Pictures courtesy of Netflix
Documentaries, especially true crime series, have been a staple of Netflix’s catalogue for many years now. So far in 2025, the streamer has released some excellent films and series documentaries. The streamer has released 46 feature docs and docu-series so let’s take a tour of our favorites.
Netflix documentaries are one of the streamer’s most consistently popular categories. So far in 2025, we’ve seen a few outstanding entries, ranging from shows documenting some of the most notorious crimes of all time to a series telling the inspiring story of an Olympic team’s hard work and determination.
Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer
- Genre: Documentary, Crime
- Rating: TV-MA
- Release Date: March 31, 2025
- Cast: Aaron Peck, Isabella Victorson, Char Jones
- Language: English
Gone Girls covers the disturbing events that happened in New York City and Long Island, where young women who worked in the sex industry went missing. The investigation kicked off in 201o when female remains were found in the Gilgo Beach. This brought about a number of other discoveries, all leading to the arrest of serial killer Rex Heuermann in 2023 — following an investigation of over a decade.
The 3-episode series documents the beginning of the investigation, right up to the eventual arrest of Heuermann in July 2023.
A Deadly American Marriage
- Genre: Documentary, Crime
- Rating: TV-MA
- Release Date: May 9, 2025
- Director: Jessica Burgess, Jenny Popplewell
- Language: English
- Runtime: 102 mins
In August 2015, Irish business mogul Jason Corbett was brutally killed at his home in North Carolina by the hand of his wife Molly Martens and her father Thomas Martens, a former member of the FBI. The attack was extremely disturbing, with him being beaten to death with a brick and metal baseball bat.
The story has since garnered conflicting reports, such as claims that the murder was committed in an act of self-defence. The Netflix documentary film dives into their relationship and possible motives behind the murder, the investigation, the evidence surrounding the case, and the American justice system.
CHAOS: The Manson Murders
- Genre: Documentary, Crime
- Rating: TV-MA
- Release Date: March 7, 2025
- Director: Errol Morris
- Language: English
- Runtime: 95 min
This documentary film adapts the non-fiction novel CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O’Neill with Dan Piepenbring. It covers the 1960s’ most infamous killing spree, ordered by cult leader Charles Manson, who orchestrated a string of brutal killings. One of the victims included a heavily pregnant woman who was stabbed to death.
Manson’s ideology and ability to manipulate people into committing cold murder remain among the cruelest criminal stories in history. The Netflix film dives into his mindset, his manipulation, and his influence control techniques.
The Diamond Heist
- Genre: Documentary
- Rating: TV-MA
- Release Date: April 16, 2025
- Language: English
Executive produced by none other than Guy Ritchie (The Gentlemen), The Diamond Heist chronicles the attempted robbery of a priceless diamond. It’s a documentary series, based on one of the biggest gem raids ever attempted in Britain. The diamond in question is the Millennium Star, worth £350 million, housed inside the Millennium Dome for an exhibition. The miniseries is told by the accounts of both the gangster perpetrators and the police who investigated it, and features never-before-seen images and surveillance footage.
It’s a fascinating series, offering a unique insight into the heist from the people who were directly involved.
Court of Gold
- Genre: Sports, Documentary
- Rating: TV-MA
- Release Date: February 19, 2025
- Cast: Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Victor Wembanyama
- Language: English
An inspiring documentary, Court of Gold chronicles the journey of Team USA, France, Serbia, and Canada, in their training camps for Olympic Games Paris 2024. The 2024 Olympics marked the first time that international Basketball quality had caught up with the U.S. It was one of the most intense Basketball tournaments in the history of the Olympic Games, and a tough battle for the U.S. to retain their Gold.
Court of Gold brilliantly demonstrates the enormous passion and effort that goes into the Olympic Games.
Surviving Black Hawk Down
- Genre: Military, War
- Rating: TV-MA
- Release Date: February 10, 2025
- Language: English
Movie buffs out there will be well-acquainted with Ridley Scott’s 2002 movie Black Hawk Down. Obviously, the blockbuster is embellished for the big screen. If you want to further understand the mission in historical detail, Netflix’s Surviving Black Hawk Down is the best offering.
The 3-part series features first-person interviews from the battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, including both US soldiers and Somali fighters. It’s a gritty, immersive deep dive into the horror and heroism of the battle.
American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden
- Genre: Documentary, Crime, History
- Rating: TV-MA
- Release Date: May 14, 2025
- Director: Daniel Sivan, Mor Loushy
- Language: English
The pursuit and killing of Osama bin Laden is one of the most talked-about events of modern history. Yet, years down the line, Netflix’s new documentary series offers the saga in “unprecedented” detail. The three-part series from Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan features exclusive interviews with key figures from the US government. There have been many documentaries detailing the events over the years, but this one from Netflix features fascinating content that you won’t see anywhere else.
Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story
- Genre: Documentary, Crime
- Rating: TV-MA
- Release Date: May 15, 2025
- Language: English
From American horror stories to one of Britain’s most infamous cases. The harrowing crimes of Fred and Rose West took place from 1967 to 1987, where they sexually abused and murdered at least 12 young girls at their home in 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester. The series begins with Fred West being taken into police custody in 1994, after the police began digging into his heinous crimes.
The 3-episode documentary series focuses on Fred’s charges (and death by suicide), Rose’s conviction, and the trial they faced. It includes police recordings and first-person accounts. The crime goes down as one of the most chilling and distressing in British history.
What’s been your favorite new documentary of 2025 so far? Let us know in the comments.
