When I think of documentaries to watch, I think of Netflix and Sky. I’ve only watched a handful on Disney+ which includes The Beatles: Get Back, Summer of Soul and Welcome to Wrexham (all of which I can recommend). Whilst doing research for this article, I was surprised to see so many highly rated documentaries and docuseries on Disney+, with several award winning too. You’ll find everything from sports and nature to music and history.
Here is a selection of the best rated which received a score of 7.5 or more IMDb.
More best documentaries to watch:
Documentaries & Non Fiction On Apple TV+ | Documentaries on Sky Documentaries | Documentaries on Netflix | Sports Documentaries on Netflix | Football Documentaries
The Beatles: Get Back – IMDb score 9.0
Peter Jackson’s docuseries offers unprecedented access to the Beatles’ creative process during the making of Let It Be.
9/11: One Day in America – IMDb score 8.8
Survivors and first responders recount the September 11 attacks in this Emmy-winning docuseries.
One Strange Rock – IMDb score 8.7
Hosted by Will Smith, this visually spectacular series explores Earth’s uniqueness through astronaut perspectives.
The Imagineering Story – IMDb score 8.7
This docuseries chronicles the creative minds behind Disney’s theme parks and innovations.
The Rescue – IMDb score 8.3
The dramatic story of the Thai cave rescue is retold with gripping interviews and reenactments by the team behind Free Solo.
Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy – IMDb score 8.3
Behind-the-scenes look at the making of the original Star Wars trilogy, featuring rare footage and interviews.
Disney Gallery / Star Wars: The Mandalorian – IMDb score 8.3
Go behind the scenes of The Mandalorian with cast, crew, and groundbreaking technology.
Welcome to Wrexham – IMDb score 8.3
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney buy a struggling Welsh football club and document its revival.
Before the Flood – IMDb score 8.2
Leonardo DiCaprio travels the globe to explore climate change and advocate for urgent action.
Free Solo – IMDb score 8.1
Alex Honnold attempts to climb El Capitan without ropes in this jaw-dropping, Oscar-winning documentary.
Summer of Soul – IMDb score 8.0
Questlove unearths footage from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival in this Grammy and Oscar-winning celebration of Black music and history.
Secrets of the Whales – IMDb score 8.0
Narrated by Sigourney Weaver, this series reveals the emotional lives and cultures of whale families.
Dian Fossey: Secrets in the Mist – IMDb score 8.0
A three-part series on the life and mysterious death of gorilla researcher Dian Fossey.
Hostile Planet – IMDb score 8.0
Narrated by Bear Grylls, this series explores extreme environments and the creatures that survive them.
Jim Henson Idea Man – IMDb score 8.0
Directed by Ron Howard, this documentary celebrates the creativity and legacy of Jim Henson, from The Muppets to Labyrinth.
LA 92 – IMDb score 8.0
Archival footage captures the chaos and context of the 1992 Los Angeles riots following the Rodney King verdict.
JFK: One Day in America – IMDb score 8.5
A gripping retelling of the assassination of President Kennedy through eyewitness accounts and archival footage.
The Beach Boys – IMDb score 7.8
This documentary charts the rise, influence, and internal struggles of the iconic American band, featuring rare footage and interviews.
Jane – IMDb score 7.8
This intimate portrait of Jane Goodall blends archival footage and personal insight into her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees.
Flee – IMDb score 7.8
An Afghan refugee recounts his harrowing journey through animation and audio in this Oscar-nominated hybrid documentary.
Welcome to Earth – IMDb score 7.8
Will Smith explores hidden corners of the planet with elite explorers and scientists.
The Pixar Story – IMDb score 7.8
A behind-the-scenes look at Pixar’s rise from a tech startup to animation powerhouse.
Bobi Wine: The People’s President – IMDb score 7.8
Ugandan pop star Bobi Wine becomes a political force challenging dictatorship in this powerful documentary.
Limitless with Chris Hemsworth – IMDb score 7.7
Chris Hemsworth pushes his body and mind to explore human longevity and resilience.
The Last Repair Shop – IMDb score 7.7
Oscar-winning short about LA’s public school instrument repair shop and the lives it touches.
Fire of Love – IMDb score 7.6
Volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft chase eruptions and each other in this visually stunning love story.
The Territory – IMDb score 7.6
Indigenous activists in the Amazon fight to protect their land from encroaching deforestation.
Howard – IMDb score 7.6
A tribute to lyricist Howard Ashman, whose work shaped Disney classics like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.
Buena Vista Social Club – IMDb score 7.6
A group of Cuban musicians reunites for a global tour in this Oscar-nominated musical documentary.
African Cats – IMDb score 7.6
Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, this documentary follows lion and cheetah families in Kenya.
The Living Desert – IMDb score 7.6
Disney’s pioneering 1953 documentary showcases desert wildlife with groundbreaking cinematography.
Apollo: Missions to the Moon – IMDb score 7.6
Chronicles NASA’s Apollo programme using only archival footage and audio.
Sea of Shadows – IMDb score 7.5
Activists and scientists fight to save the vaquita from extinction in this environmental thriller.
Savage Kingdom – IMDb score 7.5
Predator clans battle for dominance in Botswana’s wildlands in this cinematic docuseries.
Playing with Sharks – IMDb score 7.5
Valerie Taylor’s pioneering work in shark conservation is chronicled through archival footage and interviews.
The Cave – IMDb score 7.5
A female doctor leads a secret underground hospital in war-torn Syria in this Oscar-nominated documentary.
Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming – IMDb score 7.5
David Letterman joins Bono and The Edge in Dublin for music, stories, and a personal look at U2’s roots.
More best lists on Disney+:
Action TV Shows On Disney+
Sci-Fi On Disney+
Horror movies On Disney+
Movies On Disney+ For Adults
Rom Coms On Disney+
Action Movies On Disney+
Disney+ Comedies For Adults
Halloween Movies & Shows On Disney+