Documentaries are often overlooked as being boring or too heavy for an evening watch. While some 3-hour long delves into ancient history might not be your cup of tea there are a lot of great ways to learn via Netflix. From sports to crime to health and wellness there are choices for everyone! We have picked 5 amazing documentaries to help you ease into your newest venture, “Neflix and learn.”
Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel
Most hotels are simply a place to rest your head while traveling, but not the Cecil Hotel. The infamous Los Angeles hotel has a dark history that has led many to believe its halls are haunted. This documentary focuses on the 2013 case of Canadian tourist Elisa Lam who was found dead in the hotel’s rooftop water tank. Don’t expect an ending that wraps the mystery up, but you can expect a delve into the various conspiracy theories that have surrounded the case and the hotel for decades.
Athlete A
Competitive sports are the topic of a lot of documentaries as high-level athletes and their rigorous training schedules, strict diets, and amazing physical prowess is fascinating to so many people. This documentary tells the story of former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar who was accused of assaulting 500 athletes in his care. Diving deep into the sexual abuse scandal that tore the world of competitive gymnastics wide open this documentary will have you rethinking who you can trust.
Fyre: The Greatest Party that Never Happened
Who wants to go to an epic party on a private island in the Bahamas? It seems like a million years ago, but in 2017 socialites, influencers, and celebrities all thought they were gearing up for an experience of a lifetime. Thousands of people thought this was going to be the party of all parties… until it wasn’t. This documentary tells the story of the infamous Fyre Festival crafted by sociopath and failed entrepreneur Billy McFarland. While most know about the fraudulent aspect of the party the documentary peels back the layers of deceit and shows the disastrous effect this festival had on the people of the Bahamas who were unwillingly sucked into McFarland’s mess.
Headspace: Guide To Meditation
Meditation seems like one of those things you have to fly to India to learn. Not so fast, don’t book your tickets just yet. Why not try Netflix’s 8-episode guide to meditation first? Andy Puddicombe uses his platform to teach people about meditation and how to make it a part of their daily routine. This series is a lot of fun and mixes Puddicome’s love for meditation with a guided practice. Each episode focuses on a different aspect of the holistic practice of meditation including how to deal with stress, how to be a kinder person, how to deal with pain, how to let go, how to be more passionate about life, and how to achieve your potential.
Night Stalker: The Hunt For a Serial Killer
If you love true crime then this documentary will have shivers running up your spine. The documentary tells the story of serial killer Richard Ramirez who terrorized California in the 1980s. His crimes were horrific and his life story even more jaw-dropping. Told from various perspectives this documentary series will have you double-checking that you locked your doors.
