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For those eager to see history come to life, here are the best history documentaries on Netflix, as ranked by history buffs. Netflix is the perfect place to catch up on the latest and greatest historical documentaries. This list of Netflix historical documentaries is full of movies and miniseries about politics, science, and even sports. Many of the best history documentaries streaming on Netflix are about World War II, but there are plenty of others chronicling diverse eras and historical figures.
Ken Burns is considered one of the best documentary filmmakers of all time. His documentaries The War, Prohibition, and The Civil War are all available on Netflix. Netflix released an original documentary, The Battered Bastards of Baseball, in 2014. Errol Morris's The Unknown Known is another great historical documentary that looks at more recent history.
Several great Netflix documentaries are about presidents. JFK: A President Betrayed and Our Nixon are two informative films. On a very different note, The Decent One takes an in-depth look at Nazi Leader Heinrich Himmler through diary entries, letters, and memos.
Vote up the best Netflix history documentaries below. If there's an excellent Netflix historical documentary that's not included, add it to the list of documentaries before it's history. Then check out our list of Netflix documentary series to watch.
For Fans Of: The Civil War, Jazz, The Dust Bowl, The National Parks: America's Best Idea, Wild West
Why Should I Stream Ken Burns: The West: This masterfully crafted documentary captures the rich history and complex stories of America's western frontier, providing a vivid portrayal of both the beauty and tragedy found in this pivotal period of American history. It highlights not only the well-known tales of cowboys and pioneers but also delves into the often overlooked narratives involving Native Americans, African Americans, Chinese immigrants, and women.
For Fans Of: The Woman Who Smashed Codes, Codebreaker, Madame Curie, Imitation Game, Enigma
Why Should I Stream Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story: Discover Hollywood glamour meets groundbreaking innovation in this fascinating documentary chronicling actress Hedy Lamarr's overlooked career as an inventor who contributed significantly to modern technologies like GPS and Wi-Fi. Through never-before-seen interviews with friends, family members, industry experts, and Lamarr herself (via archival footage), director Alexandra Dean crafts a captivating portrait of an extraordinary woman who defied expectations at every turn.
For Fans Of: The Nuremberg Trials, Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War, Inside the Mossad, Prosecution, The Devil Next Door
Why Should I Stream Prosecuting Evil: This powerful documentary highlights the life and work of Ben Ferencz, shedding light on his role as the lead prosecutor for the United States during the Nuremberg trials, as well as his tireless efforts to advocate for international law and global peace. Through compelling interviews with Ferencz himself, viewers gain an intimate understanding of his passionate dedication to justice and how it has shaped his remarkable career.
For Fans Of: Jack the Ripper: Case Reopened, Crimes that Shook Britain, Catching Killers, Murder Maps, The Murder Detectives
Why Should I Stream Secrets of Scotland Yard: Step behind the scenes at one of the world's most renowned crime-fighting institutions to uncover historical cases, investigative breakthroughs, and long-held secrets that have shaped policing throughout its storied history. From Jack the Ripper to notorious gangsters like the Kray Twins, this engaging documentary offers a unique perspective on how detectives solve some of London's most notorious crimes.
For Fans Of: Salem Witch Trials, Most Haunted, Horror in the East, Hammer of the Gods, Murder Maps
Why Should I Stream Witches: A Century of Murder: Delve into a chilling examination of witchcraft hysteria that swept through Britain in the 17th century, revealing shocking details about persecution, torture, and mass executions fueled by fear and superstition. Historian Suzannah Lipscomb expertly guides viewers through this grim chapter in British history while exploring modern parallels to such destructive societal panic.
For Fans Of: World War II in Colour, Apocalypse: World War I, The World at War, Civilisations, World War One In Colour
Why Should I Stream The Russian Revolution: Witness transformative events unfold through archival footage and expert analysis in this enthralling documentary detailing the rise and fall of Tsarist Russia and the emergence of a communist superpower. With captivating storytelling from historian Lucy Worsley, viewers are transported back to a pivotal time in world history that continues to shape modern geopolitics.
