10 Binge-Worthy Docuseries on Netflix
With more time at home, I’ve had the opportunity to watch a bit more TV in the evenings once the kiddos are in bed. But, I have also been super overwhelmed by all of the options. I am embarrassed to admit, but my normal go-to shows are trashy reality TV. But, I can only watch so many crazy dramatic, scripted reality shows before my brain feels like it’s going to rot.
So, I’ve decided to branch out and watch a new type of show… docuseries. And I have found my new favorite show genre. I am still getting reality, but now I am pairing it with research, true stories, and insight into the minds of others.
I put together a list of 10 docuseries on Netflix that have been entertaining, informative, and enjoyable! Check out then out below.
Babies
Maybe I am partial to this one because I’ve been raising babies the past few years. But, what I like most about this series is the research. As a new mom, I am constantly bombarded with information related to parenting. A lot of the information I come across is inaccurate, purely anecdotal, and unsupported. I really appreciated the thorough, ethical, and scientific research presented in Babies. This series touches on important topics parents are always curious about, like sleeping, crawling, bonding, eating. We’ve come a long way in recent years, but there is still so much we don’t know about babies.
I Am a Killer
Each episode of this series interviews a person in prison for killing someone. In the. interviews, each convicted killer discusses their past, what motivated them to commit the murder, and how they are processing their actions now. Each person had a very unique story. I found it really interesting to look at each person’s individual situation. It is pretty fascinating how much their childhood impacted their ability to make good decisions and to function in the world as an adult.
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness
Ok, I will warn you…this show is such a hot mess. It’s a train wreck you can’t stop watching. It might be the one thing right now, that seems more outrageous than what is actually happening in the world today. Basically, Tiger King discusses the life of big cat collectors, specifically Joe Exotic, a tiger breeder who kept a “zoo” in Oklahoma. At first, you think they are only discussing road-side zoos, but there are many twists along the way. Tiger King is your go-to if you are looking for lots of drama. And I mean a ton of drama.
The Pharmacist
This docuseries pleasantly surprised me. Dan, a pharmacist in Louisiana, works tirelessly to identify his son’s killer. While investigating his son’s death, he discovers a deep and devastating opioid crisis in his hometown. His knowledge, his personal connection to the opioid crisis, and his good samaritan attitude bring to light the tragic effects of the opioid crisis nationwide. The level of commitment Dan puts into making the world a better place is incredible, and the effects are interesting.
Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez
If you asked me who Aaron Hernandez was prior to watching this series, I would have mentioned that he was some sort of football player for the Patriots. But, this docuseries goes into detail about Aaron’s childhood, how he rose to fame in the NFL and the murder conviction that brought all of his success to an immediate halt.
Don’t F*** With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer
Internet sleuths take on the challenge of finding a man who posted a video torturing two kittens to death. Their search takes them all over the world, as they use clues from the perpetrator’s videos to track him down. This documentary is dark. It opened my eyes to what kind of creeps and criminals are out there lurking on the internet. It even made me much more careful of what I post online so that I can maintain privacy.
How to Fix a Drug Scandal
The process of evaluating evidence by drug labs in the US is sacred and crucial for the judicial system. When two drug lab chemists start tampering with evidence and crossing ethical lines, they jeopardize the integrity of the judicial system. The series brings to light the lack of regulation and the amount of power given to the chemists, which is disheartening, especially when the livelihood of others is on the line.
100 Humans: Life’s Questions. Answered.
I loved this show. It was a perfect humorous, light-hearted series to watch while getting stuff done around the house I.e. folding laundry. One hundred humans from diverse backgrounds participate in a number of different experiments exploring happiness, attractiveness, age, and more. Some topics were fun and entertaining, while others were more serious. I appreciated the very simplistic ways of executing and evaluating these experiments.
