Netflix has really ramped up its production of original TV series. 13 New Netflix Originals You'll Watch In 2016 Netflix's most exciting year to date. Read More Informative, emotional, provocative – you name it, Netflix has it. As this list of the best Netflix documentaries of 2016 demonstrates.
In fact, Netflix really knows what people want to watch How Netflix Knows Exactly What You Want to Watch How Netflix Knows Exactly What You Want to Watch Netflix's rise to being the world's leading streaming service was no fluke. It was based on a recipe of data and emotions that means the company always knows what it wants to see. Read More And it is this attention to viewing habits that keeps Netflix ahead of its competitors Netflix vs. Hulu vs. Amazon Prime:Which one should you choose? Netflix vs. Hulu vs. Amazon Prime:Which one should you choose? It's been years since we've compared the big-hit streaming services Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. And with changes in pricing, content, quality, and interface, we thought it was time to take a fresh look. Read more.
With hundreds of documentaries added to Netflix every year, it can be hard to find time to watch them all. So we've picked the 12 best Netflix documentaries of 2016, all to save you time and trouble sorting the wheat from the chaff.
IMDb: 9.0 / 10 | Rotten tomatoes: 92%
Hired in 1956 as Disney's first African-American, Floyd Norman established himself as an animator legend through his work on Sleeping Beauty , 101 Dalmatians , and The Jungle Book . Despite his forced retirement at age 65, Norman still works at Disney without pay out of sheer love for the drawing board.
This wonderful documentary takes you through the ups and downs of Norman's life, a journey to overcome struggles and leave a lasting impact on the entire industry.
IMDb: 8.6 / 10 | Rotten tomatoes: N/A
Did you know that the sport of lacrosse dates back to a Native American tradition among the Iroquois? It began as a symbolic war ritual with great spiritual significance, and was a ritual for men only.
Game Keepers explores the story of a women's team of Native American players and the obstacles they face, both personal and social, on their way to winning a Section Championship. Move, inspire and make you reflect.
IMDb: 8.2 / 10 | Rotten tomatoes: 90%
There are those who will exploit every inch of the earth for personal gain, and the conflicts in the Amazon are excellent examples of this. But when your land is threatened by invasion, what can you do? Run. Or fight.
Indigenous leader Alberto Pizango chose the latter, taking on the invasive goals of President Alan García, and in doing so sparked a violent war. The real trick, though, is how much can be gleaned from this movie about the state and nature of humanity in general.
IMDb: 8.0 / 10 | Rotten tomatoes: 96%
Hooligan Sparrow It is another documentary that shows how much power can rest in the hands of activists and protesters. To bring justice to a top rapist, Ye Haiyan must defeat the police, the government, and the angry community.
It is a dark story that is made palatable with the courage and conviction shown by Ye Haiyan. How much would you be willing to sacrifice and endure to defend your position against insurmountable odds?
IMDb: 7.6 / 10 | Rotten tomatoes: 88%
Nature documentaries:either you love them or you hate them. But In hell It's a nature documentary like you've never seen. Werner Herzog takes you around the world, visiting and exploring the world's most mythical volcanoes.
And not just the volcanoes, but the indigenous cultures that live around them. We are talking about Indonesia, Ethiopia and even North Korea. What kinds of spiritual connections and relationships have humans developed with these natural wonders?
IMDb: 7.5 / 10 | Rotten tomatoes: N/A
Extremis It has a runtime of less than 30 minutes, but that's more than enough time to break your heart to pieces. I've never had to deal with such a difficult decision as whether or not a life should end, but this documentary made me feel like I now have.
How would you react? What would be your decisions? Could you pull the metaphorical trigger? Be warned:this is a heavy and sad watch, but at the same time insightful and revealing. Keep a few tissues close.
IMDb: 7.4 / 10 | Rotten tomatoes: 85%
The effects of sexual assault reach further than we usually realize. It can absolutely destroy the lives of the victims, and I am in no way minimizing their trauma, but they are not the only ones suffering either. Friends, families, communities. We are all affected, often in a hidden way..
Audrie and Daisy explores the lives of two minor victims of sexual assault and how everything changed for them, not only because of the crime itself, but because of the intimidation and social pressure that came with it.
