The 20 best documentaries on Hulu

Ask Dr. Ruth (2019)

Dr. Ruth Westheimer is one of America’s most enigmatic media figures. An orphaned Holocaust survivor turned sexual therapist, Westheimer became a media darling in the ‘80s thanks to her radio and television shows, and her regular recommendation that her viewers “get some.” Ryan White’s documentary joins Westheimer as she prepares to turn 90, then doubles back to examine her past, and to contemplate how she arrived here. As EW’s reviewer writes, “the doc’s heart lies in one simple truth that emerges through White’s framing of her story — that Dr. Ruth’s compassion and capacity for empathy stemmed from her own deep loss.” —Ilana Gordon

Where to watch Ask Dr. Ruth: Hulu

EW grade: B (read the review)

Director: Ryan White 

Cast: Dr. Ruth Westheimer

Related content: Dr. Ruth Westheimer on telling her incredible life story in Ask Dr. Ruth

Bad Reputation (2018)

Joan Jett doesn’t give a damn about her bad reputation, but in this music documentary, the rocker’s artistry and legacy precedes her. A thorough history of the musician’s life, the film flashes back to Jett’s years performing with the Runaways and the Blackhearts, before chronicling her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2015. A real musician’s musician, Bad Reputation isn’t just an opportunity to get to know Jett, but also a chance to hear from the myriad performers she’s influenced. As an EW writer puts it in his interview with Jett, the film features a number of friends and musicians, “including Dave Grohl, Miley Cyrus, Iggy Pop, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna, [who] speak with nothing but love and admiration for the Queen of Rock and Roll.” —I.G.

Where to watch Bad Reputation: Hulu

Director: Kevin Kerslake

Cast: Joan Jett

Related content: Hear Dave Grohl recount the time Joan Jett read his daughter a bedtime story

The Beatles: Eight Days a Week — The Touring Years (2016)

Filmmaker Ron Howard spearheaded this 2016 documentary, which traces the Beatles' career from the early- to mid-'60s through unforgettable archival footage. Electric performances and private offstage moments document the unparalleled star quality of the four members and their meteoric rise to fame, from the band's debut on American radio to the iconic 1965 Shea Stadium show. Keeping the documentary true to life was paramount to the filmmakers, who worked with both surviving Beatles (Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr) and the widows of John Lennon and George Harrison (Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison). By the end of The Beatles: Eight Days a Week — The Touring Years, the group's palpable cultural influence is sure to stick with spectators. —Devan Herenda

Where to watch The Beatles: Eight Days a Week — The Touring Years: Hulu

Director: Ron Howard

Related content: Ron Howard Beatles documentary interview

Blackfish (2013)

While some documentaries try to stay as objective as possible, Blackfish has a clear-cut point of view, and it's certainly not in favor of SeaWorld. The film centers on animal captivity at the controversial theme park, specifically an incident in which Tilikum, an aggressive orca, killed three people including a SeaWorld trainer. It further explores how the company would seek out killer whales and why being held captive in the park fed their hostility. For those concerned with the inhumane treatment of animals, this is a tough but essential watch, one that has led to ramifications for SeaWorld since the film's initial release. —Kevin Jacobsen

Where to watch Blackfish: Hulu

Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite

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The Capote Tapes (2019)

Truman Capote may have been acclaimed for his writing, but the author is also known for not leaving the drama on the page. A Southerner who was once embraced by the wives of New York City high society, Capote managed to ruin his social standing and closest friendships by publishing the womens’ most scandalous affairs and secrets in a novel he was workshopping. The Capote Tapes tells Truman’s complete story, from his childhood friendship with Harper Lee to his writing achievements and issues with alcoholism to his epic parties and eventual ouster from the New York social scene. Given that Ryan Murphy’s most recent Feud season covers Capote’s downfall, now is the perfect time to get the author’s biography in its entirety. —I.G.

