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The best documentaries to stream right now

Right now the best documentaries and docuseries in the United States are Planet Earth (2006), Planet Earth II (2016) and The Last Dance (2020). This is the top 30 streaming there today, ranked by how well rated each one is, how many people have rated it, and what people are watching now.

Updated November 11, 2026 · streaming in the United States

  1. 1. Planet Earth2006

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 8.6

    David Attenborough celebrates the amazing variety of the natural world in this epic documentary series, filmed over four years across 64 different countries.

    Stream onHBO MaxPhiloDiscovery+YouTube TV+2

  2. 2. Planet Earth II2016

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary, Family★ 8.6

    David Attenborough presents a documentary series exploring how animals meet the challenges of surviving in the most iconic habitats on earth.

    Stream onHBO MaxPhiloDiscovery+YouTube TV+1

  3. 3. The Last Dance2020

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 8.3

    A 10-part documentary chronicling the untold story of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty with rare, never-before-seen footage and sound from the 1997-98 championship season – plus over 100 interviews with famous figures and…

    Stream onNetflix

  4. 4. Formula 1: Drive to Survive2019

    Series · 8 seasonsDocumentary★ 8.2

    Drivers, managers and team owners live life in the fast lane — both on and off the track — during each cutthroat season of Formula 1 racing.

    Stream onNetflixApple TV

  5. 5. Our Planet2019

    Series · 2 seasonsDocumentary, Family★ 8.5

    Experience our planet's natural beauty and examine how climate change impacts all living creatures in this ambitious documentary of spectacular scope.

    Stream onNetflix

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  7. 6. Prehistoric Planet2022

    Series · 3 seasonsDocumentary★ 8.3

    Experience the wonders of our world like never before in this epic series from Jon Favreau and the producers of Planet Earth.

    Stream onApple TV

  8. 7. Blue Planet II2017

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary, Family★ 8.6

    There is nowhere more powerful and unforgiving yet more beautiful and compelling than the ocean. Join us and explore the greatest yet least known parts of our planet.

    Stream onHBO MaxDiscovery+Planet Earth

  9. 8. MythBusters2003

    Series · 16 seasonsDocumentary★ 7.8

    MythBusters is a science entertainment television program created and produced by Australia's Beyond Television Productions for the Discovery Channel.

    Stream onDisney+HuluHBO MaxPhilo+7

  10. 9. Mayday2003

    Series · 26 seasonsDocumentary, Drama, Crime★ 8.2

    Major real-life air disasters are depicted in this series. Each episode features a detailed dramatized reconstruction of the incident based on cockpit voice recorders and air traffic control transcripts, as well as eyewitnesses recounts…

    Stream onfuboTVPeacockPhiloYouTube TV+5

  11. 10. The Beatles: Get Back2021

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 8.4

    The three-part documentary series, compiled from over 60 hours of unseen footage, captures the warmth, camaraderie, and creative genius that defined the legacy of music's most iconic foursome.

    Stream onDisney+

  12. 11. The Blue Planet2001

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 8.4

    Sir David Attenborough narrates this critically acclaimed series that dives deep into the marine environment of Planet Earth.

    Stream onDiscovery+Planet EarthTencent Video

  13. 12. Life2009

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 8.4

    David Attenborough looks at the extraordinary ends to which animals and plants go in order to survive. Featuring epic spectacles, amazing TV firsts and examples of new wildlife behaviour.

    Stream onHBO MaxPhiloDiscovery+Planet Earth

  14. 14. Frozen Planet2011

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 8.4

    David Attenborough travels to the end of the earth, taking viewers on an extraordinary journey across the polar regions of our planet.

    Stream onHBO MaxDiscovery+Planet Earth

  15. 18. Marvel Studios Legends2021

    Series · 2 seasonsDocumentary, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy★ 7.4

    Revisit the epic heroes, villains and moments from across the MCU in preparation for the stories still to come. Each dynamic segment feeds directly into the upcoming series — setting the stage for future events.

    Stream onDisney+

  16. 21. World War II with Tom Hanks2026

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 8.3

    Explores WWII from Germany's invasion of Poland through the atomic age, examining pivotal battles, wartime leaders like Churchill and Roosevelt, and the human cost of total war.

    Stream onPhiloHISTORY VaultHistoryHoopla (free)+1

  17. 24. The End of an Era2025

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 8.6

    A behind-the-scenes docuseries event chronicling the development, impact, and inner workings that created the phenomenon that was Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour, as well as providing an intimate look at Taylor's life as her tour made…

    Stream onDisney+

  18. 27. Rafa2026

    Series · 1 seasonDocumentary★ 8.4

    RAFA retraces Nadal's remarkable journey with cinematic scope, combining testimonies from those who know him best—on and off the court—with unseen moments that reveal what lies behind the legend.

    Stream onNetflix

  19. 28. How the Universe Works2010

    Series · 11 seasonsDocumentary★ 8.3

    A users' guide to the cosmos, from the Big Bang to galaxies, stars, planets and moons: where did it all come from and how does it all fit together? A primer for anyone who has ever looked up at the night sky and wondered.

    Stream onHBO MaxPhiloDiscovery+Science Channel+1

  20. 29. Ancient Aliens2010

    Series · 22 seasonsDocumentary, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy★ 7.1

    Did intelligent beings from outer space visit Earth thousands of years ago? From the age of the dinosaurs to ancient Egypt, from early cave drawings to continued mass sightings in the US, each episode gives historic depth to the questions,…

    Stream onNetflixPrime VideoDisney+Hulu+9

  21. 30. NOVA1974

    Series · 53 seasonsDocumentary★ 7.1

    PBS' premier science series helps viewers of all ages explore the science behind the headlines. Along the way, NOVA demystifies science and technology, and highlights the people involved in scientific pursuits.

    Stream onPrime VideoYouTube TVPBSPBS America+2

Questions

What are the best documentaries and docuseries right now?
In the United States, as of November 11, 2026: Planet Earth (2006), rated 8.6 out of 10 on TMDB, then Planet Earth II and The Last Dance.
How is this list made?
Watchwalla asks TMDB for everything of this kind that streams in your country today, ranks it by rating (pulled toward the middle until enough people have rated a title), with a nudge for what's new and what people are watching now, and refreshes the list every day. Streaming availability comes from JustWatch, through TMDB.
Can it pick something for me?
Yes. The picker at watchwalla.com/tonight asks who's watching, how much time you have and what you're in the mood for, and gives three picks streaming where you are. Sign in and every title also gets a match score for your own taste.

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