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Netflix debuted dozens of great documentary films and series throughout 2025. In this list, we count down our top 10.
Documentaries are one of the biggest and most respected corners of Netflix. Be it lifestyle, nature, sports, or crime (which is the biggest sub-genre), Netflix has a documentary for almost everything. 2025 was a particularly big year for the documentary division, especially in the true crime area; look no further than this perfect neighbor And unknown number,
In this top 10, we’ve chosen from an incredibly diverse range of documentaries available, so there’s something for everyone. Let’s dive in!
10.
Breakdown: 1975
From Academy Award winner Morgan Neville (20 feet away from stardom, Won’t you be my neighbor?, piece by piece), documentary series Breakdown: 1975 Discover how the political and social chaos in 1975 America gave rise to some of the most groundbreaking works of art in the history of cinema, Some people over the cuckoo’s nestTo taxi driverFor film lovers, this is essential viewing and to delve deeper into the creative processes behind works that were incredibly poignant upon release, and remain cornerstones of cinema even after so many years, Even for those less familiar with cinema classics, it serves as an entertaining educational essay on the social and cultural landscape of America in 1975,
Narrated by Jodie Foster, Breakdown: 1975 It features appearances from some of Hollywood’s most prestigious names, including Martin Scorsese, Patton Oswalt, Josh Brolin, Seth Rogen and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs.
9.
shark whisperer
American shark conservationist Ocean Ramsey shares his remarkable talents as the ‘Shark Whisperer’ in this documentary, showing breathtaking clips of him diving with sharks – even great white sharks. Ramsey not only shows herself diving among the sharks, but proves an important point: sharks are largely misunderstood. They are not the monsters that various media make them out to be; look no further than this jaws, She fights to protect the sharks, and it’s eye-opening.
The documentary film is directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Reed, who is known for his equally prolific directing chops for Netflix. my octopus teacher (2020).
Bonus points also for Ocean Ramsey having the best name ever for her chosen career path.
8.
Sean Combs: The Reckoning
from emmy and grammy awards,Starring Curtis Jackson (aka 50 Cent) and Alexandria Stapleton, this 4-part documentary gives unprecedented insight into the crimes of Sean Combs, better known by his stage name Diddy. Combs is currently serving a sentence in federal prison after being convicted as a felon.
Over the course of his illustrious career, Combs gained a great reputation for spotting talent, helping to bring about a new generation of hip-hop superstars. Following the end of his career and the sentences he received, Netflix released a documentary series The Reckoning that chronicles his crimes, including exclusive interviews with people who worked with him. Such names include Aubrey O’Day, Kirk Burrows, Eric Sermon and Mark Curry.
7.
Titan: The Oceangate Disaster
In the summer of 2023, the whole world was gripped by a news story: the Oceangate submarine. The submersible was to take visitors to the ocean floor, where those inside could view the wreck of the Titanic. In 2023, when 5 passengers went to the depths of the ocean in a submersible, they never came back. Due to carelessness in assembling the vehicle, it exploded due to pressure, resulting in his immediate death. This news got immense coverage in the media. At the time, it seemed as if the whole world was talking about Oceangate.
In 2025, Netflix launched a documentary covering the entire tragedy from beginning to end. How can this be possible? Emmy-winning director Mark Monroe explains everything Titan: The Oceangate DisasterThis is, perhaps, the most comprehensive investigation of the Oceangate tragedy to date,
6.
Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story
There are already some documentaries about Jody Hildebrandt’s story, such as Ruby and Jodi: A Cult of Sin and InfluenceNetflix’s documentary is certainly the most comprehensive,
Jody Hildebrandt was a former counselor and life coach from Utah. She was widely respected in her community and was often recommended as a physician. However, she became involved with YouTuber and mom-influencer Ruby Franke and her career and reputation took a turn for the worse. As Hildebrandt became involved, reports of child abuse emerged and both women were eventually arrested in 2023. Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse. The Netflix documentary covers this disturbing case in full, including interviews and footage.