Where to watch The Capote Tapes: Hulu

Director: Ebs Burnough

Related content: Feud: Capote vs. the Swans review: Naomi Watts is an answered prayer

The Cove (2009)

Like Blackfish, The Cove is one of the most well-known animal rights documentaries hoping to inspire its viewers to speak out against the depicted abuses. We follow a former dolphin trainer named Ric O'Barry, who has become a fierce advocate against hunting the sea creatures and slaughtering those that go unsold. In its most effective moments, the Oscar-winning documentary presents footage so horrifying you cannot help but react. "Its images of blood in the water are worth a thousand preachy words," EW's critic wrote in 2009. "The movie forces you to ask: Are some creatures really too sensitive and beautiful to kill?" —K.J.

Where to watch The Cove: Hulu

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Director: Louie Psihoyos

Related content: Killer whale attack: The Cove star calls for federal investigation of SeaWorld

Enemies of the State (2020)

Those looking for an easy and comfortable viewing experience won’t find it in Enemies of the State. A documentary about a family’s battle after accusing the United States government of framing their son for possessing child pornography, Enemies of the State is a circuitous drive to an inconclusive destination — but even so, it’s an incredibly interesting trip. A story about paranoia, conspiracy theories, and the lengths to which people will go to avoid confronting painful realities, Enemies of the State might not be a 100% satisfying watch, but it’s still worth your time. —I.G.

Where to watch Enemies of the State: Hulu

Director: Sonia Kennebeck 

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Fire of Love (2022)

Burning desire has never been quite so literal. This Oscar-nominated nature documentary tells the story of Katia and Maurice Krafft, French volcanologists who made a name for themselves in the '70s and '80s with their stunning reels of volcanic eruptions. The film weaves in the Kraffts' own love story with some of the most dazzling archival footage of fire and ash ever captured, made all the more stunning when you remember it was filmed decades ago. Miranda July's lyrical narration brings what EW's critic calls a "hushed awe and diaristic intimacy" to the film, making the Kraffts' story all the more bittersweet. —K.J.

Where to watch Fire of Love: Hulu

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Director: Sara Dosa

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Flee (2021)

As he prepares for a new stage of life with his soon-to-be husband, Amin Nawabi opens up for the first time about his experience as a child refugee emigrating from Afghanistan to Denmark in this acclaimed documentary. Nawabi's harrowing expedition, which is recreated through affecting animation, saw him separate from family members for protection and form a whole new life. Flee is a gripping meditation on identity and the undeniable power and catharsis of sharing your story, as Nawabi's intimate recollections are finally revealed. The film also made Oscar history as the first film to receive nominations for Best Documentary Feature, Best International Feature, and Best Animated Feature all in the same year. —D.H.

Where to watch Flee: Hulu

Director: Jonas Poher Rasmussen

Related content: Riz Ahmed to voice animated refugee documentary Flee

Free Solo (2018)

Documentaries centered on single-minded people continue to be subjects of fascination for audiences and filmmakers alike. One such case is this tense Oscar-winning doc about rock climber Alex Honnold and his determination to conquer the El Capitan rock formation at Yosemite National Park via free solo climb, which is to say, without any ropes to protect him. While Honnold's efforts are gripping to behold, we also get a fascinating glimpse into what it means to love a person who is constantly putting himself in harm's way, as seen through the eyes of his girlfriend Sanni, whose perspective adds even higher stakes to Honnold's perilous journey to the clouds. As EW's critic writes, "What makes it more than just ghoulish voyeurism is how it paints a surprisingly rich character study of a young man and the obsession that drives him." —K.J.

Where to watch Free Solo: Hulu

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Directors: Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

Related content: EW goes rock climbing with Alex Honnold of Valley Uprising

Fyre Fraud (2019)

This true crime documentary details how entrepreneur Billy McFarland organized the infamous Fyre Festival, a supposedly luxurious music event in the Bahamas that cost attendees thousands and boasted endorsements from celebrities like rapper Ja Rule, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid. Upon arrival, however, guests found that their accommodations were nothing close to glamorous. Instead, the festival consisted of unorganized travel protocols, cold cheese sandwiches for dinner, and a limited amount of shelter. Fyre Fraud explores the class-action lawsuits and tarnished reputations that followed, offering a commentary on the dominance of influencer culture and social media propaganda. —D.H.

