Some real-life stories are so twisted and unexpected that a measly movie just falls short of revealing the things that truly happened. Enter documentary TV shows – a series’ worth of plot twists, unbelievable stories, and an appropriate time allowance for those events to unfurl before your very own eyes. After all, what’s more exciting than life itself? If you agree with us, try these documentary series that we’ve handpicked for you.
Some of these docu-series, the most harrowing and gripping ones indeed, talk about mysterious murder cases or disappearances. However, if you’re not that much into the grim stuff, others, like Love On The Spectrum, will melt even the most hardened heart. Still others, like Alone, are more along the lines of reality TV series, but most of them are unscripted, and the chilling, or on the other hand – hilariously funny events that you are witnessing are completely real.
So, get ready to immerse yourself fully into these unbelievable real-life stories by picking a docu-series from our list! They are just, as usual, a bit further down, and the ten topmost are provided with short descriptions. Vote for the best, and share this article with your friends!
#1 Two Shallow Graves: The McStay Family Murders
2022 | 7 episodes
Two Shallow Graves: The McStay Family Murders is a crime documentary series following the mysterious murders of The McStay Family: a perfectly ordinary family from Fallbrook, California, up until the point they disappeared from their home in 2010, their bodies to be found three years later in the desert near Victorville, California. A truly harrowing story with many sinister details unfurling before your very own eyes in Two Shallow Graves.
Image source: amazon.com
#2 Love On The Spectrum U.S.
2022 – | 6 episodes
Love On The Spectrum U.S. is a spin-off of the original Australian reality TV/docu-series Love On The Spectrum. Same as before, the show follows people on the spectrum navigating love, relationships, and life – a really thoughtful look into their world, all the while raising autism awareness. Love On The Spectrum U.S. is a truly heartwarming series about the warmest people.
Image source: netflix.com
#3 The Staircase
2004 – 2018 | 13 episodes
The Staircase is a French-produced, English-language documentary miniseries following the high-profile murder trial of American novelist Michael Peterson after the death of his wife. And it’s a bonafide courtroom thriller delivering more plot twists than any possible fiction – a gripping and chilling look into a murder and trial proceedings. This exceptional quality series won a Peabody Award given to the “most powerful, enlightening, and invigorating stories on television, radio, and online media,” and that’s a great guarantee for any miniseries.
Image source: netflix.com
#4 Love On The Spectrum
2019 – 2021 | 9 episodes
Love On The Spectrum is an Australian reality television series/docu-series following young adults on the autism spectrum as they try to navigate love, relationships, life, and everything in between. Love On The Spectrum is a compassionate celebration of differences and, most importantly, love. So, if you are looking for something heartwarming and inspiring, Love On The Spectrum should be on the top of your list.
Image source: netflix.com
#5 Somebody Feed Phil
2018 – | 27 episodes and counting
Somebody Feed Phil is a travel documentary series presented by Phil Rosenthal, following him traveling the world (like Bangkok, Tel Aviv, and New Orleans), sampling local food, and getting to know local traditions. All with a dash of good humor! Somebody Feed Phil stands out from this category of series thanks to Phil himself – he’s a vibrant and eccentric personality, and his sense of humor is of undeniable quality.
Image source: netflix.com
#6 Clarkson’s Farm
2021 – | 8 episodes and counting
Clarkson’s Farm is a British documentary series about the legendary Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson’s newest endeavor as a farmer in Cotswolds. Once Jeremy took over the farm, it was renamed Diddly Squat, meaning, basically, “the least amount,” as such an amount of produce was expected from it. And, since it’s mister Clarkson, you can expect loads of original swearing, unexpected events, and hilarious plot twists in his story of taking on the role of a landowner.
Image source: amazon.com
#7 Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy
2021 – | 10 episodes and counting
Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy is a travel and food show hosted, as the name suggests, by the iconic actor and filmmaker Stanley Tucci. In the series, Stanley travels across Italy, sampling the delights of each region and sharing the secrets of food making with the viewers. Due to the series’ high aesthetic qualities, your outlook on the food you eat might change forever, so be warned!