The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez
This series was the hardest one for me to watch. I actually put off watching it for a period of time because I knew it would be dark. Being a parent, made this series even more meaningful. Gabriel is a little boy, from Los Angeles County, who died while in the custody of his mother and her boyfriend. This series documents the trials of his guardians, the torture he endured while alive, and the events leading up to his death. Seeing how so many people failed Gabriel is gut-wrenching. Watching this series opened my eyes to the cracks in the system that often fail children. Be prepared, this is a very emotionally draining series to watch. But so important for us to know why things like this happen.
Rotten
This disturbing docuseries goes into the problems affecting the supply chain of various food industries. Each eye-opening episode brings to light unethical practices, complicated regulations, and the consequences of greed. Since watching this series, I have become more aware of the products I buy and I have made a more conscious effort to invest in companies that are practicing ethical and sustainable practices.
There you go! There is a little bit of everything for everyone. Do you have a favorite docuseries on Netflix that you’ve enjoyed that’s not on this list?
These are all wonderful suggestions and Tiger King was fabulous and I just could not stop watching it. I watched it when it first came out before everyone was loving it… but I understand why as it was straggly addictive and I could not stop watching. I also enjoyed the Inside the Mind of Aaron Hernandez but will have to check out the others 🙂 thank you for sharing and I do enjoy a good show that makes me want to binge watch it so these are perfect!
Thank you, Melissa!
Thank you so much for collating this list and giving some detail about each show. I will have to check this out. I am also showing this list to my husband. He is more of a binge-watcher than me. I am sure he will like most of these shows.
Awesome, thanks Kristine.
I cannot recommend Tiger King enough as a series to watch at the moment. It is the craziest thing I have ever watched but totally worthy of a binge watch, you cannot turn away!! Some really great suggestions, couldn’t be more thankful for Netflix right now! Sim x
I agree…you just can’t turn away. As soon as you process one part of the show, something more outrageous happens.
I’ve seen a few of these, but not actually had the time to watch the rest! I’d like to see Tiger King; I’ve heard good things about it.
It’s such a train wreck, but so hard not to keep watching…
I’ve glanced over just about every one of these docuseries, but I cannot get myself to watch the darker ones. I’m a mood watcher and I get so invested, I have to be mentally prepared. The 100 Humans one is actually pretty cool and fun, so too the Babies one. Babies are just so interesting and full of so much mystery and intelligence. I enjoyed that one.
I totally get what you mean by having to be prepared. There were a few on there that took me weeks to get the nerve to watch them. 100 Humans and Babies were great to watch for light-hearted entertainment.
I never can find something to watch, this is great. You have listed a couple that I loved so I think I can take your suggestions, I may have to check some of these out now. Thanks for the tips!
You’re welcome, Melissa!
A really interesting selection here. I haven’t watched any of these! We are currently watching the new season Ozark but will have to check out one of these once we are done. We do like dark….but not too dark!
Ozark is sooo good! We loved that one.
I love documentaries like these and I’ve seen a couple of them already. SO good! Great list of recommendations.
Thanks, Catherine.
Thanks for sharing. Of course, we have watched Tiger King plus a few others.
You’re welcome, Stacie.
These are good picks. I haven’t been watching too much Netflix, but I will take time out to watch THE TRIALS OF GABRIAL FERNANDEZ! I heard so much about it. Thanks for the list.
You’re welcome, Myrah. It’s a heavy one, but so eye-opening to the holes in the system.
I haven’t watched any of these Netflix docuseries. I’d like to watch some if not all of these, if I have a chance . Thank you for sharing 🙂
You’re welcome, Jay!
Cool list, Babies seems very interesting, 100 humans and the documentary about the chemists tampering with evidence in the lab seem really good also.
XO, MJ
https://lush-fab-glam.com
Babies was so interesting. So much info out there that we are still discovering about babies.
Good list have seen a few people recommend tiger king, i will be checking these out.
Thanks, Amary.
Ooo yes thank you so much for this. now these are our kind of watching so we will be adding these to our list x
You’re welcome, Melanie.
Gotta say… none of these look appealing to me. I’m more interested in positive programming. I think I’m tired of the sensationalism of the vain and the evil….
