Are you ready to explore thought-provoking documentaries that will leave you inspired to change your life? Studies show that watching impactful documentaries can increase empathy and drive personal growth, making them a powerful tool for transformation. Look no further than Netflix.
Netflix provides an extensive library of documentaries. This offers a wealth of content that can challenge your beliefs. It can also shift your perspective. Popular documentaries like Minimalism and Social Dilemma have captivated audiences worldwide.
In this post, I have compiled a list of 15 must-watch documentaries. These documentaries explore the impact of our food choices and also expose the hidden costs of the fashion industry. They will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the world around you.
So sit back, relax, and get ready to be inspired by this list of 15 Netflix documentaries:
1. The Game Changers
Get ready to have your world rocked with The Game Changers. This documentary challenges the traditional view of meat as a necessary part of a healthy diet. It presents a compelling argument for plant-based eating.
What sets The Game Changers apart from other documentaries on nutrition is its stunning visuals and inspiring stories. Featuring elite athletes like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lewis Hamilton, the documentary presents stunning research-based insights.
It takes viewers on a journey around the world to explore different cultures and their approach to plant-based eating. No matter who you are – a top athlete or an office-goer – this documentary has the power to deeply resonate with you.
2. My Octopus Teacher
My Octopus Teacher is a mesmerizing and heartwarming documentary that follows a filmmaker’s unusual friendship with an octopus.
With stunning underwater footage, this film offers a touching narrative. It will make you see the beauty and intelligence of these creatures in a whole new light.
The documentary has won numerous awards and has been widely praised for its emotional depth. It’s a must-watch for nature lovers and anyone who wants to be inspired by the wonders of the natural world.
3. The Mind, Explained
The Mind, Explained is 2019 docuseries that takes you on a fascinating journey through the inner workings of the human brain.
This show makes complex topics like memory, dreams, and anxiety easy to understand and captivating to watch.
Whether you’re a neuroscience enthusiast or just curious about how your mind works, The Mind Explained is a must-see.
4. Dirty Money
Dirty Money is a hard-hitting Netflix series that exposes some of the most scandalous corporate crimes in recent history.
With jaw-dropping interviews and compelling visuals, this show offers a sobering look at the dark side of capitalism. You will be amazed to witness the lengths some will go to make a profit.
If you’re looking for a thought-provoking and eye-opening series, Dirty Money is a must-watch.
5. Expedition Happiness
Expedition Happiness is a heartwarming documentary. It follows a couple and their dog. They travel across North and Central America in a refurbished school bus.
With breathtaking scenery and infectious positivity, this film inspires you to chase your dreams and live life to the fullest.
Whether you’re a travel junkie or just looking for a feel-good movie, this one is a must-see.
6. The Social Dilemma
One of the most thrilling and talked about documentaries, The Social Dilemma makes for a must-watch viewing. It explores the dark side of social media and its impact on our lives.
Expert insights from former tech insiders and powerful dramatizations will make you rethink your social media habits. They will also make you question the data that is collected about you. One key revelation is how social media algorithms are designed to manipulate user behavior, keeping us hooked and influencing our thoughts and actions.
If you’re looking for a thought-provoking and eye-opening documentary, you should not miss The Social Dilemma.
7. Rotten – The Food you Love comes at a price
Rotten is a gripping Netflix series that exposes the hidden costs and controversies behind some of our favorite foods.
This show will make you think twice about what you put on your plate. It covers topics from the exploitation of migrant workers to the environmental impact of industrial farming.
If you care deeply about the food you consume and the planet you inhabit, you must not miss Rotten.
8. Minimalism: A Documentary about the Important Things
A powerful documentary that challenges the notion that more is always better, Minimalism underlines the futility of our tendency to accumulate things
The documentary centers around the minimalist duo – Ryan Nicodemus and Joshua Fields Millburn. It captures their interactions with TV hosts and common people. The duo promotes their book and philosophy of minimalism.
One memorable moment captures Ryan and Joshua speaking to a packed audience, where a member of the crowd shares how minimalism helped them overcome debt and regain control of their life. Whether you’re a minimalist at heart or just looking to declutter your life, Minimalism inspires you to focus on what truly matters.
If you like this post, be sure to check out our post about the must-watch 15 Business Documentaries on Netflix.
9. The True Cost
The True Cost delves into the hidden costs of fast fashion. It exposes the environmental and social impact of our addiction to cheap clothing.
Regardless of how interested you are in the fashion world, this is a must-watch. It offers a deeper understanding of the hidden costs of clothing consumption.
P.S. – The documentary has been removed from Netflix. But you can still watch it on YouTube.
10. Cooked
This four-part informative docu-series examines how cooking has shaped human culture and evolution. Each episode of Cooked focuses on a specific cooking technique or cultural tradition. It ranges from barbeque to bread-making. It also includes the culinary traditions of indigenous peoples.
One episode, for example, highlights the tradition of communal bread-making in Morocco. It shows how the act of cooking brings entire communities together.
Overall, it is a truly engaging and educational series that will leave viewers with a newfound appreciation for the power of food and its ability to connect us all.
11. Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates
Inside Bill’s Brain succeeds in fulfilling its title. It successfully deciphers Bill Gates’s enigmatic brain. This series isn’t only about self-improvement. It’s a look into a man’s mind who has shaped the world.
The documentary throws hard questions at him in one-to-one interviews. It digs into his past and pieces together interesting bits. My favorite part is when Gates talks about his reading interests.
Every year, he goes to a secluded cabin for a ‘Think Week’. He brings along a bag full of books and research papers. That has inspired me to emulate him.
12. Stutz
Jonah Hill directed Stutz. The documentary offers a unique, intimate look at therapy. It explores the experiences of his therapist, Phil Stutz, his life philosophy and practical tools for navigating mental health struggles.
Hill’s candid conversations with Stutz make it not just informative but deeply personal. They offer accessible tools for anyone looking to improve their mental well-being and mindset.
13. Headspace Guide to Meditation
This animated series from the creators of Headspace introduces viewers to the benefits of meditation. It covers techniques for reducing stress, improving focus, and cultivating happiness.
Through guided meditation exercises, the series empowers viewers to start a practice. This practice can lead to greater peace and clarity in daily life. A great documentary for those seeking a mindful shift in their approach to mental health and well-being.
14. Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones
In this travel and wellness-focused series, Dan Buettner highlights places around the world where people live much longer than average. These are known as the Blue Zones.
He journeys around the world, exploring healthy eating practices. From Okinawa to Sardinia to Loma Linda to Nicoya, each episode introduces ways to live more consciously.
In a world that’s always looking for comfort, this documentary is a reminder that living well takes effort—but it’s worth it.
15. The Playbook
This docuseries profiles renowned sports coaches, including figures like Doc Rivers and Jill Ellis, who share the life lessons and philosophies that have shaped their careers.
Each episode dives into the mindsets that have driven these leaders to success. For anyone looking to adopt a winning mindset, The Playbook offers valuable insights on determination, focus, and growth.
In Conclusion
Here’s a challenge for you. Sit down and watch one of these 15 documentaries. Let it shake up the way you see the world. These films don’t mess around.
They dig into the things we often overlook—the ground we walk on, the food we eat, the way we connect with each other. They’ll give you a hard look at the world, and maybe, just maybe, at yourself too.
Go ahead, press play. See if one of these stories stirs something up inside you. Who knows? It might just be the spark that changes everything.
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Hey, that’s a great list. Thank you for sharing.