood: Beautiful, Charming, Simple, Sweet, Uplifting, Warm

A documentary where people all around the world were asked to document their day on July 24th, 2010. 80,000 clips amounting to 4,500 hours were submitted from 192 countries, eventually being put together in a 90 minutes film to show what it is like to live a single day in today’s world. Produced by Ridley Scott, and directed by Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland, State of Play); the film-making effort is nothing short of extraordinary. The succession of simple yet deep moments will give you an unprecedented look into just how different or similar your life, struggles, and aspirations are from the rest of the planet. It’s moving, and extremely beautiful.

Netflix link : https://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/70167117

IMDb page : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1687247/

3. The Imposter (2012)

Genre: Documentary
Mood: Dramatic, Intense, Suspenseful, Thrilling, Weird

The impossibly true story of a mysterious Frenchman that claims to be the 16 year old son of a family from Texas that went missing three years prior. This movie is shot so well with a story so unbelievable that I had to look it up to believe that it was a real documentary instead of a fiction film played as true. Expect twists and turns at every corner, with brilliant storytelling from the real life people that lived through the whole thing. If Christopher Nolan created a 48 hour story, it would pale in comparison to this film.

IMDb page : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1966604/

2. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)

Genre: Documentary • Drama
Mood: Dramatic, Emotional, Gripping, Heartfelt, Powerful, Raw, Sincere, Tear-jerker

You will not come out of this movie the same person you were going into it. Get ready to cry your eyes out, scream in anger, and rejoice that such a powerful love can exist in our world. DO NOT READ ANY SPOILERS OR SUMMARIES BEFORE VIEWING! This loving documentary about the father of a young boy is one of the best movies of this decade! We can’t recommend this film enough!

Netflix link : https://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/70095159

IMDb page : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1152758/

1. Virunga (2014)

Genre: Documentary
Mood: Absorbing, Humane, Instructive, Raw, Thought-provoking

A documentary that is immediate and plays out like a thriller. Beautifully shot in Virunga National Park in the Eastern Congo, the story focuses on the struggles between Park Rangers and a list of adversaries including poachers, oil company goons, and an Islamic revolutionary army. The stories of the endangered gorillas and the people who struggle to protect them will break your heart and at the same time give you hope in humanity. On top of this, the editing is superb and gives the film an intensity that rivals any recent thriller.

Netflix link : https://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/80009431

IMDb page : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3455224/

All credit goes to : http://agoodmovietowatch.com/netflix/10-best-documentaries/