Where to watch Fyre Fraud: Hulu

Directors: Jenner Furt and Julia Willoughby Nason

Related content: Ja Rule wants to put on another music festival after infamous Fyre fail: 'I have plans'

I Am Not Your Negro (2016)

This thought-provoking examination of the systemic oppression against Black Americans is made all the more powerful by its central figure: James Baldwin. Our narrative anchor is the influential writer's perspective on racism being intrinsically linked to the soul of America, as evidenced during the tumultuous civil rights movement of the 1960s and beyond. In Baldwin's words, "It is entirely up to the American people whether or not they are going to face and deal with and embrace this stranger whom they maligned so long." The poetically assembled film delves into several facets of racism in the 20th-century, from segregation to harmful portrayals in the media to the prison-industrial complex. "It's impossible not to think: The more things change, the more they stay the same," EW's critic writes of the film. "It's enough to make you weep." —K.J.

Where to watch I Am Not Your Negro: Hulu

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Director: Raoul Peck

Related content: I Am Not Your Negro: Samuel L. Jackson, Janelle Monáe, more urge you to 'know your Baldwin'

Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)

Japanese sushi chef Jiro Ono has dedicated his life to crafting the perfect piece of sushi. Now an octogenarian and owner of a Michelin three-star restaurant located in a Tokyo subway station, Jiro runs his 10-seat establishment with the help of his son. David Gelb’s film is a character study of a man with singular vision, chronicling his dedication to his chosen profession and his complicated relationship with his eldest son. In 2023, one of Jiro’s apprentices announced plans to open a sushi restaurant in Los Angeles, so now seems an appropriate time to revisit Jiro Dreams of Sushi. —I.G.

Where to watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi: Hulu

Director: David Gelb 

Cast: Jiro Ono 

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Joan Baez: I Am a Noise (2023)

Another music documentary about a woman named Joan, Joan Baez’s I Am a Noise helps invoke the spirit of Boston’s folk scene in the early ‘60s, where Baez began her 60-year-long career as a musician and activist. Thought provoking and self-reflective, I Am a Noise digs into Baez’s past traumas, including her issues with her father, and her tumultuous romantic relationship with Bob Dylan. A story told personally and beautifully thanks to the subject’s artwork, home videos, therapy tapes, interviews, diary entries, and more, it took three directors (Miri Navasky, Maeve O'Boyle, and Karen O'Connor) to tell one beautiful and introspective story about a singer, her voice, and her journey towards healing herself. —I.G.

Where to watch Joan Baez: I Am a Noise: Hulu

Directors: Miri Navasky, Maeve O'Boyle, Karen O'Connor

Cast: Joan Baez

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Love, Gilda (2018)

Gilda Radner was the first person chosen to join the cast of NBC’s new late night experiment, Saturday Night Live, and one of the first cast members to capture the country’s heart. Radner passed away from ovarian cancer in May of 1989 at only 42-years-old, but her comedy — starting with her performance in Toronto’s original cast of Godspell, all the way to her film roles — has served as inspiration for subsequent generations of comedians and audiences. Radner’s story, told in her own words, intercut with interviews from some of comedy’s biggest names, is a beautiful tribute to her life and the cancer community she left behind. As EW’s critic writes, “Love, Gilda is penetrating, painful, and personal. It’s also bittersweet considering how it ends – how we know it must end. But for an hour and a half at least, the sorely-missed Radner feels alive again.” —I.G.