There definitely are some heavy topics here, Jen. But you should check out “Babies” and “100 Humans” from the list above. Both are positive, entertaining, and lighthearted.
Like I needed more to watch. Netflix doesn’t make it easy for me to be productive some days. lol
Ha, I agree, Karie.
Something for everyone on Netflix!
There sure is, Debbie.
Thank you so much! I love docuseries! Nothing better than real life!
Thanks, Tricia, me too!
I have seen most of these. They are all pretty good.
I agree, Heather.
Of your list, I’ve only seen Tiger King. All I have to say is WOW!
Right? It’s nuts…like it can’t be real…
My kids like to binge watch shows but I don’t know if I could get in to it.
Haha, I am a sucker for watching things while getting stuff done around the house.
We’re always looking for something to binge watch, especially now. Thanks for the suggestions!
You’re welcome, Candy.
You have some intense picks here!
I agree, Linda.
Great list… I will be adding them to my must-see list! Thank you!
You’re welcome, Holly!
Lots of options.
I agree, Lori.
We loved watching 100 Humans! I’ve watched a few of these already and I really enjoy docu-series so I’ll definitely be watching more in the future. It’s nice to not have to commit to a whole series, but it’s also more than just a 2 hour movie so they’re perfect for how I like to watch tv.
That’s a great point, Eva. The option to watch a little bit or a lot at a time is great.
I am HOPING they do another round of 100 humans!
Me too, Stephanie.
This is a great list 🙂 I personally loved babiess!
Thanks, Rachel, me too!
These sound intriguing. I don’t watch much TV, but I’ll admit I’ve been tempted to watch the Tiger King.
It’s interesting for sure, Kendra.
Great list to add to my Netflix watch list!
Thanks, Cindy!
Wow, I think would like the 100 Humans show the best. It would go along with my master’x
It’s pretty cool, Alice.
Loved Rotten and recommend that one to all!
Right? You will never look at grocery shopping the same way again.
I really like documentaries so I appreciate this list. I loved Babies!
Me to, Julia.
Me too, Julia.
I haven’t seen any of these, but there look like some interesting ones on this list. Thanks for compiling and sharing.
You’re welcome, Sara.
My husband has been trying to watch Tiger King but our internet (satellite) is so crappy it just keeps buffering. Maybe it will work one of these days! I personally live watching the shows about food and what really happens to it. Really fascinating and eye opening!
I hope your internet starts cooperating, Santana. That can be so frustrating.
I’ve been wanting to watch the Babies documentary! I have an 8 month old, and would love to watch that. I have also heard a lot about the Tiger King, and it is chock full of drama!
It’s so interesting, Sydney. You will really appreciate it having a baby right now.
I didn’t know this genre was called docuseries. I learn something new everyday.
It’s definitely a term that I have just recently heard of too.
Thanks for this list. Always looking for new things to watch.
You’re welcome, Shirley.
Interesting list. I’m more of a British Baking type, but I know there is a big audience out there for these.
That’s a good genre to watch too, Sandi!
This a great list. I will have to check these out.
Thanks, Lina.
Surprising I know, I do not have Netflix
You are a rare one, Cindy. 🙂
Interesting list. I have not heard of any of these shows before, but I’m also not a big TV person. The documentaries may be worth checking out, though.
They are pretty interesting, Charlene. Hope you get a chance to check them out.
I am always looking for new Netflix shows! Thank you so much for this list!
You’re welcome, Hillari.
The only one I’ve watched out of this list is 100 Humans. I really have fun with that one. I enjoy the laugh and the experiments. The others seem too dark and sad for me.
Yes, I agree, 100 Humans was so entertaining.
I LOVED 100 humans but haven’t heard of many others except Tiger King you shared. I definitely want to try out Babies and I am a Killer next. I have an almost 2 year old and the Babies one would be a good watch for me. Thank you for sharing these!
You’re welcome. Babies was definitely interesting, coming from a parent’s point of view.