IMDb: 7.3 / 10 | Rotten tomatoes: 100%
What does art look like when gunpowder is the medium of expression? It's hard to imagine if you've never experienced it before, so Stairway to Heaven It is such a fascinating watch. Cai Guo-Qiang's use of fire as art is the perfect kiss of art and engineering. Visually stunning and emotionally satisfying.
IMDb: 7.3 / 10 | Rotten tomatoes: 89%
I find baseball the most boring of all sports, so you can imagine my surprise when a documentary about Baseball caught my eye and he refused to let me go. Fastball It's, as you might have guessed, an 87-minute exploration of fastball.
It may not seem that fast on a TV screen, but a fastball only takes 396 milliseconds to leave the pitcher's mound and reach home plate. This documentary not only pays tribute to all of the best fastball pitchers, but also shows you everything you need to know about fastball history.
IMDb: 7.3 / 10 | Rotten tomatoes: N/A
The music industry has many unsung heroes. You think that the success of an artist or a group depends on the image and performance of the artist or the group, but there are many hidden details and machinations that occur behind the scenes.
Atlanta-based hip hop production company Organized Noize deserve more credit than they get. Dive into this documentary and find out exactly what they do, how they shaped the entire American hip hop industry, and continue to influence the scene today.
IMDb: 7.2 / 10 | Rotten tomatoes: N/A
It is terrifying to think how much a single brain injury can change your life, and what is worse, it is not a physical injury but one caused by an event as unexpected as a stroke. But practical impact aside, have you ever wondered what a post-stroke life is? feel I like it?
Lotje Sodderland helps us experience what she did, at least as far as she can express, and this documentary sheds light on her path to recovery. Brain trauma is a dark subject, but this film is hopeful, positive, and ultimately transformative.
IMDb: 7.0 / 10 | Rotten tomatoes: 89%
Don't go into this one expecting great answers. What you can However, the expectation is a convincing and labyrinthine investigation that will make her question the pre-existing assumptions that she had when she entered the film..
Is it the most exciting documentary? No, but it's up there, and it has its exciting and suspenseful moments, leading to a surprisingly emotional ending. If you're a fan of “true crime” stories Compelling Stories:12 Podcasts to Listen to on SoundCloud Compelling Stories:12 Podcasts to Listen to on SoundCloud SoundCloud isn't all about music. It also has a robust Storytelling section full of compelling podcasts. Here are 12 of the most compelling storytelling podcasts you can stream right now on SoundCloud. Read More
Netflix is home to some of the best documentaries on the planet, from those about Earth and the universe. Watch this space:10 documentaries you must see about the universe Watch this space:10 documentaries you must know about the space of the universe, the last frontier. These are the best documentaries about the Universe that have been made. They may not be as exciting as Star Trek, but they are certainly more educational. More on technical topics like hardware and software Geek Documentaries:6 Fascinating Movies About Hardware, Software, and Space [Stuff to Watch] Geeky Documentaries:6 Fascinating Movies About Hardware, Software, and Space [Stuffs to Watch] all about sitting back, letting the power of a well-produced documentary invades you and engages your gray matter without even leaving the couch. What's more, each of these... Read More Why is hacking both glamorous and nebulous? How much of the hacker community do we really understand? Do hackers deserve their reputation? These documentaries will answer all these questions and more. Read more.
But of course documentaries are not the beginning of Netflix. Be sure to check out these nifty tools for finding new content to watch 5 Ways to Find Good Movies or TV Shows to Watch Next on Netflix 5 Ways to Find Good Movies or TV Shows to Watch Next on Netflix Netflix knows exactly what you want see , but its recommendations section is not always helpful. Get great recommendations with these apps and sites on what to watch next. Read More 6 Key Tools to Get the Most Out of Netflix. 6 Key Tools to Get the Most Out of Netflix. Browsing Netflix for the best movies to watch is like a scavenger hunt. When it's hard to find the perfect streaming title, use these 6+ tools to make Netflix easier to use. Read more.
What are your favorite documentaries on Netflix? Do you think these documentaries are reason enough to justify a Netflix subscription? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below!