Where to watch Love, Gilda: Hulu

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Director: Lisa D'Apolito

Cast: Amy Poehler, Melissa McCarthy, Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, Lorne Michaels, Jordan Walker-Perlman, Cecily Strong, Martin Short, Laraine Newman, Chevy Chase, Paul Shaffer, Stephen Schwartz, Andrew Alexander

Related content: Tina Fey tears up during Gilda Radner tribute at Love, Gilda premiere

Minding the Gap (2018)

Director Bing Liu reflects on his adolescent years for Minding the Gap, capturing the skateboarding culture in the Illinois Rust Belt region, where he and friends Zack Mulligan and Keire Johnson faced economic struggles as they transitioned into adulthood. Amid memories of childhood abuse and strained relationships, skating was a cathartic outlet for the trio, whose most revealing moments appear through flashback footage and more recent recordings. Liu's gritty coming-of-age film tugs at the heartstrings of audiences, with EW's review calling it an embodiment of "youthful escapism, personal expression, and the cold realization that you can't stay a kid forever." —D.H.

Where to watch Minding the Gap: Hulu

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Director: Bing Liu

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Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields (2023)

Brooke Shields spent her formative years as a young actress and model being sexualized by directors, audiences, and the media. Decades later, Shields is taking back control of her narrative in the form of a two-part documentary series. The story of who Brooke Shields is — the Lolita of the ‘80s, the daughter of an alcoholic, a former Ivy Leaguer, a survivor of postpartum depression — is laid out clearly by Shields in her own words, with help from her celebrity friends and loved ones. A vulnerable and insightful look into child stardom by one of the few actors who survived it, Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields is a documentary for anyone who likes peering into all the garbage hidden behind Hollywood’s glamour. —I.G.

Where to watch Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields: Hulu

Director: Lana Wilson

Cast: Brooke Shields

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Summer of Soul (2021)

Many of us associate 1969 with the "Summer of Love" thanks to Woodstock, but that pivotal year was also the "Summer of Soul" thanks to a lesser-known but equally impactful music event: the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. With powerful performances by B.B. King, Nina Simone, the 5th Dimension, and Stevie Wonder to name a few, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson's Oscar-winning documentary explores how the gathering honored Black artistry, marked a cultural movement, and continues to ripple through music today. As EW critic writes, "The interviews are their own historical document, though it's the visceral thrill of being inside all those archival clips — the flick of Simone's wrist, an ecstatic face in the crowd — that makes Summer of Soul comes most fully alive, somehow both as fresh as yesterday and as far away as the moon." —D.H.

Where to watch Summer of Soul: Hulu

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Director: Questlove

Related content: Questlove on making Summer of Soul 'in the middle of a revolution'

Too Funny to Fail (2017)

The Dana Carvey Show had the potential to be ABC’s next big hit in 1996. The sketch comedy show — Dana Carvey’s first gig since leaving SNL — was created by Carvey and Robert Smigel and had the foresight to cast both Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert in their first TV gigs. But the show tanked, defying all expectations, losing advertisers by the week and creating tensions between the cast and network over content and tone. If you like I Think You Should Leave, you’ll love The Dana Carvey Show, and the history behind the series’ rise and fall, as told by the people who lived through it, is both fascinating and deeply funny. —I.G.

Where to watch Too Funny to Fail: Hulu

Director: Josh Greenbaum

Cast: Dana Carvey, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Robert Smigel

Related content: Dana Carvey returns to work after son's sudden death: 'I'm on the pain train'

Three Identical Strangers (2018)

Falling somewhere between true crime and drama, this documentary is one you'll have to see to believe. The film shares how triplets who were separated at birth — Robert Shafran, Edward Galland, and David Kellman — randomly find one another during the early-1980s. They soon gain media fame for their unique reunion story, and the brothers grow even closer as they open an East Coast restaurant. Tragedy eventually befalls the siblings, however, when they discover that their childhood separation story is even more complex than it originally appeared. The documentary was all the rage at Sundance in 2018, and a miniseries adaptation starring Ben Stiller is currently in the works. —D.H.

Where to watch Three Identical Strangers: Hulu

EW grade: A (read the review)

Director: Tim Wardle

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