10 Good Documentaries on Netflix All Women Should Watch
There are a lot of good documentaries on Netflix, but some of the very best are ones that depict the female experience in all its many complexities. From Audrie & Daisy, an essential look at the effects of sexual assault on two young women, to Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On, a series that explores women's experiences in the porn industry, many of these films will expand your mind and open your world. Others will make you feel seen.
Whatever you take away from these 10 good documentaries on Netflix, the films will show you a brutally real portraits of the world we live in. They're worth watching—and thinking about.
Casting JonBenet
One of many films that investigates the mystery surrounding JonBenet Ramsey's death, this one stands out by raising important questions we've had for years: Why are we still so obsessed with this murder? And how does the media's portrayal of the case—and JonBenet herself–play into that?
Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On
Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On is a sequel of sorts to the critically lauded 2015 documentary Hot Girls Wanted. This Netflix series provokes the psyche, too: Should we be condemning the porn industry? Or empathizing with the women who are a part of it? Is it empowering or exploitative?
13th
13th doesn't explore women's issues explicitly, but it's directed by Ava DuVernay and tackles an issue we should all care about: the unlawful mass criminalization of Black people in the United States. The documentary masterfully untangles the psychology behind the police's mistreatment of people of color. It's raw, unflinching, and a must-see.
Audrie & Daisy
This 2016 Netflix documentary explores the sexual assault cases of two young women: Audrie Pott of Saratoga, California and Daisy Coleman of Maryville, Missouri. Both were under 16 years old when they were assaulted, and the victims and their families faced abuse and bullying after coming forward about the attacks. The two narratives are gripping, as is the film's commentary about "boys will be boys" rape culture. It's even more heartbreaking because both of the film's subjects have died by suicide: Audrie, in 2012, and Daisy, in 2020.
Miss Representation
Miss Representation is a straightforward look into the problematic and reductive ways the media portrays women in influential positions. The 2011 film's message isn't especially new or groundbreaking—women have known this for as long as TV's existed—but that doesn't make it any less interesting (or necessary) to watch.
Chelsea Does
This docuseries hilariously lives up to its title: Chelsea Handler does, quite literally, everything in these episodes—from snapping selfies with Khloé Kardashian to chatting with a creepy robot head. If you're in the mood to watch a very funny lady do very funny things, put Chelsea Does at the top of your queue.
The Keepers
“Who killed Sister Cathy?” That's the central question of this seven-episode documentary series from Netflix about the unsolved murder of Cathy Cesnik, a nun and high school teacher, in Baltimore, Maryland. A group of her former students believe a priest who was found guilty of sexually abusing students is the culprit—and their quest to find justice is equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring.
Available to stream on Netflix
What Happened, Miss Simone?
Directed by Liz Garbus and nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 2016 Academy Awards, What Happened, Miss Simone? dives into the fascinating life and career of singer Nina Simone. The New York Times described the film as an “electric, bracingly urgent documentary” in its review, and we couldn't agree more.
Homecoming
Homecoming is more than just an inside look at Beyoncé's iconic 2018 Coachella performance: It's an ode to hard work and how to make a statement. The empowering documentary shows the Beyhive—and any skeptics who may be watching—just how much effort, planning, and thought went into this performance of a lifetime. This is a must watch.
Knock Down the House
This uplifting documentary follows the 2018 primary campaigns of four progressive women who are running grassroots campaigns against long-time incumbents: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amy Vilela, Cori Bush, and Paula Jean Swearengin. Director Rachel Lears and her cameras follow along the campaign trail as these inspiring women strive to literally change history.
Originally Appeared on Glamour