Sometimes, all you can do is sit on the couch to watch television. But for those of us with a taste for history, even a lazy Netflix binge can teach you a lot about the world we share. The best history documentaries on Netflix come in a variety of shapes and cover a huge range of topics. We've collected some of our favorites to share with history lovers everywhere.
Pet owners often wonder what their animal may be thinking about, or the reasons behind certain behavior. This documentary addresses all your questions, drawing on scientific research to shed light on the internal worlds of our furry friends.
This is the inspiring story of Lhakpa Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to successfully climb Mount Everest. Now working at a Connecticut Whole Foods and navigating the US as a single parent and immigrant, the documentary traces her preparations to return to Everest for a record-breaking tenth summit.
The first Black Barbie was released in 1980, thanks to the efforts of three trailblazing women at Mattel. Their journey to make that vision a reality is documented in this film, which also explores the importance of representation and the impact that the first Black Barbie has had on generations of young people.
More than just the butt of a joke, Neanderthals were more intelligent than previously believed, and left behind some fascinating evidence about their lives. This documentary dives into what the archaeological record can tell us about these archaic humans and their extinction.
Who is more powerful: the police or the people? Moreover, who should be? This documentary tackles the thorny history of policing in the US, tracing it back from the era of slave patrols to modern-day miscarriages of justice, raising pointed questions about the system along the way.
British actor John Boyega narrates this six-part series about World War II, featuring rare restored video footage, much of it taken by soldiers themselves. Tune in for a unique and immersive perspective of the frontlines.
Over the course of eight episodes, intelligence operatives from the likes of the CIA and MI6 trace espionage in the modern world. Peer into the undercover world behind defining conflicts of the last century, from plans to dismantle the Taliban in Afghanistan to deposing Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega.
This French documentary offers a new perspective on conflict during the 20th century, especially World War I and II, through its focus on the tank as a cause of major change. Now generally considered a waste of money and a liability on the warfront, tanks were once a key part of any battle strategy.
Something about black and white makes pictured events look impossibly far away. Luckily, this documentary brings World War II to life in full color, allowing viewers a new way to look at history's most famous conflict. This hour will be one you're eternally glad to have spent with Netflix.
As a young Jewish child in war-torn Europe, Misha Defonseca was placed in the care of a Catholic family who could keep her safe from the Nazis. But Misha, renamed Monique, was determined to preserve her heritage and reunite with her family. She secretly left her adopted parents and managed to survive in the wilderness by integrating with a pack of wolves as she wandered Europe. At least, this is the story Misha has told. But how much of it is true? Misha and the Wolves deconstructs a literary hoax and arrives at a truth stranger and more complicated than fiction, and fascinating in its own right.
Barack Obama visits various workplaces and interviews employees across different industries in this docuseries that explores the working lives of modern Americans in a time of rising inequality. It was inspired by Working, the acclaimed 1974 oral history book by Studs Terkel.
Cult leader David Koresh and his followers faced off against the US government in 1993, in an incident known as the Waco siege. The siege saw the biggest gunfight on American soil since the Civil War, and parts of it were captured on live television. This documentary delivers a definitive account of a dramatic episode in American history.
In the hours and days following the terrorist attack at the 2013 Boston Marathon, investigators combed through video surveillance, cell phone records, and other evidence to track down the perpetrators. This film is a deep dive into that manhunt, with testimony from police officers, FBI agents, and eyewitnesses to the attack.
The Clotilda was the last known ship to carry enslaved Africans to the United States, a practice which had been banned decades earlier. Some of the survivors from the ship would go on to found Africatown, an Alabama community that aimed to keep their traditional African traditions and language alive. This documentary follows the descendents of Africatown and Clotilda passengers in the present day.
In a less triumphant view, this brand-new docuseries reveals new details about the tragic Challenger incident of 1986. Although the grooves of this story have been well-trodden in the decades since the United States watched in horror as the rocket broke apart after its launch, killing all seven crew members aboard, the empathetically made series shows how failure after failure led to the final disaster.
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