The 24 Best Documentaries on Hulu

written by

updated Sep 13, 2020

women watching tv — Westend61/Getty Images

At MyDomaine, we're big fans of documentaries. We've previously shared the travel documentaries that have inspired us to alter our vacation plans, food documentaries that have motivated us to pick up chef's knives, and health documentaries that have opened our eyes to the startling reality of the sugar industry in America. In short, we're always searching for nonfiction films to add to our queue. Thus, we expanded our sights beyond Netflix and HBO Go's offerings to scroll through Hulu's library of films in the genre. Spanning a behind-the-scenes look at the journalists from one of the most respected newspapers in the country to an inspirational story of a high school step team, the best documentaries on Hulu altered how we view the world—and we think they'll have a similar effect for you, too.

Here are our picks for the best documentaries on Hulu.

01 of 24

Jane (2017)

Director Brett Morgan's lauded documentary presents Jane Goodall's groundbreaking chimpanzee research in a whole new light. Featuring never-before-seen footage from National Geographic's archive, Jane chronicles the scientist's determination to break into the male-dominated field, her relationship with her cameraman and husband, and the bonds she made with the primates she studied.

Available on: Hulu

02 of 24

Tabloid (2011)

The subject of 2010's Tabloid sounds more like a fictional psychological thriller than a true crime narrative. In this gripping documentary, filmmaker Errol Morris tells the story of a former Miss Wyoming pageant queen who's accused of kidnapping and raping a Mormon missionary in England.

Available on: Hulu

03 of 24

Whose Streets? (2017)

The killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown in 2014 inspired the citizens of Ferguson, Missouri, to push back and sparked a powerful revival of the civil rights movement. In Whose Streets? residents turned activists are the ones in front of the camera relaying their firsthand accounts of the months following the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man in their community.

Available on: Hulu

04 of 24

Dancing in Jaffa (2014)

World-renowned ballroom dancer Pierre Dulaine undertakes the task of teaching 10-year-old Palestinian-Israeli and Jewish-Israeli children to dance in Dancing in Jaffa. Touching on complex issues of racial segregation, prejudice, and identity, the film shows how dance can bring people together despite their differences.

Available on: Hulu

05 of 24

4 Little Girls (1997)

Spike Lee's film about the 1963 bombing of a black church in Birmingham, Alabama, that killed four little girls should be considered required viewing for everyone in America. Lee's 4 Little Girls exposes a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement that's often overlooked by traditional education curriculums.

Available on: Hulu

06 of 24

One Strange Rock (2018)

Will Smith hosts this documentary, which explores and reveals how life is able to thrive on Earth. One Strange Rock follows eight astronauts sharing their perspectives on earth. The 10-episode series explains how the earth is both habitable and lethal, and mass extinctions are necessary for a prosperous planet.

Available on: Hulu

07 of 24

Leaving Neverland (2019)

In this HBO documentary, two men abused by Michael Jackson recount their experiences. You might see the iconic entertainer in another light after this.

Available on: Hulu

08 of 24

Fyre Fraud (2019)

If you caught Netflix's Fyre, you need to watch Hulu's documentary on the infamous Fyre Festival. It takes you inside the 2017 influencer scam and features an exclusive interview with Billy McFarland. Trust us—you don't want to miss this one.

Available on: Hulu

09 of 24

They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)

If you're a history buff, you'll love this documentary about WWI. It utilizes digital technology to restore archival footage from the Imperial War Museum. It's a firsthand look at WWI, with the story being told by the men who were there.

Available on: Hulu

10 of 24

Cannabis Evolution (2019)

Marijuana is known to help treat both physical and mental illnesses, but many are wary of using the drug. This documentary addresses the facts and the myths to help you understand the truth about marijuana.

Available on: Hulu

11 of 24

The Iceman Tapes (1992)

Things are not always as they seem, and this chilling documentary about a serial killer/family man will prove this point. It’s not for the faint of heart, as you’ll hear about some of the 100 murders Richard “The Iceman” Kuklinski reportedly committed from police officers, medical examiners, and his wife. Oh yeah, and you’ll hear from Kuklinski himself as to exactly how he did it.

Available on: Hulu

12 of 24

Amazing Grace (2018)

Music lovers, this ones for you. This documentary is the live recording of Aretha Franklin's album, Amazing Grace, at The New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles in 1972. It will give you chills.

Available on: Hulu

13 of 24

Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)

Revisit the life and legacy of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" star and host, Fred Rogers, in this documentary. It's emotional and moving, so have some tissues handy.

Available on: Hulu

14 of 24

Capturing the Friedmans (2003)

When filmmaker Andrew Jarecki learned that one of his subjects, a professional clown, was the son and brother of two men convicted of child sexual abuse in a 1980s criminal trial, he used home videos as well as interviews to compile a documentary to explore it.

Available on: Hulu

15 of 24

Madonna and the Breakfast Club (2019)

Any '80s fan will appreciate this documentary, which tells the untold story of Madonna's struggles in her pre-fame years in New York City. Learn about her then-boyfriend, musician Dan Gilroy, and their first band, Breakfast Club.

Available on: Hulu

16 of 24

Free Solo (2018)

This movie documentary chronicles Alex Honnold's free solo climb of 32,000-foot El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Trust us, your palms will be sweating the entire time.

Available on: Hulu

17 of 24

Jawline (2019)

Ever wondered how YouTube stars are made, or how young influencers reach almost celebrity-like status? This documentary follows a 16-year-old boy living in rural Tennessee who is a rising social media star. He tries to escape his life and upbringing by building a following based on teen girl lust.

Available on: Hulu

18 of 24

Addicted to Sexting (2015)

This documentary is compelling and often humorous. It examines the rise of sexting from different perspectives, and how the social phenomenon affects the lives of those engaged in it.

Available on: Hulu

19 of 24

Iris (2014)

Renowned documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles offers an intimate look into the life of self-described "geriatric starlet" and NYC-based style icon Iris Apfel in the film Iris. "It's a delight to spend time in Apfel's company, and thanks to Albert Maysles, we can," notes SF Gate.

Available on: Hulu

20 of 24

RBG (2018)

Get an intimate look into Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in this documentary. Filmmakers explore how she changed the world for women, making it an especially poignant film.

Available on: Hulu

21 of 24

Apollo 11 (2019)

If you're interested in space, you'll be fascinated by this documentary. The film was created from newly-discovered footage and over 11,000 hours of uncatalogued audio recordings. It'll take you right to the heart of NASA's Apollo 11 mission.

Available on: Hulu

22 of 24

Ballet 422 (2014)

Follow a choreographer as he creates and dances New York City Ballet's 422nd original piece. If you loved Black Swan, or just want an intimate glimpse into the ballet world, this is it.

Available on: Hulu

23 of 24

Food Choices (2016)

Explore the impact food choices have on our health, our planet's health, and the lives of other living species in this documentary. It explores misconceptions about diet and takes an in-depth look at the consumption of animal products.

Available on: Hulu

24 of 24

The Gospel According to André (2017)

Fashionistas, here you go. This intimate portrait of Andre Leon Talley, an icon in the world of fashion, will give you a firsthand look at his roots. You'll learn how he grew up to be one of the most influential tastemakers of our time.

Available on: Hulu

That's Amore—26 Romance Movies on Hulu to Add to Your Queue Right Now

Article Sources

MyDomaine uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.