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Nothing beats a good documentary! Here are some of the best ones on Netflix, whether you're craving for true crime, pop culture, or celebrity.

A good documentary is hard to beat. Entertaining, emotional, yet incredibly educational, these documentaries (and docu-series) follows the lives and stories of some of the world's most intriguing personalities. Check them all out on Netflix today!

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1. Slice of Life: Sunday Beauty Queen

Sunday Beauty Queen dives deep into the lives of five Filipina OFWs living in Hong Kong. Their story mirrors the struggles that many other OFWs face, yet their enduring courage—and their love for pageantry—makes this documentary a must-not-miss. Director Baby Ruth Villarama follows these five ladies as they find empowerment in joining beauty pageants on the one day they call their own: Sunday. 

2. Politics: How To Become A Tyrant

"If you want to rule, you first have to believe that you can." So starts the trailer for How To Become A Tyrant, a documentary that follows the rise of despots around the world. But what exactly are the lessons one needs to learn? Following the stories of rulers such as Saddam Hussein, Adolf Hitler, and Joseph Stalin, this documentary makes a case for "the playbook of power" in a sardonic yet informative docu-series on Netflix. 

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3. LGBTQ+ Issues: Pray Away

The empowerment of the LGBTQ+ community came at a price. Though people nowadays have become more open to sexuality, it wasn't always so. Pray Away documents the rise of conversion therapy in the 1970s, and how Exodus International, one of the most influential conversion organisations, played a role in promoting harmful "pseudo-psychology". In fact, the documentary interviews the leaders' own struggle: that despite their "conversion", their "same-sex attractions" never went away. 

 

4. Nature: Our Planet

Narrated by the charming David Attenborough, Our Planet documents the amazing wonders of our very own home. From exotic jungles to treacherous seas, this documentary explores all the marvels of planet earth through ultra high definition footage shot in over 50 countries. If you're looking to get inspired by beauty, this is the pick for you. 

5. Celebrity: Miss Americana

Perhaps no one is more iconic than Taylor Swift is to our generation. Though she's known as America's sweetheart, she's also had to constantly reinvent herself. Miss Americana gives us a glimpse of Swift beyond the confines of the world's largest stages. In this documentary, she opens up about politics, fame, and scandal. 

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6. True Crime: Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich

Jeffrey Epstein's scandalous crimes have yet to be forgotten nor forgiven. Netflix's documentary, Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich, shows us why. The docu-series examines the crimes committed by Epstein on his private island; producers also speak to the brave survivors who share their stories about how Epstein's wealth fuelled his wrongdoing and abuse. 

 

7. Medical: Diagnosis

In Diagnosis, columnist and doctor Lisa Sanders follows various patients as they struggle to find a proper diagnosis for rare medical conditions. Harnessing the power of social media, she untangles the stories and symptoms of people who have been searching for answers their whole lives. 

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