Documentary filmmaking is operating at a remarkable level right now. Streaming platforms willing to fund ambitious long-form projects, combined with a generation of filmmakers who know how to build tension and narrative the way drama directors do, has produced a wave of extraordinary non-fiction content. Here are the best documentaries US viewers should be watching in 2026.
The Best New Documentaries of 2025–2026
Six Nations: Full Contact (Netflix)
Unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to four Six Nations rugby teams across a full tournament. The locker room dynamics, coaching staff debates, and player pressure are captured with a fly-on-the-wall authenticity that Drive to Survive established for Formula One. This does it better.
Beckham (Netflix)
Four episodes covering David Beckham's career, his marriage to Victoria, and his reinvention as a global brand. The candor is surprising — including moments the PR team almost certainly didn't want included. Even for viewers with no connection to football, this is compelling television about celebrity, ambition, and identity.
100 Foot Wave (HBO / Max)
Big-wave surfer Garret McNamara's obsession with riding the largest wave ever recorded off Nazaré, Portugal. The footage is jaw-dropping. The story of the small Portuguese town that opened its arms to the surf community is equally extraordinary. One of the finest sports documentaries produced this decade.
Making a Murderer (Netflix)
If you somehow haven't watched this yet, the ten-episode series about Steven Avery's conviction is essential. It changed the true crime genre permanently — raising genuine ethical questions about storytelling, journalism, and justice. Still required viewing in 2026.
Outstanding American Documentaries
- The Rescue (2021) — Oscar-winning account of the Thai cave rescue. The detail of the operation is extraordinary.
- The Last Dance (Netflix) — Michael Jordan, the 1997–98 Bulls, and the definitive sports documentary of the last decade.
- Icarus (Netflix) — What began as a personal experiment became an accidental exposé of Russian state doping. Genuinely remarkable.
- Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond (Netflix) — Jim Carrey's complete method immersion in Man on the Moon. Fascinating and occasionally disturbing.
Where to Find the Big Nature Documentaries
Planet Earth III, Blue Planet III, and Wild Isles represent the pinnacle of nature filmmaking — extraordinary 4K HDR photography paired with David Attenborough's narration. They are BBC productions, and BBC Studios licenses them country by country, so the US platform differs by title and changes over time.
Prehistoric Planet is an Apple TV+ original, so it stays on Apple TV+. For the BBC series, check BBC America's schedule or a streaming search tool such as JustWatch to see which US service currently carries each one.
True Crime Worth Watching in 2026
- The Staircase (HBO/Max) — The original long-running true crime documentary that defined the genre.
- I Just Killed My Dad (Netflix) — The Anthony Templet case in three devastating parts.
- The Jinx (HBO/Max) — Robert Durst, six episodes, and one of the most extraordinary finales in documentary history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch the Beckham documentary in the US?
Beckham is a Netflix documentary series, so Netflix is where to watch all four episodes in the US. It is included with any Netflix plan.
Where can I watch Planet Earth III in the US?
Planet Earth III is a BBC Studios production that is licensed to different US partners over time. Check BBC America's schedule or a streaming search tool such as JustWatch for the service that currently carries it.
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