Image source: imdb.com
#8 Formula 1: Drive To Survive
2019 – | 40 episodes and counting
Formula 1: Drive To Survive is a documentary series providing a look into the behind-the-scenes world of Formula One drivers and races. It gives an in-depth look into the sport, not shying away from the juicy bits of life – rivalries, arguments, conflicts, and blood-curdling crashes on the track. Besides catering to the fans of Formula One, it is known that the series managed to attract new audiences all around the world, who are now, probably, number one fans due to this series!
Image source: netflix.com
#9 Deadliest Catch
Image source: amazon.com
#10 Alone
2015 – | 89 and counting
Alone is an adventure reality game show following ten survival experts trying to actually survive alone in the Vancouver Island wilderness. The survivalists can only carry a backpack’s worth of stuff that might be helpful in building shelter, hunting, and warding off various predators. Later in the series, the locale changed to Alaska and Louisiana, among other harsh places. A truly gripping series with an educational aspect, that being – never go alone to places you don’t know!
Image source: amazon.com
#11 Nathan For You
2013 – 2017 | 32 episodes
Nathan For You is a docu-reality television comedy series following Nathan Fielder as he uses his business degree to help small businesses turn a profit. However, since most of Fielder’s advice is highly unorthodox, the business owners often find themselves in very unexpected circumstances. Full of deadpan humor, Nathan For You might just be the most original docu-series up to this day.
Image source: amazon.com
#12 Roman Empire
Image source: netflix.com
#13 Air Crash Investigation
Image source: amazon.com
#14 Making A Murderer
Image source: netflix.com
#15 The Big Conn
Image source: tv.apple.com
#16 Ancient Aliens
Image source: amazon.com
#17 Dateline
Image source: nbc.com
#18 Ghost Adventures
Image source: amazon.com
#19 The Curse Of Oak Island
Image source: amazon.com
#20 Life In Color With David Attenborough
Image source: netflix.com
#21 Marvel Studios: Assembled
Image source: disneyplus.com
#22 Planet Earth II
Image source: amazon.com
#23 Planet Earth
Image source: amazon.com
#24 Crime Scene The Vanishing Cecil Hotel
Image source: netflix.com
#25 Dirty Jobs
Image source: amazon.com
#26 Men In Kilts: A Road Trip With Sam And Graham
Image source: amazon.com
#27 Wild Babies
Image source: netflix.com
#28 Don’t F**k With Cats: Hunting An Internet Killer
Image source: netflix.com
#29 Tiger King
Image source: netflix.com
#30 Benjamin Franklin
Image source: amazon.com
#31 The Puppet Master: Hunting The Ultimate Conman
Image source: netflix.com
#32 Forensic Files
Image source: amazon.com
#33 Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
Image source: amazon.com
#34 Our Great National Parks
Image source: netflix.com
#35 The Ripper
Image source: netflix.com
#36 Sophie: A Murder In West Cork
Image source: netflix.com
#37 Lularich
Image source: amazon.com
#38 The Keepers
Image source: netflix.com
#39 Meltdown: Three Mile Island
Image source: netflix.com
#40 Prehistoric Planet
Image source: tv.apple.com
#41 The Food That Built America
Image source: amazon.com
#42 The Way Down
Image source: hbo.com
#43 The World At War
Image source: uktvplay.uktv.co.uk
#44 The Vietnam War
Image source: amazon.com
#45 Cursed Films
Image source: amazon.com
#46 The Social Dilemma
Image source: netflix.com
#47 The Last Dance
Image source: amazon.com
#48 The French Chef
Image source: amazon.com
#49 Cosmos A Spacetime Odyssey
Image source: amazon.com
#50 Challenger: The Final Flight
Image source: netflix.com
Follow Us