5.
to be eddy
Eddie Murphy is one of the most ubiquitous names in all of Hollywood. A majorly successful stand-up comic and multi-award-winning actor, Murphy needs little introduction. If you don’t know him from the famous 80’s movie beverly hills policeYou definitely know him as the voice of the donkey shrekHis work spans generations, and he is as popular today as ever – he will return shrek 5 later this year!
How did Eddie Murphy become the comedy and Hollywood legend he is today? Well, just check to be eddyDirected by two-time Oscar winner Angus Wall, the inspiring documentary explores his explosive rise to fame, from his early stand-up days to appearing on Saturday Night Live. It also includes a number of industry luminaries who have joined him on his journey, including Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Jamie Foxx, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kevin Hart, Jerry Seinfeld, Jerry Bruckheimer and Brian Grazer.
4.
diamond robbery
a personal favourite, diamond robbery Document one of the most wildly ambitious and downright ridiculous robbery attempts in British history.
Executive produced by Guy Ritchie (gentlemen, diamond robbery Description of an attempted robbery of a priceless diamond. So what exactly is the diamond in question? The Millennium Star, worth approximately £350 million, was placed inside the Millennium Dome for an exhibition.
The miniseries is told by the accounts of both the gangster criminals and the police investigating it, and includes never-before-seen images and surveillance footage. The fact that it includes interviews with those who attempted to carry out the robbery makes it particularly fascinating.
It should not be confused with Netflix’s other diamond heist documentary set in 2025, Heist: Robbery of the CenturyBoth are excellent, but diamond robbery Takes the crown.
3.
cover up
Cover-Up was Netflix’s final documentary of 2025, and it was an excellent addition to its library. The documentary-film is produced by a top-tier team, including Emmy-award winner Mark Obenhaus and Academy-award winner Laura Poitras. It is also executive-produced by Hollywood star Brad Pitt. A political thriller, it explores the career of Seymour Hersh, an investigative journalist who famously exposed the My Lai massacre and its cover-up during the Vietnam War. He later received a Pulitzer Prize for his work. The documentary explores Harsh’s work, from exclusive access to his notes to the vast and complex process of concealment.
cover up It hasn’t been long yet, but it already boasts a perfect 100% score rotten tomatoes,
2.
Unknown Number: High School Catfish
Sky Borgman’s documentary Unknown Number: High School Catfish This was easily one of the most talked about documentaries of 2025. The film explores a horrific and disturbing case of cyberbullying that shook an entire united community. It all started in October 2020, when 13-year-old Lauryn Licari and her then-boyfriend Owen started receiving strange text messages from an unknown number; The person behind the texts was completely anonymous. As time passed and the messages became more personal, Lauryn’s parents went to the authorities for help.
We won’t spoil anything for you, but there is a big twist in this documentary that you will see Never Look I am coming. And given that this is real life, this documentary comes with a twist He Very disturbing.
1.
perfect neighbor
was not there perfect neighbor A standout documentary on Netflix, but it’s overall one of the streamer’s most highly-rated projects of 2025. The feature-length documentary boasts a stellar approval rating of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. This deeply disturbing, but thoroughly entertaining series, tells the story of a Deadly neighborhood dispute in FloridaWhich exposes blind spots within the United States legal system. The controversy involves Ajike Owens and her white neighbor, self-proclaimed ‘model neighbor’ Susan Lorincz.
Tension grew in their conflict, which began with Ajike’s initial disputes over the children playing outside. Ultimately, Lorincz killed Ajike by firing a shot through a closed door. The documentary covers the saga through police bodycam footage and exclusive interviews.
Of all the 2025 Netflix documentaries, The Perfect Neighbor is the best, and that’s more than reflected in the ratings.
What was your favorite documentary on Netflix in 2025? Let us know in the comments below!